Part 3 of 3 covering Marvel's dark princesses (part 1 and part 2). I planned on doing this one a few weeks ago, but after moving on to other books decided to cover them all in a three-parter, along with Topaz and Jennifer Kale. This book will set you back the most out of the three.
Since writing about Fear #11, I saw a copy on eBay in VG sell for $1.04 with only 2 bids, so you can see how cheap it is.
The final member of the 'Witches' is Satana, first appearing in Vampire Tales #2 from 1973, a 72-page newsprint magazine. Of all the costumed characters who have yet to appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I place a high probability that Satana is in the cards.
You can read the 4-page Satana story below.
I see this book fairly often in nice grade, both online and at conventions (VF+ copies for $60 or so). A few CGC 9.8 copies were on the market last year in the $350-$400 range, which is about 1/7th of what Marvel Preview 7 brings (1st Rocket Raccoon, which coincidentally features Satana on the cover). Marvel Preview 7 and 4 (1st Starlord) have proven that "magazine format" Marvel comics are no longer the second class of collecting.
Being the daughter of a demon, Satana seems at first glance like she might be a villainess, but in fact she is torn between good and evil, making her an interesting character. She once sacrificed herself to save Dr. Strange from a curse (she was resurrected).
First comic book appearance
The first comic book appearances of Rocket Raccoon and Star-lord are also considered keys. What about Satana's?
There was a 4-month gap between Vampire Tales #2 and #3, which gave Satana enough time to squeeze an appearance in between, in January 1974's Marvel Spotlight #13, where she appears only in a flashback, as a baby and young girl, in four panels:
After Vampire Tales #3, she makes three more magazine appearances (Haunt of Horror 2, 4 and 5 - the latter of which is her first cover appearance) before returning to comics in Marvel Spotlight #22 (2nd comic book appearance; 1st comic book appearance in costume (?). Having read MS #22, I'm still confused because she changes form from an old lady and tries to kiss her brother, so it may be an illusion cast by the hag.
One of her next appearances (Marvel Spotlight #24, Marvel Premiere #27) might be considered her first full appearance in costume as an adult as a non-illusion - but as you can see we are already in a bit of a quagmire and I'm not sure which of these books would excite collectors, if any.
At this point though, she's fully out of the magazines and into the comics.
I order books especially to do this blog. Please show your support by following us via links to the right!
Happy hunting!
www.heronext.com
Here's a 2012 article by CBR about the 'Witches' (Jennifer Kale, Topaz and Satana).
Vampire Tales #2 Satana story
1st cover appearance (Jan. 1975)
No comments:
Post a Comment