There's a Starman waiting in the sky!

 Week Ending 28th September 1974

The Mighty World of Marvel #104

The Mighty World of Marvel sports the only original US cover this week, I've got to be honest I think it's a bit colourless and bland. Herb Trimpe's artwork is zoomed in slightly from the original which does take some of the spectacle away from it. It's not a CotW for me.

The Incredible Hulk “Vengeance is mine!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Herb Trimpe

Inker: Mike Esposito

Originally published in The Incredible Hulk #137

Cover date March 1971

(Published in December 1970)

We finally get to see the Captain of the Andromeda, a half alien half machine who has been on a quest to destroy Klaatu ever since as a young "Harpooner" he had dared stalk the accursed creature alone. Klaatu had torn his craft asunder, causing the youth to drift towards a sun with the only protection was his personal "air-shield" which allowed him to breathe, but offered little protection against the sun's radiation. It's a clever idea, riffing off the Moby Dick novel's Captain Ahab, where the sea beast took the Captain's leg in a previous encounter, but my disbelief that his body just didn't rotate in space at all, questions the perfect half body burns. Still it looks great so why let scientific fact get in the way of a good visual.

Later in his cabin the Hulk suddenly reverts back into Bruce Banner, just as Klaatu is sighted. Even without the Hulk's great strength, Banner is put aboard one of the hunting vessels to row with the Abomination and the other aliens on Captain Cybor's craft while Xeron pilots the other. Cybor's lust for revenge again takes them dangerously close to the space beast when both crew snare the giant beast, who rives in pain, lashing out at Cybor's craft. Cybor is flung onto the behemoth's back as the Abomination see's his chance to destroy the Hulk who's still in human form, but not for long as he transforms into the green brute. The Sun's gravity pulls Klaatu with his tormentor Captain Cybor towards their fated demise. I've got to say I love the simple but beautiful way Trimpe draws their fate, as they get closer and closer to the Sun until they are nothing more than a spot. Quite rightly Roy Thomas leaves those panels free of any text, there simply isn't any need for it. With Captain Cybor dead the Andromeda and its smaller vessels cease to function, leaving the second craft adrift with the crew knowing that their meagre "Air-shields" will fail sooner than later. 

"Air-shields", alien translators, space craft powered by solar powered sails and oars that can catch the light from distant stars, half human cyborgs and an intangible star beast all proving that my suspension of believability has been firmly put to one side, two gamma spawned monsters clash in the coldness of space, with an incredible blow from the Hulk strikes the Abomination sending them apart until the Earth's own gravity pulls the pair towards it's verdant bosom. Thomas ends with a magical scene as a father and daughter witness two shooting stars in the night sky. Perfect for making a secret wish upon. The girl thinks they look more like men who fell off a star and couldn't get back. Never let scientific fact get in the way of a beautiful story with stunning art, sometimes a little bit of fantasy can fill your heart with love and wonder. 

Bullpen Bulletins

This week's Bullpen Bulletin offers us "Earth-shattering essays, eloquent epithets and exaggerated endorsements which you can easily live without!" but you'll still want to read any way. In a Special to the Mighty World of Marvel it's old villain week with the Hulk fighting the Abomination and Daredevil against the Owl. The Owl was the first super-powered super-villain old DD fought. We're told the thinking behind the naming of some of the Inhumans. With Stan's love of Greek mythology came the names of Gorgon and Medusa. Gorgons were winged, snake-haired creatures who had the power to turn men to stone, an inspiration for one of Thor's foes, the Grey Gargoyle too. In legend they were female, although Stan felt that 'Gorgon' sounded more masculine, so he used it for the name of the foot-stomping Inhuman. Medusa was the only mortal gorgon and was saved for the scarlet-haired lady whose living tresses were an off-shoot of the same myth. Triton's name was derived from the mythological demigod of the sea. Black Bolt's name was influenced by a Jack Kirby character he drew in the Golden Age entitled "Blue Bolt!" Karnak is named after a town in central Egypt notable because it houses the temple of Amon. The next Item is a quick plug for the 80 page 1975 Marvel Annual that was due to be released in the Autumn of 1974. It would be overflowing with the Hulk strips with a guest appearance from a certain Silver Surfer. A second Special to the Mighty World of Marvel informs the readers why there isn't any news on the winners of the Marvel-Meccano Bonanza this week, even though both SMCW and the Avengers weekly do feature the winners. It turns out that MWOM goes out to press a few days earlier than the other two and the results of that competition missed the deadline. MWOM is printed in Finland while the other two are printed in Dublin in Ireland as I mentioned last week. MWOM readers would have to wait till next week's issue to find out if they won, or buy the other two. I'll look at Stan's Soapbox in the Avengers weekly Bullpen page.

The Mighty Marvel Mailbag

Andy Jurkewics from Coventry is a Marvelyte of six years who with each week he gets the three weeklies and the US editions of Amazing Spider-man, the Avengers, the Hulk,  the Sub-Mariner, FF, Tomb of Dracula, Werewolf by Night, the X-Men, Thor, Conan, Kull, Ghost Rider, and Dracula Lives! He, like last week's SMCW The Web and the Hammer letter writer, Dean Morris, has spotted the missed "The name of the dame is Medusa" from SMCW #62. Andrew Fansford from Notts asks (for the millionth time) about broadcasting Marvel TV shows in the UK, because there are already on American TV. Stephen Edwards from Birmingham writes requesting more adverts for FOOM, posters and Marvel Patches. Carl Bateman from Staffordshire is concerned about the irregular arriving of MWOM in the newsagents. The editor believes those problems are a thing of the past.

Paul King RFO, KOF, FFF, and hopefully TTB, QNS from Bristol complains about the lack of US mags in his area, the faded print in some of the weeklies and the price increase of 7 pence. His suggestion he offers are, bring out super-hero models, more colour in the British weeklies, "Comic Savers" in the UK and a new UK weekly horror comic starring Dracula, Werewolf and Frankenstein. Now that's an idea! The reply to his last suggestion is "Look hard in the right shops. Seek well and ye shall find." Steven Gannon RFO, KOF and hopefully QNS, writes what seems to be a critical letter, complaining about the artwork in the 1974 Marvel Annual making the Hulk look too babyish, as well as adding that Daredevil is "soppyish", Shang-Chi is a barefooted creep and the Fantastic Four are for people with no taste! At the same time he conceives that the FF are far too popular and should be dropped with the Silver Surfer replacing them. It's a very negative letter from Steven, is there anything positive to mention? Well no. Russell Wall from Sheffield offers a more positive view of Marvel stating that Marvel writers are the "Creme d'la creme!" Russell is also a writer, his English project he has chosen to do is "The history of the comic book" which traces comics from the 1930's pulp magazines to the refined mags of today. His title for the 1960's section is "The Marvel age of comics."

Daredevil “Blind Justice!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Frank Giacoia

Originally published in Daredevil #20

Cover date September 1966

(Published in June 1966)

Matt Murdock is escorted to the Owl's Airie, where the criminal Owl has planned a mock trial with Murdock representing Judge Lewis. The judge that tried to convict the Owl when he was last arrested. Murdock agrees to play along with the sham, calling his first witness. The Owl humours Murdock when he says he must find the witness outside the old castle walls. The blind lawyer asks for help in searching for a witness as his disability and unfamiliarity with the island makes it an impossible task.

The Owl gloats at the blind lawyer's attempt at making his way to the door, noting that the castle's grounds are filled with crags, crevices and pits of quagmire making it impossible for a blind man to escape. The trusting criminals give Murdock the chance to change into Daredevil. Soon the castle door starts to open with a red gloved hand. Charging in the man without fear attacks the Owl and his men. It ebbs and flows with Gene Colan's art making it an interesting fight, however the page count is running out so to draw this week's strip to a conclusion the Owl manages to spring a cage trap on to the stunned hero, ending with the verdict of the trial being  death to both Daredevil and Judge Lewis.

 

The Fantastic Four “Then came Galactus!”

 

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Joe Sinnott 

Originally published in The Fantastic Four #48

Cover date March 1966

(Published in December 1965)

Sadly the original title for this strip "The coming of Galactus!" wasn't used last week or even this week, which would have fitted well with this second part, a shame really. The opening splash page does make great use of the original cover art from Fantastic Four issue 48, although this makes a slight continuity slip as the Watcher has yet to appear. Last week ended with an angry mob attacking the Human Torch as they believed he was responsible of the fire filled sky. His teammates rescue him as the burning flames disappear.

The group go to the Baxter Building to investigate the strange phenomenon, only to have a new spectacle to blank out the sky, some sort of space debris covers the heavens. Sue goes to inform Reed of the latest situation, only to find that he has a strange visitor. The Watcher has been using a "Matter mobiliser" to form an artificial shield to hide the Earth from the vision of the Silver Surfer, the advanced scout for Galactus. 

The strange space debris actually creates suspicion in the Surfer who penetrates the rocky barrier that was concealing the Earth. With no regard for the human race the Surfer sends a message to his master that he has located a planet full of energy that will feed the Great Devourer. Soon a Universe-spanning Sphere enters the Earth's atmosphere zeroing in on the Silver Surfer's signal. From an opening in the sphere comes testing devices, alien equipment and a giant alien god who declares that his journey has ended and that the planet will sustain him until it has been drained of all elemental life! So speaks Galactus! It's an incredible tale that does not need me to describe, far better to read it for yourself because it's a perfect example of a Stan Lee/Jack Kirby classic. More mind-staggering scenes of fantasy, super-galactic grandeur and soul-searing spectacle in the might Marvel manner next week.

The inside back page, top half shows the Fantastic Four at the "Marvel Computer Headquarters" sorting through the winning entries for the big Meccano prizes. The Invisible Girl tells readers that they can see the winning entries in week's Spider-man Comics Weekly and the Avengers weekly. 

Under that announcement Frog advertises their 1/72 kit of the Fairley Swordfish MK1. A must for all model building fans.

Spider-man Comics Weekly #85

This Spider-man vs. Shocker cover by Ron Wilson (pencils,) and Mike Esposito (inks,) is functional and bright but also a little bland. It's strange that the original US Romita Sr cover wasn't used this week or last week, but at least it wasn't wasted as we'll see later. One thing from that cover which does get used in this one is the tagline "Rocked by the Shocker!" Can't see that catchphrase catching on. 

Spider-man “The shock of a lifetime!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: John Romita Sr

Inker: Jim Mooney

Originally published in the Amazing Spider-man #72

Cover date May 1969

(Published in February 1969)

Here the Amazing Spider-man #72 cover finally is used as an opening symbolic splash page, although the heavy shading does spoil it. But before we can get into the web-swinging action we have to catch up with Jameson, who's still in hospital recovering from a breakdown only to be angry at the Bugle's latest headline which praises Spider-man for being a hero. 

Peter meets up with Gwen, who are both surprised to see Flash Thompson on leave from the army. However the harmless flirtatious remarks towards Gwen causes Peter lose his temper, which upsets both Flash and Gwen. Gwen makes a dig at Peter's disappearances whenever there's trouble before she  leaves Peter to mull over his current relationship problems. 

The best way Peter knows how to ease his issues is to pull on the red and blue long johns and take down a villain. In this case it's the Shocker who's on the end of Parker's pain. Spidey tracks the Shocker to an armoured van robbery, but before he can make off with the goods the web-slinger has beaten the stuffing out of the villain. A nice ending but you know there'll be more personal problems and super-foes for our hero to deal with next week.

Bullpen Bulletins

The Bullpen Bulletin page welcomes you "To the wonderful world of Marvel Madness" starting with a Special to Spider-man Comics Weekly a teaser is offered, Captain America will battle none other than his Avengers teammate Iron Man. Also some background to Thor's foes this week. Like the Thunder God the trolls are based on mythological legends. According to legend the giants of heathen myth lived in Jotunhelm were transformed into trolls. During the Twilight of the Gods, the Trolls aided by a wolf and a serpent scaled the Rainbow Bridge know as the Bifrost, causing it to shatter under their weight, creating the destruction of the near by world. However the trolls of popular superstition are stupid evil elves who dwell in mountain crannies and ramshackle huts. The lower Item is stated to be an advertisement to attract Marvel fans into becoming college collaborators in the hope they will spread the Marvel word across their campuses. Basically Marvel have decided to appoint their own college reps. These reps will receive a supply of mags each week and handle the sales of comics to their college friends. I've never heard of this, of course I was too young at the time, but did any readers become Marvel reps or know someone who did? A part time job and you get paid in comics, that sounds interesting. Stan's Soapbox will be reviewed in the Avengers Bullpen later in this blog.  

Iron Man “The awesome arrows of doom!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Don Heck

Inker: Don Heck

Originally published in Tales of Suspense #57

Cover date September 1964

(Published in June 1964)

A collage of last week's final two panels have their positions reversed to make an opening splash page for the second part of this Iron Man adventure. Hawkeye uses "rust" arrows to damage Iron Man's armour, allowing the archer time to escape. Of course Iron Man has spare parts that replace the damaged boot and glove, so he's soon sets about catching up with Hawkeye who is trying to rendezvous with the Black Widow. A "demolition" arrow stuns Iron Man but ricochets towards the Widow injuring her in the process. Hawkeye flees with her in his arms, escaping on a boat in the fog. It wasn't an earth shattering tale but it did start future connections between Hawkeye, Black Widow and Iron Man which will lead them into future classic adventures in the Avengers. So for that I'll give it a deserved read once again.

This Marvel Masterwork Pin-up was originally from the cover of Iron Man issue 1, cover dated May 1968, published February 1968, drawn by Gene Colan with Mike Esposito his inker. Fans of the Ultimate Graphic Novel Collection will recognise it as the cover art for the Classic VII issue, "The Invincible Iron Man The tragedy and the triumph." from 2014. Back in 1974 British readers would have to wait just over a year to read the story, "Alone against A.I.M!" that had this artwork as the cover. Spider-man Comics Weekly #138 week ending the 4th October 1975 to be exact.

The Web and the Hammer

Frank Gill from Essex translated the first letter of this week's TWatH mailbag from alien Martians, in which the said Martians wrote they should be awarded a No-Prize for spotting a mistake on the cover of SMCW #70 amongst other mistakes inside the mag. Robert Tandy from Bristol wants to become a member of FOOM. Mark Sykes from Yorkshire asks loads of questions like is the Sub-Mariner a goodie? Who's the Avengers' leader? Was Hawkeye once a baddie? Who is the current members of the Avengers? And what does MWOM and FOOM mean? The kind of questions that you could find out the answers to by reading the mags or taking the easy option and write to a Marvel letter page. Manzur Maula from Manchester has organised a "Poor Man's FOOM club" with his friends. Karl Chinnappa from Surrey raves about the Marvel record "The Marvel World of Icarus" which he bought for 50 pence. 

Trevor Bale questions who is mightier between Hercules and Thor, he makes some assumptions regarding their titles. Pointing out that Hercules is GOD of Power/Strength whilst Thor is PRINCE of Power. He says that a GOD beats a PRINCE. The titles I use are Thor God of Thunder, Hercules Prince of Power. But let's not get into that who is the strongest argument. Trevor wants to see Mister Fantastic battle the Elongated Man. He also asks who's more powerful Loki or Dormammu? Followed by a who would win between Spidey, Captain America, Black Panther, Doctor Strange, Dracula or Loki. What he needs is some Top Tump playing cards. Paul Sparks RFO, KFO from Birmingham tells readers that he finds it easy to get imported US mags at the shop in Birmingham City Centre.

The Mighty Thor “If death be my destiny!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Vince Colletta

Originally published in The Mighty Thor #138

Cover date March 1967

(Published in January 1967)

Thor battles Ulik to a standstill, below the surface of Earth, in the most action packed Jack Kirby style. After a brief pause in the conflict Thor stumbles across the Lady Sif entrapped inside a a strange transparent sphere. Placing Mjolnir on the ground so that he can best open her prison a Troll uses the Orb of Orikal to steal the enchanted mallet. Ulik and his troll troops abscond with Thor's hammer through a dimension tunnel, taunting Thor as they leave. Sif's mystic containment sphere dissolves freeing the Goddess. An Army of Trolls attack Asgard as the helpless Thunder God is left powerless on Earth, knowing that within 60 seconds he will become a mortal once again.

Both Spider-man Comics Weekly and the Avengers weekly feature the winners of the Marvel-Meccano Bonanza on their inside back pages. The winners entries were judged by Frank Dickens creator of "Bristow" from the Evening Standard, who you might remember co-judged the "Design a Marvel Character" competition back in April 1974. Ian Emes whose creation "The Twinkler" won him the over 16's age group prize in that competition and an unknown Sales and Promotion Director from Meccano Limited are also judges. So here goes a list of Runner-up winners who each win a Meccano/Dinky Toy consolation prize. "Moon Tractor" by Philip Murphy of Leicester, age 6. "The Space Explorer" by David Peters of Uckfield, age 11. "The Crawler" by Andrew Dring of Staffordshire, age 8. "The Destructor" by Carl Doran of Yorkshire, age 9. "Ambuse Boo-Boo Gun" by Richard Vincent of Kings Langley, age 6. "Cap Firing Tank" by Gerard Kelly of Wigan, age 7. "Magnetic Probe Factory" by Andrew S Mynheer of Oxford, age 13. "Weight Increasing Machine (WIM) by Rory Mcleish of Glasgow, age 12. "Explorer" byPaul Littlefair of Shrewsbury, age 12. "Multi-role Support Vehicle (MRSV)" by John Curran of Salford, age 15. "Hyperdrive Mason-Electron Capsule" by Peter Hogarth, age 10. "Power Restorer" By Martin J Groom of Essex, age 10. 

The Bonanza Prize winners get their creation displayed on both Spider-man Comics Weekly and the Avengers weekly back pages in wonderful full colour this week. First up the three "Under 8 age group" winners each get a Mogul truck. They are Mark Payle of Edenbridge, age 7, with "Doomcracker", Mathew Wells of Langford, age 6, with "Flying Linda" and Karen Lay of Norwich, also age 6, with the "Monster Flying Bus". The "Age 8-10" winners who each win a Meccano Multikit set are Tony Atahasio of Portsmouth, age 8, with "The Mole", Brian Dudgson of Ayrshire, age 10, with a "Hypotherma Space Traveller" and Laurie Stephens of County Antrim, age 10, with the "Electron Transformer". The Meccano Set No.5 winner is Steven Strokes of Plaistow, age 11, with his "Gizmotrono Gun". The Meccano Set No.6 winner is Sam Williams of Cornwall, age 12, with his "Biological Transceiver" and finally Tony Hennigan of Liverpool, age 16, wins the Meccano Set No.7 prize for his "Ultimate Mind Transporter" which is drawn in pretty good detail, he's also drawn the Fantastic Four having a good look around it. As for the top prize of the Super deluxe Meccano Set you, like me, will have to wait till next week to find out. No peeking now!

Avengers Weekly #54

This week's Avengers weekly cover is quite Strange. By that I mean that for the first time Doctor Strange features as the star of the cover and gets to share the comic's title, "The Avengers featuring Dr. Strange." Here's a little spoiler for the Doctor Strange part of this blog, I really think that the artwork design for Voltorg is rubbish! I'll give my reason for that later, but here on the cover it looks OK, may be even "good". I think that's because of the dynamics and positioning of it and the Doctor. Strange himself looks great. I quite like rotating the cover stars on this mag. The cover artist for the third week is Arvell Jones and this of those three is the best. The possible reason for that could be that he was assisted by Rick Buckler as confirmed to Jason Schachter from the Grand Comics Database, by the artist himself. Frank Giocoia inks the final art. The combination of artists and unusual choice of theme make it my Cover of the Week. On last thing about this cover, Voltorg talks, even though in the strip he has a face with a mouth, he never utters a word!

Iron Fist “Heart of the dragon!”

Writer: Roy Thomas and Len Wein

Artist: Larry Hama

Inker: Dick Giordano

Originally published in Marvel Premiere #16

Cover date July 1974

(Published in April 1974)

Iron Fist returns for a third week with the first part of his second story, Len Wein has replaced Roy Thomas as writer, although Thomas still has his fingerprints on the strip as he is co-plotter and editor. Larry Hama replaces Gil Kane as the penciler. Larry was born in New York to parents of Japanese ancestry, at a young age he had designs on becoming a painter, so he attended Manhattan's High School of Art and Design, with Frank Brunner and Ralph Reese, their instructor was former EC Comics artist Bernard Krigstein. Hama was involved in the Asian community also studying Kodokan Judo and later Japanese archery, known as Kyūdō and Japanese martial art swordsmanship known as Iaido. Which gave him a fantastic knowledge of martial arts that would be useful when it came to drawing this strip. From 1969 to 1971 Hama served in the US Army, even becoming a firearms and explosive ordnance expert during his Vietnam posting, which would become the inspiration for creation of the comic series "The Nam" (1986-1993) which Hama was the editor. Larry was also a bit of an actor, taking small rolls in M.A.S.H. and Saturday Night Live. Iron Fist would be Hama's third strip for Marvel, perviously drawing two small pieces for Crazy Magazine in issues 2 and 3, cover dated February and March 1974. 

The creative crew wasn't the only change to this strip, last issue Iron Fist was taking the trial of combat to gain immortality in the city of K'un Lun, with flashbacks to his parents on that fatal journey to reach the legendary city. This time Iron Fist is in the streets of New York searching for the murderer of his parents, Harold Meachum, with flashbacks meeting Yu-Ti, the leader of the Dragon-Kings and his training with Lei Kung. This makes a sophisticated plot device mirroring last week's strip. In New York a gang of thugs corner Iron Fist with hopes of claiming the "Ten G's" contract money for the capture or death of the man with the "dragon brand" on his chest. Iron Fist defends himself but one lucky thug chances on striking him from behind, the blow to the head causes Danny to recall his first meeting with Yu-Ti who asks the young Daniel is there anything he wants. The newly orphaned boy replies "revenge!" Yu-Ti answers the request with, "You ask the one thing we cannot give, my son..for revenge is a weapon that cuts two ways and cuts deep." Instead he offer a gift more precious and more lasting, introducing him to Lei Kung, the Thunderer, who will tutor the young Danny in the ways of the martial arts. 

Returning to the present Iron Fist recovers from the cowardly assault and quickly defeats the gang of thugs who flee. Iron Fist's thoughts consider again the memories of growing up in K'un Lun, mastering of the martial arts and the day he told Yu-Ti that he was grateful for his gift, but it wasn't enough. Yu-Ti offers him the chance to gain the Power of the Iron Fist. Daniel Rand would have to challenge the fire-belching serpent called Shou-Lao, the Un-dying, a Dragon-lord who is eternally condemned to guard the molten heart that had long since been torn from it's body and placed in a bubbling brazier inside the beast's temple.   

Using all his skill he fights the beast, searching for an advantage so that he may defeat the powerful serpent. With little moments to ponder a solution Danny questions how do you defeat a creature who can not be killed? His solution is to boldly hurl himself at the strangely shaped scar upon the dragon-lord's chest, through which Shou-Lao's heart had been removed. Through that scar the Undying One received mystic emanations that would sustain the creature for eternity, but by blocking it off the beast would perish. Danny used his own body to block the mystical energy, causing heat and unimaginable pain to blister and burn his flesh leaving a dragon shaped scar on his chest as a symbol of his reward. Triumphant he enters the cavern looking for the brazier that held the bubbling and pulsing heart of the dragon. Once found he raises his hands in respectful salute, steeling himself for the next chapter of his fate. More of this intriguing adventure next week with " The sound of the Scythe!" 

Bullpen Bulletins

This week's Bullpen Bulletin has to share the page with the Avengers mailbag. Short but sweet, let's get into it. Stan uses his Soapbox to feature a letter from Stephen C Nazzaro, the Co-chairperson of the Northern Educational Service Co-ordinating Committee from the University of Massachusetts.As an example of why comics are good for you, the letter starts by saying that a few years ago they requesting some subscriptions to Marvel Comics for use in their tutoring programme. Which they used as tutoring tools. Over 300 tutors and to all those enrolled in the programme-numbering close to 1,000, used them to teach. The tutors unanimously reported that when Marvel Comics were used with substandard readers or those with special reading difficulties, their ability to pronounce syllables and understand word meanings increased greatly. More importantly, reading of comics instilled a willingness to read in some of the more "stubborn" students that was never before present! For many, this was the first time in their lives that they actually enjoyed reading. Very little of the material available that is designed expressly to assist those with reading problems was as effective as Marvel Comics, or received such consistently positive endorsements. So there you go Marvel broadens the mind! In a Special to the Avengers weekly the editor asks what readers think about Iron Fist. I'm sure readers will tell them what they thought about him, whether good or bad, anyway.

Avengers Unite!

David Fisher QNS, RFO, KOF, FFF, PMM, from Kent writes in saying that in the Fantastic Four (US edition) #82 Karnak is said to be the greatest super-powered master of karate, but he asks who is best between Karnak and Shang-Chi? John Higgins from Liverpool (Could this be the artist/inker who worked on many Judge Dredd strips as well as inking Brian Bolland's "Killing Joke" and Dave Gibbons' Watchmen work? He was born in Walton, Liverpool and would have been studying at Wallasey College of Art in Birkenhead Merseyside around the time this letter was published. Who can say?) who questions does Captain America have the bouncing style and stamina to keep up with the Avengers at full speed as shown in the Avengers weekly #11? Paul Spencer from Surrey has spotted a mix up in pages of Avengers weekly #24, basically pages 18 and 19 got swapped. Jeremy Williams ROF, KOF from Swansea corrected the editor with the mistake they made, in which they said that Hercules made his debut in SMCW #53, when in fact he had previously fought the Hulk in MWOM #32. This week's last letter is another claim for a No-Prize, this time from John Sexton KOF, FOOMer from London, who says that the cover of the Avengers (US edition) #120 shows Aries as a white skin character, But he claims that Aries is commonly acknowledged as being of coloured skin, (John uses a term that wouldn't be acceptable these days, how times have changed.) I'm not sure where he got his knowledge from involving the Zodiac symbol for Aries is a Ram, which many classical artists paint as a white ram. Either way he doesn't get a No-Prize.

The Avengers “The valiant also die!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: John Buscema

Inker: Vince Colletta

Originally published in The Avengers #44

Cover date September 1967

(Published in July 1967)

Vince Colletta takes over from George Roussos as inker this week, I do prefer Roussos as John Buscema's inker, but realistically I shouldn't fault Colette's work here. You can still see lots of Buscema's fine detail so the change in inker didn't and still doesn't bother me. The Red Guardian gloats at the imprisoned Avenger, Hawkeye, and his lover the Black Widow. Showing the effects of the Psychotron on Hercules, Colonel Ling and General Brushov plan to develop the machine so that it may be used against the population of China and Russia's enemies. 

The Black Widow tries to convince the Colonel and General that she isn't a traitor to their cause, agreeing to take a polygraph test to prove it. The Widow passes the test and is freed, much to the joy of the Red Guardian who can see a future with his ex-wife as symbols of Russia's power. At the same time Hawkeye is left feeling depress, cheated and abandoned. Soon the Avengers arrive to save the day, but before they can do that they have to face a mass of Chinese troops, armed with advanced weaponry and equipment. Captain America falls into a trap that leads to a glass prison in the chamber where the Colonel, the General, the Red Guardian and the Widow are waiting. Stunned for only a second Cap shows that "plastiglass" isn't harder than his shield as he shatters it with ease. Next week things are really hotting up with "Escape from: the confines of death!"

Doctor Strange “Nothing can halt...Voltorg”

Writer: Jim Lawrence

Artist: George Tuska

Inker: Dan Adkins

Originally published in Strange Tales #166

Cover date March 1968

(Published in November 1967)

Last week I was prepared to give this story a chance to breathe, finding the pseudo 50's/60's sci-fi movie serial plot quite charming. I think I've swung the other way as that charm is starting to look quite cheap. This might be down to George Tuska taking over from Dan Adkins pencils. Adkins does still supply the plot and the inks to the artwork but today I'm finding it all a little lazy. Normally I'm fine with Tuska's art. Yandroth the scientist supreme commands his ultimate weapon, a robot he names Voltorg, to destroy Doctor Strange, while Yandroth flees with Victoria Bentley. Magic wins over science, making the robot Voltorg look like an ineffective man in a robot costume, especially when Strange defeats it by tricking it into crashing through a wall, causing it to collapse in a heap as it's arms and head fall off like a clown's car. Yandroth escapes with Victoria via a teleportation device. Doctor Strange quickly follows to find the destination of his enemy to be Stonehenge! And an image of his mentor the Ancient One in the stones. What's that all about? Find out next week with "The awesome answer!" 

The weird thing about this strip was I didn't like the look of it, plus the plot and dialogue was a bit lame. But I can't condemn it on the bonfires of disastrous strips. It was a glitch, I expect things to improve next week and a small part of me found some little charm in it to prove it wasn't a complete waste of time reading it. Sometimes the great and the good comes with the bad. Let's hope that next week's blog comes with pages and pages of greatness. I'm off to have a look round the Lakes International Comic Art Festival on Saturday, but I should be back for more nostalgic waffle next week, till then...

See you in seven.

Make Mine Marvel.