First appearance

The Punisher's first appearance: The Amazing Spider-Man #129

The Punisher first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #129, cover dated February 1974, published by Marvel and created by Gerry Conway, John Romita Sr. and Ross Andru.

Why it matters

Frank Castle debuts as a vigilante hired to take down Spider-Man. The Jackal also first appears. It's a major Bronze Age key that tends to rise with each Punisher show or film.

Related key issues

• Giant-Size Spider-Man #4 (1975), an early Punisher appearance.

Before you buy or sell, check

• Reprints and facsimiles exist. An original has a 20-cent cover price.
• Check for missing pages or clipped coupons.

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

• Spider-Man: Amazing Fantasy #15 (August 1962)
• Daredevil: Daredevil #1 (April 1964)
• Wolverine: The Incredible Hulk #181 (November 1974)
• Venom: The Amazing Spider-Man #300 (May 1988)
• Deadpool: The New Mutants #98 (February 1991)

Questions