Man-monsters and alchemy!

 Week Ending 1st December 1973

A little tiding up from last week, regular Power of the Beesting commenter, Rod Tough pointed out that the opening splash page from last week's Hulk strip was an unused cover for the Incredible Hulk King Size Special #1 by Marie Severin and Frank Giacoia as seen in the soon to be re-released The Incredible Hulk Omnibus Volume 2. Rod spotted the piece of art on a Near Mint Condition YouTube video reviewing the new edition. I noticed after watching that video that the original artwork from the cover of The Incredible Hulk #107 was shown with text stating that John Romita Sr had re-drawn the upper half of the Mandarin for the final US version, MWOM #55 used the original cover artwork by Marie Severin and Frank Giacoia, before Romita made the adjustments. 

I also heard from comic historian, collector, blogger and regular contributor to the Grand Comic Database, (A great fount of knowledge on both US and British Marvel. Indispensable when researching these blogs,) Nick Caputo, who has been reading the POTB blog lately,  pointed out in MWOM #23, that was reviewed way back in March  this year, that the Hulk pin-up was almost certainly penciled by Jim Starlin, adding that his pose was a giveaway. Nick also believes that Frank Giacoia inked the artwork. If any one knows his stuff, Nick certainly does. Thanks gents, now onto the weekly dose of nostalgia. 

The Mighty World of Marvel #61

Ron Wilson and Mike Esposito team up once again as penciler and inker on this specially created cover for this week's Mighty World of Marvel. If I'm going to be critical in anyway, I have to say that I think Ka-Zar is drawn slightly over sized than his usual build, possibly to make him seem a more fitting opponent for the Hulk.

The Incredible Hulk "The monster and the man-beast!"

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Frank Giacoia (Layouts) Herb Trimpe

Inker: Johnny Severin

Originally published in The Incredible Hulk #109

Cover date January 1969

(Published in November 1968)

The first thing that really grabs me about "The monster and the man-beast!" is how beautiful the story is laid out. You could very easily take out all the dialogue and still understand the story. Of course that should be the case for most if not all comic strips but this one seems more unusual when you note that Stan is only credited for the script, Frank Giacoia, a fine inker, is given credit for the layouts and therefore must take credit for the story plot as well as the design. Right from the opening panel he gives us a really impressive image of the Hulk striding towards a group of Chinese soldiers. Every square inch is taken up with eye catching drama. Yes Herb Trimpe expands the line work with his pencils and John Severin fills out the art with inks, so maybe this was a perfect example of art team work, but every credit to Frank's original designs. 

Although I feel the need to take away some of the story structure from Stan, he does deserve credit for playing it lowkey with the dialogue when less is definitely more. Stan is a superb editor and knows when to let the artwork do the talking. Later may come a more complicated plot involving some crazy weather conditions, but Stan knows what the kids want and what the kids want is the Hulk smashing every thing in sight. Grab the reader with that and you'll keep them interested for what comes later.

To get from China to where the creators want the Hulk to be, the distraction of a Chinese missile is launched on a test fight just as the rampaging Hulk enters the missile installation. The dimmed mind of the green man-child sees it as an opportunity to hitch a ride to a better place. The Hulk's piggy-back ride takes the finely calibrated trajectory onto a new path towards the barren wastes of Antarctica, crashing through the icy surface to a hidden jungle world. Where the Hulk's alter ego will meet a tribe of murderous Swamp men and a mysterious savage stranger. Again the way this is built up is a lesson in "less is more" as the tension is slowly racked up. 

This issue sees Ka-Zar's first UK appearance, his first modern Marvel appearance would have been in  X-Men #10 cover dated March 1965, published January 1965, British readers will have to wait until the 9th of August 1975 to read it in The Superheroes #23. Most readers would be very glad to read this story first as it's a cracker. Not forgetting that plot mentioned earlier, freaky weather around the globe, does it have any connection to the strange alien device Ka-Zar and Banner find in the Savage Land? You bet it does, find out more next week when this story will be Hulkinued. 

Trevor Osborne from near Stevenage wants to compliment British Marvel on their three weeklies, but would also like to see the X-Men get their own UK mag with Daredevil possibly featured as a supporting strip. Trevor has also read the new 1974 Marvel Annual and asks why Thor doesn't appear in it. Spoilers Trevor, some Marvelytes will only get it at Christmas as a present, don't give too much away. Stephen Hall from Derbyshire wants British Marvel to rearrange the contents of each of their weeklies into three sections, cover, pin-ups, ads and mailbag in the first section, main story in the second section and secondary story in the third. I'm no fan of that, they're fine like they are. Anthony MacGarth from Glasgow points out some mistakes that  Jonathan Blane mentioned in last weeks The Web and the Hammer letter page, but Anthony also points out another boob in the Spider-man LP competition answers from weeks ago that were given in the weeklies cover dated 12th May 1973, which said that Peter Parker's favourite subject was art! Which I think everybody thought was bobbins. H. Radzki from Cheshire recalls British comics that used to feature Marvel characters like Thor, Iron Man and the X-Men, called Fantastic! The editor also recalls other comics in that range called "Wham", "Pow" and "Smash". Strange that because as we all know Marvel comics didn't exist in the UK before the Mighty World of Marvel #1 from October last year. (The blog writer winks at the POTB readers and taps his nose in a knowing way.) But if they did, I bet they would be "Terrific!" 

The Fantastic Four "The dreaded Diablo!"

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Chic Stone 

Originally published in The Fantastic Four #30

Cover date September 1964

(Published in June 1964)

The FF get lost exploring a forest while on holiday in Transylvania, which causes the Thing to rip up trees in an effort to find their way out. I know comics should be engaging but 'am not sure me shouting at Ben for destroying woodland for no reason was what Stan and Jack intended. They come across an ancient castle, but are told by local mayor, Baron Hugo, to stay clear of the dreaded fortress as that is where his ancestor's imprisoned the evil alchemist Diablo! The Baron offers them rooms for the night at his own residence as his guests.

That very night in a trance like state the Thing is lead by a mysterious voice to Diablo's ancient hidden crypt and urged to free the evil alchemist. The next morning the remaining members of the FF follow Ben's trail of destruction and find a half human Thing who has offered his loyalty to Diablo in exchange for a cure for his monstrous state. They leave after unsuccessful attempts to convince Ben that Diablo's methods and intensions may not be all they seem. Diablo gains power globally by offering people of power the things they most desire with the aid of his potions. Bit by bit Diablo's potions fail leaving the evil alchemist looking like a snake oil salesman. The Thing confronts the charlatan  who subdues Ben with the fumes from one of his concoctions. Next issue the FF strikes back.

The inside back page hosts a half page in-house advert for two more Marvel triumphs with covers of this weeks Avengers and Spider-man Comics Weekly shown above ads for a complete stamp collector's outfit set, a Soccerama game and the Thing telling the readers that "it's gonna be money makin' time again" next week! We'll look at that in seven days time, now let's look at Marvel's next weekly on sale 50 years ago this week.

Spider-man Comics Weekly #42

This week's cover is taken from the reprint title Marvel Tales Volume 2 issue 34, which featured the reprint of "The wings of the Vulture!" cover dated May 1972. The UK version has adaptions, most noticeably are the positions of Spider-man to the Vulture and the Vultures left arm/wing. The original artwork was drawn by Gil Kane with John Romita Sr inks. It's quite unusual that the original Amazing Spider-man cover wasn't used as that keeps the new identity of the Vulture a secret. I have to say that the reprint title's cover is still a cracker, Gil Kane knew how to draw great covers, so this week's SMCW gets my vote for cover of the week.

Spider-man "The wings of the Vulture!"

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: John Romita Sr

Inker: John Romita Sr

Originally published in the Amazing Spider-man #48

Cover date May 1967

(Published in February 1967)

Cards on the table time, although I own and have read all of British Marvel comics in the 70's this comic wasn't where I first read this story. It and next week's Spider-man stories for the largest part of the 1982 Spider-man Annual from Marvel Grandreams, published in the Autumn of 1981 just in time for Christmas. This Spider-man/Vulture/Kraven the Hunter story arc is a belter and seeing it in colour, as well as black and white with either blue or red hues was a treat. This black and white version is no-less a thing of beauty.

But we're not here to review an annual from the early 80's, we're here to look back at Spider-man Comics Weekly from 1973. But before we do here's what it looked like if you didn't have it in your collections.
 

In this weeks story Spider-man is searching for Kraven the hunter who escaped Spider-man after a fight with the  villain last issue. Without any luck the web-slinger returns home after the heavy snow makes his search a burden, he passes the Municipal prison, where unknown to Spidey the Vulture, Adrian Toomes lays in a critical state in a bed on medical wing of the prison. Fearing death and wanting to get revenge on Spider-man Toomes asks to see his cell mate Blackie Drago so he might confide in him the location of a hidden Vulture suit and make him swear that he'll carry on his vendetta against Spider-man. 

After finding out where the suit is hidden Blackie confesses that the accident which put Toomes in his present state was engineered by him so that the old man would divulge what he needed to know. Weak and delirious Toomes thinks about how he came close to defeating Spider-man but now it's up to Blackie Drago to accomplish what he could not. Drago had planned in advance a way to break out of the prison once Toomes had relented to Drago's constant interrogation. Toomes had hidden a spare suit near the prison knowing that if he was ever caught again its location would aid in any escape plan. Drago finds it in time before the chasing prison guards can re-capture him.

Adrian Toomes isn't the only one feeling ill, Peter Parker is full of the flu after a cold night web-swinging around New York in an attempt to find Kraven. but when news of a new Vulture terrorising the skies of New York an ill Peter pulls himself out of his sick bed and pulls on the webs to confront the new menace. The younger, stronger Vulture is very much a handful for Spidey, especially in his current ill state. Winning his first fight Drago leaves the beaten teenage hero unconscious in the snow. Has Spider-man meet his match? Find out if he has as this story is set to continue next week.  

The Web and the Hammer

J. Swallow has been enjoying the latest Spider-man adventures, but what he really wants to know is why in the Mighty World of Marvel and Spider-man Comics Weekly Stan Lee is pictured with a moustache, yet on the cover of FOOM issue 1 he's seen with a beard? May be he was practicing for Christmas. Rob Spooner from Southend wonders what's happened to the American imported Spider-man monthly he used to get? Instead of that appearing on his newsagents shelves there's a copy of Werewolf by Night. The Editor says they haven't stopped importing the Amazing Spider-man, there's still a supply coming in. May be the growing Spidey loving  public is snapping it up before Rob can get a copy. Rob also mentions that the Hulk story in MWOM #44 looks very similar to a Captain Marvel story from his own US comic, issue 21 to be precise. The editor assures Rob that any resemblance to the Captain Marvel story in MWOM was purely deliberate. Eric Reinders from Notts reckons that the writing for the Spider-man adventures are realistic and well done. He adds the Thor tales are better than most, but why hasn't Odin not cotton on to the fact that Loki can't be trusted? 

The mighty Thor "The day of the Destroyer!"

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Vince Colletta

Originally published in Journey into Mystery #119

Cover date August 1965

(Published in June 1965)

 Can the mighty Thunder God survive the onslaught of the Destroyer? Well he can with the help of Loki, who is worried that after Odin wakes up from his Odinsleep to find that he had released the unstoppable menace of the Destroyer, the All Father would judge him with the blame, so using magical means he aids his half brother by turning the Thunder God temporary intangible. But the strain needed to accomplish that task has left Loki weak.  

Thor must escape the continuous assault of the Destroyer by his own means, escaping through the labyrinth of tunnels and passage ways inside the Temple of Darkness. Kirby is having a ball putting the Thunder God through his paces with the destroyers pursuit. With his luck running out Thor stumbles across the Destroyer's host body. Hoping that the Destroyer dare not attack incase doing so decimates he's own body, trapping him inside the grotesque form of the Destroyer forever. The story ends this week with the unstoppable juggernaut lowing his visor as he prepares to unleash the power of complete disintegration. Next issue, Battle's end!

A nice use of the colour back page for this week's in-house adverts for the Avengers and the Mighty World of Marvel comics. After reading the great adventures inside this week's Spider-man Comics Weekly and seeing this page you'll want to ask your parents for more pocket money to snap up these beauties. With that in mind let's move onto the next comic in this weeks line up.

The Avengers #11

The cover of the US version of the Avengers #14 by Jack Kirby and Dick Ayers is use for this British weekly. With only an insert of the Wasp, by an unknown artist, added to explain some of the story.

The Avengers "Even an Avenger can die!"

Writer: Stan Lee, Larry Ivie and Larry Lieber

Artist: Jack Kirby (layouts), Don Heck

Inker: Chic Stone

Originally published in The Avengers #14

Cover date March 1965

(Published in January 1965)

 This story is a bit of a weird one, Stan wrote the plot and the script was worked on by comic writer and comic historian Larry Ivie under the pseudonym of Paul Laiken with Stan's younger brother Larry Lieber. The artwork is so definitely the work of Jack Kirby from that era with Don Heck finishing the pencils exactly how Jack had intended it to look like. Chic Stone inked the final artwork for print. I kind of feel that this story should be just a fill in mess. But you know what? It's quite a pleasant read. Quite the opposite of what I was expecting. I'm not saying it's a classic but it ain't terrible either.

The Wasp is in mortal danger as she lays near death after injury from a bullet has punctured her left lung. A specialist doctor is needed to operate immediately. Doctor Svenson is just such a doctor but when the Avengers locate him, he is revealed to be an alien imposter. The real doctor is held by an alien race called the Kallu who need his help if they are to survive in our atmosphere. The Kallu are being hunted down by another race of aliens who have discovered them on Earth. The Kallu release Doctor Svenson from his promise to help them so that they can flee their hateful reptilian pursuers and he can save the Wasp's life. The Watcher appears telling the readers that two alien races were to battle for survival with Earth as the battleground, it would have meant the end of mankind, but the human race was spared because of a dying girl. I'm not sure how he links the two so closely together, if the Wasp had not been injured and needed a cardiothoracic surgeon why would the Kallu stay on Earth to fight their enemy? Surely they would have fled anyway.

Your letters...

L Barlow from Birmingham likes the glossy covers on the Avengers weekly as they remind him of the covers from the old Fantastic and Terrific comics. He is looking forward to characters like Hercules, Hawkeye, the Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver, the Swordsman, the Living Laser and many more. Darren Burbage from Essex wants to know why MWOM had two Hulk stories instead of any Daredevil stories. He wants Ka-Zar introduced in the mags, Check out this week's Hulk story Darren for more of the savage lord of the hidden jungle. Frank Lythgoe from Wigan is eagerly awaiting the new Avengers comic and asks for a pin-up of Doctor Don Blake transforming into the mighty Thor. Alan Brice wants to see more of the X-Men but is very pleased with the new Avengers mag. 

Patrick Goodenough (strange name that!) from Liverpool has been collecting both MWOM and SMCW, so he's glad that the Avengers mag has been brought out too. His favourite Avenger is Captain America because he has no super powers and relies on being fit and athletic. Dave Driver from Cheshire thinks that the first issue of the Avengers looked very classy and was well worth the cover price. Although he isn't a fan of the grey shading as it makes it look shabby. And the other thing is find somewhere for the X-Men strip as they're great. Rhys Jones from Nottingham has just read issues 49 and 50 of the Mighty World of Marvel and wants to see more of the young mutants. So the last letter for this week comes from Stephen Hall from Derby whose correspondence  go's like this, "Question:'Did you like the X-Men?' Answer:Yes, yes, yes.' Question:'Would you like to see more of them? Answer:'yes!'"

Doctor Strange "The world beyond"

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: Steve Ditko

Inker: Steve Ditko

Originally published in Strange Tales #122

Cover date July 1964

(Published in April 1964)

This story sees a very tired Doctor, exhausted after a number of sleepless days spent fighting against supernatural forces that seek to menace mankind. The latest menace comes from the dream realm ruled by Nightmare, who quickly subdues the fatigued Doctor. Bound by mystical bonds which prevents him from escaping by magical means. Strange tricks the Lord of Fear into seeing his own most feared foe a creature called the Gulgol.

Scared of his enemy, Nightmare agrees to free Strange to defeat the Gulgol. The Doctor  tells the dream demon that Gulgol was never a threat as the mystic had used his hypnotic powers to trick him. Now free to use his magic powers to keep Nightmare at bay, Strange retreats to his own body, satisfied that Nightmare has been defeated once more. Vowing that as long as there are strange forces lurking beyond the borders of man's imagination Doctor Strange will be there to battle in the name of humanity.

A simple in-house advert for this week's Spider-man Comics Weekly and the Mighty World of Marvel that look like they've just been quickly thrown together. May be there was less need to advertise these two as they were both well supported by Marvel readers.

 The back pages of the Avengers and the Mighty World of Marvel both feature a reminder of last week's pictorial multiple-choice questions for the "What a Catch!" competition as well as the second half of the competition coupon needed to enter the draw. Spider-man Comics Weekly presented this competition on a black and white page inside the mag, much preferring to use the colour page for an in-house ad.  

So there ends another week of nostalgic fun as Christmas appears on the horizon. A busy time of year even without all these comics to read. In 2023 there's lots of Doctor Who at 60 celebrations to enjoy. So I'll have to get my sonic out and enjoy Doctor Who and the Star Beast. But "beware the beast under the radiation of a Black Sun!" So if we survive I'll....

See you in seven.

Make Mine Marvel.