The Wizards and the children of the Revolution!

 Week Ending 10th January 1976

There's lots to keep an eye out for this week, from wizards from the past, present and the future, masters of technology, magic and music. There's this new Thing and that which should have been kept till next week, but whose fault was it? A future pop star or another unnamed culprit? You'll have to put your Supreme Intelligence to it, but you won't fool the children of the Revolution!

The Mighty World of Marvel #171

Herb Trimpe's original cover from The Incredible Hulk issue 168 was reused as this week's cover. I have to say this was a but of a spoiler, the Harpy wouldn't appear for another two issues. I put this mistake down to the cover of MWOM #169 featuring MODOK too early and the comic started to race ahead with the US cover and the British commissioned one too. They should have used a generic Hulk cover or used a Fantastic Four or a Daredevil cover either on this one or on issue 169. 

The Incredible Hulk “...The menace of Modok!”

Writer: Steve Englehart

Artist: Herb Trimpe

Inker: Jack Abel

Originally published in The Incredible Hulk #167

Cover date September 1973

(Published in June 1973)

The Herb Trimpe cover from last week's issue and originally from the Incredible Hulk issue 167 is repurposed as this week's second part opening splash page, with of course a new story title, catch-up text boxes and credits. Hearing that Betty had experienced a nervous breakdown Bruce meets up with Betty at a rest home, but his good intentions are meet with anger as she lashes out at him, screaming over and over how much she hates him. The ordeal works up Bruce enough to activate his transformation into the Hulk. 

The Hulk grabs Betty's arm to stop her from hitting him just as the doctors arrive. They tell him that he deserves her anger for the pain he has given her. The Hulk begins to think it is all his fault and breaks out of the hospital. One of the nurses was a spy working for AIM, who reports back to MODOK about what happened. Meanwhile, the Hulk not knowing what to do considers looking for his only friend, Jim Wilson, to ask from him his advice. But the Hulk's clouded mind instead decided to try and make up to Betty by picking her flowers as a peace offering. While the Hulk is gone, MODOK visits Betty as she sleeps, in his giant robotic armour. He uses his mental powers to amplify her hate, leaving her a command to kill the Hulk the next time she sees him. While the fiend finishes his mind control the Hulk returns, seeing the giant robotic body at her window he attacks MODOK. The two lock in combat, with the Hulk gaining the upper hand by first knocking the armour to the floor then ripping one arm off it then smashing the robot's other hand. Then the green brute leaps to knock MODOK's head from the robot's shoulders, which he does prompting the leader of AIM to flee, satisfied that the next phase of the Hulk's destruction is ready to begin. Next week "the green goliath loses in mortal combat with a foe he cannot kill, the Harpy!"

The Mighty Marvel Mailbag

Rayleigh from Essex has been reading British Marvels ever since they first came out. He points out that Roy Thomas and Ross Andru were a great creative partnership on the Hulk story in MWOM #149 and #150. The return of the Goblin was pure genius. He's not so complementary about the Avengers weekly, saying that he "hates" Conan and the comic should have been all Avengers. He's more positive about POTA, saying that "Beneath" was brilliant and the Dracula story in his comic was good, although the shading was too heavy. David Russell from Devon asks "Is your name Alan Class?" as he was wondering if the editor also worked on the Uncanny Tales and Suspense books? The answer's no, He used to publish certain Marvel material in return for paying a licence fee. The Alan that is sometimes mentioned is Alan Murray, the designer of many splash pages, who's been with the London Bullpen ever since its beginning. B Grimm from the Baxter Building in New York, is fed up with the way he portrayed in the comics, he could clobber Doctor Doom or the Hulk with ease. 

A page filler, can you find a path for the Fantastic Four who have become separated from their two arch-enemies, Doctor Doom and Namor the Sub-Mariner, in a maze of endless tunnels. This puzzle page had already been printed in MWOM #12 on the week ending the 23rd December 1972. I guess puzzles and games are a festive theme. 

 

Daredevil “Stale-mate!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Barry Windsor-Smith

Inker: Johnny Craig

Originally published in Daredevil #52

Cover date May 1969

(Published in March 1969)

I have no evidence to the identity of the artist who drew this third part opening splash page, but obviously, it's not Barry Windsor-Smith or Johnny Craig. Daredevil and the Black Panther rescued Karen Page from the clutches of Starr Saxon. After the police and Foggy Nelson arrive a doctor takes a look at the cut on Daredevil's hand, which Karen suspects is similar to the one that Matt Murdock had. But before any hard questions came be asked a police officer asks the duo what charges are they willing to press on the unconscious kidnapper.

Daredevil replies that Saxon has no charges to face, adding it was a little misunderstanding and asks the Panther for confirmation. Uneasily T'Challa agrees. The doctor administrates first aid to Saxon, the villain grabs him by the neck telling all that no-one is taking Starr Saxon in and if anyone makes a move the doctor dies. Having fallen on his gun the villain holds the police and two heroes at bay making his escape.  The two heroes pursue him into the night. Daredevil requests that he should face Saxon alone, and so Black Panther leaves briefly, but doubles back to watch from a distance. Quickly the man without fear finds Saxon, evading his gun shots he over powers him. Daredevil holds the criminal by the neck telling him he'll pay for the attacks on himself and Karen as well as the death of Biggie Benson. Saxon reminds Daredevil that he would never kill him and that he's got not a shred of proof that he committed any crime except resisting arrest. Benson was killed by a robot and Saxon's lab went up in smoke destroying any evidence in flames.  With that he is forced to let Saxon go free. The Panther watching events unfold leaves with the knowledge that he and Daredevil will meet again as friends or if fate decrees in battle, but either way he will keep the hero's identity safe.

Good evening, culture lovers! Stan Lee at the Roundhouse

On Monday the 20th October 1976 a huge number of lucky Marvel fans had the opportunity to listen to Stan Lee at the Roundhouse in London. This two page feature reveals all. The Man enthralled the sell-out audience, while Herb Trimpe captivated all with his instant sketches of the Hulk and prominent Bullpenners. Spider-man was even there signing autographs and distributing his own vitamin tablets.  Stan also appeared at the Marvel Art Exhibition at the Institute of Contemporary Arts and meet seventies music superstars Marc Bolan from T-Rex and Roy Wood from Wizard. More a different Wizard in the next strip. 

The Fantastic Four “War with the wingless Wizard!”

 Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Joe Sinnott 

Originally published in The Fantastic Four #78

Cover date September 1968

(Published in June 1968)

Another un-named artist created this second part opening splash page depicting Mister Fantastic smashing the wingless Wizard. But at the end of last week's first part the Wizard had already beaten Reed and it was Ben Grimm who faced the villain. Surprisingly Reed Richards latest formula to change the Thing back into his human form worked completely this time with no side effects. But undeterred the human Ben retaliates and attacks the Wizard even without the added  cosmic ray born strength of the Thing.

Ben doesn't stand a chance agains the Wizard who proves the power of his "wonder gloves". But this gives Reed and Johnny time to regain their breath, Reed saves Ben when the Wizard throws Ben's beaten body against a wall. Johnny tricks the Wizard into falling into a "centrifuge tank" that renders the villain temporary unconscious. so that Johnny can remove the Wizards "wonder gloves." While recovering from the battle the three men discuss their next option as the Wizard revives and manages to escape. Ben finding himself useless asks Reed if there is any way that he can change back to the Thing so he's not as useless in the future. Reed tells him that any attempt to change back into the Thing will be permanent. Leaving Ben with a difficult choice to make. Next week we'll find out "Ben's choice!"

“Take a chair”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Steve Ditko

Inker: Steve Ditko

Originally published in Journey into Mystery #82

Cover date July 1962

(Published in May 1962)

With  five pages free as the Daredevil story was split into three over the last three weeks, there was space for a short sci-fi/suspense tale. So here's a classic Stan Lee/Steve Ditko. You wouldn't expect to find anything dangerous about a chair. This tale just goes to show you how wrong you can be. Two furniture designers compete over sales. Gorgi Gruff makes his designs by stealing them from others, while Adam Able has a far different method.

Adam Able was winning the sales war as his chairs had become notoriously comfortable and the talk of the town. As sales at Gruff Chairs fall Gorgi decides to steal some of Adam Able's designs. Gorgi pops round to his competitor to find out why his sales are booming. Later that night Gorgi breaks into Able's shop and finding the shop keeper there he forces him to reveal his trick or gimmick that makes his chairs so comfortable. Gorgi gets more than he bargained for when Able allows him to try out his latest design he pulls off a face mask to reveal his true identity, an alien from the planet Orrgo. Surprisingly Gorgi seems less bothered about Able being an alien and more concerned with discovering the secret of the upholstery. The alien explains that the reason that the chairs are so comfortable is that they change shape to fit the sitter's body perfectly and but there is more to them than they seem to be. The alien invasion force needed robot spies to study mankind and report  back to their masters. Suddenly the chair grips Gorgi making him drop his gun, learning the terrible secret at last.

The colour back pages of this comic as well as the Avengers weekly, Dracula Lives, Planet of the Apes and the Super-Heroes features an in-house advert for the greatest superhero team-up of all time. For the first time in the history of comics, see Superman vs the amazing Spider-man! Now I have no idea who the dude with the dollar sign on his chest could be, but this could be quite an event as Marvel and their Distinguished Competition join forces to produce the Battle of the Century! On sale in early 1976 in your local newsagents for just 75 pence. I have to be honest I've never owned a copy of this comic, in fact I can't say I've ever seen it. But I do own the follow-up to the 1976 mag, form Marvel UK full colour collectors edition from 1981 of the Marvel Treasury Edition featuring Superman and Spider-man, which was cover dated July 1981, published April 1981. I can't say that I've ever read it, may be I should. 

Spider-man Comics Weekly #152

John Romita Sr.'s cover from the Amazing Spider-man issue 107 gets a second run out here, with pretty much the same presentation, albeit with some slight colour changes, notably more blues on the Spider-Slayer, the rear wall becomes grey instead of a light mustard and the cable holding Spider-man goes from a grey to a rope coloured brown. 

Spider-man “Spidey smashes through!”

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: John Romita Sr.

Inker: Frank Giacoia

Originally published in the Amazing Spider-man #107

Cover date April 1972

(Published in January 1972)

Spider-man has finally been caught by Spencer Smythe in his new Spider-Slayer robot. Smythe gloats that he had wanted Spider-man to be over confident. In the web-slinger's first encounter with the Spider-slayer, way back in SMCW #19, he had allowed the "addle-brained Jameson to control his robot, even though Spider-man had escaped his capture with the use a a dummy. 

Later not realising what a loser Jameson was he gives him a second chance and creates for him a larger second slayer, as seen in SMCW #54, but again with Jameson at the controls Spider-man defeated Smythe's creation by short-circuiting the robot's spider-sensing system, as seen in SMCW#55.  Now after all the defeats at the wall-crawler's hands he'll finally get his revenge against Spider-man by personally directing the attack of his largest creation yet. Smythe takes the defeated wall-crawler back to his hideout to show off to the assembled crooks his victory. The criminals agree to follow his extravagant planning and rob a bank while he directs their progress as he surveys their actions via his spy scanners. Meanwhile, Gwen meets with Randy Robertson who is in a good mood after the Daily Bugle did a report on the protest against the police surveillance cameras. She is later confronted by Flash who apologises for how he acted previously in front of Peter and her. When he tries to express his feelings for her she stops him and tells him that her feelings for Peter are real. She asks what's bothering him, Flash declines to talk about it.  Back at Smythe's laboratory Spidey manages to break free from the Spider-Slayers bonds while Smythe is directing his plan. The web-slinger gums up the controls of the Spider-Slayer robot, allowing him the chance to face Smythe head on in next week's "Spidey vs Smythe!"

Iron Man “The fists of...the Crusher!”

Writer: Archie Goodwin

Artist: George Tuska

Inker: Johnny Craig

Originally published in Iron Man #6

Cover date October 1968

(Published in July 1968)

This second part opening splash page is sourced by the Grand Comics Database to have been drawn by Paty Cockrum, it has a catch-up box, credits and a new story title added. The Crusher has survived his last defeat at the hands of Iron Man and has returned from the depths of his underground banishment to wage his revenge on the armoured Avenger. At Stark industries Long Island factory Iron Man tests out a new battering ram under the supervision of Jasper Sitwell.

But the SHIELD agent is slightly distracted wondering why Whitney Frost is late to their date. At Maggia headquarters Whitney Frost deals with insubordination from her men who question her leadership in light of an attempt to steal Stark's latest invention. Frost decides to take matters into her own hands, using Sitwell as her pawn. At Stark Industries alarms sound when the Crusher breaks into the factory. Iron Man orders the factory evacuated immediately while he goes to tackle the fiend. In the chaos Whitney enters the building with a clear path she can steal one of Stark's super-weapons. Meanwhile as the Crusher battles Iron Man he makes his way towards Stark's Secret Weapon vault, breaking in to it. In the process of stopping the brute Iron Man is "caught by...the Crusher!"

As the Marvel Treasury Edition issue 8, Giant Superhero Holiday Grab-Bag kept it's slot on the colour back page of this week's Spider-man Comics Weekly this advert for "The greatest superhero team-up ever!" has to be content with this full page inside in-house advert. It's "Not just another full colour treasury production, but the titanic meeting of the two greatest comic-book heroes of all time!" Well one of them anyway. The collector's item of the century! For only 75 pence. You could buy a Marvel Treasury Edition for that amount and still have change for three weeks mags!   

The following page also featured an in-house advertisement for a change of line-up at one of the British Marvel weeklies. I'll save that for later in the blog.

The Web and the Hammer

John Buxton from Northampton has held back for a long time, but now gives a run down on SMCW #134, which in his opinion has everything. Spider-man faces the old problem he cannot kill the Green Goblin, yet he has to somehow turn the tortured mind back to that of Norman Osborne. In his opinion the ending was quite disappointing, but he can see the difficulty of finding different ways for Spidey to come out tops again. Iron Man couldn't be better, Gene Colan is his favourite artist. The Pluto story-line in Thor was magnificent. D J Jordorson  from London was totally shocked seeing Spider-man with six arms and thinks the new mag, The Titans looks quite something. D advises every one to buy this years Avengers annual as it's better than last years thanks to the art-team of John Buscema and Tom Palmer. Martin Bush from Dorset has been a devoted follower of Marvel since the cataclysmic days of Terrific and Fantastic and sees that the Spider-man strip of late has maintained his usual brilliance, especially with the epic "The spider or the man?" Hulk stories are improving, although they cannot compare with Daredevil, as Colan is doing a brilliant job on that strip. He adds that the blending of Conan with the Avengers was a good move, as it is undoubtedly the best value for money, with Buscema on both of those strips.

The Mighty Thor “Mindswitch!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Bill Everett

Originally published in The Mighty Thor #172

Cover date January 1970

(Published in November 1969)

This second part splash page like the one featured earlier in the Iron Man strip was also drawn by Paty Cockrum, as per the information sourced by the Grand Comics Database. Don Blake transforms once more into Thor and rushes to Krask's private estate, still unaware of Krask's devious intentions. Arriving as Krask had intended Thor faces the onslaught of heavy weaponry tailored to incapacitate the Thunder God, from Krask's private army. 

Initially, Thor proves too strong for his attackers, however they use a special cannon that fires a hallucinogenic spray that is powerful enough to even knock out a God. As the surgery is being prepped, Jim and Jane are horrified to find that the body that Krask intends to have his mind transferred into is none other than Thor. The procedure would involve the use of an Ultra-Oscilloscope, a device that would swap the minds of two beings. With Jane's life at risk, Jim North breaks down and agrees to continue with the operation. Once the machine is activated the mind swapping process begins. However the minds of Krask and Thor begin a struggle half way. A struggle which Thor wins, seemingly sending Krask's mind back into his dying body. Released from the thralls the machine, Thor awakens and consoles Jim and Jane, telling them that they were not at fault for what had happened. Krask had met his demise thinking he could defeat the mind of an immortal. Thor leaves the two lovers behind. In spite of my initial feeling over Bill Everett's inking of Jack Kirby's art, I have to say I really enjoyed this tale and the artwork. Next week "the unmentionable Ulik!" 

Avengers Weekly #121

The third original US cover this week, John Buscema's artwork from the Avengers (US edition,) issue 78, with inks by Tom Palmer. By far the best drawn cover this week, so by sheer quality my Cover of the Week. Note the top headline reads" Were you at the Roundhouse with Stan? See inside!" This is the only cover from the five weeklies that feature the "Stan Lee at the Roundhouse" article to mention its inclusion on the cover. 

The inside front cover page features a promotion for the real "Battle of the Century", not some dude who wears his red underpants on the outside of his tights and the amazing Spider-man. The Thing and the incredible Hulk go "cruisin' for a bruisin'.." in the latest edition of the Super-Heroes! Two real super heavy weights kick off in the pages of this week's Super-Heroes, but more on that later. The wonderful artwork shown here is of course from Jim Starlin (pencils,) and Joe Sinnott (inks,) from panels that will feature on page seventeen of next week's Super-Heroes comic. 

Conan the Barbarian “Beneath the sky of flame!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: John Buscema

Inker: Ernie Chan

Originally published in Conan the Barbarian #32

Cover date November 1973

(Published in August 1973)

This second part features a repurposed cover by Gil Kane (pencils,) with Ernie Chan (inks,) from Conan the Barbarian issue 32 as this week's opening splash page, with credits, catch-up text boxes and a new title added. It's a great piece of art by Gil and Ernie, showing Conan snuggling underwater with a beautiful but deadly sea-monster, but it does give away a big spoiler in the coming plot. Just forget it and read on. After killing a viper that had magically taken the place of some gems, that the Cimmerian had stolen from a rich man, who had turned out to be a wizard. The city's guards arrive and order Conan to surrender. 

Conan takes umbrage with being called a slave and attacked the guards, slaughtering his way through them. When the guardsmen do not stir Conan's keen eyes scan the chamber for his fence Tsien Hui, who has slipped away like a mangy sewer rat. The barbarian's ears detect the sound of a trickling fountain which he follows to its source, into Tsien Hui's harem chamber, filled with beautiful women. There he lingers for a few moments detecting a robed figure skulking in the shadows behind some reeds. With not being in any hurry to dispatch the falstaffian fool, Conan cautiously accepts the offer of food from one of the harem and asks is it another trick from their master? Then all of a sudden the soft lyrical voice from a beautiful blonde explains that the only exit that doesn't take the outlander past the city guard is through a secret passage under the pool. Conan wishes to leave so she leads him down into the pool. True to her word, a cavern leads her and Conan out, but while they are underwater, she reveals her true monstrous form, that of a tentacled sea creature. She entangles Conan and stings him repeatedly with her suckers until he finally frees his sword arm and grabs his weapon. Cutting one tentacle he is astonished to see it grow back again. With blind fury he closes his eye to prevent her hypnotic gaze and strikes her repeatedly until she is slain. Desperate for air, Conan swims toward a light to find the surface. After a moment's pause he climbs out of the water to find himself elsewhere on the estate. In pain and exhaustion he collapses, not noticing the slouching, shadowed form moving towards him. Next Week "Into the arena!"

Good evening, culture lovers! Stan Lee at the Roundhouse

This version of the two page spread is slightly different than the feature from the Mighty World of Marvel as this one features a group of fans eager to pick up some merch from table. As well as appearing in the Avengers weekly this version also featured in Dracula Lives, Planet of the Apes and the Super-Heroes. No Roundhouse feature appeared in either Spider-man Comics Weekly or The Titans.  

The Avengers “Don't turn your back on the Man-ape!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Sal Buscema

Inker: Tom Palmer

Originally published in The Avengers #78

Cover date July 1970

(Published in May 1970)

This second part opening splash page is by an un-named artist, It could have been drawn by Paty Cockrum, who drew the second part splash pages in the Iron Man and Thor strips from SMCW this week, and it does bear some similarities with her work on the Cat that was published in the Super-Heroes, especially the figure of Monica Lynne and Greer Nelson, but in all honesty that's just a guess. The Panther has just left Monica to go to Avengers Mansion when the Man-Ape breaks in and kidnaps her.

Just as the Black Panther arrives at Avengers Mansion the Man-Ape's face appears on a monitor threatening those gathered that he is the face of their doom, demanding that the Black Panther meets him alone and if he shows any reluctance to do so he will not hesitate to harm his honoured guest, Monica Lynne. Knowing that it is a trap the Avengers try to talk the Panther out of it, however after giving his word as a Chieftain of Wakanda he cannot allow the others to go with him, so they agree to allow him to keep his sacred bond and to a pre-planned location to face the Man-Ape combat. The Panther takes a Quinjet and flies to the location, where he finds a craft that is not of Wakanda design. T'challa battles M'Baku onboard the craft. Man-Ape's henchman N'Gamo tries to sneak an attack from behind, but the Panther throws him at the Man-Ape, giving him time to rescue Ms Lynne. But she turns out to have been a mannequin that explodes, knocking the Panther out. M'Buku gloats about his victory to the Avengers before bringing his defeated foe to an abandoned tunnel below New York City. The captive Black Panther learns that this is all part of a scheme concocted by the Grim Reaper, who with a number of the Avengers' previous foes, the Living Laser, Power Man, Swordsman and the Man-Ape form the Lethal Legion!

Avengers Mailbag

Neil Harrison from Lancaster is a Conan addict who is interested in ancient history. He points to historical evidence that there was a race called the Cimmerians, who lived in the Black Sea/Caspian Sea area. Also there was a place not unlike Mammalet, which was the capital of a collapsing Akkadian Empire, which was invaded by eastern warriors who were the ancestors of present day Iranians. Also in #110, giant Kushite Guards are mentioned. The Russian Empire may have started many years after Akkad's empire. Ken McCarron from Merseyside writes that the news of Jack Kirby's return to Marvel shocked him when he read about the news in the US mag The Inhumans issue 1 which he bought at a Liverpool Comic Mart. Talking about US comics he writes the Champions look good too. Steven Bebbington from Liverpool nominates his friend lan Salmon for a KOF because he introduced him to Marvel. Lan Evans RFO, KOF thanks Marvel for joining up Savage Sword of Conan with the Avengers. Up until then he could't afford the magic of Conan along with my other mags. Robin Schafer from Bath recommends "The Marvel Superhero Index" as compiled by Alan Austin for all true Marvelites. As it contains some incredible details on Marvel stories up to November 1971.

Doctor Strange “Not all my power.. ..can save me!”

Writer: Steve Englehart

Artist: Frank Brunner

Inker: Crusty Bunkers

Originally published in Marvel Premiere #13

Cover date January 1974

(Published in October 1973)

This opening splash page for this second part uses the repurposed artwork from the cover of Marvel Premiere issue 13 by Frank Brunner. Last week Doctor Strange had travelled to 18th Century Paris in search of Baron Mordo who had travelled there to meet the legendary 18th Century sorcerer Cagliostro. Strange then decides to pose as Cagliostro. When Mordo arrived Strange attacks him but both sorcerers feel their powers have been weakened somehow. He still is able to defeat his old foe.

However some force more powerful than the Eye of Agamotto pulls Baron Mordo away from its light, warping the evil sorcerer into the freedom of darkness. Even though Strange is the Sorcerer Supreme in his time he wonders if there is another in this time period more powerful than he? With the ruse is ended the "real" Cagliostro appears. Strange addresses the magician with respect, telling him that he has come from his future to find Baron Mordo, a practitioner of the dark arts, who desires to alter the future towards his own evil ends. Cagliostro tells Strange that he should leave and not abuse his hospitality. Strange's mission takes priority of any feelings and he must complete his task. Cagliostro attacks Strange then Mordo returns with an attack from the side. Strange weakens and Mordo claims victory until Cagliostro reveals his true self, Sise-Neg. A sorcerer from the 40th Century who had intended to travel back to the beginning of time to accumulate enough mystical power to become a god. After defeating Strange in combat, Sise-Neg then departs to meet his destiny, when Strange asks Mordo for help, Mordo flatly refuses and returns to the present, leaving Strange to deal with the problem at the dawn of creation, alone.

Dracula Lives #64

This is a specially commissioned cover for the British weekly, pencilled and inked by Pablo Marcos. I'm not thrilled with this cover, but after seeing the original black and white artwork on Comic Art Fans website, I think that it was wonderful and in a weird way the colours spoil it. You do wonder did she leap from the window to escape from Dracula? Or did she fall and Dracula is trying to save her? Villain or hero? Well the finished cover has her calling for him to save her, but did the British editors want the British readers to see him as a hero? 

Dracula “The sorrow of vengeance!”

Writer: Marv Wolfman

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Tom Palmer

Originally published in Tomb of Dracula #28

Cover date January 1975

(Published in October 1974)

Another second part opening splash page done by an unnamed artist, with credits, a new story title and dialogue that helps fill in some of the tales back story, in which Taj's village was attacked by Dracula and an army of vampires, that would lead to his son being turned into a vampire, his wife crippled, and Taj's vocal chords being permanently damaged. Taj was rescued when Rachel van Helsing who had traveled to India on a quest to destroy Dracula. The vampire lord fled the scene. Taj left India with van Helsing to join Quincy and his band of vampire slayers. 

Meanwhile, David Eshcol enters Castle Dunwick in a foolish attempt to kill Dracula. Uneasily David moves through the shadows of the castle, climbing the stairs he enters the room where the vampire sleeps. Then he lifts the coffin lid and readies himself to plunge the stake into the vampire's cold heart. However the vampire lord rises from his sleep and attacks David. Dracula easily overpowers the ill prepared vampire slayer who is instantly killed in the fight. Later there is a knock at Shiela's door, she opens it to reveal a blood stained David. Whose bodies falls to the floor to expose Dracula. He asks her if she will let him enter. She hates him with all her heart as he had killed her lover, but still she lets him in.  Dracula tells her that he isn't playing games with her, he is merely protecting what is his. Horrified by what Dracula had done and not wishing to live as his slave any more, Shiela chooses to end it all by committing suicide by jumping out the window. Even though Dracula leaps to save her she dies with the impact with the ground. Even the master of evil is horrified himself by what had happened, his word are drowned out by the sudden wail of sirens, Dracula transforms into his bat form to disappear into the night.

Cryptic Correspondence

This week's Cryptic Correspondence contains just one letter and it's a big one from super-fan Neil Fisher from St. Helens. He paints a graphic letter as if from Bram Stoker himself, with lines like "In the night air a great bat wheels overhead, while a wolf and there are still wolves here, howls at the moon from the hilltop!" More of from Neil includes "Among the bones is the mummified body of a woman. The little finger is missing from one of her hands." and "But Valerie Knott, who comes from

Northampton, fingers her throat nervously. The count can take many shapes, bat, wolf or just a wisp of mist." His craft of this letter concludes a thanks to his real life penpal, Valerie Knott, who helped him compose this letter. He declares that all the information on Dracula is true and so is the info on King Vlad.

He asks could the editors tell him how to become a scriptwriter? Of which they do with tips like "it can't be taught. You need a gift for story-telling, a talent for finding the right phrase, dogged determination and lots of LUCK, LUCK, LUCK. You need the luck, because in order to get started you've got to find an editor who likes your work sufficiently to want to publish it."

Werewolf by Night “Horror at the cinema”

Writer: Doug Moench

Artist: Don Perlin

Inker: Vince Colletta

Originally published in Werewolf by Night #26

Cover date February 1975

(Published in November 1974)

Another second part opening splash page drawn by an unnamed artist that I can't find the name of. With more strips in seven weeklies there has to be more commissioned pages per week and an endless number of possible artists. The catch-up text from this page tells us that Winston Redditch, who had become a brute called DePrayve after taking a serum, has become the next victim of the Hangman, a maniacal self-appointed vigilante. 

Elsewhere the Werewolf' left the city of Los Angeles and climbs to the healthier climes of brown and green, as the morning breaks Jack Russell falls into a ditch and luckily he is discovered by his friend Buck. Buck had gotten Redditch's serum from his wife and gives it to Jack as the next night falls to see if it prevents him from transforming into the Werewolf again. But Jack and Buck watch the moon rise, at first it seems to have worked. Then freed from all human restraint the Werewolf bolts off. As if driven by desire or by some natural attraction the Werewolf heads towards an abandoned cinema after sensing the odours of Redditch and the Hangman. The Werewolf breaks in and attacks the Hangman as he recognises his scent as being a danger. Redditch wakens and the adrenaline causes him to transform into DePrayve. The three fight each other. The wild fury takes them outsideThe Hangman runs into the hands of the police, while somewhere in the dark streets of Los Angeles the man called Redditch awakes from the nightmare called DePreyve, leaving the Werewolf to run free. Another bizarre tale of terror and sorcery begins next week in "the amazing Dr. Glitternight!"

Man-Thing “The haunter of the swamp!”

Writer: Steve Gerber

Artist: Rich Buckler

Inker: Jin Mooney

Originally published in Adventure into Fear #11

Cover date October 1972

(Published in September 1972)

This Neal Adams cover from Adventure into Fear issue 11 is repurposed as this week's second part opening splash page. The story title is taken from the original cover with only the credits and catch-up text added. Last week's first part saw Jennifer Kale, a Amateur witch and her younger brother Andy, opening a dimensional rift freeing a demon known as the Nether-Spawn. But believing that her spell had failed the young siblings leave to go to the cinema.

The Man-Thing had witnesses the incursion and follows the Nether-Spawn as it hunts down the children. When it attacks them at a movie theatre the Man-Thing intervenes, crushing the demon into the floor, then burning it with the touch of his hands. As the Man-Thing believes he has ended the threat he turns to head back into the swamp. He has no reason to look back, but he should as from the ashes a new demon rises. The two battle once more with the demon calling forth an un-earthly energy bolt that hurts the swamp monster. Jennifer and Andy flee back towards the swamp. The Man-Thing loses interest in the fight and lumbers back towards familiar ground followed by the Nether-Spawn, who renews their battle. Andy takes advantage of the diversion and reaches his Grandfather's book. With some matches he burns the mystic tome, reversing the spell. A dimensional portal opens and the Man-Thing pushes the Nether-Spawn inside just before it closes back up again. The children stand before the Man-Thing with faces of innocent wonder. Jennifer confesses that her foolishness nearly cost the creature his life, yet he had saved them both. The Man-Thing wanders off, Jennifer and Andy feel that in some strange way, they have made a new friend.

Tales of Atlantis “In the wake of the warriors!”

Writer: Steve Gerber

Artist: Howard Chaykin

Inker: Joe Sinnott

Originally published in Sub-Mariner Volume 2 #64

Cover date August 1973

(Published in May 1972)

With pages to spare a six page tale of Atlantis is squeezed in. I'm not sure how it fits into Dracula Lives horror format but it did, maybe the sight of Atlanteans jousting while riding dolphins makes it not matter. A great creative team of Gerber, Chaykin and Sinnott helps. Many years ago after the fall of Atlantis a great battle was waged between two kingdoms. Tanas and his Army of the Western Seas and Tanas with his Army of the Eastern Seas. Stegors rode against Tanas driving his lance into the heart of the western king. Tanas's wife, Elanna, foresaw his demise and leads her forces into a counter-attack. Mounting her manta ray steed she charged into battle to face her husband's murderer. She declares that fates have decrees that she shall build a city of golden spires that reach high into the sea in the ruins of the sunken island called Atlantis. Marking the spot of its foundation with her colours tied to a spear through Stegor's heart as the fates have foretold. Meanwhile news of Stegor's death reached his brother Orreck. Orreck seeking to rule himself decided to send his son Kamuu on a suicide mission in order to become King. The final panel tells the reader to stay tuned as more Tales of Atlantis will return. I won't drag any tease out of it. It doesn't in this mag or any other British Marvel mags. 

Planet of the Apes #64

Another generic Planet of the Apes cover by Ron Wilson. The cover promotes "continuing Marvel's exciting adaption of the Conquest of the Planet of the Apes!" but I don't recall a scene in which the gorillas all wear the same uniform and form a hunting party. Mike Esposito was the inker on this cover.

Planet of the Apes “Caesar's fury!”

Writer: Doug Moench

Artist: Alfredo Alcala 

Inker: Alfredo Alcala 

Originally published in Planet of the Apes (US) #17

Cover date February 1976

(Published in December 1975)

This second part opening splash page is by an unnamed artist, who has managed to copy the style and line work that Alfredo Alcala used in this strip, if slightly rushed and poorer quality. Could it be him creating a quick linking page? Armando has brought his ape, Caesar to the for the first time to distribute flyers for his circus and also to show Caesar, the secret child of the intelligent fugitive chimpanzees from the future, Cornelius and Zira, how humanity treats apes after a plague wiped out cats and dogs. Apes had at first become pets, then evolved into slaves. 

The tour had taken Armando and his intelligent chimpanzee to cafes, bookshops, beauty salons and restaurants. Where apes served man and were punished violently for any mistakes they made. An uneasy tension ran throughout this society. When humans showed an unease with the symbiotic nature of man and ape. In front of Ape Central, a training and correction centre for apes, a labour demonstration was staged by humans who had lost their jobs to the cheaper apes. The dejected men held placards that read "Hire Men Not Beast", "Unfair to Waiters" and "Slaves are Scabs". A man with an ape presses through the protest line and is questioned by one of the protesters, "What's his job?" His owner tells him that he's not a waiter, but a messenger for the Governor. Someone throws a brick at the ape, hitting him on the back of his head. In retaliation the ape strikes its owner. Suddenly the riots squad violently beats the ape with clubs. A voice calls out for the brutality to stop. Mister MacDonald, the Governor's number one assistant, orders the men to sedate the animal and have him removed. Armando and Caesar watch silently, Next week "Rites of bondage!"

Two photo pin-ups from the film Conquest of the Planet of the Apes, that were neatly spaced between this week's Planet of the Apes strip, almost becoming part of the strip.  The first shows a gorilla waiter serving a female customer. The gorilla is credited as Frank the gorilla and was played by actor Buck Kartalian, who had also appeared as another gorilla in the first Planet of the Apes film. The second photo pin-up shows a rebellious mute chimp called "Aldo",  a chimp messenger for Governor Breck who struggled to break free but was beaten up by "nazi looking" guards. In an earlier draft script for the film "Conquest..." it was intended in the gorilla "Aldo" would led the ape takeover as mentioned in the "Escape..." movie after becoming the first ape to say the word "No".

Apes Forum

Iain Davie from Bedfordshire writes that Planet of the Apes mags are brilliant. The artwork is fine, except for issues 47 to 48. He thought that The Day of The Triffids in issues 40 and 41 was unbelievable. Keith Ansell from Birmingham writes his own version of the original Planet of the Apes film in a very mature classic way. The letter ends with his take on Cornelius, Zira and Milo's journey to the past in Escape from the Planet of the Apes. Like Neil Fisher's letter in this week's Cryptic Correspondence another great letter that shows Marvel fans creativity. Kevin Young RFO, KOF, QNS from Rochdale reviews POTA #50, starting with the Escape story which he says is probably the best ever story in the mag. On the quality of letters in the letter page he considers them to be of an "American" standard. Captain Marvel is a trifle boring, however Warlock is excellent! Chris Claremont's article was a bit great. (I didn't like that article  as you know if you read my blog.) Shelia Bradley from the West Midlands leaps to defend POTA and Dracula Lives from Neale Walford's letter in MWOM #156, where he suggests scrapping both mags. 

Bullpen Bulletins

Choice Chit-Chat concerning changes in our cheerful characters! 

There's only room for the Bullpen Bulletin page in two of the weeklies this week, here and in the Super-Heroes. So with the first two Items, the first seems to have been intended to be the second or third Item following news of a later Item in this Bullpen, which points out that in the Super-Heroes the X-Men will be leaving the comic, but their destination is a great place to go. The Uncanny X-Men will be taking over from the Uncanny Inhumans in the pages of The Titans. Those X-Men tales are starting to loosen up into some nice adventures written by the brilliant Roy Thomas and by the capable Werner Roth. The second Item involves the readers who don't read the Planet of the Apes, who might be interested in Ka-Zar and the Black Panther strips joining the "adorable" Apes adaptions. More Bulletins in the Super-Heroes. 

Ka-Zar “To stalk a city!”

Writer: Mike Friedrich

Artist: Rich Buckler

Inker: Chic Stone

Originally published in Astonishing Tales #16

Cover date February 1973

(Published in November 1972)

It's quite a jump from last week's ending, keep reading to find out why. Ka-Zar stalks the streets of New York City with Zabu seeking the a killer whose drugs clot the very veins of the metropolis. His search avoids the "blue coats" policemen and the screeching juggernaut of a subway train. But before he returns to Barbara "Bobbi" Morse he is spotted by the street informer "Jackers" who plans to earn some cash by reporting back to the Pusher. 

Upon returning to Bobbi Morse's flat Ka-Zar inquires about the health of Doctor Calvin, who is still in intensive care after last week's injury relapse. She remains barely conscious with odd mutterings for her son "Vinnie". The same Vinnie who tried to kidnap her last week. Bobbi wonders why he attempted to kidnapper, was it in some way connected to her experiments in the search for a Super Soldier serum and the evil organisation known a AIM? Ka-Zar considers his own man-hunt for the Pusher, who was responsible for the murder of "Scratch" Riker.  Now I know what you're saying, if you was a regular reader of Planet of the Apes in 1975/76, or if you've just been following this blog, you would be asking who is "Scratch" Riker and when did he die? Well that part of the story should have followed last week's first part, which was originally from Astonishing Tales issue 15 and the second part from that comic should have been printed in this week's issue. Instead it was printed next week in POTA #65, where this story should have been printed in its stead. Whose fault was it that the two strips were mixed up? Could it have been the relatively inexperienced Neil Tennant who should have prove read the issue before sending them off to the printers, or did the previous editor Matt (Margaret) Softley set the wrong planned running order before leaving, or was the fault of the editors across the Atlantic? Who knows, but anyway what a howler! What makes matters worse is that page 27 of this week is actually part of Astonishing Tales issue 15, which should have been printed this week. So this week's story should have ended with "Jackers" informing the Pusher that he has spotted Ka-Zar and the Pusher strikes the informer in anger. Hopefully next week will get the story back on track.

Black Panther “But now the spears are broken!”

Writer: Don McGregor

Artist: Gil Kane

Inker: Klaus Janson

Originally published in Jungle Action Vol 2 #9

Cover date May 1974

(Published in February 1974)

This week Gil Kane takes over as penciler for this one story that is told over two weeks. A young boy called Kantu moves through the jungle with exaggerated stealth, intent on bringing his imaginary prey to bay, when his fantasy is shattered by the very real charge of an enraged black rhino. Luckly for Kantu the Black Panther is there to halt the beast. The boys parents are glad to see their son rescued, although his mother, Karota, is shocked to see their King with an outworlder, Monica Lynne. The boy's father, M'Jumbak, is more interested in the fact that T'Challa knows his name.

Later at the Palace Monica asks T'Challa if it bothers him that she is a commoner? She also notices that many of the royal house treat her strangely. Later that night M'Jumbak, the father of the boy the Panther rescued that morning, strolls reflectively past a small Wakandan burial site as a strange sound begins. The sound of hands clawing their way upwards through the earth. M'Jumbak recoils at the sight of bony fingers breaking through the soil. A malevolent figure rises making M'Junbak his first victim. Karota wishes to see T'Challa with a tale of her missing husband and the superstition of the legend of Baron Macabre. The Black Panther goes to investigate, at the burial site he finds the dead have awoken!

The Super-heroes #45

The corner box this week changes from Giant-Man, Cyclops and the Scarecrow to Bloodstone , the Thing and Giant-Man, in quite a surprise turn around from last week's line-up. Yeah a full page promotion for the Thing appeared last week and an Item hinted at the coming of Bloodstone as well as the Black Knight and Wood God, but only in as much as future replacements for the Scarecrow. The X-Men's sudden disappearance from this and any of the other weeklies for a week must have been a shock to readers, who would only find out if they had seen the in-house advert in SMCW, the Avengers weekly or at the back of this mag, or if you read the Item in the Bullpen Bulletin in POTA or later in this mag. Anyway ol' Blue-eyes and Bloodstone join Giant-Man on the cover to show-off this mag's new line-up, drawn by Ron Wilson and inked by Mike Esposito. The Hulk gets a mention as a guest-star on the top tag-line too. 

Giant-Man and the Wasp “The coming of the Magician!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Dick Ayers

Inker: Dick Ayers

Originally published in Tales to Astonish #56

Cover date June 1964

(Published in March 1964)

Giant- Man is in a rush to get home. He inspects a ring that he plans to give the Wasp. When she arrives home he acts nervously. She wonders if he will ever express his true feelings towards her. In the hope that making him jealous will spur him on she tells him that she's going to a party thrown by Sterling Stuyvesant and that she suspects he's going to propose to her that night. When she leaves Hank is so upset he tosses the ring away and decides to lose himself in his work. Soon he is alerted by his ants about a character named the Magician. Finding him rather sinister looking, Giant-Man decides to investigate on his own. Later, at Stuyvesant's party, the Magician appears as the entertainment and dazzles the crowd with his magic tricks. He traps the audience under a large blanket and begins robbing them of their valuables. Janet becomes the Wasp and tackles the Magician on her own, but is soon trapped in the Magician's magic wand before the Magician makes his escape, no shock there. Soon Giant-Man arrives and learns what has happened. Next week, "Hocus pocus panic!"

Bullpen Bulletins

Continued from the Bullpen Bulletins page from the Planet of the Apes the third Item resolves that there is another "switcheroo"  at British Marvel. As the cover shows the Thing is going to take over the X-Men's slot in the Super-heroes. Benjy's gonna be real busy mixing it up with such spectacular super guest-stars as the invincible Iron Man and Captain America. There's even a sensational story coming in which the Thing meets up with the murky Man-Thing. But as readers no-doubt notice the ever-loving Thing is going to tackle the Incredible Hulk in his first adventure. The final Item comes under the title of Department of sheer boredom. In order to cut back on his frantic schedule seven deadlines a week, though mostly to avoid those calamitous calls from Duffy Vohland at 9 o'clock every morning, Jim Salicrum  has been joined by Gary Brodsky. In addition Jay Mitchell joins as a staff member. 

The Thing and the Hulk..together! “Cry: Monster!”

Writer: Len Wein 

Artist: Jim Starlin

Inker: Joe Sinnott

Originally published in Marvel Feature #11

Cover date September 1973

(Published in June 1973)

This story is one of my favourites from this week's selection with a great writer and and truly fantastic art pairing of Starlin and Sinnott, with one of Marvel's most rounded and wonderful heroes as the main star its an absolute winner. The Thing is frustrated  so much that he destroys one of Mister Fantastic's inventions, which is revealed to be another attempt at returning the Thing to his human form. Grimm states that he could not stand another failure, and wishes he was left alone. 

He reflects on how he became the Thing when on a mission with his friends that encountered the mysterious cosmic rays. Monitoring his mood from afar in a spacecraft in Earth’s orbit, Kurrgo, the master of Planet X, recalls how he previously meet the Thing and his teammates, as seen in MWOM #14 and #15, revealing that after the Fantastic Four had saved his race from a cosmic disaster by Mister Fantastic shrinking them down in size so they could all fit into one space ship and escape the planet to build a new life on a new world. Kurrgo abandoned on Xantha, was saved by his loyal robot who took him to a hidden spaceship, with which they too escaped. He traveled to the new world of his former people, called New Xanth, who he had ruled with an iron fist. They had grown used to their freedom from his tyrannical rule and warded him off by their newly developed advanced technology. Kurrgo and his robot then traveled to Earth in an attempt to use the planet’s strongest creature, the Hulk, to control New Xanth. His plan was interfered with by the Leader who had his own plans for green Goliath. The Leader had last been seen in MWOM #156. To solve the impasse Kurrgo and the Leader agreed to settle their disagreement by selecting two hand-picked champions to duel in their stead. 

The Leader chose the Hulk while Kurrgo begrudgingly chose the Thing. Whoever's champion won their patron gain the use of both titans and the services of the loser's scientific knowledge. Using an inter-spatial teleportation mechanism the Thing was transported against his will to a deserted western ghost town. An astral projection of the Leader relates to him that he had been chosen as the Champion of Kurrgo, to fight his champion, the Hulk. To heighten the drama and encouraged the fighting an Ultrx bomb has been left in the town, capable of destroying all life on Earth. But before Ben Grimm can defuse the bomb he must face the Hulk in the true (not some dude in red underpants and blue tights against Spider-man,) "Battle of the Century!"

Super-Mail

It's a short mail bag in this week's Super-Heroes, three letters fill only half a page. First up is Steve Whitaker from London who does not disagree with SteveMay's letter from the Super-Heroes #34, Tom Palmer should get more credit since no-one has ever done a better job inking Neal Adams art than Tom as well as his inks on Gene Colan's Dracula, Daredevil and Doctor Strange work. He will soon be seen in the pages of The Avengers, inking John Buscema, which is bound to go down in history as one of the greatest partnerships of the seventies. John Williams RFO, KOF from Wakefield runs his own one-man comic company and he's constantly reminded if he makes any mistakes, so he knows what it's like when people find faults in Marvel mags. Russell Tiffany from Halifax has written a quiz for readers, 1) Who is the Silver Surfer's loved one? 2) What is the Silver Surfer's real name? 3) Who brought life back to Dracula the first time he was killed? 4) Who is Peter Parker? 5) Who is after the Surfer's soul? 6) Who is Thor's brother? and 7) What is The Beast's real name? The answers are 1) Shalla Bal 2) Norrin Radd 3) Drake. 4) Spider-man 5) Mephisto 6) Loki and 7) Hank McCoy. 

Bloodstone “Dweller from the depths!”

Writer: John Warner

Artist: Mike Vosburg

Inker: Bob McLeod

Originally published in Marvel Presents #1

Cover date October 1975

(Published in July 1975)

San Francisco Bay at dawn, a blind flute player plays a tune that wakes the amphibious "Dweller from the depths", who goes on a rampage until he is opposed by Ulysses Bloodstone, who battles the monster. As the creature knocks Bloodstone unconscious his mind, like his body floating in the bay, floats in a montage of light dancing hypnotically about, with images that span all time. Many lost to the dark catacombs of a passing age. Regaining conscious Ulysses tackles the monster once more. Once more hearing the strange music. Noticing that the flat player somehow controls the beast Bloodstone takes his fight to him. A telepathic emanation appears above the piper's body which leaves when Bloodstone throws a dagger at it. Your questions will have to remain till next week.

The other question that many the Super-Heroes readers would have asked is where are the X-Men? Well here's your answer in this full page in-house advert. Mighty Marvel is on the move and so are the X-Men! As Marvel's merry band of mutants will be taking up residence in the senses-shattering pages of the Titans. I wonder if by "senses-shattering pages" they meant that your sense of vision would be taxed as you had to strain your eye sight to read the smaller print. A complaint that many readers would bemoan about. None-the-less they might have had a point, especially fifty years later when this fifty-something reader's eyesight starts to wane. The uncanny teenagers would feature in next week's issue 13 in a full story, meaning that it would not be wise to start and print half of it in this mag. And of course the Inhumans had to finish their final adventure before they could vacate the prime slot. 

The Titans #12

Another "emergency issue" this week. It's very possible that The Titans comic where printed in pairs and cut in two, as mentioned in an earlier blog post about The Titans issue 2, so it could have been the case that issues 11 and 12 where printed together using the same "newsprint" matt covers. The cover price is still the reduced price of eight pence, with the cost returning to nine pence next week. The top tag-line tells readers that all is "Back to normal next week!" The Inhumans share the comic logo for the final time as readers are told "Starring the Uncanny Inhumans in 'The final Battle!'" When next week another "Uncanny" team takes the lead strip's place. Keith Pollard pencils the Inhuman's final cover, inked by Mike Esposito.  

The Inhumans “The Inhumans last stand!”

Writer: Gerry Conway

Artist: Mike Sekowsky

Inker: Frank Giacoia

Originally published in Amazing Adventures Volume 2 #10

Cover date January 1972

(Published in October 1971)

The Gil Kane (pencils,) with Joe Sinnott (inks,) cover from Amazing Adventures issue 10 is repurposed as this week's second part opening splash page. Credits and three catch-up boxes are added, but the new story title remains from the cover. Black Bolt, in an amnesia state, has been taken by Magneto to a government facility to steal a new source of cosmic energy. Meanwhile Medusa, Gorgon and Karnak have broken out of Magneto's prison cell to rescue their king.

As Magneto reaches his target Black Bolt stakes after only pretending  to succumb to the master of magnetism's mind control. Magneto orders his mutant horde to attack Black Bolt while he escapes with a cylinder that contains the energy source. Medusa, Gorgon and Karnak arrive and faces the mutant leader in combat. Magneto is more than a match for them. Black Bolt defeats the leering mutant who Magneto set against him and races to join his fellow Inhumans, but instead of helping them fight Magneto he pulls them away, allowing the master of magnetism to escape. As Magneto runs boasting that the power is his, the glory and honour is forever Magneto's the source explodes, apparently killing him. Reunited the Inhumans can now return to the Great Refuge to reclaim Black Bolts throne from his brother Maximus the Mad. The original ending mentions that the tale will be told in Avengers (US edition) #95, a story that British readers will see in MWOM #206 on the week ending the 8th September 1976, in an Avengers story that Roy Thomas and Neal Adams attempt to conclude several plot-lines from this series. The "A Beast shall be born!" end line is the title from the next story in the Amazing Adventures series (volume 2, issue 11,) in which the X-Men's Beast takes over the comic book. That Beast story will appear in Marvel UK's The Incredible Hulk weekly issue 47, from the week ending the 23rd January 1980. 

Titanic Transcripts

Robert Hayward from Middlesex offers congratulations on the new Titans mag and thanks for the poster. He likes the new oblong style. Andrew Taylor RFO, KOF from Northern Ireland says the poster was excellent but notices that it looks slightly like the Marvel Con 1975 poster that was drawn by John Buscema and Joe Sinnott. The editor tells him he's correct it was the same artwork on that poster. Arthur Made from Tyne-and-Wear was a little disappointing. The stories were great but some of the art was disappointing. The Inhumans and Captain Marvel are all right, but Captain America and Nick Fury less so. Gareth Hughes from London was highly-impressed with The Titans, because of the way two pages of the original artwork have been shrunk into one page. As a rule he only gets the American mags, but seeing the advert on TV he bought a copy out of curiosity. The Titans is Marvel's best British mag. He hopes another mag like it will be brought out. Roger Kirman from Tyne-and-Wear compare the new look formate with the old. He thinks the new size is disappointing as it's exactly the same shape as your other mags. The five strips aren't some of Marvel's best, they are some of the worst. Two pages on the same page is confusing. but excellent value. But too small is being too unreasonable.

The Sub-Mariner “When a monarch goes mad!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Dick Ayers

Originally published in Tales to Astonish #81

Cover date July 1966

(Published in April 1965)

Namor is furious with the news that Lady Dorma has gone off to marry the exiled Warlord Krang, unaware of the fact that she has been blackmailed to do so, believing that Krang still controls the Behemoth. Namor is too angry to listen to reason when Lord Vashti offers advice. The Sub-Mariner decrees that the name of Lady Dorma is forbidden. Then he locks one of Dorma's relatives away in the dungeon for nothing more than being related to her. 

Vashti becomes more concerned as Namor completely loses his temper, making the elderly adviser wonder if this will spell the end of Atlantis. The Sub-Mariner attempts to calm his rage by using his strength to smash things. But as that doesn't shake his desire for vengeance he decides that he must track down Krang's submarine. Unable to find any trace he orders his armies to go out and seek and destroy Lord Krang on sight. Krang has managed to block the detecting rays of Atlantis' "Observa-Coils" with a special blocking device. Deciding that they need to retreat to the surface, Krang and Droma expose themselves to a special gas that allows them to breathe outside of water and head to the surface, giving away their cover. An Atlantean soldier informs Namore of a signing of Dorma and Krang heading towards the surface. The Sub-Mariner races after them in the hopes of getting the vengeance he believes he deserves. Next issue "Enter, the great golden Avenger!" British Marvel readers might have read that story in SMCW #111 and #112.

Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD “Braino-saur must succeed!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby and Don Heck

Inker: Joe Sinnott 

Originally published in Strange Tales #140

Cover date January 1966

(Published in October 1965)

I've no idea who drew this second part opening splash page, but who ever it was has done a great job. Nick Fury, now joined by Dum Dum Dugan, Gabe Jones and a task force of SHIELD agents have stormed Hydra headquarters while Tony Stark pilots the space craft called the "Braino-saur" to defuse the Betatron bomb that orbits the Earth. 

Fury even fights against a platoon of Hydra Tigers, elite soldiers, who ride on skateboards! That must have been one of Jack Kirby's crazy ideas that he had from his teenage days growing up on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. The Betatron bomb is defused by Stark and SHIELD defeats Hydra but the Imperial Hydra escapes, still angered over the defection of his daughter. His identity is revealed after he climbs up to Imperial Industries International. He is none other than Leslie Farrington's secretary, Arnold Brown. The Imperial Hydra Stans ready to press the destruct button that will blow up Hydra's headquarters with Fury and his own daughter, Laura, still inside it.

Titanically Talented

This week the runners-up of Marvel's Titanic Art Contest that appeared in The Titans #2 are listed. Each one wins a Marvel Treasury Edition. Now I wouldn't expect you to read them all, unless you want to spot your name, but the first name could be interesting, one Grant T Morrison from Glasgow, It couldn't be, could it? 

Grant T Morrison from Glasgow, Pano Sideras from London, John Bullock from Newport, lan Berry from London, Roy Cudjoe from London, Carl Grundy from Birmingham, Andrew Jarram from Leicester, Paul Weber from Wickford, D Brennan from  Bristol, Surindject Singh from Preston, Brian Smythe from London Derek Harris from Hailsham, Jonathan Nixon from Malvern Link, Evelyn Hands from Herts, Mark Starling from Norwich, Katrina Hurn from Weymouth, R St. Clair from London, Philip Bainbridge from Essex, R Fletcher from Lancashire, Gerald Griffith from London,  Paul Bechingham from Parson Cross, Meirion Jones from Wales, Ben Addison from London, lan Reddie from Scotland Robert Green from Sussex, William Donald from Cambridgeshire, David Lewis from Lancashire, David Rose from Wiltshire, J Santucci from London, David Gordon from Surrey, Alan Brklac from Bedford, Steven Nash from Birmingham, Raymond Mayers from Liverpool, Robert Smith from Norwich, Adrian Turner from Wolverhampton, Peter Jones from Newport, Nigel Fortey from Gloucester, Andrew Kloetzli from Worcestershire, Toby Moore from Herts, Tony O'Donnell from Stirlingshire, Peter Hession from Caversham, Tom Horan from County Offaly, Nigel Kitching from Hutton Rudby, Jacob K Fior from Islington, lan Simms from London, Mark Denham from Rothwell, Michael Sherriff, Paul Smith from Erdington, Stephen Holman from East Sussex, John Bennet from Cheltenham, Paul Brady from London, John Baldwin from Washingborough, Graham Pullen, from Bedford, Alvin Ferris from London, Robert West from Wrexham, D Hornsby from Herts, C Shear from Liverpool, Gorwell Roberts from Gwynedd, Henry Radzki from Cheshire, Geoffrey Smallwood from Middlesbrough, Philip Quail from Swansea, Paul Grunwell from Leeds, Tony Fyfe from Croydon, Simon Child from London, Tim Kong from Yorkshire, Mark Lovatt from West Midlands, Colin Perrott from Maidstone, Stephen Friel from Chatham, Mark Alan Rogers from Merseyside, Alan Ewins from Middlesex, Garry Selemba from Luton, Myron Semeniuk from Leicester, Tony Clarke from Chorleywood, P Frewin from Norfolk, John Parkinson from Dewsbury, David Ness from Aberdeen, Michael Barrett, Epsom Downs, Stafford Benjamin from London, Grahame Wood from Newcastle, Richard Wilkins from Glam, Stephen Scrase from Brighton, Glenn Farry from Middlesex, R Parker from Barrow-in-Furness, Marcus McConnell from London, Andrew Bailey from Birmingham, Jeffrey Lucy from London, Paul Beecham from Surrey, Andrew K Robb from Chelmsford and William Simpson from Londonderry.

Captain America “The final sleep”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby and George Tuska

Inker: George Tuska

Originally published in Tales to Astonish #74

Cover date February 1966

(Published in November 1965)

Captain America races into a NATO base in the hopes that he can find a way to stop the Red Skull's sleeper robots, after he was unable to stop either of the first two. The combined robots have started to terrorise the German countryside with its deadly ray killing all who stand in its deadly path, even a mad old nazi who praises the rebirth of third reich is obliterated by the robot's lethal beam. Captain America explains to the NATO General how the first sleeper, a walking giant robot, had joined together with the second Sleeper robot that looked like a flying manta ray. 

General Logan and Captain America begins working with NATO forces by deploying tanks and troops from the land and air planes in the sky to stop the two Sleeper robots from reaching the third Sleeper. Meanwhile in a slumbering town not too far away the third nazi agent , after waiting patiently for over two decades completes the Red Skull's orders by releasing the third Sleeper, killing himself in the process. The third Sleeper robot, a giant flying skull head, powered by three rockets under its neck and a disk on its temple, rendezvous with the other two in mid-air. With this final device, it plots a course to the North Pole where it is programmed to fire a blast deep into the planets core and cause the entire Earth to explode. Hitching a ride north on a NATO plane Cap leaps out of the bomb doors and onto the second Sleeper's wings, with a flame thrower strapped to his back, which he uses to damage the device causing it to crash into the ocean and explode just after he parachutes cleanly away, saving the world from destruction. The Skull's plan had failed, the World still belongs to the brave and the just and the free!

Captain Marvel “Behind the mask of Zo!”

Writer: Archie Goodwin

Artist: Don Heck

Inker: Syd Shores

Originally published in Captain Marvel #16

Cover date September 1969

(Published in June 1969)

On a mission for the godlike being called Zo Captain Mar-Vell has been taken prisoner by the followers of Tam-Bor. Mar-Vell bursts free and attempts to destroy a magnetic device with which Zo has told Mar-Vell that the cult plan to use to threatens the universe. When Ronan the Accuser tries to stop Mar-Vell, however, Ronan fails and Mar-Vell succeeds in destroying the magnetic device inside Tam-Bor by hurling his helmet into the mechanism which he has set to self-destruct. 

Meanwhile back on Earth, Carol Danvers awakens in a hospital. FBI agents come to question her about Walter Lawson, but still dazed and confused Carol leaves the hospital, only just missing them. Outside the building a car pulls over to offer her a lift. The driver is Colonel Yon-Rogg, Mar-Vell's enemy. On Kree-Lar before Ronan can kill Mar-Vell in combat, the Supreme Sentry arrives. Ronan battles the Sentry but it simply banishes the Accuser. The Supreme Sentry then transports Mar-Vell to the planet Hala and brings him before the Supreme Intelligence. The Supreme Intelligence tells Mar-Vell that he was being manipulated and that Zo was really Zarek, the former Imperial Minister of the Kree Empire, who had been working with Ronan the Accuser to try to use Mar-Vell as a tool to overthrow the Kree empire and seize power for themselves.

With their plot revealed Zarek tries to destroy the Supreme Intelligence with a Negatron Sphere, Mar-Vell shields the blast with his body. Somehow miraculously he survives. The Supreme Intelligence explains that the Negatron Sphere had been rendered inert, thanks to his sanctuary being fully equipped to neutralised  the most powerful of weapons. In payment for his willingness to sacrifice himself for the Supreme Intelligence, the Intelligence honours Mar-Vell with a special uniform and new powers, allowing him to return to Earth to get revenge against Yon-Rogg. But Mar-Vell's sympathies for Earth make it impossible for him to ever advance beyond the rank of Captain. However, flying on his way to Earth, a delayed side effect of the Negatron Sphere causes Mar-Vell to suddenly find himself pulled into "the Negative Zone!"

A new look and direction for the Captain plus a new line-up (well slightly,) to the Titans. Come back and discover that and more from the British Marvel Mags from 50 years ago, in next week's blog. Til then...

See you in seven.

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