dangioffre
25 Issues
Apr 7, 2026
Staff
Ranked
The Iconic First Issues of Volume 1s
Essential #1 issues that launched enduring legacies and changed the trajectory of characters.
#1
Howard the Barbarian
Howard the Duck (1975)
Oct 28, 1975
1
A satirical hit that became a surprising counter-culture success.
#1
Crime
Batman: The Long Halloween (1996)
Oct 16, 1996
2
The first chapter of a definitive mystery that influenced The Dark Knight film.
#1
The Macabre Moon Knight
Moon Knight (1980)
Aug 19, 1980
3
The first solo series for Marc Spector, leaning into his gritty origins.
#1
The Circle, Part 1
The Authority (1999)
Mar 10, 1999
4
Widescreen superheroics that changed comic pacing and scale.
#1
Circle Of Blood!
The Punisher (1986)
Oct 08, 1985
5
The limited series that proved Frank Castle could carry a book.
Sins of the Father: Part One - Falling Star, Rising Son
Starman (1994)
Aug 23, 1994
6
The start of James Robinson's DC masterpiece of legacy and history.
#1
Chapter One
Hellboy: Seed of Destruction (1994)
Mar 01, 1994
7
The debut of Mike Mignola's folklore-inspired universe.
#1
Who Killed Retro Girl? Part 1
Powers (2000)
8
A police procedural set in a world of superheroes, by Bendis and Oeming.
#1
The Time of the Preacher
Preacher (1995)
Feb 28, 1995
9
The start of the controversial and acclaimed Vertigo epic.
#1
Issue #1
Lumberjanes (2014)
Apr 09, 2014
10
A breakout hit for Boom! Studios focusing on friendship and magic.
#1
The Summer of the Year
Transmetropolitan (1997)
Jul 09, 1997
11
Spider Jerusalem's debut in a gritty cyberpunk political satire.
#1
Issue #1
Paper Girls (2015)
Oct 07, 2015
12
Vaughan's sci-fi coming-of-age story that became a modern indie staple.
#1
Unmanned
Y: The Last Man (2002)
Jan 02, 2003
13
The high-concept post-apocalyptic thriller that defined 2000s Vertigo.
#1
Cerebus the Aardvark
Cerebus (1977)
14
The start of the longest-running self-published indie series in history.
#1
Chapter One: Old Tales Revisited
Fables (2002)
May 08, 2002
15
Reimagined fairy tale characters living in a secret New York community.
#1
The Name of the Game, Part One
The Boys (2006)
Aug 16, 2006
16
Garth Ennis's cynical take on the superhero genre.
#1
The Five Nightmares, Part 1: Armageddon Days
Invincible Iron Man (2008)
May 07, 2008
17
The relaunch following the MCU film that modernized Tony Stark.
#105
Conqueror from 8 Million BC!; The Master of Mirrors!
The Flash (1959)
18
The Silver Age relaunch that began the numbering for the modern Flash.
Part One of Five: Meta Morphosis
Ms. Marvel (2014)
Feb 05, 2014
19
The debut of Kamala Khan, a landmark for modern representation.
#1
The Origin of the Silver Surfer
The Silver Surfer (1968)
May 16, 1968
20
The first solo outing for Norrin Radd, featuring cosmic philosophy.
#1
The Client
Black Panther (1998)
Sep 23, 1998
21
Christopher Priest's run that redefined T'Challa for the modern age.
#1
The Coming of Conan!
Conan the Barbarian (1970)
Jul 21, 1970
22
Brought Robert E. Howard's creation to comics, defining the sword and sorcery genre.
#1
Alias Investigations Part 1
Alias (2001)
Sep 06, 2001
23
The debut of Jessica Jones and the launch of the Marvel MAX line.
#1
Dark Genesis!
Swamp Thing (1972)
Aug 10, 1972
24
Bernie Wrightson and Len Wein's gothic horror masterpiece.
#1
Powerless
Ultimate Spider-Man (2000)
Sep 06, 2000
25
The start of the Ultimate Universe, modernizing Spidey for a new generation.
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