This Week in Marvel History: October 18-October 24

With Marvel celebrating its 80th anniversary this year – and to scratch my own history and research itches – every week I’m digging through a whole host of important dates and details for a special segment of This Week in Marvel called… (wait for it) … This Week in Marvel History! Important comics, storylines, character appearances and moments, real world releases and special Marvel milestones—it’s all part of TWIMH! Here are just a few Marvel History notes for the week of October 18-October 24!

October 18

1950: TRUE SECRETS #4 was released, featuring—I believe—the first John Romita art for Marvel. John would go on to do Spider-Man and so much more, but he had a great legacy of work on romance comics. 

1977: The Korvac Saga began and the Guardians of the Galaxy teamed up with the Avengers in AVENGERS #167.

2006: The first issue of Mayday Parker’s first solo series, AMAZING SPIDER-GIRL, was released. And STAN LEE MEETS DOCTOR DOOM #1 celebrated the 65th Anniversary of Lee’s employment at Marvel.

2017: Scott Lang AKA Ant-Man became the newest member of the Guardians of the Galaxy in ALL-NEW GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #12.

October 19

1976: Wakanda forever! Jack Kirby’s BLACK PANTHER #1 launched on this day in Marvel history, the first ongoing series for T’Challa AKA Black Panther. 

1982: Obadiah Stane’s first full appearance was in IRON MAN #166, released today. Also on this day, MARVEL NO-PRIZE BOOK #1 was released.

2005: Issue #1 of NICK FURY’S HOWLING COMMANDOS was released featuring Warwolf, the Living Mummy, Frankenstein, the Zombie, and Vampire by Night. 

2016: After a long search for her family, Cindy Moon was finally reunited with her dad in SILK #13. 

October 21

1980: In UNCANNY X-MEN #141, the “Days of Future Past” storyline was introduced. In this issue we also see Rachel Summers’ first appearance!

2015: SECRET WARS: AGENTS OF ATLAS #1 was released, as well as ASTONISHING ANT-MAN #1, which took place after the Secret Wars. 

October 22

1985: Daredevil was “Born Again” with Frank Miller in DAREDEVIL #227. It's one of the most dramatic, devastating storylines for Matt Murdock and remains a classic to this day.

October 23

1973: INCREDIBLE HULK #172 introduced Juggernaut, who teamed up with the Hulk. 

1984: After a long battle, Doctor Doom removed his mask at the end of SECRET WARS #10 and declared that the (original) Secret Wars were over.

October 24

1972: FANTASTIC FOUR #130 was released. In this issue, Sue broke up with Reed and walked out with their son, leaving the Fantastic Four. Also today, Marvel’s retelling of Mary Shelley’s classic FRANKENSTEIN #1 hit newsstands. 

1978: James “Rhodey” Rhodes made his debut in IRON MAN #118.

For more about these events and more Marvel news and history, tune in to This Week in Marvel every Friday wherever you get podcasts!

For more about Marvel’s 80th Anniversary, visit marvel.com/marvel80!