Every comic book character’s debut is different. Some characters have humble beginnings, often debuting in other character’s titles in a supporting or guest role. Others make a big splash in their own title. Whatever the circumstances, every comic book character has to get their start somewhere.
You can discover the debut issues of your favourite characters with this guide. It lists over 750 first appearances, covering various styles of comics and genres. It’s perfect for those who want to read the introductory tales of a character or those wanting to know them for some impressive trivia.
DC heroes
This guide begins with DC Comics’ heroes. “Heroes” is a broad term here, with a few anti-heroes, supporting characters, and former villains included as well. I’ve also lumped characters owned by DC Comics but originated elsewhere – such as those formally published by Fawcett, Charlton, Wildstorm, and others – in this list.
| Character | First Appearance | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Ace the Bat-Hound | Batman (1940 series) #92 | 1955 |
| Adam Strange | Showcase Comics #17 | 1958 |
| Amethyst | Legion of Super-Heroes #298 | 1983 |
| Amush Bug | DC Comics Presents #52 | 1982 |
| Animal Man | Strange Adventures #180 | 1965 |
| Apollo | Stormwatch (1997 series) #4 | 1997 |
| Aqualad (Garth) | Adventure Comics #269 | 1960 |
| Aquaman | More Fun Comics #73 | 1941 |
| Arsenal | The New Titans #99 | 1993 |
| Atom Smasher | All-Star Squadron #25 | 1983 |
| Azrael | Batman: Sword of Azrael #1 | 1992 |
| Bat-Cow | Batman Incorporated (2012 series) #1 | 2012 |
| Batgirl (Barbara Gordon) | Detective Comics #359 | 1967 |
| Batgirl (Cassandra Cain) | Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #120 | 1999 |
| Batgirl (Stephanie Brown) | Batgirl (2009 series) #1 | 2009 |
| Batman | Detective Comics #27 | 1939 |
| Batwoman (Kate Kane) | 52 #7 | 2006 |
| Batwoman (Kathy Kane) | Detective Comics #233 | 1956 |
| Big Barda | Mister Miracle (1971 series) #4 | 1971 |
| Black Bat (Cassandra Cain) | Batman Incorporated #6 | 2011 |
| Black Canary (Dinah Drake) | Flash Comics #86 | 1947 |
| Black Canary (Dinah Laurel Lance) | Justice League of America (1960 series) #219 | 1983 |
| Black Lightning | Black Lightning (1977 series) #1 | 1977 |
| Blue Beetle (Jaime Reyes) | Infinite Crisis #5 | 2006 |
| Blue Beetle (Ted Kord) | Captain Atom #83 | 1966 |
| Blue Devil | Fury of Firestorm #24 | 1984 |
| Booster Gold | Booster Gold (1986 series) #1 | 1986 |
| Bouncing Boy | Action Comics #276 | 1961 |
| Brainiac 5 | Action Comics #276 | 1961 |
| Bumblebee | Teen Titans #45 | 1976 |
| Captain Atom | Space Adventures #33 | 1960 |
| Captain Marvel (Shazam) | Whiz Comics #2 | 1940 |
| Captain Marvel, Jr. | Whiz Comics #25 | 1941 |
| Cassandra Cain | Batman (1940 series) #567 | 1999 |
| Chameleon Boy | Action Comics #267 | 1960 |
| City Boy | Wildstorm 30th Anniversary Special #1 | 2023 |
| Cyborg | DC Comics Presents #26 | 1980 |
| Deadman | Strange Adventures #205 | 1967 |
| Deathblow | Darker Image #1 | 1993 |
| Dove | Showcase #75 | 1968 |
| Duke Thomas | Batman (2011 series) #30 | 2014 |
| Elasti-Girl (Rita Farr) | My Greatest Adventure #80 | 1963 |
| Elongated Man | The Flash #112 | 1960 |
| Emiko Queen | Green Arrow (2011 series) #18 | 2013 |
| Etrigan the Demon | The Demon (1972 series) #1 | 1972 |
| Felicity Smoak | Fury of Firestorm #23 | 1984 |
| Firestorm | Firestorm, the Nuclear Man (1978 series) #1 | 1978 |
| Flash (Barry Allen) | Showcase #4 | 1956 |
| Flash (Jay Garrick) | Flash Comics #1 | 1940 |
| Flash (Wally West) | Crisis on Infinite Earths #12 | 1986 |
| Flex Mentallo | Doom Patrol (1987 series) #35 | 1990 |
| Geo-Force | Brave and the Bold #200 | 1983 |
| Green Arrow | More Fun Comics #73 | 1941 |
| Green Arrow (Connor Hawke) | Green Arrow (1988 series) #0 | 1994 |
| Green Lantern (Alan Scott) | All-American Comics #16 | 1940 |
| Green Lantern (Guy Gardner) | Green Lantern (1960 series) #59 | 1968 |
| Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) | Showcase #22 | 1959 |
| Green Lantern (John Stewart) | Green Lantern (1960 series) #87 | 1971 |
| Green Lantern (Kyle Rayner) | Green Lantern (1990 series) #48 | 1994 |
| Green Lantern (Sojourner Mullein) | Far Sector #1 | 2020 |
| Grifter | WildC.A.T.s: Covert Action Teams #1 | 1992 |
| Harvey Bullock | Detective Comics #441 | 1974 |
| Hawk | Showcase #75 | 1968 |
| Hawkgirl (Shiera Sanders Hall) | All-Star Comics #5 | 1941 |
| Hawkman (Carter Hall) | Flash Comics #1 | 1940 |
| Hawkman (Kartar Hol) | The Brave and the Bold (1955 series) #34 | 1961 |
| Hourman (Rex Tyler) | Adventure Comics #48 | 1940 |
| Huntress (Helena Rosa Bertinelli) | The Huntress (1989 series) #1 | 1989 |
| Jim Gordon | Detective Comics #27 | 1939 |
| John Constantine | Saga of the Swamp Thing #37 | 1985 |
| Katana | The Brave and the Bold #200 | 1983 |
| Kid Flash (Wally West) | The Flash #110 | 1959 |
| Kid Quick | DC’s Very Merry Multiverse #1 | 2021 |
| Kilowog | Green Lantern Corps #201 | 1986 |
| Krypto | Adventure Comics #210 | 1955 |
| Lightning Lad | Adventure Comics #247 | 1958 |
| Lobo | Omega Men (1983 series) #3 | 1983 |
| Lucius Fox | Batman (1940 series) #307 | 1979 |
| Maggie Sawyer | Superman (1987 series) #4 | 1987 |
| Manhunter (Paul Kirk) | Adventure Comcis #73 | 1942 |
| Martian Manhunter | Detective Comics #225 | 1955 |
| Mary Marvel | Captain Marvel Adventures #18 | 1942 |
| Mera | Aquaman (1962 series) #11 | 1963 |
| Metamorpho | The Brave and the Bold #57 | 1965 |
| Miss Martian | Teen Titans (2003 series) #37 | 2006 |
| Mister Miracle | Mister Miracle (1971 series) #1 | 1971 |
| Mister Terrific | Sensation Comics #1 | 1942 |
| Monkey Prince | DC Festival of Heroes: The Asian Superhero Celebration #1 | 2021 |
| Naomi McDuffie | Naomi #1 | 2019 |
| Negative Man | My Greatest Adventure #80 | 1963 |
| Nightwing | Tales of the Teen Titans #44 | 1984 |
| Oracle | Suicide Squad (1987 series) #23 | 1987 |
| Orion | New Gods (1971 series) #1 | 1971 |
| Orphan (Cassandra Cain) | Batman & Robin Eternal #26 | 2016 |
| Phantom Girl | Action Comics #276 | 1961 |
| Phantom Lady | Police Comics #1 | 1941 |
| Phantom Stranger | Phantom Stranger (1952 series) #1 | 1952 |
| Plastic Man | Police Comics #1 | 1941 |
| Power Girl | All-Star Comics #58 | 1976 |
| Question | Blue Beetle (1967 series) #1 | 1967 |
| Question (Renee Montoya) | 52 #48 | 2007 |
| Raven | DC Comics Presents #26 | 1980 |
| Red Hood (Jason Todd) | Batman (1940 series) #635 | 2005 |
| Red Robin (Tim Drake) | Robin (1993 series) #181 | 2009 |
| Red Tonado | All-American Comics #20 | 1940 |
| Renee Montoya | Batman (1940 series) #475 | 1992 |
| Robin (Damian Wayne) | Batman (1940) #655 | 2006 |
| Robin (Dick Grayson) | Detective Comics #38 | 1940 |
| Robin (Jason Todd) | Batman (1940 series) #357 | 1983 |
| Robin (Stephanie Brown) | Robin (1993 series) #126 | 2004 |
| Robin (Tim Drake) | Batman (1940 series) #436 | 1989 |
| Robotman | Star-Spangled Comics #7 | 1942 |
| Robotman (Cliff Steele) | My Greatest Adventure #80 | 1963 |
| Sandman (Wesley Dodds) | World’s Fair Comics #1 | 1939 |
| Saturn Girl | Adventure Comics #247 | 1958 |
| Sgt. Rock | Our Army at War #83 | 1959 |
| Spectre (Jim Corrigan) | More Fun Comics #52 | 1940 |
| Speedy | More Fun Comics #73 | 1941 |
| Spoiler (Stephanie Brown) | Detective Comics #648 | 1992 |
| Starfire | DC Comics Presents #26 | 1980 |
| Stargirl | Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. #0 | 1999 |
| Starman (Jack Knight) | Zero Hour #1 | 1994 |
| Starman (Ted Knight) | Adventure Comics #61 | 1941 |
| Steel (John Henry Irons) | The Adventures of Superman #500 | 1993 |
| Stephanie Brown | Detective Comics #647 | 1992 |
| Streaky the Supercat | Action Comics #261 | 1960 |
| Supergirl (Kara Zor-El) | Action Comics #252 | 1959 |
| Superman | Action Comics (1938 series) #1 | 1938 |
| Swamp Thing | House of Secrets #92 | 1971 |
| The Atom (Ray Palmer) | Showcase #34 | 1961 |
| The Creeper | Showcase #73 | 1968 |
| The Guardian (Jim Harper) | Star-Spangled Comics #7 | 1942 |
| The Signal | Batman and The Signal #1 | 2018 |
| Timber Wolf | Adventure Comics #327 | 1964 |
| Triplicate Girl | Action Comics #276 | 1961 |
| Vixen | Action Comics #521 | 1981 |
| Wildcat (Ted Grant) | Sensation Comics #1 | 1942 |
| Wonder Girl (Donna Troy) | The Brave and the Bold (1955 series) #60 | 1965 |
| Wonder Girl (Yara Flor) | Dark Knights: Death Metal #7 | 2021 |
| Wonder Woman | All Star Comics #8 | 1941 |
| Zatanna | Hawkman (1964 series) #4 | 1964 |
Marvel heroes
Next up is Marvel Comics. Again, just like with DC, the term “heroes” is used broadly.
| Character | First Appearance | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 3-D Man | Marvel Premiere #35 | 1977 |
| Adam Warlock | Marvel Premiere #1 | 1972 |
| Alex Power | Power Pack (1984 series) #1 | 1984 |
| America Chavez | Vengeance #1 | 2011 |
| Angel | The X-Men (1963 series) #1 | 1963 |
| Ant-Man (Eric O’Grady) | The Irredeemable Ant-Man #1 | 2006 |
| Ant-Man (Hank Pym) | Tales to Astonish #27 | 1962 |
| Ant-Man (Scott Lang) | The Avengers (1963 series) #181 | 1979 |
| Aurora | Uncanny X-Men #120 | 1979 |
| Balder the Brave | Journey into Mystery #85 | 1962 |
| Banshee | The X-Men (1963 series) #28 | 1967 |
| Beast | The X-Men (1963 series) #1 | 1963 |
| Beta Ray Bill | Thor #337 | 1983 |
| Bishop | Uncanny X-Men #282 | 1991 |
| Black Bolt | Fantastic Four (1961 series) #45 | 1965 |
| Black Goliath | Luke Cage, Power Man #24 | 1975 |
| Black Knight (Dane Whitman) | The Avengers (1963 series) #47 | 1967 |
| Black Panther | Fantastic Four (1961 series) #52 | 1966 |
| Black Widow (Natasha Romanova) | Tales of Suspense #52 | 1964 |
| Black Widow (Yelena Belova) | Inhumans (1998 series) | 1999 |
| Blade | The Tomb of Dracula #10 | 1973 |
| Blue Marvel | Adam: Legend of the Blue Marvel #1 | 2008 |
| Bob, Agent of HYDRA | Cable & Deadpool #38 | 2007 |
| Brother Voodoo | Strange Tales #169 | 1973 |
| Bucky Barnes | Captain America Comics #1 | 1941 |
| Cable | New Mutants (1982 series) #87 | 1990 |
| Cannonball | The New Mutants Marvel Graphic Novel #5 | 1982 |
| Captain America | Captain America Comics #1 | 1941 |
| Captain Britain | Captain Britain Weekly #1 | 1976 |
| Captain Marvel (Carrol Danvers) | Avenging Spider-Man #9 | 2012 |
| Captain Marvel (Mar-Vell) | Marvel Super-Heroes #12 | 1967 |
| Carol Danvers | Marvel Super-Heroes #13 | 1968 |
| Cloak | Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #64 | 1982 |
| Colleen Wing | Marvel Premiere #19 | 1974 |
| Colossus | Giant-Size X-Men #1 | 1975 |
| Crystal | Fantastic Four (1961 series) #45 | 1965 |
| Cyclops | The X-Men (1963 series) #1 | 1963 |
| Dagger | Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #64 | 1982 |
| Daimon Hellstrom | Ghost Rider (1973 series) #1 | 1973 |
| Daisy Johnson | Secret War #2 | 2004 |
| Daredevil | Daredevil (1964 series) #1 | 1964 |
| Darkhawk | Darkhawk (1991 series) #1 | 1991 |
| Dazzler | Uncanny X-Men #130 | 1980 |
| Deadpool | The New Mutants (1982 series) #98 | 1991 |
| Deathlok | Astonishing Tales #25 | 1974 |
| Devil Dinosaur | Devil Dinosaur (1978 series) #1 | 1978 |
| Doctor Strange | Strange Tales #110 | 1963 |
| Domino | X-Force (1991 series) #11 | 1992 |
| Doop | X-Force (1991 series) #116 | 2001 |
| Drax the Destroyer | Iron Man (1968 series) #55 | 1973 |
| Dum Dum Dugan | Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos #1 | 1963 |
| Elektra | Daredevil (1964 series) #168 | 1981 |
| Emma Frost | Uncanny X-Men #130 | 1980 |
| Falcon | Captain America #117 | 1969 |
| Fandral | Journey into Mystery #119 | 1965 |
| Fantomex | New X-Men #128 | 2002 |
| Firestar | Uncanny X-Men #193 | 1985 |
| Gambit | Uncanny X-Men Annual #14 | 1990 |
| Gamora | Strange Tales #180 | 1975 |
| Ghost Rider (Johnny Blaze) | Marvel Spotlight #5 | 1972 |
| Giant-Man (Bill Foster) | Marvel Two-in-One #55 | 1979 |
| Goliath (Bill Foster) | The Thing (2006 series) #1 | 2006 |
| Gorgon | Fantastic Four (1961 series) #45 | 1965 |
| Gravity | Gravity #1 | 2005 |
| Groot | Tales to Astonish #13 | 1960 |
| Gwenpool | Howard the Duck (2016 series) #1 | 2016 |
| Hannibal King | The Tomb of Dracula #25 | 1974 |
| Havok | The X-Men (1963) #54 | 1969 |
| Hawkeye | Tales of Suspense #57 | 1964 |
| Hawkeye (Kate Bishop) | Young Avengers (2005 series) #1 | 2005 |
| Heimdall | Journey into Mystery #85 | 1962 |
| Hellcat | The Avengers (1963 series) #144 | 1976 |
| Hercules | Journey into Mystery Annual #1 | 1965 |
| Hogun | Journey into Mystery #119 | 1965 |
| Hope Summers | X-Men (1991 series) #205 | 2007 |
| Hourman (Rick Tyler) | Infinity, Inc. #20 | 1985 |
| Howard the Duck | Adventure into Fear #19 | 1973 |
| Hulk (Bruce Banner) | The Incredible Hulk (1962 series) #1 | 1962 |
| Human Torch (Johnny Storm) | Fantastic Four (1961 series) #1 | 1961 |
| Iceman | The X-Men (1963 series) #1 | 1963 |
| Invisible Woman | Fantastic Four (1961 series) #1 | 1961 |
| Iron Fist | Marvel Premiere #15 | 1974 |
| Iron Man | Tales of Suspense #39 | 1962 |
| Iron Man 2020 | Machine Man #2 | 1984 |
| Jack of Hearts | The Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #22 | 1976 |
| Jack Power | Power Pack (1984 series) #1 | 1984 |
| Jessica Jones | Alias #1 | 2001 |
| Jubilee | Uncanny X-Men #244 | 1989 |
| Julie Power | Power Pack (1984 series) #1 | 1984 |
| Ka-Zar (David Rand) | Marvel Comics #1 | 1939 |
| Ka-Zar (Kevin Plunder) | The X-Men (1963 series) #10 | 1965 |
| Katie Power | Power Pack (1984 series) #1 | 1984 |
| Kitty Pryde | Uncanny X-Men #129 | 1980 |
| Legion | New Mutants (1982 series) #26 | 1985 |
| Lockjaw | Fantastic Four (1961 series) #45 | 1965 |
| Luke Cage | Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #1 | 1972 |
| Machine Man | 2001: A Space Odyssey #8 | 1977 |
| Man-Thing | Savage Tales #1 | 1971 |
| Mantis | The Avengers (1963 series) #112 | 1973 |
| Maria Hill | New Avengers (2005 series) #4 | 2005 |
| Medusa | Fantastic Four (1961 series) #45 | 1965 |
| Mirage | The New Mutants Marvel Graphic Novel #5 | 1982 |
| Mister Fantastic | Fantastic Four (1961 series) #1 | 1961 |
| Misty Knight | Marvel Premiere #21 | 1975 |
| Mockingbird | Marvel Team-Up #95 | 1980 |
| Monica Rambeau | The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #16 | 1982 |
| Moon Knight | Werewolf by Night #32 | 1975 |
| Moon-Boy | Devil Dinosaur (1978 series) #1 | 1978 |
| Moondragon | Iron Man (1968 series) #54 | 1973 |
| Ms. Marvel (Carrol Danvers) | Ms. Marvel (1977 series) #1 | 1977 |
| Ms. Marvel (Kamala Khan) | Captain Marvel (2012 series) #14 | 2013 |
| Namor, the Sub-Mariner | Motion Picture Funnies Weekly #1 | 1939 |
| Namorita | Sub-Mariner (1968 series) #50 | 1972 |
| Nick Fury | Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos #1 | 1963 |
| Nightcrawler | Giant-Size X-Men #1 | 1975 |
| Noh-Varr | Marvel Boy #1 | 2000 |
| Northstar | Uncanny X-Men #120 | 1979 |
| Nova (Richard Rider) | Nova (1976 series) #1 | 1976 |
| Nova (Sam Alexander) | Marvel Point One #1 | 2011 |
| Peggy Carter | Tales of Suspense #77 | 1966 |
| Peter Porker | Marvel Tails #1 | 1983 |
| Phoenix | The X-Men (1963 series) #1 | 1963 |
| Phyla-Vell | Captain Marvel (1999 series) #16 | 2003 |
| Pip the Troll | Strange Tales #179 | 1975 |
| Polaris | The X-Men (1963 series) #49 | 1968 |
| Professor X | The X-Men (1963 series) #1 | 1963 |
| Punisher | The Amazing Spider-Man (1963 series) #129 | 1974 |
| Quicksilver | The X-Men (1963 series) #4 | 1964 |
| Rachel Summers | Uncanny X-Men #141 | 1981 |
| Red Hulk | Hulk (2008 series) #1 | 2008 |
| Rocket Raccoon | Marvel Preview #7 | 1976 |
| Rogue | Avengers Annual #10 | 1981 |
| Sabra | The Incredible Hulk #250 | 1980 |
| Sasquatch | Uncanny X-Men #120 | 1979 |
| Scarlet Spider | Web of Spider-Man #118 | 1994 |
| Scarlet Witch | The X-Men (1963 series) #4 | 1964 |
| Sentry | The Sentry #1 | 2000 |
| Shaman | Uncanny X-Men #120 | 1979 |
| Shang-Chi | Special Marvel Edition #15 | 1973 |
| Shanna the She-Devil | Shanna the She-Devil #1 | 1972 |
| Sharon Carter | Tales of Suspense #75 | 1966 |
| She-Hulk | Savage She-Hulk #1 | 1980 |
| Shuri | Black Panther (2005 series) #2 | 2005 |
| Sif | Journey into Mystery #102 | 1964 |
| Silk | The Amazing Spider-Man (2014 series) #1 | 2014 |
| Silver Sable | The Amazing Spider-Man (1963 series) #265 | 1985 |
| Silver Surfer | Fantastic Four (1961 series) #48 | 1966 |
| Skaar | World War Hulk #5 | 2008 |
| Snowbird | Uncanny X-Men #120 | 1979 |
| Speedball | The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #22 | 1988 |
| Spider-Gwen | Edge of Spider-Verse (2014 series) #2 | 2014 |
| Spider-Man (Peter Parker) | Amazing Fantasy #15 | 1962 |
| Spider-Man (Miles Morales) | Ultimate Fallout #4 | 2011 |
| Spider-Man 2099 (Miguel O’Hara) | Spider-Man 2099 (1992 series) #1 | 1992 |
| Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew) | Marvel Spotlight #32 | 1977 |
| Star-Lord | Marvel Preview #4 | 1976 |
| Storm | Giant-Size X-Men #1 | 1975 |
| Sunfire | The X-Men (1963 series) #64 | 1970 |
| Sunspot | The New Mutants Marvel Graphic Novel #5 | 1982 |
| The Thing | Fantastic Four (1961 series) #1 | 1961 |
| Thor | Journey into Mystery #83 | 1962 |
| Thunderbird | Giant-Size X-Men #1 | 1975 |
| Thundra | Fantastic Four (1961 series) #129 | 1972 |
| Tigra | Claws of the Cat #1 | 1972 |
| Triton | Fantastic Four (1961 series) #45 | 1965 |
| U.S. Agent | Captain America #354 | 1989 |
| Valkyrie | The Avengers (1963 series) #83 | 1970 |
| Venom | The Amazing Spider-Man (1963 series) #299 | 1984 |
| Vision | The Avengers (1963 series) #57 | 1968 |
| Volstagg | Journey into Mystery #119 | 1965 |
| War Machine | Iron Man (1968 series) #281 | 1992 |
| Wasp (Janet Van Dyne) | Tales to Astonish #44 | 1963 |
| Werewolf by Night | Marvel Spotlight #2 | 1972 |
| Winter Soldier | Captain America (2005 series) #1 | 2005 |
| Wolfsbane | The New Mutants Marvel Graphic Novel #5 | 1982 |
| Wolverine | The Incredible Hulk #180 | 1974 |
| Wonder Man | The Avengers (1963 series) #9 | 1964 |
| X-23 | NYX (2003 series) #3 | 2003 |
| X-Man | X-Man #1 | 1995 |
| Yondu | Marvel Super Heroes #18 | 1969 |
DC villains
Now it’s time for the villains! Find out where some of the most despicable beings all began.
| Character | First Appearance | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Abra Kadabra | The Flash (1959 series) #128 | 1962 |
| Amanda Waller | Legends #1 | 1984 |
| Amazo | The Brave and the Bold (1955 series) #30 | 1960 |
| Anti-Monitor | Crisis on Infinite Earths #2 | 1985 |
| Ares | Wonder Woman (1941 series) #1 | 1941 |
| Atomic Skull | Superman (1939 series) #303 | 1976 |
| Atrocitus | Green Lantern (2005 series) #25 | 2007 |
| Bane | Batman: Vengeance of Bane #1 | 1993 |
| Bat-Mite | Detective Comics #267 | 1959 |
| Bizarro | Superboy (1949 series) #68 | 1958 |
| Black Adam | The Marvel Family #1 | 1945 |
| Black Alice | Birds of Prey #76 | 2005 |
| Black Hand | Green Lantern (1960 series) #29 | 1964 |
| Black Manta | Aquaman (1962 series) #35 | 1967 |
| Black Mask | Batman (1940 series) #386 | 1985 |
| Bloodsport | Superman (1987 series) #4 | 1987 |
| Brainiac | Action Comics #242 | 1958 |
| Bronze Tiger | Richard Dragon, Kung Fu Fighter #1 | 1975 |
| Captain Boomerang | The Flash (1959 series) #117 | 1960 |
| Captain Cold | Showcase #8 | 1957 |
| Captain Nazi | Master Comics #21 | 1941 |
| Carmine Falcone | Batman (1940 series) #405 | 1987 |
| Catwoman (Selina Kyle) | Batman (1940 series) #1 | 1940 |
| Cheetah | Wonder Woman (1941 series) #6 | 1943 |
| Clayface | Detective Comics #40 | 1940 |
| Clock King | World’s Finest Comics #111 | 1960 |
| Count Vertigo | World’s Finest Comics #251 | 1978 |
| Cyborg Superman (Hank Henshaw) | Adventures of Superman #466 | 1990 |
| Darkseid | Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen #134 | 1970 |
| Deadshot | Batman (1940 series) #59 | 1950 |
| Deathstroke | The New Teen Titans #2 | 1980 |
| Desaad | Forever People (1971 series) #2 | 1971 |
| Despero | Justice League of America (1960 series) #1 | 1960 |
| Doctor Destiny | Justice League of America (1960 series) #5 | 1961 |
| Doctor Sivana | Whiz Comics #2 | 1940 |
| Doomsday | Superman: The Man of Steel #17 | 1992 |
| Eclipso | House of Secrets #61 | 1963 |
| Floronic Man | Atom (1962 series) #1 | 1962 |
| General Zod | Adventure Comics #283 | 1961 |
| Gentleman Ghost | Flash Comics #88 | 1947 |
| Giganta | Wonder Woman (1941 series) #9 | 1944 |
| Glorious Godfrey | Forever People (1971 series) #3 | 1971 |
| Godspeed | The Flash: Rebirth #1 | 2016 |
| Gorilla Grodd | The Flash (1959 series) #106 | 1959 |
| Granny Goodness | Mister Miracle (1971 series) #2 | 1971 |
| Heat Wave | The Flash (1959 series) #140 | 1963 |
| Hector Hammond | Green Lantern (1960 series) #5 | 1961 |
| Hugo Strange | Detective Comics #36 | 1940 |
| Hush | Batman (1940 series) #609 | 2003 |
| Jericho | Tales of the Teen Titans #43 | 1984 |
| KGBeast | Batman (1940 series) #417 | 1988 |
| Killer Croc | Batman (1940 series) #357 | 1983 |
| Killer Frost | Steel, The Indestructible Man #1 | 1978 |
| Killer Moth | Batman (1940 series) #63 | 1951 |
| King Shark | Superboy (1994 series) #0 | 1994 |
| Lady Shiva | Richard Dragon, Kung Fu Fighter #5 | 1975 |
| Larfleeze | Green Lantern (2005 series) #25 | 2007 |
| Lex Luthor | Action Comics #23 | 1940 |
| Lobo | Omega Men (1983 series) #3 | 1983 |
| Mad Hatter | Batman (1940 series) #49 | 1948 |
| Magog | Kingdom Come #1 | 1996 |
| Man-Bat | Dectective Comics #400 | 1970 |
| Manchester Black | Action Comics #775 | 2001 |
| Maxwell Lord | Justice League (1987) #1 | 1987 |
| Merlyn | Justice League of America (1960 series) #94 | 1971 |
| Metallo | Action Comics #252 | 1959 |
| Metallo (John Corben) | Superman (1987 series) #1 | 1987 |
| Mirror Master | The Flash (1959 series) #105 | 1959 |
| Mr Freeze | Batman (1940 series) #121 | 1959 |
| Mr. Mxyzptlk | Superman (1939 series) #30 | 1944 |
| Parasite | Action Comics #340 | 1966 |
| Pied Piper | The Flash (1959 series) #106 | 1959 |
| Poison Ivy | Batman (1940 series) #181 | 1966 |
| Polka-Dot Man | Detective Comics #300 | 1962 |
| Professor Ivo | The Brave and the Bold (1955 series) #30 | 1960 |
| Professor Pyg | Batman and Robin (2009 series) #1 | 2009 |
| Psycho-Pirate | Showcase #56 | 1965 |
| Ra’s al Ghul | Batman (1940 series) #232 | 1971 |
| Ratcatcher | Detective Comics #585 | 1988 |
| Red Hood | Detective Comics #168 | 1951 |
| Reverse Flash (Daniel West) | The Flash (2011 series) #0 | 2012 |
| Reverse Flash (Eobard Thawne) | The Flash (1959 series) #139 | 1963 |
| Reverse Flash (Hunter Zolomon) | The Flash: Secret Files & Origins #3 | 2001 |
| Rick Flag | The Brave and the Bold #25 | 1959 |
| Riddler | Detective Comics #140 | 1948 |
| Scandal Savage | Villains United #1 | 2005 |
| Scarecrow | World’s Finest Comics #3 | 1941 |
| Silver Banshee | Action Comics #595 | 1987 |
| Sinestro | Green Lantern (1960 series) #7 | 1961 |
| Solomon Grundy | All-American Comics #61 | 1944 |
| Star Sapphire | All-Flash #32 | 1947 |
| Starro | The Brave and the Bold (1955 series) #28 | 1960 |
| Superboy-Prime | DC Comics Presents #87 | 1985 |
| Talia al Ghul | Detective Comics #411 | 1971 |
| The Batman Who Laughs | Dark Days: The Casting #1 | 2017 |
| The Joker | Batman (1940 series) #1 | 1940 |
| The Penguin | Detective Comics #58 | 1941 |
| The Shade | Flash Comics #33 | 1942 |
| Toyman | Action Comics #64 | 1943 |
| Trickster | The Flash (1959 series) #113 | 1960 |
| Two-Face | Detective Comics #66 | 1942 |
| Ultra-Humanite | Action Comics #13 | 1939 |
| Ultraman | Justice League of America (1960 series) #29 | 1964 |
| Vandal Savage | Green Lantern (1941 series) #10 | 1943 |
| Ventriloquist | Detective Comics #583 | 1988 |
| Weather Wizard | The Flash (1959 series) #110 | 1959 |
| Zsasz | Batman: Shadow of the Bat #1 | 1992 |
Marvel villains
The Marvel Universe is full of foes. Discover where they first appeared.
| Character | First Appearance | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Abomination | Tales to Astonish #90 | 1967 |
| Absorbing Man | Journey into Mystery #114 | 1965 |
| Agatha Harkness | Fantastic Four (1961 series) #94 | 1970 |
| Annihilus | Fantastic Four Annual #6 | 1968 |
| Apocalypse | X-Factor (1986 series) #5 | 1986 |
| Armadillo | Captain America #308 | 1985 |
| Arnim Zola | Captain America and the Falcon #208 | 1977 |
| Attuma | Fantastic Four (1961 series) #33 | 1964 |
| Baron Von Strucker | Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos #5 | 1964 |
| Baron Zemo | Avengers (1963 series) #4 | 1964 |
| Barron Mordo | Strange Tales #111 | 1963 |
| Batroc the Leaper | Tales of Suspense #75 | 1966 |
| Beyonder | Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #1 | 1984 |
| Black Cat | The Amazing Spider-Man (1963 series) #194 | 1979 |
| Bolivar Trask | The X-Men (1963 series) #14 | 1965 |
| Bullseye | Daredevil (1964 series) #131 | 1976 |
| Carnage | Amazing Spider-Man (1963 series) #360 | 1992 |
| Cassandra Nova | New X-Men #114 | 2001 |
| Chameleon | Amazing Spider-Man (1963 series) #1 | 1963 |
| Count Nefaria | Avengers (1963 series) #13 | 1965 |
| Crimson Dynamo (Anton Vanko) | Tales of Suspense #46 | 1963 |
| Crossbones | Captain America #360 | 1989 |
| Doctor Doom | Fantastic Four (1961 series) #5 | 1962 |
| Doctor Octopus | Amazing Spider-Man (1963 series) #3 | 1963 |
| Dormammu | Strange Tales #126 | 1964 |
| Electro | Amazing Spider-Man (1963 series) #9 | 1964 |
| Enchantress | Journey into Mystery #103 | 1964 |
| Executionar | Journey into Mystery #103 | 1964 |
| Fabian Cortez | X-Men (1991 series) #1 | 1991 |
| Fin Fang Foom | Strange Tales #89 | 1961 |
| Flag-Smasher | Captain America #312 | 1985 |
| Galactus | Fantastic Four (1961 series) #48 | 1966 |
| Gorr the God Butcher | Thor: God of Thunder #1 | 2013 |
| Green Goblin | Amazing Spider-Man (1963 series) #14 | 1964 |
| Grim Reaper | Avengers (1963 series) #52 | 1968 |
| Hela | Journey into Mystery #102 | 1964 |
| High Evolutionary | Thor #134 | 1966 |
| Hobgoblin | The Amazing Spider-Man #238 | 1983 |
| Immortus | Avengers (1963 series) #10 | 1964 |
| Juggernaut | The X-Men (1963 series) #12 | 1965 |
| Kang the Conqueror | Avengers (1963 series) #8 | 1964 |
| Kingpin | Amazing Spider-Man (1963 series) #50 | 1967 |
| Klaw | Fantastic Four (1961 series) #53 | 1966 |
| Korvac | Giant-Size Defenders #3 | 1975 |
| Kraven the Hunter | Amazing Spider-Man (1963 series) #15 | 1964 |
| Lady Deathstrike | Daredevil (1964 series) #197 | 1983 |
| Loki | Journey into Mystery #85 | 1962 |
| M.O.D.O.K. | Tales of Suspense #94 | 1967 |
| Mad Thinker | Fantastic Four (1961 series) #15 | 1963 |
| Madame Masque | Tales of Suspense #97 | 1968 |
| Madelyne Pryor | Uncanny X-Men #168 | 1983 |
| Maestro | The Incredible Hulk: Future Imperfect #1 | 1992 |
| Magneto | The X-Men (1963 series) #1 | 1963 |
| Malekith | Thor #344 | 1984 |
| Mandarin | Tales of Suspense #50 | 1964 |
| Mangog | Thor #154 | 1968 |
| Master Mold | The X-Men (1963 series) #15 | 1965 |
| Maximus | Fantastic Four (1961 series) #45 | 1965 |
| Menace | The Amazing Spider-Man (1963 series) #549 | 2009 |
| Mephisto | Silver Surfer (1968 series) #3 | 1968 |
| Mojo | Longshot #3 | 1985 |
| Mole Man | Fantastic Four (1961 series) #1 | 1961 |
| Molecule Man | Fantastic Four (1961 series) #20 | 1963 |
| Morbius, the Living Vampire | Amazing Spider-Man (1963 series) #101 | 1971 |
| Morgan Le Fay | Black Knight Comics #1 | 1955 |
| Morlun | The Amazing Spider-Man (1963 series) #471 | 2001 |
| Mr Sinster | Uncanny X-Men #221 | 1987 |
| Mysterio | Amazing Spider-Man (1963 series) #13 | 1964 |
| Mystique | Ms. Marvel #16 | 1978 |
| Nebula | The Avengers (1963 series) #257 | 1985 |
| Nightmare | Strange Tales #110 | 1963 |
| Nuke | Daredevil (1964 series) #232 | 1986 |
| Omega Red | X-Men (1991 series) #4 | 1992 |
| Onslaught | X-Men (1991 series) #54 | 1996 |
| Paste-Pot Pete | Strange Tales #104 | 1963 |
| Purple Man | Daredevil (1964 series) #4 | 1964 |
| Red Skull | Captain America Comics #1 | 1941 |
| Ronan the Accuser | Fantastic Four (1961 series) #65 | 1967 |
| Sabretooth | Iron Fist (1976 series) #14 | 1977 |
| Sandman | Amazing Spider-Man (1963 series) #4 | 1963 |
| Scorpion | Amazing Spider-Man (1963 series) #20 | 1965 |
| Sebastian Shaw | Uncanny X-Men #129 | 1980 |
| Spiral | Longshot #1 | 1985 |
| Super-Skrull | Fantastic Four (1961 series) #18 | 1963 |
| Surtur | Journey into Mystery #97 | 1963 |
| Swordsman | Avengers (1963 series) #19 | 1965 |
| Tarantula | Amazing Spider-Man (1963 series) #134 | 1974 |
| Taskmaster | The Avengers (1963 series) #195 | 1980 |
| Thanos | Iron Man (1968 series) #55 | 1973 |
| The Blob | The X-Men (1963 series) #3 | 1964 |
| The Hood | The Hood #1 | 2002 |
| The Leader | Tales To Astonish #62 | 1964 |
| The Lizard | Amazing Spider-Man (1963 series) #6 | 1963 |
| The Rhino | Amazing Spider-Man (1963 series) #41 | 1966 |
| The Shocker | Amazing Spider-Man (1963 series) #46 | 1967 |
| Toad | The X-Men (1963 series) #4 | 1964 |
| Ultron | Avengers (1963 series) #54 | 1968 |
| Umar | Strange Tales #150 | 1966 |
| Vulture | Amazing Spider-Man (1963 series) #2 | 1963 |
Archie
We’re off to Riverdale to highlight Archie and his friends’ first appearances.
| Character | First Appearance | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Alexander Cabot III | She’s Josie #1 | 1962 |
| Antoinette “Toni” Topaz | Jughead Double Digest #176 | 2012 |
| Archie Andrews | Pep Comics 322 | 1941 |
| Betty Cooper | Pep Comics 322 | 1941 |
| Cheryl Blossom | Betty and Veronica #320 | 1982 |
| Chuck Clayton | Life with Archie #110 | 1971 |
| Dilton Doiley | Archie Annual #1 | 1949 |
| Ethel Muggs | Archie’s Pal Jughead #84 | 1962 |
| Ginger Snapp | Zip Comics #35 | 1943 |
| Harper Lodge | Archie #656 | 2014 |
| Hilda Spellman | Archie’s Mad House #19 | 1962 |
| Hiram Lodge | Pep Comics #31 | 1942 |
| Josie McCoy | She’s Josie #1 | 1962 |
| Jughead Jones | Pep Comics 322 | 1941 |
| Katy Keene | Wilbur Comics #5 | 1945 |
| Kevin Keller | Veronica #202 | 2010 |
| Lil’Jinx | Pep Comics #62 | 1947 |
| Melody Valentine | Archie Pals ‘n’ Gals #23 | 1963 |
| Midge Klump | Jackpot Comics #5 | 1942 |
| Miss Geraldine Grundy | Pep Comics #30 | 1942 |
| Moose Mason | Archie’s Pal, Jughead #1 | 1949 |
| Mr. Waldo Weatherbee | Jackpot Comics #5 | 1942 |
| Nancy Woods | Pep Comics #309 | 1976 |
| Pop Tate | Pep Comics #46 | 1944 |
| Raj Patel | Tales From Riverdale #21 | 2007 |
| Reggie Mantle | Jackpot Comics #5 | 1942 |
| Sabrina Spellmen | Archie’s Mad House #22 | 1962 |
| Salem Saberhagen | Archie’s Mad House #22 | 1962 |
| Trev Smith | Archie #631 | 2012 |
| Valerie Brown | Josie and the Pussycats #45 | 1969 |
| Veronica Lodge | Pep Comics #26 | 1942 |
| Zelda Spellman | Archie’s Mad House #65 | 1968 |
Comic Strips
Find out where your favourite comic strip characters first appeared. Due to the nature of newspaper strips, I’ve included the name of the strip and the date it was published.
| Character | First Appearance | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Andy Capp | Andy Capp (5th August, 1957) | 1957 |
| Andy Fox | FoxTrot (12th April, 1988) | 1988 |
| Annie | Little Orphan Annie (5th August, 1924) | 1924 |
| Beetle Bailey | Beetle Bailey (4th September 1950) | 1950 |
| Blondie | Blondie (8th September, 1930) | 1930 |
| Calvin | Calvine and Hobbes (18th November, 1985) | 1985 |
| Castor Oyl | Thimble Theatre (14th January, 1920) | 1920 |
| Cathy | Cathy (22nd November, 1976) | 1976 |
| Charlie Brown | Peanuts (2nd October, 1950) | 1950 |
| Curtis | Curtis (3rd October, 1988) | 1988 |
| Dagwood | Blondie (8th September, 1930) | 1930 |
| Dennis the Menace (US) | Dennis the Menace (12th March, 1951) | 1951 |
| Dick Tracy | Dick Tracy (4th October, 1931) | 1931 |
| Earl | Mutts (5th September, 1994) | 1994 |
| Everett True | A Chapter from the Career of Everett True (22nd July, 1905) | 1905 |
| Flash Gordon | On the Planet Mongo (7th January, 1934) | 1934 |
| Franklin | Peanuts (31st July, 1968) | 1968 |
| Funky Winkerbean | Funky Winkerbean (27th March, 1972) | 1972 |
| Garfield | Garfield (19th June, 1978) | 1978 |
| Ginger Meggs | Us Fellers (13th November, 1921) | 1921 |
| Hägar the Horrible | Hägar the Horrible (4th February, 1973) | 1973 |
| Hobbes | Calvine and Hobbes (18th November, 1985) | 1985 |
| Ignatz Mouse | The Dingbat Family (26 July, 1910) | 1910 |
| Jason Fox | FoxTrot (11th April, 1988) | 1988 |
| Jon Arbuckle | Garfield (19th June, 1978) | 1978 |
| Krazy Kat | The Dingbat Family (26 July, 1910) | 1910 |
| Li’l Abner Yokum | Li’l Abner (13th August, 1934) | 1934 |
| Linus Van Pelt | Peanuts (14th July, 1952) | 1952 |
| Little Nemo | Dream of the Rarebit Fiend (10th December, 1904) | 1904 |
| Lucy Van Pelt | Peanuts (3rd March, 1952) | 1952 |
| Mandrake the Magician | Mandrake the Magician (11th June, 1934) | 1934 |
| Mooch | Mutts (5th September, 1994) | 1994 |
| Nancy | Fritzi Ritz (2nd January, 1933) | 1933 |
| Nate Wright | Big Nate (7th Janurary, 1991) | 1991 |
| Odie | Garfield (8th August, 1978) | 1978 |
| Olive Oyl | Thimble Theatre (19th December, 1919) | 1919 |
| Paige Fox | FoxTrot (14th April, 1988) | 1988 |
| Peter Fox | FoxTrot (15th April, 1988) | 1988 |
| Pogo | Pogo (4th Ocotober, 1948) | 1948 |
| Popeye | Thimble Theatre (17th January, 1929) | 1929 |
| Prince Valiant | Prince Valiant (13th February, 1937) | 1937 |
| Roger Fox | FoxTrot (11th April, 1988) | 1988 |
| Sally Brown | Peanuts (23rd August, 1959) | 1959 |
| Schroder | Peanuts (30th May, 1951) | 1951 |
| Sluggo | Fritzi Ritz (24th January, 1938) | 1938 |
| Snoopy | Peanuts (4th October, 1950) | 1950 |
| The Phantom (Kit Walker) | The Phantom (17th February, 1936) | 1936 |
| The Spirit | The Spirit (2nd June, 1940) | 1940 |
| The Yellow Kid | Hogan’s Alley (17th February, 1895) | 1895 |
| Thel | Family Circus (29th February, 1960) | 1960 |
| Torchy Brown | Dixie to Harlem (4th September, 1937) | 1937 |
| Wednesday Addams | The New Yorker (26th August, 1944) | 1944 |
| Woodstock | Peanuts (4th March, 1966) | 1966 |
Valiant
The Valiant Universe has all kinds of cool characters. Find out where they all began below.
| Character | First Appearance | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Archer | Archer & Armstrong (1992 series) #0 | 1992 |
| Armstrong | Archer & Armstrong (1992 series) #0 | 1992 |
| Bloodshot | Rai (1992 series) #0 | 1992 |
| Divinity | Divinity #1 | 2015 |
| Doctor Mirage | Shadowman (1992 series) #16 | 1993 |
| Dr. Silk | Ninjak (1994 series) #1 | 1994 |
| Eternal Warrior | Solar: Man of the Atom (1991 series) #10 | 1992 |
| Flamingo | Harbinger (1992 series) #1 | 1992 |
| Kris Hathaway | Harbinger (1992 series) #1 | 1992 |
| Livewire | Harbinger (1992 series) #15 | 1993 |
| Master Darque | Shadowman (1992 series) #8 | 1992 |
| Neville Alcott | Eternal Warrior (1992 series) #1 | 1992 |
| Ninjak | Bloodshot (1993 series) #6 | 1993 |
| Peter Stancheck | Harbinger (1992 series) #1 | 1992 |
| Punk Mambo | Shadowman (2012 series) #13 | 2013 |
| Quantum | Quantum and Woody (1997 series) #1 | 1997 |
| Rai | Magnus #5 | 1991 |
| Shadowman | Shadowman (1992 series) #1 | 1992 |
| Timewalker | Archer & Armstrong (1992 series) #8 | 1993 |
| Toyo Harada | Solar: Man of the Atom (1991 series) #3 | 1991 |
| Vincent Van Goat | Quantum and Woody (1997 series) #3 | 1997 |
| Woody | Quantum and Woody (1997 series) #1 | 1997 |
| X-O Manowar | X-O Manowar (1992 series) #1 | 1992 |
| Zephyr | Harbinger (1992 series) #1 | 1992 |
Star Wars
This Star Wars list focuses on characters who originated in comics – whether that be the Legends Expanded Universe canon or the current one. Check out this great list by Comic Book Invest if you want to go deeper into the first comics appearances of film characters.
| Character | First Appearance | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 0-0-0 | Darth Vader (2015 series) #3 | 2015 |
| Aayla Secura | Star Wars: Republic #19 | 2000 |
| Baron Soontir Fel | Star Wars: X-Wing – Rogue Squadron #21 | 1997 |
| Beilert Valance | Star Wars (1977 series) #17 | 1978 |
| Bink | Star Wars: Tag & Bink Are Dead #1 | 2001 |
| Black Krrsantan | Darth Vader (2015 series) #1 | 2015 |
| BT-1 | Darth Vader (2015 series) #3 | 2015 |
| Cade Skywalker | Star Wars: Legacy #1 | 2006 |
| Darth Krayt | Star Wars: Legacy #1 | 2006 |
| Darth Talon | Star Wars: Legacy #1 | 2006 |
| Doctor Aphra | Darth Vader (2015 series) #3 | 2015 |
| Fenn Shysha | Star Wars (1977 series) #68 | 1982 |
| Jaxxon | Star Wars (1977 series) #8 | 1977 |
| Quinlan Vos | Star Wars (1998 series) #17 | 2000 |
| Sana Starros | Star Wars (2015 series) #4 | 2015 |
| Tag | Star Wars: Tag & Bink Are Dead #1 | 2001 |
| Ulic Qel-Droma | Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi #1 | 1993 |
2000 AD
The galaxy’s greatest comic, 2000 AD, has introduced many characters over the past 45+ years. This includes several characters from the Judge Dredd universe and other unrelated series.
| Character | First Appearance | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Bill Savage | 2000 AD Prog 1 | 1977 |
| Bridget Kurtis | 2000 AD Prog 1978 | 2016 |
| Chimpsky | 2000 AD Prog 2131 | 2019 |
| Chopper | 2000 AD Prog 206 | 1981 |
| Deadlock | 2000 AD Prog 123 | 1979 |
| Devlin Waugh | Judge Dredd Megazine 2.01 | 1992 |
| Durham Red | 2000 AD Prog 505 | 1987 |
| Finnigan “Finny” Sinister | 2000 AD Prog 981 | 1996 |
| Halo Jones | 2000 AD Prog 376 | 1984 |
| Harry Absalom | 2000 AD Prog 1446 | 2005 |
| Harry Ex | 2000 AD Prog 780 | 1992 |
| Johnny Alpha | Starlord #1 | 1978 |
| Judge Anderson | 2000 AD Prog 149 | 1980 |
| Judge Death | 2000 AD Prog 149 | 1980 |
| Judge Dredd | 2000 AD Prog 2 | 1977 |
| Judge Fear | 2000 AD Prog 224 | 1981 |
| Judge Fire | 2000 AD Prog 224 | 1981 |
| Judge Hershey | 2000 AD Prog 162 | 1980 |
| Judge Janus | 2000 AD Prog 842 | 1993 |
| Judge Mortis | 2000 AD Prog 224 | 1981 |
| Kano | 2000 AD Prog 500 | 1986 |
| Luke Kirby | 2000 AD Prog 571 | 1988 |
| Nemesis The Warlock | 2000 AD Prog 167 | 1980 |
| Nikolai Dante | 2000 AD Prog 1035 | 1997 |
| Ramone “Ray” Dexter | 2000 AD Prog 981 | 1996 |
| Robo-Hunter | 2000 AD Prog 76 | 1978 |
| Rogue Trooper | 2000 AD Prog 228 | 1981 |
| Shakara | 2000 AD Prog 1273 | 2002 |
| Shako | 2000 AD Prog 20 | 1977 |
| Slaine | 2000 AD Prog 330 | 1983 |
| Stickleback | 2000 AD Prog 1518 | 2007 |
| Tharg The Mighty | 2000 AD Prog 1 | 1977 |
| Thistlebone | 2000 AD Prog 2135 | 2019 |
| Walter the Wobot | 2000 AD Prog 10 | 1977 |
| Zenith | 2000 AD Prog 535 | 1987 |
| Zombo | 2000 AD Prog 1632 | 2009 |
Other
Finally, the below list contains first appearances of characters that don’t meet the above categories. There is a mix of indie comics and smaller corporate owned characters.
| Character | First Appearance | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Abe Sapien | Hellboy: Seed of Destruction #2 | 1994 |
| Airboy | Air Fighters Comics #2 | 1942 |
| Alfred E. Newman | Mad #21 | 1955 |
| Angela | Spawn #9 | 1993 |
| Asterix | Asterix the Gaul | 1959 |
| Astro Boy | Ambassador Atom | 1951 |
| Badger | Badger (1983 series) #1 | 1983 |
| Buddy Bradley | Comical Funnies | 1981 |
| Captain Canuck | Captain Canuck (1975 series) #1 | 1975 |
| Captain Haddock | The Crab with the Golden Claws | 1941 |
| Captain Victory | Captain Victory and the Galactic Rangers (1981 series) #1 | 1981 |
| Carl Grimes | The Walking Dead #1 | 2003 |
| Cassie Hack | Hack/Slash (2004 series) #1 | 2004 |
| Cheese | Greed #6 | 1989 |
| Christian Walker | Powers #1 | 2001 |
| Cogliostro | Spawn #9 | 1993 |
| Concrete | Dark Horse Presents (1986 series) #1 | 1986 |
| Cutter | Elfquest (1978 series) #1 | 1978 |
| Dan Dare | Eagle #1 | 1950 |
| Dawn | Cry for Dawn #1 | 1989 |
| Deena Pilgrim | Powers #1 | 2001 |
| Dennis the Menace (UK) | The Beano #452 | 1951 |
| Doctor Solar | Doctor Solar, Man of the Atom #1 | 1962 |
| Donatello | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1984 series) #1 | 1984 |
| Duckman | Dark Horse Presents (1986 series) #22 | 1988 |
| Evil Ernie | Evil Ernie (1991 series) #1 | 1991 |
| Flintheart Glomgold | Uncle Scrooge #15 | 1956 |
| Fone Bone | Bone #1 | 1991 |
| Gladstone Gander | Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories #88 | 1948 |
| Grendel (Hunter Rose) | Comico Primer #2 | 1982 |
| Groo | Destroyer Duck #1 | 1982 |
| Gyro Gearloose | Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories #140 | 1952 |
| Haunt | Haunt #1 | 2009 |
| Hellboy | San Diego Comic Con Comics #2 | 1993 |
| Hit-Girl | Kick-Ass #3 | 2008 |
| Homelander | The Boys #1 | 2006 |
| Hopey Glass | Love and Rockets #1 | 1982 |
| Invincible | Noble Causes: Family Secrets #3 | 2002 |
| Jackie Estacado | Witchblade (1995 series) #10 | 1996 |
| Jason Wynn | Spawn#1 | 1992 |
| Jesse Custer | Preacher #1 | 1995 |
| Johann Kraus | B.P.R.D.: Hollow Earth #1 | 2002 |
| Kate Corrigan | Hellboy: The Wolves of St. August | 1994 |
| Kick-Ass | Kick-Ass #1 | 2008 |
| Lady Death | Evil Ernie (1991 series) #1 | 1991 |
| Lady Mechanika | Lady Mechanika #0 | 2010 |
| Leonardo | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1984 series) #1 | 1984 |
| Liz Sherman | Hellboy: Seed of Destruction #2 | 1994 |
| Lobster Johnson | Hellboy: Box of Evil #1 | 1999 |
| Luba | Love and Rockets #1 | 1982 |
| Luthor Strode | The Strange Talent of Luther Strode #1 | 2011 |
| Lying Cat | Saga #1 | 2012 |
| Madman | Creatures of the Id #1 | 1990 |
| Maggie Chascarillo | Love and Rockets #1 | 1982 |
| Magica De Spell | Uncle Scrooge #36 | 1961 |
| Magnus, Robot Fighter | Magnus Robot Fighter 4000 A.D. #1 | 1963 |
| Malebolgia | Spawn#1 | 1992 |
| Marv | Dark Horse Presents #51 | 1991 |
| Marvelman a.k.a Miracleman | MArvelman #25 | 1954 |
| Michaelangelo | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1984 series) #1 | 1984 |
| Michonne Hawthorne | The Walking Dead #19 | 2005 |
| Milk | Greed #6 | 1989 |
| Miyamoto Usagi | Abledo #2 | 1984 |
| Mr. Monster | Vanguard Illustrated #7 | 1984 |
| Negan | The Walking Dead #100 | 2012 |
| Obelix | Asterix the Gaul | 1959 |
| Phoney Bone | Bone #1 | 1991 |
| Raphael | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1984 series) #1 | 1984 |
| Rick Grimes | The Walking Dead #1 | 2003 |
| Roger the Homunculus | Hellboy: Wake the Devil #3 | 1996 |
| Savage Dragon | Graphic Fantasy #1 | 1982 |
| Scott Pilgrim | Scott Pilgrim’s Precious Little Life | 2004 |
| Scrooge McDuck | Four Color Comics #178 | 1947 |
| Shredder | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1984 series) #1 | 1984 |
| Smiley Bone | Bone #1 | 1991 |
| Spawn | Spawn #1 | 1992 |
| Speedy Ortiz | Love and Rockets #1 | 1982 |
| Spider Jerusalem | Transmetropolitan #1 | 1997 |
| Splinter | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1984 series) #1 | 1984 |
| Stardust the Super Wizard | Fantastic Comics #1 | 1939 |
| Storm Shadow | G.I. Joe, a Real American Hero #21 | 1984 |
| Supreme | Youngblood (1992 series) #1 | 1992 |
| Tank Girl | Deadline Magazine #1 | 1988 |
| The Crow | Caliber Presents #1 | 1989 |
| The Maxx | The Maxx #1 | 1993 |
| The Will | Saga #1 | 2012 |
| Thorn | Bone #1 | 1991 |
| Tick | New England Comics Newsletter #14 | 1986 |
| Tintin | Le Petit Vingtième (10th January, 1929) | 1929 |
| Too Much Coffee Man | Too Much Coffee Man #1 | 1991 |
| Violator | Spawn #2 | 1992 |
| Witchblade | Cyblade/Shi: The Battle for Independents #1 | 1995 |
| Zot | Zot! #1 | 1984 |
The above lists only scratch the surface. This will be a living guide, with existing sections updated and new ones added to include even more first appearances. Your favourite characters may be added soon if you don’t happen to see them featured.
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