Marvel/Atlas Pre-Hero (SF/Horror Post Code) List

[PovertyRow]

I compiled a list I think is complete of the various titles/issue numbers that comprise the pre-hero Marvels. My criteria is they are post code and cut off before the hero issues (ST101, JIM 83 etc.).Can anyone add to it, make corrections etc? Eventually I will expand it into a true checklist with individual numbers. Thanks!

 

Adventure into Mystery #1-8 May 1956 - July 1957

Amazing Adventures #1-6 June 1961 - Nov. 1961

Amazing Adult Fantasy #7-14 Dec.1961 - July 1962

Astonishing #38-63 April 1955 - Aug. 1957

Journey into Mystery #23-82 March 1955 - July 1962

Journey into Unknown Worlds #34-59 April 1955 - Aug. 1957

Mystery Tales #27-54 March 1955 - Aug. 1957

Mystic #37-61 May 1955 - Aug. 1957

Spellbound #24-34 Oct. 1955 - June 1957

Strange Stories of Suspense #5-16 Oct. 1955 - Aug. 1957

Strange Tales #35-100 April 1955 - Sept. 1962

Strange Tales Annual 1 Sep 1962

Strange Tales of the Unusual #1-11 Dec. 1955 - Aug. 1957

Strange Worlds #1-5 Dec. 1958 - Aug. 1959

Tales of Suspense #1-38 Jan. 1959 - Feb. 1963

Tales to Astonish #1-34 Jan. 1959 - Aug. 1962

Uncanny Tales #29-56 March 1955 - Sept. 1957

World of Fantasy #1-19 May 1956 - Aug. 1959

World of Mystery #1-7 June 1956 - July 1957

 

 

 

[Dick Pontoon]

All great titles and ones I collect, but my definition of pre-heroes is old fashioned and doesn't include post-code Atomic Age books. So by my guidelines, that would mean starting around '59 and be something like:

 

 

Amazing Adventures #1-6 June 1961 - Nov. 1961

Amazing Adult Fantasy #7-14 Dec.1961 - July 1962

Journey into Mystery #51-82 March 1959 - July 1962

Strange Tales #67-100 Feb 1959 - Sept. 1962

Strange Worlds #1-5 Dec. 1958 - Aug. 1959

Tales of Suspense #1-38 Jan. 1959 - Feb. 1963

Tales to Astonish #1-34 Jan. 1959 - Aug. 1962

World of Fantasy #15-19 Dec 1958 - Aug. 1959

 

 

 

 

 

 

[PovertyRow]

That's an interesting take. One of the most enjoyable discussions for me is the definition of Atomic Age and also of Pre-Hero Marvels.

 

One question - I think JIM #50 from Jan 1959 would also fit in your list? An outer space/aliens theme and still 1959.

 

[Dick Pontoon]

Sure thing. I was trying to remember issue numbers without checking GCD. I don't have them broken out in my checklist/wantlist.

[PovertyRow]

Sure thing. I was trying to remember issue numbers without checking GCD.

 

Now THAT's a heck of a feat to try!

 

Have you seen the Marvel Database? I like it for cover examining as the covers are all shown on one page rather than having to click the numbers like in GCD. Just plug a title in at the very top of the page. For example:

 

http://marvel.wikia.com/Journey_into_Mystery_Vol_1

[*Bronze age fan*]

All great titles and ones I collect, but my definition of pre-heroes is old fashioned and doesn't include post-code Atomic Age books. So by my guidelines, that would mean starting around '59 and be something like:

 

 

Amazing Adventures #1-6 June 1961 - Nov. 1961

Amazing Adult Fantasy #7-14 Dec.1961 - July 1962

Journey into Mystery #51-82 March 1959 - July 1962

Strange Tales #67-100 Feb 1959 - Sept. 1962

Strange Worlds #1-5 Dec. 1958 - Aug. 1959

Tales of Suspense #1-38 Jan. 1959 - Feb. 1963

Tales to Astonish #1-34 Jan. 1959 - Aug. 1962

World of Fantasy #15-19 Dec 1958 - Aug. 1959

 

 

 

 

 

And Strange Tales Annual #1.

 

And to Pov.....good luck with which ever starting point you pick. It's a pretty grand undertaking collecting them all. But very cool and fun comics!

[PovertyRow]

All great titles and ones I collect, but my definition of pre-heroes is old fashioned and doesn't include post-code Atomic Age books. So by my guidelines, that would mean starting around '59 and be something like:

 

 

Amazing Adventures #1-6 June 1961 - Nov. 1961

Amazing Adult Fantasy #7-14 Dec.1961 - July 1962

Journey into Mystery #51-82 March 1959 - July 1962

Strange Tales #67-100 Feb 1959 - Sept. 1962

Strange Worlds #1-5 Dec. 1958 - Aug. 1959

Tales of Suspense #1-38 Jan. 1959 - Feb. 1963

Tales to Astonish #1-34 Jan. 1959 - Aug. 1962

World of Fantasy #15-19 Dec 1958 - Aug. 1959

 

 

 

 

 

And Strange Tales Annual #1.

 

And to Pov.....good luck with which ever starting point you pick. It's a pretty grand undertaking collecting them all. But very cool and fun comics!

 

I used to own ST Annual #1, too. Thanks! Added to the list.

[rodan57]

All great titles and ones I collect, but my definition of pre-heroes is old fashioned and doesn't include post-code Atomic Age books. So by my guidelines, that would mean starting around '59 and be something like:

 

 

Amazing Adventures #1-6 June 1961 - Nov. 1961

Amazing Adult Fantasy #7-14 Dec.1961 - July 1962

Journey into Mystery #51-82 March 1959 - July 1962

Strange Tales #67-100 Feb 1959 - Sept. 1962

Strange Worlds #1-5 Dec. 1958 - Aug. 1959

Tales of Suspense #1-38 Jan. 1959 - Feb. 1963

Tales to Astonish #1-34 Jan. 1959 - Aug. 1962

World of Fantasy #15-19 Dec 1958 - Aug. 1959

 

That's an interesting take. One of the most enjoyable discussions for me is the definition of Atomic Age and also of Pre-Hero Marvels.

 

One question - I think JIM #50 from Jan 1959 would also fit in your list? An outer space/aliens theme and still 1959.

 

 

Another way to frame these same books is the point of which Atlas/Marvel becomes defined Kirby, Heck and Ditko art.

[zzutak]

I never thought of these as pre-hero issues, but they do meet Pov's criteria: Marvel Tales #132-159; Mystical Tales #1-8; and World of Suspense #1-8.

[Juswuh]

Many of the early superhero issues include fantasy stories which are thus much more expensive/harder to get hold of, in their original printings at least.

[Dick Pontoon]

Good point! I don't recall any Kirby fantasy stories form that point on; they were mostly Ditko, Heck, Reinman and Leiber backups.

[porcupine48]

Ooooh,I like this!

[rodan57]

Good point! I don't recall any Kirby fantasy stories form that point on; they were mostly Ditko, Heck, Reinman and Leiber backups.

 

If you don't count Tales Of Asgard.

[PovertyRow]

Many of the early superhero issues include fantasy stories which are thus much more expensive/harder to get hold of, in their original printings at least.

 

Yes. Often, if I recall, there were some Ditko back stories too. I plan on making a list of the hero books with those backstories unless someone already has it? Only thing I can think of is start looking through GCD for the individual stories.

[bc]

Many of the early superhero issues include fantasy stories which are thus much more expensive/harder to get hold of, in their original printings at least.

 

Yes. Often, if I recall, there were some Ditko back stories too. I plan on making a list of the hero books with those backstories unless someone already has it? Only thing I can think of is start looking through GCD for the individual stories.

 

Pretty sure that Tales of Suspense 39-58 all contain fantasy/sci-fi/horror/spy backstories.

[bc]

Many of the early superhero issues include fantasy stories which are thus much more expensive/harder to get hold of, in their original printings at least.

 

Yes. Often, if I recall, there were some Ditko back stories too. I plan on making a list of the hero books with those backstories unless someone already has it? Only thing I can think of is start looking through GCD for the individual stories.

 

Found my complete list of post-PHM issues thru 1965:

 

Strange Tales 101-113 (114-118 have two page text story reprints, 119-123 have 1 page text story reprints)

Journey Into Mystery 83-104 (105-108 have 1 page text story reprints)

Tales of Suspense 39-54 (55-58 have 1 page text story reprints)

Amazing Fantasy 15

Tales to Astonish 27, 35-51 (53 has 2 page text story reprint), 54, (55 has 1 page text story reprint), 56, (57 has 1 page text story reprint)

 

None in:

Fantastic Four

Amazing Spider-Man

Incredible Hulk

Avengers

X-Men

Sgt. Fury

Daredevil

 

It seems they couldn't make up their mind with the Tales to Astonish series

 

Hope this helps!

-bc