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.