CATALOG RECORD

Astonishing Tales #25

Marvel · Series began 1970 · August 1974

first appearance of Deathlok, Simon Ryker and Nina Ferry

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WHY COLLECTORS WANT IT

Deathlok (Luther Manning) — featured, introduction, origin
Simon Ryker (typically from alternate Earths) — villain, introduction
Nina Ferry (typically from Earth-7484) — introduction

Dates

Cover date: August 1974
On sale: May 14, 1974
Pages: 36

Editions and covers (2)

Copies of #25 are not all the same book. Here is how to tell each one apart.

Original edition25¢ cover
Source ↗
UK pence edition0.07 GBP cover

British

Printed cover price 0.07 GBP.
This edition’s page

Creators

pencils: Rich Buckler, John Romita, George Pérezinks: Klaus Janson, Al Milgrom, Rich Buckler, Mike Esposito, John Romitacolors: Klaus Janson, Glynis Oliverletters: Danny Crespi, Annette Kawecki, Rich Bucklerscript: Rich Buckler, Doug Moench, Stan Lee, Roy Thomas

Stories

A Cold Knight's Frenzy · 15 pages
Deathlok is shown to be a cybernetic organism with a human mind that has the ability to override its internal computer. Deathlok has a flashback showing that his old army buddy Major Simon Ryker is responsible for his creation. The conclusion of the story reveals that Simon Ryker is also a cyborg.
Mindlock... x 3 · 2 pages
This sequence features preliminary Deathlok sketches by Rich Buckler along with a purported conversation transcript between Roy Thomas, Rich Buckler, and Doug Moench.
Untitled · 2 pages
After the writer and artist keep throwing discarded ideas for a new character in the waste basket, Deathlok rises from it.

Characters

Luther ManningDeathlokSimon RykerNina FerryRich BucklerDoug Moench

Reprinted in

Marvel Masterworks: Deathlok (2009), Marvel Firsts: The 1970s (2011), Deathlok the Demolisher: The Complete Collection (2014), Deathlok the Demolisher: Origins (2014), Star Wars Weekly (1978), Uncanny X-Force: Deathlok Nation (2011), Deathlok 50th Anniversary Special (2024)