The enchantment of revenge!

 Week Ending 23rd November 1974

The Mighty World of Marvel #112

The original cover from the Incredible Hulk #142 by Herb Trimpe gets reused  to promote the Hulk verses the Valkyrie. The Asgardian's speech bubble and the "Hang onto your hard-hats 'cause the vengeful Valkyrie is on the scene!" text box are moved slightly to fit better for the British format. Inks for Herb's artwork were supplied by John Severin.

The Incredible Hulk “The Venom of the Valkyrie!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Herb Trimpe

Inker: John Severin

Originally published in The Incredible Hulk #142

Cover date August 1971

(Published in May 1971)

Blown up panels don't always work as the opening splash page for the second half of a split story, but this fifth panel from page thirteen of last week's MWOM does. Samantha Parrington as the Valkyrie is a cosplay I'd like to see. Mentioning her name has lead me to spot a mistake by the weekly comic's editor. On the opening page Samantha Parrington is named Samantha Harrington, twice! In the last page of this strip Samantha corrects her surname. A "50 years to late" No-Prize is on it's way to me I think.

You pick up the Mighty World of Marvel mainly for the action/adventure of the three strips. With the Hulk strip it's most certainly for the incredible battle scenes. But every now and again you get a refreshingly wonderful bit of light hearted comedy. This page with its six repeated panels are a guilty pleasure for me. Mixing the "party bore" with the party's green guest of honour trying to get a drink or a snack is comedy gold. The kind of page that would fit into the Mad or Crazy magazine, or even into a British "comic-cuts" comic. All I can add is you wouldn't like the Hulk when he's "hungry"! 

$100,000 is raised for the green goliath but what use is paper to the Hulk? Just then the Enchantress's pawn, the Valkyrie leaps in through a window and challenges the chauvinistic man monster. Hulk doesn't hit girls, much to the Valkyrie's displeasure. Finding a pressure point on the Hulk's neck the Asgardian warrior gain's a quick victory. To crown her superiority over her "conceited" opponent she climbs the Empire State Building in a reverse homage to the classic King Kong, where the Enchantress commands her to throw the Hulk to his death, which he does. Some small voice inside Samantha/Valkyrie's head calls out pleading that what she has done is morally wrong. Thankfully the Hulk had survived just as the Enchantress's spell runs its course, transforming the warrior-maid back into the young girl and ol' green skins back into Banner, leaving the two of them clueless as to what has happened. It's been a great story over the last two weeks on so many levels, it's a shame it had to end. But next week "the Diabolical Dr. Doom!"

The Mighty Marvel Mailbag

Sorinder Singh from Glasgow demands his letter gets printed as he's written in to Marvel 38 times and never got any of them printed. J Howitt RFO, KOF from Aberdeen wants to defend Marvel against those who consider comics too violent. J. says that if they were violent Spidey would rip out the Goblins inwards, but he doesn't. On the subject of colour in the British mags, J. won't complain about it. Instead he believes that the art-work in the British mags is slightly better than in the American mags, but adds that colour makes up for that. As for the much-hated shading he says that there's absolutely nothing wrong with it, apart from the occasional inferior picture. Derek Judge RFO, KOF, TTB from London suggests that cereal boxes can be used to store British Marvel comics. Robin Allwood from Bolton has an idea that "a gallery of superheroes" could be printed and the characters could then be cut out and stuck to a piece of cardboard that could be made to stand up. John Barrie from Australia enjoys reading MWOM but asks could SMCW and the Avengers weekly be sent down under.

?Mysterioso? KOF, RFO from Birmingham writes about his quest to gain the hallowed Marvel ranks after his name. As a man of principle he points out that anyone can pen a hasty letter to gain a QNS. "But with No-Prizes, he refuse to be involved in a mad scramble to spot petty errors." He himself waited to find a mistake subtle enough to be worthy. His effort to win that prize is that in MWOM#72 in Swap Shop No.14, Derek Parker asks for "20 issues of Silver Surfer", but he think's there are only18 issues ever published. You know he is right, so he get's his No-Prize. Jenny Rose from London replies to a letter in MWOM#88 from "a lassie" from Scotland who asks if girls are allowed to read Marvel? Jenny enjoys all three Marvel comics and as a Mum of an enthusiastic Marvelite, Tim, she long's to win a QNS before he does! Paul Grimes from the Isle of White want's to complain about those who complain of Marvel. He gets all three super-hero mags and thinks they're great. N. Hunter RFO, KOF, TTB, QNS, PMM from Yorkshire Has spotted a blunder in MWOM#81, on page 7 the editor said that the Hulk first battled the Rhino in Hulk 103, yet on page 11 it stated that the Rhino first saw his origin in Hulk 104. Does this mean that an editing mistake slipped through from the American original, or that Rhino did a little time-travelling! The answer was that the US and British references got mixed up.

Daredevil “The power of the Plunderer!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Frank Giacoia

Originally published in Daredevil #24

Cover date January 1967

(Published in November 1966)

The third panel of the ninth page of the original US story is reused and edited slightly, with the crowds outside of Plunder Castle removed from it for no real reason, to form the opening splash page of this second half story. Ka-Zar has been accused of being the mysterious Midnight Stalker who has been terrorising the English countryside. Daredevil offers his aid to the savage nobleman, however a misunderstanding between the two causes them to end up fighting each other. 

In anger Ka-Zar throws Daredevil off the castle battlements into the castle's moat, but DD doesn't go for a swim alone as he pulls Ka-Zar alone with him. Daredevil senses a submarine in the murky waters. Finding a hatch both curious adventurers enter it to discover Ka-Zar's brother, the Plunderer hidden within. This must be a high-tech submarine for it to have an easily operational air-lock, but hay this is a Marvel comic. They soon learn that the Plunderer is really the "Midnight Stalker" who was using that identity to frame his brother  by planting fake tiger prints in a wrecked cottage as well as leaving human bear foot prints across the moorland to make the fearful villagers think that Ka-Zar had turned savage. Daredevil points out that it was a plan from someone as clever and ruthless as Ka-Zar's step brother, the Plunderer, however as far as my research tells me Parnival Plunder is Ka-Zar's brother not his step brother. The Fiend is defeated and turned over to the authorities, clearing Ka-Zar's name in the process. Daredevil arranges a trip back home to the States, were Karen reads to Foggy a letter addressed to Matt Murdock from Spider-Man. Where it states that he has deduced that Murdock is Daredevil, but his secret is safe with him. Well apparently not, as we'll see more from next week.

The Fantastic Four “The treachery of the Black Panther!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Joe Sinnott 

Originally published in The Fantastic Four #52

Cover date July 1966

(Published in April 1965)

The cover of the Fantastic Four #52 US edition is reused as the opening splash page for this story's second half, with slight changes to the Black Panther's mask and cape. Why they did that I'm not sure as the Panther has a full face mask all the way through this tale. The Wakanda monarch is testing his hunting prowess against the Fantastic Four in a high tech jungle battleground.

The Black Panther sets traps that split up the group making them easier for the African lord to pick off one by one. Although the Panther has planned this hunt to incredible detail the presents of Wyatt Wingfoot was unforeseen. The native American's skills help swing the hunt toward the FF's favour, allowing them to regroup so they now easily outnumber and overpower the Panther who ceases his hostilities. Unmasking, T'Challa reveals that he was merely testing the Fantastic Four's fabled abilities and has invited them to his land to aid him in a grave task. Find out "the reason way" next week. 

Last week the left half of this in-house advert was printed in the Mighty World of Marvel and I mentioned that the line "..with two new weeklies!" didn't match with the single comic shown. This week both Planet of the Apes and Dracula Lives get a fair share of the advert. Thus proving that "Now ya gotta believe that Mighty Marvel is on the move again!"

Spider-man Comics Weekly #93

This cover is by Gil Kane (pencils,) and Al Milgrom (inks,), I'm not sure that it has been used for a cover elsewhere, but considering that it features the Torch, Spidey and the Lizard I can't imagine it could be used for any other story. Could it have been an alternative cover for the Amazing Spider-man #76 or was it especially created for Spider-man Comics Weekly? 

Spider-man “Enter...the Human Torch!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: John Buscema and Jim Mooney

Inker: Jim Mooney

Originally published in the Amazing Spider-man #76

Cover date September 1969

(Published in June 1969)

The second panel of the sixteenth page from last week's issue opens this second half of the Lizard tale, under the new title "Enter...the Human Torch!" That might have given away a little of this week's plot. Determined to not hurt his friend, Curt Conners, he has allowed the Lizard to overpower the wall-crawler, beating him close to submission. 

Spider-man allows the Lizard to think he has defeated him so that he can follow the fiend to plan a safe way of stopping him. Spidey plays possum, allowing the Lizard to "knock him out" then dangle him over the edge of a building to drop to his "doom", just as the web-slinger had planned. Then enters the Human Torch, arriving just in time to "save" Spider-Man, and ruin his plan to lure the Lizard down the side of the building. 

Catching Spider-Man in mid fall, the Torch brings Spidey back to the rooftop. Match-head decides to fight the Lizard on the wall-crawlers behalf as he lays down a weakened Spider-Man who seems powerless to stop what he thinks will be the destruction of the Lizard, as well as its alter ego, Curt Conners. Stuck between a "Hobson's choice" what will Spider-man do next when he has to pick a side, "Friend or foe?" Find out next week in another belting Stan Lee and John Buscema classic Spider-man adventure. The fun is only just beginning. 

The Web and the Hammer

Jonathan Andrews from Hemel Hempstead has been collecting MWOM and SMCW for sometime and has a few suggestions, the first being that other superheroes should have their turn on the covers instead of the Hulk and Spider-man. His second suggestion is that the X-Men should replace Iron Man. Andrew Hooke from Essex wants to know three "who is the strongest" questions, to which the editor asks to please desist from posting that kind of query, as they consider them to be dull and boring to many readers. Unsigned from Ormskirk is interested in buying copies of MWOM and SMCW number ones and ask the readers if they'll sell them to him. Stephanous Stephannou (I presume that's a Greek name.) KOF, RFO from London didn't know about American Marvel comics before he discovered British Marvel mags. As he's going to Cyprus he asks will there be Marvel mags over there. Marvel comics are pretty well sold everywhere. Brian Boyle from London points out that readers shouldn't win a No-Prize just because they spotted a mistake. But he wants a No-Prize for spotting that in the Spider-man LP competition  the second question asks what is "Peter Parker's best subject at college?" the choices are "Science", "'Art" or "Games". The answer given is "Art"! Brian points out as every Marvelite knows that Peter is a bookworm in science. The editor admits the mistake but as the error occurred way back a few thousand Marvelytes already spotted it.

This feature page appeared in SMCW#71back in June, which does feel a little too soon but may be Matt (Maureen Softley,) Softley who wasn't the editor back in June didn't realise it had already been used. This one page strip originally appeared in the Spectacular Spider-man magazine #2, cover dated November 1968, published August 1968, as a black and white feature in the inside cover. Back in June when the Power of the Beesting reviewed the weeklies from Week Ending 22rd June 1974 I made the assumption that John Romita Sr had penciled it. After a bit of further research into the matter I discovered, via the Heritage Auction website that according to John Romita Sr. Larry Lieber penciled the "Spider-man Saga" origin recap, even though Lieber's name doesn't appear on the contents page credits. John Romita Sr. stated that he did the inks, recalling that during this period he and Lieber were working in the same office on several issues simultaneously, including the Spectacular Spider-man 1 and 2, the Amazing Spider-man monthly issues and Amazing Spider-man Annual #5. Comics historian Nick Caputo suspects that Romita was in error and the inking is actually the work of Frank Giacoia. Giacoia is given credit in the table of contents for layouts and illustrations. His hand is evident as inker on several pages of the story. Nick believes that it is likely that Romita laid out the page and provided corrections.

Iron Man “The spinning circles of doom!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Don Heck

Inker: Dick Ayers

Originally published in Tales of Suspense #62

Cover date  February1965

(Published in November 1964)

The seventh panel of page twenty-five from last week's issue is blown up to make this week's second half opening splash page.  The Mandarin plans to kill Iron Man by spinning him to death, while he starts World War Three between China and the West by designing a missile for the Chinese that is programmed to hit Formosa, the former name for Taiwan, not its test target. Thus starting an international war. Well of course Iron Man manages to wreck the "spinning circle of doom" (OK it's not called that but it could have been,) and foils the Mandarin's plan by diverting the rocket back towards the missile base. Iron Man intercepts the escaping villain but before either can triumph over the other the duped Chinese cut in to seek revenge on the Mandarin. Apart from last week's Mandarin origin first half we get yet another dull Iron Man story, hope these stories improve.

The Mighty Thor “..And soon shall come: the Enchanters!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Bill Everett 

Originally published in The Mighty Thor #143

Cover date August 1967

(Published in June 1967)

Stan and Jack love starting off a Mighty Thor saga with a bit of rest and relaxation for the Thunder God and some every day hi-jinks in an ice cream parlour. Would Thor really quench his thirst with a large glass of milkshake? I always thought he was a mead drinker myself, but promoting alcohol probably wasn't on Stan or Jack's list of good ideas. So they stuck with the kid friendly milkshake. Either way it allows the pair of Marvel legends to re-tell and refresh their version on Asgard and the Norse Gods.

Like with the grandure of the fabled Asgard, with its glimmering Rainbow Bridge that leads travellers beyond the reach of mortal time to the golden realm. There are times like this when I wished these British mags had been printed in glorious colour. This magnificent panel shows the King's full skill and imagination, without Vince Colletta's ink brush shading in any of the minor details that Kirby saw fit to draw. The planets and the stars are in full brightness thank's to the very capable ink, brush and pen of Bill Everett whose embellishment of this strip makes you want him to have the job permanently. 

It's a wonder why Stan Lee kept Vince Colletta on the comic book at all, especially when you see Everett's inks on this splash page featuring the All Father himself. The detail is incredible, no short cuts are taken. Colletta's short cuts made him quick, which must have helped with an imposing deadline and he probably was cheap too, because he could knock off a number of jobs in a short time, increasing his income even at a smaller page rate. Colletta did a fair job, but if you wanted classic artwork Kirby and Everett were the bee's knees. But on this week's saga, Odin has sent Balder and Sif on a quest to learn the plans of the beings known as the Enchanters.

Along the way a mystical force that serves the Enchanters, known as the Living Talisman attacks the Asgardian duo. who after a brief battle manage to fight it off, seemingly destroying the Living Talisman in the process. With the Talisman's defeat the Enchanters reveal themselves: They are Magnir, Forsung and Brona. who explain to Balder and Sif that while they were content to rule their own realm, they now seek to overthrow Odin and rule the entire realm of Asgard. It's not always clever telling your enemies your plans, may be they're just really cocky. To dispatch Balder and Sif the fiendish trio mystically transmute the ground into quicksand, leaving the Norse Gods with no means of escape, Sif uses her  mystical powers to teleport themselves to Earth. Searching for Thor on Earth they are directed to Donald Blake's office after they are told by one of New York's finest boy's in blue that the Doctor has in the past managed to contact Thor. After the lame surgeon makes a awkward greeting, Brake transforms into the mighty Thor, reviewing his duel identity to them for the first time. They inform him that they seek Thor's help in stopping the Enchanters from carrying out their coup in Asgard. As they discuss events Brona and Magnir arrive in New York to make "This battleground Earth!" as we'll see in next week's issue.

Avengers Weekly #62

This George Tuska cover originally appeared on the front of the Avengers #48, it's breath taking in many ways. If you look closely you can see that the Black Knight, riding on Aragorn, is heading upwards towards the sky, as the Avengers fall downwards, with the viewer's point of view in a downwards direction to the skyscraper roofs, not a skyline. Now that's something you don't see that everyday. I have in the past criticised Tuska's artwork, but I've also praised it too. I think this cover is Tuska at his best.  My Cover of the Week, an easy pick for me.

The Avengers “The menace of Magneto!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: George Tuska

Inker: George Tuska

Originally published in The Avengers #48

Cover date January 1968

(Published in November 1967)

George Tuska is a bit Marmite, some people really like him, while  some others really don't. Strangely enough I can't decide which side my opinion is on. Some of his work is brilliant, take the current Planet of the Apes story that's been running over the last five weeks. That's helped slightly by the inks of Mike Esposito. While at other times his work is bland, take his Doctor Strange fill-in as seen in the Avengers weekly #54 which was anything but great. In this week's tale it's workman-like but no where near as good as John Buscema's artwork. 

The title to this tale should have been "The Black Knight Lives Again!" which has been left out so it can be used more fittingly in the second part next week. Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch have been held captive by Magneto, although Quicksilver does briefly manage to escape and send a distress signal. Hercules doesn't hear it as he's searching a deserted Olympus for clues to the whereabouts of the missing Gods. On Earth Hawkeye, Goliath and the Wasp do eventually receive the distress call after they finish some personal matters. Close to the captured mutants, Dane Whiteman has managed to escape his castle's dungeon via a series of hidden tunnels. He recalls the discovery of his Uncle Professor Nathan Garrett, the villainous Black Knight, who had fall after a battle with Iron Man. Garrett has made his nephew promise to use his research for good. Deciding it was time to use his uncle's inventions as he had promised "the Black Knight will live again!" Next week that's a promise!

Bullpen Bulletins

Out of the five weeklies only the Avengers has a Bullpen Bulletin to offer a "Dazzling dispatches declaring dubious data!" The first Item bids a fond farewell to Scott Edelman who leaves his roll as British Marvel associate editor to spend more time working on the US colour titles. Before Scott's editor's chair can get cold the next Item names his replacement as Pete Iro. The third Item reminds readers about the Charades competition that has been running for the past three weeks in all five British weeklies. The fourth Item offer some bizarre background on Mike Esposito, not only is he a top notch inker and publisher, (that's something I never knew,) but he's quite a gambler, his poison is poker. This week's final Item asks the readers which kung fu hero they would prefer after there's been an out pouring from letter writers who detest kung fu characters, on the other hand there are those who defend the honour of Iron Fist or Shang-Chi. So that leaves the editors with a small problem. To which the only solution is ask the readers again. And that's what you get. Three straight forwards statements, what do you think about Shang-Chi, like him, he's alright or don't like him. What do you think of Doctor Strange, with the same three replies. Thirdly what do you think about this week's Avengers story with the choices of I like it, it's not bad or I don't like it. There's also an opportunity to name what new story should feature in the mag.

Avengers Readers Assemble

Adrian Lord from Burnley is fed up with people complaining about mistakes. Kenny Symeon from London reckons that for every one who hates Marvel comics there are those who adore them. Al Harwell from Surrey describes Iron Fist as "apocalyptic, aesthetic, audacious, cogent, congenial, delectable, dextrous, dramatic, fabulous, fantastic." Al has a word about Laurence Cane-Honeysett who had said that Don Heck is Marvel's worst artist. Al completely disagrees, stating that Don is a victim of circumstances. He considers that Don's art is not suited to superhero groups, adding that his style is such that with the Avengers the crowded pictures and black and white presentation conspire to make it necessary to scrutinise the basic form harder than if the panels were in colour. Philip Mickleton RFO from Aberdeen corrects an article that was printed in the Avengers weekly #50 about Shaolin Temple Boxing (Kung Fu). I'll not repeat the details of his letter, but it makes an interesting read. Nigel Fortey from Gloucester makes a strong statement that British Marvel comics have saved his life, he had found it difficult to obtain American comics, but the British editions are readily obtainable. P. Richmond RFO, FOOMer from County Durham makes five points; 1) he really likes these Marvellous mags; 2) he's up for a "Post-a-mag" idea; 3) some No-Prize hunters are Marvelites; 4) he likes the Silver Surfer but wouldn't swap the Fantastic Four for the Surfer and 5) his final point is his newsagent says that "the Spidey Spectacular isn't a thing." If he means the Marvel Treasury Edition Spectacular Spider-man, it did exist, therefore it is a thing.

Doctor Strange “Behold the face of fear!”

Writer:Roy Thomas

Artist: Tom Palmer

Inker: Dan Adkins

Originally published in Doctor Strange #171

Cover date August 1968

(Published in May 1968)

Pages twelve and thirteen of Doctor Strange (US edition) #171 double splash page had been cut in two with the first half used for the opening page of this second part of this story. Bizarrely the two pages were on the back of the other, when by moving either the Bullpen Page or the Avengers Readers Assemble letter page till after the Doctor Strange strip they could have been printed together making a perfect double splash page. The second page of the strip looks peculiar as there's little context of a page of art with just a credit box added.

After following Victoria into this weird realm the Doctor discovers that his English companion is too frightened to go any further, Strange puts an aura of protection around her and ventures further. A spheroid hurtles towards Strange, from inside the sound of savage maniacal laughter can be heard. Then the laughter rises to a maddening shriek as a nightmarish demonic knight emerges from the energy globe, pronouncing itself to be the living symbol of Doctor Strange's inevitable death. After fighting a skeletal warrior, Doctor Strange soon realises that the fiendish fantasm was but an illusion, and the real threat is the revived Dread Dormammu, whose giant sized hand grabs hold of Doctor Strange. Behind the colossal feature both Clea and Victoria stand immobile, incased in energy fields.

Master of Kung Fu “Wishes made of gentle rain!”

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)

Making  his way through the streets of Peking to meet his next contact Shang-Chi becomes aware of footsteps following him. Assassins gather in their dozens as he reaches a courtyard, he can go no further. Maddened that he must use a weapon against such overwhelming numbers he draws out a pair of nunchaku as the assassins close in. Rather than allowing his anger to shatter his concentration, Shang-Chi releases it with fury from his nunchaku. Many assassins fall, some flee to face his father's wrath rather than face him.

Shang-Chi reaches the rendezvous point where a robed figure beckons him to a waiting car. The figure reveals herself to be Sandy the daughter of the scientist Shang-Chi is charged to protect, Doctor Chen, whom she has not seen in ten years. They are driven to Doctor Chen's home. Father and daughter greet each other warmly and as she introduces Shang-Chi as the man who Smith sent to protect him while his defection to the west is completed. While Sandy prepares tea, Chen tells Shang-Chi that he must pass on the secret of his research. He whispers it under the watching eyes of Chen's assistant, before Sandy returns. Come morning Sandy and Chen's assistant leave to make the final arrangements for Chen's defection. The assistant goes to Fu Manchu's fortress where on entering he carries an unconscious Sandy inside. At Chen's house Shang-Chi waits outside, studying a beetle and a mantis in the grass. He notices a door left open, inside he finds Chen, with a sword in his chest, as if he had ceremonially stabbed himself. He had heard Fu Manchu approaching and had slain himself rather than have the secret of his work wrest from him. Shang-Ch is knocked unconscious only to find once he is revived to have been drugged with truth serum. Next week "the maze of mayhem!"

Dracula Lives #5

I do quite like the atmospheric vibe of this Pablo Marcos cover, it perfectly captures the feel of the Dracula story, if not the actual plot line. It should be noted that it's the first time that Rachel Van Helsing, Taj Nital and Frank Drake appear on a British cover. In the American Dracula comic, Tomb of Dracula, the three vampire killers only appeared on the seventh issue, and you only see the back of their heads. 

Dracula “Who stalks the Vampire?”

Writer: Archie Goodwin

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Vince Colletta

Originally published in Tomb of Dracula #3

Cover date July 1972

(Published in April 1972)

It a pretty strong theme that opens this week's Dracula tale, one that may have gone over many young readers heads. Frank Drake stands on Westminster bridge, paused ready to take his life rather than face the despair caused by seeing his girlfriend Jeanie turned into an evil vampire and watch her die for the second time at his hands. This is the third story reprinted from Tomb of Dracula, and the second writer to write it, third if you count Roy Thomas's involvement on the first issue, where he himself recalls plotting the issue after working on just a few verbal sentences made to him by Stan Lee. 

But before he can jump two strangers pull him away from a cold solution to life's darker moments. They are the mute Indian giant Taj Nital and Rachel Van Helsing, the great granddaughter of Abraham Van Helsing, the vampire slayer from the Bram Stoker novel. The pair have sought out Drake after hearing of his inheriting and subsequently selling of Castle Dracula. Offering him a chance to put things right and avenge his dead girlfriend. Meanwhile Drake's friend Graves drowns his sorrow after seeing Jeanie crumble to dust, but the landlord turfs him out onto the fog filled street where out of the mist Dracula greets him with his hypnotic gaze. 

Under Dracula's hypnotic control Graves is dispatched to recover the Vampire Lord's coffin. Meanwhile, Van Helsing learns that Drake had taken Dracula's coffin from Transylvania and brought it to Britain. Arming themselves with a crucifix and wooden stakes the trio go back to the hotel to try and use the coffin as bait to lure Dracula. The night porter helps Graves to remove the coffin only to accidentally drop it, causing it to break open, releasing a hidden treasure of gold coins. The porter greedily collects the coins, however Dracula interrupts him to feed upon the greedy fool. The vampire slayers arrive to find the dead potter in Dracula's coffin. Dracula's money bag breaks, giving aways his presence as the money rains onto the floor, alerting the slayers as the hunt begins. 

A half page in-house advert for British Marvel's super-hero weeklies on sale that week. Amongst the paid for adverts is Victor Frankenstein looking shocked at a newsagents form to reserve a regular copy of Dracula Lives every week. 

Werewolf by Night “Revenge!”

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 in September 1971)

After five weeks this twenty-seven page (plus three new splash pages,) epic finally finishes with the fingers of Grant the chauffeur around the Werewolf's throat. Hopefully Mary Whitehouse didn't read last week's cliffhanger. Jack's mother's killer strangles the life out of the Werewolf until it dawns on him that the hatred in his victim's face isn't a mask.  Grant flees giving the Werewolf a chance to sink his teeth into the chauffeur's neck. Grant falls to the ground, dead.

Moments later, a car pulls up and Philip Russell enters the warehouse with ten thousand dollars for Grant, he calls "every bill of it, cursed a blackened red!". Did Jack's step-father pay Grant to murder his wife or was Grant blackmailing Russell for some other reason. I'm not sure what the writers had planned but time will tell. The Werewolf is poised to attack, but Jack's mind recalls the deathbed promise he made to his mother. Philip Russell turns and leaves with the money, with a mystery unsolved. Running off into the night, the Werewolf angrily howls at the moon as the grim faced Russell drives off into the rain soaked night.  

Frankenstein’s Monster “The Monster's revenge!”

Writer: Gary Friedrich

Artist: Mike Ploog

Inker: Mike Ploog 

Originally published in The Monster of Frankenstein #3

Cover date May 1973

(Published in February 1973)

Captain Walton's ship sunk, a group of mutinous sailors, Canute, Sean the cabin boy and the captain survive aboard a lifeboat. But before the mutiny can reach its conclusion the monster attacks the lifeboat, sparing only Captain Walton, Canute, and Sean so they can row to a safe shore together. Taking refuge in the wreckage of another ship, the monster bids Walton to finish his story, detailing the origin of the Monster.

Frankenstein's will breaks at his trial for the murder of his friend, Henry Clerval. he begs to be hanged even though he's innocent because he's so afraid of the monster. Months later, his father brings him news of evidence that clears him for Clerval's murder, soon he is released. Victor's relief is tempered when the monster pays him a visit to warn him that his need for revenge will be satisfied on Frankenstein's wedding day. Nonetheless, Victor decides to marry his fiancée Elizabeth, but as a precaution the ceremony will take place at a remote village that can only be accessed by sea. On his wedding night Victor spends his time watching the dock, not realising that the Monster had already  swam across the sea and surfaced a mile up shore. The Monster watch Victor's bride, unsure that he was justified to take the life of someone so innocent and beautiful. But the memory of how his own bride to be had died at Frankenstein's hands. Sheer hatred took over, her screams fell on deaf ears as it lunged for her. With his hands over her mouth, smothering her screams and her breath. With a blank mind the Monster remembers nothing for the minutes that past until Elizabeth lay dead. Of all of the strips for any of the British weeklies this one is the most adult and dramatic, reaching levels that none can top.

"The Executioner!"

Writer: Uncredited

Artist: Vic Dowling

Inker: Bob Stuart 

Originally published in Adventures into Terror #16

Cover date February 1953

(Published in November 1952)

This is a historical horror tale that first appeared in 1952, which might seem that the editors are having to dig deep to find content, but this three page tale is more than charming, it's horribly good. Tourneau, an aristocrat and chief executioner to King Louis XVI of France in the year 1789. Who would smile as he watched his victims enter the final choking throes of the minuet of death upon the end of a noose. He struggles to keep up with the numbers he was required to execute and needed to find a more efficient means of executing prisoners. A physician named Joseph-Ignace Guillotin provides him with designs for a mechanised decapitation device. The device (dubbed the guillotine) is put into use, but the timing of Guillotin's creation wasn't great, as the prisoners storm the Bastille during the start of the French Revolution. They capture Tourneau who subsequently becomes the guillotine's first victim.

Planet of the Apes #5

This cover may be "content" accurate but I can't say that it's a purchase maker. Ed Hannigan delivers a workman like cover and that should be praised. But aren't these Planet of the Apes coverslooking very repetitive? Mike Esposito inks Ed's pencils. 

Planet of the Apes “Capture!”

Writer: Doug Moench

Artist: George Tuska

Inker: Mike Esposito

Originally published in Planet of the Apes #3

Cover date December 1974

(Published in October 1974)

The fourth panel of last week's Planet of the Apes last page gets the blown up treatment to become the opening splash page for this second part which sees Taylor running out of the animal pens and races through the streets. As Taylor dodges the hunters nets his journey takes him through snapshots of simian life, like a funeral and even a museum... 

....where he discovers all sorts of weird exhibits, including the stuffed head of his fellow astronaut Dodge, mounted on a plaque, who he had been separated from when the astronauts had been caught up in a human hunt lead by horse riding gorillas.  

Taylor flees again running beneath a bridge, a pair of gorillas throw nets down on top of him, trapping him. Others race in to beat him with clubs. As Taylor's injured throat had finally healed enough for him to snarl in anger, "Get your filthy paws off me you damn dirty ape!" Stunned the apes look at him astonished to hear a human speaking.

Ka-Zar “The Sun God!”

Writer: Gerry Conway

Artist: Barry Windsor-Smith

Inker: Sam Grainger

Originally published in Astonishing Tales #4

Cover date February 1971

(Published in November 1970)

Zaladane, the Queen-Priestess of the Sun-People, launches an attack against the peaceful city of Vala-Kuri, slaughtering its passive Lizard-men citizens. Ka-Zar and friends attempt to stop her with the jungle lord riding ahead on a wild unicorn, with Zabu galloping at his side. Tongah follows a quickly as he can, leaving the 500 year old Petrified Man behind, studying a stone idol of  Garokk the Sun God. Engrossed in the statue he fails to hear a Tyrannosaurous Rex moving in for the kill, until as its death strike is obliterated by the deadly stare of energy delivered from the Petrified Man's eyes. Ka-Zar confronts the Sun-People's Priestess who orders his death, but a spear from Tongah's strong arm stops her in her tracks. The Petrified Man, now calling himself Garokk, arrives demanding peace. There is peace in all but one, Zaladane captures Ka-Zar, carrying him off in the claws of her Pterodactyl. Six panels have been removed from the US version so that the original ten page story can fit into nine pages of this British weekly. Which is fine in the early part, but later seems to quicken the conclusion a little too much. On the whole though it's still a nice quick read, thanks to Barry Windsor-Smith's artwork.

Gullivar Jones “The long road to nowhere!”

Writer: George Alec Effinger

Artist: Gil Kane and Wayne Boring

Inker: Jim Mooney

Originally published in Creatures on the Loose #19

Cover date September 1972

(Published in June1972)

I have to admit being let down slightly by having Gil Kane's wonderful opening splash page, then seeing the completely different artwork of Wayne Boring following it. Some readers might say that the splash page was used as this could be the second part of a split story, but no this is the first part as seen in the original US version. Gullivar and Chak enter an ice graveyard on the opening page and soon that part of the plot is forgotten, with only a brief panel showing the frozen cadavers. The story gets easily lost and to be honest I lost some of my interest in it. There are a pack of rabid cat/hound/things and a look at Princess Heru's predicament as she is held captive with a cellmate who has been ordered to killer her. It's fine fantasy but I do find myself drifting slightly with the thought of how those metal cup bras, worn by Heru and Chea, stay in place? 

The second in the Planet of the Apes' pin-up series features "Doctor Zaius the brilliant orangutang scientist" from the film Planet of the Apes, who "on learning that Taylor can speak it is Zaius who feels that he must be silenced at all costs!". Or at least that's what the text at the bottom of the page says. The first photo pin-up seen in POTA #3 said one thing, but Mark Rice a Power of the Beesting reader, corrected the original editor's mistake, as seen in last week's blog. Find out if those facts are wrong by looking for a correction in next week's Power of the Beesting blog. Right I'll have to go and start researching next week's fist full of fantastic Marvel mags. Till then...

See you in seven.

Make Mine Marvel.