Lost in the comic Zone!

 Week Ending 9th November 1974

British Marvel weeklies in the autumn of 1974 were coming thick and fast. That intensity doesn't let up fifty years later when I come to blog about them, even more so how there's five mags to look at. So it's understandable that I miss out little details now and then, like the higher price of the Dracula Lives and Planet of the Apes two week's ago and last week's missing Hulk story! What missing Hulk story? Well issues 107 and 108 featured the Hulk story "Many Foes Has the Hulk!" from the Incredible Hulk #139 (US), so last week's MWOM should have printed he Incredible Hulk #140 (US), but that story, "The Brute... That Shouted Love... At the Heart of the Atom!" was a follow-up to the Avengers #88 (US), cover dated May 1971, published March 1971, "The Summons of Psyklop". Science-fiction writer Harlan Ellison wrote the plot for both comics with Roy Thomas completing both scripts. The Hulk story was probably dropped as the Avengers in that tale had featured a Clint Barton/Goliath, who had yet to take on that role, the Black Panther, the Vision who hadn't yet made their appearances in the UK version of the Avengers and the same goes for Captain America's fighting partner the Falcon. So MWOM jumped one issue of the US Hulk comic to #141. British readers would have a thirteen week wait to read those stories as they would be printed in MWOM #123, on the week ending 8th February 1975. Much later Marvel UK readers would also see that stories reprinted in MWOM volume 3 issue 32, cover dated 10th August 2005 and the following issue. The second part conclusion "Brute... That Shouted Love... At the Heart of the Atom!" was also printed as a back-up story in Marvel UK's "A Marvel Treasury the Avengers" special from the winter of 1982. Good now that's cleared up, or maybe not, let's take a look at the mags from this week in 1974.

 

The Mighty World of Marvel #110

I'm going to struggle picking the Cover of the Week, this week. It's not that they're all great, they aren't. Can't say they're all bad neither. In a bunch of average covers none standout. Take this Herb Trimpe cover, originally from The Incredible Hulk #141 (US), it's a very workable cover, but it doesn't really sell "rampaging Hulk action". It looks better on the US comic because the main characters are big and bold, in the UK version they look like they've been shrunk slightly, when you compare them to the size of the title logo.    

The Incredible Hulk “The coming of Doc Samson!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Herb Trimpe

Inker: John Severin

Originally published in The Incredible Hulk #141

Cover date July 1971

(Published in April 1971)

The blown up seventh panel from page twelve of last week's comic is used again as the opening page, it's a logical choice but really it doesn't please the eye. Especially when you turn over the page and behold Doc Samson as the new "Charles Atlas". The original US comic had numerous adverts for bodybuilding schemes, including a "Joe Weider" weight gain drink on the inside front page. Most Hulk opponents were big, ugly and stupid, (apart from the Leader and the Gremlin who were weedy, ugly and intelligent.) so Doc Samson was quite a change, being big, handsome and smart. 

Leonard Samson may have been teased and bullied as a small boy like Banner was, but he'd always dreamed of being a super-hero. Haven't we all? So a trip to a costume shop, a few sessions in the gym and Doc Samson was born. This kind of big, handsome and smart might have attracted Betty Ross, but anyway it was completely fair enough for her to want to thank him for saving her life as well as curing her one time groom of his monstrous alter-ego. as seen in MWOM #82, but Bruce Banner sees Betty spending time with Leonard Samson and rushes to a fatal conclusion. It's like with a theatrical farce were people make silly decisions that lead to comical disasters, I've always thought "why don't they discuss it before it gets worse". But that would make the whole piece pointless. In this story Banner's jealousy makes the forlorn scientist sneak into Samson's lab and use the Cathexis Ray Generator to regain the energy needed to turn himself into the raging Hulk. 

The Hulk goes onto another rampage so Samson gets a chance to don his "fighting togs" and dukes it out with ol' greenskin. A disciplined mind and incredible strength, maybe one thing but unlimited strength fuelled by uncontrollable rage tints the tables and the Hulk wins. But he doesn't win everything. Betty rushes forward to comfort her fallen friend, much to everyone's surprise, her father's, the Hulk's and mine included. Samson has a bruised pride, floored as a super-hero at the first time out, but Betty offers him a shoulder to lean on. Much to the Hulk's puzzlement as for the life of him he can't see how he's somehow lost, but for the life of him he can't be sure what. The story ends with this calm figure of the Hulk as the artist pulls slowly way with each panel leaving him in solitude. 

Okay! It's Charade time again for the second week of this competition! Remember for a chance of winning one of a number of prizes, including one of two colour TVs, two prizes of a pound-a-week pocket money for a year, one of ten LP's "The Spine-Chilling Tales of Vampirism" narrated by Christopher Lee, ten Marvel Calendars each signed by Stan Lee, or one of 50 Fantastic Four 100 page colour specials, in UK Marvel's latest competition. All you need to do is find a three-syllable word from fifteen sets of clues. It's a word you'll have heard and you have to decide just what the word is. Every weekly has two pairs of clues each week for three weeks. Each pair is different from the other comics but they all relate to the same word. Here's last week's MWOM clues again:-

Clue 1. Night and day I travel unceasingly. 

Clue 2. The last letter in my first syllable is a popular drink.

Here's this week's set of clues:-

Clue 1. I'm never short of space.

Clue 2. My second syllable is one of 26, but none of the other 25 is as popular.

More sets of clues in SMCW, the Avengers weekly, Dracula Lives and POTA. 

Daredevil “The glory of the Gladiator!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Frank Giacoia

Originally published in Daredevil #23

Cover date December 1966

(Published in October 1966)

The tenth page of the original US comic falls at a perfect place, making that splash page an ideal second half opening splash page for the UK comic. All that's needed is the bottom section removed so that a new title can be added at the top. A credit and story re-cap boxes are added to complete the look. Daredevil battles the Gladiator with the Masked Marauder watching on in the hope that this will insure the two fighters mutual destruction and win himself a place at the Maggia's top-table. He teleports the duo to a movie set, dressed to look like a Roman Colosseum, somewhere in Europe where the leaders of Maggia are having a meeting. The battle is pretty much matched until a caged lion is accidentally released. Daredevil saves the Gladiator who then ends the battle as it would be unhonourable to fight on. In the aftermath, the leaders of the Maggia deny membership to the Masked Marauders, but liking the Gladiator's style, they offer him a place in their organisation. Slightly wounded the man without fear wearily walks way, facing his next predicament being how does he get home from the heart of Europe? Well we'll find out next week.  

The Mighty Marvel Mailbag

The first letter is from the Hulk who has he's in hiding had to dictate this letter to Rick Jones from Sheffield. The Hulk, (or is it really his Yorkshire side-kick Rick?) points out eight errors from the many British Marvel mags he's read. I didn't know The Hulk could read, maybe Rick read them to him. Paul Collins QNS, KOF, from Liverpool, disagrees with J. Watts, whose letter printed in MWOM #96 in saying that MWOM had deteriorated and the Hulk should not be on the cover, he believes that the Hulk is fantastic and should be on the front cover at least once every two weeks. Nigel Vangrove (FOOMer) Shirley from Croydon buys all three weekly mags and the American ones too when ever he can but they are getting harder to find. He has also just received his "fistful of six posters", which he describes as "FAN-(that's me!)tastic!!!"

The Fantastic Four “Lost in the Negative Zone!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Joe Sinnott 

Originally published in The Fantastic Four #51

Cover date June 1966

(Published in March 1965)

The fourteenth page of the original US Fantastic Four comic makes a breath taking opening splash to the second half opening page, with Kirby's use of a psychedelic picture as the background to Reed Richards free floating adventurer who has crossed the limitless dimensions to reach the crossroads of infinity. But he's moments away from danger from the science and pseudo-science that is the Negative Zone. Richards is being pulled towards a matter/anti-matter death.

Pulling on his life line to signal the Thing to pull him back Reed hopes that his friend does just that. But the man who looks and acts like the Thing is an imposter who had been jealous of Richards achievement. Ricardo Jones/Thing hesitate to save Reed, however a change of heart, fuelled by a growing admiration changes his mind. He now has a chance to do something worthwhile by rescuing the man whose braveness and sacrifice in the name of science shames him. The life-line snaps! Jones/the Thing leap to grab it but his closeness to the dimensional gateway pulls him into the Negative Zone. Witnessing the wonder of a new dimension and feeling inspired by his realisation that Richards was a good person the fake Thing hurls Mister Fantastic back through the gateway to our world, sacrificing himself in the process. 

Back on Earth Ben Grimm changes back into the Thing. Rushing back to the Baxter Building the real Thing sees Reed and Sue morn their friend, only to then be filled with joy at seeing him safe and sound. The Fantastic Four's adventures continue next with their first meeting with the Black Panther. Ricardo Jones' next adventure continues in Alex Ross's Fantastic Four graphic novel "Full Circle." Cover dated November 2022, published September 2022 by Abrams ComicArts/Marvel. This story is a perfect single story that really doesn't need a sequel. But if there was going to be a sequel it could do far worse than Ross's homage to Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.

"How to be a comic book artist!"

Writer: Marie Severin

Artist: Marie Severin

Inker: Marie Severin

Originally published in Not Brand Echh #11

Cover date December 1968

(Published in September 1968)

A fun two page comedy filler showing the funny side to what it takes to be a comic book artist. The gags are funny but I imagine this satirical guide to finding success in the comic book industry could also be viewed as really good advice. 

Spider-man Comics Weekly #91

Now I really like this cover by John Romita Sr, originally used on the Amazing Spider-man #75. A somber image isn't what you expect from a cover of a British boys comic. It's a worthy piece of art, but just not a cover that is going to make the kids grab it off the shelf. 

Spider-man “Enter...the Lizard!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: John Romita Sr

Inker: Jim Mooney

Originally published in the Amazing Spider-man #75

Cover date August 1969

(Published in May 1969)

The sixth panel from page eleven of last week's mag gets the blown up treatment for this second half opening splash page and it really works. John Romita Sr's artwork can take that kind of close scrutiny and still come out looking great. Doctor Connors couldn't hold back his sinister transformation any longer and becomes the monster he loathes, attacking the Maggia hired help he makes a break for it and escapes.

Meanwhile Spider-Man has his own problems as he dukes it out with a revitalised Silvermane and his Maggia goons. Silvermane feels energised but with each blow he lays on the web-slinger the force he can throw behind each wallop loses weight and power. A shocked realisation forms on Silvermane's face, he's still getting younger by the minute. Spider-Man finishes off the rest of the Maggia gunmen and goes after the fleeing Silvermane. In a darkened room Spider-man is horrified to watch as the once fearsome crime boss de-ages past infancy until he finally becomes nothing but a memory. 

Leaving the room Spider-man hears voices through a door and discovers Martha and Billy Connors, both shocked but safe. 

The final page teases next week's adventure as Curt Connors ego struggles to gain hold over the reptilian mind of the Lizard. It's a battle he's losing as soon the Beast remains. This beautiful artwork from John Romita Sr shows he's a master of storytelling, ending with a hypnotic final panel of a close-up of the Lizards evil eyes. More like this please, oh yeah next week promises just that and much, much more.

Two more clues for the mystery word to go with last week's set of clues. 

Last week's pair were:-

1. Fat Folk should envy me, *cos i have no weight problem. 

2. My first syllable rhymes with "Hat".

This week's pair are:- 

Clue 1. The Russians named a magazine after one of my kind.

Clue 2. My second syllable? Stan Lee has two of them and Marvel has one.

More clues later in the Avengers weekly, Dracula Lives and Planet of the Apes.

Iron Man “The death of Tony Stark!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Don Heck

Inker: Dick Ayers

Originally published in Tales of Suspense #61

Cover date January 1965

(Published in October 1964)

 

Pepper and Happy are still suspicious of Iron Man having kidnapped Tony Stark, so they confront him directly. Happy even sneaks into Starks house. Stark manages to cover up his armour by hiding in bed and spinning a story to Happy that Iron Man has been looking after him. Only half convince Happy leaves. Stark dons his full armour once again, which is fortunate as a long range missile is fired at Stark's house, destroying it.

 Iron Man pretends that he was in the other wing from Stark when the missile hit, which makes Pepper even more suspicious of him. Iron Man investigates who fired the missile, tracking back to his arch-enemy, the Mandarin. The golden Avenger investigates the Mandarin's castle only to be hit immediately with a power beam that pulls him downwards towards a giant of a man known as Koto. Already weakened Iron Man falls to Koto who delivers him to the Mandarin, who like every other arch-villain wants to tell his enemy how he became the Mandarin. But that tale will have to wait till next week. 

The Web and the Hammer

Clifton Reddie RFO, KOF from London considers "Crisis on the campus" from SMCW #77 and #78 a "masterpiece", he had to read it five times before he could put it down! Clifton also adds that the US colour comics have arrived and they're even a month early! Michael Burry from Essex describes the Thor adventure in SMCW #80 as having a lack of imagination, as the contestants in competing for Odin's suit of Golden armour all seem to be humanoid, even though they are supposed to come from far distant galaxies and "lost" worlds. He asks "Surely it must be millions-to-one against that they would be all humanoid?" John Lane RFO from Shropshire gets all three weeklies every week and he thinks they're "Marvellous, fantastic, fabulous and terrific" However he hopes that the Iron Man stories over the next few months improve, as he hasn't gotten of to a good start.

The Mighty Thor “The scourge of the Super-Skrull!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Vince Colletta

Originally published in The Mighty Thor #142

Cover date July 1967

(Published in May 1967)

It's another chance for Jack Kirby to draw a high-octane battle between the mighty Thor and some super-powered heavy-weight. But first Lee and Jack have a little bit of fun as Thor unintentionally blocks the path of a motorcyclist, who boastfully challenges Thor to a race to see who is faster. Getting more than he bargained, Thor hops on the back of the bike and uses his mystical hammer to cause the bike to travel at super-speed and fly into the air. The biker conceives that Thor is faster.

Meanwhile, we find Loki on a barren world, to which he was banished to by Odin. Once more craving revenge against his half-brother, Loki plots, requiring a pawn to carry out his plan. Loki sends his astral form out into the universe to find the ideal foe to attack Thor. While on our world Jack Kirby thinks about who would be great to fight against the thunder god. It would be great to see the Fantastic Four fighting Thor, so Jack makes a smart choice and picks the Super-Skrull for Loki's next pawn. The Skrull who following his defeat at the hands of the Fantastic Four has been punished by being placed on menial patrols in space. Loki implants the idea that fighting and defeating Thor may regain face before his superiors, prompting the Super-Skrull to leave his post to seek out his new target. Arriving on Earth, the Super-Skrull demands that Thor show himself. Hearing of the chaos Doctor Don Blake changes into Thor and confronts the alien in a glorious battle as only Stan Lee and Jack Kirby can imagine. More mighty action next week.

Avengers Weekly #60

This cover is good but the original version from Doctor Strange #170 was so much better. What made that cover better was the ghostly Doctor Strange in his astral form coloured in white. Cover artist Dan Adkins.

Master of Kung Fu “The devil-doctor's triumph”

Writer: Doug Moench

Artist: Paul Gulacy

Inker: Al Milgrom

Originally published in Giant-Size Master of Kung Fu #2

Cover date December 1974

(Published in September 1974)

I was slightly disappointed last week when news came at the end of the Iron Fist story that he would be having a rest and that Master of Kung Fu would be returning. Some of the last Shang-Chi adventures had felt like quick stop gaps and in some cases the quality had dropped. Even from the opening splash page my worse thoughts were banished. Doug Moench is back handling the writing and the artwork is in the capable hands of Paul Gulacy. Larry Hanna did a great job on Iron Fist but I'll have Gulacy's martial arts magnificent artistry everyday. Shang-Chi is accosted out side a martial arts studio called "House of the White Tiger Kung Fu". The word "Goju" follows on the sign next to the name, which could have been a mis-spelling of "Dojo" which means a room or hall where martial arts are practiced. Or it could also have been an incomplete spelling of  Gōjū-ryū, with "gō" meaning "hard" and "jū" meaning "soft", emphasising the style taught is both "hard" and "soft".

Shang-Chi side steps a drunk, only to have him crash in through the window. The martial arts school owner and instructress, the beautiful black haired, Sandra Chen, had only just thrown the drunk out of her Dojo. She and Shang-Chi hit it off and go for a walk, even though the Chinaman was supposed to be waiting for someone on that street. The drunk man turns out to be a spy for Fu Manchu. All these factors are connected, compounded by the fact that Fu Manchu orders an attack on the two youngsters as they chat in a near by park. Shang-Chi and Sandy Chen make a great defence against Fu Manchu's assassins, beautifully shown by some of Paul Gulacy's fantastic fluid martial arts panels. Mystery and martial arts magic at its best. Oh I'm going to be back for more next week.

 

Bullpen Bulletin

"More batty Bulletins to bewilder, bewitch and bedazzle thee!" Of the three super-hero weeklies only the Avengers weekly has a Bullpen page. The first Item brings the UK readers news that Roy Thomas will no longer be exerting his editorial control over these weeklies. Taking over from Roy as Editor-in-Chief will be Len Wein, who had been the script writer on Iron Fist. The next Item reveals that ex-Associate Editor, Tony Isabella is the newest writer on the exploits of Iron Fist who will be alternating with Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu in the pages of the Avengers weekly. News in another Item reports that the weeklies production manager, David Cohen's wife, Janice, has started work on colouring a number the American mags. An Item about the former production manager of these weeklies, Edward Hannigan, has started pencilling Planet of the Apes for the American mags, watch out for those tales in future British POTA comics. News in another Item for FOOM subscribers, issue eight the magazine will have a space devoted to the British weeklies. The next Item offers a teaser that even though regular readers may know that the Spider-man Comics Weekly had been sporting a new logo, well even though they decided the new logo was good, the Bullpen wanted one that was really great! So they contacted Tom Orzechowski, who cooked up what you'll be seeing on all future covers.

Doctor Strange “Nightmare rides again!”

Writer:Roy Thomas

Artist: Dan Adkins

Inker: Dan Adkins

Originally published in Doctor Strange #170

Cover date July 1968

(Published in April 1968)

The twelve and thirteenth pages of the US Doctor Strange #170 feature a double page spread of Nightmare charging towards Strange on a black nightmarish stallion. In the UK mag this double splash page was cut needlessly in two, with a new title for the second half of this story's opening page and the Doctor Strange header repositioned on the left. I don't know why they didn't move the Avengers letter page or the "Charades" feature page to just before the Doctor Strange strip so that these two pages could be opposite each other and make up the full image as Dan Adkins intended. A mystic battle continues between the two foes. Nightmare sends his steed to attacks Strange, but the sorcerer drives it back with the light of his Eye of Agamotto. Nightmare's next ploy is to bring forth his hostage, Hamir. Strange uses the Eye to reveal it to be an illusion. Frustrated, Nightmare returns to the waking world to physically kill the Ancient One. Strange's Cloak of Levitation restrains him, until he flees to his own dimension. The Ancient One awakes, confessing that he deliberately used himself as bait in a trap for Nightmare, knowing that if Strange could defeat him, the Doctor would regain his confidence. It's a great tale, my only puzzled feeling from it is why place it in the middle of the mag and have the Avengers at the back. I much prefer Doctor Strange at the back. Like the FF, Thor and Frankenstein's Monster a good end story keeps the reader coming back for more next week. The last thing you want is the reader to put down and forget about the comic half way through it. But in saying that the Avengers are up next and with a cracker of a story.

Avengers Readers Assemble

Simon Jones KOF, ROF from Cheshire was lucky enough to find a copy of the Avengers while he was on holiday in Cornwall, it saved him seven pence and a quarter of a mile walk to the newsagents. R Mulwey from Glasgow Can't find the Marvel Annuals anywhere in his home town. James Wallace KOF, ROF from the Isle of Lewis thought "O, Heck! it's Don again!" when he saw that Don Heck was drawing the Avengers, but he goes on to say that Doctor Strange is brilliant since Marie Severin took over the artwork. As for Spider-man, Romita and Lee are great, but they're less pleased about Iron Man calling it "Not good." Mark Pickup RFO, KOF from Stockport started getting MWOM from issue 38 and was so pleased when his friend, Simon Gammon, gave him issues 1 to 37. Mark lists the powers from each of the Mandarin's rings. They are 1. Ice-Blast. 2. Mento-Intensifier (Hypnosis). 3. Electro-Blast. 4. Flame-Blast. 5. White Light. 6. Sonic-Blast. 7. Impact Beam. 8. Vortex Beam. 9. Disintegrator Beam and 10. Black Light. He ends his letter by saying Paul Gulacy artwork on Master of Kung Fu is excellent!

It's the Avengers weekly's turn to give its readers a set of new clues for Marvel's Charades competition. Here's last week's set of clues:-

Clue 1. My place is in the sky.

Clue 2. A chair helps me with my first syllable.

The next set of clues are:-

Clue 1 Sometimes I carry passengers, sometimes not.

Clue 2 My second syllable is 5th out of 26.

More clues coming in Dracula Lives and Planet of the Apes.

The Avengers “Magneto walks the Earth!”

Writer:Roy Thomas

Artist: John Buscema

Inker: George Tuska

Originally published in The Avengers #47

Cover date December 1967

(Published in October 1967)

It's all happening this week. This Avengers story opens with the master of magnetism, Magneto, and his put-upon lackey, the Toad, searching for a possible return to Earth after the Stranger had marooned them on a strange distant world. Chronologically Magneto had been recaptured by the Stranger following events in the X-Men tale "If Iceman Should Fail..!" Which British Marvel readers would finally read in The Super-heroes #31, cover dated 4th October 1975. Magneto is trying to harness strange magnetic waves broadcast from Earth. The sender of those magnetic waves is a young scientist, Dane Whitman, who with his assistant, Norris, is researching into communication with distant planets with magnetic rays. 

Whitman's late Uncle was Professor Nathan Garrett, a biologist also known as the super-criminal called the Black Knight. Garrett had died while falling from a sky battle with Iron Man, which UK readers have yet to witness, unless they got a copy of Tales of Suspense #73, cover dated January 1966, published October 1965. They will get a chance to read it in the Iron Man story printed in Spider-man Comics Weekly #105, cover dated 15th February 1975. Whitman wishes to make the world a better place in payment for his uncle's evil doings. In the Avengers ranks Captain America leaves, Hawkeye has an argument with the Black Widow, over Cap leaving. Hank Pam and Janet Van Dyne take a flight to Las Vegas, still unaware that their chauffeur Charles is really the super-villain the Whrilwind and Hercules takes a trip home to Olympus. Whitman has started to make a break through with his magnetic wave device. His assistant Norris sees an opportunity to take total credit for the discovery, strikes in from behind knocking him out. He probably wishes he hadn't as Magneto had somehow used the magnetic wave to transport himself and the Toad back to Earth. Magneto's wrath and a magnetically controlled wrench to render Norris unconscious. Magneto imprisons the two scientists in the castle dungeon and starts planning the reformation of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. What's that got to do with the Avengers find out next issue.  

Dracula Lives #3

Dracula Lives issue three and Pablo Marcos second cover with the Lord of the Undead. It's filled with chilling atmosphere as Dracula hunts down a female victim through the fog filled streets of London. Just chilling. My Cover of the Week? Well it's Halloween and it would be rude not to pick a horror CotW. (OK it's gone Halloween when this goes online, but it was Halloween when I picked it.)  

Dracula “The fear within!”

Writer: Gerry Conway

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Gene Colan

Originally published in Tomb of Dracula #2

Cover date May 1972

(Published in February 1972)

Frank Drake returns to the burnt out ruins of his inherited castle, with a new character in tow, Gort. After retelling events from the last two issues the pair discover Drake's friend Clifton Graves had survived the chaos, trapped in a pit. In the village Dracula is hunting for more blood and after fulfilling his craving he visits Carl Von Harbou who had served the Count in the past. Dracula orders Von Harbou to help conceal his pale skin in order to pass as a human. Once finished Dracula reveals that he knew that Carl, as a child, had betrayed him to the men who killed him last and so rewards his betrayal by draining his blood.

A fortnight later Drake and Graves have returned to London, with Dracula's coffin. Drake has sold the Castle and the land around it and has taken the Count's coffin in the hope that Dracula will follow it and fall into his not-very-well-planned trap. Later at Drake's hotel room Frank hears a noise coming from his bathroom. He discovers Jeanie hiding in the shower. Graves hears the commotion from his adjoining room and also investigates, but unlike Drake he's not convinced that Jeanie is a vampire, until Frank produces a crucifix to drive his ex-lover back, proving her to be a vampire. Were as the first story felt very gothic Hammer Horror, this story takes a more modern slant, but still keeps the classic Dracula themes. I really love it, more next week. 

Bullpen Bulletin

Dracula Lives and Planet of the Apes share a version of the Bullpen Bulletins which readers are bidded "Welcome to the wonderful world of Marvel madness!" with an Item which showcases the strips in the Planet of the Apes, with insight to Ka-Zar and Gullivar Jones, Warrior of Mars. The covers of POTA are discussed in the next Item, long time workers on these weeklies, Ed Hannigan and Mike Esposito, have been

teaming up on covers drawn especially for the British editions., starting with issue 2. George Roussos was the colourist on them. The last Item in this Bullpen page ends on the subject of the Dracula Lives covers. Pablo Marcos has been doing most of them, his cover work can be seen on issues 1, 3 and 6 plus many more to come. The rest of the Bulletin page is taken up with a cleverly edited cover gallery of this week's comics where  Planet of the Apes is swapped for Dracula Lives in the horror comic and vice versa in POTA. 

Werewolf by Night “The curse of the Werewolf!”

Writer: Roy Thomas, Jean Thomas and Gerry Conway

Artist: Mike Ploog

Inker: Mike Ploog

Originally published in Marvel Spotlight #2

Cover date February 1972

(Published September 1971)

This opening splash page uses a cut down panel from the second page of  the Werewolf by Night story from Dracula Lives #1. Which only works as a recap as the reader finds Philip Russell helping his step-son back to their house after discovering him on the beach. Later, after resting, Jack rushes down to the hospital to see his mother. Barely conscious she warns Jack that a curse has been placed upon him. A curse that forces him to transform into a monster on the night of his eighteenth birthday. 

She goes on to explain that twenty years ago she was a student on holiday in Transylvania. She fell in love with a Baron named Gregory Russoff, who she would later marry. For three nights out of every month, Russoff would seal himself inside of a tower room in his castle with instructions to never be disturbed, telling his wife that he was studying. One evening  a lightning storm swept through the Baltic nation and lighting hit the side of the tower, causing a part of the wall to collapse. That same night, stories claiming a werewolf had been seen prowling the countryside. leading to several of the town elders visiting Russoff Castle to inquire with the Baron. Jack's mother inspected the tower room, only to find it empty. A group of hunters, armed with silver bullets cornered the werewolf and shot it. They discovered that the werewolf was actually the Baron. Laura finishes the tale by telling Jack that she later read the family tomes to discover that the curse was hereditary. Dracula Lives is packed with great horror tales, each one gets better and better. It's another must read for horror fans.

The fourth sets of clues this week comes from Dracula Lives which will follow last week's clues, which were:-

Clue 1. My place is in the sky.

Clue 2. A chair helps me with my first syllable.

This week's clues from the Lord of the Undead are:-

Clue 1. I've begun many journeys from a place named after

a famous president of the U.S.A.

Clue 2. My second syllable couldn't be shorter.

The final sets of clues this week will appear in the Planet of the Apes.

"The Vampire Viscount of France"

Writer: Doug Moench

Artist: Win Mortimer

Inker: Win Mortimer 

Originally published in Vampire Tales #5

Cover date June 1974

(Published in April 1974)

This short story is based on the real life Viscount De Morieve who was one of the very few French noblemen who managed to retain their estates during the French Revolution. This short two page filler tells his story. The French Viscount is revealed to be a vampire during the French Revolution after being killed the first time. After the Viscount returned and killed many small children the peasants exhumed his crypt and staked his heart before burning his corpse in the hopes that the plague of vampirism was ended. I love these kind of "based on true facts" tales. 

Frankenstein’s Monster “Bride of the Monster”

Writer: Gary Friedrich

Artist: Mike Ploog

Inker: Mike Ploog 

Originally published in The Monster of Frankenstein #2

Cover date March 1973

(Published in December 1972)

Aboard a floundering ship the Monster rescues a cabin boy from sure death in the burning lower decks. The crew want to open fire on the Monster but Captain Walton order them to stand down as he relates the Monster's origin. The creature had cornered his creator in a cave who was horrified that his creation was responsible for his brother's death. In a strange turn of events the Monster sits down and retells the details of what happened to it since Frankenstein had created him.

The monster had wandered the cold forests of Switzerland. Disrupting the territory of a grizzly bear, the Monster battles the wild beast, ultimately killing it by snapping its neck. Starving to death he skins the creature, forging a shawl out of the dead animal's pelt then consuming the raw meat. Months later the monster comes across a family living in a small cabin. He hides inside of a woodshed attached to the cabin and observes them for weeks. Knowing that the old man was blind, the monster hoped to one day befriend him, confident that the old man would not fear him. While alone, a wolf entered the cabin and attacks the old man. The monster comes out of hiding and kills the wolf, saving the old man's life. He nursed the old man back to health and the two become close friends. The old man's children returned, mistakenly believing that the monster had attacked their father. The Monster flees into the forest. A hunting party sends dogs after the creature who wildly attack. This story has many layers that could make it hard to follow, but I imagine an inquisitive mind can place all the levels together and earn a very rewarding reading experience. Three absolutely brilliant stories in one mag. 

The back page of Dracula Lives proudly sports a full colour advert for its brother comic, Planet of the Apes. It still features the cover from the first issue. The Avengers weekly also features on its inside back cover, but in black and white. So what better way of linking to the next and last comic in this week's fabulous five, than take a good look at the Planet of the Apes.

Planet of the Apes #3

Another POTA cover by Ed Hannigan cover, created especially for the UK version on Planet of the Apes weekly. I can't say I like it much, the apes treatment of Taylor is quite violent. That's not why I don't like it, I just don't think it's good. Readers of the Bullpen Bulletin page will already know that Mike Esposito inked this cover and George Roussos coloured it. Which still doesn't mean it's good. 

Planet of the Apes “Chapter three: In the compound”

Writer: Doug Moench

Artist: George Tuska

Inker: Mike Esposito

Originally published in Planet of the Apes #2

Cover date October 1974

(Published in August 1974)

Taylor has been injured and cannot speak, Zira has sensed that something is different about him and has taken quite a shine to the strange human. Doctor Zaius and Zira discusses what the fate of humans should be, with Zaius suggesting that men-kind are a nuisance as they have outgrown their own food supplies and have migrated to the apes own crops. He believes that if it's a question of simian survival the sooner the humans are exterminated the better. 

Taylor hears the apes talking and makes multiple attempts to communicate with Zira that he is intelligent. The chimpanzee doctor places a female human in to the cage that holds Taylor in the hope that this will give her some insight into Taylor. The female was the human the ape doctor used to give Taylor a blood transfusion. Near an outside cage Zira introduces her fiancé, Cornelius to Zaius. Taylor starts to write in the dry dust, so that the doctors can read it. The female tries to rub it out but Taylor throws her to one side, which starts a fight with other humans in the cage. The gorillas rush in to brutally break it up with whips and flame torches. After the riot is finished and the humans are returned to their isolated cages Doctor Zaius notices Taylor's writing in the dirt and discreetly scrubs it out. Later Zira visits Taylor again, taking notes with her pencil and notepad until Taylor snatches it from her, he swiftly writes a message on it before an orderly beats him with a club to recover the pad. Zira reads the note and instantly requests a collar and leash so she can take him to the infirmary. The orderly says he's vicious and it's against the rules, but Zira demands he gets her the collar, then whispers to the astronaut "You wouldn't hurt me, would you--Taylor?" To which Taylor smiles. I'm really enjoying this adaption of the film, it picks up on the small human reactions that were portrayed in the film perfectly.

As with the other four weeklies, the Planet of the Apes offers up two more clues to go with last week's pair:-

Clue 1. I'm close to stardom.

Clue 2. My first syllable starts with the sound of the scale.

And this week's final set:-

Clue 1. There's a special name for people who travel with. me. A name that begins with "A".

Clue 2. You'll find my second syllable in the middle of Spider-man.

Right that's ten pairs of clues for that one special word. So there's a good chance some of you might have already guessed what the word is. For those, like me, who haven't got a clue, there'll be five more sets of clues across next week's comics.

Gullivar Jones “River of the Dead!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Gil Kane

Inker: Bill Everett

Originally published in Creatures on the Loose #17

Cover date May 1972

(Published in February 1972)

Gullivar Jones had been transported by Lu-Pov to a future Mars to battle all kinds of fantastical beings, but while attempting to rescue a golden skinned Princess called Heru. Although UK readers wouldn't know she was golden skinned apart from its mention in the text, lack of colour was one of the pit falls in the UK comics. We find Jones unconscious on a funeral barge on the "River of the Dead" after his failed attempt at rescuing Heru. 

After awaking on the barge to find Heru calling for help as she is attacked on the shore by two caterpillar like monsters. Dispatching the two monsters Jones takes Heru back to the barge, but the Princess changes into one of the caterpillar monsters. With the last of his strength Jones kicks the monster overboard only to fall into unconsciousness. As the barge moves down the river it floats under a giant spider's web weaved by strange pygmie like creatures who are built like spiders but with bat heads. Jones wakes again to fight the strange nightmare creatures but hopelessly he's over powered and taken to a y-shaped crucifix next to a captured winged man. The pair are to be sacrifice to the spider/bat creatures' God, a horrible monster called Phra! Gullivar Jones may not have been the strip I instantly looked forward to reading but its mix of fantasy and barbarian savagery is very appealing. It's a fine back-up strip for the Planet of the Apes.

Ka-Zar “Frenzy on the fortieth floor!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Sam Grainger

Originally published in Astonishing Tales #2

Cover date October 1970

(Published in July 1970)

Roy Thomas takes over as writer from Stan Lee. That may have had something to do with Lee and Kirby's lack of communication at the time, but whether Thomas improve the story plot or whether Kirby knew where it was going anyway, I have to say this tale has a lot of promise going for it. Ka-Zar uses his tracking skills to hunt down Kraven to a New York hotel, where he demands to see the hunter so that he can recover Zabu, his saber-tooth tiger. Kraven attacks the savage in the lobby, ensnaring him in a bolo net. Ka-Zar feigns unconsciousness, then follows Kraven to his room. 

The pair battle in the hotel room, then out the window, onto the balcony of a nearby building. Zabu now alone with his paws bound, slowly awakens sensing a new arrival, "A long shadow darkens the silent corridor!" Zabu snarls at the uninvited guest, but the figure calmly tells the saber-tooth that he has known his kind before and that even the tiger's fearsome fangs cannot harm the Petrified Man! Outside Ka-Zar injures Kraven's hand, who flees to fight another day. Upon returning to free Zabu, Ka-Zar meets the enigmatic Petrified Man, who states that he must return to the Savage Land with him, because soon he will die and if he was to perish so too would Ka-Zar's home-land. Back to the Stone Age next week as we get to solve who this mysterious man is. I'm looking forward to that one.

Planet of the Apes returns the favour from Dracula Lives featuring a full page in-house advert for it by also featuring a full page, sadly not in colour like the POTA one. It's the same design as the advert from last week's Planet of the Apes but with the cover of Dracula Lives issue three inserted instead of issue two.

The colour back page of this issue features a screen shot or publicity photo from the CBS Planet of the Apes TV series. The small screen version of an ape antagonist is a gorilla called Marcus, who is head of the Security Police, specialising in violence and torture. If you were a fan of the movie or TV series Planet of the Apes was the place for you, with regular titbits of information, articles or photos. (Update 4/11/2024, PotB reader Mark Rice pointed out that this photo was from Battle for the Planet of the Apes and the gorilla called Marcus wasn't from the TV series. All will be revealed in next week's blog.) 

And so ends another "Week Ending..." Power of the Beesting blog. I'm off to find more titbits of fun facts, opinions and photos for next week's blog.  

See you in seven.

Make Mine Marvel.