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MARVEL PREMIERE #1, April 1972, Marvel Comics. Him is reborn and named WARLOCK.
“And Men Shall Call Him… Warlock!” The being known only as Him, last seen in the pages of Fantastic Four and Thor, is reborn here and given the name Warlock. The issue also debuts his costume, including the emerald on his brow that is later revealed to be the Soul Gem, and creates Counter-Earth. Written by Roy Thomas, drawn by Gil Kane, embellished by Dan Adkins, lettered by Sam Rosen. Cover by Gil Kane and Dan Adkins, with the Hulk and Thor.
To be exact about the key: this is not the character’s first appearance (that was Him, in Fantastic Four #66-67). It is the issue where he becomes Warlock and the start of his cosmic run. The gem is not named the Soul Gem in this against the indicia, photographed in shot 09. It reads:
“MARVEL PREMIERE is published by MAGAZINE MANAGEMENT CO., INC. OFFICE OF PUBLICATION: 625 MADISON AVENUE, NEW YORK, N.Y. 10022. Published quarterly. Copyright (C) 1971 by Magazine Management Co., Inc., Marvel Comics Group… Vol. 1, No. 1, April, 1972 issue. Price 20c per copy… Printed in the U.S.A. by World Color Press, Inc., Sparta, Illinois 62286.”
Magazine Management Co. is the correct period publisher. The 1971 copyright on an April 1972 issue is normal. No barcode, as expected. Original 1972 first printing, not a facsimile and not a reprint.
CONDITION: FN/VF 7.0. The flaws, first:
- One colour-breaking crease on the back cover, about 1 1/4 inches, running in from the outer edge into the black panel. Shot 03. It does not show through to the front.
- A small bump at the bottom tip of the spine. Shots 04 and 07.
- A tiny ding at the lower outer corner tip of the back cover. Shot 03.
- Slight cover miswrap from the factory. The cover sits a little off, so a thin cream strip of cover stock shows along the front at the spine and a thin red sliver shows along the back cover’s outer edge. Shots 01 and 03. This is how it was printed and trimmed, not wear.
What holds up, and the front of this copy is the selling point:
- Gloss is strong. Shot 02 is a raking-light photograph taken to expose surface wear. The front cover shows sheen and no creases.
- Colours are bright with no fading or soiling.
- Three of four corners are sharp. Shots 05, 06, 08.
- Spine is flat and tight, no roll, no splits, both staples straight. Shot 04.
- Pages are cream to light tan and supple, no brittleness, no writing, no stamps.
- Complete, centerfold attached. Shots 10 and 11.
A note so it does not raise a question: the small “799” in the lower-left corner of the splash art is printed, part of the original production artwork. It is not writing.
Photographed under side lighting rather than behind a flattering flat shot. What you see is what ships.
SHIPPING
Free shipping, included in the price. Bagged and boarded in a rigid comic mailer. Ships within three business days of cleared payment.
30-day returns.
