Marvel Chillers #1

History

The story was plotted by then-editor-in-chief Marv Wolfman and scripted by Bill Mantlo, who had only recently transitioned from colorist to writer at Marvel — making this one of his earliest writing credits on the superhero side of the line. Interior art was pencilled by John Romita Sr. and inked by Frank Giacoia, with Ed Hannigan also credited on the splash page, and Yong Montano listed among the artistic contributors; Wolfman received an on-book 'inspiration' credit per the Grand Comics Database. Editor Len Wein oversaw the issue, and the cover was painted by Gil Kane and Tom Palmer. The series ran bi-monthly and was cancelled after only seven issues, with the Modred feature concluding after issue #2 when the book shifted its focus entirely to Tigra.

Trivia · 8 facts

• First appearance of Modred the Mystic (Earth-616), a sixth-century sorcerer's apprentice from the era of Camelot who entered a death-like suspended animation after sacrificing his soul to the Darkhold to protect his betrothed Janice.
• First appearance (unnamed) of The Other, an emissary or avatar of the Elder God Chthon, who appears in flashback; this issue represents Chthon's earliest presence in the Marvel Universe.
• First appearances of supporting characters Grant Whittaker and Janet Lyton, the archaeologists who inadvertently awaken Modred while excavating for the lost Tower of Darkhold in England.
• Story plotted by Marv Wolfman, scripted by Bill Mantlo, pencilled by John Romita Sr., inked by Frank Giacoia; cover art by Gil Kane and Tom Palmer.
• The issue directly continues the Darkhold mythology established in the Werewolf by Night line (the grimoire first appeared in Marvel Spotlight #4, 1972), embedding Modred's origin into that existing lore.
• The Marvel Chillers series ran only seven issues (October 1975 – October 1976); issues #1–2 featured Modred, while issues #3–7 shifted to Tigra's first — and to that point only — solo series.
• The Modred story has been reprinted in Essential Marvel Horror Vol. 2 (2008, black-and-white) and in the Marvel Horror Omnibus (2019); it was also included in the Avengers / Doctor Strange: Rise of the Darkhold trade paperback (2018).
• Modred went on to play a significant role in Avengers storylines involving the Scarlet Witch and Mount Wundagore, serving as a conduit for Chthon and later appearing alongside Spider-Woman and the Thing.

Cast · 1 character

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Variants (1)