Clea and present dangers!

 Week Ending 18th January 1975

It's good to be back to normal now the Christmas and New Year is over, but last week's blog took a bit of a hammering from the Crimbo-Limbo as a number of massive mistakes crept in. I'll hold my hands up and accept the blame, I could use the seasonal celebrations as an excuse as it messed up my blogging schedule, which is true, but in all honesty because I knew the facts before I wrote the mistakes. So quick thanks to Mark Rice, via the UK Marvel in the Seventies Facebook group who pointed out that I said that George Tuska drew Terror on the Planet of the Apes, when it wasn't, it was Mike Ploog. The Blogger Dangermash who suggested that the Marvel 1975 Calendar should come with a "spoiler warning" as he remembered 28 January coming as a bit of a shock! I had intended to mention that particular date but forgot. Best not mention why but if you look you'll see what the surprise was. Either way a Power of the Beesting No-Prize (PotBNoP,) goes to both Mark and Dangermash, thank you both.

The Mighty World of Marvel #120

OK this is a weird one, it looks like the Hulk is battling a sand-demon or is it meant to be the Sand-man? Well the Hulk is in a desert during a sand-storm but apart from a vision of Betty Ross and an appearance of an Israeli female soldier as the storm subsides but at no point does a sand-demon/sand-monster/Sandman fight the Hulk. I guess this was one to make the kids pick up the comic with this cover of false pretences by Ron Wilson (pencils) and Mike Esposito (inks).

 

The Incredible Hulk “And the measure of a man is...death!”

Writer: Gerry Conway and Roy Thomas (Plot)

Artist: Herb Trimpe

Inker: John Severin

Originally published in The Incredible Hulk #146

Cover date December 1971

(Published in September 1971)

We find the Hulk making his way through the Israeli desert after last week's events. The story seems to mirror that scene as the plot plods along without seemingly going any where. In truth there are layers to this story with a lot of important background plot setting that must be laid out. Gerry Conway is the third writer in the last three Hulk tales, (please note that one American story is split over normally two weeks in the British comics,) British readers have read in last six weeks. Roy Thomas does deliver the basic plot line in this story and probably in the last three tales. 

In-between the Hulk's struggle in a desert storm, General Ross is setting up his new venture, Project Greenskin. It feels like some pages have been removed for this British edition as some of the explanation and plot jumps slightly, which is true because pages two and eleven have indeed been removed, but those moments when it feels like the "matrix" has been reset are part of the plot, which when read in isolation feels like Conway can't keep hold of a plot. All will make more sense next week. General Ross is gleefully talking about the Vice-President inspection, then the next he's his angry old self. He wants Jim Wilson off the base before the inspection and sends the kid away with the most "squarest" of soldiers in a staff car. When Jim tries to break the ice with the soldier/driver he pulls a high-tech gun on him. Jim blocks the shot with a briefcase, but the car crashes off the road throwing the teenager free. When Jim goes to help the driver he finds out the he had been some sort of crazy robot duplicate. Curiouser and curiouser, more to discover next week in "Man-trap!"

The Mighty Marvel Mailbag

David Fielder from Hertfordshire feels that Jim Wilson's introduction in MWOM #94 was a resounding success, and certainly one of the most effective Hulk stories for quite some time. John Wooley from Essex noticed in the American edition of X-Men #49 that a letter was written by a familiar name, Tony Isabella. Stephen Griffiths from Yorks has spotted a connection between the Hulk stories in MWOM #44 and MWOM #91. He does point out that they feature the same college and a connection with Captain Marvel among other great points. He's nailed it with those deductions, which happens to be absolutely correct, earning him a No-Prize. Nicholas Nunn from Worcestershire says he's seen many different version of the Thing, but seeing him with a set of teeth in MWOM #101was something else. 

Lawrence Milstead's letter from MWOM #107 suggested that he couldn't understand why so many readers liked the Silver Surfer, but this week Peter Taylor from Birmingham thinks that his popularity comes from his relevance, especially with reading the Surfers series from 1968-70. Colin Cannock from Manchester has just counted his collection and it comes to 531 comics and two annuals. John Corrigan from Paisley thinks that MWOM gets better all the time. John sees himself as a socialist and is a little annoyed with Iron Man being portrayed as a reactionary capitalist. He doesn't want him ousted, but please could they tone down his language a little. David Cook from Angus suggests that the Inhumans could easy escape the negative barrier as Lockjaw has the power of teleportation. Adam Brockbank from London rightfully complains that in the Daredevil story from MWOM #90 the British Policemen were shown carrying guns, when normally they don't. David Fisher from Kent has devised a "matter transformer" that could help Ben Grimm become human. 

Bullpen Bulletins

Readers of last week's Avengers weekly will notice that this week's MWOM Bullpen Bulletin page had already been printed there. The only change is that the Hulk appears above the Marvel 1975 Calendar Item and this week's Spider-man Comics Weekly and the Avengers weekly previews.  

Daredevil “They came from outer space!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Dick Ayers

Originally published in Daredevil #28

Cover date May 1967

(Published in March 1967)

Page eleven of the original US story comes at the perfect time to start this second half as an opening splash page. Daredevil investigates the presence of aliens near the college campus. The weird aliens don't appear to be named in this Daredevil story but I'll hazard a guess that Mark Gruenwald named them when he wrote their entry in the Official handbook of the Marvel Universe #8, cover dated August 1983, published May 1983, as the Queega race. The aliens plot is to take over the world by activating a device that will make the entire human population blind. This kind of plot had to be part of a Daredevil story, it wouldn't make sense elsewhere. But it has no effect on Daredevil, as you would imagine. DD gains the upper hand by dodging out of the way of one of the alien's freeze blasters that hits the device, destroying it in the process. The destruction restores everyone's vision. Defeated the aliens flee Earth. With Karen among the temporary blinded victims she gives Matt a loving hug when her sight returns. Honestly I wasn't impressed with this story, it's a page filler and nothing more. 

The Fantastic Four “Face to face with...Klaw!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Joe Sinnott 

Originally published in The Fantastic Four #56

Cover date November 1966

(Published in August 1966)

This second part opening page is a paste-up of panels three four and five from last week's page 35, with an enlarged first panel of page twelve from the original version. The second panel from that page is enlarged to fill in the gap, completing the 27th page of MWOM. The Thing smashes his way through Klaw's sonic barrier with help from Reed's "Counter-Sonic Harness, just as the iconic villain has cornered the Invisible Girl. Ben arrives just in time to save her.

Meanwhile the Human Torch and Wyatt Wingfoot are with the Inhuman pet dog, Lockjaw, who has taken them to a strange new world. Now listen carefully this is going to get complicated real fast continuity wise. They bumped into Lockjaw back in MWOM #114, but that story should have come after their adventure in MWOM #115 and #116 but British Marvel decided to show the Silver Surfer vs the Thing story before they should. "Leap-frogging into maze of mayhem." details possible reasons for this. Anyway British readers would've had to put up with that continuity error, or try to win a No-Prize for spotting it. At the Baxter Building a "packet rocket" arrives. I'm sure I've seen this design before and since. One of Kirby's classic designs maybe. John Buscema has used it, or at least something similar, much later when he draws the FF. (I'm thinking of the mini rocket the FF train with in the Fantastic Four train with in The Fantastic Four annual #11, cover dated June 1976, published March 1976.)  

It contains a special delivery from the Black Panther, two Vibranium bands. Reed uses them as knuckle dusters to punch the crap out of the Klaw, as they absorb sonic energy and are as hard as one of the Hulk's punches. Still it's not an easy fight but Reed comes out as the winner and he thanks T'Challa. The Wakandan King isn't the only guest star to appear on the final page. Somewhere in Europe a mysterious ruler watches a man fly through the sky on a surf board. It becomes clearer that it is no mere man, but the Silver Surfer. Judging by the "next issue" text at the bottom of the page it is also no mere monarch watching the Surfer, the clue is "Next: Doctor Doom!"

All five weeklies feature the March and April entries of the Marvel 1975 Calendar, with titles like "March is Power Man City" and "April showers bring Avengers powers". Notable dates in March are birthdays for Bullpeners Flo Steinberg, a secretary who was in charge of answering fan mail, on the 17th and writer Mike Friedrich on the 27th. Also the first issue of Luke Cage Hero for Hire was released on the 21st of March 1972. In April there are birthdays for artist Gil Kane on the 6th, production manager Sol Brodsky on the 21st, writer Steve Englehart on the 22rd, artist George Tuska on the 26th and artist Dick Ayers on the 28th. May and June's calendars will appear on the back of some of next week's comics, but you'll have to wait till next week's blog to find out which mags. 

Spider-man Comics Weekly #101

The second of Ron Wilson's covers this week.  I do kind of like this one, signalling the return of Electro as he emerges from a smoke filled city to zap the fallen web-slinger. It's the best of Ron's covers this week, but not quite the best cover of the week. Frank Giacoia is the inker.

Spider-man “And then came Electro!”

 

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: John Romita Sr

Inker: Jim Mooney

Originally published in the Amazing Spider-man #82

Cover date March 1970

(Published in December 1969)

Long time Power of the Beesting readers may remember one of the early blogs in which I took Electro's power and credibility to pieces. (As seen in Foom day cometh.) In that blog I also give credit to this week's Spider-man story as one of my all time favourites, due to discovering it first in Marvel Annual 1974. This is a great opening splash page, John Romita Sr. returns rested and raring to go. Peter's got a head full of worries from Captain Stacy and Joe Robertson discovering his secret identity, to not being able to share the rent bills with Harry Osborn. Girlfriend troubles with Gwen, grief from Flash because Peter has a beautiful girlfriend and grief from Jonah Jameson for not getting great pictures of Spider-man and also grief from him for just being the wall-crawler. All that plus his Aunt has taken a turn for the worst because she discovered a webbed dummy in his bed, which he left to give her the impression he was asleep, while really he was out fighting the Kangaroo last issue.

Mary Jane tells Peter to ring Gwen, because she's got news of a secret party for Flash with the gang. Now Peter's worried that he can't take the love of his life out due to lack of funds. His solution is get a television gig that will pay cash to earn some bread. After swinging through thick smoke from a chimney stack that dirties his costume, (Can things get any worse?) he arrives at the TV studio to make a pitch. Amazingly even in his sooted costume they agree. As they show him around a high voltage cable breaks free, endangering everyone. The new electrician, Max Dillon switches the circuit breaker off, potentially endangering his own life. All is safe but Spidey wonders where he's heard Dillon's name before? Dillon goes home and recalls his first encounter as Electro with Spider-man in SMCW #1. On television Jameson is outraged that the Midnight Show is interviewing Spider-man. This gives Dillon an idea to make money. He pulls out a suitcase with a false compartment that holds is super-villain costume. 

Peter can't nearly afford to take Gwen out on the subway, then at the party he has a fall out with Flash. Meanwhile Jameson wants to print another front page editorial on Spider-man being a menace, when Electro enters with a proposition that he'll love. Next week we'll find out this story's shocking conclusion in "Midnight Madness!"

The Web and the Hammer

The first letter for this week's The Web and the Hammer is unsigned from Oldhurst near Huntingdon, but they haven't been able to buy any US mags in any of the towns they live near. Thor from Asgard near London, (not sure it's from the real Thunder God,) suggests that 90 people in Asgard think his stories have become poor since Iron Man joined SMCW. Alistair Henderson says that the Avengers used to be his favourite comic but now he thinks that Shang-Chi and Doctor Strange have ruined it, so now his favourite is SMCW. Tony Johnston from Kent was recruited into the ranks of Marvel by his Dad. Steven Coy Gloucester had spent five years in Australia, where they had Spider-man on television. Frankie Devine from Lanarkshire wrote this letter on behalf of his little brother, who's only seven, he buys all three comics a week, his favourite hero is Spider-man. Frankie, who is fifteen, wants to see Doctor Strange replaced with the Silver Surfer.  

Iron Man “If I must die, let it be with honour!”

 

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Don Heck

Inker: Vince Colletta

Originally published in Tales of Suspense #69

Cover date September 1965

(Published in June 1965)

 

It's another one of those stories from Stan Lee and Don Heck where some foreign power is sponsoring a super-villain to battle Iron Man to prove their superiority over the decadent West. In the original story it was the Soviet Union who were betrayed as the enemies of freedom, as the antagonist worked in a Communist work camp not far from Siberia. In the UK version good old trusty Bodavia was the setting of the work camp. 

Commander Bullski, (Comrade Bullski in the original US comic, I can't see why they are so worried that British readers will be offended by the mention of anything communist or far left wing.) orders the captive scientists to build him a suit of armour bigger and better than Iron Man'a armour. To aid them he allows them to work in the Crimson Dynamo's old laboratory. While Bullski studies Iron Man's fighting style they build him a giant suit go Titanium armour. With the heavy bombardment of propaganda Iron Man agrees to a fight with the Titanium Man on a neutral site. The Titanium Man's suit is more powerful than Iron Man's  but the Avenger is more quicker. In a fair fight they could be evenly matched. Although the Bodavian's (Russians,) might not play fair. Find out next week how it goes.   
 

Bullpen Bulletins

Earlier in the Mighty World of Marvel the majority of the Items where from last week's Avengers weekly Bullpen page, well this week's Spider-man Comics Weekly Bullpen Bulletins page contains Items from the Bulletin page seen in Avengers weekly #68 and one Item from the Bulletin page from Avengers weekly #67. The only original feature on this page is the "Now on sale" advert for this week's Mighty World of Marvel. If you're a regular Power of the Beesting reader you won't want me to repeat myself, if you haven't seen those blogs click on the links to discover what happened.  

The Mighty Thor “The wrath of Odin!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Vince Colletta

Originally published in The Mighty Thor #147

Cover date December 1967

(Published in October 1967)

The police fire on Thor because they believe he's helping the Circus of Crime steal a golden statue of a bull. But their actions have freed him from the Ringmaster's hypnosis and is intensions are to lift the fallen statue that has pinned Princess Python to the floor. With ease Thor quickly lifts the bull up and place it back where it belongs. In spite of those actions he is still placed under arrest. Hysterical, Princess Python tells the police that Thor isn't to blame and he was hypnotised into helping. The police refuse to listen. Princess Python slides down her pet snake into the Circus of Crime's awaiting get away truck. She tries to talk the Ringmaster into helping Thor, but they flee the scene to avoid arrest.

While in custody, Thor tells the officers that he has no memory of what had transpired, still they escort him to a cell pending trial. Elsewhere, the exiled Loki continues his wanderings until he feels a sudden magical pull. He soon finds himself suddenly transported back to Asgard to stand before Odin. Odin confirms that Loki's exile is over on the conditional that he commit no further acts of infamy. Sif and Balder protest at Loki's return. They ask that Odin restores Thor's powers as well. Odin denies these requests, which have only succeeded in tipping off Loki of Thor's current predicament, which Loki plans to exploit for his own purposes. Next Issue "Loki Strikes."

Avengers Weekly #70

This cover originally appeared on Marvel Premiere issue 19, which would regularly have covers by Gil Kane in all but this one during the Iron Fist's run. This time we are treated to an excellent Jim Starlin cover with his trusty friend Al Milgrom adding the inks. It feels unique, almost if it was a stock Iron Fist cover used when Kane was unable to produce one. Although the mysterious Ninja does appear on the cover and in the story. It's my Cover of the Week.

Doctor Strange “When strike the Sons of Satannish!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Tom Palmer

Originally published in Doctor Strange #175

Cover date December 1968

(Published in September 1968)

While dropping Clea off at he new apartment, Doctor Strange feels the presence of an unknown foe, so to shield Clea from any worry he investigates it by entering into an astral state, but instantly he becomes trapped in rings of some "negativistic, nihilistic force". He counter acts the force and returns his physical form to see Clea home safe. Strange returns to his Sanctum to study the threat of Satannish and decide what to do next. 

Strange ponders his own safety knowing that Clea would be safe as he had kept her location a secret. At least he believes so, but he remembers he forgot to erase the cab driver's mind. At her apartment Clea answers the door bell to find Wong, who tells her that his master fears for her safety and he has come to bring her to him without delay. Doctor Strange locates the cab driver in a trance outside Clea's apartment. Clea and Wong are accosted by a group of men, Clea uses a spell of temporal vanishment. The shock to the remaining thugs gives Clea a chance to escape, she runs straight into the arms of a stranger who wears the garb of a member of the Sons of Satannish.

The Avengers “Death calls for the arch-heroes!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: John Buscema

Inker: Vince Colletta 

Originally published in The Avengers #52

Cover date May 1968

(Published in March 1968)

The Black Panther might be making a guest appearance at the end of this week's Fantastic Four story in the Mighty World of Marvel this week, but in the Avengers weekly he's sneaking into the Avengers mansion to join the assemblers at the request of Captain America. As he passes through the security systems the Panther says he learned of the alternative entrance to the mansion from Reed Richards after their recent clash with Klaw. This is to match up with the Panthers and the FF's previous encounters as seen in the pages of the MWOM. In the original US version it had been Captain America who had told him about the entrance and it was Baron Zemo who both Cap and the Panther had fought. 

Inside the mansion he finds Goliath, Hawkeye and the Wasp dead. While examining the bodies, S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Jasper Sitwell arrives and accuses him of murdering the three Avengers. Sitwell calls the police to arrest the Panther. Somewhere in the city a new super-villain, Grim Reaper, is ecstatic that he has got away with murdering the Avengers, but we'll have to wait till next week to find out why. 

Avengers Readers Assemble

The Avengers letter page starts like The Web and the Hammer page with an unsigned letter writer, this time from Birmingham, but strangely their letter is also about American mags and their lack of distribution. Ravinder Duggal from York says that around the Pudsey and Bradford area the US editions, including the black and white 75 cents magazines, are coming in faster than he can buy them. D Pearce from Hertfordshire loves Marvel characters especially Spider-man, Hawkeye, Captain America and the Hulk. D wants to know if they have British Marvel comics in Cork because they are moving to Ireland. The good news is that British Marvel mags have made it to the emerald shores. Paul Huddleston from Belfast is a devoted fan of Marvel and wants other fans to write to him if they need back issues that he'll swop with them. L Beadman RFO, KOF, from the Isle of Man give some recommendations for stories to replace strips that have caught up with their US editions. 

John Chadwick and Robert Siburn from Leeds have written together to tell Marvel that they got the Spider-man Annual and have ordered the Avengers and Marvel annuals. Also they would like to Iron Man removed from SMCW to give Spider-man and Thor more space. They suggest that the golden Avenger would be better suited in the Avengers weekly. James Hedgecock from Essex has created a new character called "Jelly Man" who can mould into all kinds of shapes and if he's shot the bullets pass straight through him. Steven Hogan from Surrey says he's been reading Marvel for a long time and he gets 20 mags a month. Robert Miller really enjoyed Ross Andru's artwork for Shang-Chi in Avengers weekly #49, but says the Avengers story in that issue was average. however he adds that John Buscema will go down as one of the best artists ever. David Goodchild from Buckinghamshire want's to see his favourite super-hero, the Ghost Rider, in one of the British comics.

"Don't dare miss these two great weeklies!" it reads. The covers featured in this in-house advert are Dracula Lives issue 11 and Planet of the Apes issue 11, both from two weeks ago, cover dated 4th January 1975. I guess the designer felt that the current covers weren't as important than the general message that these exciting titles were on sale. The Dracula image at the top was from the cover of Dracula Lives #7 by Pablo Marcus and the Apes image was drawn by George Tuska and was originally seen in the third panel of page seven of Planet of the Apes #3 if you was a British Marvel reader. If you were lucky enough to own the American Marvel/Curtis version it was in issue 2, cover dated October 1974, published August 1974.

Iron Fist “Death-cult!”

Writer: Doug Moench

Artist: Larry Hama

Inker: Dick Giordano

Originally published in Marvel Premiere #19

Cover date November 1974

(Published in August 1974)

Iron Fist returns to the Avengers weekly after events seen in Avengers weekly #59. Personally I do enjoy the Kung Fu stories in this mag as much as the Avengers stories, varied fruits makes the pie taste sweeter. But I have to say I slightly prefer Iron Fist over Shang-Chi, it's good to find out what happened next. Opening with this eye catching splash page sees Joy Meachum vowing revenge for her father's death. Outside the Meachum Building, Iron Fist is greeted by Colleen Wing, who has been tasked to bring him to her father Lee Wing a professor of Oriental studies at Columbia University. Meanwhile Joy Meachum calls her uncle, Ward Meachum to aid in her revenge against Iron Fist.

Arriving at Wing's home, two assassins hurl knifes at Iron Fist which he quickly deflects. The attack is so brief that Colleen doesn't even notice. Inside, Professor Lee Wing explains that he witnessed the attack and that he is a target of the Cult of Kara-Kai. His story starts with while on an expedition in Asia, he came across a book that told the secret to destroying the fabled land of K'un-Lun. This made him a target of the cult who seek to claim it for that very purpose. He traveled to the Himalayas in search of more answers. There he meet a dying monk by the name of Da Tempa, last seen in Avengers weekly #59, who told the Professor all about K'un-Lun  and the boy called Danny Rand. The Professor offers Danny a job as his research assistant and body-guard against the Cult of Kara-Kai. Danny agrees but first he wants to convince Joy Meachum of his innocence in her father's death. A meeting is arranged at an Arcade on 42nd Street. Looks like a trap, find out if it is next week.

Dracula Lives #13

Pablo Marcos creates this atmospheric Dracula cover for the Vampire Lord's mag. American artists are often maligned for their depictions of British police officers and their uniforms. The Peruvian artist really earned brownie points for getting those details right. This effort was really close to becoming my Cover of the Week, but not close enough. 

  

Dracula “Night of the Death Stalkers!”

Writer: Marv Wolfman

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Tom Palmer

Originally published in Tomb of Dracula #7

Cover date March 1973

(Published in December 1972)

With a new writer joining this strip the events of last week's story feel that they are almost forgotten. They aren't really , although the presence of Randolph Dering, the Moorlands Monster is neatly parked so that Marv Wolfman can take this strip in a direction more to his liking. Wolfman's choices cement the feel of these tales by strengthening the cast of supporting characters, subtly fixing continuity around Dracula's past and painting a Dracula who is every bit the vampire of legend, whether its from the novel or the countless horror movies that fill our collective psyche. If you're a massive fan of Dracula, including the Tomb of Dracula stories that are printed in the Dracula Lives comic check out Thought Balloon, where it offers a more in-depth look at Marvel's Dracula strip, I highly recommend it.

Dracula has returned to London, obviously he is planning some scheme in the capital, otherwise he would have returned to Transylvania. Marv Wolfman introduces two more characters, (and a dog,) to the cast who will play important rolls in making this strip a weekly "must read"! The first is Edith, a girl who is attacked by the vampire lord, but survives thanks to the crucifix she wears. Edith knows Dracula by name, due to her father being Quincy Harker, the second new character Marv Wolfman introduces, the son of Jonathan and Mina Harker who fought Dracula, as told in the Bran Stoker novel. The dog if you're wondering is Saint, Quincy's pet Alsatian. Quincy Harker may be wheel-chair bound but his vampire killing gismos and planning skills makes him the ideal leader of our band of vampire hunters.

 

To make the Lord of the Vampires seem more evil than you could possibly imagine, Marv Wolfman takes this story to places other writers dared not go as Dracula hypnotises a group of children playing in the fresh fallen snow, sapping their wills to become his army of young assassins. Find out what he has planned for them next week in what promises to be "The death of innocence!" 

Cryptic Correspondance

Christopher Hill from Kent thinks that Dracula Lives is sensational, even though he has only read issues 3 and 4 as he was unable to pick up the first two issues. When he went to his local Newsagent's to get issue 3 there was a boy in the queue before him,  apparently he wanted the same issue and picked up the last one. Christopher had to go to another newsagents to get his copy. Ian Smails from Gateshead says that Dracula Lives is a really interesting comic, but he wonders if the artist is aware that vampires do not cast shadows? Winston Winland from Essex says it was a memorable day he walked to the counter of a shop and bought the new mag "Dracula Lives". Mark Pickup RFO, QNS, KOF, from Cheshire can't find the words to describe how good Planet of the Apes and Dracula Live are. He does say that George Tuska's artwork is "very good!" Philip Hinks makes a pilgrimage down to his local newsagents every Saturday morning eagerly clutching his sixteen pence to buy copies of the Planet of the Apes and Dracula Lives.

Action in the mighty Marvel tradition with these Marvel triumphs as shown in this in-house advert for British Marvel super-hero weeklies. It sits above two payed for adverts for stamp collecting. Would stamp collectors be reading horror comics or super-hero comics? Well maybe, the adverts would have helped keep production costs down so these little adverts never bothered me. In truth I never even read what they were about.

Werewolf by Night “Like a wolf at bay!”

Writer:Gerry Conway

Artist: Mike Ploog

Inker: Frank Chiaramonte

Originally published in Werewolf by Night #2

Cover date November 1972

(Published in August 1972)

This second part opening splash page uses the Mike Ploog cover from Werewolf by Night issue 2 with the fifth and sixth panels of last week's page twenty-four added. It allows the story to be recapped with the minimal fuss. Jack receives a visit by a man who calls himself Mark Cephalos. Cephalos knows that Jack is the Werewolf and confesses to piloting the helicopter that attempted to capture him as seen in last week's first half. This story only makes sense if those events took place over a month ago, as it stated it was the third night of the full moon. So Cephalos must have taken a month to track Jack Russell down, or maybe he planned to be with Jack on the night of a full moon for reasons we'll soon discover as later Jack transforms into the Werewolf on the first night of a new moon.

Jack agrees to go with Cephalos who kidnaps Jack inside his car by releasing knock out gas. Cephalos takes him back to his lair where he tells the revived prisoner that he is dying, and wants to steal the life-energy of Jack's Werewolf form in order to save his life. At this point in the British comic the pages get printed in the wrong order. It should have read page 18, 20, 19 and then 21. Cephalos and his henchman hooks Jack up to a machine and waits for the transformation to take place. As the new moon rises Jack transforms, breaking free of the device. However, enough energy has transferred to Cephalos, gifting him with incredible strength. The two begin fighting one another, but the rejuvenated man manages to subdue the Werewolf. Cephalos leaves the beast for reason's unknown to take flight in his helicopter. The Werewolf dives at the helicopter as it takes off, forcing it off course. He dives free, as the vehicle crashes into the Hollywood Hills ending Cephalos's life.

Frankenstein’s Monster “The final Frankenstein!”

 

Writer: Gary Friedrich

Artist: Mike Ploog

Inker: Mike Ploog

Originally published in The Frankenstein Monster #6

Cover date October 1973

(Published in July 1973)

The Mike Ploog artwork (that had modifications on the Frankenstein Monster by John Romita Sr.) for the cover of the Frankenstein Monster #6, (the new title for his US comic that had previously been called The Monster of Frankenstein.) is used as the opening splash page to this story's second part. The Monster has been captured and chained to a wall in the dungeons of Frankenstein's old castle has he waits to be fed to a giant spider. His relentless tugging at his bonds have caused water to drip through the masonry. The Lieutenant who he fought last week, has revived himself and tracked him to the castle's lower dungeons.

The castles owner, who the Monster believed was the descendent of his creator Frankenstein, is revealed to have been Colonel Blackstone, the Lieutenants superior officer. Horrified by the fact that the Colonel has used the giant spider and prisoners to create his own hellish army of dead-like soldiers the lieutenant attacks Blackstone. The Monster manages to break free from his bonds., but in doing so he destroys the wall that held back the sea, releasing a cascade of water, drowning Colonel Blackstone. The Monster wrestles with the freed giant spider and eventually destroys it. He swims to the surface outside of the remains of Frankenstein's castle, knowing he must continue his quest for the last Frankenstein. But where will his journey take him? Our only clue is the end "next:" text that reads one word, "Transylvania!"

Planet of the Apes #13

The third of Ron Wilson's covers this week. I have to be honest the Planet of the Apes covers are getting very generic, to the point that it's become difficult to tell them apart. Not much to say other than Mike Esposito inked this for Ron. 

This introduction to the Terror on the Planet of the Apes story originally appeared in the Marvel/Curtis magazine #2, cover dated October 1974, published August 1974. Which kind of gives away some of the plot of this week's Planet of the Apes story as "Chapter Two: Fugitives on the Planet of the Apes" had been printed in issue one of the American Marvel/Curtis magazine version of the Planet of the Apes. It would have been better suited leaving it till next week's issue. Spoiler: It does get used again in issue fourteen.

 

Planet of the Apes “Fugitives on the Planet of the Apes”

 

Writer: Gerry Conway (Plot) and Doug Moench

Artist: Mike Ploog

Inker: Mike Ploog

Originally published in Planet of the Apes #1

Cover date August 1974

(Published in June 1974)

Jason who was unable to rescue his parents or stop the escaping arsonists watches the inferno consume his home. Alexander his chimpanzee friend agrees to go with him in the direction the attackers fled. The group of gorillas who carried out the attacks in the city arrive at a secret camp of the rebellious gorillas and are greeted by their leader who reveals himself to be Brutus, the Lawgiver's appointed "Peace Officer".  The two young friends are captured by a gorilla patrol and are taken to the camp.

Jason and Alex witness Brutus murder his own wife, Zena, who had suspected her husband's evil secret life. Alex is allowed to escape while Jason is framed for Zena's murder. He stands trial in the city on the trumped up charge. With the kangaroo courts verdict Jason awaits execution in jail. Alex hasn't forgotten his friend, using fire he tricks the stupid gorilla jailer to free his prisoner and the pair escape in the direction of the Forbidden Zone in hope they find the Lawgiver to clear their names and stop Brutus. 

The Apes on TV

This feature continues its in-depth look into the behind the scenes of the Planet of the Apes TV series with a quick look at the series' stars, Roddy McDowall, who plays the chimpanzee Galen, the two lost astronauts Alan Virdon and Pete Burke played by Ron Harper and James Naughton respectively as well as the villain of the program Urko, who is played by Mark Lenard. It goes onto give a run down on how the production progresses, including how long the apes artists take to get into make-up and the location of the sets, that use the Twentieth Century-Fox's West Pico Boulevard studio complex as well as locations on the Fox ranch out in Malibu Canyon. There's also details of the series's director of photography, Gerald Perry Finnerman, who has also worked on Star Trek and Kojak. If you're a Planet of the Apes TV fan, or even a 60's/70's TV fan you'll find this article interesting.

This full page advert for next week's issue teases the readers with news that the classic science fiction thriller by Fredrick Brown "Arena!" will start Marvel's run of full length adaptions of the greatest science fiction classics ever penned! If the artwork by Dick Giordano, from the cover of Worlds Unknown #4, cover dated November 1973, published July 1973, shown in this advert, is anything to go by the readers are in for a real treat. 

Apes Forum

Terry Whittaker from Oldham really enjoyed the Planet of the Apes comic but he doesn't think that Ka-Zar belongs in the mag. Lesley Mitchell from London is also pleased with the new Planet of the Apes mag but also feels that the inclusion of "Warrior of Mars" or "The Power of Ka-Zar." is unnecessary, as the mag should just be about Planet of the Apes. Steven Wood also from London calls POTA "brilliant!" John Pugh from Gwent sent in a sketch of the astronauts from POTA and would like a piece of original art from the sequel. He doesn't get it for the reason's the editor gives. Thomas Bonner congrats British Marvel on the two new mags, saying that Gene Colan and Mike Ploog may be new to British readers but they'll soon become great favourites. When Margaret Santa from Essex first saw the apes' faces her eyes nearly popped out of her head. They look like the Hulk when he's just got out of bed, making them look uncivilised and undisciplined. Whereas she thinks they should be quite civilised and disciplined.

Tales of the Watcher “The wonder of the Watchers!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Syd Shores

Originally published in Silver Surfer #1

Cover date August 1968

(Published in May 1968)

This story was adapted from the Stan Lee/Larry Lieber story "The Way it Began", which originally appeared as the third strip in Tales of Suspense issue 53, cover dated May 1964, published February 1964. This updated version by Stan Lee and Gene Colan was featured as the second strip in the Silver Surfer #1, details above. Here the Watcher informs the readers why he and his race cannot interfere in the affairs of other races, as many eons ago, the Watcher's race already possessed technology far more advanced than any other race in the galaxy. Some of his people wanted to help advance other primitive races, while others wanted to allow those races to develop naturally. 

The Watcher and his father supported helping other planets. After days of debate their side won the argument. They found the planet Prosilicus and gave the Prosilicans the gift of unlimited atomic energy, then leaving them to develop as a society. Some of the Prosilicans chose to create weapons to destroy their enemies and take control of their planet. As they became more warlike they directed their attacks at a neighbouring planet. Violence produces violence causing their neighbours to retaliate, causing the assured destruction of both planets as nuclear attacks were exchanged. The Watchers return to Prosilicus to see the result of their interference, a surviving Prosilican blames the Watchers for giving them atomic energy before they were ready for it. From that day on, the Watchers resolve to stay out of the affairs of others with a policy of noninterference.

Tales of the Watcher returns in two issues time, but don't worry I'll hopefully be back before then for more stuff and nonsense about British Marvel comics from fifty years ago. Till then...

See you in seven.

Make Mine Marvel.