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{{Short description|Multiple comic book series}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2014}}
'''''Amazing Adventures''''' is the name of several anthology comic book series, all but one published by [[Marvel Comics]].

The earliest Marvel series of that name introduced the company's first [[superhero]] of the late-1950s to early-1960s period fans and historians call the [[Silver Age of Comic Books]]. That same series also included the first comic book to be labeled "Marvel Comics".

==Ziff-Davis==
The first series titled ''Amazing Adventures'' was a 1950s science fiction anthology produced by [[Ziff-Davis]] and featuring painted covers. It ran for six issues, beginning c. 1950. with the first two issues being undated. Subsequent issues were dated June, August, and November 1951, and fall 1952. Its artists included [[Murphy Anderson]], [[Bernard Krigstein]], and [[Don Perlin]], and at least one issue (#2) featured a cover painting by [[Alex Schomburg]].<ref>{{gcdb series|id= 780|title= Amazing Adventures (Ziff-Davis, 1950 series)}}</ref>

==Marvel Comics==
{{Infobox comic book title|  <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
| image = AmazingAdventuresV1no3.jpg
| caption = ''Amazing Adventures'' #3 (Aug. 1961), cover art by [[Jack Kirby]] and [[Dick Ayers]].<!--credits per GCD site-->
| schedule = 
| format = Anthology
| ongoing =
| genre = [[Fantasy comics|Fantasy]]<br>[[science fiction comics|Science fiction]]<br>[[Superhero comics|Superhero]]
| publisher = [[Marvel Comics]]
| date = '''(Vol. 1)''' June 1961 – November 1961 <br>'''(Vol. 2)''' August 1970 – November 1976 <br>'''(Vol. 3)''' December 1979 – January 1981 
| issues = '''(Vol. 1)''' 6 <br>'''(Vol. 2)''' 39 <br>'''(Vol. 3)''' 14
| main_char_team = 
| writers = '''(Vol. 1)''' [[Stan Lee]]<br>'''(Vol. 2)''' [[Gerry Conway]], [[Steve Englehart]], [[Gary Friedrich]], Jack Kirby, [[Don McGregor]], [[Roy Thomas]] 
| artists = 
| editors =
| pencillers = '''(Vol. 1)''' [[Steve Ditko]], [[Jack Kirby]]<br>'''(Vol. 2)''' [[Neal Adams]], [[Rich Buckler]], [[John Buscema]], [[Howard Chaykin]], [[Gene Colan]], Jack Kirby, [[P. Craig Russell]], [[Jim Starlin]], [[Tom Sutton]], [[Herb Trimpe]]
| inkers = [[Syd Shores]]
| colorists =
| creative_team_month =
| creative_team_year =
| creators = 
| subcat =
| sort =
}}

===1961 series===
Marvel's first series of this title ran six issues, premiering with June 1961 [[cover-date]]. It featured primarily science fiction and [[drive-in movie]]-style [[monster]] stories, virtually all drawn by either [[Jack Kirby]] or [[Steve Ditko]].<ref name=gcd-vol1>{{gcdb series|id= 1481|title=Amazing Adventures (Marvel, 1961 Series)}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last = Daniels|first = Les|author-link = Les Daniels|title = Marvel: Five Fabulous Decades of the World's Greatest Comics|publisher = [[Abrams Books|Harry N. Abrams]]|year = 1991|location= New York, New York|page = 81|isbn = 9780810938212|quote =  Monsters...were almost all that Marvel offered as the 1960s dawned, and even they were running out of steam...Things looked bleak, but during 1961, editor Stan Lee was working with [Jack] Kirby and [Steve] Ditko to create a new line of super heroes.}}</ref> Its first issue introduced the supernatural monster-hunter [[Doctor Droom]], Marvel's first [[Silver Age of Comic Books]] [[superhero]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.toonopedia.com/droom.htm?t_page=7&pubid=19&authorid=0&letter_id= |title=Doctor Droom |first=Don |last=Markstein |year=2011 |publisher=[[Don Markstein's Toonopedia]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130412014510/http://www.toonopedia.com/droom.htm?t_page=7&pubid=19&authorid=0&letter_id= |archive-date=April 12, 2013 |url-status=live |access-date=February 26, 2013 |quote=The superhero creations of Lee and Kirby didn't start with The Fantastic Four. Five months earlier, in the back pages of one of the typical monster comics they were doing at the time, they introduced their least well remembered star. Doctor Droom...debuted in ''Amazing Adventures'' #1, dated June 1961.}}</ref> Droom had powers of [[telepathy]] and [[hypnotic]] suggestion taught him by a [[Tibetan people|Tibetan]] [[lama]] who had requested that someone travel from the U.S. to give him medical attention.<ref>{{cite book|last1 = DeFalco|first1 = Tom|author-link = Tom DeFalco|last2= Gilbert|first2= Laura|chapter= 1960s|title = Marvel Chronicle A Year by Year History|publisher = [[Dorling Kindersley]]|date = 2008|location= London, United Kingdom|page = 80|isbn =978-0756641238|quote= A master of the dark and mystical world of black magic, Dr. Droom...went to Tibet to treat an ailing lama.}}</ref>

Doctor Droom vanished into obscurity for years when the comic was re-titled and reformatted as ''[[Amazing Adult Fantasy]]'' from issues #7–14 (Dec. 1961 – July 1962).<ref>[http://www.comics.org/series/1480/ ''Amazing Adult Fantasy''] at the Grand Comics Database.</ref><ref>DeFalco "1960s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 81: "With its seventh issue, ''Amazing Adventures'' became ''Amazing Adult Fantasy'', but this move proved to be more than the usual Marvel name change...Since screenwriter Rod Serling's ''Twilight Zone'' was gaining popularity and critical acclaim on television, [Stan] Lee believed there was a market for intelligent fantasy and science-fiction stories".</ref> He resurfaced in the 1970s as Doctor Druid, having been renamed to avoid confusion with [[Doctor Doom]]. The series was re-titled once more for its final issue, published as ''[[Amazing Fantasy]]'' #15 (Aug. 1962), the comic book that introduced [[Spider-Man]].<ref>[http://www.comics.org/series/1514/ ''Amazing Fantasy'' (Marvel, 1962 series)] at the Grand Comics Database.</ref>

===1970 series===
[[Image:AmazingAdventures39.jpg|thumb|left|''Amazing Adventures'' (vol. 2) #39 (Nov. 1976), art by [[P. Craig Russell]] (face of Old Skull, man at left, re-drawn by [[John Romita Sr.]])]]
Marvel's next ''Amazing Adventures'' was a split title featuring the [[Inhumans]] (initially both written and drawn by Jack Kirby, later drawn by [[Neal Adams]]) and [[Black Widow (Natasha Romanova)|Black Widow]] (initially by writer [[Gary Friedrich]] and [[penciler]] [[John Buscema]]).<ref>[[Peter Sanderson|Sanderson, Peter]] "1970s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 146: "As Marvel was expanding its line of comics, the company decided to introduce two new 'split' books...''Amazing Adventures'' and ''Astonishing Tales''. ''Amazing Adventures'' contained a series about the genetically enhanced Inhumans and a series about intelligence agent the Black Widow".</ref> The Widow was dropped after (vol. 2) #8, and full-length Inhumans stories ran for two issues before that feature, too, was dropped.<ref name=gcd-vol2>{{gcdb series|id= 1937|title= Amazing Adventures (Marvel, 1970 series)}}</ref>

Vol. 2 #11 (March 1972) introduced solo stories of [[X-Men]] member [[Beast (Marvel Comics)|Beast]], in which he was mutated into his modern blue-furred form.<ref>Sanderson "1970s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 154: "In ''Amazing Adventures'' #11, by scripter Gerry Conway and artist Tom Sutton, Hank McCoy, the Beast's alter ego,...mutated, growing grey fur all over this body".</ref> The initial story was by writer [[Gerry Conway]], penciler [[Tom Sutton]], and [[inker]] [[Syd Shores]]. [[Steve Englehart]] became the feature's writer with issue #12<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.steveenglehart.com/Comics/Amazing%20Adventures%2012-17.html |title=''Amazing Adventures'' featuring The Beast |first=Steve |last=Englehart |date=n.d. |publisher=SteveEnglehart.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130806043155/http://www.steveenglehart.com/Comics/Amazing%20Adventures%2012-17.html |archive-date=August 6, 2013 |url-status=live |access-date=February 26, 2013 |quote=The series was handed over to a brand-new writer for his very first superhero. |df=mdy}}</ref> and added [[Patsy Walker]] and her then-husband, [[Mad Dog (Marvel Comics)|"Buzz" Baxter]],<ref>Sanderson "1970s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 156: "New Marvel writer Steve Englehart reintroduced Timely teen Patsy Walker into the Marvel Universe as a supporting character in the Beast's new series".</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://toonopedia.com/patsy.htm |title=Patsy Walker |first=Don |last=Markstein |year=2009 |publisher=Don Markstein's Toonopedia |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130412004522/http://toonopedia.com/patsy.htm |archive-date=April 12, 2013 |url-status=dead |access-date=February 26, 2013 |quote=In 1972, Patsy was back, as a supporting character in a series starring The Beast. |df=mdy}}</ref> to the Beast's supporting cast in issue #13.

In the fall of 1972, writers Englehart, Conway and [[Len Wein]] crafted a [[metafiction]]al unofficial [[Intercompany crossover|crossover]] spanning titles from both major comics companies. Each comic featured Englehart, Conway, and Wein, as well as Wein's first wife [[Glynis Oliver|Glynis]], [[List of comics creators appearing in comics|interacting with]] Marvel or DC characters at the [[Rutland Halloween Parade]] in [[Rutland (city), Vermont|Rutland, Vermont]]. Beginning in ''Amazing Adventures'' (vol. 2) #16 (by Englehart with art by [[Bob Brown (comics)|Bob Brown]] and [[Frank McLaughlin (artist)|Frank McLaughlin]]), the story continued in ''[[Justice League|Justice League of America]]'' #103 (by Wein, [[Dick Dillin]] and [[Dick Giordano]]), and concluded in ''[[Thor (comic book)|Thor]]'' #207 (by Conway and penciler John Buscema). As Englehart explained in 2010: "It certainly seemed like a radical concept and we knew that we had to be subtle (laughs) and each story had to stand on its own, but we really worked it out. It's really worthwhile to read those stories back to back to back – it didn't matter to us that one was at DC and two were at Marvel – I think it was us being creative, thinking what would be really cool to do".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comicsalliance.com/2010/10/30/rutland-halloween-parade-marvel-dc-crossover/ |title=The Rutland Halloween Parade: Where Marvel and DC First Collided |last=Larnick |first=Eric |date=October 30, 2010 |publisher=[[Townsquare Media|ComicsAlliance]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111094055/http://www.comicsalliance.com/2010/10/30/rutland-halloween-parade-marvel-dc-crossover/ |archive-date=January 11, 2012 |url-status=dead |access-date=December 5, 2011 |df=mdy}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2010/10/01/comic-book-legends-revealed-280/ |title=Comic Book Legends Revealed #280 |last=Cronin |first=Brian |date=October 1, 2010 |publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120116162032/http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2010/10/01/comic-book-legends-revealed-280/ |archive-date=January 16, 2012 |url-status=dead |access-date=December 5, 2011 |df=mdy}}</ref><ref>[http://www.comics.org/issue/25821/ ''Amazing Adventures'' #16 (Jan. 1973)], [http://www.comics.org/issue/25700/ ''Justice League of America'' #103 (Dec. 1972)], and [http://www.comics.org/issue/25851/ ''Thor'' #207 (Jan. 1973)] at the Grand Comics Database</ref> The Beast's feature ended with (vol. 2) #16 (Jan. 1973).<ref name=gcd-vol2 />

Following an issue that reprinted the back-up features recounting the Beast's origin (edited from ''[[Uncanny X-Men|[Uncanny] X-Men]]'' #49–53 (with a new, single-page introduction by writer Englehart and penciler [[Jim Starlin]]), the title introduced the series "[[The War of the Worlds|War of the Worlds]]" and its central character, [[Killraven]], in (vol. 2) #18 (May 1973). Created by co-plotters [[Roy Thomas]] and [[Neal Adams]], scripter Conway, and pencilers Adams and [[Howard Chaykin]],<ref>Sanderson "1970s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 159: "Roy Thomas conceived the initial idea of an alternate-future Earth sequel to H. G. Wells' classic science fiction novel ''The War of the Worlds''...Neal Adams plotted the first story with a script by Gerry Conway and art by Adams and Howard Chaykin".</ref> it was taken over by writer [[Don McGregor]] for an acclaimed run from (vol. 2) #21 (Nov. 1973)<ref>Sanderson "1970s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 161: "Marvel's 'War of the Worlds' series in ''Amazing Adventures'' became a true classic when Don McGregor took over as writer".</ref> to the final issue, (vol. 2) #39 (Nov. 1976). Pencillers were [[Herb Trimpe]], [[Rich Buckler]], [[Gene Colan]], and, most notably, [[P. Craig Russell]] from (vol. 2) #27.<ref name=gcd-vol2 /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lambiek.net/artists/r/russell_pc.htm |title=Philip Craig Russell |year=2013 |publisher=[[Lambiek|Lambiek Comiclopedia]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017221243/http://www.lambiek.net/artists/r/russell_pc.htm |archive-date=October 17, 2012 |url-status=live |access-date=February 26, 2013 |df=mdy}}</ref>

Its sister publication was ''[[Astonishing Tales]]''. Additionally, plans were announced for a never-realized third split book featuring [[Doctor Strange]] and [[Iceman (Marvel Comics)|Iceman]].<ref>{{cite journal |title=Marvel News|journal= [[Marvelmania International|Marvelmania Magazine]]|issue = 5|date= 1970|page = 30}}</ref>

===1979 series===
Volume 3 was a reprint series running 14 issues (Dec. 1979 – Jan. 1981). It reprinted ''[[Uncanny X-Men|X-Men]]'' #1–8 (Sept. 1963 – March 1964), the first six issues of which were split into two-part stories with an accompanying back-up feature. For all but issue #12, this was the "Origin of the X-Men" back-up feature from ''X-Men'' #38–48. The exception was the incongruous, 11-page [[Jim Steranko]] "[[Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (feature)|Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.]]" story, "Today Earth Died", from ''[[Strange Tales]]'' #168 (May 1968).<ref name=gcd-vol3>{{gcdb series|id= 2506|title= Amazing Adventures (Marvel, 1979 series)}}</ref>

Eight covers of this 1979 series were reprints of the Jack Kirby originals; artists for the rest included penciler [[John Byrne (comics)|John Byrne]] on (vol. 3) #6 and 9.<ref name=gcd-vol3 />

===Other===
The similarly named ''Amazing High Adventure'' was a sporadically published anthology of historical, [[biblical]] and science-fiction adventure stories from August 1984 to December 1986.<ref>{{gcdb series|id= 2859|title= ''Amazing High Adventure''}}</ref> Like the 1950s Ziff-Davis ''Amazing Adventures'', it, too, featured painted covers, with the artists including [[Joe Chiodo]], [[Frank Cirocco]], [[Dan Green (artist)|Dan Green]], and [[John Bolton (illustrator)|John Bolton]]. A one-shot, cover-billed as ''Amazing Adventures'' (July 1988) but listed as ''Amazing Adventure'' in the copyright indicia, was similarly an anthology with a painted cover.<ref>{{gcdb series|id= 12877|title= ''Amazing Adventure''}}</ref>

== Collected editions ==
* ''Black Widow: The Sting of the Widow'' and ''Daredevil Omnibus Vol 3'' includes the Black Widow stories from ''Amazing Adventures'' (vol. 2) #1–8, 152 pages, September 2009, {{ISBN|978-0785137948}} 
* ''[[Marvel Masterworks]]: Inhumans Volume 1'' includes the Inhumans stories from ''Amazing Adventures'' (vol. 2) #1–10, 240 pages, October 2009, {{ISBN|978-0785141419}} 
* ''Marvel Masterworks: The X-Men Volume 7'' includes ''Amazing Adventures'' (vol. 2) #11–17, 256 pages, October 2008, {{ISBN|978-0785130482}}  
* ''[[Essential Marvel|Essential Classic X-Men]] Volume 3'' includes ''Amazing Adventures'' (vol. 2) #11–17, 560 pages, February 2009, {{ISBN|978-0-7851-3060-4}}
* ''Essential Killraven'' includes ''Amazing Adventures'' (vol. 2) #18–39, 504 pages, July 2005, {{ISBN|978-0785117773}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{comicbookdb|type=title|id=4015|title=''Amazing Adventures''}}
* {{comicbookdb|type=title|id=4020|title=''Amazing Adventures'' vol. 2}}
* {{comicbookdb|type=title|id=2084|title=''Amazing Adventures'' vol. 3}}
* Archive of McQuarrie, Jim, [https://web.archive.org/web/20070516175819/http://www.oddballcomics.com/article.php?story=2007-04-09 "''Amazing Adult Fantasy'' No. 9"], "Oddball Comics" (column), #1151, April 9, 2007
* [http://marvel.com/universe/Doctor_Druid Marvel Universe Database: Doctor Druid]

{{Black Widow}}
{{Jack Kirby}}
{{Steve Ditko}}

[[Category:1961 comics debuts]]
[[Category:1961 comics endings]]
[[Category:1970 comics debuts]]
[[Category:1976 comics endings]]
[[Category:1979 comics debuts]]
[[Category:1981 comics endings]]
[[Category:Comics anthologies]]
[[Category:Comics by Don McGregor]]
[[Category:Comics by Howard Chaykin]]
[[Category:Comics by Jack Kirby]]
[[Category:Comics by Neal Adams]]
[[Category:Comics by Roy Thomas]]
[[Category:Comics by Stan Lee]]
[[Category:Comics by Steve Ditko]]
[[Category:Comics by Steve Englehart]]
[[Category:Defunct American comics]]
[[Category:Fantasy comics]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics titles]]
[[Category:Post-apocalyptic comics]]
[[Category:Science fiction comics]]