Merlin

Few characters carry the weight of legend quite like Merlin, the mythic enchanter who stepped into Marvel's Bronze Age in 1977 courtesy of Chris Claremont and Herb Trimpe in Captain Britain Annual #1978 — a debut that's earned its place as a collector-significant key issue. Over an extraordinary span stretching from 1977 to 2022, this ancient figure has woven himself through some of Marvel's most imaginative corners, turning up in titles as wildly varied as Nick Fury's Howling Commandos, King Arthur and the Knights of Justice, and Captain Britain and MI13. Along the way he shares pages with Captain Britain, Clay Quartermain, and even the Frankenstein Monster — a remarkable range of company that speaks to just how broadly Marvel has called upon this sorcerous presence across nearly five decades. For collectors who love characters rooted in timeless mythology but thoroughly Marvel in their execution, Merlin is a rewarding thread to follow through the tapestry of the Bronze Age and beyond.