Each day in June you'll get an entry showing you the first appearance of seemingly minor characters, phrases, objects or events that later became notable parts of comic book lore. Not major stuff like "the first appearance of Superman," but rather, "the first time someone said, 'Avengers Assemble!'" or "the first appearance of Batman's giant penny" or "the first appearance of Alfred Pennyworth" or "the first time Spider-Man's face was shown half-Spidey/half-Peter." Stuff like that. Here is an archive of what I've featured so far.

Only two installments left, so I've saved some of the best ones for last! Come check 'em out!

Enjoy!

First time Hulk said "Hulk Smash"

Hulk had been going on about smashing things almost from the start. But they would be like this bit from 1966's Tales to Astonish #76...

It would not be until 1967's Tales to Astonish #88 that Hulk actually put the words "Hulk" and "Smash" directly next to each other...

But I dunno, I sort of wanted a more forceful "Hulk Smash!" You know, like in action. However, the comics just did not want to give it to me!

The very next issue you got "Hulk Smashes," but no "Hulk Smash."

Hulk was ALL about smashing over the next few years, he just wouldn't say "Hulk Smash," as if intentionally trying to drive me nuts!

1969's Incredible Hulk #120...

1970's Incredible Hulk #133...

(lots and lots of "Hulk WILL smash you"s but always that word in between Hulk and Smash!)

Finally, the motherlode! In February 1974, we got the following in the pages of Incredible Hulk #172...

but even better, that same month in Marvel Team-Up #18....

FINALLY!

First time Hulk said "Hulk is the strongest one there is"

Similarly, the language just couldn't get EXACTLY what I wanted with "Hulk is the strongest one there is!"

In 1966's Tales to Astonish #75, Hulk comes close...

And two issues later, even closer...

1971's Incredible Hulk #144 adds in the "one" but drops "there is"!!

"Hulk is the strongest there is" tended to be the most common, until that aforementioned issue of Marvel Team-Up from 1974...

 

First time Thor's hammer is called Mjolnir

For nearly five years, including the entire run of Thor in Journey Into Mystery, Thor's hammer was either just "Thor's hammer" or "Thor's uru hammer."

That changed with 1967's The Mighty Thor #135...

And it's been known as such (which is its "real" name anyways) ever since.

Feel free to send in ideas for future debuts I should feature here to bcronin@comicbookresources.com!