Friday Foster #1 (1972)
Written by: John Ostrander; Art by Tom Mandrake (Published DC Comics, 1992)
The Beautiful People. Story by Joe Gill. Art and cover by Jack Sparling. A comic book based on the adventures of fashion photographer Foster, which was the first syndicated comic strip to feature a black female hero. Friday is assigned to protect an American-born princess from a rival paparazzi, and discovers she has more in common with the spoiled rich girl than she imagined. A little-known comic that attracted greater notoriety after the release of the 1975 film version of the comic strip, starring Pam Grier as Friday. (via mycomicshop.com)
A Groundbreaking Icon
In the annals of comic book history, Friday Foster stands as a pivotal, yet often unsung, trailblazer. While primarily known as a nationally syndicated comic strip, its solitary comic book appearance – Friday Foster #1, published by Dell Comics in October 1972 – cements its status as a “key” collectible and a landmark in diverse representation.
The character of Friday Foster first burst onto the scene in January 1970 as a newspaper strip, created by writer Jim Lawrence and drawn by the distinctive Jorge Longarón. The strip was groundbreaking, featuring an independent, glamorous, and intelligent Black woman as its lead – a rarity in mainstream media at the time. Friday, a former fashion model turned photographer’s assistant, found herself embroiled in globe-trotting adventures, often blending high-stakes drama with social commentary.
The Dell Comics issue, written by Joe Gill and illustrated by Jack Sparling, adapted and expanded upon the strip’s narrative. This single issue is immensely important: it’s the only standalone comic book ever published for the character, making it a rare and sought-after piece for collectors. More significantly, it represents one of the earliest and most prominent examples of a Black female protagonist headlining her own comic book in the mainstream American market.
Sought-After Collectible
Its scarcity and historical weight translate into notable value in the certified collector market. Recent CGC (Certified Guaranty Company) sales demonstrate its appeal. For instance, a CGC 9.8 (Near Mint/Mint) copy sold for $4,560.00 in November 2023 (Heritage Auctions, Lot 16041). Even lower-grade copies command respectable prices; a CGC 7.5 (Very Fine-) recently sold for $192.00 in April 2025 (Heritage Auctions, Lot 19736), and a CGC 6.0 (Fine) for approximately $237.00 via MyComicShop in 2025. The CGC Census reveals a relatively small population of graded copies, further contributing to its desirability.
Beyond the pages, Friday Foster’s cultural impact extended to a 1975 blaxploitation film starring the iconic Pam Grier, further cementing her place in pop culture. The Friday Foster comic book remains a vital testament to the early strides made in Black representation within the industry, paving the way for future diverse characters and narratives, and continuing to attract serious collectors.
References:
Heritage Auctions. (2023, November 21). Friday Foster #1 (Dell, 1972) CGC NM/MT 9.8 White pages. Lot 16041. Retrieved from https://comics.ha.com/ (Accessed via search on IntelligentCollector.com)
Heritage Auctions. (2025, April 29). Friday Foster #1 (Dell, 1972) CGC VF- 7.5 Off-white to white pages. Lot 19736. Retrieved from https://comics.ha.com/ (Accessed via search on IntelligentCollector.com)
MyComicShop. (n.d.). Friday Foster (1972 Dell) comic books. Retrieved from https://www.mycomicshop.com/search?TID=190981
Markstein, Don. (n.d.). Friday Foster. Don Markstein’s Toonopedia. Retrieved from https://www.toonopedia.com/fridayf.htm (Archived from original on July 30, 2016.)
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Friday Foster. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friday_Foster
