Publication timeline
The major eras run from first appearance to the present day, with the key series and turning points kept in order.
The Comic Agent editorial series
Character Files
New to a character? Start here. Each file maps first appearances, series and issue numbers, key books, cover artists and major crossovers, then suggests practical places to begin collecting.
Explore the Character Files
Follow the history.
Character histories, reading routes and practical field guides turn decades of comics into a collection you understand.
Character File No. 01
Venom
From Spider-Man's black costume and Eddie Brock to Lethal Protector, Agent Venom, Knull and King in Black.
Read the Venom file →
Character File No. 02
Ghost Rider
From Johnny Blaze's bargain to Danny Ketch, the Midnight Sons, Robbie Reyes and Marvel's wider Spirits of Vengeance.
Read the Ghost Rider file →
Character File No. 03
Swamp Thing
From a Gothic eight-page tragedy to Alec Holland, Alan Moore's reinvention, the Green and modern avatars.
Read the Swamp Thing file →
Character File No. 04
Man-Thing
From Ted Sallis and the first swamp stories to Steve Gerber, Howard the Duck and the Nexus of All Realities.
Read the Man-Thing file →
Autumn edition · File No. 05
Blade
The autumn edition: 22 covers, ten GBP buying budgets, key issues and a visual journey into the Daywalker’s history.
Read the Blade file →
Character File No. 06
Doctor Strange
From Strange Tales to the Sorcerer Supreme: first appearances, publication history, creators and clear collecting routes.
Read the Doctor Strange file →
Character File No. 07 · Expanded field guide
Fantastic Four
The family, the universe and the collection: 41 searchable key-book entries, reading routes, the series map, UK buying guidance and the current shelf through September 2026.
Explore the Fantastic Four field guide →
Character File No. 08
Morbius
The man behind the monster: start with a great story, explore ten raw-price guides in GBP, then follow the Living Vampire through his characters, series and essential comics.
Read the Morbius file →
Character File No. 09
Werewolf by Night
The curse, the man and the collection: meet Jack Russell and Jake Gomez, find your first story, compare ten raw-price guides in GBP and follow the essential comics through 2026.
Read the Werewolf by Night file →
Character File No. 10
Moon Knight
Choose a first story, explore ten raw-price guides in GBP, and follow Marc Spector from Werewolf by Night to the Midnight Mission and the 2026 Midnight Sons.
Read the Moon Knight file →
Character File No. 11
Hulk
Start with a great story, compare ten raw-price references in GBP and explore 22 covers, the Hulk’s identities, key comics and reading routes from 1962 to Infernal Hulk.
Read the Hulk file →
Character File No. 12
John Constantine
Find your first Hellblazer story, compare ten raw buying ranges in GBP and follow the debut, defining creators and different series.
Read the Constantine file →
Character File No. 13
Human Torch
Johnny Storm in 24 full covers: essential stories, ten GBP collecting guides, key issues, crossovers and the difference between the two Torches.
Read the Human Torch file →
Character File No. 14
Spawn: the creator-owned revolution
Explore the early keys, Gunslinger Spawn and lower-order issues, from Todd McFarlane’s Image Comics revolution to Spawn ’77.
Read the Spawn file →
Character File No. 15
Batman: the Dark Knight & the villains who made him
Explore Gotham’s history, the Joker and 13 more rogues profiles, defining stories, UK buying budgets and 39 cover images.
Read the Batman file →
Character File No. 16
Doctor Doom: the man who would rule everything
Explore Victor von Doom, his rivalry with Reed Richards, science and sorcery, essential stories, UK buying guidance and 25 cover images.
Read the Doctor Doom file →
The Horror Files · Deep dive
Bronze Age Horror
171 original covers lead through DC, Charlton, Marvel monsters, Warren, Skywald and war horror. Find great stories, a budget that fits, overlooked artist work and carefully explained CGC populations.
Explore the horror files →Inside every Character File
A chronology you can read—and collect.
Creators and stories
Writers and artists are tied to the specific changes they introduced, followed by focused reading routes.
Collector context
Defining issues, cover art and practical collecting notes connect the history to the physical comics.