Iron Man and Sub-Mariner #1 Signed by Roy Thomas. Marvel 1968. CGC 4.5. JSA Auto

Before Their First Issues, There Was This

Offered here is an exceptional Iron Man and Sub-Mariner #1, published by Marvel Comics in April 1968 and signed by legendary Marvel writer and editor Roy Thomas. This fascinating one-shot occupies a unique place in Marvel history, serving as the bridge between the characters' long-running appearances in Tales of Suspense and Tales to Astonish and the launch of their respective solo titles. Featuring both Iron Man and Namor the Sub-Mariner on a classic action-packed cover, the book has been professionally encapsulated and graded CGC 4.5 with Off-White Pages, while Thomas' autograph has been authenticated through CGC x JSA.

The autograph appears prominently along the left side of the cover in bold black ink, with Thomas adding "Roy Thomas '68" beneath his signature—a particularly fitting inscription referencing the year this historic issue was published. Thomas is one of the most important creative figures of Marvel's Silver and Bronze Ages, succeeding Stan Lee as Marvel's Editor-in-Chief and helping guide the company through a crucial period of expansion. His extensive contributions to the Marvel Universe make his signature especially appropriate on a transitional issue of this significance.

Iron Man and Sub-Mariner #1 was conceived as a unique publishing solution as Marvel prepared to give both characters their own full-length titles. The issue predates both Iron Man #1 and Sub-Mariner #1 and effectively concludes storylines from their previous anthology series immediately before their solo books debuted. The issue features stories by Roy Thomas and Archie Goodwin, interior artwork from Gene Colan, Johnny Craig, and Frank Giacoia, and a memorable cover by Gene Colan and Bill Everett. The book also features appearances by Whiplash and Destiny, further connecting it to the expanding Marvel Universe of the late 1960s.

Iron Man and Namor would each become enduring pillars of Marvel Comics, though in remarkably different ways. Namor traces his history to Marvel's earliest days and remains one of the medium's original superheroes, while Iron Man evolved from his 1963 debut into one of Marvel's most recognizable characters worldwide. This 1968 one-shot captures an important moment in both characters' histories—the precise point at which each was ready to graduate from anthology features and headline a title of his own.

With its unusual place in Marvel continuity, classic Silver Age artwork, desirable Roy Thomas autograph and inscription, and CGC x JSA authentication, this example offers considerably more than a standard graded comic. It represents a fascinating transitional artifact from an era when the Marvel Universe was rapidly becoming the interconnected world collectors recognize today.

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