FANTASTIC FIRSTS...

Images copyright MARVEL COMICS

Above is the illustration from the cover of MARVEL's

1994 hardback volume, FANTASTIC FIRSTS (below).  A

strictly limited edition, it wasn't available to the general public,

'though a softcover edition (with an added WOLVERINE tale)

was released some years later.  Unfortunately, I can't show the

contents because it's too tightly bound to scan, but it contains

the origins of all the main Marvel superheroes, 'though

sadly not from particularly good proofs.

 The thing that makes the book worthwhile however, is

the introductions to the tales by creators mainly associated

with the characters;  thus The HULK has an intro by HERB

TRIMPE (rhymes with 'shrimpy'), Sgt. FURY is introduced

by DICK AYERS, and The SILVER SURFER by Big JOHN

BUSCEMA, etc.  These personal intros have interesting rem-

iniscences from the contributors' point of view, and make for

informative reading.  The book comes in a slip-case and

is quite a handsome-looking item.

My first copy of this book had trouble with the spine

splitting when I opened it (a defect of the binding, not as a

result of any rough handling on my part), so I obtained a 2nd

copy, as imperfection irks me.  (Being perfect myself you see.)

As the first one was falling apart, I removed the cover pages

(which I intend to frame at some point), and disposed of the

rest, 'though I kept the slipcase, which now houses the

first two Hulk MARVEL MASTERWORKS.

Anyway, thought you might like to see this striking

illustration.  Would look good as a poster, I'd say.

And below is the book to go for if you want a collected

edition of Marvel origin stories - MARVEL FIRSTS.

Posted in: Cartoons