It looks like we have another debate about Wolverine's key issues.
Of course, the most famous debate is about Wolverine's "first" appearance -- did it occur in Incredible Hulk #180 or #181? As I mentioned in a recent blog, most collectors know that Wolverine appears for the very first time on the last page of Hulk #180. That is generally considered his "first cameo" appearance. The book that everyone wants, Hulk #181, is technically his second appearance in a comic book, but is generally called his "first full" appearance. Seems a little legalistic, but it's our community's way of trying to explain that the market clearly prefers Hulk #181 over #180.
Is Uncanny X-Men #133 Wolverine's first solo story?
We have a new debate on our hands that is occurring right now on CBR.com and on YouTube. Which book is Wolverine's "first solo" story? For years, our community has generally accepted that Uncanny X-Men #133, published in 1980, is his first solo story. While I'm not sure I would call this a "solo" story since the other X-Men appear in the issue (and CGC doesn't acknowledge it as his first solo story), the primary focus of the issue is indeed on Wolverine and most collectors view it as a key Wolverine issue.
Why does it matter? For a popular character like Wolverine whose first appearance is in another character's series and had only appeared as a complementary character in a team-up book (the X-Men) through the end of the 1970s, the first comic book where he is the primary focus of the story is significant for Wolverine fans. And Wolverine doesn't have that many key issues in comparison to other popular characters like Spider-Man.
But what about Marvel UK #335?
But CBR makes the case that Marvel UK #335, published in 1979, is actually Wolverine's first solo story. Haven't heard of Marvel UK before? You wouldn't be the only one. According to research conducted by CBR, Marvel opened up a branch in the United Kingdom called Marvel Comics UK. This branch would essentially reprint comics already published by Marvel on a weekly basis except make them a larger size and use newspaper-like paper. But on occasion, Marvel UK would publish original standalone stories to fill space in larger issues. One of these stories was "At the Sign of the Lion," published in 1979.
In what would become an iconic scene played out several times in X-Men, X-Men: First Class, and Deadpool & Wolverine, we see Wolverine alone at a bar. Hercules then shows up, the two end up getting into a fight, but the two heroes end up hanging out together. The story is also significant because it is also the first story that George Perez ever inked. Marvel would reprint this short story several times in other publications.
Graded copies of Marvel UK #335 are extremely rare.
Considering this issue was published only in the UK and was printed on low-quality newspaper-like paper, it was less durable and was probably more likely to be discarded after it was read. Not surprisingly, it's difficult to find copies of this issue. In fact, there is only ONE graded copy of this issue on the CGC Census and no sales data regarding this one graded copy.
And there's only a small supply of raw copies available on eBay. A copy of Marvel UK #335 hasn't sold on eBay since CBR published its article on October 29th. Prior to CBR's article, four raw copies have sold on eBay; most sold for a small amount including this copy that sold for only $5.99 from a seller in the UK:
The most recent raw copy sold in eBay for a more significant sum from another seller in the UK (but also sold before CBR published its article):
Since CBR caused a stir about Marvel UK #335, sellers in the UK have caught on including these two sellers in the UK who are now selling raw copies for well over $500!
