Marshal Law #1
“Stars and Strippers” · First appearance · October 1987
October 1987 · ★ Gold Star object
First appearance of Marshal Law (Joe Gilmore) and launch issue of Pat Mills and Kevin O’Neill’s dystopian anti-superhero satire. The opening “Stars and Strippers” chapter establishes San Futuro and the series’ violent critique of superhero mythology.
Read the catalogue note →- Issue
- #1
- Publisher
- Epic Comics / Marvel Comics · United States
- State
- Raw
- Condition
- Provisional VF 8.0 from front, reverse and opening-interior photographs. Flat and attractive with light spine/edge wear, modest cover rubbing/scuffing and minor corner handling. No major crease, tear or paper loss visible in supplied views. Full interior not page-checked.
- Completeness
- Front, reverse and opening interior/indicia photographed. 36-page issue confirmed bibliographically. Full page-by-page completeness not yet physically verified; no detachable premium identified.
- Rarity
- Common in the collector market; culturally significant first appearance
Catalogue note
First appearance of Marshal Law (Joe Gilmore) and launch issue of Pat Mills and Kevin O’Neill’s dystopian anti-superhero satire. The opening “Stars and Strippers” chapter establishes San Futuro and the series’ violent critique of superhero mythology.
Writer: Pat Mills
Artist: Kevin O'Neill
Cover: Kevin O'Neill
Edition: Original US Epic Comics issue, October 1987. No alternate cover or variant identified in current research.
Why this object matters
The original Mills/O’Neill Marshal Law debut is a substantial British-created critique of American superhero ideology, preserved in its initial Epic publication state. Its artistic force and position within TMR’s British comics history justify retaining Gold at 9.2; complete interior collation is not newly claimed.
Evidence limits: Front, reverse and opening interior/indicia photographed. 36-page issue confirmed bibliographically. Full page-by-page completeness not yet physically verified; no detachable premium identified.
Score and assessment method
Archive Importance: 9.2 / 10 · Gold Star.
This is a curatorial judgement, not a measurement accurate to one tenth or a market valuation. Read the explanation and its evidence limits together.
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Recorded contributions · 3
- Pat MillsWritingCatalogue credit
Writing credit: Pat Mills Original catalogue credit
Find other objects with this contribution → - Kevin O'NeillArtworkCatalogue credit
Artwork credit: Kevin O'Neill Original catalogue credit
Find other objects with this contribution → - Kevin O'NeillCover artworkCatalogue credit
Cover artwork credit: Kevin O'Neill Original catalogue credit
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