Mystique first appeared in Ms. Marvel #16, published by Marvel in 1978. That places it in the Bronze Age.
Why this issue matters
A brief, mysterious cameo under the alias Leni Zauber was all Mystique got here, with her true nature and shapeshifting powers not revealed until two issues later. She'd go on to become Rogue's adoptive mother and one of the X-Men's sharpest antagonists.
Key facts
Ms. Marvel #16
- Character: Mystique
- Publisher: Marvel
- Cover year: 1978
- Era: Bronze Age
Before you buy or sell one
- Check it is a first print, not a facsimile or reprint. Newsstand and direct editions are priced differently too.
- Condition decides most of the value. Whether grading is worth it depends on the copy.
Go deeper
Other first appearances from 1978
- Elfquest Fantasy Quarterly #1, 1978
More Marvel firsts from the Bronze Age
- Phoenix X-Men #101, 1976
- Black Cat Amazing Spider-Man #194, 1979
- Emma Frost Uncanny X-Men #129, 1980
- Wolverine Incredible Hulk #181, 1974
- Wolverine (cameo) Incredible Hulk #180, 1974
- Storm, Colossus, Nightcrawler Giant-Size X-Men #1, 1975
- Punisher Amazing Spider-Man #129, 1974
- Ghost Rider (Johnny Blaze) Marvel Spotlight #5, 1972
Got a copy?
I buy key issues and whole collections across the UK, and I will tell you honestly whether what you have is the real first or a later printing. Send me photos of the cover and the indicia and I will come back with a straight answer, and a proper valuation if you want one.