Astonishing Tales

Although it began as a rather nondescript collection of Dr. Doom/Ka-Zar stories, Astonishing Tales struck gold when it introduced the character of Deathlok in issue #25. Since then Deathlok has gone on to become one of the hottest characters in comics.

Deathlok’s story begins in the near future. The U.S. has been at war for years, and the military is desperate for some new weapon to turn the tide. When Luther Manning, a great military strategist, is killed a decision is made to transplant his brain into a robotic body. Thus Luther lives again as Deathlok, a cyborg killing-machine. However, when Luther realizes what has happened to him, he rebels against his creators and escapes. Unable even to end his own existence (the computer built into him prevents this), Deathlok goes on the run but has nowhere to hide.

Jump to issue:

#1

Aug 1970

Cover: $0.15

W: Roy Thomas, Stan Lee · A: Jack Kirby, Wallace Wood

1st Appearance of Crown Prince Rudolfo; 1st appearance of Doomsman; 1st appearance of Ramona

7 copies from $16.30
#2

Oct 1970

Cover: $0.15

W: Roy Thomas · A: Jack Kirby, Wallace Wood, Marie Severin

1st appearance of Faceless One; 1st appearance of Petrified Man; 2nd Appearance of Crown Prince Rudolfo; 2nd Appearance of Doomsman; 2nd Appearance of Ramona; Doctor Doom; Ka-Zar

11 copies from $7.00
#3

Dec 1970

Cover: $0.15

W: Gerry Conway, Larry Lieber · A: Barry Windsor-Smith, Wallace Wood

1st Appearance of Zaladane; Mike W. Barr L.O.C.

9 copies from $9.00
#4

Feb 1971

Cover: $0.15

W: Gerry Conway, Larry Lieber · A: Barry Windsor-Smith, Wallace Wood

1st appearance of Garokk (formerly the Petrified Man); 2nd appearance of Tongah; 2nd appearance of Zaladane

15 copies from $6.50
#5

Apr 1971

Cover: $0.15

W: Gerry Conway, Larry Lieber · A: Barry Windsor-Smith, George Tuska

Death of Garokk; Death of Zaladane; 2nd Appearance of Garokk (formerly the Petrified Man)

12 copies from $7.98
#6

Jun 1971

Cover: $0.15

W: Gerry Conway, Larry Lieber · A: Barry Windsor-Smith, George Tuska

1st appearance of Bobbi Morse; 1st appearance of Damon the Wind God

1 copy for $46.98
#7

Aug 1971

Cover: $0.15

W: Roy Thomas, Gerry Conway · A: Herb Trimpe, Gene Colan

2nd Appearance of Bobbi Morse; 2nd Appearance of Damon the Wind God; Bob Rozakis L.O.C.

11 copies from $6.85
#8

Oct 1971

Cover: $0.25

W: Roy Thomas, Gary Friedrich, Len Wein, Mike Friedrich, Gerry Conway · A: Herb Trimpe, George Tuska, Gene Colan

2nd Appearance of Damian Link; 2nd Appearance of Gemini (Joshua Link)

3 copies from $10.00
#9

Dec 1971

Cover: $0.20

W: Stan Lee, Don Rico · A: John Buscema, Jay Scott Pike

Lorna reprint accidentally runs last two pages from another story altogether; Reprint from Lorna The Jungle Girl #14

7 copies from $4.98
#10

Feb 1972

Cover: $0.20

W: Roy Thomas, Gerry Conway · A: Barry Windsor-Smith

9 copies from $4.50
#11

Apr 1972

Cover: $0.20

W: Roy Thomas · A: Gil Kane

Origin of Ka-Zar; Origin of Zabu

5 copies from $6.00
#12

Jun 1972

Cover: $0.20

W: Len Wein, Roy Thomas · A: John Buscema, Neal Adams

4 copies from $39.00
#14

Oct 1972

Cover: $0.20

W: Stan Lee, Don Rico · A: John Buscema, Jay Scott Pike

Reprints from Savage Tales #1 and Jungle Tales #2

9 copies from $0.99
#15

Dec 1972

Cover: $0.20

W: Mike Friedrich · A: Gil Kane

8 copies from $1.00
#16

Feb 1973

Cover: $0.20

W: Mike Friedrich · A: Rich Buckler, John Buscema

7 copies from $2.98
#17

Apr 1973

Cover: $0.20

W: Mike Friedrich · A: Dan Adkins

6 copies from $0.99
#18

Jun 1973

Cover: $0.20

W: MIke Friedrich · A: Dan Adkins

7 copies from $3.98
#19

Aug 1973

Cover: $0.20

W: Mike Friedrich · A: Dan Adkins, Jim Starlin

1st appearance of Victorius

9 copies from $3.75
#20

Oct 1973

Cover: $0.20

W: Mike Friedrich · A: Marie Severin, Werner Roth

2nd Appearance of Victorius

10 copies from $3.98
#21

Dec 1973

Cover: $0.20

W: Tony Isabella, Stan Lee · A: Dick Ayers, Steve Ditko

Reprints from Tales of Suspense #20, Amazing Adult Fantasy #9

7 copies from $7.80
#22

Feb 1974

Cover: $0.20

W: Tony Isabella, Stan Lee · A: Dick Ayers, Jack Kirby

Pages 8-11 reprinted from Strange Tales #74

6 copies from $4.00
#23

Apr 1974

Cover: $0.20

W: Tony Isabella, Stan Lee · A: Dick Ayers, Jack Kirby

Incorporates pages reprinted from Strange Tales #89; Marvel Value Stamp #54: Shanna

1 copy for $20.00
#24

Jun 1974

Cover: $0.25

W: Tony Isabella · A: Dick Ayers, Larry Lieber, Jack Kirby, Gil Kane, Marie Severin

Marvel Value Stamp #18: Volstaag

3 copies from $7.00
#25

Aug 1974

Cover: $0.25

W: Rich Buckler, Doug Moench · A: Rich Buckler, George Pérez

1st Appearance of Deathlok (Luther Manning); Origin of Deathlok (Luther Manning); Marvel Value Stamp #68: Son of Satan

1 copy for $56.00
#26

Oct 1974

Cover: $0.25

W: Rich Buckler, Doug Moench · A: Rich Buckler

Marvel Value Stamp #66: General Ross

4 copies from $7.00
#27

Dec 1974

Cover: $0.25

W: Rich Buckler, Doug Moench · A: Rich Buckler

Marvel Value Stamp #22: Man-Thing

5 copies from $5.00
#28

Feb 1975

Cover: $0.25

W: Rich Buckler · A: Rich Buckler

Marvel Value Stamp #84: Dr. Doom

7 copies from $5.15
#29

Apr 1975

Cover: $0.25

W: Arnold Drake · A: Gene Colan

Reprints from Marvel Super-Heroes #18; 1st appearance of Guardians of Galaxy; Origin of Guardians of the Galaxy

3 copies from $7.50
#30

Jun 1975

Cover: $0.25

W: Rich Buckler, Doug Moench · A: Keith Pollard, Rich Buckler, Arvell Jones

6 copies from $2.75
#31

Aug 1975

Cover: $0.25

W: Rich Buckler, Doug Moench, Stan Lee · A: Gene Colan, Keith Pollard, Rich Buckler

Reprint from Silver Surfer (1st Series) #3

2 copies from $4.42
#32

Nov 1975

Cover: $0.25

W: Rich Buckler, Bill Mantlo · A: Rich Buckler, Keith Pollard, Bob McLeod

9 copies from $2.75
#33

Jan 1976

Cover: $0.25

W: Rich Buckler, Bill Mantlo · A: Rich Buckler

Marvel Value Stamp Series B #3

4 copies from $2.00
#34

Mar 1976

Cover: $0.25

W: Rich Buckler, Bill Mantlo · A: Rich Buckler

7 copies from $5.98
#35

May 1976

Cover: $0.25

W: Rich Buckler, Bill Mantlo · A: Rich Buckler

8 copies from $2.47
#36

Jul 1976

Cover: $0.25

W: Rich Buckler · A: Rich Buckler

Continued in Marvel Spotlight #33; Final Issue

6 copies from $4.02