*Marvel: From the 1970’s, the unexpected debut of a later cult character. Jack Kirby’s adaptation, then thematic continuation, of Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey raised many baffled critical eyebrows at the time of its release, but in issue 8, the series finally acquired what it had lacked – a central character for the readers to empathise with – in the shape of Mister Machine, a robot with a soul who fought to find his purpose in existing. The 2001 title expired shortly thereafter, but Kirby, then Ditko, continued our hero’s adventures in his own series – renamed Machine Man, the title under which he’s more generally known. Since then Machine Man has gone on to lengthy service in such series as Marvel Zombies, Avengers, and Nextwave: Agents of H.A.T.E., but this is where his career began. This is a cents copy (no pence copies of this non-distributed issue exist) in VF- condition. Generally in excellent shape, but an original machining/guillotining error at the printing press has resulted in very faint irregularities to the upper right cover edge, without which it would have been an easy NM. Nevertheless, an affordable copy of a character debut, offered at £25. SORRY, THIS HAS NOW SOLD