The possessed and the triumphant!

 Week Ending 3rd November 1973

Regular POTB readers mighty remember that last week I pointed out that for two weeks Marvel UK used the wrong images of the Avengers weekly for an in-house advert by mixing issues 5 with 6 and then reversing the mix-up for the next issue. Well we're all mostly human, for this weeks opening covers image I used MWOM #57, SMCW #38 and Avengers #7, then filed it with the other images I was going to use, until I started to write the blog. Later I pasted it on the page but something didn't look right. I realised that the Avengers should be fighting Immortus this week and the cover should be Avengers #7 not #6. I made a fresh one with the correct issues, I guess Ive spent too much time looking at Marvel UK weeklies lately. Let's hope it doesn't become a habit, I'll have to get some new PotBNoP made up for my online editors when they spot all the howlers in this weeks blog. Anyway onto 1973.

The Mighty World of Marvel #57

There's no mistaking this weeks cover for the Mighty World of Marvel or who's the big star of it. "Starring the incredible HULK", says it all. I love how the super powerful Hulk is powerless in the unyielding quicksand as the Mandarin gloats after defeating the green brute. I'm going to go early on this one and say that it's my cover of the week, it may not be the best drawn cover but for its looks and how it feels it's definitely like an "A" star cover by Herb Trimpe as he pay homage to his own opening splash page from this very story. A splash page you'll get to see very soon. The internet suggests that Frank Giacoia for inking this specially made Marvel UK cover, who am I to disagree with that suggestion.

The Incredible Hulk "Monster triumphant!"

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Herb Trimpe

Inker: John Severin

Originally published in The Incredible Hulk #108

Cover date October 1968

(Published in July 1968)

Here's that beautiful opening splash page to which the cover was based on.You can see that the cover wasn't a straight copy job, this artwork is more defined. The Grand Comic Database suggests that Marie Severin drew the layouts for this strip which mighty be why Trimpe's artwork looks so defined, but could her brother John's inks have helped with this. It's an eye-catching start to a great strip. It's a great strip but some of the action is cut from the original story to fit into the weekly, which is a shame, but there's still loads to read and love.

Not only do we have action from the Hulk and the Mandarin to look forward to but Nick Fury with his Russian counterpart Colonel Yuri Brevlov team up to join in the skirmish. Trimpe does an incredible rendition of the agent of SHIELD that wouldn't look out of place filling in for Jim Steranko. Col Brevlov's outfit isn't as cool as Fury's and there's a couple of other things that don't quite look right, how come Brevlov looks so young if he fought in the Second World War with Nick, (for those asking about Nick's youthful looks, the Infinity Formula works miracles!) and how does Fury fit his hand gun in his holster? Only Herb knows.

Herb Trimpe should get more credit than he does for shaping how comics are drawn. He has such an innovative style that in the late 60's early 70's is more associated with artists from that period like Jim Sternako, Jim Starlin, Neal Adams and Barry Windsor-Smith to name but four. But just look at Trimpe's page layout, there's no six square box frames. He uses dynamic panels that cross and intersect with action, he uses detail when it's needed, when there's no need for detail he fills the area with force and movement leaving no space unused. Characters move outside of the panel framework, word balloons jostle with each other to find space leading the reader to run through the strip with pace, only slowing down for those quiet, tender moments when required. There was a group of artists during the 90's that created a wild storm by reinventing the comic strip media, with their new page layouts and ideas, well Herb Trimpe and his contemporaries got there decades before them.

The story ends with the Mandarin fleeing as the Hulk rains his castle down around him, leaving the green giant to ponder will he ever find a place somewhere he can find peace. Next week sees the coming of Ka-Kar! Or will it? Come back next week to find out.

The Mighty Marvel Mailbag

James Hawksworth from Skelmanthorpe makes four points, if the Thing is as strong as the Hulk why can't he make small leaps? He's OK with the removal of Daredevil (one of the few who is,) but why have two hulk strips. Why do we hardly see the Thing punching anyone and finally he asks where are the Frightful Four? Gary Element from Marley is really pleased that the Avengers have appeared in these weeklies. John Matthews from Rochdale replies to N. Binet's letter that saw print in MWOM #38, asking for a copy of Marvel Annual 1973, offering him a FOOM mag and issue 10 of SMCW or issues 1 or 2 of MWOM. John and N. Binet should check out the new Pen Pal/Swap Shop feature later.

Brian Mathews from Reading has a complaint, not about Marvel's "fabulous magazine" but about the people who write in complaining about it. He adds how can anybody improve something that is "completely perfect in every respect." Ed Merryweather from Hadwell Heath wants to know what has Jolly Jim Steranko done to the Hulk's "kisser" in issue two of FOOM magazine? Ed suggests that it looks like a cross between Steve MacQueen and a mutant olive! Ed also suggests that the Hulk should get his own mag after all he did "shove Daredevil on to the streets" so he could do the same with the FF. He also suggests that MWOM should be cut down to twenty pages, using the FF and the Silver Surfer both having four pages each but shrinking the panel size down to get more panels to pages. Sounds like the landscape formate or even Dez Skinn's Marvel revolution idea. David Briggs from Croseley wants more free Marvel transfers and would like to see more of the X-Men. Well David didn't have to wait long for the X-Men as on the very next page....

Fantastic Four "We have to fight the X-Men!"

 Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Chic Stone 

Originally published in The Fantastic Four #28

Cover date July 1964

(Published in April 1964)

After the X-Men's first appearance in MWOM #49 and #50 they're given a second chance at the Marvel UK spotlight. It all starts simply enough with Ben admiring his Alice Master's sculptured statue as Reed and Sue read all about the mysterious mutants. Sue mentions their encounter with Magneto as Marvel UK removed any reference  to the Blob, Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch that had been mentioned in the original US version, as well as a factually wrong mention of the Space Phantom who the X-Men had never fought. Also Johnny mentioning that he had encounter Ice Man before in a story from Strange Tale #120 which has never seen print in Marvel UK. 

Like many stories from these early Marvel UK weeklies I don't always recall reading them when they first where published, as I was so young I only completed collecting them later in life. But I do regularly recall when I first saw these stories even if they were reprinted in other formats. My first time reading "We have to fight the X-Men!" was in the 1981 Fantastic Four Annual from Marvel Grandreams, published in Autumn 1980. That was a cracking Christmas present that featured two FF strips, two text stories and lots of puzzles. Great days. This strip, half in colour and the rest in blue, black and white was wonderful. I loved it. What it did also show me that like the earlier Hulk story, some panels and pages have been removed from the MWOM version to fit into the smaller page count.

 

This story feels great as it offers Marvel UK's first multiple team-up. Yeah I know that the Avengers teamed up with the FF against the Hulk in MWOM #49 and #50 , this time two groups of heroes team-up to take on two super villains who have also teamed up. (For those who will point out when the Hulk and Namor the Submariner teamed up I say they aren't villains, just misunderstood heroes.) This story is a "super team-up" spectacular.

The two super-villains who join forces in attempt to defeat the FF are the Puppet Master and the Mad Thinker with his Awesome Android. The Thinkers plan is to have the Puppet Master control the leader of the X-Men, Professor X, with his radioactive clay puppets. A stretch even for the Puppet Masters powers as Professor X's mutant brain is one of the most powerful minds on Earth. But after some strain he does and in doing so he orders his young protégés into attacking the FF. It's pure Lee and Kirby heaven as they match and dispatch the heroes against one another. Even with the missing pages it's a great read that we can expect more from next issue in the conclusion. 

The first Pen Pals Swap Shop feature page. You might already have suspected the concept. Readers write in to either find pen pals or swap unwanted comics or items for wanted items. The eBay of its day, may be. I'll be honest I don't remember anyone asking for pen pals, I think that was quickly dropped. I won't list who wrote in and what they offered as that would take far too long and be far too trivial. My memory of some of the "swaps" was a little one sided to what they wanted but some were also generous in what they were offering, so it's down to opinion. This feature also appeared in this weeks SMCW and Avengers weekly.

This weeks back page offers a full colour look at what's also on sale this week from Marvel UK. Will the mighty Avengers break up after they face the century-spanning power of Immortus? Issue seven also features Doctor Strange. Who is the one super-foe that Spider-man dare not battle?  But does anyway in Spider-man Comics Weekly issue 38. Also in this great issue the mighty Thor! The in-house ads feature both full colour front covers so you don't have an excuse what they look like, which is handy for someone like me who looks at million of covers every week.

  Speaking of those issue...

Spider-man Comics Weekly #38

This weeks cover is a re-coloured version of a John Romita SR cover from the Amazing Spider-man issue 44. A very strong second to MWOM's cover in my choice for cover of the week.

Spider-man "Where crawls the Lizard!"

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: John Romita SR

Inker: John Romita SR

Originally published in the Amazing Spider-man #44

Cover date January 1967

(Published in October 1966)

What I really love about John Romita SR stories is he doesn't waste a page. Straight from the opening splash page we're right into the action and plot. There's no time for any fancy imaginary impression of what the reader is going to see. This is it from page one, Peter is taking Aunt May to the train station to see her off on a well deserved holiday to aid her health while Doctor Kurt Conner is waiting to greet his wife and son. But all isn't well as a foreboding imaginary image of the Lizard hangs over the Doctor as his hand starts to turn green and scaly. 

Peter notices Conner's wife and child in some distress so he changes to Spider-man and goes of to look for Conners. Exposed to chemicals that he used last issue to help Spider-man formulate the acidic compound that dissolved the Rhino's costume allowing Spider-man to defeat the fiend, have triggered his transformation into the beastly Lizard. Finding no trace of man or monster Spidey informs Mrs Conners that Kurt will turn up soon but he will continue looking for him when he can. In the meantime Peter has some personal life ends to tie up. First at the offices of the Daily Bugle and then at the Silver Spoon cafe. 

The Silver Spoon cafe is the place to meet if you're a hip swinging sixties uni kid. Peter is getting on really well with Harry, Flash and especially Gwen, who offer to fill him in on his missed lab work, which makes for a nice romantic moment for the couple. That quickly when the boy's heads are turned when a stunning Mary Jane turns up to meet Peter much to the jealousy of Gwen and the attention of the boys. That love triangle will run and run. Flash informs the gang that he's due a draft physical in readiness for joining the army. 

It's not all about teenage kicks there's plenty of Spider-man action too. As much as it's great to have two beautiful girls wanting to be with you Peter also has to face super strong villains like the Lizard. He takes one hell of a beating, allowing the lizard to escape and our hero needing attention to a swollen arm. It's never easy being a hero, but don't despair Spidey-fans, there's more next issue and it promises to be a bomb-shell!

The Web and the Hammer

Michael Howlett from Inverness asks why was Thursday named in Thor's honour and will Daredevil be coming back. The editor gives a little mythology lesson explaining that the ancient norsemen named days of the week after their gods. Thursday was named after Thor and Wednesday was named after Wodin or as we more commonly know him Odin. Also judging by the number of requests for DD's return he might just be back sooner than later. Stuart Thomas from London has done a small survey with his classmates to find out who should get a regular strip in the weekly comics. The winners are the X-Men with nine votes, in joint second the Avengers and the Sub-Mariner with seven votes each and in fourth the Silver Surfer with two votes. Lets be honest its only a small sample. Martin Knox from Glasgow asks why Thor's mother is never mentioned. T. Ponton from Harrow thinks it would increase Spider-man's popularity if he entered the Olympics. S. Hayward from Surrey who's brother got MWOM from issue one and hasn't missed an issue, knows an incredible amount about legends and mythology and his letter proves it.

Sylvia Ward from Kent would love a signed photograph from Spider-man. David Rees from Solihull what's to see a fight between Peter Parker and Flash Thompson as he wants to see Flash pulverised. I'm not sure I'm into that level of violence. Joseph Millar from Coventry has thought of a great way that Don Blake can marry Jane Foster, by asking Odin to make her immortal. If only it was that simple Joseph. Christopher Weir from Pudsey what's to know what happen to "Claws of the of the Cat" that was teased at the end of the Spider-man story in SMCW# 22 would appear next issue, but in SMCW#23 "The wondrous world of Dr. Strange!" was printed pushing the intended story back to SMCW#24. The editor says they boobed but in fact they just printed the annual story that had appeared in-between "The menace of the Molten Man!" and the "Claws of the Cat!" stories. Ironically Marvel UK did miss out "Never step on a Scorpion!" story that should have appeared between those two tales. My Power of the Beesting blog "Heavy is head that wears crown of victory" try to explain some of this mystery. Andrew Aston from Kidderminster has listened to the Spider-man LP record "Beyond the Grave" by the Webslingers and thinks it would be a good idea to printing it in SMCW for those unfortunate enough to have not heard it. I've never heard it so I can't comment on it. Has any of the Friends of the Beesting (FotB) heard it? Was it any good? Let me know.

The Mighty Thor "Into the blaze of battle!"

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Vince Colletta

Originally published in Journey into Mystery #117

Cover date June 1965

(Published in April 1965)

The "Trial of the Gods!" continues with the God of Mischief, Loki returning to Asgard seconds ahead of a defeated Thor. The God of Thunder challenges Loki's victory saying that his half brother used trickery and enchanted stones to win the contest unfairly. Loki sends the incriminating evidence to Earth to be out of Thor's reach. Odin judges that there may well be some truth in Thor's claim to he gives his son 24 hour leave to recover the evidence.

On Earth Balder the Brave has located the abducted Jane Foster and confronts her abductors the evil Executioner and his wily partner the Enchantress. Thor arrives in time to help Balder, sending the two evil Asgardians fleeing. Thor thanks Balder for his aid but he must complete his task and locate Loki's enchanted stones within the time given to him by Odin. That task sends him to a Bodavian jungle, into a war zone, and into heavy shelling that momentary renders the Thunder God unconscious. I really like these short but plucky tales that make up a bigger quest. Lee, Kirby and Colletta craft a grippingly good tale, leaving the reader to want more. Can Thor find the stones in time? Find out next week. 

SMCW's in-house ads don't win the full colour back page like the Ones in MWOM did. But the lack of colour doesn't detract from the high adventured dynamic super-action both comics offer. We've seen what MWOM had to offer already but lets take a look at the Avengers next...

The Avengers #7

To be quite honest this weeks cover by Jack Kirby with inks by Chic Stone with it's crisp sharp figures on a pure white background doesn't deserve to come in third in this weeks Cover of the Week contest. The artwork is certainly clearer than Trimpe's cover for MWOM#57. Can I call it a tie? OK it's a tie. Ladies and gentlemen this weeks (second) Cover of the Week! 

The Avengers "The Avengers break UP!"

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Don Heck

Inker: Dick Ayers

Originally published in The Avengers #10

Cover date November 1964

(Published in September 1964)

"The Avengers break up!" not really but I expect that the title was there purely as an attempt to pull you in. As for the villain of the piece, the incredible, the inconceivable, the incalculable menace of...Immortus makes his first appearance as a character we've already seen twice before. Granted in the guises of Rama Tut (in the FF story from MWOM#40,) and not two issues ago (in the Avengers #5.) as Kang the Conqueror, although there's no mention of him being the same man or that the Avengers had recently fought a villain from another time. Was that Stan just hoping or even believing that readers would never notice? 

Baron Zemo and his Masters of Evil receive a visitation from Immortus, who one of them, possibly the Enchantress, recognises him, or has at least heard of him as off panel they say "Immortus! The Master of time! The one who rules the mystic realm of Limbo, where things never change!" Life long Marvel fans will probably already know Rama Tut/Kang/Immortus has been manipulating events in time for his own purposes. He admits that joining the Masters of Evil against the Avengers will serve his own purpose. What his purpose was, we'll have to play the long game to find out. The long game as in reading loads and loads more comics. But what was the short term purpose? I'll come back to that later.

Immortus formulates a plan in which by kidnapping Rick Jones and having Captain America rescue the teenager he can make the shield swinging Avenger believe that his teammates have turned against him. Yeah that will work...not! I don't think Stan Lee has quite figured out this version of Cap, who out of character threatens Immortus that if any harm comes to Rick he'll make him pay with his life!

Cap does indeed believe Immortus and fights the Avengers, which gives this story historical significance as it shows Captain America's shield takes the full force of Thor's hammer. Giant Man brokers a ceasefire allowing the Avengers to meet with Immortus to get to the bottom of it. Immortus uses many historical figures to attack the Avengers,  although it's entirely possible that these are all impostors or from alternate timelines as Merlin looks different than the version Thor fought in SMCW #14. Also the character Atlas in the original US version of this story was the Greek demi-God Hercules, by changing him to the Titan who was punished by Zeus takes away any reason for Thor or Hercules not recognising each other in later issues. Spoilers: It has been hinted that Immortus used Space Phantoms to assume these historical figures.

This story also offers another first with Thor uttering the immortal line "Avengers Assemble!" which of course they do in time to defeat the villains. The Masters of Evil make their get-away by the most lamest of plot endings as the Enchantress casts a spell that shifts the sands of time back to before Immortus appeared before them. This leaves the Avengers with no idea of the battle they fought in, but the Masters do, preferring to ignore Immortus's mental probe this second time so as to not face another defeat. With the time reset what did Immortus achieve?  Was it all plotted so that the Avengers can gain their famous battle cry? Or was there some more devious plans a foot? Who knows? Only time will tell.

This Marvel Masterwork Pin-up originally appeared in Marvel Collector's Item Classics #21 cover dated June 1969, published March 1969. I think the figures below the good Doctor could well have been drawn by Steve Ditko and have been lifted from his original comic art. As for the main image of the Master of Mystic Arts I think it could be by Dan Adkins, then again I could be wrong. Let me know if I am.

Avengers Unite

Another Avengers mailbag that opens with the "From the Bullpen to you" column, which I do like, it brings a connection with the readers that's better than a cheesy reply to their letters. This week it talks about how problems can be solved with friendship, linking it into the Pen Pal/Swap Shop page. 

First up in the letters comes from Philip Wardell from Perth who is very interested in Captain America, recalling an article he read in the Sunday Times about a primitive man encased in ice and found in the Artic much the same way as Cap was rediscovered. Very highbrow readers these Avengers weekly fans. John Gleeson from Kent who brings up the idea that a British superhero would be really cool. The editor replies that a British-based hero is quite likely a thing they might decide to do in the future.

Alan Dawson from Somerset writes after bringing out the Avengers mag why don't they follow up with the X-Men. Mark Elworthly from Kent says he's a "Marvel Mad Fan" and is wondering why Iron Man hasn't been introduced in his own strip. J Seymour from Glasgow enjoys the Doctor Strange stories in the Avengers weekly but is a little bothered by the fact that Doctor Strange "dabbles" in Black Magic! As they understands that Black Magic is sometimes evil. the editor points out that he doesn't "dabble" in Black Magic, he's the Master of it and he always uses his powers of the mystic arts for the benefit of humanity. Finally this weeks closing letter comes from Matthew Amos from Cambridge who thanks Marvel for the free Avengers wonder gun which he uses in a game that he has made with a special board and coloured rings as targets that gain points. His friend, Michael who also has an Avengers gun, take it in turns to collect points. Matthew is in the lead so far by 49 points. Matthew also says that his mum thought that the free transfers were real tattoos as they were so hard to remove from his forehead (????) and both his arms. Public notice don't stick transfers or tattoos on your forehead, you'll look incredibly silly.

  

  Another great Marvel Masterwork Pin-up featuring the Avengers, Britain's greatest. Can't say that this group of Avengers have any strong connections with Great Britain, but I do agree with the cover tag line that the Avengers weekly is "Britain's Greatest!" comic. At least during this period, may be, but don't tell Spidey or the Hulk, Spider-man Comics Weekly and the Mighty World of Marvel are really great too. As you possibly already know this artwork was originally from the Avengers #4 (US edition,) cover dated March 1964, published January 1964 by Jack Kirby with Paul Reinman adding the inks.

Doctor Strange "The possessed!"

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: Steve Ditko

Inker: Steve Ditko

Originally published in Strange Tales #118

Cover date March 1964

(Published in December 1963)

 

This weeks Doctor Strange tale plays out like so many Lee/Ditko plotted short stories with the antagonists being aliens who come from a neighbouring dimension. They look like aliens straight out of the Ditko art book. Doctor Strange senses dark supernatural forces at work in a village nestled in the peaceful mountains of Bavaria, where the inter-dimensional aliens have been taking possession of the local villagers so that they can gain a foothold on Earth to launch a full blown invasion. Strange confronts one possessed villager and manages to free him from the evil force. Later the Master of Mystic Arts tricks the alien who tries to possess the Doctors immobile body but is trapped by Strange who's ethereal form has been hiding in the shadows. The Aliens flee and Doctor Strange seals their entrance into our world ending their threat for ever. So ends a nice tale that's a refreshing change from encounters with Baron Mordo.

   

The inside back page is used to inform Avengers weekly readers what they could be missing if they didn't already buy copies of the Mighty World of Marvel and Spider-man Comics Weekly this week. 

It's Thor's turn to feature in "Meet the Avengers" on the full colour back page. The image of the Thunder God is from the cover of Thor #160 (US edition.) covered dated January 1969, published November 1968, with art by Jack Kirby with Vincent Colletta laying down the inks. 

So I'll leave you with that beautiful piece of artwork until next week for more of the same. 

See you in seven.

Make Mine Marvel.

Of rampaging Rhinos and Wonder Men.

 Week Ending 27th October 1973

Before I start this weeks nostalgic trip down Marvel Lane in good old Blighty in the last week of October 1973, I would like to talk a little about something that came up during a Facebook conversation from a Power of the Beesting post I wrote. It was about the use of the name Marvel UK. It's a name that I and many others use to define a publisher of comics set up by Stan Lee in 1972 to be a British wing of the American parent company Marvel Comics who itself had a parent company called Magazine Management. The original name of this British company was Magazine Management London Ltd. This name lasted until 26th March 1973 when the Mighty World of Marvel #37 and Spider-man Comic Weekly #15 were published under the name of Marvel Comics Ltd just like the American parent company. The gentleman who brought this up, Derek Skinn points out that the name Marvel UK wasn't used until 1979 by the new editor Dez Skinn, so I guess he should really know. However it was only in the 90's that the copyright text listed the company as Marvel Comics (UK) Ltd. and only later did it become a logo on the John Freeman edited Overkill Magazine as well as the Marvel UK imprint comics all under the Editor in chief view of Paul Neary. I judge it like your favourite pub that has changed its name numerous times or you haven't been to in years, you still call it by what you and your friends know it best. But as I said in that post ..."some clever editor at that time came up with that perfectly functional name which has stuck with me ever since as I can't think of any thing else to call it. Marvel Comics Group doesn't place it's self in the British comic "zone" and Magazine Management London Ltd doesn't connect well with what people consider as Marvel, plus it takes far too long to type. So I guess it's got to be Marvel UK as it says it all. Very clever man that editor, very clever." It might not be correct but it does work, so until someone comes up with a better and more correct name, make mine Marvel UK. 

The Mighty World of Marvel #56

This weeks cover drawn by Ron Wilson is of the Hulk in the grip of the giant "Smashor!" Frank Giacoia applied the inks to the artwork. Heritage Auctions state that John Romita SR art was used as paste up corrections for the Hulk's upper body and part of Smashor's chest, were it sold for $5,160 (around £4248) in April 2021. Sub-titled "Frenzy in a far flung land!" the Smashor's looks cut very close to the PC bone with its yellow skin and oriental features. 

The Incredible Hulk "The master plan of the Mandarin!"

Writer: Gary Friedrich 

Artist: Herb Trimpe

Inker: Syd Shores

Originally published in The Incredible Hulk #107

Cover date September 1968

(Published in June 1968)

A blown up panel from last week story makes this weeks opening splash page as the android "Smashor" crashes through the doorway to battle with the green-skinned goliath under orders of the villainous Mandarin. This is what you expect, a colossal clash of titans as the Hulk and the "monster of the week" face off in panel after panel of mayhem. Some kids love this week after week, but as a kid I wanted more plot, more character and more clever story, I thought it was too childish and I was above that. But as an adult I kind of like a bit of both, as I get older I appreciate the stories more for what they were, which is good clean fun. 

When I think back about certain stories I don't always remember them from when they were first published, my memory of this story mainly comes from reading it in The Incredible Hulk! issue 8 from 19th May 1982. A short lived Marvel UK comic that feed off the popularity of the Hulk TV series, now in its fifth and final season, made by Universal Television that at the time was shown on CBS in the US and ITV in the UK. The comic used various Hulk stories from The Incredible Hulk #107 to #129, (US editions from June 1969-April 1970,) although not always in order. These stories had already appeared in MWOM starting from last weeks issue. The 1982's comic did offer some pages of colour and was a nice enough comic with some good back up stories but my recollection of this story via the 82 version, the battle with the Hulk and the Mandarin's Android (Smashor to all 73 version fans,) was very short. I found out when reading the older 1973 comic that more pages of action had been cut from the 82 weekly. I always recall the colour version of the panels seen above but boy am I glad I read the MWOM edition. 

Android/Smashor vs the Hulk there's really only one winner and it's the Hulk. What the Hulk has in strength he loses in intelligence and that's something the Mandarin has loads of. The Mandarin tricks our green skinned friend into charging headlong into a pit of quicksand ending this weeks instalment on a sticky cliffhanger.

The Mighty Marvel Mailbag

Simon Rogers from Kent writes to point out some minor errors that do and sometimes don't make sense, click on the image if you what to know more but he does also ask why they scrapped Daredevil which we'd all like to know but more importantly when is he coming back. Jonathan Hennion from Cricklewood thinks that MWOM is the best comic in the Universe. That's a big statement but he has collected 200 "Marvel Group" comics so may be he's had a good sample to work from. I wonder how many does he have at the peak of his comic collecting? David J Parker from Northwich asks what's the matter with you lot? You introduce Daredevil to the British public, then you stop his stories. David's got to be another "Bring back DD" fan. Richard Marshall from Teeside said that in most of the American Fantastic Four comics he collected Medusa is a member of the FF instead of Sue Storm. Well that Richard is what is now known as spoilers! A Roderick Barr from Paisley is glad to see that Marvel has finally come to Britain properly, but why the withdrawal of DD from MWOM he asks. 

There seems to be a lot of "Bring back DD" fan and I can understand why. G Lambert from Glasgow has been collecting old American Marvel comics for quite some time before MWOM came out and loved the ads in the American editions but was unable to send of for any of them. The success of MWOM is so much that he can name at least twenty lads who line up at the newsagents on Monday morning waiting for their copies of the weekly. Gerald Peters from Gosport has spotted a mistake in the Human Torch/Thing story from MWOM #32 Johnny called the Sub-Mariner "Web-head", Gerald suggests it should have been "Wet-head", for which he is awarded a "super glossy" No-Prize for being the first to spot it. Joseph Ruddock from Dublin has searched every shop in town and still hasn't found a better comic than MWOM. 
 

It's that Web-head..Namor, the Sub-Mariner! or should that be Wet-head?

"The Stone Man"

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Steve Ditko

Inker: Steve Ditko

Originally published in Journey into Mystery #70

Cover date July 1961

(Published in May 1961)

Let's get straight to the point this story is a page filler, it's quaint and nicely drawn but it's a page filler. It feels like a European folklore tale. It's about a village, called Oakfast that falls on hard times. An old man prays to a statue of a legendary warrior Drallas to bring deliverance to the famine-stricken village. As the old man sleeps the villagers wake up to find nuggets of gold that make them rich. Once the old man awakens the once generous people refuse to share any food or money with him. Hearing this the statue of Drallas springs to life and passes judgement on villagers who's new-found prosperity was due to the prayers of the old man who had faith in the warrior and so they deserve nothing. Their gold vanishes, while the warrior lifts the old man onto his horse flying him up to heaven as a reward for his faith. It's no folklore legend, it's just from the minds of Stan and Steve. Nice but I much preferred seeing Daredevil return.

Jack Kirby and Joe Sinnott drew this image of Mister Fantastic taken from the cover of The Fantastic Four #59 cover dated February 1967, published November 1966. 

Fantastic Four "Battle beneath the waves!"

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: George Rousoss

Originally published in The Fantastic Four #27

Cover date June 1964

(Published in March 1964)

 As with many second halves of stories the opening splash page uses the cover of the original American comic. That cover from Jack Kirby was inked by Chic Stone, not the inner story inker George Roussos. While am mentioning George I'll have to make a correction to last weeks Power of the Beesting blog where I give the inkers name as George Bell. Which although technically is true is also not fully correct. The opening splash page credits list the inker as Geo. Bell, but George Bell was one of the pseudonyms of George Roussos. This week credits, as seen on this splash page, correct this minor error naming him as Roussos. George was born in Washington DC to Greek/American parents. 

Doctor Strange sends the Human Torch and the Thing to aid Mister Fantastic in rescuing Sue from the Sub-Mariner. I sometimes wonder why Namor doesn't live in a flooded palace when he encounters the FF, surely that would give him an incredible advantage over them all. But in this occasion some of Namor's loyal officers do open an air lock to flood a chamber in the royal palace to Sue and Johnny. Another thing that bugs me is even though Reed, Ben and Johnny have taken some of Reed's "underwater breathing tablets", (A bit of a plot saver that!) how does Johnny's flame work underwater and the other two stop from floating off if they are fighting underwater? Unless of course the palace is dry so that Atlanteans and humans can move more freely, which would explain a lot. How do the Atlanteans breathe though when they only have gills? It's a minefield that one! It's Sue who stops the boys from fighting and Doctor Strange who teleports the FF back to their submarine. Sue declares her love for Reed but later prefers not discussing it. Oh emotions like love are a mysterious thing. Next week the X-Men!

A page of in-house adverts for this weeks Avengers weekly and Spider-man Comic Weekly. Note how the Avengers feature this weeks cover showing Wonder Man advertising this weeks full-length thriller. More on why that's not so unusual later. In SMCW Spider-man takes on the Rhino and more adventure and excitement from the mighty Thor. Speaking of that comic....

Spider-man Comics Weekly #37

This weeks cover uses a slightly re-coloured version of the Amazing Spider-man #43 original cover by John Romita SR. Titled "Rhino on the rampage!" it looks smart and gets my "cover of the week" award. 

Spider-man "Rhino on the rampage!"

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: John Romita SR

Inker: John Romita SR

Originally published in the Amazing Spider-man #43

Cover date December 1966

(Published in September 1966)

 

Part three of the unofficial Rhino/John Jameson trilogy opens with the Rhino breaking out of prison after his strength sapping tranquillisers wear off. John Jameson recovers in hospital after the space spores that had affected him had disappeared due to the  electric shock treatment he received last issue from Spider-man, but the Rhino still believes that their secrets could be worth something to foreign power and goes to find Colonel Jameson. With the reduced page count this story is shortened from 20 pages to 17. These pages included guest spots for Matt Murdock and Foggy Nelson plus the origin of the Rhino. This might have been because an origin of sorts had appeared in the Hulk story from MWOM#52, which suggested that in that story the Rhino had made his first appearance. Also the final page is missing which showed Flash telling Peter news of him being drafted into the army and Peter calling off a following up date with Mary Jane, in an effect to see money for Aunt May's medicine. 

What we do see is news from Spider-man's supporting cast as Ned Leeds and Betty Brant tell Fred Foster of their engagement. Not that Peter would lose any sleep over that, he's having such a great time with Mary Jane. She's a "living doll!" But the kids fun time is stopped for news of the Rhino's escape, starting the fun for all Spidey fans. MJ and Peter hop onto his bike and race to find the Rhino. When they do Peter goes off to take some pictures and changes into Spider-man. It's a hard fight and the Rhino escapes again. Spidey forms a plan with the help of Doctor Kurt Conners to enhance his webbing with a new formula that dissolve's the Rhino's hard costume giving the web-slinger an advantage.
 

Spider-man knocks out the rampaging villain just outside of the hospital saving Colonel Jameson, leaving everything wrapped up nicely and not how it originally ended as I mentioned before. I do kind of like the fact that in this version Peter will be seeing Mary Jane tomorrow for another date. I'm just a romantic at heart. But before Marvel has to make up a reason why they don't meet Spider-man will have to meet up with the Lizard next week. 

The web and the hammer

B Bectwith from Manchester writes in knowing that with two pages there will be better chances of getting printed as there are two pages of letters every week. Gien Dakin from St. Neots starts his letter with a joke..."I've heard of the long arm of the law, but Mr. Fantastic is stretching it a bit!" Elizabeth Brown from Ayre in Scotland called to pick up her copy of SMCW at her local newsagents to find him reading her reserved copy, now they're friends showing us that comics bring people together. An unnamed Marvelite from Essex writes to complain that when reading about real life criminals in the papers none of the Marvel villains make it into the press reports. Strange that, maybe they should read the Daily Bugle instead. Mark Broughton from Yorkshire wants Marvel to send him a Spider-man costume, a radioactive spider, some science books and the formula for webbing as I think he wants to become Spider-man. A bit demanding that, but he does offer to send them money when he receives the goods! Sue Dale's younger brother reads Spider-man and now so does she as she thinks it's great. 

Anthony Hopkins from Wolverhampton is head-over-heels with joy at reading Thor. Gerard Rogers from Edinburgh is also a big fan of Thor and wants to see him have an increase of pages for him as he only gets 13 to Spider-man's 21. K Sadler from Darlington thinks that the Fantastic Four are great and Spider-man is fabulous but they don't like the Hulk. But weirdly they don't like Spider-man Comics Weekly because they now has so many of them that there's no space left for them. All comic collectors have the same problem, you'll find solutions. And the final letter in this weeks TWatH mailbag comes from Nigel Poulton from Stanmore who would like to see Captain America, the Avengers and the Silver Surfer soon in the limelight. Plus he also wouldn't mind paying and extra penny an issue just so they are in colour. Well he gets the Avengers and by default Captain America in the new weekly but colour for a penny? No chance with the current level of inflation and the cost of living.

   

You have to turn your comic sideways to enjoy this landscape Marvel Masterwork Pin-up of the Fantastic Four by Jack Kirby. That may in the future give the editors ideas about getting more comic strips per page. But lets wait till then to discuss that plan. I feel I should know in what story these images were from but I can't place them. A Power of the Beesting No-Prize (PotBNoP) to anyone who can.

I can't quite place this pin-up of the mighty Thor either. I'm thinking it too is by Jack Kirby but can anyone shed some light on its origin? Again another PotBNoP for the correct answers.

The Mighty Thor "This deadly land!"

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Vince Colletta

Originally published in Journey into Mystery #116

Cover date May 1965

(Published in March 1965)

This story continues with the second half of last weeks adventure from JIM #116 and uses the cover of that issue as an opening splash page. Which is itself used, all be it from a different angle, the same scene that opens last weeks story. Thor continues his "Trial of the Gods" with Loki staying one step ahead through unfair illegal means. While on Earth the Enchantress and the Executioner continues their plan to capture Jane Foster as Balder the Brave arrives on Earth under Odin's orders to stop them.

 Strangely enough some of the artwork has been altered in the original version by Carl Hubbell. Hubbell probably isn't that well known to readers of Marvel UK in the 70's but he had been working at Marvel as a art fixer and inker for a number of years, as far back as when Marvel had been called Atlas Comics. If you want to find out more Nick Caputo writes an interesting blog about Hubbell, it's worth a read you've probably seen more of his artwork than you realise. Nick explains why some of this weeks artwork was changed.

Loki strikes a fatigued Thor knocking him onto his knees and giving the God of Mischief enough time to cross the dimensional barrier that leads back to Asgard, so through cunning and deceit Loki wins, but what surprises await the two immortals next week? Come back in seven days and find out!  

As usual with these weeklies we get an in-house advert for their "shelf buddies", so it's the Avengers and the Mighty World of Marvel's turn. But for some strange reason they've printed the cover of last weeks Avengers featuring Kang the conqueror instead of this weeks Wonder Man and the Masters of Evil against Earth's mightiest heroes. Is this to make up for printing the Wonder Man cover in last weeks ad instead of Kang? Two wrongs don't make a right. Yes I'm still awaiting my No-Prize, but I have to admit I'm fifty years too late really to demand one. The cover for MWOM is correct.

The Avengers #6

This weeks cover is a slightly re-coloured version of the cover from the Avengers issue 9 by Jack Kirby with inks by Dick Ayers. 

An inside front cover advert. Get the most out of the 73-74 soccer season with Inside Football and Striker, on sale every Wednesday for only six pence. Not sure how many young readers swapped their six pence for this football mag instead of their copy of the Avengers. May be you bought both. I kind of think that some kids played out all day with their mates and then when the Autumn nights drew in they would come home and read their Marvel weeklies. But who's to say you can't love both? I did, but I wasn't that good at playing football and am not great at drawing or writing stories either. But I do like both football and comics.

The Avengers "The coming of Wonder Man!"

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Don Heck

Inker: Dick Ayers

Originally published in The Avengers #9

Cover date October 1964

(Published in August 1964)

Jack Kirby, the original artist on the Avengers, handed over the regular art chores to Don Heck who would remain as the main artist on the book for quite sometime, creating some of the most memorable moments in their early history. Together with his work on Iron Man Heck earns his place as one of the three founding fathers of the artistic side of Marvel in the 60's, Kirby and Ditko being the other two. Not to everyone's taste I'll admit but he has put in the hours slaving over an art board and the number of character designs that he created at the time is gigantic. 

This issue's Don Heck creation is Wonder Man, originally known as Simon Williams, an industrialist who embezzled his own company when things got hard under the advise of his older brother Eric. A name that in future stories we'll hear more about. There is a morally right side to Williams, he does admit his guilt of his wrong doings but at the same time he blames Anthony Stark for his downfall. The Enchantress persuades Williams to allow Baron Zemo to use an experimental ionic ray process that will grant him super human strength and durability. The down side is that the process will increase his metabolism that would cause his death within a week unless he is given regular treatments. A pawn in Zemo's plan to defeat the Avengers he agrees to gain their confidence. 

Gifted a garish costume (It's got the hallmarks of a Don Heck design but I'll admit it isn't one of my favourites,) and a rocket belt (which is almost instantly forgotten about,) by Zemo he befriends the Avengers. Off page Wonder Man kidnaps the Wasp and calls the Avengers, luring them into a trap set by the Masters of Evil. When all the Avengers are defeated Zemo orders their deaths, an order that doesn't sit well with Williams morals. He releases Thor from under a large bolder that had entrapped him in the form of  Don Blake as his hammer had fallen out of reach. One by one our heroes are freed and over come the Masters of Evil who as you would expect make an explosive get-away. Wonder Man dies in Iron Man's arms as he questions why he had sacrificed himself. Williams replies "Every man dreams of doing one noble thing in his life." 

Avengers Unite!

It's only the Avengers letters page that has the "From the Bullpen to you" column, maybe because the weekly, being very new, hasn't received as many letters as MWOM and SMCW have. This column teases great surprises in store from now till Christmas. Could this be just to fill space in the same way it goes on to talk about this weeks Avengers contents? Or is that a way to get the readers engaged in the conversation with them by having them write more letters? Who knows? But the first engagement via a letter this week is from Timothy Craig from Norfolk who writes asking does he qualify to be a RFO, adding that he regularly gets MWOM, SMCW and has already placed an order for the Avengers. RFO stands for Real Frantic One, which means someone who buys three Marvel comics a month if you're American, or a week if you're British. Norman Dorey from Titchfield has also been buying all three weeklies and enjoys them greatly. 

This is Jim Ivers RFO KOF and a FOOMer from Dublin first letter to Marvel UK as far as I can tell. But it won't be the last as he'll become a regular writer of opinion filled correspondence. You get value from his letters, you might not agree with all his points but many are valid. To see what I mean zoom in on the letter, it's a nice read. This weeks letter is a good one. I agree with his point about missing the Silver Surfer from the Hulk stories and new material for the 1974 Marvel Annual, which to be fair it does have some new material as well as some old stuff too. The editor gives Jim a long reply that matches his letter. This could be the birth of interesting letter pages. The first Masters of Evil write to say they don't want to see any early Avengers stories as they don't like the endings. Wow that went from intelligent mail to a silly letter very quickly. Finally Paul Coupland from Dorset writes to say that he's just finished reading Avengers #1 and he's really excited about future issues.

A Marvel Masterwork Pin-up of the mighty Thor taken from The Mighty Thor Collector's Album Paperback Book published by Lancer Books somewhere in 1966, with the artwork by Jack Kirby with Chic Stone inks. It looks very similar to the cover of Journey into Mystery #89, cover dated February 1963, published December 1962, but that is a different pose.

Doctor Strange "The many traps of Baron Mordo!"

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: Steve Ditko

Inker: Steve Ditko

Originally published in Strange Tales #117

Cover date February 1964

(Published in November 1963)

Baron Mordo makes another return, which might become tiresome but Stan and Steve make this charming tale an easy read that allows the reader to just enjoy it for what it is. And that is a classic nine panel per page mystic romp. The kind of thing that Ditko excels in, short and snappy tales. It's a fun page filler that helps fill out some of the Doctor Strange universe out a little, cementing the style with all the weirdness and wonder that make Doctor Strange really cool.

A nice way to leave this weeks trip down memory lane. Hope you all come back for more next week for more of the same. Till then.

See you in seven.

Make Mine Marvel.