Week Ending 17th November 1973
The Mighty World of Marvel #59
Ron Wilson and Mike Esposito team up to create this cover as penciler and inker especially for this issue. I really like it, it makes use of the full page and I do like seeing heroes at a disadvantage or facing overwhelming odds, it makes you what to open up the mag and see how they get out of the presumed cliffhanger. It pretty well drawn too so I guess that makes it my cover of the week.
The Incredible Hulk "The evil Maximus does!"
Artist: Marie Severin
Inker: Syd Shores
Originally published in The Incredible Hulk King Size Special #1
Cover date October 1968
(Published in July 1968)
The opening splash page looks like a specially created art for this issue of MWOM. The Grand Comics Database suggest that it is made up with the artwork of Timberius taken from a panel from the closing page of last weeks Hulk strip with a freshly drawn Hulk, although Timberius looks very similar he is no longer pointing at the Hulk with his left hand as he's now clinching it into a fist. His right arm is now resting on his knee at a different angle. This piece of artwork could well be the first none cover piece especially made for British Marvel. Before you mention the US covers that sometimes get used as opening splash pages, they have already been created for the US comics, these are unique to the UK.
Although this story feels that it was squeezed into the regular Hulk continuity it's really quite good. The artwork is impressive and the story itself does have ripples that will feed into future Hulk and Inhuman tales. Maximus frees the Evil Inhumans and the Hulk in hope that the green goliath will smash open a barrier that will release an ancient weapon, created by a legendary Inhuman scientist known as Romnar, that the mad Inhuman believes will grant him the power to usurp Black Bolt from the Attilan throne. To which the Hulk is tricked into doing, allowing Maximus to release his own form of chaos next week.
Around seven weeks to Christmas and excitement is building for the big day. What better time and place to advertise some stocking fillers than in the pages of the Marvel weeklies. The Marvel Annual 1974 is the perfect present for Marvel fans, 128 pages filled with action, tension and excitement in a mighty Marvel manner. This Annual goes right at the top of my Santa list. I promise I've been good this year. It's not a British Marvel publication, it was made under license by Fleetway so they must have payed for this advert. The annual at 70 pence is a bargain.
There's also some great value toys from Matchbox when you look at the prices of the toys Santa is tempting you with in the advert under it. A gas tanker truck for 18 pence, a Spitfire kit for 23 pence, a race car Bazooka K-44 for just 65 pence and a battery powered Chopper for £1.98. If you're more into games like Cascade you can have it for £3.99. I think my brother had that one, I'm sure we used to play it back in those days. Speaking of my Brother, he got the annual that Christmas, which he later gifted to me. For that I'm very, very grateful. But more on that in a later blog.
The Mighty Marvel Mailbag
Grahame Broadbelt from Teeside is sick of the dull colourless pages seen in British Marvel comics and wants to see full colour mags instead like the American versions. He understands that it might mean putting up costs. He believes that if they don't add colour the UK versions will look inferior to the imported editions and could follow the demise of the old Power Comics in the 60's. Nigel Rathbone from London wants to see a "Marvelland" in the UK similar to "Disneyland" in America. Steve Brown also from London who when Marvel first came out read boring "kiddies" comics. He saw the cover of one copy and bought it, never looking back since. The last letter from this weeks Marvel mailbag comes from regular Marvel reader and letter writer Jim Ivers from Dublin. He had a letter printed in
Avengers #6 only three weeks ago that when I checked was a complete copy of this weeks letter. Did Jim send the same letter twice, or was there a shortage of mail for this weeks mailbag with the editor hoping no-one would notice it being used twice, or was it simply a mistake? Either way we haven't heard the last from young Jim Ivers.
This weeks issues also tease next weeks great new competition, your chance to win a 12 foot Intrepid fishing rod from Gladding as the first prize in a free angling contest. Plus there's was twenty consolation prizes on offer and membership to the Angling Times young fisherman's club- "The Kingfisher Guild" for fifty lucky third place winners. We'll find out what exactly was the second place consolation prizes next week.
The Fantastic Four "It started on Yancy Street!"
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Jack Kirby
Inker: Chic Stone
Originally published in The Fantastic Four #29
Cover date August 1964
(Published in May 1964)
From the title this FF story feels like a jokey fill in, without much to grab an action hungry Marvelite. But there's more to this story than a first look. The pranks and tricks played on the FF aren't by the mischievous Yancy Street gang but by the Mad (Red) Ghost and his Super Apes. British Marvel is still using the "Mad" prefix to not offend any left leaning British readers who might take umbrage with Communism being portrayed as the villain. Strange that in other stories, like the recent Hulk/Missing Link and Hulk/Mandarin tales had no problems with that.
The Mad Ghost has sworn his revenge on the FF after they prevented him claiming the Moon for his "Bodavian masters", as seen in
MWOM#27. In the original US version he calls them "his Communist masters". The surprise attack and the capture of the Human Torch result in the FF's surrender. The Ghost's pet orangutang summons a magnetically power spaceship that transports them all on a journey into space, as shown in one of Kirby's favourite techniques, using a photograph as background for the space craft. The FF contrive and escape plan, much to the Ghost's delight as he has prepared for that eventuality and ejects their compartment together with our four heroes onto the lifeless surface of the Moon. More mayhem on the Moon next week.
"Action..in the mighty Marvel tradition!" says the headline for this weeks in-house advert for the Avengers and Spider-man Comics Weekly. These covers look really good, in fact I think I prefer this "lightened" Avengers cover than the dark version. Granted the comic cover darker version is more accurate as the Avengers are encountering the Mole Man and his army underground but still. Both covers make use of great grey shading to give the impression of vibrant colours. Let's take a look at the first of those magnificent Marvel mags now.
Spider-man Comics Weekly #40
This weeks cover is a slightly lighter re-coloured version of John Romita Sr's cover from the Amazing Spider-man #46. Superbly drawn by Romita many would say that this should be the Cover of the Week instead of the MWOM one. It's a tough choice to be honest. Let me know what you think.
Spider-man "The sinister Shocker!"
Writer: Stan Lee Artist: John Romita Sr
Inker: John Romita Sr
Originally published in the Amazing Spider-man #46
Cover date March 1967
(Published in December 1966)
I've say this before and I'll say it again John Romita Sr does the best opening splash pages ever, he doesn't waste time getting right into the action. This one delivers the Stan Lee/John Romita "spideriffic spectacular" the credit line promises. "A whole wall--it's vibrating!!" courtesy of the Shocker! Romita designs a new foe for Spider-man who feels more realistic and believable than some Ditko villains.
The design of the Shocker is completely functional. Two vibra-shock units built into knuckle plates, a foam-lined suit with heavy boots to absorb any shocks and a belt containing the suits power packs. All well thought out by Romita. We never find out the Shocker's real name in this story, he only describes himself as a "small-time safe cracker." At the end of this story he isn't unmasked, we really don't need to know who he is. His function in this tale is to give Spider-man someone to fight in-between the story of Peter's personal life.
Peter's personal life is all about the ladies and the most important lady in his life is Aunt May. She's been offered a chance to move in with Anna Watson since feeling lonely after her niece, Mary Jane, has moved out, but Aunt May is worried about leaving Peter. She shouldn't 'cause he's been thinking of leaving the family nest too, especially after Harry Osborn has offered to share his apartment for free. Quite a change in Harry towards Peter since the Ditko days. From my 2023 view I did wonder if Norman put Harry up to it. But may be Stan felt that Peter needed some male friends around him, since Flash was joining the army bully boys seem out of fashion. Back to the ladies, you've got to be jealous of Peter. A ravishing redhead, and a beautiful blonde to keep those late teenage hormones active. Peter can take his pick from Gwen and Mary Jane, it's a teenage dream. Who wants to fight super-villains when you can hang out with those two.
But this is a boys adventure comic, (although girls love it too!) there's a villain to defeat. After taking some heavy hits Spider-man webs up the problem by webbing back the Shockers trigger thumbs! An ending that you might say is too easy but in truth this story is perfectly paced.
When I first read this comic, over 25 years ago (I picked up a massive pile of second-hand SMCW to fill out the gaps in my collection at the time.) I too was moving out of the family home, so I get why Peter was a little glum at the end, even though he's ended up in a perfect bachelors pad. You miss those home comforts but I never looked back 'cause even with life's ups and downs, things went great. They will for Peter too, can't wait!
The Marvel in-house advert follows straight on from Spider-man instead of being at the end of the comic. No obvious reason why or why not. Adventure and excitement for you, we've seen the Mighty World of Marvel comic already and we'll read about the Avengers weekly with Doctor Strange soon. But let's finish looking at the rest of this weeks Spider-man Comics Weekly first. The mighty Thor, but up next The Web and the Hammer letter page.
The Web and the Hammer
Anthony McCarthy from Coventry wants to see the Hulk fighting the FF or Thor. Next up is a letter from Terry T. Andrew Christie and the boys from the Clacton church lads brigade, who praise the weekly adventures of Spider-man and his cast like the tenderness of Aunt May, the big-headedness of Flash and the "yeurk" of J Jonah Jameson. Dale Johnson from York thinks SMCW is great but has one question, when Spider-man is fighting how does he manage to take pictures of the action? The editor just fudges the answer really, they could have said that it has automatic settings. Steven Gammon from Knighton wonders if Gods live forever why does Odin look so old? But the really reason Steven wrote in is that he's having big trouble finding SMCW in any newsagents in Knighton.
The mighty Thor "To kill a Thunder God!"
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Jack Kirby
Inker: Vince Colletta
Originally published in Journey into Mystery #118
Cover date July 1965
(Published in May 1965)
Continued from last week, Thor delivers a young Vietnamese girl called Kim to safety, by rights he should take the Norn stones back to Asgard to prove that Loki cheated in the Trial of the Gods. Instead he stops in the Vietnam jungle to examine them, where he becomes a victim of a "anaesthetic shell" from a rifle used by a Loki manipulated hunter. A bit strange that one. Why would a big game hunter be found plying his trade in a Vietnam war zone?
With Thor unconscious and secure the hunter examines ancient, Viking artefacts, place there by Loki to entice the hunter into discovering an ancient hidden temple guarded by three stone statues, where inside an immobile suit of armour awaits. This is classic Kirby, allowing reader and hunter to discover the magnificent resting place of the Destroyer. Loki tricks the hunter in to merging with the inert Destroyer, awaking its power, ignited by the evil mind of the hapless human.
Awakened by the sound of the transformation Thor breaks his bonds and flys to the scene, where on first sight he recognises the Temple of Darkness, built by Odin untold ages ago to house the most dangerous and deadly entity ever created. Later in other tales we'll learn that Odin, Zeus, and Vishnu built the temple and the artificial construct known as the Destroyer to oppose the future threat of the Celestials third host.
Discovering inside the rigid body of the hunter Thor realises that his mind has already activated the Destroyer who attacks the Thunder God. Not even Thor's mighty hammer can stop him. With the power that Odin gave the deadly construct, the all-powerful Destroyer has strength to lift even Thor's hammer! For a tale that started weakly it has soon become unbeatable. Can't wait for next weeks "If the thunder be stilled...!"
The Avenger #9
This weeks Avengers weekly makes use of the Jack Kirby cover from the Avengers #12 but with a much darker background than the one which appeared on the US version. Dick Ayers applied the inks to the Kirby artwork.
The Avengers "This hostage Earth!"
Artist: Don Heck
Inker: Dick Ayers
Originally published in The Avengers #12
Cover date January 1965
(Published in November 1964)
For the second week running Don Heck opens an Avengers adventure with a splash page featuring Giant Man and the Wasp, may be Heck wanted to bring these two heroes to the front and the attention of the readers after he had formed a liking for them after drawing the pair for a long time in their Tales to Astonish days. I like that, it's good to shine the spotlight on others rather than the big three of Cap, Iron Man and Thor who had their own comics, at least in America.
This story feels nothing more than a fill in using the classic FF villain the Mole Man. Giant Man detects some serious underground activity and calls in the rest of the Avengers. After Giant Man recalls the FF's last encounter with the Mole Man, as seen in
MWOM #47 and
MWOM #48. Thor also recalls in that adventure the subterranean empire held by the Mole Man was destroyed which leads the heroes into an argument ending with Giant Man investigating the activity alone.
It's a bit of a mistake from Giant Man as he's easily captured, although it does extend the plot somewhat. The Wasp alerts the Avengers who assemble to look for their teammate. Once they do they have not only to contend with the Mole Man and his subterranean minions, but also a new partner in crime, the Mad Ghost. Why would the Mad Ghost appear? Only Stan knows. Anyway the Wasp frees Giant-Man, and the team stops the Mole Man and Mad Ghost's plans. The Mad Ghosts appearance in this story is set after the FF story seen in this week's MWOM. The Ghost can somehow cause his clothing and other inanimate objects to become intangible, but in this tale he also turns the Mole Man intangible too. I think this is the first and possibly the last time he displays this power, then again I could be wrong. I don't like being negative but there's very little to like in this story, whether it's plot, artwork or dialogue. Oh well they can't all be classics.
Avengers Unite!
At last the Avengers letter page has got a permanent title, Avengers Unite! It's not great but it'll do as I imagine they couldn't think of anything better. First up is Reginald Coupland from Norfolk who after reading Avengers #1 want's to know who the Teen Brigade are, to which he gets a fairly good summary from the editor. Alfred Fredericks from London offers a word of praise for Doctor Strange, adding he is truly unique. John Archer from Clitheroe in Lancashire who has been a Marvel comics fan for years but would like to see less of the love interest plots in the British editions. Now John as much as I love the action everyone needs a little love.
David Tucek from Doncaster likes the Avengers mag and intends to keep on buying it, but has one issue with Giant Man's strength. He's read that the bigger a living creature gets the weaker they become relative to their size. The editor replies that in a way he is right and wrong, the larger the creature gets the stronger they will become until they reach an optimum size for strength relative to weight and volume. If he makes himself as big as a house he'll probably become too weak to stand. Mark Elworth from Newcastle who has only been a Marvel reader for a couple of months but after reading about the new Avengers weekly he's decided to get that mag too. He would like to see them on TV instead of some of the "tripey" programmes they show. He also asks what RFO and KOF stand for. So for the first time in British Marvel we get to find out what they stand for, so here we go. RFO- Real Frantic One, a buyer of three Marvel mags a week. (Three a month if you're American, a little tough if you're British as that could end up being 12 a month.) KOF-Keeper of the Flame, A reader who recruits a newcomer to the Marvel ranks. There's also TTB- Titanic True Believer, a No-Price winner. QNS- Quite 'Nuff Sayer, a printed letter writer. PMM- Permanent Marvelite Maximus, anyone possessing all four of the above titles. And finally FFF- Fearless Front Facer, an honorary title bestowed for devotion to Marvel above and beyond the call of duty. In truth a RFO in Britain is hard to maintain but at times I did, (For many years I held it for the US version too, due to the number of American editions a month I bought in the 80's. Holding on to it for over a decade.) I have every British Marvel from the 70's but only in a retroactive manner, but I imagine that doesn't count. I wrote a printed letter so they can't take my QNS away from me.
Doctor Strange "The house of shadows!"
Writer: Stan Lee Artist: Steve Ditko
Inker: Steve Ditko
Originally published in Strange Tales #120
Cover date May 1964
(Published in February 1964
A TV show investigates a hunted house which brings the attention of the Master of the Mystic Arts when a reporter, Allan Stevens, is held prisoner within. Strange enters the building, confronting its mystical attacks he finds that the house itself to be an entity from another time-continuum and not a ghost, who has come to observe humanity. Strange forces the house to release its prisoner. With the threat neutralised, Strange exits the house saying that he has sworn to protect Mankind and so uses a spell to make it return from where it came. It's a classic eerie tale from Ditko that works really well. Much more enjoyable than the earlier Avengers tale. Am I being hard on the Assemblers adventure?
This blog finishes off with a quick look at how Spider-man Comics Weekly and the Mighty World of Marvel was advertised in the Avengers. With these Marvel masterpieces on sale every week it makes every Marvelite want to be a RFO honour holder.
Same again next week? Alright I'll see you here then. Hopefully on deadline.
See you in seven.
Make Mine Marvel.
Writer: Stan Lee 
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