Publishers / Marvel / Strange Tales (1973) / #173
173April 1974
$0.20

Strange Tales #173

Marvel · April 1974 · on sale 1974-01-15

First appearance: Black TalonFirst appearance: Desmond DrewFirst appearance: Mama Limbo
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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
Strange Tales (Marvel, 1973 series)
Issue
#173
Publication date
April 1974
Key date
1974-04-00
On-sale date
1974-01-15
Indicia publisher
Marvel Comics Group
Price
$0.20
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 Black Talon - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Desmond Drew - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Mama Limbo - 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
0Beware the Black Talon!cover1pencils: Rich Buckler, Ron Wilson; inks: Ernie Chan; letters: Morrie KuramotoBlack Talon First, Brother Voodoo, Brother Voodoo, Daniel Drumm's spirit, Desmond Drew First, Jericho Drumm
1Sacrifice Play!comic story15script: Len Wein; pencils: Gene Colan; inks: Dick Giordano; colors: Glynis Wein; letters: L. P. GregoryBlack Talon First, Brother Voodoo, Brother Voodoo, Daniel Drumm's spirit, Desmond Drew First, Jericho Drumm, Mama Limbo First, Samuel Tate, Loralee Tate
2Baitcomic story4pencils: Manny Stallman; inks: Manny Stallman; editing: Stan Lee
3-letters page1script: Len Wein; pencils: John Romita, Gil Kane; inks: John Romita, Mike Esposito; letters: Danny Crespi

Where to read it

CollectionYear
Essential Marvel Horror #2
ISBN 978-0-7851-3067-3		2008On eBay ›
Marvel Horror Omnibus #[nn]
ISBN 978-1-302-91953-5		2019On eBay ›
Marvel Masterworks: Brother Voodoo #1
ISBN 978-1-302-92923-7		2021On 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

‹ #1725 of 20#174 ›

Sources

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