Caught between stone and a hard place!

 Week Ending 16th August 1975

Well it's been a busy week at the Beehive putting together this week's blog, but I did have time to visit the grand reopening of Forbidden Planet's legendary Liverpool store. The Forbidden Planet media team with Andrew Sumner were at the beating heart of Bold Street to capture the day of the reopening. As much as I enjoy re-reading old classic comics from my collection and support modern comics through my subscriptions or Kickstarter pledges to various titles, there is nothing that brings back the youthful joy of buying comics than browsing through a comic shop. With corner shop newsagents and high street franchises on the decline, it's nice to support these centres of pop-culture. I know that some shops can be glorified pop figure and manga shops, but each to their own. Liverpool's FB is one of the best for comics and books. Any way back to the 8th of August 1975... 

The Mighty World of Marvel #150

Last week's end panel from the Hulk/Defenders story gets its full colour debut as this week's cover. Draw by Ron Wilson and inked by Dan Adkins, it's certainly functional and even though all three super-stars are depicted flying, or in the Hulk's case leaping through the air, it does feel a little static.

The Incredible Hulk “Death on Bald Mountain”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Ross Andru

Inker: Sal Buscema

Originally published in Marvel Feature #2

Cover date March 1972

(Published in October 1972)

Last week's cover art by Ron Wilson is repurposed for this week's second part opener. Other than the title and credits no text is used on this page which doesn't help the reader if they didn't read last week's issue. A catch-up box would have helped to segue from the opening page to the next page that features a spectacled man who tells a young couple a "Halloween story" about the "red glow" that has appeared above Bald Mountain. With this week's cover appearing at the end of last week's strip the panel that it replaced would have introduced Tom Fagan as the story teller with Roy and Jeanie Thomas the eager listeners, who are as many of you might know as this story's author and his first wife. Ton Fagan would make his first chronicle appearance in The Avengers weekly issue 130 in the week ending the 13th March 1976. I would have hoped that the missing panel was squeezed in under the opening page art, but sadly it wasn't which makes the second page a bit of a waste.

Doctor Strange has been kidnapped by disciples of the Dread Dormammu, but Clea, using the Orb of Agamotto has sent out a distress call of sorts, that reached the Hulk and the Sub-Mariner. Both allies head toward Rutland in Vermont to answer "the Doctor's call." Both heroes have to avoid the local police, while they do we find out the reason for the sighting of a "red glow" over Bald Mountain. Dormammu's followers intend to sacrifice Doctor Strange in a spell that will open a rift where their evil master can pass through into our dimension. Meanwhile Namor and the Hulk stumble around in the dark Rutland back streets, bumping into one another and causing a disturbance. Luckily Clea and Wong arrive to calm the situation by bringing clothes to hide Namor and Bruce Banner, after she has calmed the green brute with hypnotism. The exciting conclusion of "Nightmare on Bald Mountain" appears next week.

The Mighty Marvel Mailbag

Michael Robb RFO, KOF from Essex offers his opinion on British Marvel's seven weeklies. So the key points are, MWOM, Hulk has been excellent since the beginning, Gene Colan is the only artist for Daredevil and the same applies to Jack Kirby on Fantastic Four. SMCW, the Romita, Kane and Lee stories with Doc Ock were brilliant. Gene Colan is magnificent on Iron Man, Thor is OK. The Avengers weekly, the Avengers covers are better than the guest cover stars. The Master of Kung Fu in London is epic. POTA, Michael is so glad that the Apeslayer has finished, he would rather have stories about the films. Dracula Lives, the Dracula's story is always improving and Gene Colan must be kept on Drac. Mike Ploog is the only artist for Werewolf. SSOC, Conan must never be chopped in half. Kull is even better than Conan. The Super-Heroes, the covers are excellent, the Surfer is great, but the artwork on the X-Men is a little lacking. Russell Boyce from Cambridgeshire criticises Trevor Jones who wrote in MWOM #127 that he's fed up with reading about people claiming no-prizes for boobs. Russell says "well, Trevor, if we didn't point out boobs, Marvel won't get any better." David Eagles from Yorkshire complains that the American mags like the Hulk, Spider-man and the Avengers aren't getting to the UK. Is it due to the fact that American issues harm the sale of the UK black and white mags. Yet American issues of Fantastic Four and Daredevil, who both appear regularly in Mighty World of Marvel, are available, but they don't harm sales. After buying the Marvel Annual from 1972 from a friend Andrew Coster from Essex writes in to give his opinion of it. Well its better late than never.

Daredevil “Tonight, I almost died laughing!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Dan Adkins

Originally published in Daredevil #44

Cover date September 1968

(Published in July 1968)

The eleventh page of the original strip from Daredevil issue 44 comes at the right point in the story as that splash page is easily turned into an opening splash page with a new story title, catch up box and the credits are neatly added to the side of the bridge. Daredevil has arriving at the George Washington Bridge where he gets into a scuffle with the Jester's alter-ego Jonathan Powers, who's plan seems to have worked as the press have turned up for the event. 

Powers acting makes it seem as though Daredevil is trying to kill him, Powers then forces Daredevil to knock him from the bridge where he secretly escapes aboard a hidden submarine. With the body of Powers "lost" Daredevil is accused of murder and he flees the scene. As the general public's anger goes against Daredevil the Jester takes even more advantage of the situation by changing back in his Jester guise and then takes over a TV studio to demand that Daredevil meet him in combat. Knowing that it might be a trap Matt Murdock is keen to turn up as Daredevil as it opens an opportunity to stop the villain. However when Daredevil meets up with the Jester who overpowers him with exploding kernels of popcorn, just as the Police turn up to surround them. Will Daredevil survive "the dregs of defeat"? Find out next week.  

The Fantastic Four “His mission: Destroy the Fantastic Four!”

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Joe Sinnott 

Originally published in The Fantastic Four #68

Cover date November 1967

(Published in August 1967)

The Fantastic Four visit Alicia, who is still in hospital after the event that ended with her rescue from the Beehive, as seen in MWOM #146. The tender moment between Ben and Alicia is soured when Ben implies that he is taking advantage of her blindness as a selfish means of dating her. Later Reed asks him what's wrong. Ben admits that he has doubts that Alicia would remain with him if she ever got her eyesight back and saw what he really looked like. Reed reassures Ben that Alicia truly loves him.

The story takes the reader to a hidden subterranean chamber to find strange figures who have kidnapped chemist Doctor Santini and taken him to their mysterious master who exposes Santini to his "hypno-lenses" to find out why Reed Richards had hired him. Reed had wanted Santini as an expert in chemistry who could help try and find a cure for the Thing's condition. This gives their mysterious enemy just the right avenue to get revenge against his hated foes. While back at the Baxter Building, Reed conducts another test on Ben's body in his ongoing quest to try and find a means to cure his friend. He tells Ben that with the help of Doctor Santini he may be able to create a cure that will be permanent this time around. The pair exit the lab and catch Sue trying on her new modified mini-skirt costume. She wanted to have it as a surprise so she turns invisible, which Reed sees as an opportunity to lighten Ben's mood by having a playful chase between husband and wife. 

When Reed wraps himself around his wife, Ben helps her out by blowing so hard that Reed is thrown off of her. This makes Reed happy since it appears that Ben is acting like his old self again. Elsewhere at a nearby garage, Johnny has taken his girlfriend Crystal to see his new hotrod and his friends. When one of them begins to flirt with Crystal, Johnny gets jealous and gives him a literal hot foot. Upset by Johnny's immaturity, Crystal summons up a whirlwind with her elemental powers to shake things up a bit. Turing our attention to the mysterious foe, who completes his disguise so that he looks identical to Doctor Santini as part of his plan for revenge against the Fantastic Four. Back at their headquarters, Ben puts on his best suit to greet their guest, but it bursts at the seams because he was holding his breath to put it on. Not a good start to make a first impression, find out how it goes next week.

Spider-man Comics Weekly #131

If you look closely to the cracked plaster on the wall left of the cover you can see John Romita Sr's signature. He pencilled and inked this cover originally for the Amazing Spider-man issue 97. It's a classic cover, mainly for the iconic image of Spider-man wrestling with the Green Goblin, which could be cut and pasted into a number of merchandise. The one difference between the American and the UK version is that the SMCW version is cropped slightly at the top & bottom and a word bubble added with dialogue from Spider-man. It's my Cover of the Week.

Spider-man “In the grip of the Goblin!”

 Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Gil Kane

Inker: Frank Giacoia

Originally published in the Amazing Spider-man #97

Cover date June 1971

(Published in March 1971)

Norman Osborn has regained his memory of his villainous personality the Green Goblin, much to the shock of Spider-man who had stumbled upon him. while investigating the theatre where Mary Jane had performed hours before, when a locked door had set off his spider-sense, After a brief battle across the city, the Goblin escapes vowing to strike back at his arch nemesis.

As much as John Romita Sr. is my all time favourite Spider-man artist, there is something about Gil Kane's art that makes the battle between Spider-man and the Green Goblin an absolute joy to read. The action is so dynamic it can become bigger than the frame, like this panel that sees the Goblin's blast the web-slinger over the edge of the boarder.

With becoming temporary disorientated Spider-man has to take a breather while he recovers, the Goblin thinks that Spidey has fallen to his death. When he does recover the Goblin is too far away to stop him so he changes back to his civilian identity. Peter worries about the damage the Goblin can do now that he remembers who Peter really is. Returning home, he finds Harry who is stressed out over his turbulent relationship with Mary Jane, blaming Peter for playing along with her flirting. Peter thinks he's making a mountain out of a molehill and that she is just trying to make him jealous. Harry doesn't want to listen and wants to take some pills to get rid of his headache and go to sleep. Peter is concerned with Harry's pill popping. Leaving Harry to flake out, Peter looks into his roommate's medicine cabinet which is full of pills to keep him up, pills to relax him and pills to help him sleep. Peter is worried that Harry is dependent on them even though he's got everything going for him. More problems for Peter and his roommate in "a friend in need!"

The Web and the Hammer

Andrew Lees RFO, QNS from Manchester compliment Stan Lee on his latest publication "Origins of Marvel Comics." He found it fascinating how the seeds of the ideas for the classic characters were first planted in Stan's mind and how you chose the right artists for the personality of each new hero he dreamed up. The representation of the actual comic strips and covers was superb. Andrew has a little bit of gossip, while at a terrific Manchester Fantasy convention he was told by a comics dealer recently that Jack Kirby would be returning to Marvel, so he asks is there any truth to this rumour? The editor doesn't confirm it but adds they would like to confirm it. Paul Kane from Manchester tells of how he picked up his six Marvel mags at his local newsagents and heard a lady say, "He's sixteen and he gets a Spider-man comic each week!" He replied "People. They don't understand what Marvel's all about. They don't understand that it's more than Super-hero v. Super-Villain. It's something that you want to die for. It's higher than your devotion to your country." Philip Walsh from Gloucestershire goes into great detail over how Thor got his hammer. It starts off with Loki cutting off Sif's hair which got Thor angry so Loki went to the Dark Elves to get her new hair. Loki goes on a number of mis-adventures, but you'll have to read Philip's letter to find out how Thor ends up with Mjolnir.

Gary Wilson RFO, KOF, from Nottinghamshire thinks that Marvel are not putting the stories in the British Marvels in the order that they came in the American Marvels. For example  "The Overmind", "The Airwalker", "Fantastic Four and Galacatus" and "The Coming of Ragnorak". The editor writes "As a general rule the stories that we feature in our British Marvel mags DO appear in chronological order. The exceptions are when an adventure contains an item of information  or a sequence that would puzzle readers who are not acquainted with THE WHOLE of Marvel background. But that isn't necessary all that often. But sometimes perhaps we like to save the best stories for later." The Web and the Hammer also heard from John Sweeney from Nottingham, Jonathan Turton from Sheffield, Valling McLeary from London, Paul Nutton from Halifax, D Manton from Birmingham, Steve Odell from Luton, Simon Hillman from Brighton, James Grundy from Bolton, lan Evans from Wales, Richard Porter and Kevin Dineen from London. M Ross from Sussex, Colin Smith from Middlesex, Paul Kennedy from Harrogate, J Foster from Leeds, Robert Jones from Newport, Mark Cobb from London, David Bell from Wokingham and I Watson from Leeds.

Iron Man “If a man be stone!”

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Frank Giacoia

Originally published in Tales of Suspense #95

Cover date  November 1967

(Published in June 1967)

Returning back from Vietnam Tony Stark finds his factory under full alert because somebody had broken in. Taking a group of security guards, they burst in to find that the intruder is SHIELD agent Jasper Sitwell. The rookie agent has just been assigned by Nick Fury to protect Stark Industries during Tony Stark and Iron Man's regular absences.

Jaspers is keen and eager and in many ways a pain in the arse. But Stark has to allow him to stay considering that the US government and SHIELD are two of Stark Industries biggest customers. Meanwhile Paul Duval, in his criminal guise of the Grey Gargoyle has escaped from prison. The Gargoyle had previously fought Thor in SMCW #30 and was last seen crashing  Reed Richards and Sue Storm's wedding in MWOM #92 and #93. Presumably, Doctor Doom's machine had plucked him from prison only to be returned there when Reed used the Watcher's machine, or the prison he had escaped from in this story was the one he was sent to following his first battle with Thor. Who knows? In the Marvel universe you can't keep a good (bad) villain behind bars for long. The Gargoyle finds out from the papers about Stark Industries development of a cobalt super-weapon, which he hopes to steal in order to use to obtain Thor's Hammer, as he believes it will grant him immortality.

The Gargoyle attacks Stark Industries turning any who get in his way into stone. Jaspers feels duty bound to stop the stone faced intruder, which allows Stark the opportunity to change into Iron Man. Having heard of the Grey Gargoyle from conversations with Thor he tries to confront the attacker, but Jasper gets in the way, attacking the fiend with sleeping gas, released from a SHIELD pen. But the Gargoyle's touch turns the now useless weapon into stone for his troubles. Iron Man continues to fight the Grey Gargoyle, but eventually the villain's cold grip begins to slowly turn his hand into  stone. Agent Jasper races outside to call SHIELD for back-up. Will they arrive in time? Find out next week. 

The Mighty Thor “Galactus is born!”

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Vince Colletta

Originally published in The Mighty Thor #162

Cover date March 1969

(Published in January 1969)

Following last week's battle against Galactus, Thor and the Recorder return to the Regillan home world where the Recorder downloads the information he collected during their adventure. As per procedure once a mission has been completed, the Recorder is deactivated. However having seen the Recorder display emotions and act beyond its programming, Thor manages to convince the High Commissioner that the Recorder is more than a mere machine and he should be kept activated. Thor then departs, using the enchanted Mjolnir to teleport back to Asgard.

Upon arriving at the Rainbow Bridge Thor is greeted by Heimdall and the Warriors Three who carry Thor back to the royal palace. There he is greeted in Odin's absence by Torger, the Cosmic Counsellor, who informs the Thunder Gods that Odin has been observing the cosmic battle between Thor and Galactus and is concerned that the danger is ever present. Just then a horn is sounded to the approach of Odin the living omnipotence, who next week may well bring revelations about "the origin of Galactus!" Find out what they are next week.

After appearing in black and white on the inside back cover of last week's Mighty World of Marvel this advert get's it's first colour outing on the back page of this week's Spider-man Comics Weekly. But it doesn't appear in any other comic this week, which does feel strange as you would want to give it loads of exposure during the summer months as it would make excellent summer holiday reading. Still on sale, one hundred pages in full colour, featuring Marvel's mightiest monster in six Hulk smashing tales. Including "The Origin of the Hulk!" from the Incredible Hulk #3, (as seen in MWOM #100,) "The Titan and the Torment!" from Tales to Astonish #79, (MWOM #32,) "Let There Be Battle!" from Tales to Astonish #100, (MWOM #43,) "Many Foes Has the Hulk!" from the Incredible Hulk #139, (MWOM#107,) "His Name is... Samson!" from the Incredible Hulk #140 (MWOM #109,) and "Cry: Monster!" from Marvel Feature #11. All that for only fifty pence!

Avengers Weekly #100

Keith Pollard draws this hundredth fantastic issue's cover, with the headline saying it all, "starring the greatest line-up of heroes in the world!" Which is absolutely true. It was very close to being my Cover of the Week, mainly because it was a landmark issue, but that wasn't enough. These multiple heroes covers look really cool but are they starting to become a bit too repetitive? The inker for this artwork is by John Tartaglione. 

Conan the Barbarian “The menace of the Monoliths”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Barry Windsor-Smith

Inker: Dan Adkins, Craig Russell, Val Mayerik and Sal Buscema

Originally published in Conan the Barbarian #21

Cover date December 1972

(Published in September 1972)

This week's opening Conan splash page was commissioned especially for this story's second part, but I have no idea who drew it. Conan having joined the Makkalet army as a mercenary and had been sent out to get reinforcements from the queen's father to fight against the Turanian occupying force. Queen Melissandra gives him a rune-carved armlet and had asked the leader of Conan's party, Khurusan, to take a detour and perform certain rites to ensure Makkalet victory. 

They arrive at a glade with two towering obelisks, silhouetted in the star lit sky where the ceremony will take place. To Conan's surprise Khurusan kills the monoliths caretaker, a blind hermit called Justin and his men beat Conan into unconsciousness. He awakes to find himself and the caretaker's daughter tied to an altar, in preparation for their sacrifice. It seems that Conan's death had been their intention all along. Khurusan then kills the other soldiers to leave no witnesses. He starts the ritual, killing the girl to open the way for one of the older gods to come through from another world. Above the monoliths something shimmers, blotting out the moon and stars, congealing like clots of blood forming an almost humanoid toad-like monster. Conan manages to break his bonds and scrambles away, but the toad-creature follows. He tries in vain to kill the creature, but its death charge is relentless. Conan realises that the armlet the Queen gave him has the same runes as those on the monolith and it is calling to the creature. He tosses it to a surprised Khurusan. The creature pounces and devours the soldier, then vanishes. Conan decides, since he gave his word, to continue his journey to recruit soldiers for Makkalet's cause. This period of  Barry Windsor-Smith's career is properly his best, as a fan I want more and luckily I only have to wait seven days for more of it in "the shadow of the vulture!"

Assemble!

Larry Gordon wrote this letter not so that it gets printed but because he wants it to be taken notice of. His main complaint is for the Conan artwork. It's nothing to do with Barry Windsor-Smith's art, but because of the unnecessary drawing of items of clothing or changes to the clothing altogether on scantily-dressed or semi-nude females. Are they trying to ruin Barry's artwork or are they afraid that someone like Mary Whitehouse will complain? Larry adds "Come on! There's only one Mary Whitehouse and thousands of Marvelites! It's not as if these pictures are going to increase the sexual desires of all male readers." He points out the similar mistake that Stan Lee mentioned in "Origin of Marvel Comics", when he wrote, "As for our audience, we all assumed our readers primarily belonged to the bubble-gum parade but basically our readers ranged from toddlers to kids the age of thirteen or fourteen, or so we thought."  Paul Cooper from Liverpool had his name printed in the "we have also heard from..." in Avengers weekly #91, but now gets a full letter printed in which he writes that he took som old Marvels into his 6th form common room. In the past they had mocked him, but after reading a couple of issues they became firm Marvel fans and asked what happened next, so he said "Buy the next issue and find out." Colin French RFO, KOF, QNS, from Middlesex thinks that Roy Thomas and John Buscema have really lifted the Avengers up with their imaginative and well-conceived plots. He also has praise from the current run of Hulk stories. Colin wants the "We have also heard from..." column dropped. as it's not even vaguely interesting, even to the person who has written in. Chris Dal Gleish (should that be Dalglish?) from Cheshire admits he's only written in to see his name in print! And here in the blog it is again.

The Avengers “We stand at...armageddon!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: John Buscema

Inker: George Klein

Originally published in The Avengers #67

Cover date August 1969

(Published in June 1969)

It turns out that I didn't have to wait seven days to have some more great Barry Windsor-Smith art, but while the previous strip had seen Barry doing his best Conan, here he is doing his best Kirby impression. And that is pretty damn good. Continuing from last week's issue, the top floor of the Avengers mansion blows up. The explosion comes from the newly resurrected Ultron-6. 

The Vision while under Ultron-5's influence had stolen the newly created supper-metal, Adamantium and forged his master a new indestructible body from it. Even with the combined efforts of Thor, Iron Man, Goliath, Yellowjacket, Black Panther and the Wasp aren't enough to stop the mad android. Elsewhere the Vision becomes frustrated with his own actions, he had retrieved the severed head of Ultron-5 that lay rusting in the rubble of a demolished slum, as seen in Avengers weekly #85, and brought it to the Avengers mansion to infuse it with the complex computer there. He realises that Ultron must have hidden a subliminal message deep inside his mind that if his body was destroyed he would construct him a new form when the time was right. A solution to put things right comes to mind to help him act against the one who gave him life. What that is we'll have to discover for ourselves next week.

 

Master of Kung Fu “Lions in Winter”

Writer: Doug Moench

Artist: Paul Gulacy

Inker: Dan Adkin 

Originally published in Master of Kung Fu #30

Cover date July 1975

(Published in April 1975)

In this week's second part the cover from Master of Kung Fu issue 30 by Gil Kane (pencils,) and Dan Adkins (inks,) is repurposed as the opening splash page with the opening text taken from last week's opening page, which must have saved the editors from writing a fresh re-cap intro. A new story title and credit box is added. Carlton Velcro, a drug baron has captured agents Clive Reston and Black Jack Tarr who resist his questioning. He's so impatient for answers he threatens to throw the pair into the pit of panthers. 

While waiting on the rendezvous seaplane Sir Denis Nayland Smith and Doctor Petrie argue over how long they should wait for their agents to return. Petrie wants to go by the book, however Smith has other ideas and for the first time he goes against standard procedure and decides on a different plan of action. He radios his office in Marseilles, requesting a motor launch full of explosives. Earlier in this weekly Barry Windsor-Smith was doing his interpretation of Jack Kirby, here Paul Gulacy is doing his best interpretation of a Bruce Lee film. And his best is excellent. So much so I wonder if Marvel ever got sued for image infringement? Shang-Chi appears holding his clenched fist up above his head and threatens to drop what he's holding. Velcro assumes it's a bomb and lets them go. Minutes later, he triggers a ramp to collapse, sending Shang-Chi, Tarr, and Reston tumbling into a pit filled with very hungry panthers. As the wild cats start to approach Reston calls Shang-Chi to toss the bomb he's holding. Shang-Chi throws the stone ear at his feet. 

He notices a door nearby. The panthers move forward with slow caution as Shang-Chi allows Reston and Tarr to go first, luckily the door is unlocked and they escape before the panthers lunge. Once outside the pit the agents fall through a loose grate, down a metal shaft. At the bottom where they discover that Velcro's ultimate objective was not to be the king of the heroin dealing underworld, but the empire of the world, with the help of his own personal nuclear arsenal. Doug Moench and Paul Gulacy go from their most Bruce Lee to their most James Bond with effortless ease. So if like me you love Bruce Lee and James Bond you'll want to come back next week to witness the start of this story's cataclysmic conclusion that guarantees the return of Razor-Fist, a sleek lady with a panther and a missile machine as it reaches armageddon minus one in the next episode,"Snowbuster!"

The inside back page features an advert for an Airfix model kit, the Crusader III tank from the 1/32 scale series 8. New to the world's biggest range of construction kits. The advert isn't just for the tank it also gives technical details for the actual tank, as well as some of the history of the tanks operation during World War Two, when it first appeared in the summer of 1942. The design of the 'heavy cruiser' Crusader series was started in 1938 by the War Office's Mechanisation Board in conjunction with Nuffield Mechanisation and Aero Limited. It provided the hard pressed Eighth army with a tank capable of matching the Africa Korps

Panzer III's and early MKIVs in firepower, if not in armour protection, during the crucial battle of El Alamein in October 1942. As part of the 6th Armoured Division in Tunisia North Africa the Crusader Ill's, played an important part of the Allied First Army in Operation Torch. In tank versus tank battles the it was favoured due to the Crusader's low profile in the undulating terrain.

Dinky Toys claimed the colour back page for its advert, that featured the Japanese A6 M5 Zero Sen aircraft, Model No. 739, with its 184mm wingspan. It also featured a motor driven propellor, powered by battery, a retractable undercarriage and two sets of transfers. Or if sci-fi was more your thing you could have an Eagle Transporter, Model No.359, from Gerry Anderson's new TV series Space 1999. It stands at 222mm long. Find it zooming into the year 2000 from all good shops now! Finally there's the Static 88mm gun with its crew, Model No.662. At a 1/35th scale it is 185 mm long, with a gun that rotates on its base and a barrel elevates to fire shells.

 

Dracula Lives #43

This cover would have felt more fitting on last week's Dracula Lives than last week's cover. Drawn by Gil Kane with Tom Palmer inks. It's actually a really good cover and I think the British version is better than the Tomb of Dracula issue 20 version, because the background colours in the weekly version is more realistic with the snow filled blue sky, as opposed to the red sky original. If you considered this cover to be this week's CotW I won't disagree with you. I love the top headline that summons up this weekly, "The world's mightiest monsters!" Nuff said!

Dracula “Man-hunt for a monster!”

Writer: Marv Wolfman

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Tom Palmer

Originally published in Tomb of Dracula #20

Cover date May 1974

(Published in January 1974)

The second part of this vampire tale opens with the repeated cover art from the front of the comic. A new story title and credit box are added but the word balloons from the original artwork are retained. Poor Tom Palmer's name is absent from the credits. Dracula in his leathery bat form flits through the snow drenched sky, until the storm begins to churn up a fury that makes it impossible to continue. The Lord of Darkness only half-sees a vague oriental looking face before he collapses with exhaustion and succumbs to his own personal darkness.

In Northern Ireland Lucas Brand is finally allowed into Sun's laboratory to meet the Doctor, who he's shocked to discover that Doctor Sun is merely a brain encased inside a glass container. Elsewhere, Dracula revives to find himself in a strange location bound with cloves of garlic to a pillar. Doctor Sun's aid, Professor Morgo, explains that they have been attempting to learn about and capture Dracula for the past four years and thanks to Clifton Graves they have finally succeeded. Graves mocks Dracula and strikes out at him, explaining that after being left to die on an exploding cruise ship, as seen in Dracula Lives #21, he was rescued by Doctor Sun's men. They saved his life even though he would be horribly scarred by the explosion. Graves mocks Dracula again by spilling blood in front of the hungered vampire, who retaliates by striking Clifton with his foot. Morgo breaks up the fight by temporarily impaling Dracula in the chest. On the mountain side, Frank and Rachel discover a man-made structure and decide to search it. Inside the self same building, Dracula breaks free and fights off both Graves and Morgo. While Graves is down, Dracula feeds on Morgo getting his much needed blood. Resuming his attack on Graves, the battle is interrupted by the arrivals of Doctor Sun's guards as well as Frank and Rachel. Rachel attempts to stake Dracula with an arrow, however Dracula shields himself with Clifton's body. Suddenly Doctor Sun arrives with Lucas Brand, they use a device to paralyse them. Doctor Sun explains he intends to challenge Dracula for the throne as king of vampires. Discover more of "the sinister scheme of Doctor Sun!" next week.

Cryptic Correspondence

Ann Marie Robinson from Norwich thought that idea of Dracula's diary from Dracula Lives #34 was the best idea Marv Wolfman has come up with yet. Micheal Robinson from Surrey recently went to an Alex Harvey Band concert at the Fairfields Halls, where he sang "Give My Regards to Sgt. Fury" and before he sang "Vambo Rod"' (one of his songs) he said that Vambo was a cross between Santa Claus and Captain Mar-Vell! Music and comics! John J Burnett QNS from Coventry has read Dracula Lives and SMCW for two and a half years and wonders whether he should be classed as an old or new reader? I would say John is in his teenage years. Neil Fisher from St Helens writes that Dracula Lives from issues 20 to 23 was sensational and Blade is cool! Marv Wolfman did a great job as a storyteller and the art was superb from cover to finish. With Jack Able is an able inker, but Tom Palmer is the only inker for Gene Colan. He adds that mysterious look to the panels!

Werewolf by Night “A night in hairy armour!”

Writer: Mike Friedrich

Artist: Don Perlin

Inker: Don Perlin

Originally published in Werewolf by Night #17

Cover date May 1974

(Published in February 1974)

This week's second part features not only a horrible and I mean not in a good way, story title but also the terrible cover from Werewolf by Night issue 17 by Gil Kane (pencils,) and Frank Giacoia (inks,) on the opening page which preludes events that will happen very soon. What does happen first is Jack Russell transforms into the Werewolf, having had forgotten that the full moon was about to start its first night. Jack wasn't the only one to forget their lunar calendar, Mike Friedrich wrote that it had been nearly a month since the Werewolf had remembered the forests of Transylvania, but wouldn't the beast have remembered the cold tarmac of a Parisian airport or the heights of a bell tower in Notre Dame as his last transformation? Mike wrote that story from only two week's ago. I do find Friedrich's work a little slap-dash at times.

Don Perlin's art makes up a little for Friedrich's short comings but I still miss Mike Ploog's horror art. Baron Thunder, the Committee's secret leader has sent his creation, a stone behemoth automaton to Jack's apartment to capture the Werewolf. However the savagery of the Werewolf is more than a match for the stone Behemoth, who looses first one hand, than the other, before the giant living statue drives its foot down on top of the Werewolf a unheard command causes the Behemoth to turn and leave the way it came. The beast was about to chase it but Topaz stops it by using her mental powers to transform the beast back into Jack. Her constant efforts to control the Werewolf are burning out her powers. Despite her feelings for him she decides it's best to return to India and strengthen them again. Later Jack cleans up the mess when Lieutenant Hackett shows up at Jack's apartment, looking for the Werewolf. Does he know he's come to the right place? Find out in next week's "Ma Mayhem!"

The Living Mummy “When the Mummy walks!”

Writer: Steve Gerber

Artist: Rich Buckler

Inker: Frank Chiaramonte

Originally published in Supernatural Thrillers #5

Cover date August 1973

(Published in May 1973)

Rich Buckler, Frank Giacoia with some help from John Romita Sr.'s cover from Supernatural Thrillers issue five is used as this week's second part opening splash page, with a new story title and credit box added. If you wanted a easy re-cap box you're out of luck as all you're getting is a message from the editor that the origin of the Living Mummy had just been told by Doctor Scarab last week, so if you missed that issue you'll have to "stand in the corner". 

Doctor Skarab concludes his tale to Janice and Ron with the knowledge that he knows the history of Nephrus because he is a direct descendant of the cruel vizier. Ironically, moments after Skarab finishes his tale, the Mummy of N'Kantu begins terrorising the streets of Cairo. Almost as if it is being lead by an unknown force, the creature eventually arrives at the museum and collapses onto the floor. Even though Doctor Skarab has great respect for N'Kantu's plight, he knows that the Mummy is too dangerous to let live and begins shooting at it. Bullets prove to be ineffective as N'Kantu rises. Skarab and the others run for safety as the Mummy begins stalking the streets once again. Police cars converge around him. The Living Mummy brandishes an electricity pole like a weapon. Though immortal and superhumanly strong, the Mummy cannot withstand the intense voltage from the electric lines that sends it collapsing unconscious to the ground. Over the smouldering body Doctor Skarab warns the police that the Mummy could still be alive and dangerous, he asks that it should be given over to him for examination. Find out what. his examination reveals next week.

Planet of the Apes #43

Last week's Planet of the Apes strip's opening splash page art makes its full colour debut as this week's cover. More in time with this week's story it look's better here, mainly because of the colour presentation. UK commissioned Planet of the Apes covers aren't going to set the work alight with their magnificence, but they do a job and get Apes fans to pick up the weekly from the newsagents shelves. This one by Keith Pollard (pencils,) and Aubrey Bradford (inks,) is fine, but nothing more.

The inside front page features a photo taken from the 1970 Beneath the Planet of the Apes film, of two of the mutant atomic bomb worshipers from the movie. Natalie Trundy played the mutant Albina. Trundy also played Stephanie Branton, a human doctor in the third Ape film Escape from the Planet of the Apes and later returned as the nearer-future chimpanzee Lisa, the mate of Caesar, in the fourth and fifth Ape films Conquest of the Planet of the Apes and Battle for the Planet of the Apes. Being a great talented actor won her those various roles and not the fact that her second husband was Arthur P Jacobs, the producer of the Apes movie series. Her co-star in this image is Victor Buono, an actor, comic possibly best known for playing the villain King Tut in the Batman television series at various times during 1966 to 1968.  

Planet of the Apes “The children of the bomb”

Writer: Doug Moench

Artist: Alfredo Alcala

Inker: Alfredo Alcala

Originally published in Planet of the Apes (US) #10

Cover date July 1975

(Published in  1975)

Astronaut and ships medic John Brent silently commits blasphemy as he's forced to witness a gruesome religious ceremony performed by the mutated generational survivors of a nuclear war, as they worship their god, an Alpha/Omega nuclear bomb! After the ceremony Brent is taken to a cell to be reunited with Taylor. Nova is taken elsewhere, but the mute human bites her guard and slips free. 

After the two time lost astronauts reacquaint themselves with each other, Brent tells Taylor that he had come with Nova and that the mutants had tried to make him kill her. He wonders why they haven't tried to kill Taylor when the mutant, "Ongoro" as referred to in the movie's promotional material, even though his name was never spoken or mentioned in the film or the comic, tell's them that they are a peaceful people and that they don't kill their enemies. They get their enemies to kill each other. The mutant then uses his mental powers to manipulate Brent into killing his friend. The silent fight goes on for ages as at first they fight with their bare hands, then the mutant throws them knifes to finish each other off. Which they would do if not for the timely arrival of Nova. Shocked to see her male companions fighting the sound of the letter "T", followed by Taylor's name comes from her mouth. Her finding a voice jolts the mutants out of his mind control concentration. Taylor uses this distraction to hurl his knife, killing the mutant. Brent quickly tells Taylor that the mutants have an atomic bomb that is operational and that they intended to use it to stop an invasion of apes. Taylor asks what type of bomb, Brent can only recall it was marked with the greek letters Alpha and Omega. Taylor says "May God help us all, Brent...and damn us with his same breath!" Next issue "the beginning of the end!"

Apes Mail

J Rees from Norwich educates readers about the process of cloning after the story from POTA #29 involved "cloning." He does have some first hand knowledge about the subject as his Dad is a scientist at a research lab. Stuart Howes from Norfolk loves Marvel, Especially the Planet of the Apes. He thinks the first eleven issues were great and adaptions of  the films "Beneath The Planet of The Apes", "Escape from the Planet of The Apes", "Battle" and "Conquest" would be great. Ann, Joyce and Alison Clarke from Essex have read seven books on Planet of The Apes, "Monkey Planet", "Escape", "Beneath", "Battle""Conquest" and the two new ones "Fugitive" and "Escape from Tomorrow", which are adapted from the TV series. And have collected everything related to the Planet of the Apes. They are really big fans of Roddy McDowall. 

Finding the future on the Fox Ranch

Sam Maronie writes this week's article on the behind the scenes of the Planet of the Apes movies and TV series with a good look at the multi-faceted production of the second and third Apes movies, Beneath the Planet of the Apes and Escape the Planet of the Apes, especially regarding sets and settings that use the Fox Ranch backlot in California. It was originally published in the Marvel/Curtis Magazine Planet of the Apes (US,) issue 10 , cover dated July 1975, published May 1975. 

Captain Marvel “Where stalks the Sentry!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Paul Reiman

Originally published in Marvel Super-Heroes #13

Cover date March 1968

(Published in December 1967)

Captain Mar-Vell works on his Universal Beam, or Uni-Beam for short, before he can go back out into the world and continue his mission to learn all he can about the human race. His wrist device contains the full power of the Uni-Beam hand-gun. Stupidly he keeps the empty pistol frame in his cylinder hold-all in case he may need it. Mar-Vell departs the hotel, but not without alerting the unwanted attention of the desk clerk who finds his recent boarder very suspicious.

Testing out his Uni-Beam, Mar-Vell finds it works satisfactory and attempts to return to his ship. Yon-Rogg, the ships jealous Colonel sees this as an opportunity to kill Mar-Vell, Using the ships Laser-beam activator he fires at the Captain just as Mar-Vell returns to the ship, powered by his jet-belt. The shot instead hits an aircraft that crashes to the ground. Mar-Vell investigates the crash and finds the dead body of Doctor Walter Lawson, who Mar-Vell learns was a scientist to be stationed at the Cape Kennedy Space Center. The Kree Captain decides to usurp Lawson's identity for the purpose of his mission. Yon-Rogg prevents Medic Una from sending Mar-Vell any more capsules of the breathing potion he needs to take to survive in Earth's atmosphere. Confined to her quarters Una  uses her medical skills to release through the ships ventilation system a gas that will put the crew to sleep while she transports another breathing capsule to Mar-Vell. The next phase of his mission begins next week.

The Super-heroes #24

Like the Avengers weekly the Super-Heroes is starting to feature multiple heroes covers, which I do like as you certainly get the most for your money. The headline says it all, "Earth's Mightiest Heroes!" But shouldn't that be for the Avengers? The hyperbolised headline is backed up with the cover text boxes  "The sensational Silver Surfer in his deadliest battle ever!" "Have no fear Doc Savage is here!" "And in this corner the Uncanny X-Men!" Relatively new to British Marvel comics covers, artist Dave Hunt drew the cover with Frank Giacoia adding the inks.

Silver Surfer “What price victory?”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: John Buscema

Inker: Dan Adkins

Originally published in Silver Surfer #11

Cover date December 1969

(Published in September 1969)

John Buscema's cover from the Silver Surfer (US,) issue 11 is used as a precursor to this week's events in the second part opening splash page. The Surfer has freed Donna Maria from the South American dictator known as the General and returned her to her home where they are meet by a group of Underground freedom fighters. No sooner has Donna Maria explained that the Surfer is not their enemy than the door is smashed in as the General's army attacks the rebels. The Surfer diffuses the situation by creating an unseen barrier that prevents either sides bullets hitting their targets. Then when he destroys the soldier's weapons the General's men flee. The rebels are mad at the Surfer for letting their enemies leave and the Surfer, annoyed by man's unending violence, leaves in frustration.

At the Generals headquarters Yarro Gort demonstrates the weapons that he has built for him. Suddenly, the Underground fighters attacks the army base. Yarro uses his weapons against them. The use of alien technology draws the attention of the Surfer. Shalla-Bal, not willing harm to come to her beloved, tries to stop Yarro from turning a powerful cannon on to the Surfer and is instead shot by El Capitan. Shocked to see her here, the Surfer swoops up the injured Shalla-Bal. Enraged at his lover's injuries he destroys the cannon with a cosmic blast. Yarro, El Capitan, and the General are all killed in the blast. Now leaderless the occupying army is quickly defeated by the rebel freedom fighters. Shalla-Bal's wounds are too critical to be healed here on Earth, so the Surfer only call of action is to repair the space shuttle and send it with  Shalla-Bal back to Zenn-La, where his race's technology has a better chance of saving her from the near fatal gun shot wound. Sadden that after having only just found her he must lose her again, but the future still beckons and hope springs eternal that with faith their hearts can one day be as one. Next week "Call it Witchcarft!"

Super-Heroes Communication

Rayon Duncan from London is having difficulty in describing just how good the Silver Surfer stories are. Ian Abrahams KOF, QNS from Cornwall describes the Silver Surfer as great but doesn't agree with him taking over the comic as people like the X-Men as well. They need more room to breathe. Leeroy Simpson writes that the Super-Heroes are his favourite British Marvel comic, with the Silver Surfer his favourite super-hero, saying that he is "your greatest brainchild." His one complaint is that the Surfer disposes of his enemies too quickly. Sadly for Leeroy the X-Men aren't as popular with him. Simon Blinkho from Kent describes himself as "a proud RFO and YSM (Younger Started Marvelite) having thrilled to Fantastic, Spider-man and many others at the age of three! (I may not have understood, but I enjoyed them, all the same!)" Simon would love British Marvel to publish a British version of "Not Brand Ecch!"

Doc Savage “The doom on Thunder Isle!”

Writer: Doug Moench

Artist: John Buscema 

Inker: Tony DeZuniga 

Originally published in Doc Savage Vol 2 #1

Cover date August 1975

(Published in June 1975)

The original opening splash page from Doc Savage volume two issue one by John Buscema (pencils,) and Tony DeZuniga (inks,) that had been used in several of the in-house adverts for this series is cut in half and the story title from last week's page thirteen is added and reused as this week's second part opening splash page. The creator's credits are missed out though. After an attack by three mysterious assassins Doc Savage sets his friend's tasks while he with Ham and Johnny set about decoding the message that Winston Tremaine gave to his sister, Angelica, to pass on to Savage. 

Renny and Long Tom return after finding out that the "Lightning guns" used by the assassins use a miniature electrical generator to shoot a very high electrical charge. Savage has cracked the code that leads him to believe that Winston Tremaine is at the Velet Room restaurant, located on Long Island and he is in grave danger. Leaving his friends to look after Angelica Tremaine and her fiancé Thomas Bolt, Savage goes with Monk and flies to Long Island in his custom built Autogyro. Arriving too late they find Winston Tremaine has already been kidnapped but he did manage to leave a message written in near invisible quinine on the table he had sat at. Just then a gentleman arrives who had arranged to meet Tremaine, but before he can tell Doc Savage his name he is killed with the force of a lightning bolt fired from another strangely clad assassin. Savage gives chase but he escapes via a rope ladder up into the thick clouds above the building. Savage has no other choice but to follow in the Autogyro. This exciting serial continues next week!

The X-Men “Triumph in the Savage Land!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Chic Stone

Originally published in The X-Men #10

Cover date March 1965

(Published in January 1965)

Jack Kirby's cover from X-Men issue ten is repurposed as this week second part opening splash page, with a new story title, a new credit box and a new catch-up box. Marvel Girl has been kidnapped by hunters from the Swamp Men tribe. Witnessing the battle, Ka-Zar and Zabu go to the X-Men's aid, frightening off the savages. The Beast thanks Ka-Zar, but he offends the jungle man when he places his hand on his shoulder, prompting him to attack the mutants. The heroes fight their saviour, however this is quickly ended when Ka-Zar's mortal enemy, the ape man Maa-Gor, appears. Ka-Zar easily defeats him, sending him fleeing. After the battle, Ka-Zar agrees to help the X-Men free Marvel Girl from the Swamp Tribe.

Elsewhere, Angel continues scouting the Savage Land when he is also captured by the Swamp Men. At their village he is reunited with Jean and the two are brought to be sacrificed to a deadly Tyrannosaurus Rex. The prospect of being sacrificed caused Marvel Girl to call Angel Scott instead of Warren. Was this a mistake by Stan or was it a very clever long plot device to show how much she loves Cyclops? The sight of the creature also frightens Jean so badly that she cannot concentrate enough to use her telekinetic powers to free herself and Angel from their bindings. Ka-Zar and Zabu arrive with the other X-Men and mount an attack, smashing through the tribes defences with ease. Jean composes herself to use her telekinetic powers to trip up the T-Rex. Freeing the Angel they are able to fly away. Ka-Zar then helps the X-Men dodge the Swamp Men's death traps and calls a herd of charging mastodons to smash through the wooden fence that surrounds the village, making the Swamp Men flee into the jungle in defeat. Cyclops thanks Ka-Zar for his help. The Lord of the Savage Land rejects the X-Men's offer to join them, telling them that the Savage Land is his home. The X-Men return to the surface, Ka-Zar commands the mastodons to cover up the entrance to the Savage Land with boulders to prevent intruders from the outside world from coming to the Savage Land. 

Like the X-Men leaving Ka-Zar I too must bid you farewell for another week, but never fear the blog will return with more stuff and nonsense about the weekly history of British Marvel comics, so till then...

See you in seven.

Make Mine Marvel.