First appearance

Blade's first appearance: The Tomb of Dracula #10

Blade first appeared in The Tomb of Dracula #10, cover dated July 1973, published by Marvel and created by Marv Wolfman and Gene Colan.

Why it matters

Blade's first appearance, as a vampire hunter in Marvel's Dracula series. He was a supporting character for years before the 1998 film made him a star, and this issue became a top Bronze Age key.

Related key issues

• The Tomb of Dracula #13 (October 1973), Blade's origin.

Before you buy or sell, check

• Marvel released a facsimile edition of #10. It carries modern markings and a modern price.
• UK copies with a pence price on the cover exist and usually sell for less than US copies.

Then look up what copies in similar condition actually sold for. Prices for keys like this move with grade and with news about the character, so a recent sale tells you far more than a printed guide. Our guides on the grading scale and spotting reprints help you compare like with like.

More first appearances

• Moon Knight: Werewolf by Night #32 (August 1975)
• Ghost Rider: Marvel Spotlight #5 (August 1972)
• Spider-Man: Amazing Fantasy #15 (August 1962)
• Wolverine: The Incredible Hulk #181 (November 1974)
• Venom: The Amazing Spider-Man #300 (May 1988)

Questions