(Ghost) Riders in the storm!

 Week Ending 24th April 1976

Fans of the Fantastic Four, the Inhumans and the Ghost Rider are going to love this week's batch of weeklies as the FF get two tales in two comics, the Inhumans get to guest star in two of the strips in the Mighty World of Marvel and the Ghost Rider's own comic strip features for the first time in Dracula Lives while he makes a guest appearance in the Marvel Two in One/Thing strip for the second week running. So if you include that strip the Thing is the winner as he appears in three strips. All that and all the usual stuff and nonsense starts here. 

The Mighty World of Marvel #186

This Herb Trimpe cover originally from the Incredible Hulk issue 175 gets to shine once more on the front this British weekly.

The Incredible Hulk “Man-Brute in the hidden land!”

Writer: Steve Englehart

Artist: Herb Trimpe

Inker: Jack Abel

Originally published in The Incredible Hulk #175

Cover date May 1974

(Published in January 1974)

After last week's battle against the Cobalt Man, the Hulk is hurtling back to Earth. Chinese military have been monitoring a nuclear blast that appeared high above Sydney Australia and have begun tracking the unknown object's uncontrolled trajectory is towards the Himalayas or more exactly, as the Hulk will soon discover towards the Inhuman's hidden land. Picked up by the Inhuman's instruments, Karnak warns the Inhuman Royal family that the Hulk's re-entry is on collision course with their newly constructed Space Ark, sending the Inhumans out to redirect the Hulk. Black Bolt flies off, striking the Hulk in mid air causing him to change course and crash deeply into the side of a mountain.

The Inhumans investigate with Crystal's fiancée Quicksilver in tow. Arriving at the crash site they discover Bruce Banner. Recognising Banner from the Fantastic Four's files they welcome Banner to Attilan as a guest. Crystal with her mutant boyfriend Quicksilver may come as a surprise for readers of the Avengers and Fantastic Four stories in the weeklies at that period. Although future Avengers and FF adventures will explain Crystal's reason for leaving Johnny Storm, Pietro's disappearance from the Avengers and also why Medusa isn't seen with the Inhumans as she will replace Sue Storm in the Fantastic Four for a short time. None of that is mentioned to readers. The Inhumans show Banner their Space Ark which they explain will be used to fly to Counter-Earth, after they detected it orbiting the sun opposite of their own Earth. To the best of their knowledge there are no super-humans on that Earth and they might be readily accepted there. Banner is offer the chance to accompany them, but he needs to think about it. Lost in thoughts about Counter-Earth, Bruce is spotted by some Inhuman citizens who give him a hard time because he appears normal. After a scuffle Banner is pushed to the ground, prompting his transformation into the Hulk. His rampage through the hidden city attracts the attention of Quicksilver, Gorgon, Karnak and Crystal who attempt to subdue him. An angry Hulk and a starship to Counter-Earth, I think we can all guess what's going to happen, find out next week if you are right.

If you read this week's The Titans first you'll have discovered the Fantastic Four strip and no X-Men tale, later in this Mighty World of Marvel there's another Fantastic Four strip, so where are the X-Men then? Well this promotion page that uses the utterly brilliant Jim Steranko artwork from the cover of the X-Men issue 51 shows coming shortly to the pages of the Mighty World of Marvel are the X-Men, starting with issue 187. I think that this Steranko art looks better in black and white than it does in colour on the X-Men issue 51, cover dated December 1968, published October 1968. 

Marvel Mailbag

K Hopgood from Leighton Buzzard who is I presume the future artist Kev Hopgood of Marvel UK and 2000AD fame who had a letter printed in Dracula Lives #19. I confirmed that was from him and there can't be that many from the same town so I guess it's the same person. Kev pens a massive letter that shows a lot of story telling flair. He waxes lyrical about Jack Kirby by publicly announcing his ecstatic pleasure upon spying the captivating panels of a certain Jack Kirby. Kev's artistic eye points out that he really digs Gil Kane's dynamic doodles on Spider-man. Kev thinks that the Avengers/Conan merger has settled, at the beginning he was a little tired of all those "Action in the Past and Present" covers. Conan is as absolute as Spidey, anyone who doesn't like Conan just doesn't like comics. Buscema excells himself with The Avengers, for whom he is the only acceptable artist. Kev picks points on all the weeklies, I you read one letter from this week's mailbag, make it Kev's. Stuart Graham from Glasgow asks is it true there's going to be a Hulk film? Andrew Kean from Wolverhampton really likes POTA, so you have to wonder why his letter was printed in Marvel's prime weekly. 

Mark Hayhoe from Essex used to get all three weeklies every week as well as the American mags, Thor, Hulk, Fantastic Four, Spider-man, Iron Man, etc., etc. But suddenly went off them and swapped all of them, which he later regretted. Now, after about two years, he is enjoying them again. Ivor Davis from Dunbartonshire writes that the Silver Surfer was Stan's most creative and imaginative strip, so much so that the younger readers couldn't be bothered reading it. Four years later, the creative and ingenious Steve Gerber created Man-Thing, suffered a similar fate. Stan's Silver Surfer was quite clearly a forerunner to modern greats such as Man-Thing, it's a joy to read. Philip Greenaway from Merthyre Tydfil writes that the Thing/Hulk team-up story in the Super-Heroes was the obvious best in the comic, it was the second-best Hulk-Thing fight ever. Marvel also heard from Anthoney Byrne from Essex. Rober Slinger from  Lancashire. Martin Walsh from Deeside, Stephen Walker from Liverpool. Steve Howorth from Berkshire, Andrew Hartland from Wolverhampton, lan Arnold from North Yorks, Johnny Moore from Leicestershire, Andrew Ellis from Leeds and Martin Green from West Midlands.

Daredevil “Daredevil unmasked!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Syd Shores

Originally published in Daredevil #57

Cover date October 1969

(Published in August 1969)

This third part opening splash page was drawn by an unnamed artist. Karen Page has followed the family butler, Garth, who had been acting very suspiciously over the disappearance of her Father, Doctor Paxton Page, to an abandoned mill, where inside hid a laboratory. After a scuffle with Garth she was attacked by Death's-Head. Daredevil entered just in time to save her. While during the battle the man without fear reveals that he suspects that Death's-Head is none other than Karen's father! 

Angered at the accusation the villain tries to force Daredevil over the edge of a safety railing and into a deadly vat of liquid below. With some continuous gymnastics daredevil twist submitted and landed safely, while telling Death's-Head to accept the truth that he is Paxton Page, the inventor of the cobalt bomb. Death's-Head becomes more agitated and sets the controls to tip the vat of molten cobalt onto Daredevil. Karen rushes to rescue Daredevil and when Death's-Head see Karen's life in jeopardy he tries to stop the machine, but the controls are jammed, Death's Head leaps down sacrificing his life to save her as he pushes her away shielding her from the deadly molten liquid. Daredevil removes the phantom's mask to reveal he was Karen's father after all. As Daredevil offers comfort to Karen as they return to the house, explaining that the cobalt radiation drove her father over the edge, into a world where all men were his enemies, deep down he had remembered Karen's dream and used it as the template for his loathsome disguise. Garth carries her father and explains that he was hired by the US Government to pose as a butler to make sure that Karen's father did not betray his country with his secrets using Cobalt. After Paxton Page's funeral Karen is distraught as she has lost two men she most loved in only a few weeks. Later when she is alone at her father's grave Daredevil goes to her, even though she wants to be by herself. He asks her to remove his mask. Tentatively she pulls it away to reveal Daredevil is really Matt Murdock. Next week "the decision!"

This full page in-house advert states that by popular demand the Fantastic Four join the Titans team this week! I not sure anyone demanded the FF move to The Titans or if it was a popular suggestion, but may be readers just wanted to see longer amounts of the Fantastic Four every week, or have them the main headline strip of a weekly, but with this advert no one can say they didn't know it was happening. The lower half of the page offered readers a bonus bit of news. The Thing and Marvel's newest star, the Ghost Rider stars in this week's dynamic issue of the Super Spider-man with the Super-Heroes. Well that Marvel Two in One story started last week, but never mind. The Ghost Rider was an in demand strip to be fair and as we'll see later he gets his own solo strip this week in Dracula Lives too!

The Fantastic Four “The madman who would be king!”

 Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Joe Sinnott 

Originally published in The Fantastic Four #83

Cover date February 1969

(Published in November 1968)

This second part opening splash page was drawn by Marshall Rogers and one can only assume that it was intended to be the second part opening splash page of next week's Hulk strip as it features the Inhumans with both Crystal and Quicksilver. It might even possibly have been intended for next week's cover art. However here the Hulk was replaced by a stat of the "floating" Thing, taken from the cover of the Fantastic Four issue 116, cover dated November 1971, published August 1971, drawn by John Buscema and inked by Joe Sinnott.

Maximus the mad has taken over his brother, Black Bolt's throne and proclaimed himself king of the Inhumans. After kidnapping Crystal from New York the Fantastic Four had rushed to her rescue only to be captured like the rest of the Inhuman Royal family. Meanwhile in America Sue still can't decide what name to call her and Reed's baby boy. The baby's father is too busy to pick names as he's looking for a solution to escape Maximus's prison cell. Reed, with an off the cuff remark from Ben solves how to escape the hypnotic field prison, by simply rejecting the notion of the walls that surround them. With a little mind over matter they're free but it does mean they have to face their guard the robot known as Zorr. After defeating the robot the FF team-up with the Inhuman Royal family to destroy Maximus's ultimate weapon, the Hypno-gun, which will bend every mind on Earth to the mad Inhuman's will. With a combination of Crystal's elemental powers and Gorgon's mighty feet the gun is destroyed and with it Maximus's control over the Inhuman population. Maximus and his evil Inhuman followers escape in a hidden space ship. Next the Fantastic Four face "the Lord of Latveria!" But not in the Mighty World of Marvel but in this week's The Titans. Next week's Fantastic Four slot in MWOM sees the X-Men take their place. 

The inside back page features an in-house advert for this week's Avengers weekly. "Will Brain-child destroy them?" Find out in this week's Avengers strip when the mighty assemblers have to stop the juvenile mad man from blowing up the world. Also in that weekly the return of the Master of Kung-Fu! Find out more about that comic later in this blog. 

 

Super Spider-man with the Super-Heroes #167

Dave Hunt re-created John Romita Sr's cover from Amazing Spider-man #118 especially for this landscape format and in doing so improved it no end. Frank Giacoia inked Dave's artwork. The Ghost Rider gets a name check on the top banner, the first of two this week. 

Spider-man “Countdown to chaos!”

Writer: Gerry Conway

Artist: John Romita Sr.

Inker: Jim Mooney and Tony Mortellaro

Originally published in the Amazing Spider-man #118

Cover date March 1973

(Published in December 1972)

This opening splash page uses John Romita Sr.'s original page but cuts the image of Joe Robertson, flips it, then moves it across to the left, so making better use of the landscape page.

The Disruptor has sent out the Smasher to capture or kill Joe Robertson, the one man resourceful enough to uncover dirt on Richard Raleigh. Spider-man arrives in time to stop the creature from capturing Robertson, then chases the monster through the city before he escapes. Later Peter Parker joins Harry, Gwen and Mary Jane in Raleigh's campaign truck. It's soon attacked by the Smasher. Thankfully everyone gets out safely before the Smasher destroys the vehicle. After a quick costume change Spider-man storms off after the monster with the aid of a spider-tracer, tracking the Smasher back to the Disruptor's lair. Where the Disruptor over-uses the control device on Smasher, causing him to go berserk, killing the Disruptor with a single blow. Spider-man fights the monster until it overloads and dies itself. Before the authorities arrive Spider-man unmasks the Disruptor to learn that he is really Raleigh. So for the second time Richard Raleigh dies as a character under the same name and profession as he did in Daredevil strip in MWOM #146. Removing the Disruptors costume he leaves the scene when the police, with Jonah and Robertson arrive. Jameson remains unconvinced that Raleigh was involved in any criminal activity, and intends on writing one of his usual anti-Spider-man editorials for the Bugle's next edition. Spider-man swings away thinking that the city needs myths, heroes and martyrs. Raleigh was a symbol and that's what really counts in the end. Next week "in the shadow of the Hulk!"

Doctor Strange “Umar the unrelenting”

Writer: Steve Englehart

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Klaus Janson

Originally published in Doctor Strange #6

Cover date February 1975

(Published in November 1974)

This second part opening splash page by an unnamed artist looks really good, on par with Gene Colan's pages, they might have used the sixth panel from las week's page 17 as inspiration. Doctor Strange returns to the Sanctum Sanctorum to use the Orb of Agamotto to deduce what Umar is up too, however she blocks this attempt. 

Strange decides to return to the Dark Dimension to search for Umar, he asks if Clea wishes to accompany him there but she refuses. When he leaves crossing the dimensional barriers he feels an Ankh manifest upon his forehead proclaiming that the coming conflict is to be one of life or death. Clea returns to her studies admitting to herself that perhaps she should have explained to Stephen why she didn't want to return to her own dimension. Her reason's were painful and personal. Suddenly Clea hears a voice calling her name, with that she is transported to the Astral Plane that looks like a virgin forest. The Goddess called Mother Nature pleas for Clea's help in expunging an evil growth in the Earth. Suddenly returning back to reality, Clea called Wong tells him that she must return to the Astral Plane. While Clea goes into a trance Wong watches over her. Once on the Astral Plane Clea is confronted by demons, who battle Clea. A voice calls out who she recognises to her horror, Dormammu!

The Web and the Hammer

Brian Lynch QNS, TTB from Glasgow criticises the British artists who did the covers and inside covers of SMCW #153. Or #151 or #149, or #147 or #143, with one word, "Pathetic". And a puerile cover implies a puerile comic to the initiated, because that's what first catches the eye. In truth those covers were created especially for British Marvel by American artists. He also has a sore point on the word bubbles on covers, he says with a proper cover they are unnecessary. I quite like them on covers myself. Johnny Moore from Leicestershire noticed on the back of a record called "Lisztomania" by Roger Daltrey, there was small picture of Thor lying down on a table. Peter Coulson RFO, QNS, KOF from London congratulates Marvel for The Titans and says keep the centre spreads coming. 

To celebrate Ghost Rider's double appearance in British Marvel Comics this week the centre spread of Super Spider-man with the Super-Heroes features the most supernatural super-hero of all. The poster's artist name is unknown.

Bullpen Bulletins

Who says this isn't the Marvel Age of batty Bullpen? 

The first Item is for Fantastic Four fans who get to read their favourite super-group in both the Mighty World of Marvel issue 186 and also again in The Titans issue 27 this week. But fear not X-Men fans next week the young mutants will replace the FF in the MWOM. The second Item reveals that there are more changes this week in Dracula Lives issue 79, where a new feature is introduced, the Ghost Rider joins Marvel's horror weekly. The Bullpen Bulletins also appear in the Avengers weekly and The Titans, so more Items later.

Iron Man “Iron Man and Iron Man!”

Writer: Archie Goodwin

Artist: George Tuska

Inker: Johnny Craig

Originally published in Iron Man #11

Cover date March 1969

(Published in December 1968)

This second part opening splash page is by an unknown artist. Iron Man escapes from the Mandarin's lair to stop the villain from destroying the Life Model Decoy of Stark who the millionaire inventor had programmed to take his place at a press conference to convince the fiend that he is wrong about Iron Man's secret identity. After the press leave the Mandarin arrives and attacks the LMD, thankfully Iron man arrives just as the villain knocks the LMD Stark out.

The armoured Avenger battles the Mandarin inside Tony Stark's lodge retreat. Hearing the commotion the press, who have gathered for the press conference, returns to the lodge. Iron Man pounds the Mandarin, removing the villain's teleportation belt to stop him from escaping. Find out what happens next in the conclusion to this tale.

The Thing and the Ghost Rider..together “Christmas Eve panic!”

Writer: Steve Gerber

Artist: Sal Buscema

Inker: Mike Esposito

Originally published in Marvel Two-in-One #8

Cover date March 1975

(Published in December 1974)

This second part opening landscape splash page was drawn by an unnamed artist. Its Christmas Eve and Reed Richards has discovered a new star that appeared to point over the Arizona desert, so Reed's friend, Ben Grimm has offered to investigate it for him so that Reed can spend a Christmas party with Sue and their son Franklin. 

The Ghost Rider while biking across the Arizona Desert nearly collides with Three Wise Men of Biblical fame and later finds a near-perfect recreation of the nativity. The Ghost Rider is cast out by a mysterious man into the desert, there he sees the Thing land in the Pogo-plane. Readers are left to assume that Ben and the Ghost Rider have met before, possibly at the Johnny Blaze cycle show. The two heroes discuss events and agree to sneak back into the town disguised as two of the three wise men. They make their way to the stable and discover a new born baby and its parents Joseph and Mary. There they also identify the Ghost's mysterious attacker as the Miracle Man, who transforms two of the stable's animals into demon monsters. The Miracle Man reveals to Ben that he conjured up this re-enactment as part of a plot for revenge against both the Indian  tribe and the Fantastic Four for his previous defeat at their hands. When the Thing knocks the villain out the nativity setting disappears and the ancient Native Americans who gave Miracle Man his new powers appear and take him away. At the end the text tells his that Iron Fist will team-up with the Thing next week. It doesn't as it was delayed in America until Marvel Two in One issue 25, cover dated March 1977, published November 1976 and only appears in Britain in the Marvel UK monthly Rampage magazine #33, cover dated March 1981. 

The Mighty Thor “When Gods go mad!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Neal Adams

Inker: Joe Sinnott

Originally published in The Mighty Thor #180

Cover date September 1970

(Published in July 1970)

Neal Adams starts his short run on Thor, if you can count two American issues a run, but enjoy it while you can. Loki seeks to ruin the good name of Thor by switching bodies with the Thunder God and causing havoc in New York. But he is soon opposed by Thor in Loki's body, with Balder and the Lady Sif.

In distant Asgard, Odin is furious that Thor has found Loki, yet the trickster has not been already brought before him. Casting his eyes to Earth he witness the battle, but is completely unaware that his sons had switched bodies. Odin teleports Loki's body back to Asgard not knowing that he has taken the Thunder God instead of the God of Mischief. When Thor tries to explain the situation to his father, who refuses to listen and mystically places a clamp over his mouth before sentencing him to be banished to Hades. Meanwhile back on Earth, Loki uses the Thunder God's powers to cause a storm and continue his menace of the Earth. Balder and Sif attempt to stop Loki but find him too powerful. Loki grabs hold of Sif, but she is transformed by Balder into an ethereal form and teleported back to Asgard, leaving Balder to fight Loki alone to face Loki in the Thunder Gods body.

Avengers Weekly #136

John Buscema's cover from the Avengers #86 (US edition,) is used again here. Jim Mooney inked the artwork. The top banner highlights "the smashing" return of the Master of Kung Fu.

Conan the Barbarian “The fiend from the forgotten City”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Rich Buckler

Inker: Ernie Chan

Originally published in Conan the Barbarian #40

Cover date July 1974

(Published in April 1974)

The Fiend from the Forgotten City was adapted from a plot by Michael Resnick, author of Goddess of Ganymede. Resnick was an American science fiction writer and editor. I must confess I've never read "Goddess of Ganymede" and don't know if this Conan plot has been adapted from that story or another by Michael Resnick. From what I can pull from the internet it does have some common themes. This week sees Rich Buckler fill in for Buscema, but thanks to Ernie Chan's inks you might not notice any difference. Along the northern most reaches of the nameless desert between Turan and Zamora Conan rides a great black steed that is pulled to a halt as the barbarian spies a shred of cloth discarded by some wealthy traveller. 

Soon he discovers fresh tracks that haven't been hidden by the shifting desert sands. As he follows them he stumbles across a dying traveler who begs the Cimmerian to take him to a nearby lost citadel named Ababenzzar, that is said to be filled with treasure undreamed of. Even though he's suspicious, Conan lifts the elderly man, Libro, on to his horse and the pair make their way through the desert. When they finally arrive at the outskirts of the ruined city, filled with half crumbled towers and weirdly-armoured mummified copses Conan leaves Libro with his horse and enters the city alone so that he has both hands free to scoop up enough gems and jewels for them both while still holding his sword. The littered ground  with bones both intrigues and repels Conan, but he is no coward and heads deeper through the eerie streets and finally to a small building where the barbarian hears voices. A group of thieves huggle around a pile of their spoils. One hears a noise outside, and the thieves burst forth from the door, but Conan is too quick and evades them. But it was not Conan they heard but a woman who runs into him. The two are spotted by the looters, Conan takes his broadsword to them but the prudent instinct prevails as he and the girl flee the greater numbered thieves. But what lies in the shadows behind the next corner, find out in next week's continuation. 

Avengers Assemble!

Peter Webb from Buckinghamshire lists nine things he'd like to see, 1) A humour spot, like Howard the Duck, 2) Killraven, using the original War of the Worlds strip, even though we have kind of seen it in Apeslayer. 3) Ghost Rider 4) Powerman, 5) the new re-vamped Warlock, as soon as his death appears in MWOM, 6) Son of Satan in Dracula Lives, 7) The Defenders to alternate with The Hulk or Dr. Strange, 8) alternate Spider-man in SMCW with Marvel Team-up, don't miss out the ones with the Human Torch in and 9) As you are mixing Superheroes with SMCW, Peter hopes it will have all the strips we have been promised in the Bullpen Bulletin page. Jim Atkins from Worcester disagreed with ending SSOC at #18, although it was inevitable. When it got going he enjoyed every issue. David Gray RFO, KOF has compiled a quick quiz, so just for fun. 1) Apart from The Avengers, who else was needed to defeat Thanos? 2) Name all the assistants Captain America has had. 3) What is Hawkeye's real identity? 4) Name the foe who stole the Silver Surfer's power to defeat the FF? 5) What planet was Capt. Marvel born on? 6) Who was it who tricked the Defenders into battling the Avengers? 7) True or false? Although she battled them, Medusa joined the Fantastic Four. 8) In issue 84 of Daredevil, who did Daredevil and the Black Widow battle against? 9) What X-Man joined the Avengers? 10) What villain froze Capt. America in a block of ice?

The answers are, 1) Captain Marvel and The Destroyer. 2) Bucky Barnes, Rick Jones and The Falcon. 3) Clint Barton. 4) Dr. Doom. 5) Kree-Lar. 6) Dormammu. 7) True. 8) The Gladiator. 9) The Beast. 10) Baron Zemo.

The Avengers “Brain-child to the dark tower came...!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Sal Buscema

Inker: Jim Mooney

Originally published in The Avengers #86

Cover date March 1971

(Published in January 1971)

This week readers of the Avengers Annual 1976, from the winter of 1975/76 can finally find out what happened to the four Avengers who have become lost in an alternative world. Sal Buscema takes over from his older brother John with this story and does a pretty incredible job of keeping the same quality. The Avengers and Nighthawk from the Squadron Supreme are rushing to Atomic City to stop members of the Squadron from launching the satellite Brain-Child One into space, as they suspect that it was responsible for the disaster that the Avengers had witnessed when they slipped ahead in that world's timeline as seen in the Avengers weekly #134. 

When they land the Avengers rush ahead of Nighthawk to stop the launch, which causes a brief battle with Hyperion, Dr. Spectrum, and the Whizzer. The Scarlet Witch using her powers to form an energy globe around the rocket causing it to misfire. Nighthawk arrives to break up the fight. When Avengers inquire about who built the shuttle, Dr. Spectrum explains that it was created by a being named Brain-Child. The Brain-Child's parents were exposed to excessive amounts of radiation, that caused their child's intelligence to develop at an incredible rate. By the age of ten the boy had such a great capacity for knowledge he soon became the smartest being on the planet and was the mastermind behind the satellite that was supposed to defend the United States. Deciding that Brain-Child's remote isolation and ridicule may have caused him to become embittered towards the human race, the combined forces of the Avengers and the Squadron Supreme decide to meet the boy. Brain-Child has already been watching them from his remote island base and he is indeed a threat to the planet as he is planning the total annihilation of every living thing on Earth. Meanwhile, on the Avengers home reality, Thor and Black Panther seek the aid of Iron Man to help them locate their missing comrades, using the combined effort of Thor's hammer, and one of Tony Stark's machines. Iron Man cries out to halt the outflow as the machine was on the verge of an explosion. Meanwhile on the Squadron's world the heroes near the Dark Tower, named after the poem by English author Robert Browning, "Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came" that was written on 2rd January 1852, which Thomas played around with to create this story's title. I guess the Squadron Supreme's world also had a Robert Browning. Next week "the triumph of Brain-Child!"

Bullpen Bulletins

The Fantastic Four images are taken from this week's The Titans cover with the Ghost Rider images by Sal Buscema taken from last week's Thing and Ghost Rider strip in SSMwtSH, page 26, panel 11 if your interested. There's news on the mail order adverts from Marvel for the Super Spidey Tee Shirts and crazy Comic Albums and colouring books, the piles of orders are being waded through, so don't despair they'll be dispatched soon. The next Item asks readers do they know that the dread Dormammu has a sister?Well her name's Umar the Unrelenting, you can find out all about her if you just pick up this week's Super Spider-man with the Super-Heroes issue 167 and turn to the Dr. Strange story therein! The final Item will be revealed later in this blog when I get to The Titans.

Master of Kung Fu “Assault on an angry sea!”

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)

The ever reliable Sal Buscema fills in for this adventure for two weeks as the regular artist, Paul Gulacy takes a break. After Shang-Chi's last adventure in the Gulf of Lion, as seen in the Avengers weekly #102, Black Jack Tarr and Clive Reston watch Shang-Chi meditate in a Marseilles park. For those who noted that since that tale Shang-Chi had another adventure in New York with Rufus T Hackstabber that was printed in Avengers weekly #107 to #111, that originally appeared in Giant-Size Master of Kung Fu issue 4, which kind of messes up the continuity somewhat. 

Sir Denis Nayland Smith returns from the "local office" with a new mission. He with Tarr and Shang-Chi will return to London via the Ile de France, an ocean liner, while Reston and Doctor Petrie will fly back. On their way to the docks, Smith explains that one of their agents has some documents that must be safely escorted to London. The documents have passed through several hands, the identity of the courier is unknown only that they will travel on the Ile de France. At the docks, Shang-Chi helps a blind woman carry her luggage aboard. Smith checks in with the captain, who doesn't like the "special considerations" he has to extend to their party and having to bump "less worthy" passengers. That evening while the agents have dinner Shang-Chi sees the blind woman and mentions to Smith that she seemed interested in their conversation with the captain. When Smith inviting her over to eat with them she introduces herself as Therese Beswick. Shang-Chi, listening to her guarded conversation with Smith, thinks, "In cryptic phrases, each seems to toy with the other." Just then a cry for help comes from the deck. Shang-Chi rushes to help as the victim is attacked under the cover of dense sea fog. The adventure continues next week.

Phantom Eagle “The beginning of the end!”

Writer: Gary Friedrich 

Artist: Herb Trimpe

Inker: Herb Trimpe

Originally published in Marvel Superheroes #16

Cover date September 1968

(Published in June 1968)

This third part uses the timely placed page eleven of the original strip as the opening splash page. After the Phantom Eagle discovered German Fokkers where using a giant dirigible as a flying air base to mount an invasion of the United States East Coast, the air-ace pilot alerted his friend, Rex to get his commander, Major Norris to mount a defence. As the Major was absent Rex, though injured and grounded due to those injuries, takes it upon himself to lead a group of pilots to thwart the German hostiles. The Phantom Eagle joins them in attacking the airship. Bullets won't pierce the air-craft carrier's fuselage so the Phantom Eagle lands his plane on top of it to plant a bomb. The story continues in two week's time, which is making this story drag.

Dracula Lives #79

Gil Kane's cover originally from Tomb of Dracula issue 37 features on this week's horror mag cover. The Ghost Rider gets another name check on the top banner. 

Dracula “The vampire is coming! The vampire is coming!”

Writer: Marv Wolfman

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Tom Palmer

Originally published in Tomb of Dracula #37

Cover date October 1975

(Published in July 1975)

Night time in Boston, Massachusetts and a weakened Dracula strolls through the streets attracting stares from several the locals. Even though his powers are fading, thanks to the machinations of Doctor Sun, when he is verbally abused by a man the Vampire Lord is still far strong enough to throw the human around. Seeing them as below his interest Dracula leaves the group of witnesses transfixed as he metamorphose into a bat and flies away.

Meanwhile, hack horror writer Harold H Harold sits in his apartment, struggling to overcome a bad case of writer's block that has overwhelmed him for the past three years. He heads out to the office of the publishers of "True Vampire Stories" to see his editor, Mister Greadely. Greadely is perturbed that Harold hasn't submitted any new vampire stories. Harold tells him that he has an interview lined up with an actual vampire. Greadely is temporarily satisfied thinking that an article about a real vampire will boost sales and sends Harold back out to get it finished by the deadline. Harold is even more uptight now, knowing that he has no interview with a vampire and he will have to make one up. Elsewhere in the city, a tall figure hidden in shadows enters an alley way which leads to a secret passageway into an underground chamber. A voice calls out informing Juno that he has awaited his presence. The voice from Doctor Sun tells him that Dracula is already in the city and soon Harkness and his clan of vampire slayers are assembling. The bright lights reveals Juno's disfigured face. Doctor Sun asks him if he is ready to do battle with Dracula. Juno unsheathes a bladed forearm, confirming that he is ready for battle as he smashes the side of the wall as a demonstration of his strength. Elsewhere Janet Golin and Stu Summers ride a motor bike through the deserted streets having spent the night studying for their law finals at Harvard university. A bat dives down through the sky towards them, with "death fangs from above!" in next week's issue.

Cryptic Correspondence

Sean Manning from Staffordshire has one complaint, why have your comics gone up so in price? They were first 5p, then 7p, now they are 8p. And Titans is 9p. In asking that he gives pretty good reviews on all the weeklies except for the Avengers. Michael Nicholson from Bowness on Windermere was disappointed to see the British Conan mag fade out, but on a far happier note, the Dracula Lives mag is "Fang-tastic!" He was really freaked out by Gene Colan's artwork, as he is the one and only artist who can depict Dracula's adventures with such realism. Philip Beasley from  Essex gives his review of all six weeklies, MWOM is an excellent mag, Spider-man in SMCW is fantastic now that John Romita Sr has returned. The Avengers weekly has improved with the introduction of Conan. John Buscema and Tom Palmer make the mag much better. and Dr. Strange has to be drawn by Frank Brunner! Philip wants more room for the Apes stories in POTA. In Dracula Lives Colan and Palmer just seem to go together! Bring back Mike Ploog in the Werewolf and the Frankenstein Monster strips and Val Mayerick draws the Mummy fantastically! Finally The Titans are well worth the price at 68 pages of story.

Dracula Lives in The House of Hammer! House of Hammer was a independently produced horror themed magazine tied-in to the output of the famous Hammer studios, created by Dez Skinn, who British Marvel comics readers will remember as the compiler of the 1975 Marvel Mastermind competition from Week Ending 20th December 1975 weeklies and of course the future editor of Marvel UK comics. The first issue was an action-packed thriller filled with 52 pages of monsters and macabre mayhem, including a mammoth 21-page comic strip adaptation of Hammer's 1958 classic-Dracula, starring Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing, adapted by Dez Skinn and drawn by Paul Neary, another future editor at Marvel UK. The monthly also contained a Kronos, Vampire Hunter strip that was written by Steve Moore and illustrated by Ian Gibson. The third strip was a Van Helsing's Terror Tales, again written by Steve Moore, but this time drawn by Angus McKie. The rest of the monthly is filled with articles like a Christopher Lee biography, Vampires On Film and loads more picture-packed fear-features than you can shake a vampire bat at!

You might think that it was strange that Marvel would feature an advert for a potential rival but it might have been a mutual favour for Dez's work on the Marvel Mastermind competition and any way the favour was returned when a Dracula Lives advert was published in issue 3 of The House of Hammer, featuring the cover of Dracula Lives #62 and an image from the cover of #55 as you can see to the right.

Ghost Rider “Ghost Rider”

Writer: Gary Friedrich

Artist: Mike Ploog

Inker: Mike Ploog

Originally published in Marvel Spotlight #5

Cover date August 1972

(Published in May 1972)

Through the rain drenched streets Johnny Blaze, the Ghost Rider, rides hoping that the pounding rain will wash away his mournful emotion. But in doing so he accidentally witnesses two men killing another. Wanting no part of it he rides on, but it is then the killers chase him, trapping him in an alley. The thugs are shocked to see Blaze's flaming skull, he tells them that they are in more trouble than they can imagine as he's the servant of Satan. With a pointed finger he causes flame to erupt on the ground at their feet. Yet they aren't scared and draw a gun on him. The Ghost Rider uses an abandoned plank of wood as a make shift ramp and jumps his bike over them to escape. 

As the sun rises the Ghost Rider transforms back into his human form, Johnny Blaze and rides back to Madison Square Garden, where he thinks back to his past in the hope of finding some answers to his problems. Johnny's father, Barton Blaze, died in a motorcycle accident leaving Johnny an orphan. He was adopted by Crash Simpson, a friend of his father and another stunt rider that ran his own cycle show with his wife Mona and daughter Roxanne. Johnny grew into adolescence and had followed his step-father's footsteps by taking up cycle riding. At the age of fifteen, while practicing for the day he could join the show Johnny and Roxanne preformed tricks on his motorcycle, but the engine caught fire. Johnny told Roxanne to jump while he drove the flaming bike away from the show tent incase it caught fire. When he crashed Mona called after Johnny to see if he was hurt, the bike exploded seriously injuring Mona Simpson. Before she died, Mona made Johnny promise her that he'll never ride in the show again. Johnny agreed, over the years Crash Simpson and Roxanne assumed that Johnny had become a coward and was too scared to ride again. However five years later, Johnny was discovered riding in secret by Roxanne. He tells her of the promise he made to her mother on her death bed. Roxy tells him that she suspected as much and how much she loves him. The story continues next week.

Man-Thing “The Enchanter's apprentice!”

Writer: Steve Gerber

Artist: Val Mayerik

Inker: Sal Trapani 

Originally published in Adventure into Fear #19

Cover date December 1973

(Published in September 1973)

Another incredible tale that takes the Man-Thing beyond the swamp in a voyage beyond the readers imagination. An improbable battle rages on below the castle, that defies logic and reality. The Man-Thing witnesses a battlefield where a war is waged by warriors from different eras, different worlds and different dimensions. A battalion of combat toughened American G.I.s blaze a blood and guts assault against a horde of savage barbarians with swords and spears. Over head biplanes from the war to end all wars dogfight with rocket ships from alien worlds. 

Jennifer Kale in mystical attire walks down a bridge of light to join the Man-Thing while the savage Korrek follows them closely behind, catching up with Jennifer and the Man-Thing, attacking the two of them. Suddenly Jennifer screams, awakening from the nightmare. Her brother, Andrew and their grandfather burst into the room to reassure her it's all a dream, although Joshua Kale has his doubts, wondering if his granddaughters nightmares are signs of things to come. In the kitchen Andrew is having a nighttime snack, but his grandfather sends him to bed. The innocent knife used to spread the peanut butter starts to glow with an eerie aura, altering in shape, becoming a Kathartan war sword. The peanut butter morphs into a man, the warrior known as Korrek. He has been transported to Earth to resume his attack on Jennifer. Joshua and Andy burst into the room, believing himself surrounded Korrek flees through the window and into the swamp. The Kales are soon visited by Dakimh the Enchanter! Who was last seen in Dracula Lives #72. The madness deepens next week.

Planet of the Apes #79

This cover is attributed to Ron Wilson by the Grand Comics Database. I have to say am not so sure it is Ron Wilson's handy work. 

The inside front cover features a photo of actor Maurice Evans in character as the orangutang Doctor Zaius during the filming of the 1968 science fiction film, Planet of the Apes. 

 

Planet of the Apes “When the Lawgiver returns...”

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)

In the Ape city the deputy administrator Xavier is worried at events that have started to take over the city. Of attacks on innocent humans by terrorists. This night things get worse when he hears the drumming of hooves and sees the lurid glare of torches burning in the darkness. Suddenly the front door of his house is breached by a horde of gorillas in black hoods. With his guards no were to be seen the gorilla's leader shoots a bolt into Xavier's heart and fall at the feet of his murderer, Brutus!

As dawn breaks beyond the Forbidden Zone the crew of the Riverboat named Simian drop off the chimp Alex, the humans Jason and Malagueña and the orangutang known as the Lawgiver as they make their way back to the Ape city on foot. That morning two apes discover the crucified body of Xavier. The ape citizens see the horrific sight as a sign of human rebellion. The humans leave the city seeing that they will become scapegoats for Xavier's murder. Hate flares both sides anger in to a confrontation of races that can only end in violence, until the Lawgiver arrives and commands both sides to stop. Can even the wise ape's message of peace and coexistence repress the exchanges of dark glances of menace? Find out next week.

Apes Forum

Mark Carricker RFO, KOF from Lancaster notes that surely any serious comic reader must realise that early issues of certain mags are worth much more than their original cover-price? 3 early Avengers issues, for example, have swapped hands at his school for £2.50. While in London recently, Mark's dad met Charles Murray, a keen comic collector who writes for the New Musical Express. He told him that to buy the 1st 100 issues of Fantastic Four would cost you £3,000! David Searles from Rochdale is desperate to become a FOOM member and thinks that the Planet of the Apes story by Doug Moench and Alfredo Alcala in POTA #64 was really smart. The next letter is from the Greatest Ape fan in the World from Rotherham who writes in that they discovered in the TV Times that the Planet of the Apes was back on TV with a new series called Return to the Planet of the Apes and the first half hour episode is called "Flames of doom!" What the writer didn't know is that it's a cartoon series. Ian Garbutt from Stirling has started his own science fiction club called "Beyond Antares." If you join you get a newsletter containing brief articles, reviews, news and competitions. Readers' questions will be answered and pen-pals put in touch with each other. 

Uran Goyal from London also writes in that there is a cartoon version of the Planet of the Apes called Return to the Planet of the Apes on London Weekend Television on Saturdays as well as reruns of the live action TV series. John Caddick from Cambridgeshire was shocked after reading Peter Labrow's letter in Apes Forum in POTA #65 when he said that the covers of POTA are "horrible". He thinks that the covers of POTA are sometimes the best part of the mags. They may sometimes be a bit off, but consider all the work on the other mags as well as POTA. Wendy Bosberry from Hants and her family love all things POTA and has some spare POTA bubble-gum cards that she's willing to give to other fans who want them. M S Kingscott from Workington suggests reprinting some American black and white material? Perhaps to strips such as Conan, Ka-Zar, Kull or Dracula. Or have a humour mag starring Howard the Duck. Tim Briggs from Middlesex writes that he would love to see Jack Kirby's artwork on one of the Planet of the Apes adaptions, he also asks does Marvel intend to do anything on the "Jaws" film? After seeing it twice he says it must be one of the best movies ever made. After seeing Marvel's adaption of  the "Apes" movies he's sure they would do a fantastic version of it.

Another photo feature showing on set photos from behind the scene of the making of the 1972 film Conquest of the Planet of the Apes. The centre image is of Joyce Haber in full ape make-up. Haber was a New York-born journalist who was given the roll of Zelda in Conquest of the Planet of the Apes by producer Arthur P. Jacobs, in order to promote the Apes films. She was a former child-actor who joined 'Time' magazine as a researcher and went on to write a syndicated gossip column from the late '60s to the late '70s.

Ka-Zar “Night of the Man-God!”

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)

Ka-Zar and Zabu fight a giant snake in the savage land following last week's events. Elsewhere Maa-Gor the man-ape pulls himself free from the rubble of Malgato, the Red Wizards destroyed castle. With no meaning left in his life Maa-Gor enters an area of the Savage Land where no one dares to go called the Terrifying Mystic Mists. Once entering the mists the savage's body and mind change mutating into an erect sleek, more powerful man, with a greater intelligence. 

With his new found powers Maa-Gor transports the mental image of El' Tigre from a remote South American city with an offer to share his power and wealth. Days later Maa-Gor and El' Tigre fight and over come Ka-Zar and place Zabu under their mental powers. El' Tigre is a really lame villain that Mike Friedrich used in the X-Men strip way back in The Titans #13 and #14. I'm not a fan of Friedrich's writing nor his characters. This tales goes from nonsense to pointless. Don Heck's artwork doesn't thrill me either. So will I be looking forward to next week's second part? Probably not.

Black Panther “But terror never waits and it always welcomes hatred!”

Writer: Don McGregor

Artist: Billy Graham

Inker: Dan Green

Originally published in Jungle Action Vol 2 #16

Cover date July 1975

(Published in April 1975)

The artist behind this second part opening splash page is unknown. The Black Panther has return to his Palace to find his friends Taku and W'Kabi unconscious after their prisoner Horatio Venomm had escaped his prison cell. T'Challa tracks the villain down but has to deal with a pit full of Venomm's deadly pet snakes. 

The Panther is nearly over come by the serpents numbers, but valiantly he fights on. Falling to his knees even as more snakes arrive. Thankfully so has Taku who has recovered from Venomm's attack. Venomm tells Taku to go as they share a strange bond of friendship. Taku tells him that he must kill him too if he is going to kill T'Challa. He tells him in all their past decades there has been revolutions that have solved nothing. Venomm tells him that Revolutions can change things, that's what they do and sometimes those changes are for the better. Venomm leaves both men alive, with Taku's parting statement ringing in his ears, "You can also hide from yourself in a revolution's mazes and if you betray yourself in the course of events, the maze's exit will leave you empty still." The snakes follow Venomm's languid retreat as a solitary figure still surrounded by darkness, still without any destination! This story gives credence to Don McGregor's original intension that Venomm and Taku at some point shared a sexual relationship, but McGregor was never allowed to make anything more out of it. See this interview.

The Titans #27

It boasts that by popular demand the Fantastic Four join the Titans team! Finally the FF get to star on the cover all by themselves, well apart from Captain's America and Marvel on the right. This landscape cover was based on Jack Kirby (pencils,) and Joe Sinnott's (inks,) cover of the Fantastic Four issue 84. The artists attributed to this version's creation by the Grand Comics Database are Larry Lieber (pencils,) and Mike Esposito (inks,). The main characters seem to be very, very similar to Kirby's design, at first look you might think that they were cut and pasted, but they aren't completely the same. A landmark issue and my Cover of the Week.

The Fantastic Four “The name is Doom!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Joe Sinnott

Originally published in The Fantastic Four #84

Cover date March 1969

(Published in December 1968)

Following on from the end of the Fantastic Four's adventure seen in this week's Mighty World of Marvel the FF have borrowed a Gyro-ship from the Inhumans to travel back to the United States. I don't know why though, the Fantastic Four originally flew to the Great Refuge in their Fantastic-Rocket, as seen in MWOM #184 and it wasn't destroyed. On their way home they are intercepted by a squadron of SHIELD jets, lead by Nick Fury and Dum Dum Dugan. 

Elsewhere in some underground caverns a fearful old man is chased. His predator is Doctor Doom with a troop of Doombots. Doom shoots the old man telling him that that no one can escape him while his invisible army stand guard day and night over his kingdom. Doom orders his Doombots to take the ungrateful rebel back where he will be given food and shelter. Meanwhile Fury tells the Fantastic Four about one of SHIELD's top agents suddenly disappearing in Europe and a report about a strange and secret army somewhere in Europe. The last thing that Fury's agent sent back before he disappeared was a robotic arm. When the Colonel shows Reed the arm it suddenly kicks into life, punching Dum Dum and attacking the Fantastic Four. Thankfully the Torch blasts it to pieces. Fury asks the Fantastic Four to go into Latveria to investigate the disappearance of his agent and gather any information they have regarding robots that might be active in the region. Sneaking into Latveria, the Four's presence is soon discovered by Dr. Doom, who incapacitates the whole team by Doom's Servo-Guards. When the Fantastic Four wake up they are shocked to find themselves not in a dungeon but in a Latverian village where they are cheered as honoured heroes. However, when they try to leave the country, stun blasts prevents them. Doom warns them that if another attempt is made the next blast will kill them.

Captain Marvel “Betrayal!”

Writer: Mike Friedrich and Jim Starlin (plot) 

Artist: Jim Starlin

Inker: Dave Cockrum

Originally published in Captain Marvel #26

Cover date May 1973

(Published in February 1973)

Captain Marvel bursts into Lou-Ann Savannah’s apartment to question why she went along with the Super-Skrull’s plan to frame Rick Jones for her Uncle's murder, as seen in The Titans #25. Lou-Ann is not very surprised at the intrusion or Mar-Vell's monologue with Rick. Through their mind-link Rick hears her tell Mar-Vell a story about space that starts with Saturn's moon, Titan and its ruler, a dictator to rival any on Earth, named Thanos. Who rules Titan with an army of outcasts from a hundred alien worlds. Thanos saw Earth as a stepping stone to conquering the universe.

Thanos enlisted help from an Earth outlaw called the Controller in order to enslave many prominent Earth leaders on his behalf. She too has been placed under his command. Suddenly she draws a laser pistol and tries to kill Captain Marvel, but fails when the Kree warrior over powers her. Captain Marvel changes back into Rick Jones so that he can comfort her as she begs for help. Elsewhere, Thanos, hidden in the shadows converses with the two Skrulls who have been watching events remotely. Skragg forms a plan whereby the Super-Skrull picks a fight with the Thing, goading him to an abandoned building, where some alien Technology steals his voice. The Super-Skull follows the plan, attacking the Thing outside of the Baxter Building, then flys off daring him to follow him to 414 South 44th. Ben knowns it will probably be a trap but still goes anyway. Rick Jones, following Lou-Ann’s tip and heads towards the same building that the Super-Skull sent the Thing who has already arrived. Avoiding the front door the Thing smashes through a wall and walks into the alien's trap. A hidden weapon robs him of his voice. To be continued next week. 

Titanic Transcripts

Michael Keogh from Kent says that the new mag, The Titans is very nice indeed. Putting two pages on to one, what an idea! The poster free with issue one was on sale in one of the US mags comic marts for a couple of dollars, yet British Marvel give it away for nothing! An unsigned writer says that the Titans format is all wrong as it detract from the individual quality of each strip. G Bassett from Latveria writes to say that The Titans is unusual is an understatement. In fact this may be the big shake-up the British comics scene needs. After all, even after 22 weeks of publishing the Titans will command a place of its own. A head above British comics in quantity as well as quality. They are  bearing the Jack Kirby version of the Inhumans in the knowledge that soon they'll see the Neal Adams version. Although they are opening themselves up to angry letters but they state here and now that Kirby's cartoons and space-wasting bore them. Nothing displeases them than to read that he was back. They add that their criticisms of Kirby is not malice, but to prove they are brainwashed into being Kirby fans and hope to get Kirby out of this well-intentioned rut!

Mike Mittlestadt is from Binghamton, New York in America and writes he had to move to the United States to attend college and so had to forsake the weekly purchase of British Marvel Comics. So he was therefore, indebted to a friend and co-amateur cartoonist, one Steve Whitaker who sent him the Super-Heroes #34, where he was astounded to read letters from Ray Pinder and Steven Mays about him in that comic's very letter page. Mr May takes to task a letter that Mike wrote on a rather whimsical on the spur of the moment that saw print in Super-Heroes #19, in which Mike believes he made a valid an assessment of the X-Men. Perhaps dismissal of Neal Adams' art and Roy Thomas scripts as "flashy, heavy and literary" was kind of a hasty thing to do. He adds "Perhaps it was a sign of the changing times that, in its transition from Chic Stones to Tom Palmers, Werner Roths to Neal Adams and Stan Lees to Gerry Conways, somehow the fun, or a certain style of presentation-was lost." Today Mike sees it as the third generation of contemporary Marvel, Marvel's "fun" period can be seen as dated, with its followers as misty-eyed and nostalgic. The modern Marvel's style is being drowned in an overflow of titles and staffers, there is confusion as to whether the best period of bygone days was the early to mid-sixties or from 1968 to our early '70s. He doesn't say bring it all back, Marvel had to go on to different, if not better, things. As it still does.Thomas/Adams X-Men was brilliant, but so. in its own way, was the early version. Tim Bedford from Middlesex utters with great joy over the new mag The Titans. The format, which is very different from what came before. Since the cost and lack of colour in the British mags could be self-defeating he feels that British Marvel has made a breakthrough in having so many mighty creations in one mag. The ICA exhibition in October 1975 gave a good insight into how each comic was done. Tim was amazed that so many American Marvels in a month can be created if they are all made in the same way as the art on show at the exhibition seemed to be made.

The artist behind this Son of Satan centre-spread is unknown. I'm open to any suggestions. 

Bullpen Bulletins

Johnny Storm on the Fantastic-jet-bike by Jack Kirby and Captain America by John Romita Sr. appear in The Titan Bullpen page, instead of the Fantastic Four and the Ghost Rider that appeared in Super Spider-man with the Super-Heroes and the Avenges weekly Bullpen pages. The final Item on this week's Bullpen Bulletin plugs the latest Conan epic, it's called "The Fiend From the Forgotten City" and starts in the Avengers weekly issue 136. In that self same issue is also the next mini-episode of the Phantom Eagle saga.

Captain America “Wanted:Captain America!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Jack Sparling

Inker: Joe Sinnott

Originally published in Tales to Astonish #87

Cover date March 1967

(Published in December 1966)

A bit of a one off for Captain America from Canadian artist Jack Sparling, who pencilled the X-Men story from The Titans #18, a number for strips in Crazy Magazine for Marvel and four issues of the Ghost Rider. A crook by the name of Peerless Planner begins a series of heists wearing a Captain America costume. Public opinion turns against Cap, which beings the real living legends attention, who tracks down the Planner to his base. Cap beats the Planner's thugs, then the Planner himself, who he turns over to the police to clearing his name.

The Sub-Mariner “When falls the holocaust!”

Writer: Archie Goodwin

Artist: Dan Adkins

Inker: Dan Adkins

Originally published in Tales to Astonish #99

Cover date January 1968

(Published in October 1967)

After surviving an accidental bombardment of Atlantis by depth charges, the Sub-Mariner witnesses an army of Atlanteans pursuing him in an act of war. Realising he must stop their aggression, he spots another vessel carrying the new experimental Hurricane Inducer and tries to board it. Meanwhile, the US submarine detects the approaching Atlantean warships and attempts evasive manoeuvres to escape the war fleet. However, this fleet is led by the new Atlantean warlord, Warlord Seth, who leads his warriors onward to destroy their enemy.

The Sub-Mariner swoops down on the ship carrying the Hurricane Inducer and crashes aboard. He battles his old allies and discovers the device is on and about to go boom! With no time to switch it off, he smashes it, causing a short circuit and risking an explosion. Just as he’s about to get away, a soldier knocks him out. They leave the ship and Namor steers the Atlantean vessel away, where it explodes harmlessly, as luckily no one is hurt, the US sub escapes and the Atlantean warriors realise they were too quick and head back to Atlantis, thinking their former ruler gave his life to save them. Seth sees this as a true prince’s sacrifice. The Sub-Mariner, not knowing his people believe he’s dead, swims off into the deep, thinking he has to prove his loyalty by turning his anger towards the surface dwellers. Next week we will see "Namor vs the Hulk!"

Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD “The enemy within!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby and Don Heck

Inker: Mike Esposito

Originally published in Strange Tales #147

Cover date August 1966

(Published in May 1966)

After fighting killer androids in one of the many secret laboratories owned by the enemy known as THEM Nick Fury and his SHIELD task force have returned to base to face a General who is irritated by SHIELD's seemingly-excessive security measures. The General explains to Fury how AIM has technology they desperately need, but refuse to do business as long as Fury's in charge of SHIELD. Later on board of the SHIELD Helicarrier a meeting takes place with the General and a number of high ranking officials as Count Bornag Royale, a representative of AIM explains how they have devised a plan to make Cities bombproof. Again adding that Nick Fury's excessive security measures are an issue for AIM. When the General later tells Fury of this it only confirms Fury's earlier suspicions that AIM is not what they claim! Later Royale has returned to an AIM observation post, and watches as a squad of AIM soldiers invades the SHIELD barbershop. Continued next week.

And so will this blog and so till then...

See you in seven.

Make Mine Marvel.