Heroes and Ducks in worlds not their own!

 Week Ending 1st May 1976

This week the Power of the Beesting welcomes a feathered friend. With webbed feet, a cigar in his beak  and an attitude that spouts ill-tempered truths like Tourettes, Howard makes his first British Marvel appearance. A duck after my own heart. All that and lots of stories this week to digest, so read on macduck...

The Mighty World of Marvel #187

This is an historical cover as it's the first time that the Mighty World of Marvel cover doesn't feature the Hulk in someway, not counting the corner box. This specially commissioned British weekly cover features the original X-Men, marking their return to this weekly since MWOM #50, The artwork was by Ron Wilson with Dan Adkins applying the inks. It feels that Ron went a little early with the new X-Men costumes, they do make their debut in this story, but not this issue. So I guess the new look was a teaser for fans. Is it immaculately drawn? No. Are they great costumes? No, apart from Cyclops and Marvel Girl. Is it my Cover of the Week? Yes, it's a great design and a big change from just another Hulk cover.

The Incredible Hulk “Is there no refuge?!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Herb Trimpe

Inker: Jack Abel

Originally published in The Incredible Hulk #175

Cover date May 1974

(Published in January 1974)

This second part opening splash page was drawn by an unnamed artist, it must have been a quick turn around as a replacement for the intended opening splash page that was used as the Fantastic Four's second part opening page in last week's comic. Bruce Banner had been welcomed by the Inhuman Royal Family, so much so that they offered him a seat on their rocket to a better world. But while thinking over the offer Bruce was accosted by some Inhuman citizens who took offence at his normality, their racist treatment had caused him to become the Hulk with rampaging results. Soon the Inhuman Royal Family was on the scene to stop him.

The Hulk is surrounded by Gorgon, Karnak and Triton, who attempt to subdue him with the amphibian Inhuman restraining the Hulk from behind, but the green Goliath noting that his opponent smells like a fish just like Namor, who is always picking a fight with him, throws Triton over his head. Karnak takes an indirect approach, with a well placed karate shop the Inhuman levels the side of a building, burying the Hulk beneath the rubble, that doesn't stop him. With the entire city at risk Black Bolt flies off into the middle of the action to face the Hulk and uses his immensely powerful voice to strike him down. Ultimately he passes out from the noise. Black Bolt decides that the best thing to do with the Hulk is to launch him off in their Space Ark, hoping to send him flying into empty space forever. Meanwhile Betty Talbot takes a plane from Australia back to the United States, with her thoughts about the supposed death of her husband Glenn Talbot and Bruce Banner. She witnesses what she thinks is a shooting star, completely unaware of the fact that it is in reality the Hulk's ship blasting off into space to an unknown destination. I wonder where  Greg Pak and the Marvel Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada got the idea for Planet Hulk? May be they read Thomas and Trimpe's run on the Hulk. Anyway it looks like next week the Hulk is bound for "Counter-Earth!"

This in-house advert is a novel way to promote this week's Super Spider-man with the Super-Heroes, it uses John Romita Sr.'s panels from the strip and the Dave Hunt art from the cover of that issue, plus a random panel featuring the Silver Surfer that promotes a specially drawn centre-spread featuring the cosmic hero. 

Daredevil “Spin-out on Fifth Avenue!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Syd Shores

Originally published in Daredevil #58

Cover date November 1969

(Published in September 1969)

The world had believed that Matt Murdock was dead, but that was a clever lie to trap Starr Saxon way back in MWOM #175. Here he's alive and well making his closing argument in a court case against one of the minions of the crime boss known as Crime Wave. This is his first job as special assistant to the District Attorney. After the jury goes to deliberate the verdict, Matt reflects back to the events that led to this turn of events.

In a flashback to the night when he revealed his identity to Karen Page, as seen at the end of last week's issue. Shocked by this revelation Karen faints into his arms. Daredevil carries her back to her room in her family home. There Matt explains that he never had brother named "Mike", how he faked his own death to flush out Saxon, but also how he really is blind after a childhood accident that also gave him his heightened senses. When the couple returned to New York the Daily Bugle leads with a headline that reads "D.A.'s ex-partner is alive and well in Vermont!" With help from Foggy Nelson helping spread the bluff. Seeing an opportunity to push a story Foggy drops the announcement that Matt Murdock is to become a special assistant to the D A much to the blind lawyer's surprise, but he accepts and joins the team. Later Matt proposes to Karen, who at first is a little resistant to it because of the constant danger Daredevil faces. Expecting as much he promises Karen that after making an appearance at the United Fund Parade, he would be retiring his identity of Daredevil for good. With that Karen readily agrees. The next afternoon at the parade Daredevil rides on one of the floats enjoying the excited crowd and also a kiss from Karen, there as the DA's secretary. But the wonderful day is about to change when a costumed motorbike rider on a jet-cycle rides to spoil the fun. Find out more about the Stunt-Master next week.

The Mighty Marvel Mailbag

Vincent Danks RFO, KOF, QNS, FOOMer from York gives his views on the many comic fanzines that are available. In order of his recommendation he starts with Comics Unlimited, an A4 size 24 pages for 25 pence. The next is The Panelologist with various page lengths for 10 pence plus 6½ pence for postage and packaging. And finally Fantasy Advertiser with 40 pages for 30 pence. From Dez Skinn this is an "adzine," entirely devoted to adverts, which Vincent describes as very good, as he's bought a couple of posters and comics from it. From the same address you can get WARRIOR, a fanzine devoted to "Sword and Sorcery" the Hyborian age of Conan. This was Skinn's first attempt at a magazine with that name, later in the early 80's his second attempt birthed some fantastic strips that would change comics for good. Some other fanzines he lists are Litrastrip, Thing, Comic Media News and Fantasyworlds. George Kidd from Newcastle-Upon-Tyne asks how on Earth can anyone suggest that, quote: "I think it's obvious that the FF are more popular than the Hulk." George thinks that is completely unfounded, because he and his friends all agree that The Hulk rates far higher than Stretcho and Co. Gerry Brooks from Surrey writes that in less than 3½ years you have now got 7 British Comics and all of these have gradually become better and better. So much so far he doesn't think Marvel has put a foot wrong, except for scrapping the Conan stories in their own mag.

Michael Davies From Rhyl and many of his friends have recently become interested in Marvel. All of them are bursting to join FOOM, he asks is it still possible? The editor replies to all those FOOM-hungry fans up and down the country is that the ranks of FOOM will be reopened in June! Eamonn Reilly from Manchester has been an avid reader of Marvel comics for a few years until he gave them up because of the number of repeats. Then about three months ago he went to his friend's house, where he had an enormous collection of Marvels. Looking at these comics again, the sheer brilliance amazed Eamonn, who thought, what a fool he had been to give them up. A few days later he reserved The Superheroes. This second page of the Mighty Marvel Mailbag also features this week's Bullpen Bulletins page, but I'll discuss those Items later on in this blog when it appears in Super Spider-man with the Super-Heroes, the Avengers weekly, Dracula Lives and The Titans. 

The X-Men “Is it true, what they say about the Mutant Master!?”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Don Heck

Inker: Vince Colletta

Originally published in The X-Men #39

Cover date December 1967

(Published in October 1968)

The X-Men join the Mighty World of Marvel line up, but their first story has a title change from "The Fateful Finale!" to the more wordy “Is it true, what they say about the Mutant Master!?” I imagine that the original title makes more sense if it is used in next week's second part. The Mutant Master monitors the X-Men, with Cyclops and Iceman in America fighting the US military in an attempt to stop a gas attack, while Beast, Marvel Girl and Angel are held in a Russian prison after they had attempted to stop a bomb plot.

Cyclops and Iceman fight their way through the building where the nerve gas has been planted. Cyclops orders Iceman to freeze the bomb preventing the gas from escaping. Catching them off guard Mastermind and Unus attack. Meanwhile in Russia, Marvel Girl uses her telekinetic powers to allow the Beast to knock out a guard and steel his  keys. The two X-Men disrupt a meeting of Russian military officials in order to find the hidden bomb. The Blob appeared and fights the X-Men. Back in the States the two evil mutants Unus and Mastermind have the upper hand over Cyclops and Iceman. But the tables are turned when Cyclops' optic blast causes friction that melts the ice into a dense fog. In the fog the two evil doers flee, as do the two X-Men who escape in their stolen Factor Three flying saucer. While back in Russia there's a Mexican stand-off with the Blob who holds the briefcase filled with explosives in front of the X-Men. The Blob boasts how the bomb can have no effect on him, however Marvel Girl puts doubt in the Blob's mind about the truthfulness of Mutant Master's comment about the strength of the bomb. This causes the Blob to drop the bomb and flee in fear. The Angel quickly grabs it and flies up as high as possible tossing the bomb away where it detonates safely. While the Russian military officials discuss what to do the three young X-Men flee the scene. The two teams of X-Men regroup at the Factor Three’s secret hideout. The Mutant Master curses the X-Men for their victory. Next week "the fateful finale!"

 

The colour back page features an advert for Kellogg's Frosties. Frosties present your roaring reporter Tony in "Paratroopers" Tony the Tiger meets a group of paratroopers, making sure that they have had their breakfast before a skydive mission. Tony is a little late as he's having more of the delicious crunchy corn with the toasted sugar coating that makes a real tiger out of you. Tony leans against an open aircraft door and falls out, luckily he's got a parachute and floats down to the ground telling the readers that Frosties are Gr-reeat! 

Super Spider-man with the Super-Heroes #168

This is a completely new cover featuring the Incredible Hulk and the amazing Spider-man, drawn by Dave Hunt (pencils,) and Mike Esposito (inks,). It's a good call for a Cover of the Week, but I've gone for nostalgia over quality.  

Spider-man “The gentleman's name is...Hulk!”

Writer: Gerry Conway

Artist: John Romita Sr.

Inker: Jim Mooney and Tony Mortellaro

Originally published in the Amazing Spider-man #119

Cover date April 1973

(Published in January 1973)

This opening splash page has been re-drawn by an unnamed artist using the original John Romita Sr.'s page as its basis to best fit the landscape format. One major difference is that the original page had a letter sticking out of Spidey's waist line.

Peter checks in on his Aunt May, who is still taking care of the estate owned by Dr. Octopus. After agreeing to check her apartment he finds a telegram from a man named Rimbaud, asking Aunt May to come up to Quebec in Canada to discuss a sensitive issue. While deciding how best to deal with the request he runs into Harry Osborn, who doubles over in pain. Peter comes to his aid but Harry's father Norman appears and yells at Peter to stay away. Harry is bungled into Norman's car and driven away, leaving Peter to wonder if Norman is becoming the Green Goblin again. Seeing news reports of the Hulk in Canada, he realises that it could be an opportunity to go up to Quebec and see what the telegram was all about with the Daily Bugle paying for the trip. At the offices of the Bugle he convinces J Jonah Jameson that he should go to Quebec to take pictures of the Hulk because he's heard reports Spider-man is there too. Not wanting to pass up the opportunity of getting photos of Spider-man getting pummelled by the Hulk, Jameson falls for the clever lie and begrudgingly sends Peter north.

Later in Quebec Peter goes to Mr. Rimbaud's office, but he's not in. His secretary tells him that he's out on business. To pass the time, Peter goes to General Thaddeus Ross's briefing on his involvement with the Canadian military, as advisor of how to stop the Hulk. When Peter tries to join the press convoy, but he's not on any press list. However he manages to jump aboard while the truck is driving away. Moments later Peter senses danger just as the truck is attacked by the Hulk. Peter quickly changes into Spider-man and sets up his camera to take pictures of the encounter. The two fight, but as the military start to attack the Hulk the green giant bounds away. Spider-man follows him to the nearby Maskattawan Dam. Their battle there compromises the structural integrity of the dam causing it to crumble. Both Spider-man and the Hulk are knocked into the water below with large chunks of debris. One such piece pins Spidey causing him to plunge to the bottom of the lake. Some of the situations in this week's tale feel very slightly convoluted, but it really pays off to make a great story, one that I'm looking forward to reading in next week's conclusion in "Death trap!" 

Doctor Strange “The demon fever”

Writer: Steve Englehart

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: John Romita Sr. 

Originally published in Doctor Strange #7

Cover date April 1975

(Published in January 1975)

Clea is confronted by Dormammu who explains that he survived his last battle against the Avengers and the Defenders. That tale, at the time had yet to be told in a British Marvel mag. It would eventually be told in Super Spider-man and the Titans issue 227 on the week ending the 15th June 1977 to Super Spider-man and Captain Britain issue 235 on the week ending the 17th August 1977, which all appeared before the Defenders made their UK debut in Rampage weekly latter on the week ending the 22rd October 1977. It's weird to think that some stories like Doctor Strange had raced ahead of regular strips like the Avengers and the Defenders hadn't even had a chance in the UK sun. May be Doctor Strange should have been rested for a while.

In that series of stories Dormammu had teamed-up with the god of mischief in search of the mystic artefact known as the Evil Eye. The Scarlet Which with her Hex powers sucked Dormammu's sentient energy into the Evil Eye which was thrown into the core of the Earth to burn. There he lived off the heat from the core of the Earth to expand his powers. However interference by Mother Nature causes a volcanic eruption allowing Dormammu to temporarily escape. Meanwhile in the Dark Dimension, Dr. Strange battles the hordes of Umar led by her general Orini. During the battle Doctor Strange is entrapped with magic. Umar claims she is her brother's sister and her power isn't as limited as she had pretended. With that she sets her hordes onto him, with results that next week will see Doctor Strange face "the Demons of Umar!" 

The Web and the Hammer

Robert Thomas from Leicester enjoys reading SMCW, especially the letter page, but he lists a few ideas to improve it. Give a reward for the letters printed. Stop printing letters that give a percentage score for each comic. Don't print any more letters that go into scientific detail about how it is impossible for the Silver Surfer and heroes like him to do the things they do. It spoils all the fun. Add pictures in the letter pages to brighten it up. Add a colour centre page as they did at the beginning. Rod Summers PMM, FFF from Bristol thinks that Spider-man has greatly improved since the removal of Gil Kane and the return of John Romita Sr. On Iron Man's art it's a fairly safe set of hands with the George Tuska and Johnny Craig. Barry Millard from Lincolnshire writes that they should scrap the letter pages from all your comics. As so far no-one has said anything worth reading. Week after week it's the same old thing. His constructive comments are that Dr. Strange is the only super-hero with any credibility, the strip is even better with the best artist Frank Brunner. The "Sise-neg - Genesis" must be the ultimate in Dr. Strange stories. Talking of artwork, Barry adds that John Buscema seems to be the only artist to do justice to The Avengers.

This Silver Surfer centre spread is based on the story from the Super-Heroes issue 3 and 4. The artist is unknown. 

The Mighty Thor “The face of evil!”

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: Neal Adams

Inker: Joe Sinnott

Originally published in The Mighty Thor #180

Cover date September 1970

(Published in July 1970)

An unnamed artist drew this landscape splash page giving the readers their best Neal Adams art impression. Loki has used magic to swap bodies with his half brother Thor. Thor in Loki's body has been sent to Asgard where Odin has sentenced him to hell. On Earth Loki using Thor's body has gone on a rampage throughout the streets of New York after swiftly defeating Balder.

In Asgard, Sif rushes to seek an audience with Odin to tell him of the grave mistake that has been made, however the Grand Vizier tells her that he is currently preoccupied and that "Loki" had been banished to Hades. The Vizir takes Sif to the "Cosmi-Screen" where she is horrified to find that the "Hades" that her love has been sent is none other than Mephisto's realm. There Mephisto welcomes the "trickster god" with open hands, however when Mephisto touches "Loki's" shoulder he feels pain caused by Thor's inherent goodness. Looking deep into the soul of the person before him, Mephisto learns the truth and attacks Thor. Unleashing many mystical dangers, using a basic understanding of Loki's magical powers Thor denies Mephisto a victory. Elsewhere in Asgard, the Warriors Three are fighting off a group of Trolls, quickly defeating them after Volstagg falls down a stair case, knocking them all out. There they meet Sif who requests their help. After explaining to them that Thor and Loki have changed bodies, they agree to travel with her to Hades in order to save Thor from the clutches of Mephisto. Arriving in Mephisto's realm, the heroes are greeted by the hell-lord, but they have arrived too late as Thor's body has been frozen in a chunk of ice!

Iron Man “The end of Tony Stark!”

Writer: Archie Goodwin

Artist: George Tuska

Inker: Johnny Craig

Originally published in Iron Man #11

Cover date March 1969

(Published in December 1968)

 

This third part opening landscape splash was drawn by an unnamed artist which sees a face-off with Iron Man and the Mandarin, who after defeating Tony Stark he seeks to beat the armoured Avenger.

The Mandarin teleports in three robotic soldiers to battle Iron Man. But with his full intensity repulser blast he disintegrates the cybernetic soldiers. Furious at Iron Man's interference the Mandarin blurts out how he had schemed to brand Stark a traitor, but was overheard by the press who have gathered for Stark's news conference and had listen intently, gathering evidence that Stark was innocent all along. In a desperate attempt to escape the Mandarin kidnaps Janice Cord who ran into the room with concern about Tony Stark being injured. The Mandarin makes his way to his ship and tries to escape. Iron Man crashes into the ship to stop him. Mei Ling sees the Mandarin unchivalrous use of Janice as a shield she realises how evil he really is and that he can never love her. When Janice tries to escape the Mandarin fires his power ring at her but Mei Ling leaps in front of it to save her, at the cost of her own life. Iron Man and Janice manage to escape the Mandarin's ship before it crashes into the side of a mountain, seemingly killing his foe. Returning to Stark's lodge an ambulance takes Tony Stark away to have emergency surgery, unknown to Miss Cord that Stark was really a LMD. Find out how Iron Man deals with that next week.

The Thing and Thor..together! “When a God goes man ”

Writer: Chris Claremont and Steve Gerber (plot)

Artist: Herb Trimpe

Inker: Joe Giella

Originally published in Marvel Two-in-One #9

Cover date May 1975

(Published in February 1975)

Fans of Iron Fist who enjoyed the story in the Avengers weekly #132 to #135 this Thing and Thor team-up story is the prequel to it plotted by Steve Gerber and scripted by Chris Claremont who wrote the Iron Fist sequel. The Thing with his friends, Wundarr, Namorita, and Annie Christopher attends a puppet show about the Fantastic Four battling Doctor Doom. The others enjoy it but Ben is less than enthralled with the show. 

At the end of the show, Ben notices that the puppeteer strongly resembles the Puppet Master, but dismisses his suspicions as Phillip Masters is believed to have died in an adventure where Spider-man and the Thing teamed up. In the crazy British continuity that tale will be told in Super- Spider-man with the Super-Heroes #197 and #198 from the weeks ending the 17th and 24th November 1976. The group leave in the Fantasti-Car, but in Ben's rush to get away he nearly collides with an absent-minded Thor bent on visiting Jane Foster at the hospital. The puppeteer witnesses the near catastrophic collision, removing his wig and facial make-up to reveal that he really is the survived Puppet Master. Seeing the speeding Asgardian he plots to use the added radioactive power of his ally, a strange man in a protective radiation suit, but more about him next week. The Puppet Master makes a Thor doll that he'll use to destroy the Fantastic Four. Falling under the Puppet Master's control, the Thunder God heads towards the Baxter Building and attacks Mister Fantastic, Invisible Girl and the Human Torch, beating them into unconsciousness. This act momentarily snaps Thor out of the Puppet Masters control. the story continues next week, plus we'll find out more about Radion, the Atomic Man.

Bullpen Bulletins

Fabulous facts and frivolous fables for fantastic fans, faithful friends and fiendish foes. 

The first Item on all of the Bullpen Bulletins looks a the most off-beat team-ups in the entire history of Marvel comics with Thor and the Thing in this week's Super Spider-man with the Super-Heroes. Imagine Thor with his "Thee's" and "Thou's" and the Thing with his "It's clobberin' Time!" You'll need an interpreter. Incidentally, the villain they'll be fighting, when they're not moppin' up the place with each other is a real oldie-but-goodie, the Puppet Master! The story's by Chris Claremont and Steve Gerber with art by that titanic team of Herb Trimpe and Joe Giella! The next Item is also about Super Spider-man with the Super-Heroes, the final figures aren't quite in yet, but it sure looks like our latest records for sales! Of course, Marvel wanted to thank the readers for that. More Items in the Avengers weekly, Dracula Lives and The Titans.

Avengers Weekly #137

A specially commissioned cover of the Avengers and the Squadron Supreme against one of the Brain-Child's weapons. Drawn by David Wenzel (pencils,) and Joe Sinnott (inks,).

Conan the Barbarian “Stone of life, jewel of darkness”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Rich Buckler

Inker: Ernie Chan

Originally published in Conan the Barbarian #40

Cover date July 1974

(Published in April 1974)

After a prologue from the original strip a second part opening splash page by an unnamed artist. Conan had found an elderly man, named Libro, in the desert. Libro tells him about a city where untold treasure can be found. Finding the ruined city Conan enters leaving Libro to look after his horse. Soon he finds a group of thieves who have already looted the gems. They chase Conan who had runs into a woman called Alonia. The two of them flee the thieves only to bump into Libro. 

Libro and Alonia seem to know each other, but Conan is more interested in the pile of jewels that the thieves had gathered. Conan climbs back in to the thieves hide away to steel their booty. But he's discovered and they attack him. The Cimmerian beats them and flees clutching a bag of jewels. When he makes his way back to Libro, the old man summons a great demon who begins to crush Conan in his giant hands. Luckily one of the thieves with his dying breath plunges a dagger in Libro's back. Then Alonia makes her way to the demon, then with a gentle touch she changes it to glass which Conan shatters with a strike of his sword. Alonia finds a great diamond in the bag of jewels and reveals it's a Lifestone that has stored her true form, a goddess. Many years ago Libro had been her priest, but he stole her Lifestone, in prisoning her in a mortal form. Conan asks her what goddess she was. She answered she is called Ishtar, Goddess of fire and flesh. During the Hyborian Age she was known as the goddess of love, fertility and war. She reclaimed her lost city telling Conan that no precious stones shall ever leave her city, before she vanishes into the stars. Conan looks around at the jewels and decides not to tempt fate.

Avengers Mailbag

Ivor Davies from Dunbartonshire gives his opinions on the rumours that British Marvel bringing out three new mags. Ivor's is sure that one of them will be a monthly pocket-sized "commando-book" with Sgt. Fury or Combat Kelly type stories. That leaves two other mags, but he doesn't think that they should be brought out at all, because there's not many long-running characters left, only The Defenders and Luke Cage. Sure, there are umpteen pages of new material from the Champions, Howard the Duck, Inhumans etc., but it seems daft to introduce them to the weeklies when they're only going to last a handful of weeks. N I from Essex thinks that the Vision is often overlooked, but he's one of Marvel's finest creation, because of the skilful and subtle way in which his complex character has been developed so that the readers, can really understand and sympathise with him during the moral dilemmas that he must face. G Morris RFO, KOF writes that Bloodstone is a fantastic new sort of superhero, who he likes very much. But there was too many loose ends at the end of his origin. So G copied the following few paragraphs from Marvel Presents #2 to try to help explain to some of the fans who did not understand the story. So if you're like me, confused, give it a read.

Gary Bell RFO, KOF, QNS, FOOMer from Belfast writes that at last The Avengers are on the up. For a period after the merging with Conan, story and art were low. Now the artwork on Dr. Strange from Frank Brunner is excellent. The "Snow-Buster" Shang-Chi tale art work showed how to draw the strip as Keith Pollard, Ron Wilson, Ed Hannigan and a few others have no idea. Denis Grace from London has just finished the books "Conan the Conqueror" and "Conan the Avenger" and wants to know if these stories will be adapted in the Savage Sword of  Conan magazine. Keith Winn RFO, KOF, QNS, TTB, FOOMer had run a popularity poll and here are the results. The four artists who stood out, John Buscema, Jack Kirby, John Romita Sr. and Jim Starlin. Roy Thomas won best writer by a unanimous vote. Keith signs off to say he doesn't like the shape of The Titans, so don't change the shape of the other comics to match it. Peter Judge PMM (Marvel Mastermind winner) from London proudly displays the Origin and Sons of Origin books he won on his bookshelf. He adds that news of his win leaked out at school, his form teacher asked him to take part in an inter-schools public speaking competition, speaking on the subject of Marvel. He composed a speech which outlined the history of comics. He won the heat and will be going to the final at Baden Powell Hall on April 29th! Peter thought that Neil Tennant's article "Marvel Over Europe" was a great, well-written and informative article. R Ward KOF, RFO from Middlesex loves the fabulous artwork on Conan. Please don't get rid of him as without him The Avengers wouldn't be the same at all.

A Marvel Masterwork Pin-up of the Avengers inspired by the ending of part one of the Avengers story seen in Avengers weekly #134. The artist of this pin-up is unknown.

The Avengers “To battle the Brain-child!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Sal Buscema

Inker: Tom Palmer

Originally published in The Avengers #86

Cover date March 1971

(Published in January 1971)

This second part opening splash page is also by an unknown artist. Could it be the same artist as the Marvel Masterwork Pin-up? Well judging by the images of Quicksilver and the Scarlet Which on both I think it is, but their identity is still unknown. This symbolic splash page shows Brain-child preparing for four teams of Avengers and Squadron Supreme members pairing up to enter the Dark Tower. The following page shows Quicksilver and the Whizzer make their attempt to enter, followed by Goliath and Hyperion's attempt. This was a mistake as the heroes hadn't landed on Brain-Child's island. The printers or the editor slipped up here getting the pages in the wrong order. Page 14 had been printed too soon. The correct order should be pages 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, then page 14, followed by page 20, 21 and 22. 

The heroes had come to the island to question Brain-child over the possibly that the space rocket/probe Brain-child One might cause a global disaster. Without wasting time on an elaborate lie the mutated child genius, Arnold Sutton, answers with the truth. The missile had been designed and built with a metal of his own formula, which would trigger a chain reaction within the sun, turning it into a super-nova. He tells them that that knowledge will never leave the island as suddenly a serpent-like weapon shoots at the heroes. The Avengers and Squadron Supreme members pair up, each make their way into the Brain-Child's citadel, Quicksilver and the Whizzer approach on one side, the Scarlet Witch teams up with Nighthawk. Doctor Spectrum and the Vision take another route while Goliath and Hyperion make up the final pairing. Each find themselves attacked by different bunches of creatures created by the Brain-Child's own mind. During the fight, Hyperion is knocked out, but Goliath uses him as an "arrow" to knock Brain-Child out of his control chair, causing his constructs to disappear. With the Brain-Child defeated, Dr. Spectrum uses his power crystal to change the Brain-Child back into a normal boy. Just as the Squadron and the Avengers claim victory, the Avengers are transported back to their own world thanks to Thor. Quicksilver explains their adventure to Thor and the Black Panther. Later the Vision contemplate the idea of parallel worlds, wondering can they be certain that they have not been rescued by Avengers from a third parallel world identical to their own.

Bullpen Bulletins

Continuing this week's Bullpen Bulletins with the third Item is a jolly piece of fun dealing with anagrams. For instance if you spell "Namor" backwards you get "Roman". And so if you scramble up the letters in "Stan Lee" you get "Net Sale" of "Ale nest!" The fourth Item tells readers that it is their last chance to see the X-Men wearing their old costumes in this week's Mighty World of Marvel, as next week they get new ones. What do they look like ? well look at this week's Mighty World of Marvel cover for a quick preview. The final piece, isn't an Item, but another reminder that after a deluge of orders for our Super Spidey Tee Shirts and the Comic Albums and Colouring Books. The Bullpen have been working night and day to get them sent out. Another version of the Bullpen appears in The Titans. 

An in-house advert that reads, "Next week the return of the pulse pounding Phantom Eagle in the flight of the Phantom Eagle." This strips seems to have been running for a long while, but that's because it only makes an appearance every two weeks, which makes it a very slow and frustrating read.

 

Master of Kung Fu “Ship of Terror!”

Writer: Doug Moench

Artist: Sal Buscema

Inker: Mike Esposito

Originally published in Master of Kung Fu #32

Cover date September 1975

(Published in June 1975)

After an original page a newly commissioned opening splash page was created with a new story title, catch up and credits. The artist for that page is unknown. Shang-Chi rushes to the deck after hearing a cry for help, he stops three men from throwing a fourth overboard. With no choice he lets the attackers go so that he can rescue the victim. The captain wants to arrest Shang-Chi, Smith, and Tarr for creating a disturbance. The victim vouchers for Shang-Chi and tells them that his attackers wanted some documents. Back inside, they find Therese Beswick, the blind girl he meet earlier missing. A waiter tells them that hooded men took her.

The next morning, Beswick is still missing as a storm rises. While looking for Beswick, Shang-Chi is attacked by crew members, with Black Jack Tarr's help he defeats them and together with Smith and Tarr they find the captain dead, stabbed repeatedly by a dagger. The lone conscious "crew" member says that the real crew is held captive, ten kilometres outside of Marseilles. Shang-Chi goes to look for Beswick, while the storm rises. At the earlier victim's cabin, Shang-Chi finds four hooded goons trying to get the documents. He defeats three, but the fourth escapes to the deck. There Shang-Chi fights her one-on-one, she attacks him with long knifes. Dodging her blades Chang-Chi pulls off her mask to reveal that she is Blocking her dagger attack, he pulls off her hood to reveal she's Beswick. She attacks again, but as he ducks she goes over the rail into the sea. Quickly he throws her a life ring. Everyone gathers around Smith on deck as he explains that he was the carrier of the message and not the original victim. He had hid the documents in the life ring, but now it had been in the water the ink on the document had become illegible. But that didn't matter at all as it was meaningless nonsense that was only used as bait in a trap. A new story starts next week when Shang-Chi returns to London.

Dracula Lives #80

Pablo Marcos pencils and inks this cover that sees Dracula face-off against Juno the impaler over the glass tanked brain of Doctor Sun. I think that this is the one and only time that on a cover or in the story, the character Juno has been called Juno the impaler.

Dracula “The man who wrote vampire stories!”

Writer: Marv Wolfman

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Tom Palmer

Originally published in Tomb of Dracula #37

Cover date October 1975

(Published in July 1975)

This second part opening splash page was specially commissioned for the British weekly, the artist was Davis Wenzel with inks by Frank Giacoia. I think the owner of the artwork believes that it is a piece by Colan, but the original art board has Wenzel and Giacoia's names on top of it. Dracula has made his way to Boston, Massachusetts, in search of his mortal enemy Doctor Sun, who has been draining the Vampire Lords powers and energy. Needing to feed he attacks two cyclists to drink their blood. 

Still feeling extremely weak Dracula rests against a tree, but as luck would have it, Harold H Harold drives by. Seeing the burning remains of the motorcycle and Dracula's victims on the ground Harold stops thinking that there has been an accident. Suspecting that Dracula might be an injured victim, he drags him into his car. It's at this point he notices he has fangs. Harold carries him back to his apartment. Wondering what to do with the unconscious vampire. He telephones Greadely's secretary, Aurora Rabinowitz, and asks her to come over. Suddenly, Dracula begins to rise. Meanwhile in Brazil, Brother Voodoo concludes his association with Frank Drake. Frank is unsure of himself, feeling inferior to his vampire hunting friends. But Brother Voodoo tells him that he came to Brazil to prove himself, he had shown the skills to needed to successfully combat zombies. Frank attributes his recent fighting prowess to Brother Voodoo's ghostly sibling, Daniel Drumm, who took possession of him for a short time in Dracula Lives #73. Brother Voodoo tells him that the world is one of extremes, either he is a coward or a hero, but most brave men are a combination of both. It is knowing when to flee and when to fight that makes him a hero. He tells Frank that he is a man of rare courage, who has no faith in himself and therefore strives to obtain it. With that he summons a fog that teleports Frank back to the United States. He arrives at the airport where he reunites with Quincy Harker and Rachel van Helsing. Their adventure continues next week in "Bloody crackdown!"

Letters to the House of Dracula

Dominic Elias RFO, FOOMer from Surrey thinks that Pablo Marcus is a very good and versatile penciller on the covers. On the Dracula stories, the Taj sub-plot continued and finished very well. Quincy Harker's self-exploration was well-done and he has a feeling the will return in future issues. The return of Dr. Sun bodes ill for Dracula, but should allow a well-paced intense conflict to take place. On the Werewolf, the ending of Glitternight was beautiful and diabolically fitting. But Dominic finds the Man-Thing strip disappointing, but only relatively so as Gerber/Mayerik efforts are intelligent and thoughtful way-out. The pathetic-ness of Man-Thing is beautifully conveyed and his link to Jennifer beautifully touching, but what Dominic felt was the story suffered being cut down to 9 or 10 pages in length. John Ellis from Warrington sticks up for Neil Fisher, writing that he thinks that Adam Cainer got his facts wrong in Dracula Lives #61, John used to be Neil's pen-friend he used to send letters to him with his thoughts on Marvel comics. One of his letters was printed in Dracula Lives #61. When he sent it to John it was before the American mag Tomb of Dracula #27 was printed. Neil was also a pen-friend with Bryan D Leys. What John thinks happened was the same letter was sent to Bryan D Leys and Dracula Lives. Bryan D Leys must have copied Neil's letter and sent it to the American-based Marvel Bullpen. As the editor says "the plot thickens", Neil has been asked to comment on the subject but at the time no letter was received. If I was being cynical I might suggest that Neil Fisher might have written this letter under the pen name John Ellis. Will we get to the bottom of it? The lower half of the letter page is taken up by the Bullpen Bulletin page.

Ghost Rider “...A deal with the devil!”

Writer: Gary Friedrich

Artist: Mike Ploog

Inker: Mike Ploog

Originally published in Marvel Spotlight #5

Cover date August 1972

(Published in May 1972)

Two pages of the original strip make a sort of preview before a British commissioned splash page opens this week's story. The artist of this page is unknown. Mona Simpson had died in an explosion while rushing to see if Johnny Blaze was alright after crashing his bike. Before she dies, she made Johnny promise her to never ride in the stunt show again. Five years later Crash Simpson tells his daughter, Roxanne and Johnny that he has cancer and his performance at Madison Square Garden will be his last.

Determined to keep his step-father from dying, Johnny researches some occult books, finally using them to summon "Satan". He makes a deal with the devil in exchange for Johnny's soul, Crash Simpson will not die from his cancer. Three weeks later, Crash tells Johnny that he plans to try and break the world's cycle jump record at the Garden. Crash tells them that he wants to die with his leathers on. Roxanne tries to get Johnny to talk him out of it, but Johnny believes he will be fine, due to the deal he made with Satan. When Crash attempts the jump, he doesn't make it. Dying instantly in the accident. Blinded by rage and grief Blaze suits up, mounts a bike, and does the same stunt, this time he makes it, breaking the world record. Roxanne leaves in tears, how could he do it after what has just happened. That night, Satan returns to claim Johnny's soul, claiming that he promised to save Crash from dying from cancer and nothing else. As Satan prepares to take Johnny to Hell when Roxanne enters and banishes the demon with the pure essence of her soul. She tells Johnny that she read his books behind his back, and learned how to send the devil away. The next night, however, Johnny begins to burn with fever, until his head suddenly transforms into a flaming skull. Every night since, he has undergone the transformation into... the Ghost Rider!

Man-Thing “Out of space Out of time!”

Writer: Steve Gerber

Artist: Val Mayerik

Inker: Sal Trapani 

Originally published in Adventure into Fear #19

Cover date December 1973

(Published in September 1973)

This second part opening splash page is by an unnamed artist, but the inclusion of a book caused to levitate by the sorcerer known as Dakimh the Enchanter bears the title "Life of David," was that an in-joke placed by the artist? Could it have been David Wenzel? Who knows? Strange events have occurred in the swamp, with beings from other worlds appearing After Jennifer Kale was attacked by a warrior from one such reality, the Kales are soon visited by another. Dakimh the Mystic has come to tell the Kales about the disruption in the Nexus of All Realities caused by the construction of an airport in the swamp. He has come to train Jennifer in his mystical knowledge, with her grandfathers permission, Jennifer leaves with Dakimh.

Meanwhile in the swamp, Korrek is still confused with his surroundings. He no longer has the spirit to continue his quest, when suddenly he spots the Man-Thing watching him. Picking up his sword he attacks the creature with fury. But his frenzy makes no difference, no matter what he does the Man-Thing isn't harmed so he stops fighting. While lamenting over the absurdity of his plight, Korrek is visited by a talking duck, smoking a cigar. Who has also found himself lost in a world not his own, a world full of talking hairless apes. At this point the duck isn't named, but we all know that's Howard the Duck! Elsewhere in another realm, Jennifer begins her mystical training by Dakimh, when the sky castle is attacked by an army of barbarians, warriors and soldiers from different worlds, a Congress of realities. Dakimh disappears during their attack, leaving Jennifer alone, she is taken prisoner. Back on the Earth dimension, Korrek and the Duck team up to find a way back to their respective realities, with Man-Thing in tow they travel through the swamp. Korrek is compelled to go to the F A Schist construction site after hearing a blood curdling scream. The heroes spot demons attacking the site, who soon turn their attention towards Man-Thing and close in for the kill. Find out what happens next in the sanity-rending chapter, "the Battle for the Palace of Gods!"

Kellogg's Frosties and Halfords team-up to offer readers ten pounds off any of the four bikes shown in this promotional advert. Either the Halfords Olympic, a comprehensive sports bike, the Halfords Pathfinder, a girl's speedy and reliable workhorse of a bike, the Halfords Marketeer, the bike for those who shop, or the Halfords Gemini 22, ideal for young riders, In exchange for six special packet tops of Kelloggs Frosties you could get a fabulous voucher worth ten pounds. The offer ran right through 1976. As Tony the Tiger says Halford bikes are the best way to work up a Frosties appetite because they make a real Tiger-rr of you. Kellogg's Frosties and Halfords Limited, the healthy way to stay ahead! 

Can I just add that in no way am I sponsored by Kelloggs, but if some one at the cereal company does read this blog regularly and fancies sending me a box of Frosties, contact me, because they're Grreat-tt!

Planet of the Apes #80

The Great Comics Database lists Jeff Aclin as possibly the penciller and Duffy Vohland as possibly the inker for this cover. I can't see any reason to disagree with those names. 

Planet of the Apes “Waiting for the fated speech!”

Writer: Doug Moench

Artist: Mike Ploog

Inker: Mike Ploog

Originally published in Planet of the Apes (US) #11

Cover date August 1975

(Published in June 1975)

This second part opening splash page was drawn by an unnamed artist, especially for the British mag. Alex, Jason and the Lawgiver, with the young gypsy girl Malagueña have returned to the Ape city, where the Lawgiver is force to stop an riot between apes and humans fuelled by tension caused by attacks from masked gorillas. No sooner does the wise orangutang leave that another smaller skirmish between a pair of apes and a pair of humans breaks out. This time Alex and Jason stop it, but in doing so ignite a deep rooted tension between the two friends. Their argument is broken up by Malagueña and Jason leaves in anger. 

Later that night the town folk gather in the city square to listen to  the Lawgiver, already there is a visible divide in the crowd between humans and apes. The lawgiver starts his speech by welcoming his fellow citizens of peace. Welcome to the first lie he has ever spoke. In addressing them as Citizens of Peace he had lied. He sees humans and apes divided, when he should be able to see one group. He compares them to a forest where it is made up of many different trees that combine to become the same forest. If they focus on one tree the forest disappears. He suggests that evil has made them see themselves as different trees in the forest, dividing them and making them forget that strength and beauty in a forest is only when trees stand together as a whole. Brutus arrives to disrupt the meeting, Jason tells all gathered that Brutus wants to oust the Lawgiver so that he can slay every human in the city. The gorilla dismisses Jason's words as he killed his wife, Zena, only he is the defender of simian faith. The Lawgiver cries that Brutus is the defender of nothing but hate, he had killed his own wife to protect his own secrets. When Brutus moves to remove the Lawgiver. Jason tells him he'll have to go through him. Then Alex and others join to stand with the Lawgiver, humans and apes alike. With one order Brutus calls the hooded gorillas to attack the citizens. A mass fight breaks out, but the numbers of humans and apes who stand with the Lawgiver outnumber Brutus's gorillas. Brutus flees. Jason stops him and begins to beat him, but is pulled off him as the wounded Lawgiver passes judgment. As the terrorists are defeated he wants to end the hatred and restore peace so he banishes Brutus. Jason is angry at the verdict and later clashes with Alex. Malagueña once again stops their fight, Jason wanders off into the forest alone.

Black Panther “Of shadows and rages”

Writer: Don McGregor

Artist: Billy Graham

Inker: Billy Graham

Originally published in Jungle Action Vol 2 #18

Cover date September 1975

(Published in June 1975)

Like a ravaging cat the Black Panther leaps from the rooftop of the Palace Royal to defend his sanctuary from Eric Killmonger's army of warriors who ride on the backs of dinosaurs. The men and monsters came from the east with the early morning sun, appearing on the hill sides that surround Central Wakanda. The humans troops had trained with the brachiosaurs and the tyrannosaurs for two months before the raid. One of Killmonger's soldiers had thought that the Panther had been killed, by Salamander I presume from POTA #77, but the rumours of his death were exaggerated.

During the carnage T'Challa rescues Monica Lynne from being trampled by a dinosaur that has been harnessed by electrical bits that clamp to its mouth so that it can be ridden, without a rider it runs wild. Elsewhere a nine year old boy, Kandu, flees from the stampeding beast, with tears in his eyes he sees what devastation their leave in their wake. Taku brings news that some of the creatures are being directed towards the hospital compound. T'Challa tells him to radio the Sonar Gilder sector two, with orders to over take that regiment and stop them. The Panther rushes over the heads of Kazibe and Tayete, two of Killmonger's soldiers, telling them to get out of his way and stop calling him Panther-devil as he heads towards their leader's position. In the hospital the injured W'Kabi lays in bed, his wife Chandra still uneasy with their relationship. Until she sees the coming storm of dinosaurs and their disagreements seems so small. Killmonger's lieutenants, Lord Karnaj, Baron Macabre, Malice, Salamanda and Venomm face the Panther's rage. W'Kabi pulls himself out of his sick bed to hold his children and wife for what may be one last time. Taku radio commands to the Wakandan troops when King Cadaver invades his mind, forcing him to live in a mind without control. The battle continues next week.

Ka-Zar “...Those whose names spell death!”

Writer: Mike Friedrich

Artist: Don Heck

Inker: Mike Royer

Originally published in Ka-Zar Vol 2 #3

Cover date May 1974

(Published in February 1974)

This second part opening splash page was drawn by an unnamed artist, especially for this British mag. Ka-Zar has been defeated by the mutated Maa-Gor, who is now calling himself the Man-God and his partner El Tigre. The Savage Lord wakes up to the scent of smelling salts administered by Bobbi Morse who had returned to the Savage Land on SHIELD business. She had been following El Tigre on a mission under the orders of Nick Fury. 

Man-God had fashioned a device from materials left by an ancient race that can drill for oil with the smallest of fuss. Right this all seems a little too twee, where does Maa-Gor, or in his mutated form, formulate after all his years of hatred towards Ka-Zar and his desire to rule the Savage Land, come up with a plan to make money from oil. It's a little too blue-collar for me. Sometimes Mike Friedrich's writing is weak, sometimes poor, but here it's all that and nonsensical. Where's the world-ending drama? I think I'll give this story a miss, but for the sake of the blog and to be true to its readers, I'll continue. Ka-Zar attacks the Man-God and El' Tigre, who sets the controlled Zabu onto its master. Bobbi Morse fights El' Tigre and with that distraction frees the sabertooth from his control. Ka-Zar and Zabu become friends once more and face off against Man-God and El' Tigre for a "Showdown in the Savage Land" next week! Don't miss it, although I might!

The Titans #28

This landscape cover was based on the cover of Tales of Suspense issue 88 which was originally by Gil Kane, but it isn't Kane's work here. This design fits the landscape perfectly. The Grand Comics Database doesn't list any penciller for this cover, but it does list Mike Esposito as a possible inker of this piece. 

The Fantastic Four “Within this tortured land”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Joe Sinnott

Originally published in The Fantastic Four #85

Cover date April 1969

(Published in January 1969)

The Fantastic Four find themselves trapped in Latveria, unwilling guests of Doctor Doom's hospitality, unable to leave due to the threat of death from hidden electronic spy scopes that can shoot stun blast that have a higher setting that can kill or Doombots that are similarly armed. The Fantastic Four agree to stay in this "Prisoner" village like four Number 6 prisoners who wear blue suits. Doom watches his foes plight, knowing that the main reason that they cannot escape is that they are being influenced by his infallible "Hypno-persuader. Doom's servant, Hauptmann, tells him that the two prisoners are ready. When Doom asks him what his long-dead Fühuer would have given to have an army like Doom's Doombots, he replies that Doom's brilliance rivals that of the Red Skull. This angers Doom as he has no rivals.

Outside in a courtyard Doom's Doombots struggle with two rebellious citizens. Doom commands his robots to cease the violence as he wishes to prove he is an advocate of reason rather than force and must be merciful to those two misguided miscreants. As he turns his back on the men they catch him off guard. They take his gun and escape. One Doombot asks its master if they should destroy them? But it is all part of a plan, the villagers are to discover an armoured vehicle and escape. Doom ends one off his Invincible Robots after them to test it's efficiency. Doom now plans to test the Invincible Robots as an army unit by sending them to attack an entire village. In order to insure that the Fantastic Four do not attempt to stop this slaughter, he has them drugged. While they are unconscious, they are mentally conditioned to believe that they have lost their powers. Back in the States, Sue goes house hunting for a home where she and Reed can raise her baby. Rejecting many choices, for many reasons, like the neighbourhood is too busy, her estate agent takes her to an isolated house located outside of town  that he's been struggling to sell. We'll find out more about it in later episodes. In Latveria the Fantastic Four awake and find themselves too frightened to use their powers, they have been conditioned into abhorring any kind of violence. While Doom has a portrait painted of himself, he orders his Invincible Robots to storm and kill everyone in the town including the Fantastic Four.

The Sub-Mariner “Call him Destiny...or call him death!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Frank Giacoia

Originally published in Iron Man and Sub-Mariner #1

Cover date April 1968

(Published in January 1968)

Following last week's Sub-Mariner adventure this week's instalment should have been from Tales to Astonish #100, but as that story had already been printed in MWOM #43, from the week ending the 28th June 1973, it was skipped over. I don't know why after three years would anyone have bothered with the repeat? Well probably, but it does leave a gap that wasn't explained. The following tale would be from Tales to Astonish #101. That story starts with namor having dreams about a strange man taunting him that lead him to venture to Antarctica where he discovers that man waiting for him. That story was missed and never printed in the UK, which leads us to this rather strange starting point of this week's epic.

The Sub-Mariner battles with Destiny in the frozen tundra of Antarctica. Destiny uses his Helmet of Power to hurl sharpened icicles at the Atlantean Prince, who easily deflects them. He taunts Namor with the knowledge that he defeated him once before. Namor reasons that this incident must have taken place during the years he had wandered the globe as an amnesiac. Destiny reveals many decades ago, he was a carnival mentalist named "Mentallo". Under his real name, Paul Destine, he had developed his mild telepathic capabilities for personal gain. In 1920, he felt a strange telepathic summons, beckoning him south. Leonard McKenzie, the captain of the Icebreaker ship Oracle and future father to Prince Namor, agreed to take Destine to the frozen North where he eventually discovered ancient technology buried beneath the ice. McKenzie realised Destine planned to use the technology for selfish reasons. He tried to stop him, but was unable to stop Paul from acquiring the Helmet of Power, which greatly enhanced his telepathic powers. After taunting Namor some more with the history shared between his father and he, Destiny continues to attack the Sub-Mariner with a barrage of attacks. As the icy hills begin to collapse Namor is buried beneath a ton of ice and snow. Next week "the origin of Namor!"

Bullpen Bulletins

This version of the Bullpen Bulletin page features the same Items as in the other mags, but here the Thing appears instead of Spider-man. 

This Titans' centre-spread of Doctor Strange, Master of the Mystic Arts, was drawn by Mike Nasser, also known as Michael Netzer. This design looks like it was influenced by Frank Brunner and a little by Jin Starlin. Either way I really like it and can put up with the weird page split line that cuts through the Doctor's mystic blast and the planet at the bottom.  

Titanic Transcripts

Malcom Dun RFO, KOF, QNS from Herts writes that The Titans has provided an excellent blend of heroes with two of the most powerful sellers in your comic Captain America and Sub-Mariner, with the newer and less famous Captain Marvel (Brilliant) Shield (Good) and The Inhumans (Out of this world!). At the beginning, Kirby draws almost all of the strips, but his replacement on the Inhumans, Neal Adams, turned them into the best feature in the mag. Richard Wisker and Mark Beales from Essex both agree with the transfer of the X-Men to The Titans. The art is fantastic. Ian Beattie from Glasgow writes that when Captain Marvel first appeared in the POTA #42 the story was slow-moving and boring, but the new Captain Marvel is exciting and full of action. John Dazzle RFO, KOF from Cumbria thinks that the new format on The Titans is terrific, with the best feature the X-Men.

Captain America “If Bucky lives..!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Gil Kane

Inker: Gil Kane

Originally published in Tales to Astonish #88

Cover date April 1967

(Published in January 1967)

While on duty in the monitor room inside the Avengers Mansion, Captain America receives a distress call from somebody who appears to be Bucky, telling Cap that he's a prisoner on Sea Gull Isle. As Cap races off telling Jarvis that he needs to nip out to investigate, little knowing that an unseen figure has transported the Swordsman and Power Man to a secret high tech base hidden beneath Sea Gull Isle. He wants them to kill Captain America for his own reason. They agree to his request for reasons of their own revenge on the Avenger. 

Soon Captain America's ship arrives over the island. A force sphere solidifies around his ship, pulling him down to the hidden base. With their orders the Swordsman and Power Man face off against Captain America upon his arrival. although both costumed villains are formidable, Cap defeats them, first by throwing Power Man into a bank of machines and by ducking under the Swordsman's blade as it plunges into some electrical apparatus, giving the villain a shock. The mysterious schemer makes his voice heard, telling Cap that the two costumed opponents were just catspaws in his plan. He processes power beyond imagination, the same bubble that brought Cap's ship to the island could become a thousand times bigger, he could manipulate it to capture an entire city and hold it hostage. On that note Captain America finds himself trapped, a helpless prisoner in an indestructible transparent bubble. The Swordsman and Power Man's employer reveals himself to Captain America...as someone who is "Back from the dead!" Find out who in next week's blog.

Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD “Attack on SHIELD!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby and Don Heck

Inker: Dick Ayers

Originally published in Strange Tales #147

Cover date August 1966

(Published in May 1966)

This second part opening landscape splash page was drawn by an unnamed artist, especially for the British mag. After returning from a successful mission with a team of SHIELD agents Nick Fury faces more problems as agents of AIM attack SHIELD headquarters. 

This frontal attack on the Barber shop cover by AIM only confirms Fury's earlier suspicions that AIM is not the up-and-up technology group with peaceful intensions that they claim. Nick Fury races towards the danger, but Jasper Sitwell tells him it could be a trap to get him. Fury over rules his objection and leads his agents into battle. Arriving with speed Fury, Dum Dum and Sitwell mop up the AIM goons in the Barbar shop. After winning the fight and freeing the undercover agents captured in the shop, one of Fury's men tells him that they heard the AIM men gloating that even if Fury escaped their trap the top executives would would sack him for taking too many chances. Watching it all unfold at a secret AIM base, Count Royale is confident that only Fury suspects AIM, but soon he will be eliminated. Next week "the end of Nick Fury!"

Captain Marvel “To face Thanos!”

 Writer: Mike Friedrich and Jim Starlin

Artist: Jim Starlin

Inker: Dave Cockrum

Originally published in Captain Marvel #26

Cover date May 1973

(Published in February 1973)

This second part opening landscape splash page was drawn by an unnamed artist, especially for this British mag. Mistaking the Thing for a Skull in disguise Captain Marvel strikes out hard.

Ben had walked into the building suspecting it to be a trap, which was set with an alien device that paralysed the Thing's vocal cords. Ben also thought that Captain Marvel was actually the Super-Skrull. After a fierce brawl Captain Marvel electrocutes the Thing with deadly force but stops himself from killing him as he looks into Ben's eyes. The electric shock caused Ben to regains his voice and clears up the confusion. Angered that Skragg’s plan failed, Thanos seemingly kills him. Hearing the scream coming from upstairs, which Captain Marvel recognises as the death cry of a Skull, the pair investigate and find Skragg transformed to stone. Behind him is Thanos, who gloats that he will soon be ruler of Earth. Thanos blasts the Thing away with a gesture. Mar-Vell is adamant that he would not give Thanos the information he requires, but Thanos tells him it is not he who has the information he requires, with a gesture the mad titan transform the Kree Captain back into Rick Jones, then  teleports away leaving the Thing puzzled. Next week "Return of the Titans!"

So more puzzles and titanic strips from 70's British Marvel mags in a few days. Till then...

See you in seven.

Make Mine Marvel.