SILVER AGE
1956–1969
Usually dated from Showcase #4 in 1956, which revived the superhero after the Code years. DC rebuilt its lineup and Marvel built a new one, introducing the Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, the X-Men and most of the characters the industry still runs on. Continuity between titles becomes a deliberate feature rather than an accident.
408
SERIES
12,371
ISSUES
757
KEY ISSUES
PUBLISHERS OF THE ERA
KEY ISSUES FROM THE SILVER AGE
Amazing Fantasy #15
First appearance of Spider-Man. Earliest catalogued appearances of Aunt May, Flash Thompson, Liz Allan, and 2 more.
The Incredible Hulk #181
Wolverine: First full appearance. Cameo on the last page of #180.
Tales of Suspense #39
First appearance of Iron Man.
Fantastic Four #1
First appearances of Thing, Human Torch, Mister Fantastic, and 1 more. Earliest catalogued appearances of Mole Man and Giganto (Mole Man).
The X-Men #1
First appearances of Cyclops, Beast, Jean Grey, and 3 more. Earliest catalogued appearance of Warren Worthington III.
The Incredible Hulk #1
First appearance of Hulk. Earliest catalogued appearances of Rick Jones, Thunderbolt Ross, Betty Ross, and 1 more.
Showcase #22
First appearance of Green Lantern (Hal Jordan). Earliest catalogued appearances of Carol Ferris and Abin Sur.
Tales of Suspense #57
First appearance of Hawkeye.
Daredevil #1
First appearance of Daredevil. Earliest catalogued appearances of Foggy Nelson and Karen Page.
Showcase #4
First appearance of the Flash (Barry Allen). Earliest catalogued appearance of Iris West Allen.
The Flash #110
First appearance of Wally West. Earliest catalogued appearance of Weather Wizard.
The Amazing Spider-Man #42
Mary Jane Watson: First full appearance. Her face is deliberately hidden in #25 and #38.
LONGEST RUNS STARTED IN THIS ERA
The Amazing Spider-Man
1963 · 651 issues
Archie
1959 · 565 issues
Fantastic Four
1961 · 416 issues
The Avengers
1963 · 403 issues
Daredevil
1964 · 381 issues
The Incredible Hulk
1968 · 374 issues
Captain America
1968 · 355 issues
Iron Man
1968 · 336 issues
Thor
1966 · 293 issues
Life with Archie
1958 · 286 issues
Pep
1960 · 275 issues
Justice League of America
1960 · 261 issues
Series are placed by the year they began, so a long run appears in the age it started rather than every age it ran through. Where an age begins and ends is a matter of convention, and the edges are argued over. All ages.