Week Ending 1st March 1975
On another note, I rarely ever explain the titles of these blogs, I always hope that they'll intrigue the reader to work out their meaning. Some are obvious, some less so. You might've noticed this week's title, playfully connecting with Black Bolts destruction of the Negative barrier and the Attilan city walls, it could easy have been "A town called Malice" a play on this week's Dracula story title. But it had to be a The Jam song title this week. As their music became a sound track to my youth, making it's sad to hear this week that The Jam's drummer Rick Buckler passed away on the 17th February. Losing parts of your childhood is the bitterest pill you have to swallow. RIP Rick.
On a happier note next week's title has been planned for years. But let's get this week's blog over first.
The second part of this week's Hulk adventure is full of Roy Thomas paying homage to Harlen Ellison's work, but the British Marvel editors play on the title of Ray Bradbury's 1962 dark fantasy novel "Something Wicked This Way Comes", the second book in his Green Town Trilogy, which works nicely. The image for this opening splash page is the enlarged sixth panel from last week's eleventh page, which works less so. Thankfully Herb Trimpe's artwork continues at a reasonable scale for the rest of the strip.
As I mentioned Roy's Harlen Ellison love fest continues this week as he drops titles or references into the script right, left and centre. Most of them are in bold so you can easily spot them. This week starts with "Along The Scenic Route"; "The Pitll Pawob Division"; ("Shattered Like A Glass Goblin" would have been seen in the third panel of page four, however the Hulk's dialogue has been changed for no good reason!): "Repent Harlequin.. Said the Tick Tock Man", "Worlds To Kill"; "Try A Dull Knife"; "Santa Clause vs. S.P.I.D.E.R."; (A slight stretch but you get the idea-Santa Clause vs. Spider-man,) "Wanted In Surgery"; "The Discarded"; "Asleep With Still Hands"; "S.R.O" (I haven't read that story, so it makes no sense in the context it is used into me.); "Run For the Stars"; "The Crackpots" and finally "White on White". Have fun looking for all those in the strip. Thanks to ruckus24 from ComicVine for saving me lots of time with all that. Click on the link for more insight.
The results of the spell gift the Hulk knowledge of Jarella's language and Bruce Banner's intelligence. Soon he's to be wed to Queen Jarella but her cousin Visis has other plans and intends to spoil the wedding by assassinating the groom before his big day and take the throne from the lovely couple. The Hulk stops his agenda, but Visis isn't the only one who has dark plans. The giant hand of Psyklop plucks the Hulk from the microscopic world, returning him to his own. Leaving a heart broken Jarella in tears at the heart of an atom.
However the sorcerer's spell slips from the green brute and with it the last vestige of Banner's personality, leaving only a savage confused Hulk, who's more than a match for Psyklop. The tale ends with a nice piece of symmetry as the displeased Dark Ones plucks their failed servant much like he did to the Hulk. There's a lot to this story on so many levels. I first read it as a one-off piece in Marvel UK's "A Marvel Treasury: The Avengers" winter special from December 1982, as back-up to the Avengers stories "Behold...the Vision!" and "Even an android can cry!" I love that special and I love this tale. Classic is sometimes over used, but this time it's spot on, an absolute classic!
G. Higgins from Liverpool sarcastically offered thanks for almost spoiling his reading of the MWOM by the Avengers Annual 1975 and the American September editions of the Avengers and FF by revealing that Crystal and the Inhumans have escaped the negative zone. Paul Ley RFO from Walsall wants to see more of Daredevil and Conan. Peter Adair from Belfast writes in with another version of the history of kung fu. he gives loads of details but although much of the martial arts is shrouded in mystery, most Chinese trace its origin back to the Shaolin Temple in Honan province, central China. There is some evidence to suggest that the essentials of the art might have been brought from India, by the Buddhist monks who came to China in the 3rd and 4th centuries AD. Quite a deep letter one for kung fu fans. Next a mini quiz from "The Dreaded Catapult" from Kent, can you answer these questions? 1. What's Cyclops' name. 2. Who is Moleman's arch-enemy. 3) Who is Submariner's arch-enemy. 4) Who is Dr. Connors? 5) Who is Norman Osborne?. If like Catapult you have the agility of Spiderman, the accuracy of Hawkeye, the brain of Reed Richards you probably got all these answers 1) Slim Summers. 2) Tyrranus. 3) Attuma. 4) Lizard. 5) Green Goblin.
Trond Ward From Herts asks does he qualify for a RFO and a KOF and why is his copy of FOOM later? Kevin Conlan PMM from New Brighton in Merseyside writes with Galactus and the Silver Surfer at last been released upon the patient and long-waiting British public there will doubtless be an overwhelming amount of fan mail begging for the Silver Surfer own strip to be printed in the British weeklies. Kevin points out that Stan Lee's greatest achievement was the creation of Galactus as he's "not evil! He is above good or evil! He does what he must. for he is Galactus!" "Lee's greatest achievement" I thinks Kirby fans might have something to say about that. John Hughes from Tyne and Wear found a fantastic newsagents in Sunderland that not only sold British Marvel weeklies but loads of American comics too. Christopher Fairbank from London is offering up to fifty pence if they re-print issue one of the Silver Surfer for him. He'll won't have to spend that much for it as coming in the Spring of 1975 the Surfer with appear in his own British mag, as we'll see soon.
Writer: Stan Lee
Writer: Stan Lee
The second part of this story actually starts with a prologue, this perfectly positioned second page uses the adapted cover art from the cover of the Fantastic Four issue 59. Black Bolt has used his incredibly powerful vocal powers to shatter the Negative barrier that has held the Inhumans captive inside their city. The voice of Black Bolt is heard throughout the land causing instantly a cataclysmic sonic chain reaction among the surrounding air molecules shaking the nearby buildings like weeds in a hurricane.
The barrier is destroyed but so is the city itself, What price to pay as walls come tumbling down. Jack Kirby is magnificent at drawing cataclysmic events. Even when I've been somewhat down putting on Stan Lee's input in the crafting of these classic Marvel adventures, I can never underestimate the gravitas that his dialogue gives to these stories. The sign of a good writer is knowing when to add extra dialogue and description. The sign of a great writer is knowing when to not. The sign of an exceptional writer is knowing what is necessary with any particular artist and how to let the artist's artwork breathe. Stan and Jack may have had their falling outs later in their partnership, but this period is the perfect comic strip tag-team at work. Enjoy every page!
Reed is working on a device that will stop Doctor Doom with his stolen cosmic powers. The result is a beautifully crafted by Kirby, bat-like prototype that will drain some of Doom's powers when next they battle him. Reed test it out on poor Ben Grim, much to his annoyance. Meanwhile in Attilan the Royal family are making plans to leave and help Crystal search for her sweetheart Johnny Storm, while their subjects rebuild their city. I'm all for love but isn't that a bit mean on the citizens of Attilan? Doing all the work while the Royal family goes on a jolly. Doom prepares for a combination of forces in the coming battle. Will "the tide turn(s!)" next issue? Come back and find out.
Writer: Stan Lee
When they start getting too close to discovering the truth Peter makes an excuse that he has left his pictures developing for too long in his darkroom, also known as his bedroom. He slips out the window as Spider-man and re-enters in the other room demanding to see Parker, who he has a deal with where Parker takes the pictures and they split the dough. Gwen tells him that Peter isn't there and the Stacy's leave. Followed by Spidey to make the story sound genuine. Much later the Kingpin reads the Daily Bugle with its front page filled with photos of his battle with the Schemer and Spider-man. The Kingpin notices that in one photo Vanessa is seen helping the Schemer escape! Spider-man has managed to track down the Schemer after finding his crashed car. Pages of great web-slinging action by Messrs Romita, Buscema and Mooney follow, with a promise for more of the same next week as we find out "the Schemer's secret!"
Glenn Dakin from Hunts has thinks he found a good reason for a No-Prize when he had a reply to a letter way back, he was told that Thor chose the mortal identity of Don Blake, but in SMCW#94 it says that Odin punished Thor by transforming him into the crippled Don Blake and erasing his memory as punishment for displaying too much pride. Rayon Duncan from London asks just how many letters does a devoted Marvelite have to write before they get at least one of them published? The editor replies that they dip in a hand and grab sufficient to fill the mail pages for the week. Mark Thomson from Aberdeen writes that the reason he likes Marvel so much is because people with super-human powers and things like that are the types of things he likes to read about. Peter Watkins RFO, KOF, QNS from London wants to moan. He says that Don Heck is a heck of a good artist, who's great at drawing the new Iron Man, but not so good at drawing the old Iron Man??? Philip Horrod from Middlesex asks when Iron Man joined Spider-man Comics Weekly shouldn't the title of the letter page be "The Web, Hammer and the Iron Glove.
Neil Macpherson from Lincolnshire tells fellow readers that the Iron-Man stories now appearing in SMCW should not be compared with your later epics, such as Spider-man and Thor. Kenneth Joy from London is a seventeen year old who's been a Marvel fan since he was eleven or twelve. He's not happy seeing the Spider-man stories being chopped down to make space for Iron Man. David Bell from Berks finds the Spider-man stories are very interesting, mostly due to the way his character is depicted. It makes him a human being instead of just another super-hero who doesn't appear to have any problems of his own. Peter McClure from Ayrshire discovered Spider-man while reading a Sgt. Fury comic. Craig Tompkins from Yorks likes Marvel comics for so many reasons, one of them is the way the heroes "wise cracks" all the time. Stephen Poppitt from Cambridgeshire picked up an old mag (SMCW #16) at a very high cost and spotted that J. Jonah Jameson's name was mis-spelt as Jamieson.
The Freak arrives knocking out the Senator, Pepper faints out of fright. The Freak again tries to escape this time taking Pepper with him, but is forced to leave empty handed when security and Iron Man arrive. Iron Man then chases after the Freak and tricks him into walking into a maximum power burst of the Enervation Intensifier, however before Iron Man can escape the Freak grabs hold of him exposing Iron Man's armour to the full force of the Intensifier ray. His armour begins to heat up to a super high temperature, threatening to kill Tony Stark inside. Gene Colan's artwork certainly is getting better and better every week. Can't wait to see how Iron Man gets out of that.
The hand is revealed to belong to Hela the Norse Goddess of Death. She has come to claim Thor's soul. However before she can give Thor her killing touch, his still living body projects an astral image that stops her. In the home of Karnilla the Norn Queen, Loki hides out with the stolen mystic crystal, hoping that the Norn Queen's will continue to aid him. Witnessing Balder and Sif's approach through the crystal, Loki sends one of Karnilla's giant barbarians to attack the approaching Gods. At first the giants' attack catches Balder off guard, but the courageous warrior regains his footing. Defending himself he retaliates, defeating the barbarian. With the battle over in pages of glorious Jack Kirby art Balder turns to discover Sif gone. Meanwhile back on Earth Hela demands that Thor accompany her to the shining halls of Valhalla, where a special place of honour awaits him. Thor cannot abandon Earth while it is in peril from the Wrecker. Even though he is but a living wraith he shall not falter as he must continue "the impossible fight!" All will be explained next week.
Three artists created the pencils for this cover, Keith Pollard, Arvell Jones and Audrey Bradford as conferred by Keith Pollard. It's possible that Dan Adkins applied the inks. I like the symbolic imagery of this cover and the collective style works really well. They could have used the Harold Shull painted artwork from the Deadly Hands of Kung Fu Special Album Edition, as seen on the left, where this story originally appeared in. But this cover feels special as a version created especially for this UK weekly. We got something most American comics book fans in 1975 wouldn't have seen. So for me this collective effort wins this week's Cover of the Week.
Herb Trimpe's artwork style is very similar but also different to what Hulk fans would have been experiencing in the pages of the Mighty World of Marvel. It's got a certain something about it but it doesn't match the quality of previous martial art strips and it sits in the middle of this three part kung fu tale as the poorer drawn chapter. Still for Trimpe's usual design and dynamic panel layout there's lots to enjoy about it.
A group of assassins make an attempt to kidnap the American delegation. The Sons jump in to stop them. During the fight one of the assassins lets slip the name Fu Manchu, until he is silenced by one of his own. The villains manage to escape out of the front of the UN building to an awaiting getaway helicopter. A blind beggar is nearly trampled who tells the Sons "That You my son. You are most kind. Live long, young sirs, live well. While you have the chance." That beggar gets around a bit. The army have received a message from the Chinese government, if the missing delegates aren't found by midnight tomorrow there will be no alternative but war! Continued next week.
Stephen Dempsey KOF from Essex gives his opinions on each of the Shang-Chi strips from "Not Good/nothing to rave about" to "Good", "Very good" and "Divine". The "Divine" stories are found in issues 47, 48 and 49. R. A. Cheves from Lincoln doesn't like Shang-Chi, he thinks that Doctor Strange is OK but would rather read the Defenders. As for the Avengers he says they're great. Unsigned from Middlesex has become rather distressed by hearing in the Bullpen Bulletin section that Marvel are spending more time making sure that the American issues reach Britain than they are developing new British Marvels. Nigel Taylor RFO, QNS from County Antrim thought the Doctor Strange origin story was "Fantastic!" and "Terrific!" Stephen Whiting RFO from Norfolk writes that the closest place near him that sells American Marvels is 22 miles away and he struggles with American editions always being sold out.
This second half opening page actually used the opening page from the original story that was left out of last week's first half so that it could be used here. I must say it actually does work extremely well here. They even kept over the original title that matches perfectly with the story's split continuity. Bravo editors!
Doctor Strange meets Tibero again since their last encounter way back in Avengers weekly #17, but this time he's accompanied by the Black Knight. The pair battle the ruler of the Sixth Dimension, in page after dynamic page, panel after dramatic panel of sword and sorcery action, that's enough to blow the minds of any respectable Marvel fan with Gene Colan's superbly psychedelic artwork. Tibero seems to be getting the upper hand when Doctor Strange has to save the Black Knight from falling to his death, in doing so giving the fiend an easy target. The Knight returns the Doctor's favour and shatters Tibero's wand with his ebony blade just before he can cast a deadly spell. The Doctor and the Knight free the imprisoned Sons of Satannish so that they can help stop the Spell of Fire and Ice. I first read this tale in the Marvel UK Captain Britain Summer Special from 1980. It was a stand alone story that left loads of questions that I was dying to get answers to. When I later picked up these Avengers weekly back issue all my questions where answered and boy was it worth it? Oh yes it was! Another classic from my childhood that I'll never forget. The answers to the quest to stop "Fire and Ice" begin next week.
The quartet of heroes have arrived at this castle following a message from their former teammate Captain America. Who wishes to scratch that itch that his old partner didn't perish during the war. With information given to him by Reed Richards he intends to use the Time Platform, located in one of Doctor Doom's old abandoned castles. The Wasp stays behind to operate it, while Captain America with the other Avengers go back in time to Bucky's death in order to see if he actually survives. The setting on the Time Platform are set so that they only appear in spirit form, leaving them unable to only watch events unfold. They see Baron Zemo with a humanoid he created that grows from doll sized to a hulking giant. Just then the Captain America and Bucky of that era smash through the window and attack. The giant android is more than enough to knock out Bucky, while Zemo who had faked unconsciousness knocks out the Captain from behind. Most well-versed Marvelites will know what happens next, but will those events run their true course as the Avengers watch on? Find out next week.
The second part of this story opens with a new splash page made up of two images one being the fourth panel from page 2 of the last week's story and another being a Gothic castle with a looming floating face of the Lord of the Undead himself. I'm not sure of where it originally came from and who drew this image.
Dracula once filled with blood returns to David's home. The young lad asks Dracula to join him when he leaves Littlepool. Dracula tries to talk him out of it, telling him that the outside world is full of people who would exploit him. Their discussion is cut short when they hear the screams of Andrea who is being attacked by the vampire Corker. David goes to the girls rescue while Dracula watches on for a while before he steps in and orders Gladys and Corker to cease their attack. Witnessed by Father William, who gathers the town folk together to kill Dracula. Hearing Father William's claims, David asks Dracula if it's all true. Dracula confesses. He sends David, his mother and Andrea outside to distract the mob while Dracula escapes as a bat. Father William and his mob track down Gladys and Corker, killing them with wooden stakes. David sends them on a wild goose chase for Dracula who later thanks David for his help. Dracula offers David a part as a vampire in his crusade, however David refuses. Impressed by David's newfound devotion to Andrea, Dracula parts as a friend. Flying off into the misty night air.
Surprisingly only Dracula Lives and Planet of the Apes features this in-house advert for the two incoming Marvel weeklies, The Super-heroes and The Savage Sword of Conan, that star the sensational Silver Surfer, the extraordinary X-Men and the savage tales of Conan. What better way to showcase those stories by presenting imagines of those stars with the iconic artwork from John Buscema's Surfer, Neal Adams' Angel and Barry Windsor-Smith's Conan, that tells Marvelites that they are in for a treat with these two comics. It's just a shame that British Marvel readers will have to wait a few years before they get to feast their eyes on Neal Adams's X-Men. It's only a short week away before they join the British Marvel line up.
Luther suggests that Jack sister would also succumb to the werewolf curse but in her early stages as she has yet to reach the age when she will transform he could cure Lissa's condition, only if Jack kills billionaire Judson Hemp for him. With the image of his younger sister's torment playing on his mind Jack reluctantly agrees. Jack waits till night and the full moon before making his way to Judson Hemp's well protected mansion. Fighting his way past the well-armed guards that pose no opposition to the Werewolf he finds Hemp, an old man setting up a telescope. But does he carry out the dark deed? Find out next week.
Mark Kearslake from Cheshire thinks POTA and Dracula Lives are great but says it's a pity Marvel didn't bring out the Sub-Mariner in his own mag with Ka-Zar and Captain America backing him up. Stephen Mosey from Bootle didn't believe the US comics were coming to the UK until he found a shop that sold them. He bought Thor, then during the following weeks seven more. Kevin Hopgood RFO from Bedfordshire, gives his verdicts on POTA and Dracula Lives. He mentions that his ambition is to be a comic book artist and would like some advice on what type of pencils. paper do most artists use? I have it straight from the man himself that Kevin is indeed the same Kev Hopgood who went on to become an artist for Marvel UK, 2000AD and Marvel US. Back in 2019 I posted this letter page highlighting Kev's letter on the Make Mine Marvel UK Facebook group where Kev spotted it. He told me that he must’ve been about thirteen or fourteen. Long enough ago for him to have forgotten about it! He says that it was definitely an encouraging response, and one he hoped he had passed onto other aspiring artists over the years. If you yourself are an aspiring artist you could do worse than reading the editor's reply. Here's the important part of what they said, "Art schools will probably hold you back rather than help you on. Select an established artist whose work you admire and copy, сору, copy and then copy some more of his work. Stick to using a soft pencil until you feel reasonably fluent, then pencil your sketches and ink them in. When it comes to inking use Indian ink and any nib that feels comfortable to you. Remember that a comic book artist's LINE is all-important. You've just gotta have a good line to be a top-ranker. Next point. The odds will be stacked against you if you're trying to make it in your spare-time. Get yourself a job where you're using a pen to draw things, even if it's building-plans you're drawing. But best of all, try to get into a commercial art studio as a "bodger". That means someone who works on somebody else's finished artwork— sizing it, mounting it etc., etc. The more you handle it the more chance you've got of your own talent germinating, budding and ultimately flowering. And, last of all, never get discouraged! Good luck, hero!" There's a good chance that those words came from the British editor Matt Softley, who was in reality Maureen Softley.
Once in London Frankenstein brings the creature home to his basement laboratory. He injects the Monster with anaesthetic, but the dose is too small to render the creature unconscious. The monster realises that Frankenstein cares little for his welfare, but in the name of science he is willing to sacrifice the Monster’s life. The Monster rushes towards Vincent, but again Ivan blocks his path. The Russian picks up the crate, smashes it across the Monster's back. The injection finally begins to take effect as the Monster falls over unconscious. Vincent Frankenstein orders Ivan to prepare him for surgery as he plans to transfer the creatures brain into a normal body. Vincent Frankenstein gloats that even if he fails his death will have served as an invaluable instruction for future experiments. The future issue of Dracula Lives holds the "Rage of the Monster!"
Writer: Doug Moench
Jason, Alexander and the Lawgiver arrive at a river where the apelike slave of the Inheritors, who seem half human and Half ape, have gathered to wash themselves. The three travellers take an opportunity to do the same, but the Lawgiver goes too far and slips into the strong currents of deadly river.
Jason and Alexander with one of the shaggy creatures attempt a rescue, but the river is too strong for all of them. They are pulled into a cavern. After a while the river slows down, depositing them over a waterfall and into a jungle.
With Brutus in pursuit, Jason, Alexander, the Lawgiver and their newly acquainted friend, who they name Shaggy, travel down the river by raft until they arrive at a friendly river settlement run by Gunpowder Julius, where humans and apes are treated as equals. Brutus plans an assault upon the settlement at dawn, but is overheard by one of Gunpowder's apes. With the Inheritors Mutants drones and their war machines Brutus's forces attack. The settlement has prepared their defences well and like the Ewok's many years in the future they out smart Brutus and his troops. Sadly not without some loss. Their new friend Shaggy is hit and killed by an escaping Brutus. Jason, Alex, Gunpowder Julius and Steely Dan bury their friend while the Lawgiver says some words. "Pray that the creator of all will smooth those who have survived and will bless those who found peace only in death." Shaggy's tombstone reads "Shaggy, a part of both. He knew innocence best." That's the end of Terror on the Planet of the Apes for now as the UK editions have caught up with the American version. Find out next week what's going to replace "Terror..."
Ian Mclaughlin from Birmingham saw Stan Lee on TV, he was amazed at all the comics behind him. So much so he wants to buy them. Martin Clarke RFO from Staffordshire thinks that POTA is a great mag, but he would rather have the Sub-Mariner as a back up strip instead of Ka-Zar. Gary Cerner from Essex writes accusing Marvel of making a big mistake in the line-up of Planet of The Apes. There were two slots that they could have filled with the Silver Surfer and the X-Men, instead of Ka-Zar and Warrior from Mars. Huw Roberts from Salop writes his thoughts, "The Planet of the Apes has come from far-flung lives all these years, now wouldya? worlds. nay. far-flung universes by the summon of Stan (the man) Lee! With just one touch of his Chemo-sonic pen on the ground. the path is made for the Planet of the Apes. The novel starts off in a blaze of glory with the whole magazine devoted to the Apes story." He's less pleased with the inclusion of Gullivar Jones and Ka-Zar. The next letter in this week's Apes Forum comes from Cornelius, who pleads to have Ka-zar and Gullivar Jones left out of the comic and as the Apes are so popular they deserve a full mag for their story. Arny from Sussex congratulates Marvel on the first month and a half's worth of Planet of the Apes. His favourite artist from the first six issues was Barry Smith as well as Gil Kane, who he says has a knack for drawing alien monsters.
The series of articles about the background of the Planet of the Apes TV series focuses on the actor Booth Colman who played the senatorial orangutang, Doctor Zaius. Colmans acting career began in 1945 in New York on the play HAMLET, with the actor, Maurice Evans. who would later play the movie version of Doctor Zaius. Colman was educated at Washington and Michigan Universities, where he passed his exams in Oriental studies, with the ambition of becoming an archeologist. With the outbreak of war, he served in the army Japanese Language Corps. Later he was drawn to acting, acquiring much acclaim for his Shakespearean interpretations on the Broadway stage. Hollywood called in 1951 as he made his motion picture debut in "The Big Sky" with Kirk Douglas. Since then he has appeared in nearly 50 feature films. On television Booth Colman guest starred in classic American TV series like "Police Story", "Kung Fu" and "McCloud". Amongst Colmans closest friends for more than 20 years were the late comedian Stan Laurel and horror star Boris Karloff.
This particular article originally appeared in the Curtis/Marvel magazine Planet of the Apes issue 5, cover dated February 1975, published December 1974, was written by Gary Gerani. Gerani would write two more articles in Planet of the Apes magazines, issues 2 and 8, would become a screenwriter, author, noted film and TV historian. He is best known for his contribution as co-writer of the Stan Winston-directed horror classic Pumpkinhead and his groundbreaking 1977 nonfiction book Fantastic Television. This article looks at the producer of the Planet of the Apes movies. There's lots of great photos from all five movies. Certainly a great nostalgic read for ape movie fans.
Booth Colman's version of Doctor Zaius from the Planet of the Apes TV series as the back cover of Planet of the Apes ends this week's blog.
The Mighty World of Marvel #126
This is a really good cover by Herb Trimpe, certainly one of his best, originally from the US edition of the Incredible Hulk issue 140. But I'm not going to award this my Cover of the Week award. Why you ask? Well the British colourist made a massive school-boy error. Jarella is coloured pink skinned, not green. Like the US version a small note tells the potential buyers that "Harlan Ellison strikes again!"
The Incredible Hulk “Something this way comes!”
Writer: Harlen Ellison (plot) and Roy Thomas
Artist: Herb Trimpe
Inker: Sam Grainger
Originally published in The Incredible Hulk #140
Cover date June 1971
(Published in March 1971)
The Mighty Marvel Mailbag
This in-house ad appeared between the Mighty Marvel mailbag and the Daredevil strip. Quite normal for full page ads to appear you might say, but this one actually promotes the very comic it appears in. What's more strange is the line "Dynamite! That's the latest issue of your second favourite action weekly!" Second favourite is a bold statement to make, especially if you regularly pick up the Mighty World of Marvel as your first choice of Marvel comic. I think that this advert was printed by mistake, a similar advert for Spider-man Comics Weekly and the Avengers weekly is found later in this mag. The advert for two new weekly comics, seen in Dracula Lives and Planet of the Apes, as seen later in this blog, would have been better suited as a replacement.
Daredevil “Blind man's bluff!”
Artist: Gene Colan
Inker: John Tartaglione
Originally published in Daredevil #31
Cover date August 1967
(Published in June 1967)
The cover from Daredevil issue 31, by Gene Colan, is used as the opening splash page to this week's Daredevil second half. It only works as a symbolic splash, which the text says as much. Mister Hyde and the Cobra are committing robberies when the police corner them on the roof-tops across from the offices of Murdock and Nelson. Matt Murdock, as his brother Mike, convinces Foggy to escort him to the roof top where he plans to "scare off" the duo by appearing as Daredevil, even though he has lost his super-senses. There the blind and senseless hero tries to walk across his billy club wire towards the villains. Not a great idea but it does give the police more time to chase off the fiends. Daredevil makes his way back and asks Foggy to take him to Matts apartment. While walking Foggy is kidnapped and the Cobra appears behind DD telling him that he just forgot for a second that he really was blind! Hopefully this blind man's bluff won't carry on for too long and we'll get better stories.
Here's the correct in-house advert for this week's Mighty World of Marvel, showcasing the cover of this week's Spider-man Comics Weekly as your "second favourite action weekly" with a third of the page devoted to Iron Fist from the Avengers weekly fighting Triple-Iron next to the cover of The Avengers weekly issue 58, which was published some seventeen weeks ago. I get that the tag line was only a sales pitch to engage readers into a conversation, but Spider-man Comics Weekly was my first favourite action weekly.
The Fantastic Four “The Inhumans break free!”
Artist: Jack Kirby
Inker: Joe Sinnott
Originally published in The Fantastic Four #59
Cover date February 1967
(Published in November 1966)
Spider-man Comics Weekly #107
The artist who drew this cover isn't known by the Grand Comics Database, so your guess is as good as mine. I did think it might be Ron Wilson but the body and face shapes aren't quite like a Wilson drawing. All suggestions would be appreciated. What the GCD does know is that Mike Esposito inked this cover. May be he drew it all.
Spider-man “The deadly traps of the Schemer!”
Artist: John Romita Sr. and John Buscema
Inker: Jim Mooney
Originally published in the Amazing Spider-man #85
Cover date June 1970
(Published in March 1970)
The Kingpin rushes after the Schemer following last week's events only to discover that this enemy did not kidnap his wife. The Schemer escapes in his hi-tech car but his thoughts are elsewhere, that distraction causes him to skid on the snow and ice, crashing into a bin wagon. Peter returns home to develop the photos he has taken at the Kingpins' mansion, when Gwen and her father Captain Stacy arrive to ask him some tricky questions, especially about his connection with Spider-man.
The Web and the Hammer
Now this in-house advert is in the correct comic. Advertising the latest issue of the Mighty World of Marvel with a slightly behind the times Iron Fist plug at the bottom. But would the Mighty World of Marvel be my second-favourite action weekly? Well to many it was their first, to others Spider-man Comics Weekly was their second behind MWOM. But to others like me the Avengers weekly was my second favourite action weekly at that time. But the real answer is like Doctors they're all splendid!
Iron Man “The fury of...the Freak!”
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Gene Colan
Inker: Jack Abel
Originally published in Tales of Suspense #75
Cover date March 1966
(Published in December 1965)
Following events from last week Iron Man's friend, Happy Hogan has been accidentally transformed by the experimental device the Enervation Intensifier into a horrible creature dubbed "The Freak". The armoured Avenger has tracked the creature to a nearby power station where the savage monster turns to attack him before he escapes. Meanwhile at Stark Industries Senator Byrd is pressuring Pepper Potts to have Tony Stark reveal the secrets behind Iron Man's armour and his secret identity to a Congressional hearing for the sake of national security.
The Mighty Thor “Even in death...”
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Jack Kirby
Inker: Vince Colletta
Originally published in The Mighty Thor #150
Cover date March 1968
(Published in January 1968)
Seemingly Thor has been crushed to death when the Wrecker had collapsed a building on the now powerless Thunder God. The Wrecker pulls the limp body from the rubble and convinced that he was victorious he leaves. A woman's hand reaches down to touch the fallen God's face.
Avengers Weekly #76
Son's of the Tiger “Chapter two Sons of the Tiger”
Writer: Chris Claremont
Artist: Herb Trimpe
Inker: Herb Trimpe
Originally published in The Deadly Hands of Kung Fu Special Album Edition #1
Cover date June 1974
(Published in June 1974)
This was British Marvel comics readers first experience of a Chris Claremont script. An early effort that might not blow your socks off but there's lots about it to like, that show readers that Mister Claremont is a keeper. I really like the Sons of the Tiger too. Although I'm not sure how well the readers of the Avengers weekly will take to them, especially those who aren't kung fu fans.
The Sons of the Tiger have returned to New York to take part in the Maris Invitational martial arts tournament, when they are set on by a group of assassins who work for the Silent Ones. Quickly defeating them, Lin Sun, Abe Brown and Bob Diamond retire to a hotel where they learn about the kidnapped Chinese delegates. Intrigued they head to the United Nations building where a meeting is sitting to discuss events.
Avengers Mailbag
A. Matijax from Worcestershire writes his first letter to Marvel by saying thanks for giving everyone weeks of pleasure as Marvel mags surpass all other publications he as ever read, in the artwork and story-telling. David Derver from Ayrshire writes that's Shang-Chi is fantastic and that the Avengers are getting better and better. He claims that Doctor Strange is a weirdo. Robert Miller writes that Avengers weekly #49 was the best issue yet, particularly with Ross Andru's art in the Master of Kung Fu strip. David A. Simpson from Aberdeen gives his opinion on the current controversy as to which Martial Arts hero (Shang-Chi or Iron Fist) should appear in The Avengers, he wants to have them both featured. Rita Burgess from Liverpool was rather amazed at the low standard of letters printed in the letter pages. She describes it as "silly, immature little boys telling the world "I've 200 Marvels, so give me a No-Prize" and "You'd better print this letter or else" which will hardly encourage any kind of interest amongst older more intelligent Marvelites.
Writer: Roy Thomas
This Jack Kirby (pencils,) and Vince Colletta (inks,) Marvel Masterwork Pin-up was originally used as the cover of the Mighty Thor #151, cover dated April 1968, published February 1968. It feels a little strange that it was printed in the Avengers weekly as it would have suited appearing in Spider-man Comics Weekly more, where the Thunder God's regular strip could be found. Although the opportunity to promote Thor's adventures in Spider-man Comics Weekly where he was currently battling the Wrecker. The title at the bottom of the page "..To Rise again!" is from the story from The Mighty Thor #151 which will see print in just two weeks from this issue in SMCW #109, week ending 15th March 1975. I have to say I wonder why the in-house advert for next week's two new weeklies, details coming later, wasn't printed instead of this Marvel Masterwork Pin-up.
Doctor Strange “...With one beside him”
Artist: Gene Colan
Inker: Tom Palmer
Originally published in Doctor Strange #178
Cover date March 1969
(Published in December 1968)
This double page spread comes perfectly in the centre page of the weekly. How many young readers unfolded the staples from their mags and lifted it out to pin up on their walls? Gene Colan's art is breath taking. See how the Black Knight's position works brilliantly with his position on the opening page. I do wonder was the title page seen earlier always intended to be in the middle of the strip? But did the US editor want it moved to the beginning of the strip? Who knows?
The Avengers “Death be not proud!”
Writer: Roy Thomas
Artist: John Buscema
Inker: George Klein
Originally published in The Avengers #56
Cover date September 1968
(Published in July 1968)
The credits open with the line "Produced by as talented a team of striving stalwarts as ever put pen or pencil to paper!!" That line hits the nail on the head. The commentary starts off the tale with "Somewhere beneath the sombre shroud of night, a castle stands... its' lofty towers gazing silently down upon a uniquely dramatic tableau..." It then goes on to say, "...as , before its long-unguarded ramparts, a grim quartet pause, to gaze uncertainly, almost fearfully, about them...And the most fateful Avenger saga of all begins..!" Roy Thomas' prose are like poetry or Shakespeare. Then you witness John Buscema's impression of those words, matching the dark almost satanic tower, grim cold night sky with the tension the four heroes display. Every brick laid perfectly, every cloud and every shadow turn up the gothic apprehension. John Buscema's illustrations are like fine art or Michelangelo. And that was only from the first page! This tale is a modern master-piece.
Dracula Lives #19
This cover was originally from Tomb of Dracula issue 29, cover dated February 1975, published November 1974 by Gil Kane (pencils,) and Tom Palmer (inks,). Some twenty months after the Dracula story featured in this week's mag was originally published. I can only imagine that they needed another cover for Dracula Lives, after Tomb of Dracula issue 9 cover had already been used last week and no artist was free to produce one before the deadline. It is a great cover, but what will they do when it comes to print the tale from issue 29? Time will tell.
Dracula “A town called death!”
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Artist: Gene Colan
Inker: Vince Colletta
Originally published in Tomb of Dracula #9
Cover date June 1973
(Published in March 1973)
Dracula is befriended by David, a young boy who has plans for a bigger life away from his town of Littlepool. The Vampire is introduced to David's mother, who offers him hospitality. He accepts their food but "retires" to his room with it. There, Dracula dumps out the food , desiring fresh blood to fill his appetite. While on the prowl Dracula happens upon Andrea, David's girlfriend, but decides not to harm her. His next potential victim is Gladys, a bar maid who has finished work for the night after turning down the drunken advances of Corker, a pub regular. Hearing Gladys' dying screams, Corker investigates to find her lifeless body. To his horror she revives as a Vampire and feeds off him as well. That's quite a turn around for them both as they change from human to vampire in a very short space of time, but let's not let that get in the way of a good story.
Werewolf by Night “A life for a death!”
Writer:Gerry Conway
Artist: Mike Ploog
Inker: Mike Ploog
Originally published in Werewolf by Night #5
Cover date May 1973
(Published in February 1973)
Following last week's adventure Jack returns to Joshua Kane's estate to rescue his sister, Lissa, recalling the events that lead to Kane's death after he had hunted the Werewolf for sport. At Kane's house he is greeted by Joshua's brother Luther. Luther is a scientist who has studied blood diseases and lycanthropy and claimed he has developed a cure for the werewolf curse. However it could only work in the early stages of the disease.
Luther suggests that Jack sister would also succumb to the werewolf curse but in her early stages as she has yet to reach the age when she will transform he could cure Lissa's condition, only if Jack kills billionaire Judson Hemp for him. With the image of his younger sister's torment playing on his mind Jack reluctantly agrees. Jack waits till night and the full moon before making his way to Judson Hemp's well protected mansion. Fighting his way past the well-armed guards that pose no opposition to the Werewolf he finds Hemp, an old man setting up a telescope. But does he carry out the dark deed? Find out next week.
Letters to the house of Dracula
Monsters of the Movies
No.3 The Hunchback of Notre Dame
By Denis Gifford.
It was nearly one hundred years from the release of the book "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" in 1831 and the Hollywood film of the same name in 1923. The book made the reputation of the author, Victor Hugo, just as the film made the reputation of the actor, Lon Chaney. Chaney created his own makeup, something unheard of in modern movies. In 1939 Quasimodo lived again, this time enacted by Charles Laughton in the first sound version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. In 1956 Anthony Quinn played Victor Hugo's misshapen hero and this time, for the first time, Quasimodo was in colour!
Next week, The Wolf Man.
Frankenstein’s Monster “Is this the last Frankenstein?”
Writer: Gary Friedrich
Artist: John Buscema
Inker: Frank Giacoia and Mike Esposito
Originally published in The Monster of Frankenstein #10
Cover date May 1974
(Published in February 1974)
Page thirteen of the original US strip has been removed from the British version of the tale. It originally contained five panels that tell of the Monster's journey to London with Victor Frankenstein as he smuggled past a shore in a wooden crate. The fifth panel from that missing page is enlarged to form this week's second part opening splash page as you see here.
Planet of the Apes #19
Ron Wilson (pencils,) and Mike Esposito (inks,) knock out another Planet of the Apes cover. In this cover Warko the apes behind him, "not one step further, you fools.. ..or the Lawgiver dies!" But the Lawgiver looks nothing like the orangutang Lawgiver from the actual story and those apes he's talking to look like gorillas from Brutus' renegade group, especially as they have guns like Warko. Shouldn't Warko be telling Jason that? And the Lawgiver has a gun holster on his hip, that doesn't seem right. This cover would make more sense if it was on last week's Planet of the Apes whose events would match better. It's a bit of a mess really.
Another photo pin-up from the Twentieth Century-Fox Television series of the Planet of the Apes. General Urko, leader of the Gorilla Law Enforcers as played by Mark Lenard.
There's only one comic strip in this week's Planet of the Apes, Its a full length Terror on the Planet of the Apes adventure.
Planet of the Apes “Gunpowder Julius”
Artist: Mike Ploog
Inker: Don Heck, Ed Hannigan, Frank Ghiaramonte and Duffy Vohland
Originally published in Planet of the Apes #4
Cover date January 1975
(Published in November 1974)
Apes Forum
The Apes on TV
The man who sold the Planet of the Apes
Well next week five fantastic weeklies become a magnificent seven. So even more of the same and may be a bit less at the same time. At the time of finishing this blog last week's Week Ending hit 288 views. May be half of them are from my Mum, but if not I might just be doing something right. So as there's only seven days in a week and next week there'll be seven weeklies in a blog I better get started already.
See you in seven.
Make Mine Marvel.
Congratulations on the ever-increasing reader numbers, Mark.
ReplyDeleteI do have to say there's some great stuff in this week's Marvel UK mags. For me, the company has definitely hit its peak period now.