Walking with Goliaths!

 Week Ending 9th March 1974

The Mighty World of Marvel #75

British comic readers would possibly think that this was created for the British market with the UK comic shelves crammed with war and boy action comics that sported similar covers. But this cover is from the Incredible Hulk #120 in which this week's Hulk story was taken from, drawn by regular Hulk artist Herb Trimpe. The UK version is far superior to the US version simply because it's been re-coloured with more earthy colours. The US version has an all-white tank, why you would ask, I have no idea. May be it was a rush job and the colourist had no time to finish it off. Whatever the reason I prefer the British version. It's got planes, tanks, soldiers and a raging emerald monster, what's not to love, so I'm making it my Cover of the Week.

 

The Incredible Hulk "On the side of...the Inhumans!"

Writer: Stan Lee and Roy Thomas

Artist: Herb Trimpe

Inker: Herb Trimpe

Originally published in The Incredible Hulk #120

Cover date October 1969

(Published in July 1969)

This story would mark the return of Roy Thomas as co-writer, one could say that by 1969 Thomas was a well established writer for Marvel with good strong runs on Nick Fury, Doctor Strange, the Sub-Mariner, the Avengers and the X-Men. He had co-written the Hulk strip before with Bill Everett and Archie Goodwin, (seen in  MWOM #53 and #54,) but in two week's time he would be solo at the typewriter for a good run. At this period in Marvel history Thomas, in my opinion, would be the best comic book writer. He would help lift the Hulk up to better heights. 

This week's title wouldn't reflect the Hulk position as he, under the persuasion of Maximus, takes on the newly arrived US army, with the Evil Inhumans letting the Hulk do all the heavy hitting. Next week's second half may show more of them. It's quite common for showdowns between the army and the Hulk, this one doesn't tire. There is a point in which Timberius wishes to finish off the Hulk as he seems to have beaten the American troops, but Maximus hold them back, ordering the Hulk to smash the command plane. Inside the plane General Ross, Major Talbot and a stow-away -Betty Ross are in danger, but does the Hulk sense Betty's presence? Only winging the aircraft. The outcome will have to wait till next week, as the story stops without any "Next week" text just before Daredevil's adventure starts on the very next page.

Daredevil "In mortal combat with...Sub-Mariner!"

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Wally Wood 

Inker: Wally Wood

Originally published in Daredevil #7

Cover date April 1965

(Published in February 1965)

 The chronological order of these Daredevil stories should have had this tale appear before Daredevil's return in MWOM #69, instead a retelling of DD's origin story was used, that continued into issue 70, which ended with Daredevil in his new red suit. (Daredevil appeared on the cover of #69 in the red uniform even though in that issue he wore the red and yellow original one. I should have mention that in that blog, I've since corrected it.) In this story Daredevil dons his new red togs (chronologically, well at least to US readers,) for the first time. There's even a mention that DD has redesigned his fighting costume to make it more comfortable and distinctive. It must have been a little strange for British fans reading that, as they had already seen it in issues 71 to 74. What is also slightly strange is that the captain of a USAF spotter plane knows it's Daredevil in the new costume. Wally Wood must get the credit for the quintessential red Daredevil costume, It's iconic and by far the best. 

This story is mostly about the Sub-Mariner, which is probably why it was held back as the Atlantean Prince would appear fighting the Hulk in MWOM #71 and #72 , then opposing Attuma in the Fantastic Four story from MWOM #73 and #74. The Sub-Mariner could have appeared in all three stories of issues 71 and 72 if British Marvel had printed them in order. Too much Namor? Possibly. The Prince of Atlantis wants to find a peaceful way to reclaim his people's place on the surface legally by engaging the services of a lawyer. So by sheer random coincidence, he chooses the law firm of Nelson and Murdock. As you can imagine things don't go to plan. Which ultimately means let's start the action. 

The Mighty Marvel Mailbag   

Frank Murphy from Glasgow writes suggesting that if all the readers who wrote into Marvel complaining about the lack of Marvel heroes on television wrote to their local programme controller they might get somewhere with it. Gail Rees from Watford didn't like the old black and white with tinted green pages as they used to stain her fingers. Robin Schafer RFO, KOF, FFF and FOOMer wants to make four points, the first (and most important to him,) is remove the stupid writing off the top of the page. I have to agree it was pointless. His second point is he wants to see model-kits for Marvel characters. His third point bring back mini posters and his final point is have offers for back issues. The next writer, simply known as Eugene, thinks that British Marvel only prints the old boring (his words not mine,) American editions and wants to see Conan, Kull, Dracula, SHIELD, the X-Men and the Silver Surfer. He also thinks British Marvel should start doing British Heroes in their comics like Michael Moorcock's Dorian Hawkmoon or John Norman's Earl Cabot. The editor thinks that it would be a great idea but give them time. Will they, well the future will tell. Simon Cockett from Buckinghamshire thinks that "WANTED" posters for Marvel Super-villains, like Doctor Doom would be cool. Marc Waller wants to know what words like "BDAMMBDOOMPROOMM!",  "WHAM!" and "SPTOK!" mean? Oh them crazy Marvel Letterers! 

John Keable from Suffolk doesn't want the Hulk to have all the comic so that the Fantastic Four only get "squashed" into four pages. Waynne Ellis from Plymouth asks will the Hulk appear on TV? How long before Daredevil returns? And when will the Silver Surfer appear? I'll answer with future vision and hindsight, in the late 70's, he's here right now and lastly, later this year in the Fantastic Four, early next year in his own comic strip in the Super-heroes comic. Paul Haigh from Lincolnshire who's not a Hulk fan, praises the FF, the X-Men and Daredevil. Ross Daniels all the way from Australia thinks that MWOM is the best comic in the world. It's strange that I always considered that Australia would get US editions and not British Marvels. British Marvel would regularly receive letters from Australia, New Zealand and parts of Africa. Did they not get US editions, or was it cheaper to send mail to the UK?

Fantastic Four "Calamity on the campus!"

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Chic Stone 

Originally published in The Fantastic Four #35

Cover date February 1965

(Published in November 1964)

     

 British continuity is back on track with US continuity as the Fantastic Four take a trip to the State University where Reed Richards first meet Ben Grimm, and also Victor Von Doom. It's quite a playful issue with the Uni-kids enjoying meeting the celebrity super-heroes as Reed is to deliver a lecture.  Also in attendance is Professor Charles Xavier and Scott Summer, who at this time haven't received their secret identities to the FF since they last saw them in MWOM #57 and #58. Another Professor at the University is Professor Gilbert who is performing some extra curricular experiments with an artificial construct he calls the Dragon Man. 

Also visiting the campus is Peter Parker, there to look around and see if he might like to join after leaving high school. As regular Spider-man readers would have already seen, he attends the Empire State University instead way back in SMCW #25. Johnny is a little frosty towards Peter, remembering the time Johnny's girlfriend tried to get a little too friendly with him in SMCW #15. 

Making his way into the story is the alchemist Diablo who frees himself from the tomb where the FF imprisoned him in, as seen in MWOM #62. Seeking revenge on the foursome Diablo enlists Professor Gilbert and his creation, breathing life into it with one of his potions. Much like Baron Von Frankenstein and his creation. Ben bored of listening to Reed giving a lecture to the gathered campus, wonders down the corridor near Gilbert's lab and hears a disturbance. Investigating it he discovers Diablo and the now animated Dragon Man. Find out what happens next, next week!

All three mags get a competition teaser promising prizes that are "Adventure making things", "exciting things" and "make life worth living things!" What they are will have to wait till next week for all to be revealed.

Comicdom's newest sensations Giant Man and go-go dancers, what's not to love.

Spider-man Comic Weekly #56

It's not the most inspiring cover by Ron Wilson and Mike Esposito showing the police shooting at Spider-Man as he webs up a group of criminals. Only thing of notice is one of the police bullets graces Spidey's back. which doesn't happen in this story. Oh and the Brainwasher's "Army of Crime" gets a mention on the cover, but nowhere else. 

Spider-man "The brand of the Brainwasher!"

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: John Romita Sr and Don Heck

Inker: Mike Esposito

Originally published in the Amazing Spider-man #59

Cover date April 1968

(Published in January 1968)

This weeks story starts off with what might look like a continuation of the events from the cover as Spider-man is cornered by the police, which might have been the inspiration for the cover design, with the criminals added to make a parent friendly "shop window" version. Editors wouldn't want to show our hero in a bad light.How many parents get past the covers before they let their kids read it? In saying that I bet some kids had to prise it from their hands because they hadn't finished reading it first. Peter visits Aunt May in hospital and has to come up with a convincing story about his disappear over the last couple of days. Using a story crafted by a certain editor of the Daily Bugle, Peter convinces the authorities that Spider-man had kidnapped him while he was taking picture of him for a photo assignment for the Bugle, adding that Spidey had claimed to have lost his memory and was persuaded by Doctor Octopus into becoming his partner. Peter's story finishes with the web-slinger freeing him after he had recovered his memory, matching up with Captain Stacy's own theories. 

Captain Stacy wants to gather more information from Peter's first hand observations so he shows him  film evidence that leads to the Captain's theory that our hero is driven by some inner compulsion to do good. Gwen arrives home to show Peter just how much she's missed him. Gwen and Peter head off to the legendary Coffee Bean Bar to meet up with Harry Osborn, whose persona has changed since last time we saw him from mad at Peter to glad to see Peter. Is this a sign of Harry's future problems and personality changes fuel by substance abuse?

When Peter asks about Mary Jane, Harry tells them that she's got a job at the Gloom Room A-Go-Go as a dancer and photographer. That club is just a cover for an unseen crime boss, simply known as the Brainwasher, who's employed a scientist to create a machine that can control the minds of others to doing his bidding. Mary Jane is instructed to in-between dancing, take photos of the clubs clients sitting at certain tables with a special camera. This must have something to do with the Brainwasher's machine but if it is we'll have to find out how next week, when we'll also find out "the secret identity of the baneful Brainwasher!"

A full page teaser for the second half of this week's Spider-man adventure in which we're asked "is Spidey out of action?", "What is the Brainwasher's fiendish plot?" and "How does Captain Stacy fit in to it all?" Next week reveals all as we also find out "Who the Brainwasher really is!"

Jonah Jameson's deadly Spider-slayer, not the John Romita Sr re-designed one but the Steve Ditko version. This page was originally published as part of the "A gallery of Spider-man's most famous foes!" feature from the Amazing Spider-man Annual #2, cover dated October 1965, published June 1965. Written by Stan Lee, drawn by Steve Ditko. 

The Web and the Hammer

James Lillington has a brainwave that both MWOM and SMCW should only be 28 pages each and feature 20 pages of the Hulk in one and 20 pages of Spider-man in the other. Two pages of letters in each. Two new comics could then be created with Thor headlining one and the Fantastic Four the other. He goes on to mention colour in the mags and if black and white pages had to be used the shading shouldn't be over done. Michael Stanworth from Cheshire enjoyed the Lizards appearance in the pages of SMCW #38 and also liked the reptile's appearance on TV. Michael must have seen the Spider-man cartoon that was broadcast in some regions of the UK. Dean Morris from Kent lives his life the Marvel style with his room plastered with Marvel posters and is a member of FOOM. David Fanning also from Kent, who's also a FOOM member is eagerly awaiting his third FOOM magazine. 

Simon Marks prefers Spider-man's fights over the Hulk, as the green goliath's battles go on too long while Spider-man's are spread out but also more interesting. Paul Johnson FOOM, RFO, KOF, FFF from Hertfordshire is an old Marvelyte who used to collect the Fantastic and Terrific mags from the late 60's. David Robinson from Salford gets all three weekly mags but Spider-man is his favourite. He searched all over Manchester to get a copy of the Spider-man LP without any success. That's hard as outside of London, I think Manchester be the best place to pick up that rare gem. John Thirkettle from Ipswich also gets all three weekly mags with SMCW being his favourite too, although the Avengers is catching up to it. He thinks Spidey should make himself a light-weight bullet-proof jacket. But where would the thrill of his acrobatic bullet dodging come from? 

Iron Man "Iron Man versus Kala,Queen of the Netherworld!"   

Writer: Stan Lee and Robert Bernstein

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Don Heck

Originally published in Tales of Suspense #43

Cover date July 1963

(Published in April 1963)

   

After some very forgettable enemies over the weeks, Gargantus, Doctor Wierd , the Mad Barbarian and the Actor anyone, Iron Man takes on a villainess you might remember in years to come, mainly because she would return in other stories, but also because she was pretty hot! While testing a new aircraft in a wind tunnel at one of Starks labs the controls malfunction causing the turbine to generate a "tornado force" winds. Iron Man arrives and stops it by smashing it, as you do. Changing into his civilian identity, Stark inspects the damage. Just as a Guard and a technician disappear before his eyes, quickly followed by the playboy/inventor. 

The two men had been kidnapped by mistake as Kala, Queen of the Netherworld, had intended to only kidnap Stark. Kala tells him that her descendants had come from the legendary city of Atlantis, that aeons ago had sunk into the ocean by a gigantic tidal wave and would have been destroyed but for a protective dome created by their scientists. The city had tumbled to the bottom of the sea but the city and its people survived. Over the years it sank through the ocean floor until it reached the core of the planet, resting in a Netherworld. Over time its civilisation became more barbaric I guess as even those advance scientist never passed on their knowledge because Kala wants Stark to find a way to gain enough power to send her forces to the surface so she might conquer the world. It's quite a typical Lee/Kirby story from that period, better than the other Iron Man tales, (apart from the first one that is,) I kind of like the way this one is going. Will he agree to her demands, will I like the second half? Find out next week.

Very soon controversy will play out among fans of British Marvel from the 70's. Possibly as big as dropping Daredevil from Mighty World of Marvel and giving Hulk two stories per week. As big as smaller page counts or glossy covers. It could be up there with the divisive format changes like "landscape" weeklies or even Dez Skinn's Marvel Revolution take-over. Coming soon to the Avengers weekly a new hero disrupts the balance of content in "Britain's greatest" weekly! It will kick up a storm, some will like, others won't. 

Coming soon: Shang-Chi Master of Kung Fu!

Notice that the advert is here and not in the Avengers mag. Was it the editors way to break it to them gently?

The Mighty Thor "Whom the gods would destroy!"

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Vince Colletta

Originally published in The Mighty Thor #126

Cover date March 1966

(Published in January 1966)

 

This is what you want to see from a Thor adventure, a long awaited clash of titans between Thor, the God of Thunder and Hercules, the Prince of Power, drawn by the King of comics Kirby. In Asgard the All Father Odin is still not pleased with his son. What better way to release that suppressed pressure than watch a battle of the century between his son and the Greek god.   

Its panel after panel, on page after page of hammer on mace action. Hercules gives as much as he gets from Thor. Is it intellectually stimulating? Well may be not, but it is exciting and a kid from the 70's would just love it as much as this middle-aged man(some would say old man,) does. But who walks away the victor? Next week has the answer.

Two more triumphs from Marvel on sale this week, the Mighty World of Marvel that we've already seen. And the latest issue of the Avengers featuring the return of the new look Giant Man in "Among us walks a Goliath". Let's take a closer look at the new look outfit now.

The Avengers #25

This cover is pretty much unchanged from its first appearance  as the cover of the Avengers #28, US edition, by Jack Kirby with Frank Giacoia adding the inks. Solo images taken from this cover have been used various times in posters and features. Most noticeable of them is of Hawkeye. Can you remember where? This cover is a good shout for Cover of the Week. It was a close one but the MWOM just pips it. Was I wrong with that decision? 

The Avengers "Among us walks a Goliath!"

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Don Heck

Inker: Frank Giacoia

Originally published in The Avengers #28

Cover date May 1966

(Published in March 1966)

The Avengers return to their mansion to find a message from Henry Pym regarding the missing Wasp and requesting picking up quickly in a "Rocket-jet air car". To press the need for urgency Pym confides in the Avengers that he is really their former teammate Giant Man. Cap sends Hawkeye to pick him up, which he does with slightly less kick back than normal. Could the archer be getting more comfortable with his standing in the Avengers ranks? 

Another radio message alerts the Avengers that the Wasp has been captured by the Collector and if they want to see her again they must all come to an address he gives them. Pym wants to go with them, as none of the Avenger knew Giant Man's true identity Pym is asked to prove he is who he says he is. The reason why Pym retired from the Avengers was the constant changing in size started to put a strain on his body. But as long as he remains under 25 foot for only fifteen minutes and doesn't change any sooner or later his body would be able to cope with the strain. The Scarlet Witch just so happens to have made a costume out of special stretch fabric just for Giant Man if he ever returned, which is a bit weird, does she have outfits for the other Avengers too? All made to their sizes and styles? Well I suppose it's good to have a hobby. Donning his new costume and displaying his size changing ability the Avengers set off to fine the Wasp. After waiting the fifteen minutes needed for the newly named Goliath to resume his normal size and fit in their "Rocket-jet air car"

The Collector looks like a strange old man, in much later stories we'll learn that he's much more than that, as one of the oldest living beings in the Universe the Collector is a member of the Elders of the Universe, immortals from the dawn of time, one of the first to evolve after the Big Bang. We've already seen his "Brother" the Stranger, fighting the Hulk in MWOM #37, but we wouldn't know about their connection till many years later. The Collector's passion in life is collecting the rarest things. In this story he want's to add the Avengers to his collection, so he employs a mind controlled Beetle to help him "collect" them. The Avengers are easily captured but the Collector doesn't recognise Giant Man in his new identity. Quickly growing Goliath frees himself and the other Avengers. The Collector must use weapons and two giants from his collection to battle the freed Assemblers. Cornered and admitting defeat the Collector and the Beetle escape using a Time Machine, again part of his collection of prize objects. 

The Scarlet Witch frees the remaining Avenger and over-joyed to see the Wasp again Goliath shrinks down to normal size. Remaining giant-sized for too long followed by the strain of sudden shrinking causes Goliath to collapse. From now on the giant Avenger is stuck at ten feet tall.

It feels good to have both the Wasp and Giant Man/Goliath back in the Avengers. "Cap’s Kooky Quartet" was fine but never felt powerful enough to have held the title of "Earth's Mightiest Heroes!" This version of the group feels more rounded. I can't wait to read next week's adventure where the new Avengers must face the return of Power Man, the Swordsman and a new "villainess", the Black Widow.

Avengers Mailbag

Stewart Cunningham from Berkshire wants to see some more of the Black Knight and his winged horse, want's Rick Jones to become an Avenger and wants more mags from Marvel Comics Limited. Philip Hopkins from Oldham, it says in Lancashire, but nowadays it's in Greater Manchester, is another reader who doesn't like the text used at the top of every page. He also doesn't like Doctor Strange and wants the Silver Surfer to replace him. I agree with the editor that the Surfer does have a growing fan club but the Doctor has an impressive following too, of which I'm one. Glyn Jones RFO from Wigan, a writer that will pen many a letter to British Marvel, writes acclaiming that the Avengers in MWOM issue 46 to 48 was first class. He also asks will the Sub-Mariner, Warlock, the Black Panther, the Defenders, Marvel Team-up, Iron Man, Captain America, Ant-Man and the Wasp or the X-men feature? That's a lot of heroes, but strangely enough they will make appearances in these weeklies with in a year, so I guess it's good to keep asking. G. Snape from Lancashire thinks the Avengers is great.

Pete Taylor RFO, KOF from Wiltshire has been a Marvel fan for over three and a half years and wants to discuss three counts of discrimination. The first is Racial Discrimination, in this case to us Brits. Pete admits that British Marvel has only just got off the ground but in FOOM very little is mentioned about British Marvel, there's no mention in the check list and an offer for 12 colour posters isn't available to overseas fans, with the words "AMERICA ONLY" in big letters seen in the ad. His second point is Age Discrimination, Examples of this is that age is always asked in competition forms and why are all the prizes aimed at younger readers? He adds that book or record tokens would please any winners. His third example is of Size Discrimination, suggesting that offers for T-shirts in the British mag stop at 32". I understand his logic but are his points all fair? Like the editor replies FOOM is mainly from the American side of the partnership, later it does include stuff about the UK. The competition's in these weeklies have also given away a Spider-man LP, a television and one pound a week money. As for size the cost of stocking every size would be colossal, more kids would want to wear a Hulk T-shirt than adults. Of course kids from the 70's nowadays wear all kinds of Marvel T-shirts in their senior years. Paul Jordan from Birmingham asks if you was to kill a spider would Spider-man mind? As a bit of a hippy I have to say why kill anything? Apart from flys and wasps, they're a real pain in the arse. 

Doctor Strange "When meet the mystic minds!"  

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: Steve Ditko

Inker: Steve Ditko 

Originally published in Strange Tales #137

Cover date October 1965

(Published in July 1965)

Unable to learn the secret of Eternity, the only thing that can save the life of his mentor, Doctor Strange must probe the mind of the Ancient One. But to do that he must combat his own master's mystic defences, which have been set up to bar those who seek to probe his mind. Getting through walls of defence after defence the Doctor, with some effort, finally meets mind with the Ancient One, who now believing that Strange is truly his trusted disciple reveals the secret of how to contact Eternity. 

Traveling to a lone peak in the mountains, Doctor Strange repeats the mystic incantation that accesses a doorway inside his Eye of Agamotto. Before it fades Strange swiftly passes through it. Baron Mordo arrives on the location just seconds after the portal disappears, vowing that he will find him and destroy him forever! This saga may well be long, some might say drawn out, but I have to say I'm enjoying it with every passing week. 

I love these "next week" teasers, I'd come back for more after seeing them. In next week's issue we are promised "Danger" as the deadly Black Widow plots against the Avengers, "Action" as Captain America must take on the Swordsman in a no holds barred rematch and "the stunning fate of Goliath!" Marvel weeklies you got me at "action"! I really do love them!

The final page of these Marvel triumphs goes to an in-house advert for this week's Spider-man Comics Weekly and the Mighty World of Marvel. Offering a preview of this week's Hulk strip, in colour. It looks great but isn't it a little tormenting too as British readers would be slightly disappointed when they open up the mag to find it in black and white? Colour or black and white these mags are cracking good reads, imbedded in the minds of a generation for decades to come. They were the best of times. Till next week then...

See you in seven.

Make Mine Marvel.