Post by Colonel Nick Fury on Oct 27, 2007 12:23:47 GMT -5
This article is taken from Marvel Crawl Space.
Quick, name Spider-Man's first appearance! Anyone worth their weight in No-Prizes would usually answer "Amazing Fantasy #15." And they'd be correct, right? Or-- would they?
A little-known fact is that Peter Parker, Uncle Ben, and Aunt May may have had unofficial first appearances before their official first appearance in Amazing Fantasy #15.
These examples are most likely “try-outs”-- a character is introduced in a comic and the idea is later reintroduced, either as the same character (i.e., Hank Pym’s first appearance in Tales to Astonish #27 and his re-introduction as the costumed Ant Man) or a character that is later re-introduced as an entirely new character with the same name and similar characteristics.
The first one is Peter Parker. Look at the pictures for yourself
(pictures are from Amazing Adult Fantasy #14, one issue before Spider-Man’s first appearance). He certainly looks similar to Peter Parker, right down to his outfit, although he is missing the glasses he had up to Amazing Spider-Man #8. The issue, however, is about a boy with manifesting super-powers. It has nothing to do with spiders, and the boy is not named Peter. It was, however, written and drawn by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, respectively, the same masterminds behind Amazing Fantasy #15 (the title was changed from issue 14 to issue 15). Another interesting detail is that Professor X of the X-Men also made a try-out appearance in Amazing Adult Fantasy #14.
Now let’s look at Uncle Ben and Aunt May.
These images are from Strange Tales #97. They certainly look similar to their official counterparts, and their names are even Ben and May. The story does not mention Peter Parker, however, and it’s about a mermaid.
Could these be the same characters, or are they entirely different characters? Is it too much of a coincidence? Decide for yourself!
Special thanks to Eric Gillete from Samruby.com for the scans
Quick, name Spider-Man's first appearance! Anyone worth their weight in No-Prizes would usually answer "Amazing Fantasy #15." And they'd be correct, right? Or-- would they?
A little-known fact is that Peter Parker, Uncle Ben, and Aunt May may have had unofficial first appearances before their official first appearance in Amazing Fantasy #15.
These examples are most likely “try-outs”-- a character is introduced in a comic and the idea is later reintroduced, either as the same character (i.e., Hank Pym’s first appearance in Tales to Astonish #27 and his re-introduction as the costumed Ant Man) or a character that is later re-introduced as an entirely new character with the same name and similar characteristics.
The first one is Peter Parker. Look at the pictures for yourself
(pictures are from Amazing Adult Fantasy #14, one issue before Spider-Man’s first appearance). He certainly looks similar to Peter Parker, right down to his outfit, although he is missing the glasses he had up to Amazing Spider-Man #8. The issue, however, is about a boy with manifesting super-powers. It has nothing to do with spiders, and the boy is not named Peter. It was, however, written and drawn by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, respectively, the same masterminds behind Amazing Fantasy #15 (the title was changed from issue 14 to issue 15). Another interesting detail is that Professor X of the X-Men also made a try-out appearance in Amazing Adult Fantasy #14.Now let’s look at Uncle Ben and Aunt May.
These images are from Strange Tales #97. They certainly look similar to their official counterparts, and their names are even Ben and May. The story does not mention Peter Parker, however, and it’s about a mermaid.Could these be the same characters, or are they entirely different characters? Is it too much of a coincidence? Decide for yourself!
Special thanks to Eric Gillete from Samruby.com for the scans