First Appearance Of (firstappearanceof.com) is an independent, non-commercial editorial resource dedicated to documenting the first appearances of comic book characters. This page explains how the site uses copyrighted material and trademarks, and what to do if you are a rights-holder with a concern.
Editorial purpose
This site publishes editorial commentary, research, and educational reference material about comic book publishing history. Every page discusses specific comic book issues, their creators, their publication context, and their significance to collectors and readers. The site does not sell comic books, does not carry advertising, is not affiliated with any publisher, and does not generate revenue from the covers or character imagery displayed.
Use of cover images
Comic book cover images appear on this site solely to identify the specific issues under discussion. Covers are displayed at low resolution, framed within editorial commentary, and accompanied by creator credits and contextual writing. This use falls within the fair use doctrine codified at 17 U.S.C. § 107, which permits limited use of copyrighted material for purposes including criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.
The four fair use factors as they apply to this site:
- Purpose and character of the use. Editorial, educational, non-commercial. Each cover is presented alongside original commentary that explains the issue's role in comic book history.
- Nature of the copyrighted work. Published commercial works that have been publicly distributed for decades.
- Amount and substantiality used. Only the cover image, at reduced resolution. No interior pages or substantial story content are reproduced.
- Effect on the potential market. None. This site does not sell comics, does not replace the market for the original issues, and if anything directs interest toward the original works and their publishers.
All copyrights in cover art, interior art, and characters remain the property of their respective owners, including but not limited to Marvel Comics, DC Comics, Image Comics, Dark Horse Comics, IDW Publishing, Dynamite Entertainment, Valiant Comics, and independent creators and publishers.
Use of character names and trademarks
Character names, team names, publisher names, and series titles are used throughout this site for the purpose of identification and discussion. This is nominative use: the name of a trademarked character is the only accurate way to write about that character. Nominative use is recognized as a lawful use of trademarked terms when:
- The product or service (here, the character or series) is not readily identifiable without use of the trademark
- Only so much of the mark is used as is reasonably necessary for identification
- Nothing is done that would suggest sponsorship or endorsement by the trademark holder
This site uses character and publisher names only as required to discuss their subject matter. No endorsement, sponsorship, or affiliation with any trademark holder is claimed or implied.
No affiliation
First Appearance Of is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Marvel Comics, DC Comics, Image Comics, or any other publisher, creator, distributor, grading company, or rights-holder. All opinions, editorial judgments, and collector guidance on this site reflect the independent views of the site's author.
Takedown requests and contact
If you are a rights-holder and you believe a specific image or text on this site exceeds fair use, contact us and we will respond promptly.
To submit a takedown request or other copyright concern:
- Email: info@firstappearanceof.com
- Subject line: Please use "Copyright Concern" or "Takedown Request" so the message routes correctly.
- Please include: the specific URL on this site, a description of the work you claim is infringed, a statement of your good-faith belief that the use is not authorized, and your contact information. If you are not the rights-holder, include a statement of your authority to act on the rights-holder's behalf.
We aim to review and respond to takedown requests within five business days. Content that is clearly beyond the scope of fair use will be removed or replaced.
DMCA
For formal DMCA notices under 17 U.S.C. § 512(c), the same contact address above receives and processes requests. Notices must include the information required by § 512(c)(3): identification of the copyrighted work, identification of the allegedly infringing material with sufficient information to locate it, your contact information, a statement of good-faith belief, a statement made under penalty of perjury that the information is accurate and that you are authorized to act, and your physical or electronic signature.
Updates to this notice
This notice may be updated to reflect changes in the site's content or in applicable law. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page reflects the most recent revision.