What is more important: 1st appearance or 1st cover appearance? 1 1

[APDallas]

What do you consider more important: a first appearance in a comic of a character or first cover appearance of the character?

[steveinthecity]

On 6/13/2022 at 6:46 PM, APDallas said:

What do you consider more important: a first appearance in a comic of a character or first cover appearance of the character?

Not sure how you’re defining “important”, but for me generally it’s having the character appear in the book in the story itself, not in a pinup, advertisement, etc.

[theCapraAegagrus]

Don't judge a book by its cover.

[Readcomix]

On 6/14/2022 at 12:45 AM, steveinthecity said:

Not sure how you’re defining “important”, but for me generally it’s having the character appear in the book in the story itself, not in a pinup, advertisement, etc.

This - appearance in continuity. 

The original appeal of comics as collectibles derived from their nature as serial storytelling. Once a character is introduced in a story, they are "real" in the imaginary world that is the comics universe. (That's why the eternal "first appearance of wolverine" question misses the mark -- the correct answer is Hulk 180 through 182, his first story. Not to derail, just trying to illustrate the perspective. Yes 181 has the meat of the tale and the cover, hence the highest value. But both other parts are well above surrounding Hulk run books.)

1st covers, preview ads etc. - sure, all neat and additionally collectible points of significance and fun; I'm all for anyone pursuing any interesting collecting niche/angle but to answer OP question IMO the big first is the first intro into the world of the story.

[ramrodcar]

agree, the character in question needs a subjective non-trivial amount of substance in the story, being on the cover is not a requisite (but is a bonus), which is why IMO IH181 is first wolverine.

[Jeffro.]

On 6/19/2022 at 12:29 AM, ramrodcar said:

agree, the character in question needs a subjective non-trivial amount of substance in the story, being on the cover is not a requisite (but is a bonus), which is why IMO IH181 is first wolverine.

No it isn't. Hulk 180 is first Wolverine. 180 came before 181. It's illogical to call Hulk 181 first when 180 was released before 181. It's factually false.

[Dr Zen]

To me, first appearance is more important.

[RandyL]

First appearance

[Orgasmic]

Definitely 1st app

[Delzy]

The market decides.. look at astonishing tales 12,13. 13 seems much more desired.

[LowGradeBronze]

The market may decide which one goes on to be more sought after/valuable but the fact of a first appearance is not altered by that. 12 comes before 13 (and 180 before 181.)

[Dalehamblin]

I think first appearance in general, but when you have them slabbed it adds to the appeal them being on the front cover. For example I think I would rather look at spiderman 129 than strange tales 110. 

[D2]

Looks like the market argues 1st cover in some cases. 

[Sword Master]

If it's both then better (first appearance and happen to also be the first cover). Happens at times. 

[comictracker]

Agree above its more attractive to me