A masterful centre- spread!

Week Ending 27th March 1976

The Mighty World of Marvel #182

Are you a Mastermind Finalist? Well if you were you are one of the twelve listed inside and I imagine that you already know that this cover was by Herb Trimpe and was originally used as the front cover of the Incredible Hulk #173. 

The Incredible Hulk “Anybody out there remember...the Cobalt Man?”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Herb Trimpe

Inker: Jack Abel

Originally published in The Incredible Hulk #173

Cover date March 1974

(Published in November 1973)

Roy Thomas returns as solo writer, but I'm not convinced that the story improves, even though he's one of my favourite writers. The Hulk is on a rampage in San Diego, California, but he soon gets tired of fighting police and the army, so he escapes down into the sewers. All sewers lead to the sea and so does the Hulk as he surfaces at San Diego harbour. There he stows away aboard a special ship, breaking into a specially made radiation shield container housed in the cargo hold where he falls asleep, reverting back into Bruce Banner.

The owner of the ship, scientist Ralph Roberts, is going to pilot the ship through a nuclear blast. X-Men fans who read The Titans #19 will remember Ralph and his brother Ted, who hears of his crazy plan and tries to talk him out of it. Ralph punches his brother out and tells his driver to take him in a nice hotel. Ted bails out and sneaks aboard the ship. Inside Ted finds the smashed radiation shield and Bruce Banner. Realising that they are both stowaways they decide to hide out together. Later as the ship sets sail both are discovered and brought to Ralph, who is less than impressed with his brother, but is surprised to see Bruce Banner aboard. Too late to turn back, Ralph tells Bruce that he previously created a suit of Cobalt armour and briefly clashed with the X-Men. He then explains that he has developed a new suit, which he intends to test out by flying into the path of an H-Bomb explosion in the Pacific. Colonel Armbruster, General Ross, and his daughter Betty visit a French General who is in charge of the testing warn him of the dangers of nuclear radiation. Although the country testing the bomb wasn't stated as being France it is heavily implied it was, as the General states that his country left NATO so they have no jurisdiction over their nuclear weapon testing. At the time of this story, France had just left NATO in 1966. But have since rejoined in 1996. The General isn't concerned about any dangers as the bomb is already loaded on his plane and testing will go ahead. As the plane flies off to drop the bomb in the ocean, Ralph orders everyone to go below deck to be protected by the ships radiation shielding. Ted tries to stop Ralph's plan, but Bruce tackles him just as the bomb goes off. Find out next week what happens "after the bomb blast!"

Marvel Mastermind 1975 Finalists

As promised in last week's comics the latest news concerning the Marvel Mastermind Contest. The judges studied all the entries and marked, leaving 12 contestants with equal points. That's 12

Marvel super-brains who had answered each part of each section of both rounds absolutely correctly! Meaning that a tie breaker quiz is required. The 12 entrants in our tie-breaking quiz are: Peter Poole from Derby; John Logue from Leicester; Shamji Bhimji Khimani from Kilburn; John Sweeney from Nottingham; Peter Judge from London; Roy Burston from Heywood; Eke Webb from Haddenham; H Hason from London; David Hawley from Kensington; Keith Branhall from Middlesborough; David Simpson from Aberdeen; Nigel Kitching from Cleveland.

Each of the 12 were sent a tie-breaking quiz with a selection of questions guaranteed to give us an outright winner. The quiz was printed on this page so that everyone can see just how difficult it was! As this page, in various forms, was printed in five of the weeklies I'll split up the questions across the blog.

Daredevil “Panic at Page Place”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Syd Shores

Originally published in Daredevil #56

Cover date September 1969

(Published in July 1969)

This splash page featuring Karen page was specially created for the opening second part by an unnamed artist. Grief stricken over the supposed death of Matt Murdock, Karen Page has gone to her parent's family home. The journey takes her through a covered bridge that she feared as a child. The sound of thundering hooves and the blasting sudden light of a fire ball terrifies her as it had done in her nightmares. She is briefly attacked by a glowing skeletal figure riding a skeletal horse calling himself Death's Head. 

The creature warns her he is no mortal dream, but one who haunts the darkened byways of reality and who makes the waking world a place more fearful than the deepest nightmare! He brings her a message from the powers that walk the night, leave this forbidden tract on the same path which she came. Disobey his command and face the hordes of hell! No sooner said and the rider and horror steed disappear. Undetermined and wishing to get to the bottom of what had happened brave Karen continues to the house where she was born and spent her happiest hours. Upon arriving at her parent's house the door is answered by the Page's family's new butler, Garth. Karen is concerned about her mother's distress as she is distracted by her daughter's return. She informs her that her father has been kidnapped by Death's Head. Daredevil has followed Karen and no sooner has he arrived when he clashes with Death's Head, who issues DD with the same warning before disappearing once more. Arriving at the Page house, Daredevil promises to save Karen's father from the threat of Death's Head. Next week "DD vs Death's Head!"

The Mighty Marvel Mailbag

Mike Brown from Middlesex gives a run-down on all the Marvel weeklies that he collects, which are MWOM, SMCW, Avengers weekly and The Titans. He awards lots of good marks with some fair marks too. K Pearson from Leicester writes that Marvel has given them many hours of enjoyment. The Killraven story was a little far-fetched, but with the stories that followed are okay. He realised that even with ridding himself of his DC collection he still doesn't have enough room, so it was a decision between my American or British Marvels. In the end it was the American Marvels that got the boot. Gordon Robson from Glasgow is so glad you've stopped cutting bits off pictures and then adding them on again. If only British Marvel would stop using tint. Andrew Spencer RFO, KOF from Yorkshire has his own theories on the Fantastic Four's powers, concluding that the cosmic rays effect the cells of a person's skin, with Ben's skin becoming extra-tough skin, Sue skin cells shrink so small they can't be seen and Reed's skin cells stretch. Russell Walker from the Isle of Man asks that the writers should keep the wise-cracks coming in SMCW, because he thinks they're great.

Jim Ivers from Dublin writes another massive letter, this time he reminisces about the birth of Marvel in Britain from August 1972 and its growth. Without Marvel’s entry into the UK market, the thriving comics community in the UK would still be at its pre-1972 level, due to the poor distribution of American comics. Things have changed with a full consignment of US Marvels every month at reasonable prices. Additionally there are Marvel magazines tailored to British comic fans, offering a mix of nostalgia and new stories. The production of these British Marvels is impressive, despite occasional segmented original stories. The style and format of each magazine adhere to the true Marvel tradition. The stories aren't only limited to the past, there are many series published simultaneously with their American counterparts, like Planet of the Apes, the Scarecrow and Bloodstone. With a plentiful supply of original art, too. It was in the British mags that Jim Starlin and many others rose to stardom. Among them Rich Buckler, Tony Isabella, Ron Wilson, Ed Hannigan, Scott Edelman and now John David Warner for the many covers and pin-ups. Jim Ivers predicts that in four or five years time the British mags will be showcasing the production and artistic talents of home-based prospects. (You know he was right there!) No Jim Ivers letter would ever be complete without some type of criticism, he says of the artwork in a fair percentage of new covers and pin-ups in the comics and especially in the Titans are not drawn in a manner befitting a Marvel magazine. He points out some of the people responsible are Gary Brodsky, Aubrey Bradford and Howard Bender, among others. Glenn Lumsden from Sidney, Australia buys a good number of American Marvels but is now a keen collector of MWOM since they started to appear in the southern hemisphere. David Shewring from Newport writes that the Fantastic Four are his favourite characters but Daredevil is just daft. Uran Goyal from London was happy to see Stan Lee and Marc Bolan talking to Eamonn Andrews on "Today" on ITV. He hopes to see the Daredevil and Black Widow series you were talking about.

The Fantastic Four “To face the Wizard!”

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Joe Sinnott 

Originally published in The Fantastic Four #81

Cover date December 1968

(Published in September 1968)

This week's second part opening splash page uses the eleventh page of the original story depicting the Thing, Crystal and Mister Fantastic racing into action in the Fantasticar to aid the Human Torch in his fight against the Wizard. This story and more particularly this splash page lead me to write a blog on Jack Kirby's exquisite art, in the early days of the Power of the Beesting blog. If you've got time have a look at The exquisite draughtsman. 

The Wizard has returned to exact his revenge on the Fantastic Four after his last defeat, when the Things defeated him and destroyed his original "Wonder gloves" some ten week's ago back in MWOM #171. This time he has built an improved pair of gloves. Displaying the power of his new "wonder gloves" he uses their built in "pressure ray" to force a high powered jet of water from a water tower to extinguish the Torch's flame. Luckily the FF save him from falling to his doom by catching him in the Fantasticar. Having adapted his "anti-gravity discs Technology into a miniaturised ray his "Wonder gloves" the Wizard hurls the complete water tower at the Fantastic Four. The Thing smashes it harmlessly in to the New York harbour. The Wizard chases them to the docks and looks to have nearly overpowered them. Yet with victory in his grasp he is totally unprepared for the addition of Crystal and her elemental powers to the group. She single handedly matches his attacks. When the rest of the FF join in he has to jump into the harbour and make a quick getaway. The battle over, Reed welcomes Crystal as a member of the team.

Super Spider-man with the Super-Heroes #162

This landscape cover featured artwork from Dave Hunt, which was inked by Frank Giacoia. It was a great re-creation of the cover for the Amazing Spider-Man #114, originally by John Romita Sr. I don't think that Hunt cut and pasted the characters from the Romita art, it looks like Hunt copied the look and the design, the vintage car looks very similar to the original. I have to admit that the image of Spider-man looks a little weird as if it was an after-thought. The original UK commissioned cover was sold by Heritage Auctions on the 26th November 2017 for $1,673, which is around £1,256. 

Spider-man “Gang war, shmang war! What I want to know is...who the heck is Hammerhead?”

Writer: Gerry Conway

Artist: John Romita Sr.

Inker: John Romita Sr.

Originally published in the Amazing Spider-man #114

Cover date November 1972

(Published in August 1972)

After defeating Doctor Octopus, with the help of a strength-boosting harness to boost his weakened strength caused by an ulcer, Spider-man is confronted by a new criminal, Hammerhead, who has been warring with Doctor Octopus over control of crime in New York City. During the fight a bullet grazes Spider-man's skull, causing him to pass out. In the commotion Doctor Octopus escapes leaving Hammerhead to wonder why Octopus wanted Spider-man alive? He takes the wall-crawler back to his hideout.

Hammerhead gives Spider-man an ultimatum when he regains consciousness, join his gang or die! We then find out his origin. A scientist called Jonas Harrow finds the man who would become Hammerhead critically injured and with no memory of who he was, in an alleyway. Harrow would reconstruct Hammerhead's skull so that it would be made out of titanium. With only the wakening memory of an Al Capone poster he adopts the persona of a "Roaring Twenties" mobster. He worked his way up the crime ladder, filling the void left by the Kingpin's fall from power. This had lead him into conflict with Dr. Octopus. Word reaches Hammerhead that Dr. Octopus has "shacked up with some old broad". Hammerhead leaves Spider-man under armed guard while he goes to "whack" his rival. Spider-man escapes and follows Hammerhead. While on the campus of ESU, Dr. Miles Warren confronts Gwen Stacy about the rumours over the kidnapping of Peter's Aunt. Later she meets Flash Thompson, who makes a crack about Peter's ulcer. Gwen angrily storms off. Hammerhead sends out some of his men to Doc Ock's mansion hideout, but Spidey knocks them out. Sneaking around suddenly he's knocked out with a vase from behind. It turns out that it's Aunt May, who's quite sure she's killed Spider-man. Continued next week in "Betrayal!"

Doctor Strange “...The depths of Death!”

Writer: Steve Englehart

Artist: Frank Brunner

Inker: Frank Brunner

Originally published in Doctor Strange #4

Cover date October 1974

(Published in July 1974)

An unnamed artist has created this new second part opening splash page, which in many ways is similar to the stories original opening page as seen last week. Doctor Strange was stabbed by the Silver Dagger, as seen in SSMwtSH #159. The fiend has kidnapped Clea and taken the Amulet of Agamotto. Facing near death the sorcerer's  mind plots his survival by journeying into the Orb of Agamotto, where at the centre of this strange plane of Reality he might save his mortal body. Strange and Aragorn travel through a void of space but as a meteorite strikes Aragorn's hoof, the horse transforms into a skeleton and dies.

Death then appears, revealing that Strange has reached the outside and is now within the depths of Death at last. The Doctor futilely fights until Death states that he has returned to the real universe where everything dies. The sorcerer tries to escape spotting a hole in space whose shape is that of Eternity. Death fails to prevent Strange from reaching safety within Eternity's void, admitting that the whole of Creation is the sum of Death and Eternity. Strange realises that, since he cannot escape or avoid Death, his only option is to surrender. He accepts that death is a part of life, just as life is a part of death, and that death, although remorseless, is not evil but just an experience for the soul. With this new understanding, Strange gives up his fear of death, his body grows filling the huge form of Eternity. With Death's touch Dr. Strange dies. However, at the moment the universe around him begins to shudder. The Sorcerer Supreme finds himself in a white void where he is greeted by the disembodied head of the Ancient One, who congratulates him for winning the first of a series of trials that he must undergo. As a Sorcerer Supreme he must expunge even the most deeply-held fear of death. The Ancient One confirms that his death doesn't matter, as he will live again, reborn into a realm with no physical fears to arrest his development. He will never fear Death, his life will be touched by Eternity. He will not age and death will only come from without, in battle, and not from within. The Ancient One then states that Strange may live for 600 years, as the Ancient One did once he won that trial, or he may live even longer, perhaps forever. When Strange admits that he does feel different, the Ancient One points out that the Ankh, the symbol of Enduring Life, is now on his forehead. Before fading away, the Ancient One tells the Doctor that there are many other unexpected trials before him of which he can say no more.

This page features an in-house advert for the Avengers weekly featuring Iron Fist as well as a stamp quiz advert, but it also previews the following page's centre spread poster. Last week you might have remember reading Dennis Gifford's article about Frank Hampson, who in 1976 was nominated as the world's best comic artist. So for Super Spider-man fans a special Spider-man centre spread was drawn by Frank Hampson exclusively for Marvel Comics. So without further ado British comic strip royalty meets American super-hero, super-star to produce a Marvel Masterwork centre spread.

A Marvel Masterwork Centre spread titled "London Invaded". Drawn by legendary British artist Frank Hampson. The text box says that London 2026 is under attack! "The Thames is being lashed into a vortex of fury. From a Telesender at the bottom of the whirlpool some sneaky magician is funnelling an endless  stream of beaky, hostile aliens primed for conquest. Things look black for the Union Jack. Those armoured parrots aren't here to play 'Lullaby of bird land' on their protectors. This could be the final sunset of the dear old empire...(for gods sake stop snivelling Carruthers,)...But hang about! Who is that all-American Arachnid poised and waiting atop the new London Marvel Bull Tower at the far right. Can it be?..It is!...The web weaving wonder himself! We're saved Carruthers! Spider-man and the Thing (centre,) and the Hulk, just coming up (out of frame,) I'll have three lumps in my tea today Carruthers!" 

It's an interesting piece, with lots of details to enjoy. In itself it's almost a one panel strip with a story out of a classic British strip. A number of unusual things to go through, why was the Thing chosen, why mention the Hulk in the text even though he can't be seen and why can't he be seen? Any way you got to love Spidey's baggy pyjama-costume. One other thing, did Hampson predict the Invasion of New York in the MCU's Avengers movie?

Marvel Mastermind 1975 Finalists, The questions.

Here's questions 1 to 6.

1. What is the Christian name of Peter Parker's father?

2. Which character, associated with Medusa, Gorgon, and Karnak, is physically unable to utter a word?

3. On the cover of the very first issue of the Mighty World of Marvel, Spider-man advises readers to turn to which specific page number?

4. Daredevil is really Matt Murdock and, for a time, he went by the name of Mike Murdock. But as a child, he had a nick-name. What was it?

5. What distinction do the Human Torch, The Thing, Mr. Fantastic and Marvel Girl share that is not shared by any other Marvel Super-Hero?

6. In what issue of a British weekly did the strongest human being on earth meet the most powerful immortal in Asgard?

Iron Man “Once more...the Mandarin!”

Writer: Archie Goodwin

Artist: George Tuska

Inker: Johnny Craig

Originally published in Iron Man #10

Cover date February 1969

(Published in November 1968)

Last issue the Mandarin had hatched a plot to have a robot duplicate of the Hulk face Iron Man. Even though the armoured Avenger defeated the robot the closely followed skirmish had allowed the Mandarin to deduce that Iron Man and Tony Stark are one and the same. With that information the Mandarin now plots to destroy his western rival by ruining his foe's reputation, by doctoring photos showing Stark associating with members of the Chinese and Russian military elite. As newspapers hits the newsstands with the fake news, while Stark is out dining with Janice Cord. The two are forced to flee as press reporters swarm in an effort to get the scoop of Stark supposed treachery.

The Web and the Hammer

Sandra Sinfield from London gets Conan, SMCW and the Superheroes and she normally loves the artwork, especially in Conan, but she's seen old X-Men comics and they're much better-drawn. Why can't they be to the Conan standards throughout? And why has the sensational Silver Surfer been replaced by Giant Man? He's a boring male chauvinist idiot. Jim Hogue from Middlesex made a personal telephone call to Thames TV and made contact with a fellow called Mike. He was an assistant who bought cartoons for the company from America, he told Jim there were quite a few requests from people demanding Marvel films. Derek Williamson and Phil Wheat from Stone Coldfield unanimously agree to elect Gil Kane as the best artist for Spiderman. Thor is okay, they would prefer to see less of Asgard in the stories. because when Odin appears it becomes "all talk" and no action. Mark Ball from Cheshire writes that British Marvel mags are getting better He admits it's a bit of a moan but the current Iron Man in the US is of the highest quality, but in the early days, let's be honest, he stood alongside Ant-Man as one of the more mechanical Marvel efforts. While it's good to see old classics, wouldn't it have been better to have established Iron Man with, say, a half-dozen episodes and move swiftly on to a later, more creative period?

The Mighty Thor “Death is a Stranger”

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: John Buscema

Inker: Vince Colletta

Originally published in The Mighty Thor #178

Cover date July 1970

(Published in May 1970)

This tale marks the start of John Buscema taking over from Jack Kirby on Thor as last week's adventure was his last on the comic. This was the start of Kirby finishing working for Marvel comics, within the next few months in 1970 he would stop working on his new projects like Ka-Zar in Astonishing Tales issue 2, cover dated October 1970, published July 1970 and The Inhumans in Amazing Adventures issue 4, cover dated January 1971, published October 1970. His last Fantastic Four story was in issue 102, cover dated September 1970, published June 1970. Marvel's loss was DC's gain. But the King would eventually return.

Following Surtur's defeat Odin had reclaimed the throne and celebrations followed. Sif notices Thor's concern over Loki's return. 

In the depths of space, the Abomination rematerialises on the Stranger's world following his defeat at the hands of the Silver Surfer on Earth, as seen in the Super-Heroes #26. The Abomination sneaks into the Stranger's citadel to find a means of defeating his captor. While spying the Stranger using his space scanner to detect a new specimen, the Alien Elder departs to investigate. Noticing the scanner is still on he uses it to spy on Thor. Deciding that the Thunder God would make an ideal opponent to crush the Stranger, the Abomination teleports Thor to the Stranger's citadel. The Abomination tricks Thor into helping him, convincing him that he is just a helpless prisoner of the Stranger. Thor is then taken to the holding cells where many other alien creatures have been imprisoned by the Stranger. Thor frees them all when suddenly the Stranger appears, alerted to his escaping captives. Thor battles the Stranger one-on-one, finding that the Stranger's powers are varied and more than his match he flees to plan a new strategy. Until next week when it's "on with the battle!"

An In-house advert for The Titans that features Spider-man guest-starring in the lead feature, The X-Men, plus the comic also has four other supporting strips. This week's Sea-Monkey offer coupon sports the profile of Thor the God of Thunder himself. 

The Thing and “Fight and future freedom!”

Writer: Steve Gerber

Artist: Sal Buscema

Inker: Mike Esposito 

Originally published in Marvel Two-in-One #5

Cover date September 1974

(Published in June 1974)

An unnamed artist drew this second part splash page with fresh catch-up text boxes, credits and a new story title, where we find aboard the Captain America the Guardians of the Galaxy having received the call from the human resistance they race back to Earth. Where from the past the Thing, Captain America and Sharon Carter have started a rebellion among the surviving humans against their Badoon repressors. Soon the Guardians of the Galaxy help turn the battle in favour of the visitors from the past. 

Once the immediate battle is over, Major Vance Astro tells Captain America of his origin. Originally from 1988 he was part of a space mission that launched on a journey to Earth's nearest stellar neighbour. Spending most of the intervening years asleep in suspended animation. However two hundred years after he left Earth, a man named Harkov had developed a new theory of physics that made faster-than-light space travel possible. When Astro finally arrived at Centauri-IV in the 31st century, he was greeted by some of the Earthmen who had already colonised the planet. With the story ended the heroes are joined by Tarin, Zakkor and the rest of the Terran Underground, to help the Thing, Captain America, Sharon Carter and the Guardians of the Galaxy storm the Badoon palace. The Monster of Badoon and the Badoon forces are defeated as the Terran rebels take control of the palace and Drang is captured. Although the Badoon still control the rest of the planet and Drang brags that they control control the rest of the Solar System and that entire sector of the galaxy, the humans are willing to fight to make sure that the Badoon empire will eventually fall. 24 hours after they arrived Captain America, the Thing and Sharon Carter have to return toothier own era when Dr. Doom's time machine reappears. Next week "Doctor Strange!"

This colour back page cartoon also features on this week's Avengers weekly, Dracula lives and The Titans. Titled "Patch and Dr. Monster" it tells of Dr. Monster finding a lifeless Patch on the floor. Puzzled by the unresponsive human the Monster doctor tries many silly ways to diagnose the problem. The real Patch shows Dr. Monster that he had just found a Patch toy. One of two that anyone could have, just for six Blobs wrappers and a 35 pence cheque or postal order for a "Blow-up doll" offer. The choice of "Blow-up dolls" are a baby monster or a baby Patch. 

Avengers Weekly #132

Originally from the American edition of the Avengers issue 84, this cover was drawn by John Buscema and inked by his younger brother Sal. 

Conan the Barbarian “The warrior and the Were-woman!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: John Buscema

Inker: Ernie Chan

Originally published in Conan the Barbarian #38

Cover date May 1974

(Published in February 1973)

This story was freely adapted from the Conan story "The House of Arabu" by Robert E Howard. The original story was not published until 1952 as “Witch From Hell’s Kitchen” in Avon Fantasy Reader #18, as it had been rejected by Weird Tales on January 19, 1933. Howard had unsuccessfully tried to have it published with a collection of his stories, such as “Wings in the Night“, “The Tower of the Elephant“, “Kings of the Night” and “The Horror from the Mound“, by British publisher Denis Archer, but that too failed. John Buscema returns to the art duties with this tale. As much as I love Neil Adams art that return of Big John is appreciated. Sometimes too much of a good thing is too much. Buscema was born to draw Conan.

Back in Aghrapur, Conan now with a promotion to captain is guest of honour at a banquet to celebrate the rescue of princess Yolinda. But the Cimmerian cannot enjoy the party, because his dreams and nights are haunted by a demonic woman. He can hardly endure the arrogance of Turanian nobles. Ibi-Engur, Narim-Bey's cousin picks fight with him over the death of the Priest he killed in his mission in Khitai. Conan soon puts him in his place. The fop Feyd-Ratha lets Conan know that he is aware of the barbarian's dalliances with Commander Narim-Bey's wife Amytis, but Conan is in no mood to be blackmailed. During the party, a xenophobic dancing girl attacks Conan with a knife. He easily diverts the blade causing her to accidentally stab herself to death. Strange voices and shadows stalk Conan on the way home, he nearly attacks Amytis, who had made her way to his quarters. Conan tells her of his dream and the number of attempts on his life that night. She reveals that Lilitu, a were-woman, must be behind the supernatural attacks. The only one who can lift the curse is the exiled high priest Gimil-Ishbi. King Yildiz had banished the priest because of his bloodthirsty rituals. He now dwells in the Mound of the Moon west of the city. Amytis returns to her quarters, where she reveals her conversation with Conan to an unknown master. Conan makes the journey to Gimil-Ishbi, who already knew he was coming and why, but still asks him to reveal all. Continued next week.

Marvel Mastermind 1975 Finalists, The questions.

Questions 7 to 10.

7. The Sub-Mariner had all his Super-powers at birth except which one?

8. The very first Marvel Club in America was called the Merry Marvel Marching Society. All early members received a record along with their membership card. What were the first two words on that record?

9. The first super-hero, a member of the first group, discovered and identified a second, "lost" super-hero. That second super-hero discovered a third, "lost" super-hero whom a second group

identified. This third super-hero and the second super-hero had, at one time, been co-members of a third group. The third super-hero went to join the second group and battle the second super-hero. Identify the super-heroes and the groups.

10. Which issue of a British weekly, features a single pin-up of Spidey, the Fantastic Four,

The Avengers “The sword and the sorceress!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: John Buscema

Inker: Tom Palmer

Originally published in The Avengers #84

Cover date January 1971

(Published in November 1970)

Like last week's Avengers tale this story also appeared in last winter's Avengers Annual 1976. The Black Knight on his valiant steed Aragorn race with a soul in grievous torment towards the Well at the Centre of Time. His mission to discard in the Well his Ebony Blade Sword. Yet he cannot carry out the deed. Soon finds himself attacked by warriors on demonic steeds, lead by Arkon the Magnificent. After putting up a good fight he is defeated and captured. The events are seen in a dream by the Scarlet Witch who wakes up screaming. She tells her fellow Avengers of her nightmare.

Deciding it requires further investigation they call the Black Knights estate in Britain, they find that he is not home. The Avengers then decide to pay a visit to Arkon's home world. But to get there they need Thor and his enchanted hammer's powers. the Black Panther leaves to find the Thunder God. Meanwhile the Black Knight is brought before Arkon and his new consort, the Enchantress. The angry ruler believes that the Knight is a spy for the Avengers, but the Knight tells them he's on a personal mission. The Enchantress suggests that she uses her powers of seduction in order to find the truth. With a kiss from her lips the Knight reveals that he had nearly killed two thieves, earlier that night. The spirit of his ancestor, the original Black Knight had warned him of the Ebony Blade's blood curse. He ordered him to go to Stonehenge. There, he was confronted by an old woman who suddenly transported him to Arkon's world, where the Well awaits at the Centre of Time. Continued next week.

Avengers Assemble!

Richard Colbeck from Surrey thinks that Marvel have trampled over the Vision, he must be able to defeat all your super heroes and super foes. David Holt RFO, KOF, FOOMer from Suffolk thinks that putting Conan into The Avengers was sheer genius. Before, he couldn't afford to read Conan very often, but now he reads him every week. Doc Strange, although not his favourite character, is very good. But Shang-Chi and Iron Fist are a must. Please bring them back. David Fielder from Hertfordshire writes that Roy Thomas and John Buscema's portrayal of Conan never fails to attain high standards of excellence. Each story is a voyage of luxuriant imagery and illustration. In David's opinion, Roy proved a long time ago that he is Marvel's best writer. Paul Sullivan QNS, RFO, KOF from Cheshire writes that the '76 Annuals were just immaculately fantastic. excellent and fab! Marvel has given him new life, enjoyment, he's hooked. Neil Ellson from Northants writes that a lot of people say that Doctor Strange should be taken out of the Avengers weekly but he disagrees with this as Doctor Strange is fab and should be kept in.

Iron Fist “The city's not for burning!”

Writer: Chris Claremont 

Artist: John Byrne

Inker: Frank Chiaramonte

Originally published in Iron Fist #3

Cover date February 1976

(Published in November 1975)

Iron Fist has gone to London to save the life of his friend, Colleen Wing, but he might have gone there to die. The action starts without letting you take a breath. Danny and Misty's plane arrives at Heathrow airport in London. In a tried and tested plot device Chris Claremont delivers the spectacular with a crashed plane. Making it more personal as the readers learn that the pilot won't see his wife and two children ever again and the co-pilot will spend almost a year in hospital, but at least she will eventually recover. 

This is possibly the first of Claremont's aircraft disaster plots. Jean Grey and the X-Men crash-land a space shuttle, Lady Megan Daemon a zepplin, the X-Men again are brought down in a foggy Canada to fight Alpha Flight, Madelyne Pryor crashes a plane at the same time as Jean Grey's death, on Cyclops and Madelyne's Honeymoon they crash onto South Pacific island, William Stryker's plane crashes in "God Loves, Man Kills". The list goes on and on. I wouldn't want to fly in a Claremont story. This time the aircraft has been brought down by an energy bolt fired by the radioactive villain known as the Ravager, blasting the landing gear just as it comes in for landing. Panic sets in with the passengers, Taking stock of the dangers Misty Knight is the first to react, smashing open an emergency exit with her fist and rescuing a young child from the flames. Danny rips off his burning clothes to reveal his Iron Fist costume, Danny and Misty come face to face with the Ravager. The pair fight the villain although Misty is seriously injured as the Ravager blasts her arm before he escapes into the night. Iron Fist helps the child who Misty had saved earlier to pull Misty free from the wreckage. They discover the reason why she had incredible strength when she escaped the plane and fought the Ravager, was due to a Bionic arm. With Misty now safe and the police and emergency services arriving on the scene, Danny takes the opportunity to disappear out of sight like a ninja in the blink of an eye. To be continued naturally!

The Phantom Eagle “The Phantom Eagle”

Writer: Gary Friedrich

Artist: Herb Trimpe

Inker: Herb Trimpe

Originally published in Marvel Super-Heroes #16

Cover date September 1968

(Published in June 1968)

Towards the end of the Super-Heroes marvellous run the replacement for the Cat strip was the Scarecrow followed by Bloodstone and then it should have been Phantom Eagle, but the comic merged with Spider-man. I wondered why a World War One hero would have been chosen, but I'm sure I've read it somewhere that Neil Tennant was very keen on having Marvel produce a War comic for British Marvel, in the style of British comics like Commando, Battle Picture Weekly and Warlord. So I guess that this strip might have been a dry run for the Fury comic, that will launch March 1977.

Its March 1917, the United States has not yet entered the great global conflict consuming Europe, yet the land of the free is on the verge being forced in to entering the maelstrom. Now at this point I have to mention I'm not a big war comics fan. I wrote a blog about my hate/love of like them, it was called I don't like war comics, oh no I love-em. As I explain it was probably because of the way Americans wrote War stories. the writing on this one is poor. Gary Friedrich starts by saying that "Even at this premature moment the land of the free is on the verge of becoming the greatest power the world has ever known..." Why doesn't he go all out and say "America won the First World War!" Thankfully Herb Trimpe's art is really, really good. He nails the dog fights and makes this strip worth reading as long as you can look past the "Make the world great again" rhetoric. Karl Kaufman cruises above the eastern coast of America in his bi-plane when he's attack a a squadron of Fokkers. After a quick dog fight Karl followers them back to a giant German dirigible which the German planes can take off and land on. The Phantom Eagle returns to the shelter of friendly shores with the news of his discovery and as he does he recalls growing up with his friend Rex Griffin who shared love for childhood friend, Paula Jackson. Karl lost Paula to Rex became a couple, but even with their rivalry they remained friends. They became partners in a flying circus until one day things got a little too daring and Rex wounded up in hospital, never to fly again. Karl would meet them after he became an Air Corps test pilot Rex and Paula got married. The story continues in two week's time for some reason.

Dracula Lives #75

This cover was originally from the Tomb of Dracula issue 35, drawn by Gil Kane and inked by Tom Palmer. John Romita Sr. made cover art modifications to Brother Voodoo's face, well he was Marvel's Art Director at the time and he did co-create the character. I have to say that I do prefer the colours on the British version over the original. It looks a lot more believable. I like this cover over this week's selection so its going to be my Cover of the Week.

Dracula “Hell hath no fury...”

Writer: Marv Wolfman

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Tom Palmer

Originally published in Tomb of Dracula #35

Cover date August 1975

(Published in May 1975)

Having feed upon Jackson Hardy in last issue's Dracula Lives, Daphne von Wilkinson offers Dracula another deal, if he eliminates four men she blames are responsible for the failure of her fashion business, she will try to find information on Dr. Sun for him. Dracula agrees so Daphne makes a few phone calls to get information out of a contact at Scotland Yard whom she apparently has incriminating photos of. Dracula asks why she wants those four men dead? 

She explains that a number of her designs were stolen by the four men in question. Nobody believed her because she was a mere woman. Dracula agrees to her request for vengeance. His first target is to be Martin Beatering. Meanwhile in Brazil, Brother Voodoo and Frank Drake fight off the zombies. Over powering the living corpses by sending most of them off a cliff, save for one who armed with a torch sets fire to Brother Voodoo. However Voodoo's mystical immunity allows him to incinerate his attacker with the same fate it had intended for him. Brother Voodoo tells Frank that they must find Frank's "friend" Danny Summers, the man who led him into the trap, as he is the one who must ultimately pay. While back in London Monty Python's "The Dead Parrot" sketch is heard on a television, Martin Beatering tells his wife, Tully to turn it off. That starts off an argument between the two. He should get a better job as she's sick of scrimping to make ends meet. He argues that he was running dry and couldn't come up with any designs while working for von Wilkinson. Since then he has enjoyed working on an assembly line. The bickering becomes more physical, Tully pushes Martin, who cuts himself while shaving. The doorbell interrupt the domestic violence. His wife answers the door, allowing Dracula to enter. Daphne von Wilkinson has asked him to speak with Martin. When he asks what she wants, Dracula answers only his death as he pounces on him. As the vampire finishes draining Martin, Tully begs him to stop. Dracula tells her to not cry over her husbands death, after all she will be next.

Marvel Mastermind 1975 Finalists, The questions.

Questions 11 to 14.

11. Who shot Betty Brant's brother?

12. At one time, three super-heroes who no longer do so, wore glasses in their everyday identities. Name all 3 Super-heroes?

13. To what place have both Tony Stark and Flash Thompson been that very few other characters in the Marvel Universe have been?

14. At Marvel, there are story editors whose names appear in the spash-page credits of the comic stories. In addition there are British comic book editors in Britain. None of these people's names are acceptable as answers to the following question:-

Over the years there have been a dozen different editors in New York of the British Comic Weeklies. Name 5 of them. (Note: If a person has been both British Comic Book Editor in America and a story editor, then his name is acceptable as an answer to the question).

Werewolf by Night “The stalker called Moon Knight”

Writer: Doug Moench

Artist: Don Perlin

Inker: Don Perlin

Originally published in Werewolf by Night #32

Cover date August 1975

(Published in May 1975)

In a seedy alley a mysterious costumed figure known as Moon Knight attacks the Werewolf, armed with silver studded gauntlets. A crowd begins to gather as the Werewolf prepares to pounce the Moon Knight slings three razor crescent-shaped throwing blades into the beast's chest. He howls in pain that is doubled down on by a karate kick from the hooded attacker. As the Werewolf drops to the floor a portion of his mind reflects upon recent events.

It was that morning when Jack Russell waited for his friend Buck Cowan to pick him up after dropping him off  the prior evening in the snow capped landscape for Jack to transformed into the werewolf while Jack and Buck with their friends had taken a skiing trip in Northern California. Buck didn't return as he had been brutally mauled by the Werewolf when he had protected his girlfriend's daughter from the beast. Buck's body was recovered and taken to Westwood Hospital where surgeons laboured to save his life. Unaware of Buck's condition Jack had hitchhiked back home where his stepfather told him of his friend's condition. Jack sped to the hospital where he met with Lissa and Topaz, who told him that Buck was in critical condition and had slipped into a coma. Angered with the realisation of what his animalistic alter-ego had caused Jack returns home to find the Moon Knight standing in his living room. The Moon Knight recalls how the Committee hired him to bring him Jack Russell in alive. The story continues as the Werewolf has "to fight the Moon Knight!"

Cryptic Correspondence

Jim Lengths from Wiltshire really thought that the lettering in

"Count Dracula, Lord of the Undead" by John Costanza, showed vivid imagination, especially the part saying "Continued Next Week!" he thinks he's a great asset to the team. Paul Duquemin from Guernsey is a real horror fan who enjoys both films and magazines. He watches all the films to do with horror that he can, and buy as many horror mags as he can lay his hands on. While he read each one, above them stands "Dracula Lives", so he keeps that to last. The story of Dracula itself is fantastic, Gene Colan and Tom Palmer are really doing our blood-sucking country proud. Damon Cahill from County Dublin writes a letter about all the weeklies, but on Dracula Lives he writes that it is a pliable format. With the current "stars", Dracula and the soon-to-depart Werewolf, and the Man-Thing, who will hopefully run his entire mucky length. When the Werewolf departs it would appear that the Son of Satan is to be the third feature. He would prefer the reprinting of material from the black and white magazines, as these books are not available in Ireland.

Pete Underwood from Warrington writes to disagree with what Tom Timlin wrote in the Avengers weekly #122 saying that Mike Mittelstadt is the best letter writer in Britain, as he can emulate the letters of Dean Mullaney, the best American correspondent. Pete is a pen-pal of Dean Mullaney, who sends him US Marvels, while Pete sends him British Marvels. They discussed the subject of who is best British Marvel correspondent and Dean says that he prefers Neil Fisher, after seeing his letters in "Dracula Lives" #61 and #64, Dean told him "Neil Fisher is the most mature correspondent he has seen in your British Marvels, and the points that he brings up in his letters are very interesting, and his concern of Frank Drake being phased out of the British

"Dracula Lives" (#6) was exactly the same thing that I was concerned over, but I never wrote to Marvel about it, because I thought I would be taking the comic-book just a bit too seriously. Dean ends his letter declaring that both he and Dean think that Neil Fisher is the best British correspondent. This would have been very controversial at the time as Neil Fisher had been caught out copying letters from American Marvel mag letter pages and passing them off as his own by changing some of the text. The editor points out that Neil Fisher often mailed in three separate missives in one week. But also highlighted the one cloud that dimmed the brightness of Neil's efforts. "It has been said that Neil is not above borrowing a phrase or two for even a whole letters from correspondence that has previously appeared in US Marvels." Check out Dracula Lives #72 for the last letter writer to accuse him of it. 

Bullpen Bulletin

A Profound Potpourri of Perplexing Pronouncements & Preposterous Philosophy, all Portending Practically Nothing.

The first Item is about a real treat for Daredevil fans as an addition to his regular strip in MWOM ol' horn-head will feature in the Avengers strip called "Hostage!" How, wait a minute wasn't that in Avengers weekly #128, four week's ago! But the Item does finish with this fact, Roy Thomas gave up a scholarship to George Washington University just to write for Marvel! He would have studied world events and might have ended up becoming a diplomat! He might also have accidentally started World War III. The second Item is another Marvel Mini-origin, this time it's the Hulk in the spotlight. That's all for this week, except to say that in this week's Super Spider-man with the Super-Heroes there is a fantastic centre spread specially drawn by Frank Hampson as Spidey hits London as you've never seen him before.

Man-Thing “It came out of the sky!”

Writer: Steve Gerber

Artist: Val Mayerik

Inker: Sal Trapani 

Originally published in Adventure into Fear #17

Cover date October 1973

(Published in July 1973)

In what's obviously a back handed swipe at the Super-man origin the Man-Thing stumbles across an alien spacecraft that has crashed landed in the swamp. The silvery shaft torn from the stars precariously balances in the sodden bog. There's no immaculate landing here. Animals and birds are drawn to its mysterious beauty, so too is the Man-Thing for reasons of curiosity. 

With awkward hands the precarious craft topples and falls into the muddy waters. Admitting a weird purplish glow the novelty intrigues the swamp monster, he watches and waits for something to happen for nearly an hour. But as his attention grows weary the Man-Thing turns, finally board. Then comes a dull erratic "plink, plink, plink!" The miss-shaped Man-Thing rests its head on the silver hull. Listening yields nothing, so it resorts to other means like battering the craft with its fist and then in frustration it picks it up, slamming it like a missile it against a tree. From the smouldering explosion strides a manly auburn-haired youth with maddeningly innocent eyes. The story journeys back to the birthplace of the youth, an alien planet called Dakkam. The youth's parents, the astronomer Hektu and his wife Soja, had learned that their planet was doomed. Hektu had warned the governing Planetary Triumvirate about their sun destruction and that funds must be found to build a fleet of starships to take the population to a different solar system. 

The government dismissed his theories as nonsense no matter how graphic he made his predictions of a sun that grew hotter and hotter, causing the seas to dry up, the planet's people to starve and fight for the merest morsel of food. Still they don't listen, instead they call him mad and forbid him to spread his ridiculous theories among the populace. With that Hektu secretly builds a rocket with a "d-warp"engine to carry his child, Wundarr to another world safe from the coming disaster. The powers that be hears of his "spacecraft" and come to seize it and silence his mad theories. Soja with her dying effort carries her child into the craft and launches it towards a new home. That home turned out to be Earth, where in July of 1951 the craft streaks across a Florida sky, witnessed by an old couple who see it crash into the swamp. The couple argue whether they should go to the UFO. But "Maw" tells "Paw" to stay right where they are as it could be Martians or communists and they could get themselves "ray gunned t'death!" Instead over the decades the baby grew to adulthood inside the metal womb without any sort of education. Freed by the Man-Thing the infantile adult Wundarr begins to explore this strange new world and with joy his newborn muscles bounds himself into the air. His muscles are different, far more powerful than any Earthman's. With that a look of terror washes over his features! Continued next week.

Planet of the Apes #75

I think that last week's Planet of the Apes cover would have been better suited to this week's strip and would have looked better on this issue. This week's Ron Wilson standard effort was possibly inked by Al Milgrom.

The Hawk that followed the gnat. Another Airfix advert that hides in plane sight as an Airfix new model file, this time focusing on the Hawker Siddeley Hawk jet. The model was a 72nd Scale, Series 3, new to the world's biggest range of construction kits. It had been selected by the Royal Airforce to replace the Gnat and Hunter in Training Command to provide jet flying training from the basic to the advanced stage. The Hawk's first flight was on 21st August 1974. It proved to be a very successful design with its tandem two-seat low-wing monoplane, powered by a single Rolls-Royce/Turbomeca, Adour engine of 5,340lb thrust. The Hawk's slow approach and landing speeds was suitable tor basic training as well as high performance for advanced work. This superb replica Airfix kit of the Hawk includes a detailed cockpit, a gunsight, optional position air-brake, fully detailed undercarriage bay and a wide selection of weapons for the ground attack version. Decals are provided for the ground attack aircraft and for the development trainer model. Readers could find out more news and details of Airfix models in the Airfix Magazine.

Planet of the Apes “Malagueña beyond a Zone Forbidden”

Writer: Doug Moench

Artist:  Mike Ploog

Inker: Frank Chiaramonte

Originally published in Planet of the Apes (US) #6

Cover date March 1975

(Published in January 1975)

This Terror on the Planet of the Apes story follows on from where it ended in Planet of the Apes issue19, with Alex and Jason with the Lawgiver and their new friends, the ape Gun-powder Julius and the human Steely Dan, as they bury the friendly ape/human they named Shaggy, after the creature had died saving Jason from the gorilla warlord Brutus. Doug Moench had asked what Mike Ploog had enjoyed drawing, he had mentioned that he liked the frontier-type Davy Crocket sort of thing, So that's where Moench got the idea for Gun-powder Julius and Steely Dan. Moench recalls that he based Steely Dan on Mike's own personality, as he was a huge guy with a roaring laugh, a total extrovert.

Dan and Julius plan to take the Lawgiver back to the Ape city with Alex and Jason, by way of the riverboat named Simian. Jason thinks back to his family who were murdered by hooded gorillas, murdered by Brutus and his stinking gorilla thugs who had plotted to take over the city where humans and apes lived in peace, after the Lawgiver had left on his mission to explore the Forbidden Zone. Day turns into night as the group sail down river, Jason lost in his thoughts, numb as his mind conjures up visions in the dark waters of Brutus and his hood of terror, visions of death and Brutus again with his rifle aimed at Jason's heart. He hears the cock of the rifle and knows he's about to die, just as Steely Dan shoots into the dark water at what he calls a River-slug. In reality it's more like a mutated giant toad with a barbed tongue. The River-slug attacks Alex by wrapping its tongue around the young chimpanzees throat. Gun-powder Julius slices it off with his knife. It hasn't come alone, another mutated leviathan breaks the surface and attacks, pulling the Lawgiver over board. Jason only sees an ape in danger, but it's not Brutus it's the Lawgiver and Jason leaps after him to save the orangutang. With the River-slugs dead the Riverboat called Simian carries on along the river, until they see a camp on the river bank. Gypsy apes and humans dancing in front of a camp fire. A beautiful girl stops dancing when she sees the strangers to ask who they are? Find out who she is next week.

Apes Forum

Alison Lesley RAMF, QNS from Berkshire has invented a new Marvel rank, RAMF which stands for Roddy Andrew McDowall Fans. She says that there must be millions of RAMF swooning over any pictures of Roddy. She has information of a Roddy McDowall fan club run by Margie Jones from Accrington. Howard Harcourt RFO, from Harrogate congrats Marvel on the new comic, The Titans and the increase of American Marvel comics coming into the shops like The Inhumans and the Champions. He asks what happened to Doc Savage in the Super-Heroes? Planet of the Apes is his favourite mag, but the negativity surrounding some letters around it makes him think that it won't make it to its 100th issue. Mark Lawton from Sheffield opened issue 60 of your fantastic mag POTA and to his horror there was no Apes Forum. After seeing three of the five films he thinks the adaptions are fantastic. One thing that spoils the mag is that although it's called 'Planet of The Apes' only 35-40% of the mag is on apes. The rest goes on other things, sometimes rubbish like "Man Gods", but sometimes good, like "The Black Panther'. All the same, this is the best mag he's ever read.

It's quite an unusual choice to have this Marvel Masterwork Pin-up of Daredevil fighting the Owl in the Planet of the Apes. It would have been more fitting to have an ape pin-up, or one of Ka-Zar or the Black Panther and save this one for the Mighty World of Marvel. The artwork was taken from the cover of Daredevil (US edition,) issue 21, cover dated October 1966, published August 1966. Drawn by Gene Colan with inks by Al Milgrom as their signatures on the left hand-side of the picture implies.  

Ka-Zar “Return to the Savage Land!”

Writer: Mike Friedrich

Artist: Paul Reinman

Inker: Mike Royer

Originally published in Ka-Zar Vol 2 #1

Cover date January 1974

(Published in September 1973)

Ka-Zar and Zabu have eagerly returned to the Antarctic Savage Lands by means of parachuting from a SHIELD plane. It's a crazy idea, even more so when you see it on the page, as the savage lord and his sabre-toothed tiger land on a sandy beach in the Savage Land. Ka-Zar decided to take a relaxing swim in its waters. The peace is swiftly broken when first a giant snake tries to make Ka-Zar its dinner until he quickly slays it, then second the blooded waters attract a shark that attacked him. Following the battle Ka-Zar returns to the beach happy in his victory, his return to the dangerous land he feels like he belongs in even if it meant parting with Agent Bobbi Morse who he had become close to.

Meanwhile not too far away from Ka-Zar in castle which rest upon the prehistoric isle, its occupant Malgato the Red Wizard predicts the return of of Ka-Zar, much to the delight of his slave Maa-Gor the Man-Ape, who last fought Ka-Zar in POTA #7. The Red Wizard relays a tale of the Savage Land to Maa-Gor about how it once used to be called Paradise. Ships from far-off Valusia traded there, until the Cataclysm occurred that shook Atlantis into the sea. If not for the volcanic walls that surround the land Paradise would have shared the same fate. Over time the remnants of the population turned against each other. The survivors faced a harsh cold until Malgato's ancestors performed a ritual for the Sun-God Garokk, which provided heat to land and kept the snow at bay. Over time tribes formed like the Fall People. In recent times disaster returned, first the living reincarnation of Garokk walked the land, as seen in POTA #4, a war with Zaladane, in POTA #5 and the latter-day god who called himself Damon, as seen in POTA #7. Admitting that Malgato has plans for Ka-Zar, he had bent Maa-Gor to become his willing slave. Then he sends off his pet pterodactyls to find his quarry. 

Marvel Mastermind 1975 Finalists

Well what happens if these questions end in a tie? The tying final finalists are asked to compose a "Mastermind Sentence", which is a sentence of ten words whose initial letters spell the word MASTERMIND. An example is given as "MARVEL'S AGILE SPIDER-MAN TERRIFIES EDITOR - RUSHES MADLY INTO NATIONAL DISASTER". The prize goes to the wittiest, most original Mastermind Sentence as determined by judges in the Bullpen. In the next week's mags all the answers and name the outright winner's name will be printed.

Black Panther “Valley beyond time!”

Writer: Don McGregor

Artist: Billy Graham

Inker: Pablo Marcos

Originally published in Jungle Action Vol 2 #14

Cover date March 1975

(Published in December 1974)

This opening splash page was commissioned for this second part, drawn by David Wenzel (pencils,) and Duffy Vohland (inks,). The original artwork was auctioned on the 1st September 2019 by Heritage Auctions and reached a price of $456, which is around £341. The writer of this strip Don McGregor, playfully signed the bottom margin with the note "I never saw this page before in my life." Check it out here. Traveling to the Serpent Valley the Black Panther had been tailing Erik Killmonger and his Death Regimet, when he was forced to dispatched Sombre. The pygmy human named Mokadi had witnessed those events, but had agreed to lead T'Challa to the Death Regiment. 

Mokadi shows the Wakandan King where Killmonger's men have been capturing dinosaurs. The Black Panther and his new friend climb down to take a better look and find out for what purpose. Killmonger's lackey Kazibe spies the intruders descent and informs his master. Killmonger releases his biggest captured prize a giant Tyrannosaurus rex, much to Mokkadi and the Panther's shock and surprise. Meanwhile in Central Wakanda W'Kabi was a staunch believer in traditional Wakandan values has to explain to his son that duty to the throne had caused tension between him and his child's mother. Monica Lynne under stands his torment, she tells Taki that once she considered him to be more than a "macho freak" sold on muscles and war, but there is more to him than that. Taki leaves to visit Horatio, Killmonger's captured lieutenant known as   Vemonn. Meanwhile the Panther and Mokadi battle the T-Rex, downing it by using a palm tree to fling a boulder at it. After defeating the giant dinosaur T'Challi calls out to Mokadi who has disappeared. He realises that his companion has gone, recalling that he had heard the word Mokadi before, in the Bomitaba Tribe in the Likuala region of Africa the terms means "spirit!" Was he ever there? T'Challa leaves the question unanswered as he searched for herbs to heal his wounds.

The Titans #23

The Grand Comics Database listed David Wenzel as the penciler of this landscape cover, however the original artwork on Bristol Board was auctioned by Heritage Auctions on 21st November 2020. They attributed it to Sal Trapani as the production sign-off stamp on the reverse side only identifies the penciler as "ST". Mike Esposito was the inker of the work. It featured the original X-Men chasing Spider-man, but also on the right the floating heads of Captain Marvel and Prince Namor. In the printed final version both heads are moved slightly to the left towards Spider-man. It was Sold for $4,800, which is around an incredible £3,593. 

The X-Men “Along came a spider...”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Werner Roth

Inker: Dan Adkins

Originally published in The X-Men #35

Cover date August 1967

(Published in June 1967)

The Banshee has been searching for Factor Three's secret base in the mountains near a small European town. He uses his sonic powers to discover the hollow hideout. However the mountain is not unguarded, a panel opens to reveal a spider-shaped robot that fires a paralysis ray, striking the Banshee. He manages to escape and sends a radio message to the X-Men warning them to "beware of the spider!" before he falls unconscious. Agents of Factor Three arrive and report to their commander, who orders a spider-robot in one of their saucer crafts to attack the X-Men in America.

The X-Men receive the Banshee's message, at that very moment, Peter Parker is riding his motorcycle through Westchester County when he decides to stop near a stream, when he spots Factor Three's saucer in the sky. As Spider-man he approaches the saucer and is surprised when he is attacked by a spider-robot. Cerebro's alarm detects the"mutant" robot so the X-Men investigate. Jean monitors Cerebro in case it detect the Professor. Meanwhile Spider-man has turned the spider-robots paralysis ray on itself, causing it to explode. The newly arrivied X-Men mistakenly believe that Spider-man is an agent of Factor Three and attack the Wall-crawler. Spider-man tries to explain while avoiding capture. Back at the mansion Jean try to contact the Banshee using the special crystal in his headband. Cerebro boosts the signal off an orbiting satellite so she learns the truth. She contacts her teammates filling them in on the mistake. They break off their fight and apologise for the altercation. The Wall-crawler explains his side of events. The X-Men depart, leaving Spider-man trying to make sense of the whole encounter. Returning to the X-Mansion, Jean tells them she has pinpointed the location of Factor Three's hideout, somewhere in a remote part of Central Europe. Cyclops orders the team to prepare to leave for Europe.

Captain America “Enter...the Tumbler!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Dick Ayers

Originally published in Tales to Astonish #83

Cover date November 1966

(Published in August 1966)

After some real classic Captain America tales from Stan Lee and Jack Kirby this one feels like a deadline fill in. Having taken the form of Captain America, the Adaptoid is startled by the sudden appearance of the Tumbler. A crook who has hopes of earning a reputation by defeating Captain America. While the Adaptoid, lacking Cap's experience battles the acrobatic villain, the real Captain America manages to break free and trounces the Tumbler. With both his doppelganger and the intruder defeated he calls the police. Jarvis helps Captain America take the bound Adaptoid to Goliath's lab until the other Avengers return. Don't worry I don't think we've heard the last of the Adaptoid as he resumes its original form and forms a "Plan" to escape.

Titanic Transcripts

Andrew Franks from Blackpool is one of the "Clean up Competition" runner-ups who won a "Doctor Strange Treasury Edition. Andrew gives his thoughts on the first ten issues of The Titans. Tom Tatlock RFO, KOF, QNS from St. Helens writes that the comics getting better and better, every week's batch proved tenfold. It's been a real treat these past few weeks for us dyed-in-the-wool Marvelites. Steven Devlin from Strathclyde writes that the latest and greatest venture, The Titans is the greatest thing since his initiation to MWOM. But he would consider that the introduction of the X-Men to be a very valuable asset. Phil Saunders RFO from Surrey offers his opinions of the strips in the Titans. The Inhumans have been going well. The Sub-Mariner first epic was entertaining, Nick Fury is a fine concept. The early tales of Captain America from World War Two are very good, but are rather acquired taste to read. The stories tend to be very shallow, and I have doubts about the popularity of this strip among older readers. However, he likes it, in spite of it all. Captain Marvel started badly but has improved with issues 7-9. The final panel on this page reminds readers that in this week's Super Spider-man the centre-spread features a poster by the "world's greatest comic artist," Frank Hampson.

This Marvel Masterwork centre-spread was drawn by Steve Stiles. It features Iron Man battling the Controller. That battle will feature in the Iron Man strip in Super-Spider with the Super-Heroes in under two months time. If you wanted to know who the character trapped in the Controller's mind machines was, it is a self portrait of the artist himself. 

This landscape page features two in-house adverts for the latest Treasury Edition and the newly imported editions of Marvel Classics. The ninth issue of the Marvel Treasury Edition is a Giant Superhero Team-Up, cover dated September 1976. The team-ups featured are Namor vs the Thing "In the Rage of Battle!" from Sub-Mariner Vol. 2 #8, cover dated December 1968, published September 1968, Daredevil vs Captain America "In Combat With Captain America!" from Daredevil #43, cover dated August 1968, published June 1968, Thor vs the Hulk "The Mighty Thor Battles the Incredible Hulk!" from Journey into Mystery #112, cover dated January 1965, published November 1964 and Spider-man vs the Silver Surfer in "The Surfer and the Spider!" from Silver Surfer #14, cover dated March 1970, published January 1970. They weren't as much "team-ups" as they were chances for Marvel heroes to battle each other. 50 pence for 84 full colour pages of action in a Marvel manor! Also advertised is the first four issues of the Marvel Classics Comics series, each issue featured a classic from literature adapted into a full colour strip form. Issue one features Robert Louis Stevenson's "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde", cover dated and published January 1976. Issue 2, H G Wells' "The Time Machine", cover dated February 1976, published January 1976. Issue 3 Victor Hugo's "Hunchback of Notre Dame", cover dated March 1976, published January 1976. And issue 4 Jules Verne's "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea", cover dated April 1976, published January 1976. All for 20 pence at your local newsagent. I wonder how well they sold as they would have been dearer than the normal imported comics, but I imagine that they contained more than the average number of strip pages. I've never seen one in the pulp, although I do own all twelve issues of the Marvel UK Pocket Book version.  

The Sub-Mariner “The Monarch and the monster!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Dan Adkins

Inker: Dan Adkins

Originally published in Tales to Astonish #93

Cover date July 1967

(Published in April 1967)

Namor continues his battle against the radioactive creature known as It, as a submarine fires torpedoes at them, believing Namor responsible for the creature's attack on the vessel. Their fight carries them away from the blast, but the radiation from the creature begins to sap at Namor's strength. The explosion from the torpedoes cause an avalanche, burying It beneath the rubble, as the Sub-Mariner barely makes it out. Thinking was sent by the surface dwellers, the prince attacks the sub, breaching its hull.

It frees itself to resume its attack on the Sub-Mariner. Greatly weakened by the radiation, Namor barely manages to dive out of the creature's way as it lunges at him, causing It to smash through the hull of the ship. When the soldiers aboard the sub finally get their scanners running they see the creature and realise that Namor wasn't responsible for attacking them and retreat from the fight. Weakened Namor returns to Atlantis where he learns of his near lethal dosing of radiation. Thanks to the advanced medical technology within Atlantis the Sub-Mariner recovers. Namor tells Lady Dorma that the "robot that he battled against had been sent by the surface world". Still believing that It was a robot sent to attack his nation, Namor orders that a council of war be organised. "The call to battle" will be made next week. 

This beautiful Marvel Masterwork of Kull was drawn by John Severin. Kull leading his men on the right of the page was taken from the inside front cover of the Marvel/Curtis Magazine Kull and the Barbarians issue 1, cover dated May 1975, published March 1975. 

Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD “When the Unliving strike!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby and Don Heck

Inker: Mike Esposito

Originally published in Strange Tales #146

Cover date July 1966

(Published in April 1966)

The layouts in this strip by Jack Kirby must have been pretty basic, it looks completely like Don Heck's work. Using a huge "swamp buggy", Nick Fury, DumDum Dugan, Agent Sitwell and a troop of SHIELD agents have tracked the "THEM" vehicle that carried the Chemical androids who attacked Captain America and Fury, as seen in The Titans #16, to a "murky, insect-infested swamp". Suddenly they are attacked by a squad of amphibian androids. 

Aboard the Helicarrier, Count Bornag Royale, who represents AIM (Advanced Idea Mechanics), a "society of the greatest intellects on Earth", is offended by the heavy-handed security treatment. Obviously, it takes place before Counrt Royale was discovered at the site of an AIM facility in last week's Captain America story. In the swamp Fury leads a team of underwater frogmen to infiltrate the secret base of "THEM".  Sitwell tries to open a hatch, but Fury tries to warn him it might be booby-trapped. Next issue "Thoom!" There a little space on the right of the landscape page, so an art bodger extents the artwork to fill in the gap, it's possible that it was Alan Murray, British Marvel's longstanding art director, but I can't know for sure.

Captain Marvel “Death in High Places!”

Writer: Marv Wolfman 

Artist: Wayne Boring

Inker: Frank Giacoia

Originally published in Captain Marvel #24

Cover date January 1973

(Published in October 1972)

What's strange about this period of Captain Marvel strips in the Titans is that the name shown in the credits for the writer is shown as Art Stampler, but the Marvel Wiki lists it as Marv Wolfman. Now I can't find a reference the original US comics but an online copy shows Marv Wolfman in the credits, it looks to be taken from a vintage copy. Did Wolfman use the name Art Stampler because he was working at DC comics at the time? Well possibly as he moved over to Marvel in 1972. I have to say I think the writing here is poor, like I would have expected from a DC story. 

The story starts with the mysterious Doctor Mynde ordering his assistant Madame Synn to shoot Rick Jones. She does but not a live round as they had hoped he would change into Captain Marvel. Which he does to avid a speeding car. Mar-Vell flies off to Rick's girl-friend Lou-Ann. Changing back into Rick Jones he meets Lou-Ann and her Uncle Professor Benjamin Savannah, who introduces him to Leonard Mynde who say he knows how to help with Rick's molecular structure problem. He takes Rick to his impressive country estate. Rick spies that Doctor Mynde has amassed an army and plans to steal the weapons from the Pentagon in a bid to take control of the world. Rick is discovered before he can swap places with Captain Marvel, Madame Synn takes him out with her "power-bolas" and a sharp right hook. The story continues next week, it's a pretty lame story and not a great way to end this week's blog. But thankfully it won't be long before the next batch of Marvel mags are reviewed in the next blog, so till then keep the faith and...

See you in seven.

Make Mine Marvel.