Summary of "You've Been LIED To!"

The Complexities of Comic Book Characters’ First Appearances

The video explores the complexities and controversies surrounding the concept of a comic book character’s “first appearance.” It highlights that what is often accepted as a character’s debut issue can be misleading due to factors like cameos, earlier versions, or different character iterations.

Definition of First Appearance

The video questions what truly counts as a first appearance, noting that some characters have brief cameos before full introductions, or their traits and backstories evolve significantly over time.

Examples of Misattributed First Appearances

Gambit Often credited with first appearing in Uncanny X-Men #266, but actually debuted earlier in X-Men Annual #14.
Uncle Ben and Aunt May Commonly thought to first appear in Amazing Fantasy #15, but they appeared six months earlier in Strange Tales #97.
Venom/Eddie Brock Venom’s symbiote first appeared in Marvel Superhero Secret Wars #8, Eddie Brock’s first appearance was in Web of Spider-Man #18, and the black suit debuted in Spider-Man #252.
Batgirl The Betty Kane version appeared in Batman #139 before Barbara Gordon’s debut in Detective Comics #359.
Supergirl Appeared in Superman #123 before Action Comics #252.
Mary Jane Watson First heard as a voice in Amazing Spider-Man #15, partially seen in #25, and fully revealed in #42.
Spawn First drawn by Todd McFarlane as a child, appeared in ads and other comics before Spawn #1.
Invincible Debuted earlier in Noble Causes #3 and previews in Tech Jacket and Savage Dragon #102.
Savage Dragon First appeared as “The Dragon” in Megaton #3 and earlier in a self-published graphic fantasy before Savage Dragon #1.
Harley Quinn Modern version debuted in Batman Adventures #12, but inspired by a 1940s character from All-American #89.
Man-Thing First appeared in Savage Tales #1 (a magazine), predating Adventure into Fear #10.
Cable First appeared as a baby in Uncanny X-Men #201, not in New Mutants #87.
Hellboy Appeared in various rare comic-con pamphlets and foreign comics before John Byrne’s Next Men #21.
Wolverine Cameo in Hulk #180, full appearance in #181, with even earlier conceptual art predating comics.

Character Evolution

Many characters undergo changes in powers, backstories, or identities, complicating the notion of a single definitive first appearance. Examples include:

Superman’s powers evolving over time
Thor’s Don Blake persona being dropped
Nick Fury’s race change

Industry Practices

Publishers sometimes introduce characters in minor roles or test stories before giving them a full debut, leading to confusion about the true first appearance.