Have a Marvellous birthday!

Week Ending 6th October 1973

 

Happy first birthday! Not to the Power of the Beesting, that blog has been spreading waffle and fanciful opinions for over ten years since the 7th April 2013, I really should have done something to celebrate that anniversary, never mind its a little to late now. I still do those one-off blogs about all things geek from comics to TV to films, but since 2rd October 2022 I've written a weekly post about Marvel UK from it's humble beginnings in 1972 under the sub-title Week Ending... With over 16400 views these posts are slowly becoming more popular so I must be doing something right, they can't all be from my Mum can they? I have a global following too with readers from America, Germany, Ireland, Australia and many more. There are readers in Ukraine and Russia too, although the Russian followers may have been curious towards early Marvel stories featured characters from behind the iron curtain as the villains, oh how things haven't changed, but maybe some free thinking rebel enjoys western fun. The UK has you would've expected the largest amount of followers followed by Singapore which does surprise me a little, maybe there's a large amount of expats who love Marvel UK comics. Either way all friendly Marvelytes are welcome. So with that I feel the need to thank some people, SFc President and John Hall from UK Marvel in the Seventies, Richard Z Starbuck and Rich Holden from The Mighty World of British Comics, Ulysses Klaw, Mark M. Ryan and Alan Green from Marvel UK Comics and Mark Andrew Roberts from Make Mine Marvel UK!!! Without these guy's Facebook groups I wouldn't be able to reach a wide readership so I thank them all for allowing me to post some of the most silliest posts. A big shout out to Steve W. of Steve Does Comics for regularly adding the Power of the Beesting blog to his "Blogs of Interest" list. Thanks to any other Friend Of The Beesting who shares the blog.Also my thanks to Tony Isabella and Tom Brevoort from Twitter for their help in answering some questions in the Week Endings early posts. But mostly thanks to you dear Friend Of The Beesting, for reading this stuff and nonsense. For every comment you made, wether via a Facebook post or the blog itself, thanks for your forgiveness for my slip-ups, my poor grammar, my shoddy spelling or the out and out errors that might have slipped through. Cheers everyone, it's been cool doing a year, shall we do another year? Yeah why not! So with that...

The Mighty World of Marvel #53

Ron Wilson layed out the pencils for this weeks cover with possible inks added by Mike Esposito or Frank Giacoia if the internet is believed. 

It's a dynamic cover that must have attracted the attention from many young readers, although I do think that the original US cover by Marie Severin and Frank Giacoia would have looked miles better.

The Incredible Hulk "This monster unleashed!"

Writer: Bill Everett, Roy Thomas

Artist: Marie Severin

Inker: George Tuska

Originally published in The Incredible Hulk #105

Cover date July 1968

(Published in April 1968)

"This monster unleashed!" is a classic title that together with the iconic cover is still used today on Marvel merchandise. Roy Thomas had been writing for Marvel for quite sometime and I wonder if he was asked to polish Bill Everett's script up a little, or did Everett just hand in a plot for Marie Severin to draw? I'm not sure. Either way it's a fine story with its own B-movie vibes, that does feel a lot like a "monster of the week" plot but you know what I'm fine with that.

This week's monster is the Missing Link, a creature that  crawled out of a fissure in the earth after a Chinese atomic bomb test. After he was experimented on by Chinese scientists the powers that be deemed him too dangerous so he was subdued with sleeping gas and transported by a freighter from a "satellite nation", by that I take it they mean Russian, then launched at New York in a specially designed "X-capsule", where he could unleash terror and chaos on American shores. For all intents and purposes by these shady countries an act of war! In early Marvel UK comics any reference to Red China or Russia was watered down with the use of the fictitious country Bodavia becoming a super nation that would include people and terrain from the USSR and China. That all seems to have been forgotten as this story carries the same references to Red China as the original version did. Maybe they got tired of editing it out and did any young British reader feel offended with the use of Communist villains? Probably not.

The first of many Marvel Masterwork Pin-ups this week is the wondrous Watcher! This piece of art first appeared in the Silver Surfer #1 cover dated August 1968, published May 1968, in the back up story to the main feature, titled "The wonder of the Watcher!" That story was written by Stan Lee and the art was pencilled by Gene Colan with inks added by Sid Shores. 

The Mighty Marvel Mailbag

This weeks mailbag opens with the UK Bullpen offering themselves a little bit of birthday cake to celebrate twelve months of Marvel UK. Nice cake/Hulk graphic that, I might use it somewhere! They go on to say that they intend to keep going until there are too many candles on the cake for even the Hulk to lift! Great news for us all. 

On to this weeks letters, Neil Croft from Derbyshire to ask why can't Sue Storm use her invisible force field in Marvel UK comics? The answer is she can now! David Bocking from Sheffield wants to see another British comic featuring the Avengers, Nick Fury, the X-Men or Daredevil on the newsstands. Well check out the new Avengers weekly David and the editor teases that there are plans for a X-Men comic too. From the future I can see that it won't be ready for a long time, with the Superheroes weekly only launching in March 1975.

Brian Hamnett from Stockport writes to ask are the Hulk and the Thing equal in fighting terms, would either of them have a good chance of winning? The editor does admit that old greenskins would probably be the outright winner. Steven Lunn from Wednesbury disagrees with Charles R. Hummel from Devonshire who wrote in MWOM#33 that the Fantastic Four have the most dangerous foes as they have fought Dr. Doom, the Hulk, Namor and the Mad Ghost, but Steven points out that Spider-man has too fought Doom and the Hulk as well as the Scorpion and the entire Sinister Six in his time. Good point Steven. Jan Oberda from Bedford has been reading MWOM since issue 25 which has inspired him to write three books featuring 15 super-heroes that he has created. John McDermott from London writes in to strongly protest about Daredevil being left out of MWOM, suggesting that old DD was getting better and better with every story. Adding that if he did return in another comic he would fork out another five pence just for him. Don't worry John DD will return. Graham T. from Brighton ends this weeks mailbag with one demand. "Print Marvel for ever or you will be exterminated!" Is Graham a Robo-man or just a Dalek fan?

 The second Marvel Masterworks Pin-Up which is lifted directly from the cover of the Fantastic Four issue 25 cover dated April 1964, published January 1964, by Jack Kirby with inks from the nib or brush of George Roussos. I find it pleasantly strange that the Hulk is a giant who looms over the Thing. Most artists just draw the two of them with similar heights just to get them in the panel. These sizes are just as they should be drawn.

The Fantastic Four "The Infant Terrible!"    

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: George Roussos

Originally published in The Fantastic Four #24

Cover date March 1964

(Published in December 1963)

I praised the Pin-up above by Jack and George Roussos, but I can't praise George's inks on this story. Jack's creative flare with the story idea is fantastic but I do think some of the artwork lets it down. That might not entirely be the inker's fault, Kirby must take some of the blame but I do feel with a better inker the sparkle would shine through. 

This story features the Infant Terrible, an alien child with incredible powers who has found his way to Earth. Without the presence of controlling hands from his parents he sees New York as a play box to have fun. It's a clever idea from the minds of Lee and Kirby which make it a wonderful read. The Infant, like all wayward children is lead astray by the influence of those who want to take advantage of them, in this case Big Joe and his mob offering him candy in exchange for him coming with him. It's a morality tale for all young readers be careful of who you trust. Can't wait for next weeks conclusion.    

  

Marvel UK made a big boob! I'll admit I didn't spot it. For their third Pocket Money competition as seen in comics week ending 1st September should have had in the following week a reminder article published with the second coupon, but it wasn't! They admit they messed up so they extended the entry date to the 8th of October and a second coupon is no longer required. 

As for the second Pocket Money competition as first shown in Marvel UK comics from week ending 4th August the winner was Stephen Barry from Bournemouth who wins one pound every week for a year starting from the 1st of October 1973. 

The answers needed before you got entered into the prize draw are, 1) Penguins are only found in the Southern Hemisphere, 2) An adder is the most poisonous snake, 3) the largest county in England is Yorkshire, 4) Originally the Thing was known as Ben Grimm and 5) Peter Parker earns money by taking photographs. Give yourself a small PotBNoP if you got all them right! (That's "Power of the Beesting No-Prize" for those of you new to this blog.)

Speaking of PotBNoPs there's one on offer for anyone who can place where was originally published and who by. I think it could be Jack Kirby but I can't find out were its from.

 This Marvel Masterwork Pin-up seems to be drawn by Don Heck with Chic Stone inks but I could be wrong. the internet is telling me that it is from the Avengers #11 cover dated December 1964, published October 1964. I don't own that issue or the Omnibus that it would feature in so I can't be sure.

  Both MWOM and SMCW from this week sport an offer on their back pages for more Marvel goodies, for only 45 pence each you could own one of six iron-on transfers perfect for brightening up any plain t-shirt. The Hulk, Spider-man and Thor had been offered before, but now Captain America, Conan and the Silver Surfer are now added to the line up. You could also get three of them for the discounted price of £1.30 if you wanted. This advert also appears inside the Avengers weekly but in black and white.

Spider-man Comics Weekly #34

Another Marvel UK cover that reuses John Romita SR's cover from the original US comic. And why not use it, it's a  great cover.

Spider-man "Spidey saves the day! Featuring the end of the Green Goblin!"

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: John Romita SR

Inker: Mike Esposito

Originally published in the Amazing Spider-man #40

Cover date September 1966

(Published in June 1966)

This is one of the greatest Green Goblin stories that have ever been published. the images rendered by Romita from this story are amazing. It's filled with peril as Peter Parker is at the Green Goblin's mercy. Next Norman Osborn in a set of panels that show an unhinged mind as he speaks. We get to see his origin unfold, lifting his character up from just a two dimensional villain into a psychopath created by events of his own making, from the desire to become powerful at all cost.

Events like the death of his wife and raising a son by himself are tragic and life changing but shouldn't make you a sociopath. Even after his accident with an unknown formula that Professor Stromm was working on before Osborn ruthlessly had him arrested, then sent to prison, blew up in Osborn's face, pushing the madness to another level. Even after all that creating an alter-ego who give Norman the free range to follow his darker dreams, the madness must have been forming in the murkiest part of his mind for many years before all that.   

Stan Lee and John Romita make from the pieces left by Ditko a villain worth fighting against. Taking all of Ditko's threads and stitching them into the green garbed miscreant who now was too good a villain to do away with. Spider-man defeats the Goblin in good style but Lee knowing a good character when he sees one engineers a case of amnesia on Osborn so that one day the Goblin might fly again. 

This Marvel Masterworks Pin-up is lifted from the cover of the Amazing Spider-man #47, cover dated April 1967, published January 1967, by John Romita SR. My copy of this weeks SMCW is missing this page, with some of the Spidey story on the back of it, as some "fan"must have quite liked Kraven the Hunter so much they wanted him up on their wall. I'm crying into my keyboard as I type.

The Web and the Hammer

Ian Gallacher from London doesn't want to see full pages of adverts, much preferring "Science Sessions" pages or Marvel Masterwork Pin-ups. David Woodhouse from Watnall writes after the success of Spider-man Comics Weekly Marvel should follow it up with a comic featuring the Avengers and the X-Men. P. Dalessandri what's to know why the Black Panther isn't called the Black Leopard? Stephen Porter from Pickering asks will Spidey ever reveal his true identity to Flash Thompson? He also adds himself to the list of fans wanting the return of Daredevil. Big Daddy Odin, who when in Somerset goes under the name of A. M. Rawling reveals his wrath over his son, the mighty Thor's adventures. Even offering to tear up his FOOM membership card unless future tales show more worthy foes facing off against his favourite son. 

Paul Miller from Southsea sends in his best poem about his favourite comic. David Hopper from Darlington reads so much Spider-man Comic Weekly that it gives him a black eye! He rubbed the news print from his hands onto his eye. David Spencer from Norfolk asks why does J. Jonah Jameson hate Spider-man so much? Mark Ingraham from London having arrived from America just nine months ago, is going potty for Spider-man Comics Weekly, I take it that's good thing. Finally Raoul de Bunsen from Fareham has finally worked out who the Green Goblin is! He believes it is none other than Stan Lee! Sorry Raoul I'm afraid not, as seen in last weeks Spider-man story the Goblin is Norman Osborn. Or is that just a bluff? 

The Mighty Thor "The vengeance of the Thunder God!"

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Frank Giacoia

Originally published in Journey into Mystery #115

Cover date April 1965

(Published in March 1965)

Thor must first defeat the evil Loki and rescue Jane Foster from the God of Mischief's clutches, before he can return to Earth and confront Crusher Creel, the Absorbing Man. This Asgardian sub-plot breaks up the Earth bound story nicely. I do have to wonder why Loki should choose now to take on Thor in hand-to-hand combat, but maybe it was on the whim of Stan and Jack. The outcome between the two half brothers is halted like so many sibling fights by a parent, in this case Odin the All-seeing! 

I do have to question that if Odin sees all, including Loki's lies, why does he feel the need to call a "Trial of the Gods" so that Thor must answer the cunning Loki's half truths about why Jane Foster is in Asgard? Maybe he just wants to watch a cracking battle between the two gods. Got to admit I'm up for that too. Kirby dresses Loki in his battle costume this issue, it's a bit more practical when fighting your brother, his original headgear was more lightly to fall off at any given moment. Thor is allowed to return to Earth for 48 hours so that Jane could be safely returned  and the Absorbing Man can be dispatched before "the Trial of the Gods" can start. Thor adventures are really hotting up, can't wait for next week.

Tales of Asgard "Death comes to Thor!"

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Paul Reinman

Originally published in Journey into Mystery #102

Cover date March 1964

(Published in January 1964)

 

Thor seeks the Three Fates to ask if he will ever be worthy enough to weld Odin's enchanted hammer? The Three Fates are a lovely homage to Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos divinities from Greek mythology who presided over human life, who in turn inspired Shakespear's Three Witches from Macbeth. They tell him that he can win Odin's enchanted hammer, but only after he has meet death first! Once returned to Odin's Palace the young God tries again to lift the hammer, Balder staggers into the great chamber declaring that his "sister" Sif has been seized by the Storm Giants!

With hammer in hand Thor vows "let the Storm Giants beware!" as he goes off to rescue the maiden. Confronting the Giants and their king Rugga, Thor learns that they exchanged Sif for mortality with the Goddess of Death, Hela. Thor does indeed face Death as he offers his life to Hela in exchange for Sif's freedom. Hela having never heard of anyone offering such a noble sacrifice, releases Sif and Thor. And so the young God of Thunder has earned the enchanted hammer by making the supreme sacrifice, offering up his own life for that of another. That offer was made in Odin's chambers as he lifted the hammer to vow Sif's safety. Two things to note, Balder isn't Sif's brother in legend, this is a mistake as Heimdall is her sibling. The second is Sif's hair is blonde here, this isn't a mistake. She would later have her head shaved by Loki and replaced with ebony black hair made by Trolls from "nothing" giving her the looks she sports today. If you're a fan of Loki the Disney+ series you might have seen reference to that tale. This story marks the first time both Sif and Hela appear in a Thor adventure. 

This week's Gallery of Spider-man's most famous foes, features the original criminal to take on Spidey. From his origin story the unnamed Burglar who robbed the Parkers house and shot Peter's Uncle Ben as seen by Marvel UK readers in MWOM #1 . This pin-up by Steve Ditko appeared in the Amazing Spider-man Annual #1, cover dated October 1964, published June 1964.

The Avengers #3

This cover is my "cover of the week", I think I'll make that a regular thing now Marvel UK has three comics a week. It's beautifully drawn by Sal Buscema, taken from the cover of The Avengers King-size special (that's "Annual" to you and me,) #4 from January 1971, published August 1970. You might notice that it differs from the original slightly in that the Hulk appeared in the US version with  Melter attacking him. In the UK we only get the Melters back as he fires at Iron Man. The US annual featured this and last weeks Avengers adventures, so that is why the Hulk was drawn on the cover. 

The Avengers "Meet the Masters of Evil!"

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Chic Stone

Originally published in The Avengers #6

Cover date July 1964

(Published in May 1964)

Captain America shows off his new shield controlling glove, thanks to Stark tech given to him by Iron Man, who takes the credit for designing it. That might be a slip up from old shell-head in that he might be giving his secret identity away a little. Meanwhile somewhere in Central America Baron Zemo receives news that Captain America has returned from the dead, news given to the angry nazi scientist by his pilot, who we'll much later find out is called Franz Gruber. Later Gruber would take on the identity of Baron Zemo after the nazi dies, but that's a tale for another time. 

We do learn of Zemo's origin and how during a battle with Captain America a container was shattered spilling Adhesive X over the villains hood, bonding it to his face. Zemo reading about the Avengers plots to have a group of super-villains that will match the Earth's mightiest heroes in battle to gain his revenge on the Captain.

The Masters of Evil with their leader Baron Zemo are comprised of the Black Knight, (Nathan Garett, not his nephew Dane Whitman who would one day become an Avenger,) the Melter and the Radioactive  Man. The Knight and the Melter haven't yet made their origin appearances in Ant-man and Iron Man stories, Marvel UK readers will have to wait till those adventures are printed. Thor fans will recall the Radioactive Man's first appearance in the Thor tale seen in SMCW #11. 

The Masters of Evil use the Baron's secret Adhesive X formula to cause havoc in the streets of New York, even causing Cap and Giant Man to become trapped in the sticky substance. As the Avengers regroup at Tony Stark's mansion the Wasp recalls a criminal who uses pastes and adhesives by the name of Paste-Pot-Pete. In exchange for a reduction in his prison sentence Pete offers the Avengers his "Super-dissolver". The Avengers free themselves and then form a plan that entails swapping Zemo's Adhesive X for the "Super-dissolver". The Master of Evil are all captured save for the Baron who escapes in his helicopter.

 But one last trick by Rick Jones and the Teen Brigade causes chaos as one of the fake Adhesive X canisters taken by Zemo contained tear gas which was released as we see the helicopter crashing in the distance. It's a cracking story but you can bet we haven't seen the last of the Masters of Evil as the text box teases us for next week.

Letters, the Avengers mailbag is open.

Still no fixed title for the Avengers mailbag but we do have another message from the Bullpen in "From the Bullpen to you." It starts off with an editorial about what makes a good "baddie", suggesting that even a shoddy super-villain can have redeeming traits just like the hero could have his own hangups. Finishing their point that "maybe we'll never find true understanding until we listen to the other guy. We can march across the Rainbow Bridge, folks, but we'll have to do it together!" That's future thinking from Marvel, or maybe it's just smart thinking. They follow that with a mention of next week's Avengers story that will see two Asgardian villains join the Masters of Evil. 

On to the letters, first up is Micheal Williamson from Preston who is really impressed by the style of the first Avengers weekly. The glossy cover really caught his eye. Lee Richardson from Sheffield after reading the FF story in MWOM#32 can't wait to see more of the Ant-man. Mervyn Boyle from County Tyrone wants to see Iron Man, Captain America and the Falcon in Marvel UK mags. Even asking for Thor to be removed from SMCW so that Iron Man can be added and a new mag released with Thor, Cap and the Falcon in it.

Mark Lonsdale from Newcastle wants to join FOOM and see the Avengers in their own comic. Simon Anglim from Guildford writes to say that his favourite character used to be Thor but now it's Ant-man. He also asks why the Leader didn't become as strong as the Hulk? The editor replies it was a million to one chance the gamma radiation didn't kill him so theLeader was lucky to survived with just his increased brain power. Stanley Roberts from Caernarvons is loving the nostalgic reprints that Marvel UK is publishing in their Marvel, Spider-man and Avengers comics, as he recalls the late 60's Power Comics like Fantastic. Finally this week Alan Harwell from London, (a R.F.O. what does that mean, you ask? All in good time.) wants Daredevil to be published in the Avengers. Also he would like to see the Avengers individual origins published to help improve reader reception to the Avengers stories. 

 Doctor Strange "Face-to-face with the magic of Baron Mordo!"

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Steve Ditko

Inker: Steve Ditko

Originally published in Strange Tales #111

Cover date August 1963

(Published in May 1963)

Baron Mordo makes his first appearance in Doctor Strange, the first tale published in Avengers #1 from Strange Tales #115was originally published much later than this one. Steve Ditko was still drawing Stephen Strange with an oriental look, which must have felt a little strange when in Avengers #1 he looked very American. The Baron hypnotised the Ancient One's servant into poisoning his drink. Strange is alerted to the Ancient One's predicament and battles Mordo on the Astral plane, distracting Mordo enough so that his control over their Master's servant ended allowing him to help the Ancient One regain his strength. These Lee/Ditko Doctor Strange tales are perfectly sized to fit as a back up in the Avengers weekly. I love them. 

This full page spread reminds UK Marvelytes that they can expect a weekly double dose of dynamite from mighty Marvel with the Mighty World of Marvel and Spider-man Comics Weekly, thus proving that it really is the "Marvel Age of Comics!!" The Spider-man image comes from the cover of the Amazing Spider-man #65, cover dated October 1968, published July 1968 by John Romita SR. I'm not sure where I've seen the Hulk image from, can any eagle eyed Friends of the Beesting recall who drew it and where it was originally from? A mention and a PotBNoP if you can.

The first in a weekly feature using the full colour  back pageallowing the readers to "Meet the Avengers". First up is Captain America. This image is lifted off the cover of Captain America #154 , cover dated October 1973, published July 1973 by Sal Buscema and Frank Giacoia. 

So with all that ends another week of nostalgic fun. I'm off to read more comics now. Shall we come back same time next week for more? Till then ...

See you in seven.

Make Mine Marvel.