Publishers / Marvel / Man-Thing (1974) / #5
5May 1974
$0.25

Man-Thing #5

Marvel · May 1974 · on sale 1974-02-12

First appearance: Ayla PrentissFirst appearance: Darrel Daniel
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How to read this file
  • Every claim on this page traces to a public bibliographic record; the sources are listed at the bottom of the file.
  • A first-appearance badge means this is the earliest non-flashback appearance on record in this database.
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Identification plate

Series
Man-Thing (Marvel, 1974 series)
Issue
#5
Publication date
May 1974
Key date
1974-05-00
On-sale date
1974-02-12
Indicia publisher
Marvel Comics Group
Price
$0.25
Pages
36
Rating
Approved by the Comics Code Authority

Match the book in your hand against this plate before paying an edition-specific price.

Why this issue matters

First appearance of Ayla Prentiss - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Darrel Daniel - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

The evidence

Claims here come from the story records for this issue, listed under Sources at the bottom of the file. Character hubs with full evidence tables are coming to this site.

Contents

SeqStoryTypePagesCreditsCharacters
0Night of the Laughing Dead!cover1pencils: Mike Ploog, John Romita; inks: Mike Ploog, John Romita; letters: Danny CrespiDarrel Daniel First, Ruth Hart, Man-Thing, Richard Rory, Ted Sallis
1Night of the Laughing Deadcomic story19script: Steve Gerber; pencils: Mike Ploog; inks: Frank Chiaramonte; colors: L. Lessmann; letters: Artie SimekDarrel Daniel First, Ruth Hart, Man-Thing, Ayla Prentiss First, Richard Rory, Ted Sallis
2-letters page1script: Steve Gerber; pencils: Jack Kirby; inks: Vince CollettaMan-thing, Howard the Duck, Dragon Man

Where to read it

CollectionYear
The Man-Thing: Night of the Laughing Dead! [Book and Record Set] #PR161974On eBay ›
Essential Man-Thing #1
ISBN 0-7851-2135-8		2006On eBay ›
Man-Thing Omnibus #[nn]
ISBN 978-0-7851-6463-0		2012On eBay ›
Man-Thing by Steve Gerber: The Complete Collection #1
ISBN 978-0-7851-9905-2		2015On eBay ›
Marvel Masterworks: Man-Thing #2
ISBN 978-1-302-96251-7		2025On eBay ›

Reading the story costs a fraction of owning the issue. Both routes are on every file.

Before you buy

  • Check the price box: Marvel ran 30-cent and 35-cent test-market price variants in 1976-77.
  • Canadian and Whitman editions exist for many bronze books; match the barcode area to the plate.
  • Look for Mark Jewelers inserts and date stamps - they affect collector preference, not authenticity.

Series context

‹ #45 of 22#6 ›

Sources

Found an error in this file? corrections@comicrecord.com