In the comic world, there is an assumption that only key issues come from regular size comics. Well, that is actually not the case. Magazines have been produced for years from companies such as Marvel that are considered key issues. These magazine issues are different from comics, specifically with the size of the book. Magazines are much wider, taller, and sometimes thicker than regular comics. In reality, magazines are not hard to miss in comic stores as the outlook is very different. Below are some magazine key issues often over-looked by comic collectors.

 

 

 

 

Marvel Preview #4:

A magazine issue that depicts the first appearance of Star-Lord. A couple of years ago, this magazine was probably found in dollar bins, but that is not the case anymore. Marvel released two Guardians of the Galaxy movies in 2014 and 2017. The third movie is expected to be released in theatres in 2021 or 2022. These movies raised the popularity of the leader of the Guardians of the Galaxy team, Star-Lord. The character portrayed by the very talented Chris Pratt and he has brought a happily, comedic feeling to the character to movie fans. The fans have responded nicely as the movie grossed hundreds of millions of dollars for Marvel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marvel Preview #7:

It is very interesting that the next key magazine is also from the Marvel Preview series. Issue #7 details the first appearance of Star-Lord's teammate of Guardians of the Galaxy team, Rocket Raccoon. In this issue, the character is first introduced as Rocky Raccoon and later renamed Rocket Raccoon. Rocket Raccoon is a talking animal that wields a gun to eliminate his enemies. The character is portrayed with Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI) in the movies and voiced by Bradley Cooper. Cooper does an excellent job of portraying many comedic scenes as the character while saving the galaxy from destruction.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Savage Tales #1:

Marvel and DC Comics have been rivals for as long as they have been in business. So it is especially common for both companies to introduce characters with similar traits. In Savage Tales #1, the issue introduces the first appearance of Man-Thing. This issue was published in May of 1971. Two months later, DC Comics would introduce Swamp Thing in House of Secrets #92 in July of 1971. These comic companies both decide to introduce very similar plant-like hero characters literally at the same time!

Savage Tales #1 introduces the humanoid swamp monster that protects plant life and fights along with other heroes such as Ghost Rider, Morbius, and Werewolf. This character is another undervalued hero Marvel could introduce to the MCU in the future to add to their supernatural lineup.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #1:

This issue is another key book that pertains to another key Marvel character, Shang Chi. The importance of this magazine is it depicts the fourth appearance of Shang Chi and the origin of the character. This book is totally undervalued for this character and could potentially be a great gain when we get more details of the upcoming movie. This issue could detail plot points in the upcoming movie.  If anything, the cover is also worth grabbing! The cover features the legendary martial artist Bruce Lee kicking a guy is pretty spectacular.