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

Values

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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.

Publisher’s description

Behold! The birth of the cyborg known as Deathlok! Military strategist Col. Luther Manning loses his humanity in a post-apocalyptic science experiment. Now, trapped in an amalgam of flesh and circuitry, Deathlok lives between life and death, man and robot.

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)