firstappearance

First appearance is a term used to describe the initial on-screen, printed, or otherwise published presence of a character, object, or concept within a work or series. It is distinct from later developments such as the character’s origin, backstory, or subsequent appearances, and is often used in catalogs, databases, and critical discussion to anchor a point in time.

In comics, the first appearance is a key datum for collectors and historians. It may be a full debut in a feature, or a cameo before the character is fully introduced. Dates can be complicated by retcons or reprints, but the first appearance is generally the earliest published appearance recognized by the publisher or fan consensus. Examples: Superman in Action Comics #1 (1938); Batman in Detective Comics #27 (1939); Spider-Man in Amazing Fantasy #15 (1962).

In film, television, and games, first appearance marks the character’s debut in that medium. Notable examples include Darth Vader in Star Wars (1977), Lara Croft in Tomb Raider (1996), and Master Chief in Halo: Combat Evolved (2001). The concept also covers objects or concepts introduced for the first time in a work, such as a fictional technology or place that becomes a franchise staple.

First appearance data is used in valuation, licensing, and canonical discussions, and is often tracked in wikis, databases, and fan reference sites. Because publishers occasionally revise canons or reidentify earlier cameos, entries may vary, and readers are advised to check primary sources when possible.

Overall, first appearance provides a standardized reference point for discussing a character or element’s entry into a given fictional universe or media landscape.