Journey to the centre of the Beesting!

 Week Ending 14th July 1976

Last week in the comments Dangermash asked a very good question, "How is it that a top drawer strip like Avengers couldn’t compete with the strips in POTA and The Titans?" He was as surprised at the time as many others were that the Avengers merged with MWOM. He puts it down to "a lack of strategic planning" which does seem to bare some weight when so many strips jumped around from one comic to another, examples being the Ghost Rider moving from Dracula Lives to the Titans, the X-Men from the Super-Heroes to The Titans and then MWOM, Captain Marvel from POTA to The Titans and back to POTA and in the future...well we'll see. The Fantastic Four from MWOM to The Titans and soon to a new weekly, not naming yet for spoilers reasons but many will already know. Doctor Strange from the Avengers weekly to Super Spider-man and the Thing's team-up adventures from the Super-Heroes to Super Spider-man too. Don't forget that next week the Avengers start their merry-go-round tour of the weeklies. The fun ride never stops, so make sure you keep up with it in the Power of the Beesting blog, the weekly history of Marvel mags. 

The Mighty World of Marvel #198

On the original US cover John Romita Sr. made alterations to Herb Trimpe's cover that appeared on The Incredible Hulk issue 181, but this British version uses the original unaltered stat. Although I can't really notice any differences.  It's an iconic cover world wide and this UK weekly also fetches high prices due to Wolverine's first cover appearance in the UK, even though the short mutant made his first UK appearance in last week's Hulk strip on the last panel. This cover is so iconic it's got to be this week's Comic of the Week!

The Incredible Hulk “And now...the Wolverine!”

Writer: Len Wein

Artist: Herb Trimpe

Inker: Jack Abel

Originally published in The Incredible Hulk #181

Cover date November 1974

(Published in July 1974)

This is an all-time classic battle as the world's strongest being meets Marvel's most popular mutant, or at least he will be in the future. At this point in Marvel history Wolverine was little more than a man in an animal themed costume who had become the latest in a line of Hulk foes. I can't recall if he really made an impact on me as a child. This and next week's conclusion was certainly a couple of weeklies that left very strong memories and a good deal of it must have been because of Wolverine. So I guess that he must have clicked with my child-self. A man with claws who's not afraid to battle a foe far more powerful than him,  What's not to love. The clawed mystery intruder leaps towards the Hulk and the Wendigo with feral fury, declaring himself to be the Wolverine!

His mission given to him by the Canadian government is to counter the threat that the Hulk might pose to Canada. Leaping onto the Hulk's back, he begins swiping at him with his diamond-hard Adamantium claws, but even they could not pierce the Hulk's skin. Knowing what I know of Wolverine now I find that a little strange, won't they be enough to severely cut and injured the Hulk, even with the Hulk's super strong skin? May be they did and his healing powers were at full strength thanks to his battle with Wendigo making him madder and therefore stronger. I actually think that Wein and Trimpe pitched it right and future stories took Wolverine's powers a little too far. Realising that the Wendigo would prove to be an easier target, Wolverine springs over the Hulk and launches his frenzied attack towards the savage beast. His claws rake into the woodland creature’s hide. Confused by this the Hulk sees the short man as his "new friend" and assists Wolverine in stopping the Wendigo. The Hulk picks up the dazed monster and smashes him through a grove of trees. Wolverine finishes the job by sinking his claws into the Wendigo's throat. However the mystical nature of the creature has the effect of only leaving the immortal Wendigo unconscious for the time being. Wolverine turns his attention back towards the Hulk as their furious fight begins again all be it only briefly as Marie Cartier mixes a potion of chemicals to knock both mutant and monster out.

Daredevil “...Losing is the only thing!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Syd Shores

Originally published in Daredevil #63

Cover date April 1970

(Published in February 1970)

The artist behind this second part opening splash page is unnamed. Matt Murdock and Foggy Nelson have travelled to Rykers Island prison to visit Melvin Potter known to all as the Gladiator, who is now claiming that he is innocent and has no idea about the crimes he has been locked away for. In a fool hardy attempt to reveal the truth, Potter has been allowed to wear his Gladiator costume and in what would be an insane idea allow him to hold his razor sharp buzz saw blades. May be Murdock wasn't thinking straight as his mind was more concerned with Karen Page who was about to follow through with her threat to leave him because he refused to give up his super-hero identity of Daredevil.

Once Potter takes hold of his old weapons the charade is dropped and he reveals that he was faking his innocence the whole time in an attempt to break out of the prison. When the villain knocks Foggy down, then takies out the prison guards, Matt pretends to frail about wilding but in more than a lucky fluke he smashes out the light. The gladiator absconds in the darkness and intentionally so does Murdock. When the guards fix the lights they all assume that Murdock was taken as a hostage, when in fact he's left to change into Daredevil. Soon the man without fear is attacked by the Gladiator. Their battle takes them through the prison with Daredevil goading the villain to fight with aggression, until the hero corners the villain inside a cell. The Gladiator ridicules Daredevil's efforts at capturing him as mire iron bars won't hold him, especially as he's got his blades back and with that he fires them up to cut through the bars. Suddenly the blades shatter to pieces. Foggy with the prison guards arrive and explains that they were expecting Potter to be pretending to trick them so they had the blades treated with a chemical that would make them dissolve after a certain period of use. He asks how Daredevil came to know that? Racing away he tells him that Murdock clued him in. At the Warden's office he tries to call Karen Page but it's too late, the phone goes unanswered.

The X-Men “Birds of a feather...!”

Writer: Gary Friedrich

Artist: Don Heck( (layouts,) and Werner Roth

Inker: John Tartaglione

Originally published in The X-Men #44

Cover date May 1968

(Published in March 1968)

This second part opening splash page was created by Jeff Aclin. After the X-Men had been captured by Magneto and his Brotherhood of Evil Mutants the Angel had managed to escape and intended to get help in the shape of the Avengers. As a storm hits his journey over the sea he rested on a rocky outcrop in the sea. The outcrop suddenly rises out of the sea, it had been a submerged island that has been hiding beneath the ocean. Exploring the island, Angel finds a hidden complex and wonders. He is suddenly attacked by the old World War II hero, the Red Raven. 

Disarmed by the Angel the Red Raven explains that as a baby his family’s plane crashed in the secret home of the Avians, a society of winged people. Surviving his family the young Red Raven was taken in, given mechanical wings and dubbed the Red Raven. When the leader of the Avians, Aerivar XVIII, plotted an invasion of humanity. Raven argued against it to the king, humans outnumbered them. However, his impassioned pleas were ignored as the invasion plans continued further. Not wishing to see the slaughter of his adopted countrymen he created a special gas that would put all the Avians into a state of suspended animation. Then hid the island beneath the ocean. With explanation over, Angel for some reason tries to convince the Red Raven to revive his people and give humanity another chance. But realising the risk was still there the Red Raven instead decides to return his island to the bottom of the ocean. Blasting Angel into unconsciousness, then using an "anti-gravity ray" to keep the mutant afloat while the island sinks. The Red Raven puts himself and his people back into suspended animation. The Angel comes around to find the island vanished without a trace. The young mutants continues on his way to the Avengers. Next week "Cyclops Vs. Quicksilver!" except it doesn't because the Avengers and Conan take their space in the mag. It will actually appear in this comic, although when it had changed it's name to Marvel Comic #351, cover dated 18th July 1979 and would continue through when it became a monthly under the name Marvel Super-heroes. The X-Man stories have been quite weak for a while, but this storyline would lead quite quickly into some good stuff. It was a bit of a shame in some ways that it ended so soon.

Origins of the X-Men “The Iceman cometh!”

 Writer: Gary Friedrich

Artist: George Tuska

Inker: John Verpoorten

Originally published in The X-Men #44

Cover date May 1968

(Published in March 1968)

The origins of the X-Men continue with a young Bobby Drake on a date with his girlfriend Judy Harmond, until it is interrupted when Rocky Beasely and his goons jump out on them to humiliate Bobby because Rocky is competing with him for Judy's affections. While Bobby being roughed up, Rocky forcibly pulls Judy away. Fearing the worst Bobby uses his ice powers to trap Rocky in a case of ice. This frightens off Rocky's goons, but it also scares Judy away. News of Bobby's mutant powers quickly spreads throughout the town, which leads people to form a mob. Rushing home, Bobby tells his parents that he accidentally used his powers in public.

When the mob reaches Bobby's home, his father attempts to calm them down, but still they force their way into the Drake home. With no other choice, Bobby defends himself by hurling snow balls at them. However, the mob's mass numbers overpowers him and he is taken to the county jail. Later reading about the incident, Professor Charles Xavier decides that Bobby Drake would make a perfect recruit for his School for Gifted Youngsters. He sends Cyclops to go and retrieve the boy. Meanwhile Bobby sits waiting for his trial in Nassau County Jail. Suddenly the wall explodes, so next week "Enter Cyclops!" Although like the earlier X-Men tale it won't. It was a strange idea to start this strip knowing that it would be replaced by the Avengers and Conan, wouldn't it have been better to have a short one-off story. If you did want to find out what happens next you would have to wait till Marvel UK published The Original X-Men weekly issue 8, cover dated 22rd June 1983. 

It's another Frosties promotion strip back page, this time Frosties Present your roaring reporter Tony in "Paratroopers." It's breakfast time at the army airfield and Tony the Tiger is having a bowl of cereal with the paratroopers, he's there to see how they earn their stripes. With Kelloggs Frosties for energy the troops have their fill and board a plane. Tony joins them as they take off into the sky. He tells them that it's the crunchy corn and toasted sugar coating that makes a real tiger out of you because they're Gr-reaat! Leaning on an open door Tony falls out but parachutes down to safety. The back page of this week's Super Spider-man with the Super-Heroes features Tony in "Haunted Castle," in the Avengers weekly and also The Titans he appears in "Witch Doctor" while the back cover of the Planet of the Apes and Dracula Lives features an in-house advert for Marvel Classic Comics. 

Super Spider-man with the Super-Heroes #179

David Wenzel uses elements from the John Romita Sr. cover from the Amazing Spider-man issue 130, but the layout is modified to fit a landscape format. Mike Esposito inked Wenzel's artwork. 

Spider-man “Betrayed!”

Writer: Gerry Conway

Artist: Ross Andru

Inker: Frank Giacoia and Dave Hunt

Originally published in the Amazing Spider-man #130

Cover date March 1974

(Published in November 1973)

Dave Hunt was tasked with this re-creation of the original Ross Andru/Frank Giacoia/Dave Hunt's original opening splash page in a horizontal format. Mike Esposito completed it by adding the inks. 

Spider-man spends a restless insomnia filled night by swinging through New York looking for trouble, when he spies some crooks popping out of a manhole with the intent of robbing a skyscraper. When Spidey stops them one of the captured crooks dies a horrible death when he tries to utter his employer's name. Meanwhile Hammerhead has just returned to New York to be greeted by the Jackal, who has hopes of taking over the New York crime scene after Hammerhead had fled the country after suffering defeat at the hands of Spider-man as seen in SSMwtSH #164. The Jackal with intensions of taking over as the new leader of the crime world goads Hammerhead into getting revenge against Spider-man and Doctor Octopus, in the hopes that the they will kill each other. 

A short time later Spider-man pays a visit to the Human Torch at the Baxter Building, who unveils the completed Spider-Mobile. The two take it out on a test drive and test out all of the vehicles features, many of which mimic that of Spider-man's own spider-powers including a Spider-signal and web-shooters. However the Torch isn't impressed with Spidey's driving skills and is shocked to learn that he doesn't own a driver's license or even that he's never driven a car before. Johnny makes him stop so that he can give him a driving lesson. As they do from the shadows Doctor Octopus watches them. Fresh out of prison he had expected to be picked up but instead had to make his own way to the roof of the Pan Am Building to take a helicopter ride to Westchester. Before he does he deals with a subordinate who failed to pick him up. Meanwhile the web-slinger returned to his apartment to change back to Peter Parker, when he gets a call from his Aunt May, their conversation is cut short when Mary Jane arrives. He had agreed to go out with her for a walk. She invites him to Betty Brant and Ned Leeds Christmas Eve party. 

A few days later Hammerhead's men attack another building using special jet packs when Spider-man tries to stop them in his new Spider-Mobile. During the fight, Hammerhead enters the fray and incredibly rams the Spider-Mobile onto its side. After giving the wall-crawler a solid head-butt, the crooks make their escape. When Spidey comes to the police try to compound it. Webbing them up to make a quick get away he notices a mysterious envelope with Aunt May's name on it. He picks it up believing that Hammerhead had dropped it. In fact it was planted by the Jackal. With no time to read it he keeps it with him as he goes to the Christmas Eve party. At the party Jameson gives him a cigar as a Christmas present and Mary Jane suggests that it's "Mistletoe time" but Peter isn't ready for any kind of romance so soon after Gwen Stacy's death. He makes an excuse to be alone for a minute, which gives him time to read the contents of the envelope addressed to Aunt May. It makes sense of why Doctor Octopus has been so interested in her. Leaving through the window he rushes to Octopus' Westchester mansion, arriving just in time to see the private marriage ceremony between Doctor Octopus and his bride Aunt May! Next week Peter meets "his uncle his enemy!"

The Thing and Son of Satan..together! “The revenge of Ravenstorm!”

Writer: Bill Mantlo

Artist: Herb Trimpe

Inker: John Tartaglione

Originally published in Marvel Two-in-One #14

Cover date March 1976

(Published in December 1975)

Jason Schachter of the Facebook group Art of Marshall Rogers, and also the Grand Comics Database, strongly believes that this artwork was drawn by Marshall Rogers. I can't argue against that.

Ben Grimm has travelled to the town of Lawless in Arizona, to investigate a psychic disturbance. There he meets the Son of Satan who has also arrived to investigate the same thing. The two are confronted by what appears to be the undead spirit of Jedadiah Ravenstorm who, a century ago, was a merciless criminal of the west and founder of the Town called Lawless. During their battle against Ravenstorm, the Thing is briefly possessed by their foe. The Son of Satan fires his trident at Ben to slow him down, then he preforms an exorcism on him. As they battle Daimon hints at who their opponent really is, his old foe Kthara. Using all his powers to the Son of Satan separate Kthara from the body of Ravenstorm. Then the demon is attacked by the spirits of those who once lived in Lawless. They drive her apart. With the threat destroyed Daimon bids farewell to the Thing who flies back to New York. When Reed returns and asks Ben what the disturbance was but Ben tells Reed that he should check his machines as there was nothing wrong in Arizona. Next week the Thing meets up with Ka-Zar in the Savage Land.

Bullpen Bulletin

Mid-Summer mumblings and meandering from mighty Marvel. 

The first Item in this week's Bullpen Bulletin is the awesome announcement that comic history is going to be recreated before your very eyes with the stupendous, galaxy-shaking Skrull/Kree saga brought to you by Roy Thomas and Neal Adams taking place in the pulsating pages of the Avengers weekly. It's one to keep watching out for as it might start in that comic but the Item doesn't mention that it will continue through two other mags. Oh that hindsight for you. What the Item does tease though is that following that saga in the near future, Roy Thomas will be teamed with Rick Buckler and Dan Adkins to create an Avengers strip from the adaptation of an original story by the world-famous, Hugo Award winning science-fiction author Harlan Ellison story! Apparently he's a massive Marvel fan, and he's always wanted to plot a story for one of our magnificent mags. Readers of this week's MWOM will have already noticed the next Item, for the first time ever in these British books, the Wolverine will be waltzing onto the scene to confront the Incredible Hulk. He's Canada's first superhero who Marvel guarantees he's gonna claw his way into your hearts. This version of the Bullpen Bulletin page will appear in this week's The Titans while another version, with old blue eyes Ben Grimm, will appear in this week's Planet of the Apes with Dracula Lives, where the next couple of Items will appear, later in this blog.

Jason Schachter of the Facebook group Art of Marshall Rogers has named Marshall Rogers as the artist behind this fantastic piece of art. Jason also connected it to an early Defenders tryout strip that Marshall had put together earlier in his career. Marshall had repurposed the final panel of that page for this centre spread.

Iron Man “Uncanny is the Unicorn!”

Writer: Archie Goodwin

Artist: George Tuska

Inker: Johnny Craig

Originally published in Iron Man #15

Cover date July 1969

(Published in April 1969)

 

This second part opening splash page was created by an unnamed artist, it does look like it was mainly the cropped image from the fifth panel of the following page. The Red Ghost has blackmailed the Unicorn into stealing Tony Stark's new Cosmic Ray Intensifier. Secretly the Ghost needs it to restore his own faded powers. Later, Tony Stark and Janice Cord attend Cord Manufacturing's reopening party. The party is interrupted when Jasper Sitwell reminds Stark that they're due at SHIELD'S Nevada testing ground in the morning.

Stark and Sitwell leave before Janice can introduce her new head scientist Alex Niven. There's something sinister about Alex Niven, which I'm sure we'll find more about in the coming weeks. Early the next morning Stark and Sitwell arrive at the rocket test site. The Red Ghost and the Unicorn watch as Stark's ship arrives with the Cosmic Ray Intensifier. The Ghost orders the Unicorn to attack and he does so by blowing a hole in the aircraft's side. As the ship is crashing Stark puts on a parachute and asks Sitwell to put one on too. But with Stark's safety his prime concern he pushes him out, while he fights the Unicorn. Once on the ground Stark puts on his armour on as he watches the aircraft crash. As he flies towards the Unicorn's energy signature, two apes attack him. The battle continues next week.

The Mighty Thor “Worlds at war!”

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: John Buscema

Inker: Joe Sinnott

Originally published in The Mighty Thor #186

Cover date March 1971

(Published in January 1970)

A super-powerful being known as Infinity from the far-off World beyond had threatened to destroy the Universe. Seeking to save the cosmos Odin has dared to enter the World beyond to continues his struggle against Infinity, which is turning out to be a losing battle. Odin hears the cries of panic from Don Blake who has reverted to his human form when he lost his hammer in battle. The Guardian of the World Beyond starts to loom over Blake ready for the killing blow.

Odin holds back the alien with a blast of cosmic energy while he summons Mjolnir back to its master. But all that takes his focus away from fighting Infinity. Once Mjolnir returns to its owner Blake changes back into Thor who then continues battling with the Guardian. Soon the mighty Thor gets the best of the Guardian by creating a vortex with his hammer in order to block the flow of energy to the Guardian. The Thunder God ventures further on until he finds the Silent One and Odin. Thor raises his hammer in anger toward the Silent One, but Odin demands that he stay his hand, telling him that the Silent One has an important role if they are to defeat Infinity. As Odin returns to  the conflict against Infinity, Thor questions are left unanswered even as the Silent One with only an outstretched hand demanding that the son of Asgard follow him deeper into the World Beyond. Meanwhile back on Earth scientists observe Infinity's hand cover worlds on the outer periphery of space in darkness, signalling that there is something amiss with the cosmos, which has started spread everywhere, causing untold damage and chaos on Earth.

Doctor Strange “Mirror, mirror!”

Writer: Steve Englehart

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Tom Palmer

Originally published in Doctor Strange Vol 2 #12

Cover date February 1976

(Published in November 1975)

Jason Schachter of the Facebook group Art of Marshall Rogers has for the third time in this week's Super Spider-man named Marshall Rogers as the artist of extra pages of artwork, with this splash page, which he is in his opinion 95% certain that it is Marshall Rogers work.

Doctor Strange is facing a dark test conducted by the bleak figure known only as Eternity as the Sorcerer Supreme fights a powerful past version of himself in a fierce battle of sorcery and strife! His opponent is so certain of his power without any doubts or fears that  the real Doctor Strange begins to doubt his own abilities and his dark doppelgänger takes the upper hand in the duel. But instead of succumbing to the pressure Strange builds his own resolve. The duplicate's confidence becomes it's own undoing as an enchantment birthed in the depths of his soul flares from the fingers of Stephen Strange and floods his opponent, painting the peaks for miles around with the lured light cosmic flame. The enchantment stems from the soul, which the masked man was sorely lacking. Strange removes his doubles mask to find beneath it his own face, but that is only a mask, which beneath lies the skull face of death, who warns him that Death is but a mask that has many faces. With that smokes surrounds the skull and solidifies to reveal another, that of Baron Mordo. Who although still insane has regained his mind and invaded the world which Eternity has sent Strange. Clea arrives to attempt to help Strange, however Mordo has engulfed the world with his madness causing it to destroy itself. He tells his foe that world in which they stand isn't a nether-realm created by Eternity but their very own that is in the grip of madness. Suddenly the world is encompassed by the first of many almighty blasts. It and all its children are cinders and dust in less than eight minutes. Make no mistake this was the real Earth! But how is it that you remain? Find out that answer in next week's issue!

The Web and the Hammer

Neil Hainsworth from Leeds gives his opinions on the change of format with Super Spider-man with the Super-Heroes, he thinks it was a wrong decision. Spiderman Comics Weekly was truly an excellent mag. Spider-man, Iron Man and Thor make superb reading, the reprint artwork is now excellent, all in all it was excellent. So why change it? The Titans is OK with a fairly good cast of characters, but the art suffers with the size of art. Neil feels that SMCW would lose out with the change in the format, especially Spider-man, who is now about to enter the Gerry Conway, Death of Gwen, Day of the Jackal era. Neil writes that his eyesight is bad enough, but it would be too hard to read those titanically small frames. Neil just wait till you're in your late 50's and try to write a blog about them! George Duncan RFO, KOF from Dundee has just watched a Spider-man cartoon called "Diet of Destruction" broadcast on the Glen Michael Cavalcade, a programme which is only shown in Scotland and throughout is was great. He especially liked the Spider-man song which played at the beginning of the cartoon. Kevin Smith KOF, RFO from Sunderland was on holiday in Spain and bought the Spanish magazine Spider-man #1.In it Spidey battled "Vulchy", and The Tinkerer. Also it featured Spider-man's origin, all of which I was able to translate with the help of your British mags.

Avengers Weekly #148

This is the final Avengers weekly cover and it uses the Neal Adams cover from the Avengers (US edition,) issue 93, however the images on the original of the Human Torch and Iron Man at the top of the piece have been replaced for some unknown reason. Granted those to characters didn't look as good as their replacements, but really I don't see any valid reason to change them. The Iron Man image was taken from Marvel Team-Up issue 9, cover dated May 1973, published February 1973, by John Romita Sr. (pencils,) and Joe Sinnott (inks). I instantly recognise the Human Torch image but the heat is getting to my mind and I don't recall where from, it's not Kirby, could it be John Buscema or John Romita Sr? It was used in the Marvel "trumps" playing cards. If you know, let me know in the usual ways. 

Conan the Barbarian “The curse of the conjurer!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: John Buscema

Inker: Joe Sinnott

Originally published in Conan the Barbarian #46

Cover date January 1975

(Published in October 1974)

This week's Conan tales has been freely adapted by Roy Thomas from the Gardner F Fox novel "Kothar and the conjurer's curse." Fox was an American writer best known for his many novels and numerous comic strips he created, with something like more than 4,000 comics stories, which include 1,500 for DC Comics. He co-created many characters like Barbara Gordon, the original Flash, Hawkman, Hawkgirl, Doctor Fate, Zatanna and the original Sandman. He was the writer who joined many characters together to form the Justice Society of America, in All Star comics #3 in 1940 and their later version the Justice League of America in first appearing in The Brave and the Bold #28 in 1960. Fox also introduced the concept of the Multiverse to DC Comics in the 1961 story "Flash of Two Worlds!" In the early 70's he would go on to write for Marvel Comics too. He would no doubt be remembered mainly as a science fiction author who wrote many novels and short stories. "Kothar and the Conjurer's Curse" featured the titular barbarian character Kothar in a series of sword and sorcery novels published by Belmont Books, with that particular novel released in 1970.

A grim rider on a grey horse rides through the vast desolate wasteland of the border kingdom. In silent horror man and horse shiver from time to time, aware of the shadowy shapes that creep and crawl in their wake. Shapes that are not quite human. They are the Yemli, twisted crimson-eyed demons who are feared even by the fierce northern nomads who travel the paths that lead south to Nemedia or east to Brythunia. Bleached skeletons of their victims lay spread on the ground telling Conan why this land is known as the Hunted Land. For four days the Yemli have been following him, keeping their distance but slowly ringing him to the east, north and south, corralling him westward for some purpose. Conan tightens his sword hand on his blades hilt. Eventually they attack but the barbarian beats them off when he is suddenly startled by a voice. It belongs to Merdoramon, a magician. He presents food and drink. Conan looks around and notices that the Yemli have disappeared. Merdoramon has watched Conan from afar, he has seen him fight an island full of Vanirmen in his youth, as seen in SSOC #1 and battle the gods themselves when he sought out Atali, daughter of the frost-giant Ymir, a classic Conan tale told in Savage Tales #1, cover dated May 1971, published January 1971. British readers would eventually get to read it in the Marvel UK mags Marvel Comic #335 and #336, cover dated 28th March 1979 and 4th April 1979. So knowing that the Cimmerian isn't afraid to oppose men nor gods if the price is right he offers him a task to take a magical amulet to Themas Herklar, regent of the province of Phalkar, to the east. Conan asks how he intends to pay him? Merdoramon tells him the price will be his life if he fails to deliver the amulet. That is poor pay for a warrior, but a bag of gold makes the deal attractive and so he accepts. His journey takes him to the small village of Sfanol, where he sees a girl, Stefanya, in the process of being burned at the stake for her service to the sorcerer Zoqquanor. Never one to let a pretty girl die, Conan rescues her and she agrees to accompany him on his travels. Next week "Shokkoth of the many stones!"

The Avengers “This beachhead Earth”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Neal Adams

Inker: Tom Palmer

Originally published in The Avengers #93

Cover date November 1971

(Published in August 1971)

There are many fabulous opening splash pages in these Marvel weeklies, this one is absolutely stunning, perfection created by Neal Adams with inks from the pen and brush of Tom Palmer. Captain America, Thor and Iron Man are in the Avengers Mansion when the Vision bursts in to the meeting room, begs for help, then suddenly passes out. Iron Man can detect no heart beat from the fallen Avenger. Suddenly a voice proclaims that the lack of a pulse doesn't mean anything. The three Avengers look round for an intruder but find none. Then to add to the confusion a micro glass springs from the wall to reveal Henry Pym, whose previous identities had included Yellowjacket, Goliath, Giant Man and now currently he appears as Ant Man. As a newly retired super-hero he had chose to answer the call for all the original team members to assemble as it was the identity he had used when they first united.

With the matter at hand being the collapse of the Vision, Pym offers to examine the android as he has some knowledge of his construction as technically as the Goliath had created the Vision's "father," Ultron-6 who had re-built and activated the Vision. His choice of the guise of Ant Man conveniently would allow him to shrink down to microscopic size, much like the scientists seen in the 1966 film "Fantastic Voyage", to enter and examine the Vision's inert form. Accompanied by three ants, Crosby, Stills and Nash. We learn at this point that Jan as the Wasp couldn't attend the meeting as she had caught a virus. Once inside the Ant Man had to battle his way through the Vision's high-tech immune system, which attacked and incinerated the helper ant Crosby. With that Ant Man orders the remaining ants to return while he carried on. His journey through the different areas required that he use his jetpack. Next week follow Ant man on his deadly journey to the centre of an android's mind!

Tales of the Watcher “The wonder of the Watcher!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Syd Shores

Originally published in  Silver Surfer #1

Cover date August 1976

(Published in May 1975)

This Tale of the Watcher was adapted from the story "The Way It Began" which originally appeared in Tales of Suspense #53, cover dated May 1964, published February 1964, which had been written by Stan Lee and pencilled by Larry Lieber. Some British Marvel readers may have re-called reading the Lee/Colan version as it had already seen print in POTA #13 from 18th January 1975, just over a year and a half ago. It was a strange choice of a fill in, may be extending the Avengers or Conan strip would have been nice or even another strip itself could have been used. But on the whole it's still a belting strip and a cracking read.

While observing an operation on Earth the Watcher details why he is forbidden to interfere in the affairs of other races. Many eons ago, the Watcher's race already possessed technology far more advanced than any other race in the galaxy. Some wanted to find other primitive races and aid them advancing their civilisations, while others wanted to pursue a policy of noninterference. The Watcher and his father were two who wanted to support and help other planets. After much debate their side won the argument. Their first expedition was to the planet Prosilicus, where they gave the Prosilicans the gift to unlock the secret of unlimited atomic energy. The Watchers race departed, leaving the Prosilicans to their own devices. Some of the Prosilicans choose to create weapons to destroy their enemies to take control of their planet. Then they directed their attacks at a neighbouring planet. This lead to the other planet sending its own nuclear weapons towards Prosilicus, resulting in the mutual assured destruction of both planets. When the Watchers return they see the result of their interference. From that day on, the Watchers resolve to uphold a pack of noninterference. 

In life there will always be births, marriages and deaths. In British comics there has also been the inevitability that great comics will be "hatched, matched and dispatched!" British Marvel comics had grown from the humble beginning with the Mighty World of Marvel in October 1972, to an incredible large and varied collection of mags, amassing at time up to seven weeklies. It was inevitable that the boom would bust. It had stared with the Savage Sword of Conan merging with the Avengers weekly with #95, later the Super-Heroes joined with Spider-man Comics weekly with #158 and  This issue marks the end of the Avengers weekly and only a month ago Planet of the Apes merged with Dracula Lives issue 88. Now it was time for the Avengers weekly to join back with the comic that spawned it. As British Marvel's third weekly I feel on the whole it was the best. Yes I'll always adore Spider-man weekly in the many forms it took and the Mighty World of Marvel has always been marvellous, but the Avengers has always been a joyful comfort read, even from the beginning. The Avengers strips that team-up with Doctor Strange started it off, the inclusion of Master of Kung Fu, not always liked by some at the time, but to me made the weekly more mature and creditable. When Conan joined and Iron Fist took over from MOKF things just became brilliant, with the best writers, the best artists and the best stories. The letter pages were filled with smart and intelligent correspondence from serious comic fans. The constant mixing up of back up strips was a necessity as they started to catch up with the American editions, but this only meant that the best and the latest Marvel masterpieces made it into the mag. It was a pity that it couldn't make it's third full year, I have no data to say it was failing in sales over the others as within eight months the other two mags, Planet of the Apes with Dracula Lives and The Titans will merge into the Mighty World of Marvel and Super Spider-man with the Super-Heroes respectively, so I guess some things are just inevitable. It was all brilliant while it lasted and at least next week will see a wonderful hybrid of two greats of British Marvel mags.

Planet of the Apes and Dracula Lives #91

This is a very busy Jeff Aclin Planet of the Apes cover. There's lots of detail that really makes you want to spend some time delving into it. Duffy Vohland inked it. The original artwork for this cover was sold by Heritage Auction for $600 on the 21st January 2021, which would be about £477. Planet of the Apes seem to be the main star of this merged comic as they took up most of, if not all of, the covers after Dracula Lives joined them, which this week was a little bit of a shame because the Dracula story this week came from Tomb of Dracula issue 43, which sported a incredible and rare for Marvel, Bernie Wrightson cover. 

Planet of the Apes “The War Machines!”

Writer: Doug Moench

Artist: Mike Ploog

Inker: Mike Ploog

Originally published in Planet of the Apes (US) #14

Cover date November 1975

(Published in September 1975)

While Jason and his friends, old and new, relax in Lightsmith's hospitality in Mount Rushmore, Brutus and his force assault the chamber of the Inheritors, deep within the bowels of the Forbidden Zone. In the inner sanction Drone Emm delivers a status report to the Supreme Gestalt Commander Be-One, with news that infiltrators have been sighted in the caverns after slaying two guards. Brutus makes his presence known to Be-One with a threat that if he doesn't discuss his need for the War Machines more deadly action will ensue.

With two of the brain commanders dead and the ranks of the drones almost cut in half, Brutus insists that their goals of the eradication of all humans line up and with the use of the Inheritors War Machines he can achieve it. Meanwhile Lightsmith explains to Jason, Alex and Malagueña what the Psychedrome is the salvation from his world's ignorance and barbarism. It is hidden repository of knowledge and progress. Lightsmith plays them a tape from the President's Chief Advisor in which he says that after the Africans and Chinese blow up two-thirds of the country to hydrogen smithereens and the apes are always playing up. he wishes that he could use the Psychedrome to brain-wash them or use them as cannon-fodder. Meanwhile Gilbert witnesses the arrival of the Assisians and their leader, Maguanus, as they encircle the Wonder Wagon. The muted gibbon signals his friend by catapulting a quickly written message to him. Alerted to the danger Lightsmith organises Alex and Jason to man the eye-holes in the hollowed out insides of Lincoln's giant head. To be continued next week.

Apes Forum.

N Scotford writes that he's come a long way since picking up POTA #2, a lot of the way being with the X-Men, because he bought loads of US X-Men back issues. Wyn Evans from Swansea is proud off his POTA possessions and achievements, his letter lists the novels of the TV and films, issue 14 onwards of the superb weekly amongst his collection and 43 posters of the series and films, adorn his walls. He has one of the Ape home movies, an Apes annual and two poster-mags crammed with info. Also he's seen four of the apes films. Alec Clench from Oxon thinks that the adaption of "Conquest of The Planet of The Apes' was ace. The story was great and so were the drawings. Wendy Bosberry from Hants tells readers where they can get Planet of the Apes cards with Topps Chewing. Gary Marsh KOF, RFO, QNS and FOOMer from Cleveland has been a Marvelite for many years but this is his first letter. Reviewing Dracula Lives #80 he points out that the cover image doesn't match the story inside. However the Dracula story is very good, Werewolf by Night is excellent. Gary wants to know what happened to Frankenstein's Monster? The Living Mummy started off alright but got worse, while Brother Voodoo is above average. Both Man-Thing and the Ghost Rider are good.

Dracula “Paul Butterworth..the Night-Staker!”

Writer: Marv Wolfman

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Tom Palmer

Originally published in Tomb of Dracula #43

Cover date April 1976

(Published in January 1975)

Reporter for the Boston Bugle, Paul Butterworth, quickly types up his encounter with Dracula. His story begins on the night of New Year's Eve as Mary-Ann Travers is heading home from a party, when she was attacked and murdered by Dracula. Later when the police arrive on the scene, so does Paul in the hope of getting a scoop. The girl had been bled dry. The reporter's presence was not welcomed by the police. Later, in the early hours of the New Year, Margaret Simmons pays her respects to her deceased husband when she witnesses Dracula rising from the soft soil of a grave. She too is fed upon by the Lord of the Vampires. 

When Paul hears the report of another attack he begins to wonder if vampires are involved. At the same time an advertisement for Harold H. Harold's book True Vampire Stories is played on the radio. The book is an eyewitness account of Harold's encounter with Dracula. Soon Paul visits Harold's home to asking him for an interview. Harold is pleased to tell Paul all about his encounter with Dracula. He tells him that after their battle with Doctor Sun, Blade had demanded that Dracula help him find the vampire who killed his mother or fight to the death. When Dracula refused to be ordered around, the two battle. Dracula gets the better of Blade but Harold tells Paul that he saved Blade's life, causing Dracula to flee. Part of the tale could will be fabricated by Harold, I'll let you decide which part, Paul sees right through it and asks for Blade's address to find Blade's version of events. Along the way to Blade's house, Paul hears over the radio that the police are being attacked by a vampire. Rushing to the scene, he witnesses Dracula and attempts to take Dracula's photograph, much to the vampire's displeasure. Find out if the star reporter escapes death next week!

Bullpen Bulletin

Continuing this week's Bullpen Bulletin with the Thing taking over from Spider-man, Iron Man and Captain America. The third  Item asks readers do they remember the Punisher who made is appearance in last week's Super Spider-man with the Super-Heroes. well you haven't seen the last of him, not by a long shot. The one man army and executioner with an axe to grind will be back before long. While on the subject of Super Spider-man with the Super-heroes the next Item brings news of a titanic team-up with two of Mighty Marvel's biggies, the ever-lovin' blue-eyed Thing and the broodingly esoteric Son of Satan! The fifth Item doesn't appear in the SSMwtSH or the Titans Bullpen Bulletins due to lack of space, in May the Bullpen told readers they would see four new Marvel Classic Comics in the shops, however there was only one! Why you ask? Marvel boobed, "Black Beauty" did go on sale on 13th May, but "Gullivers Travels" didn't hit the Newsagents till June 10th, then from July 8th both "Tom Sawyer" and "Moby Dick" will be available for 20p each. The final Item has just room to mention Dracula will be crossing paths with Supreme Sorcerer, Doctor Strange in a tale written by Marv Wolfman and Steve Englehart with artists Gene Colan and Tom Palmer. It'll be a mind-blowing, senses-shattering showdown in which one must die! One of the characters, not one of our Bullpenners.

Man-Thing “Laughter is dead!”

Writer: Steve Gerber

Artist: Mike Ploog

Inker: Frank Chiaramonte

Originally published in Man-Thing #5

Cover date May 1974

(Published in February 1974)

This second part opening splash page was pencilled by Jeff Aclin with inks by Duffy Vohland. A clown unhappy with his lot in life has ended his own life as witness by the macabre Man-Thing who takes pity and carries the grease painted fool to a better resting place. Elsewhere, Richard and Ruth don't have any luck booking a room for the night following their encounter with the Man-Thing. Dejected they notice that a carnival has arrived in town. The high-wire acrobat Ayla Prentiss tells her boss the Carnival owner Mister Garvey, to tell him that she's worried about the disappearance of Darrel, the clown.

Garvey says he's glad as the creep was depressing the whole troupe. When Ayla tells him that he shouldn't say such a thing he  strikes her across the face. Richard intervenes, however he is struck down by Tragg the circus strongman. Richard and Ruth agree to help Ayla look for Darrel. Soon on the road Ayla spots Darrel's car. with a closer look they find what appears to be Darrel, performing under a spotlight created by the moon light through the swamp's trees. He doesn't reply to Ayla's calls so they follow him deeper into the swamp. Meanwhile, Garvey and Tragg have been following Ayla and the others to bring her back, when they too see what appears to be Darrel on the road side under a spot light. The clown dances in front of them and causes them to crash. Tragg the strongman pulls himself out of the wreckage to find Darrel jokingly gloating him to follow him. This madness is no laughing matter as we'll find out next week in "Laugh, clown laugh!"

Ka-Zar “To save a sabre-tooth!”

Writer: Gerry Conway

Artist: John Buscema

Inker: Alfredo Alcala

Originally published in Ka-Zar Vol 2 #8

Cover date March 1975

(Published in December 1974)

This second part opening splash page was drawn by an unnamed artist, possibly by Jeff Aclin mimicking the style of Alfredo Alcala's inks, but who really knows. Ka-Zar has tracked down his four legged friend Zabu from the Tabarr River to the lost city of Gondora. The Lord of the Savage Jungle had taken a disguise from a guard to gain access to the city and save the Sabre-tooth. There he had witnessed that the city's High Priest had wanted to sacrifice Zabu in a show of power, but Tul, an old man, had advised Ka-Zar that now wasn't the best time to rescue his animal friend. Tul takes Ka-Zar to his home and introduces him to his family, his wife and two daughters. 

Tul explains that since the coming of the High Priest who had taken a peaceful tribe and coached them in his evil ways to build the city of Gondora, corrupting its people to become depraved. Suddenly a mob breaks into Tul's home and attacks his family. When Ka-Zar saves them, Tul tells Ka-Zar it is time to rescue Zabu as reports of the attack will drew the temple guards. Ka-Zar tells Tul that he too must leave with his family. When Ka-Zar leaves Kamil, Tul's wife runs after him. With her arms around his neck she kisses him, telling him that he should flee with her and to forget the tiger and her husband and go with her. Ka-Zar pushes the faithless woman away and continues towards the temple. There he is captured by the High Priest's guards. The priest reveals that he was a scientist working for the allies during World War II, named Montgomery Ford. When the war was over, he was released from service, but not before stealing an energy rod he had developed. He journeyed to the Savage Land to find wealth, instead he met and exploited the peaceful Gondorans into building a city. Ford became corrupt, leading Gondora to be a centre of depravity. Ka-Zar breaks free from the guards and hearing his masters voice Zabu breaks free from his chains. Ford fires his energy rod towards Ka-Zar, who dodges past it knocking Ford into the volcano. The weapon fires randomly, causing the volcano to erupt. Ka-Zar return to Tul's home to lead the old man's family away. Tul and his daughters go quickly by Kamil hesitates to take a curious look towards the city of sin and its destruction. Gondora vanishes in an eruption of molten earth. When the eruptions subside and the air is free of ash Ka-Zar, Zabu, Tul and his daughters leave their shelter in a cave to discover the body of Kamil baked in ash, looking towards the lost city. Ka-Zar and Zabu leave the old man to pity his false-hearted wife. Next week "The man who hunted dinosaur!"

The Titans #39

Larry Lieber was heading up the American side of the British Marvel office, so lots more pieces of artwork started to come from his pencil for the British weeklies. Jason Schachter, from the Grand Comics Database believes that Larry penciled this Fantastic Four cover for this week's The Titans. If Larry did he copied the style of Jack Kirby's original cover from the Fantastic Four issue 96. Nick Caputo, also from the GCD, knows for certain that Frank Giacoia inked the landscaped cover.

The Fantastic Four “The Mad thinker and his Androids of death!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Frank Giacoia

Originally published in The Fantastic Four #96

Cover date March 1970

(Published in December 1969)

An unnamed artist has stretched Jack Kirby's original opening splash page to create this landscape splash page by cut out the three characters and move Reed Richards more to the left and Sue Richards to the right, then adding some extra background art to fill the gaps. 

The Yancy Street Gang have sent Ben a book on body building, which Ben doesn't quite see the funny side and pulverises it to dust. Reed and Sue head out on a date and tell Ben that Johnny should be home soon from an auto rally. Johnny then appears in the doorway but Ben is puzzled by his partner's dower conversation. The Torch fires at the Thing knocking him out. Johnny explains that he too had been ambushed at the rally with an ice ray and he had been replaced with an android under the control of the Mad Thinker. Opening the door an android duplicate of the Thing enters. The Mad Thinker has created android duplicates of the Fantastic Four, their next targets are Reed and Sue. Sue's android overpowers the real Sue in a shop and replaced by her android counterpart. Reed is attack as he's driving a car, the android and human fight. At 2.11 the winner leaves to return to "home base". The Mad Thinker has managed to infiltrate the Baxter building thanks to his android duplicates, there he waits for the return of the pseudo Richards. The Thinker gets a surprise when it turns out to be the real Mister Fantastic, who manages to free Ben. The two heroes then beat the Thinker's androids and capture the Thinker himself. After taking out the villain's men Reed and Ben locate the sedated Sue and Johnny at the Thinker's hideout and revive them. Next week the "Monster from the Lost Lagoon!"

The Sub-Mariner “...And to the vanquished..death!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: John Buscema 

Inker: Dan Adkins

Originally published in Sub-Mariner Vol 2 #6

Cover date October 1968

(Published in July 1968)

Now if I did an Open Splash Page of the Week, (OSPotW, now could that be a thing?) this would win this week's vote hand down. The negative space that frames Tiger Shark and Lady Dorma enhances the drama, with only a few fish, sea coral and air bubbles to tell the reader that this is not your normal location. This is a grail page that I would love on my wall, but I bet I couldn't afford it. Lady Dorma is forced to lead Tiger Shark to the Atlantean encampment where he plans to seize control over its people.

Diane Arliss, the sister of Todd Arliss, who under Doctor Dorcas mad experiment had become the Tiger Shark, plans to go after her brother in the hope of calming his mad schemes. Donning a futuristic wet-suit and breathing apparatus she heads out beneath the waves to find him. Soon she finds the wrecked submarine of Lady Dorma and inside the wreckage Namor. With the touch of her hand on his awakens him. In his blind fury she is injured. Namor takes her to his enemy Doctor Dorcas for first aid. when he finds out that she's fine just in a state of shock Namor leaves to continue his search for Lady Dorma and the Tiger Shark. Meanwhile the two who he seeks cross the path of a giant sea creature which attacks them. The Tiger Shark proves his power by defeating the beast. Eventually the pair arrive at the Atlantean encampment where the Tiger Shark demands the crown of Atlantis from the Atlantean leaders, Lord Vashti and Warlord Seth. Next week a fight to the finish for the trident of power!

The centre-spread was pencilled by Mike Nasser, also known as Michael Netzer and inked by Neal Adams. If you look very closely you can see their signatures on the "N" of the word "Vision". It's a wonderfully gorgeous pin-up. 

Ghost Rider “The coming of...Witch-Woman!”

Writer: Gary Friedrich

Artist: Tom Sutton

Inker: Jim Mooney

Originally published in Marvel Spotlight #10

Cover date June 1973

(Published in March 1973)

It's midnight and the cold wind lashes at the glowing skull of the eerie biker who rides his super-charged chopper on a mission of life and death. Roxanne Simpson's life hangs in the balance after the Ghost Rider had saved her from being sacrificed by the menacing Indian witch-doctor called Snake Dance to the Snake God. Roxanne had been bitten by poisonous Copperhead snakes and needed anti-venom and urgent treatment at a hospital as soon as possible. 

The tribe are angered that the witch-doctor's promises to reverse their misfortunes of their tribe have failed. Believed themselves to have been made fools of by Snake Dance they prepare to hang him. With the mob lead by Sam Silvercloud. As they throw a noose over Snake Dance's neck a shot rings out and cuts the rope in two. The gunman who stops this un-holy act is Linda LittleTree, the daughter of Snake Dance. She tells her lover Silvercloud that the next person to endanger her father will receive a bullet for the troubles. Silvercloud gives in and releases her father. When he tries to kiss Linda she gives him a slap and leaves with her father.  Meanwhile the Ghost Rider arrives at the hospital, with Roxanne for treatment of copperhead snake bites. At first the emergency room doctor thinks it's just a sick publicity stunt for a cycle show, but soon the Ghost Rider convinces him otherwise and she is treated as best as they can. Elsewhere Linda argues with her father over the fact that the old superstitious ways almost killed a girl. When Silvercloud mentions that her father possesses anti-venom serum Snake Dance refuses to hand it over. But Linda steals it from him and takes it to the hospital as quick as her motor bike can go. Next week "death cries the Witch-Woman!"

Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD “The hiding place!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Jack Kirby (layouts) and Jim Steranko

Inker: Jim Steranko

Originally published in Strange Tales #153

Cover date February 1967

(Published in November 1966)

As Nick Fury has a shave Agent Sitwell reports that their prisoner Laura Brown, the daughter of the original Supreme Hydra, is being escorted to the transport vehicle. Fury thinks back on SHIELD's first battle with Hydra, when Laura Brown, who had joined Hydra to convince her father to give up his mad scheme of world conquest. She had saved Fury's life and helped defeat them. With Fury's passionate please for leniency the President had pushed thru a pardon for her.

She was to be transported by Agents Gabe and Jasper whose car was attacked by a Hydra motorcycle squad. When a report is made at SHIELD headquarters Nick Fury and DumDum Dugan set off in a captured Hydra saucer and head out to rescue the trio. Meanwhile the current Supreme Hydra dons a new disguise using "Epiderm-mask," which takes only a few second to change the Supreme Hydra's face to that of "Agent Bronson", a SHIELD agent who is currently held in the dungeon of Hydra's secret head-quarters as their prisoner. A manned missile takes off into the sub-stratosphere as part of the Supreme Hydra's plan to march towards total World domination. The second part of this story won't appear in next week's issue but instead it will continue in two week's time. Find out why and what replaces it next week.

Captain America “The man who lived twice!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Syd Shores

Originally published in Tales to Suspense #99

Cover date March 1968

(Published in November 1967)

After arriving in Wakanda at the request of the Black Panther, Captain America has agreed to help the African King protect his Kingdom from invaders who are using a solar ray as a weapon. As the two heroes teamed up on their mission they fall in to an elephant pit trap and soon discover the identity of the invader's leader none other than Cap's old enemy, Baron Zemo, who has long since believed to be dead, as events in the Avengers weekly #12 showed. Cap and the Panther are pulled out of the pit and taken prisoner at gunpoint. 

Baron Zemo orders the pair killed. You know nazis a plain stupid, why didn't he just brag about being still alive and then order them shot while they were still in the pit? No wonder fascism lost two world wars! Before the soldiers can level their rifles Cap and the Black Panther fight off the soldiers until they are knocked out by an "hypno missiles" and taken back to Zemo's base. Again he could kill them while they are unconscious., dumb-ass nazis. Elsewhere Agent-13 has been admitted to Zemo's secret lair while disguised as the female spy Irma Kruhl. Inside the base Zemo explains to Captain America and the Black Panther that with the use his solar ray he plans to destroy the United States. All it will take is the locations of the US nuclear missile bases. Irma Kruhl will soon arrive with that information that she had stolen. Cap and the Panther attempt to stop the nazi villain but are once again beaten back. Kruhl arrives and to prove her loyalty Zemo orders her to execute Captain America and the Black Panther. Agent-13 stuck with a decision to either blow her cover to save the man she loves, or does she follow through with the execution in order to save the world? "The fatal ending" will be revealed next week, as will more marvellous adventures from mighty Marvel. So until then...

See you in seven.

Make Mine Marvel.