Publishers / Marvel / Strange Tales (1973) / #178
178February 1975
$0.25

Strange Tales #178

Marvel · February 1975 · on sale 1974-11-26

First appearance: MatriarchFirst appearance: SphinxorOrigin: Adam Warlock1 variant
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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
#178
Publication date
February 1975
Key date
1975-02-00
On-sale date
1974-11-26
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 Matriarch - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

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

Origin story on record for: Adam Warlock.

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
0The Man Who Stalked the Stars!cover1pencils: Jim Starlin; inks: Jim Starlin; letters: Danny CrespiAdam Warlock; Magus
2Who Is Adam Warlock?comic story19script: Jim Starlin; pencils: Jim Starlin; inks: Jim Starlin; colors: Jim Starlin; letters: Annette KaweckiBruce Banner, Victor Von Doom, High Evolutionary, Hulk, Man-Beast, Matriarch First, Thor Odinson, Sphinxor First, Thor, Adam Warlock Origin, Herbert Edgar Wyndham
4The Origins of Marvel Comicspromo (ad from the publisher)1
10Guess Who's Coming to Christmas Dinner?promo (ad from the publisher)1pencils: John Buscema, John Romita; inks: John Buscema, John RomitaThor [Don Blake]; Human Torch [Johnny Storm]; Spider-Man [Peter Parker]; Hulk [Bruce Banner]; Captain America [Steve Rogers]; Thing [Ben Grimm]
113 Dimensional Marvel Superheroes Action Scenespromo (ad from the publisher)1pencils: Herb Trimpe, John RomitaSpider-Man; Hulk; Captain America; Kung Fu Fighter
14Pleans and Self-Plaudits from the Punidts of Pandemonium!in-house column1script: Stan Lee

Plus 12 pages of advertisements and other matter across 12 sequences, as published.

Printings and variants

EditionHow to tell
Britishprice 0.08 GBP

Where to read it

CollectionYear
Warlock #11982On eBay ›
Warlock #11992On eBay ›
Fantasy Masterpieces #81980On eBay ›
Marvel Masterworks: Warlock #2
ISBN 978-0-7851-3511-1		2009On eBay ›
Comic Reader #1121974On eBay ›
Marvel Firsts: The 1970s #2
ISBN 978-0-7851-6381-7		2012On eBay ›
Essential Warlock #1
ISBN 978-0-7851-6331-2		2012On eBay ›
Warlock by Jim Starlin: The Complete Collection #[nn]
ISBN 978-0-7851-8847-6		2014On 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

‹ #17710 of 20#179 ›

Sources

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