250's for 250th

Epic Panels Comics

In honor of America's 250th, Epic Panels Comics spotlights a different landmark issue #250 in every episode — the milestone comics, the creators behind them, and why they still matter.

  1. Conan the Barbarian #250 (1991); "Chaos Beneath Kutchemes"

    10 hr ago

    Conan the Barbarian #250 (1991); "Chaos Beneath Kutchemes"

    Send us Fan Mail PODCAST DESCRIPTION: On 250's for The 250th, we pull Conan the Barbarian #250 (cover-dated November 1991) off the shelf — "Chaos Beneath Kutchemes," a landmark anniversary issue with founding writer Roy Thomas back in the chair. Conan rides with the warrior women Red Sonja and Zula near the end of a quest for untold riches, but first they must cut down the warlord Zug and his bloodthirsty Zugites. Thomas weaves Robert E. Howard's original prose into the late run of Marvel's long-running title. Hunt your copy at https://www.google.com/url?q=http://epic-panels-comics.com&source=gmail&ust=1782665378939000&sa=E. Show notes: - Issue: Conan the Barbarian #250 (Marvel Comics, cover date November 1991); "Chaos Beneath Kutchemes" - Creators: Roy Thomas (writer); Mike Docherty (pencils); Ernie Chan (inks); cover by Steve Lightle - Villain / key characters: Conan, Red Sonja, Zula; the warlord Zug and his Zugites - Value: Raw NM ~$5–$12; CGC 9.8 ~$40–$80 (estimate) - Collected edition: Conan the Barbarian: The Original Marvel Years Omnibus Vol. 10 (2023), collecting #241–275 - Shop: https://www.google.com/url?q=http://epic-panels-comics.com&source=gmail&ust=1782665378939000&sa=E Character first appearances: - Conan: "The Phoenix on the Sword," Weird Tales (December 1932) — literary debut; Marvel Comics debut in Conan the Barbarian #1 (1970) - Red Sonja: Conan the Barbarian #23 (1973) Issues referenced in this episode: - Conan the Barbarian #250 (1991) — today's spotlight; "Chaos Beneath Kutchemes." - Weird Tales (December 1932) — "The Phoenix on the Sword," Conan's first appearance in print. - Conan the Barbarian #1 (1970) — Conan's Marvel Comics debut (Roy Thomas & Barry Windsor-Smith). - Conan the Barbarian #23 (1973) — first appearance of Red Sonja. #250sForThe250th #comics #keycomics #WonderWoman #backissues #comiccollecting 🛒 Shop the latest comics at epic-panels-comics.com 🎁 Join our email list and get 10% OFF your first order — plus first dibs on new collections and exclusive deals: https://epic-panels-comics.com 📲 Follow Epic Panels Comics: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Epic-Panels-Comics/61564850500633/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/epicpanels/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@epicpanelscomics YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EpicPanelsComics

    5 min
  2. Iron Man #250 (1989): Doomquest's Time-Travel Sequel

    1 day ago

    Iron Man #250 (1989): Doomquest's Time-Travel Sequel

    Send us Fan Mail On 250's for The 250th, we pull Iron Man #250 (cover-dated December 1989) off the shelf — "Recurring Knightmare," by the definitive team of David Michelinie and Bob Layton. A sequel to the beloved "Doomquest," it flings Iron Man and Doctor Doom forward to the year 2093, where the wizard Merlin and a young King Arthur draft the armored rivals into a war against a deadly orbital threat — guarded by Andros Stark, a ruthless future Iron Man making his first appearance. It arrives with the book at a creative peak, fresh off "Armor Wars. Show notes: - Issue: Iron Man #250 (Marvel Comics, cover date December 1989); "Recurring Knightmare" - Creators: David Michelinie & Bob Layton (writers); Bob Layton (pencils, inks & cover); Paul Becton (colors); Janice Chiang (letters); Howard Mackie (editor) - Villain / key characters: Iron Man (Tony Stark), Doctor Doom, Merlin, King Arthur; first appearance of Andros Stark - Value: Raw NM ~$5–$15; CGC 9.8 ~$50–$90 (estimate) - Collected edition: Iron Man: Doomquest (collects #149–150 and #249–250); also Iron Man vs. Doctor Doom TPB - Shop: https://www.google.com/url?q=http://epic-panels-comics.com&source=gmail&ust=1782665349534000&sa=E Character first appearances: - Iron Man (Tony Stark): Tales of Suspense #39 (1963) - Doctor Doom: Fantastic Four #5 (1962) - James Rhodes (later War Machine): Iron Man #118 (1979) - Andros Stark: Iron Man #250 (1989) Issues referenced in this episode: - Iron Man #250 (1989) — today's spotlight; "Recurring Knightmare" and the first appearance of Andros Stark. - Tales of Suspense #39 (1963) — Iron Man's first appearance. - Fantastic Four #5 (1962) — Doctor Doom's first appearance. - Iron Man #149–150 (1981–1982) — "Doomquest," the story this issue continues. - Iron Man #128 (1979) — "Demon in a Bottle," the classic Michelinie/Layton storyline referenced. #250sForThe250th #comics #keycomics #WonderWoman #backissues #comiccollecting 🛒 Shop the latest comics at epic-panels-comics.com 🎁 Join our email list and get 10% OFF your first order — plus first dibs on new collections and exclusive deals: https://epic-panels-comics.com 📲 Follow Epic Panels Comics: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Epic-Panels-Comics/61564850500633/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/epicpanels/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@epicpanelscomics YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EpicPanelsComics

    5 min
  3. The Uncanny X-Men #250 (1989) "The Shattered Star"

    3 days ago

    The Uncanny X-Men #250 (1989) "The Shattered Star"

    Send us Fan Mail On 250's for The 250th, we pull The Uncanny X-Men #250 (cover-dated October 1989) off the shelf — "The Shattered Star," Part 2, from Chris Claremont and Marc Silvestri. Deep in the Savage Land, the sorceress Zaladane has captured several X-Men: she drugs Havok, manipulates Polaris into turning on her own teammates, and moves to drain Polaris's magnetic powers, while Dazzler, Colossus, and Psylocke charge in only to be ambushed by the Savage Land Mutates. It lands in the thick of the team's "Outback era," when the world believes the X-Men are dead.  Show notes: - Issue: The Uncanny X-Men #250 (Marvel Comics, cover date October 1989); "The Shattered Star," Part 2 - Creators: Chris Claremont (writer); Marc Silvestri (pencils); Steve Leialoha (inks); Glynis Oliver (colors); Joe Rosen (letters); Bob Harras (editor); cover by Marc Silvestri & Dan Green - Villain / key characters: Havok, Polaris, Dazzler, Colossus, Psylocke; villain Zaladane and her Savage Land Mutates; Ka-Zar; first appearance of the minor mutate Worm - Value: Raw VF/NM ~$10–$25; CGC 9.8 ~$60–$150 - Collected edition: X-Men Epic Collection and Uncanny X-Men Omnibus Vol. 5 (late-1980s Claremont/Silvestri era) - Shop: http://epic-panels-comics.com Character first appearances: - The X-Men (team): The X-Men #1 (1963) - Magneto: The X-Men #1 (1963) - Ka-Zar (Kevin Plunder): The X-Men #10 (1965) - Polaris (Lorna Dane): The X-Men #49 (1969) - Havok (Alex Summers): The X-Men #54 (1969) - Zaladane: Astonishing Tales #3 (1970) - Colossus: Giant-Size X-Men #1 (1975) - Psylocke (Betsy Braddock): Captain Britain #8 (1976) - Dazzler: The Uncanny X-Men #130 (1980) - Worm: The Uncanny X-Men #250 (1989) Issues referenced in this episode: - The Uncanny X-Men #250 (1989) — today's spotlight; "The Shattered Star," Part 2, and the first appearance of Worm. - The X-Men #1 (1963) — the team's first appearance and the debut of Magneto. - The X-Men #10 (1965) — first appearance of the modern Ka-Zar. - Giant-Size X-Men #1 (1975) — the "All-New, All-Different" relaunch that launched the Claremont era and debuted Colossus. - The X-Men #129–138 (1980) — "The Dark Phoenix Saga," referenced as a defining Claremont/Byrne storyline. - The Uncanny X-Men #141–142 (1981) — "Days of Future Past," referenced as a landmark Claremont/Byrne story. - Astonishing Tales #3 (1970) — first appearance of Zaladane. #250sForThe250th #comics #keycomics #WonderWoman #backissues #comiccollecting 🛒 Shop the latest comics at epic-panels-comics.com 🎁 Join our email list and get 10% OFF your first order — plus first dibs on new collections and exclusive deals: https://epic-panels-comics.com 📲 Follow Epic Panels Comics: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Epic-Panels-Comics/61564850500633/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/epicpanels/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@epicpanelscomics YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EpicPanelsComics

    5 min
  4. Daredevil #250 (1988) "Boom!"

    4 days ago

    Daredevil #250 (1988) "Boom!"

    Send us Fan Mail On 250's for The 250th, we pull Daredevil #250 (cover-dated January 1988) off the shelf — the issue that kicks off John Romita Jr.'s celebrated run as regular penciller alongside writer Ann Nocenti. An ecology group is taking on the chemical company Kelco over its toxic spills, Matt Murdock lends legal aid from his Hell's Kitchen clinic, and to "clean up" the opposition, a new mercenary called Bullet is hired — his first appearance. It's a low-to-mid value copper-age book whose real draw is creative: the launch of a fan-favorite era and a memorable new street-level threat.  Show notes: - Issue: Daredevil #250 (Marvel Comics, cover date January 1988) - Creators: Ann Nocenti (writer); John Romita Jr. (pencils); Al Williamson (inks); Max Scheele (colors); Joe Rosen (letters); Ralph Macchio (editor); cover by John Romita Jr. & Al Williamson - Villain / key characters: Daredevil / Matt Murdock; first appearance of Bullet; the Kelco corporate antagonists - Value: Raw VF/NM ~$8–$20; CGC 9.8 ~$60–$130 - Collected edition: Daredevil by Nocenti & Romita Jr. Omnibus Vol. 1 (collects #234–266 plus Punisher #10); also the corresponding Daredevil Epic Collection BIBLIOGRAPHY: Character first appearances: - Daredevil (Matt Murdock): Daredevil #1 (1964) - Bullet: Daredevil #250 (1988) - Typhoid Mary: Daredevil #254 (1988) - Kingpin (Wilson Fisk): The Amazing Spider-Man #50 (1967) - Elektra: Daredevil #168 (1981) - Longshot: Longshot #1 (1985) Issues referenced in this episode: - Daredevil #250 (1988) — today's spotlight; first appearance of Bullet and the start of the Nocenti/Romita Jr. run. - Daredevil #1 (1964) — Daredevil's first appearance and origin. - Daredevil #168 (1981) — first appearance of Elektra (Frank Miller era). - Daredevil #227–233 (1986) — Miller & Mazzucchelli's "Born Again" storyline referenced as the era just before this issue. - Daredevil #254 (1988) — first appearance of Typhoid Mary, introduced soon after in Nocenti's run. - The Amazing Spider-Man #50 (1967) — first appearance of the Kingpin. - Longshot #1 (1985) — Ann Nocenti's co-creation, referenced. - Kick-Ass #1 (2008) — John Romita Jr.'s co-creation with Mark Millar, referenced. #250sForThe250th #comics #keycomics #WonderWoman #backissues #comiccollecting 🛒 Shop the latest comics at epic-panels-comics.com 🎁 Join our email list and get 10% OFF your first order — plus first dibs on new collections and exclusive deals: https://epic-panels-comics.com 📲 Follow Epic Panels Comics: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Epic-Panels-Comics/61564850500633/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/epicpanels/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@epicpanelscomics YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EpicPanelsComics

    6 min
  5. Justice League of America #250 (1986) - "Return of the Justice League of America"

    5 days ago

    Justice League of America #250 (1986) - "Return of the Justice League of America"

    Send us Fan Mail On 250's for The 250th, we pull Justice League of America #250 (cover-dated May 1986) off the shelf — Gerry Conway and Luke McDonnell's "Return of the Justice League of America." It's less a money key than an editorial hinge: a distress call from the original Secret Sanctuary brings Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Green Arrow, and Black Canary back to rescue the struggling "Justice League Detroit" lineup from an energy-draining alien — and Batman, fresh off the Outsiders, agrees to rejoin as chairman while Despero plots the team's destruction. At the time it was a common, non-key copper-age book, but a meaningful course-correction back toward the classic League. Show notes: - Issue: Justice League of America #250 (DC Comics, cover date May 1986); "Return of the Justice League of America" - Creators: Gerry Conway (writer); Luke McDonnell (pencils & cover); Bill Wray (inks); Gene D'Angelo (colors); Albert DeGuzman (letters); Andy Helfer (editor) - Villains / key characters: Batman, Superman, Green Lantern (Hal Jordan), Green Arrow, Black Canary, Martian Manhunter, Zatanna, Elongated Man, plus the Detroit crew (Vibe, Gypsy, Steel, Vixen); villains Junior and Despero - Value: Raw NM/VF ~$5–$15; CGC 9.8 ~$60–$120 when available - Collected edition: Justice League of America: The Detroit Era Omnibus (DC, 2022) #250sForThe250th #comics #keycomics #WonderWoman #backissues #comiccollecting 🛒 Shop the latest comics at epic-panels-comics.com 🎁 Join our email list and get 10% OFF your first order — plus first dibs on new collections and exclusive deals: https://epic-panels-comics.com 📲 Follow Epic Panels Comics: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Epic-Panels-Comics/61564850500633/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/epicpanels/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@epicpanelscomics YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EpicPanelsComics

    5 min
  6. Fantastic Four (1961) #250 - X-FACTOR

    6 days ago

    Fantastic Four (1961) #250 - X-FACTOR

    Send us Fan Mail America turns 250 this year — and we're celebrating with 250's, a series spotlighting the 250th issues from our favorite comic runs. This week: Fantastic Four #250, cover-dated January 1983. It's a milestone issue that lands right in the middle of one of Marvel's greatest creative runs. John Byrne — writing, penciling, and inking solo — had been quietly rebuilding the Fantastic Four since 1981. Where the book had drifted, Byrne restored it. Reed and Sue's marriage under real pressure. Ben Grimm's loneliness rendered with genuine weight. Sue Storm finally written as the most powerful member of the team. Doctor Doom with real menace. Galactus as an indifferent cosmic force, not a costumed villain. Issue 250 puts all of that on display. Gladiator of the Shi'ar Imperial Guard chases rogue Skrulls to Earth and ends up trading blows with the FF — and then a familiar group of X-Men walk through the door. Except they're not. We get into what made Byrne's sixty-plus issue run the definitive Fantastic Four for so many readers, where this issue sits in that story, and what you should expect to pay if you want a copy of your own. Raw copies typically run fifteen to forty dollars. A beautiful piece of early eighties Marvel at an honest price. Find us at Epic Panels Comics. #250sForThe250th #comics #keycomics #WonderWoman #backissues #comiccollecting 🛒 Shop the latest comics at epic-panels-comics.com 🎁 Join our email list and get 10% OFF your first order — plus first dibs on new collections and exclusive deals: https://epic-panels-comics.com 📲 Follow Epic Panels Comics: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Epic-Panels-Comics/61564850500633/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/epicpanels/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@epicpanelscomics YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EpicPanelsComics

    4 min

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In honor of America's 250th, Epic Panels Comics spotlights a different landmark issue #250 in every episode — the milestone comics, the creators behind them, and why they still matter.