Marvel Premiere Key Issues

It's been a while since I've done a comic series key issues list, and I thought I'd drop a list of some Marvel Premiere key issues to be on the hunt for. A few important Marvel first appearances within this title, but this key comics list will be relatively short. It looks like there will only be 2 parts to this series!

Marvel Premiere #1

• Origin of Adam Warlock
• First appearance as Warlock

Wow, I've talked about and mentioned this beast a few times already. Right now the official key issue status of this comic is the origin of Adam Warlock.

However, there's an argument in the comic community about how this comic should be the first appearance of Adam Warlock. I'm not with that party, but I do believe this should be the first appearance as Adam Warlock. This is no longer an easy find in higher CGC near mint grades.

mycomicshop - Two graded copies at the time of this writing. One is a CGC 8.5 and the other is a PGX 7.0. Lower grade raw copies available as well.

eBay - Not that easy finding high grade CGC copies for this issue any longer. There is one CGC 9.4 I spotted, and only a few unslabbed copies. They're even getting harder to find on eBay as well.

Marvel Premiere #2

• 2nd issue
• First appearance as Adam Warlock

2nd issue to Marvel Premiere and features the first appearance of the character as Adam Warlock. Not as HIM or just Warlock, but Adam Warlock.

If you've followed my blog for a while, you'd know that the character was revamped from the character of HIM. This issue isn't really widely known as of yet, and quite a few fans are pushing for this to be the first appearance as Adam Warlock in comics. Technically it's right, but Adam Warlock's character is still a reincarnation of HIM, which I believe crumbles some fans' argument that Marvel Premiere #1 should be the first appearance of Adam Warlock.

The industry has yet to officially recognize either plea, but it looks like the "first as Adam Warlock" key issue status for Marvel Premiere #2 is heading that way in the future, making this key issue more than just a 2nd issue. CGC only puts "Warlock"  on the notes and on some of them nothing. Overstreet also does not note this issue of any importance as well.

mycomicshop - One CGC 9.8 and two raw copies. Highest raw copy is a VF+.

NewKadia - One unslabbed near mint copy and one very good minus copy. If you're a first time buyer you can use the coupon code new4 and get 18% off this bad boy. The more you buy the higher the discount, so make it count for your first time buying at NewKadia.  

eBay - One CGC 9.8 and two CGC 9.6s. A handful of raw copies to try your luck at higher grades as well.

Marvel Premiere #3

• First Doctor Strange in titled series

After Doctor Strange's first title was cancelled, he made some sporadic appearances in various comics. This is one of them, and it predates his second self-titled comic series.

Not an extremely important key issue, but this information may be useful for Doctor Strange fans who are determined to track down all appearances of the character. That reminds me that I have to add this to the Doctor Strange key issues list I just recently did.

mycomicshop - One CGC graded copy at a 9.6. Already pretty pricey. Two FN/VF 7.0 raw copies and some lower grade copies available.

eBay -  Quite a few CGC copies. Highest is a CGC 9.6 and there's quite a few. Some unslabbed copies as well. Worth taking a look, but this comic isn't cheap for some odd reason.

NewKadia - Two copies. One is a FN- and the other a VG-.

Marvel Premiere #10

• Death of the Ancient One

Doctor Strange's mentor is finally killed off in this issue, making it a somewhat important key comic within the Doctor Strange mythos. I'm quite sure the Ancient One will have his first big screen debut in the Doctor Strange movie, but not too sure if they will kill off the character immediately in the movies.

Even if they do, I'm not quite sure that will even impact the demand of this key issue comic. Nonetheless, it is a key and makes this list. 

mycomicshop - One low grade raw copy for sale here.

eBay - Only one CGC copy at a 9.8 that I located at the time of this writing. Some unslabbed options as well.

NewKadia - Four unslabbed copies here. Highest is a VF- or low very fine. Second highest is a FN.

Marvel Premiere #14

• Last Doctor Strange in titled series

As the status says, this is the last Doctor Strange appearance in this tmitle. Shortly after, Doctor Strange goes onto his 2nd self-titled series. Not really much else to say about this minor key issue.

mycomicshop - No CGC copies as of yet. Raw copies available. Highest is solid FN.

NewKadia - Quite a few copies here. Highest is a VF+ and under $20. You'll need to scroll a bit after clicking the blue NewKadia link that will bring you to the comic page where this issue is listed. 

eBay - Two CGC copies. One is a 9.6 and the other a 9.4. A few unslabbed options to take a gander at if CGC isn't your thing.

Marvel Premiere #15

• 1st appearance of Iron Fist

Back to Iron Fist. I've already mentioned the first appearance of Iron Fist a few times already. This month of May marks the character's career of 40 years in comic books. As you already know, a television show featuring the character is in the works and this has been one of the key comic book issues to snag for a few months now.

mycomicshop - Three CGC copies. One is a Signature Series 9.6 copy signed by Stan Lee. A bit pricey. Another Signature Series 9.0 copy located here and signed by Stan Lee as well. Only Universal copy is a CGC 9.2. 

eBay - Another comic that's becoming increasingly harder to find at CGC Universal 9.8s and 9.6s. There is a 9.4 on eBay as of this writing.



Quite a few Marvel Premiere key comics, but there's more to come. Part 2 of this Marvel Premiere key issues list is ready so just click the PART 1 link below. Thanks for reading and hope you enjoyed. Share and comment if you feel social.

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Doctor Strange Key Issues Part 4

Here's the last part to this Doctor Strange key issues list. Sorry, not that many Doctor Strange key comics, but here are the last few that may be worth putting on your want list. If you missed the beginning of this series, just click this blue Part 1 link to go to the start.

Dr. Strange #1 Volume 2

• First issue to 2nd series
• First appearance Agamotto's Dimension
• First appearance of Agamotto

Finally, we get to see who this Agamotto is all about, and it's this issue that holds the first appearance of Agamotto and the dimension he resides. A really strange story, and not a very well-known or sought after key issue. 

mycomicshop - PGX 8.0 VF copy available here. No CGC or unslabbed copies as of yet.

eBay - Quite a few unslabbed options. Pretty limited on CGC or graded copies.

ComicConnect - one CGC 9.8 high grade copy located here. Unslabbed high grade options as well.

Marvel Feature #1

• First appearance of The Defenders 

Should be no surprise that this bronze age key issue would be on a list of Doctor Strange key issues. After all, this so called "non-team" was led by none other than Doctor Strange himself and is the first superhero team the character was ever in.

The original incarnation was Doctor Strange, The Hulk and Namor the Submariner, and the Defenders line up has had a revolving membership of Marvel characters throughout the years, which would also include the Silver Surfer among many others that would join The Defenders.

mycomicshop - One CGC 8.0 VF copy. The rest are unslabbed, raw copies. Highest raw copy is a FN+ 6.5 for this key issue bronze age comic. 

eBay - Two CGC 9.4 copies. No longer cheap anymore. Even 9.0s are pretty up there. A few unslabbed, raw copies to choose from if CGC ain't your thing.

ComicConnect - Two CGC copies. One's a 9.0 VF/NM, and the other is an 8.5 VF+. 

Doctor Strange #6 Volume 2

• First appearance of Mother Nature 

This issue was actually on the Thor Key Issues list done a while back, and the first appearance of Mother Nature is actually Thor's real momma, Gaea. Still pretty much a sleeper key issue, but a Doctor Strange key comic nonetheless. 

mycomicshop - Low grade unslabbed copies for sale. No CGC as of yet. Highest grade here is a VG. 

eBay - Extremely limited in both raw copies and unslabbed copies. Quite surprising, actually.  


That concludes this Doctor Strange key issues list. The movie is definitely in the works as Captain America The Winter Soldier does make reference to Stephen Strange in it, so some of these keys in this series is worth considering. 

If you missed Part 3, you can click the PREVIOUS link to go see that. Thanks for reading and stay tuned for even more comic related goodness!

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Doctor Strange Key Issues Part 3

Here's Part 3 to the Doctor Strange Key Issues list and we are almost near the end. Only one more part to this series to go after this one. Let's stop wasting time and get to it.

Strange Tales #150

• First appearance of Umar
• First John Buscema work at Marvel

Dormammu has a sister and her name Umar. This character resides in the Dark Dimension and has been a common foe of Doctor Strange since her first appearance in Strange Tales #150.

Umar is a powerful sorceress and a higher dimensional being of energy trapped in human form. Oh, yes, she is also the mother of Doctor Strange's wife, Clea. That would definitely make the holidays awkward at the Strange's Sanctum.

Strange Tales #150 is also an important key for another major reason. This reason being it's legendary comic artist John Buscema's first Marvel work in comics. This is definitely one of the Doctor Strange key issues to greatly consider snagging.

eBay - Another sleeper key issue. CGC 9.2 is under $130! For the first John Buscema Marvel work? Wow! CGC 8.0 located at the time of this writing for under $100? Unbelievable! Lots of unslabbed copies as well. 

mycomicshop - CGC 9.2 and 8.0 copies available here. Lower grade unslabbed copies also.

ComicConnect - CGC 8.0 here. High grade unslabbed 9.0 up for auction. More unslabbed options. 

NewKadia - More unslabbed goodness. Highest here is a low VF or 7.5 copy. Also a FN+ copy in stock as well. 

Strange Tales #157

• First appearance of Living Tribunal

Another all powerful and omnipotent character, the Living Tribunal is entity that oversees and maintains the balance in the realities of the Marvel Universe. That means the mainstream reality as well as all alternate realities. Of course, Doctor Strange is the first to meet this entity.

mycomicshop - Two unslabbed copies. Highest is a FN. 

eBay - Lacking on the CGC for this issue but not surprising since it's not that well-known as of yet. Quite a few unslabbed copies to choose from. One CGC 7.5 Signature Series signed by Stan Lee.

NewKadia - Four unslabbed copies. Highest is a VF. Pretty affordable copies.

Strange Tales #168

• Last Strange Tales issue

Looks like Nick Fury will soon get nudged off. This is the last issue to official carry the Strange Tales title. The next issue becomes the first issue that just features Doctor Strange as the titular character. Not much else to say about this Doctor Strange key comic except for that. Well, okay, it's a minor key issue, but still a silver age key issue comic to consider.

mycomicshop - PGX 8.5 and two unslabbed copies available to be snagged here.

eBay - CGC 8.0 VF copy for under a hundred. Also a PGX 8.5 at the same price. Quite a few high grade unslabbed copies if you believe they grade accurately.

NewKadia - Unslabbed VF copy here and a low VF. 

Doctor Strange #169

• Becomes first issue to Doctor Strange first titled series

It seems Doctor Strange was popular enough for those at Marvel Comics to believe that the Master of the Mystic Arts was due his own title. This issue is the first comic to be branded with the Doctor Strange title and takes up after Strange Tales #168.  

Definitely no sleeper. This silver age key issue is of moderate demand. It will cost you quite a bit of ducats, but it is a Doctor Strange key issue worth considering adding to your vault. 

mycomicshop - Four unslabbed copies. No CGC. Highest is a FN. 

eBay - Not surprised that there are more CGC options for this key issue available. CGC 9.6 and 9.4 were spotted, as well as four or five 7.5s. One of the 7.5s is a Signature Series. 

ComicLink - Two CGC 9.4s located here.

Dr. Strange #177

• New Costume

As with most Marvel characters, it seems that a new look and new costume was in order for Doctor Strange. Pretty much a minor key issue. 

mycomicshop - Only one VG/FN copy in stock. 

eBay - One CGC 6.5, super cheap! Loads of unslabbed copies super cheap as well. 

NewKadia - Few unslabbed copies. Highest is a 9.2 or low Near Mint.


Part 4 to this series is ready to go so just click the NEXT link to check out more Doctor Strange key comics, or if you missed Part 2, click the PREVIOUS link to head back.

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