Caught between a Norn Stone and a Nu-Place.

 Week Ending 10th November 1973

As ever I must start this weeks post with the usual thanks, corrections and Power of the Beesting No-Prize awarding before I make this weeks mistakes, boobs and slip ups. The first is to by big brother Andrew who was the first person to mention that in the Week Ending sub title from last week I used October instead of November, luckily he's one of the first to read the blog, so he told me over Sunday lunch giving me the heads up to correct it before most people saw slip-up. My brother is probably the person who's the most responsible for my love of Marvel and comics. When as children he would allow me to read some of his mags after he had finished with them, even giving me some old weeklies to keep. That may have been to keep me from nagging him, like most pesky younger brothers might do, but either way, if it was a case of looking after me or just for an easy life I'm forever grateful. Mark Lotinga also pointed out a massive mistake of mighty magnitude, as I missed the Y from the Mighty World of Marvel and the Mighty Thor. All corrected now, thanks to ou both. 

And finally Rod Tough commented on the Doctor Strange pin-up from last week saying that according to Marvel Masterworks: Dr. Strange Vol. 1 the central image is a 1965 t-shirt design that is an amalgam picture of Strange Tales 129 page 9, panel 4 (head and collar) and Strange Tales 127 page 7, panel 8 (body and hands) both by Ditko with alterations likely by Marie Severin. I've cut and pasted the images so you can see better.  During my research last week I did read that the image was used in a t-shirt design from around that era, but Rod's comment fills all the gaps. Excellent spotting from Rod, well deserving of a BotBNop. Andrew and Mark get one too, but not anyone who spots the missing Y from the above "you". That was a joke, honest. So with that let's get onto this weeks (hopefully not filled with mistakes,) look at those wonderful weeklies.

The Mighty World of Marvel #58

This weeks cover is from the pencil of Ron Wilson and the ink brush of Mike Esposito or possibly John Tartaglione, I'll leave that up to you which inker has the internet can't decide which. It's a shame that the incredible cover from Jim Steranko and Marie Severin from the Hulk King Sized Special #1 wasn't used, as either with or without the Marie "teddy bear face" it's a cracker. Marvel UK fans will get to see the Steranko original (OK Marvel UK did adjust the words that the emerald giant is crushed between, but you see want I mean,) later in MWOM #129 cover dated 22rd March 1975.

The incredible Hulk "A refuge divided!"

Writer: Gary Friedrich

Artist: Marie Severin

Inker: Syd Shores

Originally published in The Incredible Hulk King Size Special  #1

Cover date October 1968

(Published in July 1968)

Last weeks Hulk story ended with the promise of the coming of Ka-Zar. Which would be fulfilled in the following US Hulk comic issue 109 and MWOM #61 in three weeks time. The Incredible Hulk King Size Special was basically an US version of an annual. This story starts with the Hulk walking in the Himalayan Mountains, connecting nicely with the ending from last weeks issue after the Hulk had demolished the Mandarin's castle in China.

We shortly see the Great Refuge nestled between the Himalayan peaks, the home of the Inhumans. Their leader, Black Bolt makes his first UK appearance. In the US comics this would be in the Fantastic Four #45 from September 1965 (Marvel UK readers would see that story in MWOM #97 cover dated 10th August 1974.) which creates a massive continuity error that must have wound up readers. I'm half OK with it, after being so used to reading stories out of order you learn to live with it and not let it bother you. It was in the past so what else can you do? They couldn't edit Black Bolt out of the story like they might have done in the earlier issues.

We do get to see the Evil Inhumans for the first time. It was far too good an opportunity to not use these misfits from the race of Inhumans as villains for a Hulk story. Although its a little convoluted how the Hulk gets together with the bad bunch, a wondering Lockjaw encounters the Hulk on a Himalayan pass and teleports the green giant to the Un-Place dimension where Black Bolt has ordered the Renegade Inhumans to spend their sentence in-prisoned. This story is split over three weeks so there's plenty of time and opportunity for the Hulk and treacherous Inhumans to clash. More great action next week.

The mighty Marvel mailbag

It's a quick mailbag this week, Graham T. from Brighton writes to say he's a fan for life. Russell Ferguson is a "bonnie fan" from Glasgow, his words not mine, who asks who's got the greatest brain, the Gargoyle or the Leader? The editor say its the Leader, I can't disagree with that. Simon Stanford from Mansfield thinks that these comics are the "wildest, whackiest things out", but where are the Teen Brigade from MWOM #11? The answer is in the Avengers weekly. The next letter is from Doctor Doom, not sure that it's from the genuine Doctor but he could be from Latveri. He writes to say he's holding Stephen Thompson hostage and questions why have they stopped using the colour pages for letter pages. Well they've stopped using colour inside the comics now so the despot ruler might have to keep hold of Stephen but I wonder did he ever free Stephen? Stephen Thompson if you're reading this blog 50 years on from your incarceration let me know if you're well. Finally for this mailbag Sean O'Riordan from Surrey wants Captain America, the Avengers, the Defenders, the X-Men and Doctor Strange to be included in either MWOM or SMCW. Sean must be partly pleased with the new Avengers weekly.

As part of the letter page we are informed of the winner of and answer to the third pocket money competition. The winner of the one pound a week for 52 weeks is Douglas Bowes from Thorny in Teeside, who gave the correct answers to five questions and was first pulled out of the draw. You might remember in issue from Week Ending the 6th October the British Bullpen wrote saying they boobed by not printing the second coupon meaning that they had to extend the final date from 14th September 1973 to the 8th October 1973. The answer to the questions are 1) The granite city is Aberdeen, 2) The Menai Strait is off the coast of Wales, 3) Belfast is the capital of Northern Island, 4) Johnny Storm is the youngest member of the FF, 5) Spider-man is an expert photographer! 

The Fantastic Four "When super-teams unite!"

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Chic Stone 

Originally published in The Fantastic Four #28

Cover date July 1964

(Published in April 1964)

 

The opening page for the second part of this story is the cover from the original issue by Jack Kirby with inks by Sol Brodsky, a really nice cover it was too, so I'm glad they put it to good use. But the real action following this imaginary scene leads directly from last weeks ending with the X-Men and the captured Sue Storm awaiting for the rest of her teammates on the summit of a hill top.

The action starts at a blistering pace, no need to show how the Invisible Girl manages to escape, let's get right into the action. The two teams fight as the FF are captured, but not by the young mutants, no but by some incredibly, imaginative traps laid by the Mad Thinker, from the mind of Jack Kirby. 

The X-Men are stunned by it all until the Mad Thinker and the Puppet Master reveal their involvement in the deadly plan. The Puppet Master commands a mind controlled Professor X to render his students unconscious. But even the brain power of the Professor, now spread five ways, wasn't enough to make the Beast's brain succumb to the Professor's suggestion. He kicks the Puppets Master's doll from his grip, in doing so releasing the Professor from his hold and giving time for the FF to free themselves.

The X-Men and the Fantastic Four join together to stop the Mad Thinkers unleashed Awesome Android. I love scenes like this, Kirby was king at them.  The Android is adapting to the heroes onslaught, using their own powers against them. It's only the recovering mind of Professor X that finds a way to defeat the Android. The Thinker and the Puppet Master realise that they're out matched and beat a hasty retreat, escaping from a pursuing Beast by way of a secret passage and an awaiting jet plane. It's a great tale from both Kirby and Lee. One that I never get tired of reading.

The full colour back page is used to advertise Marvel UK's other offerings with action in the mighty Marvel tradition from Spider-man Comics Weekly and the Avengers weekly by using both comics latest covers. Two Marvel masterpieces on sale in this week of 1973. So let's find out more about them now.

Spider-man Comics Weekly #39 

This is the first of two Spider-man on a spider's web covers from this weeks mags. This one by John Romita SR looks great as the Lizard confronts an injured Web-slinger. It's bright and eye-catching, exactly what a kids comic cover should look like, making it this week's cover of the week. You might disagree, which is fair enough, either way let me know.

The Pen Pals Swap Shop number two is now opened with more swaps from Marvel UK fans. I never know how successful this feature was, as I don't recall any feed back from traders, to my knowledge, was ever printed. I would be interested to find out from anyone, was it a good idea or a waste of a good page?

Spider-man "Spidey smashes out!"

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: John Romita Sr

Inker: John Romita Sr

Originally published in the Amazing Spider-man #45

Cover date February 1967

(Published in November 1966)

 I said last week and I'll say it again, John Romita Sr doesn't waste a page, right from the go we're updated on what happened last week and straight into the action. Putting our hero at a disadvantage lifts the tension too. This Lee/Romita period is one of my all-time favourites. Spidey is on the look out for his friend Professor Kurt Conners who has succumb to his dark alter-ego the Lizard. How can the web-slinger hope to find and defeat the fiend, while an injury has rendered him with only one fully fit arm?

Spidey does eventually locate the reptilian monster, but has to face a strong Lizard and his army of reptiles. This weeks tale is mainly all action with very little Peter Parker civilian life, which makes it nice when the balance isn't always 50/50. Four pages from the original version are cut including some scenes of Peter's personal life which is a little shame as well as some fight scenes.  Spidey does use his Parker brains to figure out the best way to render the Lizard unconscious, by taking the fight with him into a refrigerated box car on a train. The cold slows down the Lizards reflexes to a degree that makes it easier for Spidey to beat the villain. The web-slinger takes the cocooned Lizard to Conner's lab where following his scientific notes perfects a formula to reverse Doctor Conner's transformation, 

For some unknown reason Stan leaves the final panels word balloons blank as a "Another mighty Marvel first" in which readers get to finish off the strip. Goodness knows why. I thought it was a silly idea from the Marvel UK side of things, targeted to the general younger British readership but no it wasn't. May be I could use it to advertise the latest Power of the Beesting blog? Now that's an idea.

The Web and the Hammer

Vincent Smaeton (not sure that is his real name or a spelling mistake from Marvel UK, but that's how it appears in the letter page,) who is one of the lucky Spider-man LP winners the the competition that ran in the weeklies Week Ending 31st March 1973, who wants to see Ant-man in SMCW. Stephen Webb from Brighouse enjoys SMCW but wants to see  a Spider-man Comic Special. Philip Starr from Bristol wants to know why when Don Blake is described as a crippled doctor in the comics he seems quite the reverse. He also wants to see the X-Men replace Thor too in SMCW. Neil Smith's favourite character is Doctor Doom and hopes he survives every time he escapes. Michael Robinson from Middlesex thinks that the Green Goblin is great and his secret identity is the Chameleon. My question is then is who is the Chameleon? By now everyone knows Norman Osborn is the Green Goblin.

Stephen Thompson RFO, KOF and FFF from Hull writes that since the first FOOM magazine he has been getting as many American mags as he can, but was horrified in June that he couldn't get the latest US issue of the Amazing Spider-man and asks Marvel UK for help. But they're afraid they can't help. US editions in the early 70's were very hit and miss. Gurnek Singh Dhudwar from Bradford has read some of the Spider-man stories from Pow and Smash comics in the late 60's but is really pleased that he can finish them off now. Garry Mason from Lancashire thinks SMCW is excellent but Marvel UK is a bit "stingy" with Thor, adding he wishes they would extend the stories a little. He also asks could the Hulk lift Thor's hammer? Let me tell you the answer is NO. Roy Caddick from Birmingham points out that Thor fights a different foe (apart from Loki,) every week but Spider-man fights the same foes time and time again. Can he fight some new foes please, he asks. Well since he asked politely he might get a shocking treat next issue with a new villain. 

The Mighty Thor "Battle rage!"

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 opening page uses the cover of Journey into Mystery issue 117, drawn by Kirby and Colletta with two smaller panels to recap last weeks adventure where Thor, in search of Loki's discarded Norn stones had found themselves in the Vietnam war zone. Thor stunned by mortar fire was recovering with aid given from a family of Vietnamese villagers. Loki, who is still plotting the Thunder Gods downfall receives a visit from Karnilla, Queen of the Norn, who demands the return of her enchanted stones. This low-key appearance marks her first in a Marvel UK comic. Her first ever US appearance would be in Journey into Mystery #107 cover dated August 1964, published June 1964, in a Tales of Asgard story titled "Balder must die!" Marvel UK readers would have to wait till the 3rd of March 1981 to read it in Valour #18.

Thor finds it hard tracking through the thick jungle with his large body size so he changes into the slimmer Don Blake. Not the brightest of ideas as the lame doctor is ambushed by a group of Vietcong guerrillas. Thinking him a yankee spy they take him to their leader, who we find out is a relative to the family who care for Thor at the beginning of this story. Blake makes an escape and transforms into the Thunder God, who finds Loki has hidden the Norn Stones amongst a stock pile of artillery shells.

 The guerrilla commander argues with his family and in the heat of the moment shoots his brother and their mother. His sister flees into the arms of Thor who realises what the Commander has done and vows to return with vengeance after taking his sister to safety. The Commander realising that he has brought death to his family and dishonour to his name because of the brutal pursuit of terrorism. He ends his own life by firing a shot into the ammunition store, destroying some small part of the poison that was devastating his country. In the original US version he used the word "communism" instead of "terrorism", to save our British blushes no doubt. I get it without being overtly political, any extreme political view can be destructive. I think the UK version makes the point better. It's not completely what you expect from a Thor tale but the surprise is pleasantly thought provoking. 

I much prefer this style of in-house ad in this weeks Spider-man Comic Weekly for the other two weeklies. It's more of a dynamic use of the two covers, that if the cover artist and cover editor have done their jobs should sell themselves. Action in the mighty Marvel tradition with two great hits from magnificent Marvel!

British Marvel readers have always wrote in their letter to the Marvel mailbags that they would like to be given the opportunity to send off for offers seen in the US versions of Marvel comics. This feels like one of those ads. Write your letters Marvel-style with a Marvel letter pack. I've never seen them in the flesh but I've always imagined that they were sheets of paper with the image of the amazing Spider-man, the mighty Thor or the Incredible Hulk in the top corner, much like they show here. In the pack you get ten writing sheets decorated with a super-hero image, ten illustrated envelopes and ten plain writing sheets all for 45 pence per pack, postage and packaging included. In 1973 money that's nine weekly comics. I wouldn't want to waste them, plus I have never been a big letter writer so I imagine that this would only intrigue certain people. Were you one of those people? Have you still got an unused set? I'd like to know.

  
 

The Avengers #8

The second "Spider-man in a web" cover from this weeks comics. This time drawn by Jack Kirby and Dick Ayers and originally used for the cover of the Avengers #11. Some internet rumours suggest that Spider-Man was redrawn by Steve Ditko. It's possible but if not and it was Kirby's version of Spider-man I think that might be the reason why I can't choose this as the cover of the week instead of the Romita Spider-man Comics Weekly one. I don't think Kirby is all that great at drawing Spider-man. He has drawn the web-slinger well in some comics, the comic I'm thinking of probably works because Joe Sinnott does the inking and makes Spidey look more like the Romita version. I wonder if Kirby took a dislike to the web-head as a dig towards Ditko? That's a personal opinion based on hearsay and no facts. I feel that Ditko wasn't too keen on the Fantastic Four either, his versions aren't a patch on the King's. Feel free to disagree. 

The Avengers "The mighty Avengers meet Spider-man!"

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Don Heck

Inker: Chic Stone

Originally published in The Avengers #11

Cover date December 1964

(Published in October 1964)

 

I'm not feeling this weeks Avengers strip, it's probably more me than it. It's got good continuity from the last couple of issues, Kang returns, there's lots of action and fighting and even a guest appearance from Spider-man. Both of him? More on that soon. Iron Man is missing after an attack on Tony Stark. In the original US version Tony Stark was allegedly murdered, we get the softer version that he was only attacked and a teaser that we'll learn the answer to how and why when we meet someone called Hawkeye. We really need those Iron Man stories to start in SMCW.

Kang wants revenge on the Avengers so he builds a robot to trick them into lowering their defences to get closer to them. He chooses to make it act and look like Spider-man as being a loner less is known about him. It works and the Spider-robot tricks the Avengers into traveling to a South American jungle to rescue Iron Man who he says has been captured by the Masters of Evil. 

They arrive separately and fall into carefully laid traps set by Kang and his robot. At one point Captain America shouts "Avengers Away!" which is Stan's worst idea, thank goodness that didn't stick, it should always be "Assemble!" The real Spider-man arrives to battle the Spider-robot, How he got there or gets back to New York it doesn't say. Even at the end the Avengers free themselves and don't even meet the original web-head. It's all a bit messy. Much like Don Heck's version of the web-slinger. It looks like a seven year old drew it, which is probably the reason why I don't like this story. 

For the readers who were missing Iron Man this week they get a Marvel Masterwork Pin-up of the invincible Iron Man. I can't find the original artwork or artist. I think it's by Jack Kirby but I bet someone will tell me different. Any ideas?

Avengers Unite

For those wondering why I've chosen Avengers Unite as the title of the letter page. The title of the page won't be settled on Avengers Unite till next week. So until then I've been using that title for this section to give it some form of continuity. Which some might say it isn't.  But doesn't that pretty much sum up how Marvel UK was? This week's "From the Bullpen to you" column brings up the subject of glossy covers among other topics. While in the letters part of this page Robert Chapman from Gloucester who likes the fact that Marvel super-heroes are mortals (well most of them,) and without being over-pious they give the impression that they're not afraid to seek spiritual guidance. Some heavy stuff there and worth reading in full as well as the editors reply. Barry Watson from Solihull wonders why Cap has silly wings on his mask? That's a question no-one asks. Ralph Heathman from Chard points out that a piece of shrapnel inside his heart causes Tony Stark to have heart problems not just because of a weak heart. Yeah we know that.

Barry Hall from Ayr in Scotland is thrilled that the Avengers weekly has come out as he reads his brothers US comics but they have trouble in getting them regularly and misses issues. The new weeklies fill in many gaps. John Anderson from Preston pours doubt over the theory that a man could survive in suspended animation for any amount of time like Captain America did. Well John its just fantasy after all. So finally for this week we have a letter from Margaret Linz from London who is grateful that some of Marvel's creative teams ancestors taught their children to speak the English language. Pointing out that if they had been raised speaking another language they might have created these fantastic stories in that language and she wouldn't have been able to enjoy them. The editor points out that Marvel stories at that time have been reprinted in eight different languages around the globe. There's a touch of snobbery in that letter that I'm not sure sits well even in the early 70's never mind in 2023. I'll put it down to the innocence of youth. 

More Marvel themed produces, this time you'll never be alone in a Marvel t-shirt when you've got the Hulk on your chest. Just 85 pence and it's yours provided you're a size 24 to 32.

Doctor Strange "Beyond the Purple Veil!"

 Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: Steve Ditko

Inker: Steve Ditko

Originally published in Strange Tales #119

Cover date April 1964

(Published in January 1964)

Another charming tale from Lee and Ditko, Doctor Strange studies a strange sinister purple gem that later is stolen by two house thief's who accidentally open a gateway to a dimension called the Purple Veil with it. Strange must follow them into the Veil and barter with that dimension's ruler, Aggamon, for their release. The Doctor agrees to take their place in captivity, freeing the two crooks. Then he admits that he made no promise that he wouldn't try to escape, which he does after a duel with Aggamon. Back on Earth the two robbers hand themselves into the authorities ending the tale. This story also marks the first time that Wong, the Doctor's man servant is named. It's a nice tidy tale.

Don't miss these other Marvel adventures, which if you're following this blog and re-reading your back issue collection you wouldn't have. Preferring to show all the heroes Marvel UK had on offer from the two mags only the logo from the Mighty World of Marvel was used with  all the members of the Fantastic Four and the incredible Hulk running towards the reader. Under that "Spidey smashes out!" against the swamp-born reptilian threat of the Lizard. Plus the mighty Thor completing this weeks line-up next to that Romita Cover from Spider-man Comics Weekly issue 39. 

The final treat from this weeks magnificent Marvel UK mags is a Marvel Masterworks Pin-up of Doctor Strange in full colour on the back page. Taken from  the cover of Doctor Strange #169 cover dated June 1968, published February 1968, drawn by Dan Adkins. This issue was the first issue of Doctor Strange with the numbering following from Strange Tales #168, with the Master of the Mystic Arts getting a the whole comic and not sharing it with Nick Fury who also got his own comic butt starting with issue one. Strangely enough Strange Tales would return in June 1973 with Brother Voodoo as the star. The numbering would resume with issue 169 and the cover date was June 1973. 

I'll return next week, hopefully on time, with more treats, less tricks and a box full of bangers that will brighten up these darker autumn days. Till then...

See you in seven.

Make Mine Marvel.