This Week in Marvel History: May 3-May 9

See what happened at Marvel on these dates in its 80-year history!

With Marvel celebrating its 80th anniversary this year – and to scratch my own history and research itches – every week I’m digging through a whole host of important dates and details for a special segment of This Week in Marvel called… (wait for it) … This Week in Marvel History! Important comics, storylines, character appearances and moments, real world releases and special Marvel milestones—it’s all part of TWIMH! Here are just a few Marvel History notes for the week of May 3-May 9!

1966: Melvin Potter aka Gladiator, debuts in DAREDEVIL #18 by Stan Lee and John Romita Sr. I LOVE HIS COSTUME SO MUCH.

1977: Wolverine’s archnemesis Sabretooth debuts in, of course, IRON FIST #14! It actually makes a ton of sense, with Sabretooth being a major X-Men character, since Chris Claremont and John Byrne worked on this IRON FIST issue!

2002: The first Spider-Man film hit theaters.

2013: Marvel Studios’ “Iron Man 3” was released in theaters. There are so many terrific moments—House Party protocol, anyone?! I still have a promo tee that we gave out at Comic-Con, a white A.I.M. tee like the one Killian wears.

1965: WHAT A WEEK!

STRANGE TALES #135 gives us the first appearances of S.H.I.EL.D., Hydra, Life Model Decoys, flying cars, and the Helicarrier in the first super spy Nick Fury story by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby! A true game-changer!
The Destroyer is introduced in JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #118. Another Lee/Kirby joint, and the Destroyer is easily one of the coolest designs in comics.
Speaking of cool designs, the Juggernaut—along with the Crimson Gem of Cyttorak—debuted in X-MEN #12—by Stan Lee, Alex Toth, & Jack Kirby.

1982: The villainous Vermin first appeared in CAPTAIN AMERICA #272. He’s currently in the pages of AMAZING SPIDER-MAN’s “Hunted” storyline!

2007: “Spider-Man 3” landed in theaters. Lots of folks have lots of opinions on this one, but I find a lot to enjoy in it.

2012: Marvel Studios’ “The Avengers” arrived in theaters. I remember sitting in a pre-release screening next to C.B. Cebulski, a few weeks before it came out. I was a little nervous. The Marvel Studios movies had been fantastic, of course, but this was the big one. Could they do it? As soon as credits rolled, I think I slapped C.B. on the arm or shoulder just out of sheer joy and delight because THEY CRUSHED IT. Just absolutely floored by it. I also got to visit the set in New Mexico, which was REALLY neat.

Marvel Studios' The Avengers | Official Trailer #1

1964: The Masters of Evil debuted in AVENGERS #6 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. The OG Masters were Baron Zemo, Radioactive Man, the Melter, and the Black Knight. Spoiler: the Avengers win, and the last panel has Thor sitting atop the Knight’s winged horse.

1970: Howard Stark’s first appearance was in IRON MAN #28.

1992: Terror Inc. debuted in the Marvel Universe in TERROR INC. #1. He’s a gnarly green dude who takes peoples’ dismembered limbs onto himself and gains their talents and abilities and such. GNARLY, I SAY.

2017: Marvel Studios’ “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” soared into theaters. BABY GROOOOOOOT!

2011: Marvel Studios’ “Thor” thundered into movie theaters!

2016: Marvel Studios’ “Captain America: Civil War” was released in theaters. Underoos!!

1989: “The Trial of the Incredible Hulk” aired on NBC, the second of three Incredible Hulk TV movies. Bruce Banner was a witness in a trial that’s connected to the Kingpin! We got black costume Daredevil teaming up with Hulk. Fun stuff!

2010: Marvel Studios’ “Iron Man 2” arrived in theaters. I ride hard for Justin Hammer in this movie. He’s THE BEST!

1973: Zzzax sparked across the pages of INCREDIBLE HULK #166! I love Zzzax! Three z’s and an x! Last entry in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe. Big ol’ electricity monster!

1979: Captain Universe -- and the Uni-Power -- was first seen in MICRONAUTS #8.

1984: Forge made his first appearance in UNCANNY-X-MEN #184. Forge has the mutant power to build anything. Boom. So rad.

1990: The crossover event DAYS OF FUTURE PRESENT began and introduced the villain Ahab. Ahab hunts mutants, and was most recently seen in EXTERMINATION and the pages of X-FORCE.

1963: STRANGE TALES #111 by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko introduced one of Doctor Strange’s greatest enemies: Baron Mordo!

1967:

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #51 marked the first appearance of Joe Robertson, one of Peter Parker’s mentors and biggest champions in journalism.
FANTASTIC FOUR #65, a classic by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, gifted us with the Kree, Ronan the Accuser, and the Supreme Intelligence!

1968: Ultron debuted as the Crimson Cowl in AVENGERS #54. Sneaky robot!