Released by Philadelphia Chewing Gum in 1967, this 55-sticker set is heavily centered on the Fantastic Four. The Human Torch appears on five stickers (#1, #2, #9, #16, #55), the Thing on six. The gag-caption formula continued from Donruss: 'Who stole my pants?' asks Namor. 'It's Clobberin' Time!' declares the Thing. Unlike Donruss's six-hero structure, Philadelphia built around the team concept — most stickers show characters together rather than solo.

Stickers #24 and #34 mark the first known trading card appearance of Doctor Strange anywhere in the world. In 1967 Strange was still a second-tier character — his solo title launched in 1968 when Strange Tales split. These two stickers are among the most historically significant in the entire 1960s Marvel catalog, though they remain underappreciated relative to the Donruss Spider-Man cards.

The Sub-Mariner appears on stickers #14, #15, #26, and #46 — more coverage than almost any character outside the FF core. Namor never appeared in the 1966 Donruss set, making this his earliest known trading card product. He's depicted as alternately threatening and reluctant ally, which accurately reflected his role in 1967 Marvel: powerful, imperious, never quite hero or villain.

The Thing appears on six stickers but they split into two categories: stickers #7, #8, #17, #20, and #25 show him alongside other Fantastic Four members, while sticker #7, #8, #17, #20, #25, and #36 all feature the Thing as the primary character. This site classifies #36 as his True Rookie (first solo sticker) and the earlier multi-character stickers as First Solo group appearances. The distinction matters for collectors tracking first solo card appearances.

Unlike Donruss cards — made to be traded and kept — these were actual stickers designed to be peeled and applied. Notebooks, desks, binders, and lunchboxes absorbed the vast majority within months of purchase. Finding a complete 55-sticker set with all original backing papers intact and unstuck is one of the more demanding feats in vintage Marvel collecting. CGC-graded complete sets exist but are genuinely uncommon.

The gap from 1966 Donruss to 1967 Philadelphia shows how quickly the market evolved. Where Donruss gave six heroes eleven cards each, Philadelphia centered on the Fantastic Four and added Namor and Doctor Strange — characters Donruss ignored entirely. The same gag-caption formula applied, but with clearly FF-centric editorial decisions. Two different companies, two different format choices, one year apart.