American Comics Update: The Good Doctor Collection: Iron Man & Sub-Mariner #1 (and only!)
*Marvel: A ‘Special Once-In-A-Lifetime Issue’, the cover of this one-shot boasted, and its unique position is simply a result of a scheduling tangle which arose when Marvel was finally allowed by its distributors to increase its range of titles. The Hulk took over the numbering of Tales to Astonish and Captain America the numbering of Tales of Suspense, but that left ‘orphaned’ chapters of the Iron Man and Sub-Mariner serials languishing, so they were used in this oddball one-off so that both Iron Man and the Sub-Mariner could start off their #1 issues with origin recap storylines. Nevertheless is has found ‘fame’ in recent years as a Marvel #1! Joyfully, both strips were pencilled by the superb Gene Colan. The Good Doctor Collection copy is a decent, solid example, pence stamped but with an otherwise unmarked cover with bright colours. Very minimal edge wear and corner blunting, but no creases. Tight and flat with good staples and off-white pages. One of the easiest Silver Age Marvel titles to complete – buy one and you’ve got the set!
PICTURED: IRON MAN & THE SUB-MARINER #1 FN p £85