Staten Island’s First Appearance In The Marvel Universe: Collectors Confessions Column
Staten Island First Appearance in the Marvel Universe
By Chad Farley
Over the last few weeks, we have written several articles focused on Staten island’s connections to comic books and we got to thinking what was the first appearance of Staten Island in comic books.
It is well known that regarding most comic book collectors there tends to be a focus on the first appearance of a character, a team or a place. These first appearances are usually labeled key issues and command a premium price. So, what was the first appearance of Staten Island in Marvel Comics? Why Marvel you might ask? Well, unlike their DC Comics counterparts, Marvel has always taken place in the real world, meaning they occupy real cities. Many heroes in the Marvel universe actually live in New York City, more on that in a later column.
We had to go back, way back. All the way back in 1940, February to be exact. The comic was Mystic Comics and in issue number 2, Staten Island made its first appearance. Mystic Comics was an anthology series that ran for 8 issues; each issue contained multiple stories. Mystic Comics #2 is well known to comics collectors because it is considered by many to be the second ever comic in what would later become Marvel Comics. Along with Staten Island’s first appearance, the issue also features the second appearance of the Blue Blaze and the first appearance of Mastermind Excello.
The story in which Staten Island first appeared was titled “The Laboratory of Wheels.” In the story inventor Jim “Taxi” Taylor invents a modified Taxicab designed to help the United States fend off its enemies. Taylor lives on Staten Island, and his invention workshop is housed there. After being laughed at by the United States Government, Taylor shows its value by saving the US from a planned German attack.
You can grab a copy of Mystic Comics #2 for around $8,000 in Very Fine condition and the highest selling copy went for over $32,000. So, there you have it: the first appearance of Staten Island in Marvel comics. Anyone own a copy? Next time we will look at the first time Staten Island appeared in DC Comics.
Comics Page. Image Credit – Marvel Comics
Banner Image: Mystic Comics Issue # 2 featuring Staten Island. Image Credit – Marvel Comics
Collectors Confessions
Chad and Brian are the duo behind Collectors Confessions, a YouTube channel born from a lifelong love of comic books, pop culture, and their hometown of Staten Island. What started as a shared passion for reading comic books, visiting local comic shops and conventions has grown into a community of over 64,000 subscribers who join them each week for shop tours, convention vlogs, creator interviews, and their popular weekly comic haul live streams. From exploring hidden gem comic shops across the tri-state area to sitting down with industry legends like Jason Aaron, Jeremy Adams, and Mike Allred, Chad and Brian bring an authentic, collector-first perspective to everything they cover — comics, toys, Star Wars, Marvel, and beyond.
How could this even be possible? ! I grew up on the island and somehow, all my years living here, never encountered this set of facts.
I am not really a comics collector, but a few friends are.
However, I used to hung in a group where at least 5 kids were into that. And no one ever mentioned this even once, and so I think no one was even aware.
Great article. keep them coming. I really like learning that the island is featured as more than a dump in art and entertainment.
Those who know, stay. Those who leave, who needs ’em? Scott LoBaido had his “Don’t Desert the Ship” but I think it’s more of “Scrammo and good riddance!” The people I know who moved away all sucked in one way or another. They still put down the island even from afar, in their so lofty places they’ve moved to like AZ, TX, etc. Just a real dustbowl of a scene with nothing there. And they still put down Staten island when we talk. Sorry but they are the ones who are living in a mist. And now that everyone is running to these s***hole paradises their taxes are going up but there’s nothing they get in terms of services.
All the way back in 1940 — Staten Island was a very different place. I am dumbfounded.
Firstly, that they are letting comments through again. Wow. That is just incredible. I was hoping this would happen sooner or later.
and
Secondly, I am so overjoyed to learn all this. I absolutely love learning about Staten Island history and I am definitely into pop culture as well and SI’s place in movies, music videos, and anything else.
I used to love Channel 34. On SI Cable. But my family got rid of that service, so no more Channel 1or Community TV.