Ms. Marvel #1 (1977, First Ms. Marvel Carol Danvers)

The Birth of a Marvel Powerhouse

Ms. Marvel #1, published by Marvel Comics in January 1977, marks the first appearance of Carol Danvers as the superhero Ms. Marvel. Written by Gerry Conway with art by John Buscema and Joe Sinnott, this Bronze Age key issue introduced a character who would eventually become one of the most prominent figures in the Marvel Universe. Decades later, Carol Danvers would take on the Captain Marvel mantle and headline a billion-dollar film franchise, making this debut issue more relevant than ever.

The story opens with a new superhero appearing in New York City, disrupting a crime operation run by the Scorpion. J. Jonah Jameson and Mary Jane Watson also appear, grounding the issue in the broader Marvel continuity. The title carried the subtitle "This Woman, This Warrior!" and announced its ambitions clearly from the opening pages.

Historical Context

Carol Danvers was not a new character in 1977. She had first appeared in Marvel Super-Heroes #13 (1968) as a NASA security chief who became entangled with the Kree warrior Captain Marvel (Mar-Vell). An explosion involving a Kree device called the Psyche-Magnetron had given her superhuman abilities, though it took nearly a decade for Marvel to build a solo title around those powers.

The decision to launch Ms. Marvel reflected the cultural moment. The women's liberation movement was reshaping American society, and Marvel wanted a female hero who could stand as a peer to its male headliners. The name "Ms. Marvel" was a deliberate echo of Ms. Magazine, Gloria Steinem's feminist publication. Editor Gerry Conway and the creative team crafted Carol as a professional woman (she was editor of Woman Magazine within the story) who also happened to have extraordinary abilities.

The original costume featured a bare midriff and scarf, a design that was very much of its era. Carol's look would evolve significantly over the decades, eventually arriving at the military-inspired Captain Marvel uniform that Jamie McKelvie designed for the 2012 relaunch under writer Kelly Sue DeConnick.

Key Issue Significance

Why Ms. Marvel #1 Matters

• First appearance of Carol Danvers as Ms. Marvel

• Bronze Age key issue from a significant Marvel series

• Foundation character for the Captain Marvel film franchise (2019)

• Important milestone in Marvel's representation of female superheroes

• Appearances by the Scorpion, J. Jonah Jameson, and Mary Jane Watson

• Written by Gerry Conway, who also created the Punisher

• Art by John Buscema and Joe Sinnott, two industry legends

The issue sits comfortably among the top 50 Bronze Age keys. Its importance has only grown since Brie Larson brought Carol Danvers to the screen in 2019's Captain Marvel, which grossed over $1.1 billion worldwide.

Comic Details

Publication Information

• Publisher: Marvel Comics

• Cover Date: January 1977

• On-Sale Date: October 1976

• Issue Number: #1

• Story Title: "This Woman, This Warrior!"

• Writer: Gerry Conway

• Penciler: John Buscema

• Inker: Joe Sinnott

• Cover Price: $0.30

• Pages: 17 (story)

Condition and Value Guide

Ms. Marvel #1 values have fluctuated with the broader comic book market and with Marvel Cinematic Universe developments. The 2019 Captain Marvel film drove prices to peak levels, and while some correction has occurred, the book remains a solid Bronze Age key.

Current Market Values (CGC Graded)

• CGC 2.0 (Good): $40 to $65

• CGC 4.0 (Very Good): $75 to $120

• CGC 6.0 (Fine): $150 to $225

• CGC 7.0 (Fine/Very Fine): $200 to $325

• CGC 8.0 (Very Fine): $325 to $500

• CGC 8.5 (Very Fine+): $450 to $650

• CGC 9.0 (Very Fine/Near Mint): $600 to $900

• CGC 9.2 (Near Mint-): $800 to $1,200

• CGC 9.4 (Near Mint): $1,200 to $2,000

• CGC 9.6 (Near Mint+): $2,000 to $3,500

• CGC 9.8 (Near Mint/Mint): $3,000 to $4,500

Raw (ungraded) copies in presentable condition typically sell for $30 to $150 depending on apparent grade. The 30-cent cover price newsstand copies are the standard issue. A UK price variant exists and carries its own premium among variant collectors.

Grading Key Points

When evaluating a raw copy of Ms. Marvel #1, pay attention to these common condition issues:

Cover Concerns

• The predominantly red and yellow cover shows wear easily

• Check for color-breaking spine stress marks

• Marvel value stamps were often cut from interior pages of 1970s comics; verify the stamp page is intact

• Corner creases are common on Bronze Age books that were stored without bags and boards

Interior Issues

• Browning or tanning of pages (newsprint quality of the era causes this naturally)

• Loose or detached centerfold staples

• Writing, stamps, or subscription labels

• Missing Marvel Value Stamp (usually found on a specific interior page)

Page Quality

• White pages command the highest premiums

• Off-white to white is still very desirable

• Cream or off-white pages are acceptable for mid-grade examples

• Tan or brown pages significantly reduce value

Market Trends

Ms. Marvel #1 has followed a trajectory common to MCU-related keys:

• Pre-2018: Steady mid-range Bronze Age key values. A CGC 9.8 might bring $1,500 to $2,000.

• 2018-2019 (Film announcement and release): Rapid price appreciation. CGC 9.8 copies briefly touched $4,000+.

• 2020-2021 (Pandemic boom): The broader comic market surge lifted all boats, and Ms. Marvel #1 held strong.

• 2022-2024: Market correction brought prices down from peaks but stabilized above pre-hype levels.

• 2025-Present: The book has found a sustainable value floor, supported by Carol Danvers' ongoing importance in Marvel media.

The long-term outlook is positive. Carol Danvers is deeply embedded in the MCU continuity, and her Bronze Age debut carries the kind of historical significance that maintains collector interest even between film releases.

Variants and Related Issues

Ms. Marvel #1 Variants

• Standard newsstand (30-cent cover): The primary collectible version

• UK price variant (UK pence cover): Scarcer and carries a collector premium

• No significant print error variants are known

Related Key Issues in Carol Danvers' History

• Marvel Super-Heroes #13 (1968): First appearance of Carol Danvers (as a supporting character)

• Ms. Marvel #16-17 (1978): Carol's costume change and power evolution

• Avengers Annual #10 (1981): First appearance of Rogue, who absorbs Carol's powers

• Uncanny X-Men #164 (1982): Carol becomes Binary

• Captain Marvel #1 (2012, Kelly Sue DeConnick): Carol takes the Captain Marvel name

Collecting Strategies

Budget Approach

Raw copies in Good to Fine condition ($30-$150) remain accessible. For display purposes, a presentable VG or Fine copy with a clean cover captures the visual impact of this key first appearance without breaking the bank. These lower-grade copies also make excellent reading copies for those who want to experience the original story.

Investment Approach

For collectors looking at long-term value retention, CGC 9.0 and above is the target range. White pages add meaningfully to value, and the CGC label provides authentication that reduces buyer risk. The CGC 9.4 range ($1,200-$2,000) represents a balance between grade quality and entry cost.

Set Building

Ms. Marvel ran for 23 issues (January 1977 to April 1979). A complete run is achievable and includes several notable issues beyond #1. Issue #18 features the first full appearance of Mystique (in shadow), and #20 has Ms. Marvel's new costume debut. The series can be completed in mid-grade for a reasonable total investment.

Storage and Preservation

• Store in an acid-free bag (Mylar or polypropylene) with an acid-free backing board

• Keep in a cool, dry environment away from direct light

• Store vertically in a comic box with enough support to prevent leaning

• For high-value copies (CGC 9.0+), professional grading provides sealed protection

• Handle with clean, dry hands and support the spine when reading

Final Thoughts

Ms. Marvel #1 occupies a unique position in comic book history. It launched a character who would evolve from a mid-tier Marvel hero into one of the company's most visible characters, eventually headlining a franchise that spans films, television, and comics. The Bronze Age original carries all the charm of 1970s Marvel storytelling, with John Buscema's dynamic art and Gerry Conway's knack for character-driven superhero narratives.

For collectors, the book offers accessibility at lower grades and genuine prestige at the top of the census. Whether you are a Carol Danvers fan looking for the definitive origin piece or an investor seeking a Bronze Age key with long-term MCU support, Ms. Marvel #1 delivers.

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