The Guardians of the Power!

 Week Ending 5th April 1975

With so much to do in a week I sometimes find myself missing things out of the "Week Ending..." blog, or I think I've gone over something but forgotten to mention it. Such as the first appearance of an original British Marvel character. Stuart Vandal pointed out in the brilliant Facebook group Marvel UK Comics that Apeslayer was not British Marvel comics' first original character. Which is correct, he points to Dean Wilkerson, who appeared in MWOM #15 week ending the 13th January 1973. Well if you read my blog about that issue you'll notice that I came to the same conclusion. I really should have mentioned it again last week. So I'm going to send Stuart a Power of the Beesting No-Prize (PotBNoP,) by cybernetically controlled bees. Thanks Stuart, hope it gets to you fine. On with this week's blog.

The Mighty World of Marvel #131

Originally this Herb Trimpe (pencils,) and John Severin (inks,) cover was used on the Incredible Hulk #150 and it is pretty much the same cover with only one change. For some reason the Hulk has always had purple pants in the UK, but for a period of time in the US he wore blue jeans. I kind of like this cover although some might say that it isn't anything out of the ordinary. Seeing the Hulk fight a gang of bikers feels like a cover from the late 70's British comic, rather than a Marvel superhero comic. The real talking point should be Lara Dane, the green haired damsel. This is the first appearance of the young mutant which we'll hear about later. 

The Incredible Hulk “Cry Hulk, cry Havok!”

Writer: Archie Goodwin

Artist: Herb Trimpe

Inker: John Severin

Originally published in The Incredible Hulk #150

Cover date April 1972

(Published in January 1972)

This story starts mere minutes after last week's ending. The Hulk is still deep under ground in Project Greenskin base after his battle with the Inheritor. General Ross leads a small task force to investigate but they are pretty under powered to stop the Hulk, even with their "T-gas shells." The green goliath smashes his way throw the complex's room to freedom with a giant leap. later on a mountain ridge the Hulk struggles with memories of a girl called Jarella.

The General leads another helicopter task force and attacks the Hulk once more, but this time a message from Washington orders all Hulk-Buster activities to be suspended, pending a Congressional hearing. So this time government bureaucracy and red tape save the Hulk, giving the brute a chance to rest. The reason for the government's funding of Project Greenskin and its benefactor,  Senator Morton Clegstead will be played out in two and three issues time. At that point the Hulk's rest bite is interrupted when his  gamma spawned super senses are attracted to an event some distance away. A biker gang are harassing a green haired woman in a open topped car, out of his heroic nature or a mistaken presumption that the green tressed girl might be his lost love Jarella, although she had blonde hair with green skin, this girl is a caucasian green-haired female. The Hulk leaps in smashing the gangs bikes, to rescue the mysterious damsel in danger. Next week we'll find out more about her and her anger boyfriend when all Havoc is let loose. 

The Mighty Marvel Mailbag

Neil Willett from Glasgow read the "Marvel Holiday Special 1974" and thought it was great. However he writes the Human Torch and Spider-man story was not bad. He had already read the Daredevil story by only in black and white. The Black Widow tale only had action in the last two pages and he was glad to read the Fantastic Four/Hulk/Avengers stories once again because he had lost both issues where they had first appeared. Roger Gibson from Scarborough thinks that in British letter pages No-Prizes are given away every week, but glancing through the American letter pages No-Prizes are a very hard-earned honour. John Baker and Philip Charles from Hertfordshire have started up thrown Marvel club, with their membership form they give away a membership card and a badge. Kate Smith from Surrey has been getting mighty depressed about Marvel comics. But with MWOM #67 things have changed, they're now "Superb!" John Corrigan from Paisley says MWOM is getting better all the time. But in SMCW he finds Iron Man annoying. He calls him a "reactionary capitalist" John doesn't ask him to be ousted, but as a socialist he would like the language to be toned down a little.

Daredevil “To Squash a Beetle!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: John Tartaglione

Originally published in Daredevil #34

Cover date November 1967

(Published in September 1967)

Daredevil has tracked down the Beetle to a small town but unbeknown to him, he has walked into the villains gang, so after a brief battle against the Beetle and his hired thugs, Daredevil is captured and bound. In a highly dramatic gesture the Beetle plans to unmask Daredevil live on television at the Expo '74. In the original US comic it was the Expo '67, a world's fair exhibition held in Montreal, Quebec in Canada, which ran from the 28th of April to the 29th of October 1967. En route the Beetle explains how he was once Abner Jenkins, an inventor who was tired of his unrewarding job. The Beetle built his armour to begin a career as a costumed criminal.

This page features two half page in-house adverts, the first is for the Spider-man Comics Weekly, with the cover of, not this week's issue but next week's. May be this advert was printed too early. It shows Spider-man battling Doctor Octopus as the villain rips up a water tower to hurl at the web-slinger, as Gwen Stacy watches on.  The image on the right is Iron Man and in between there is text that Spider-man Comics Weekly starring everybody's favourite web-slinger wonder plus Iron Man. Not to mention the immortal God of Thunder men call the mighty Thor!

Under that piece of publicity there's a picture of the Asgardian Avenger himself in full flight. The text next to that is more subtle although its meaning is less so, when it says "This year is going to be Marvel's year!" They add that if it's going to be Marvel's year it's going to be your year too. They need the readers co-operation, and what they need is to make sure that the readers don't miss next week's announcement. It's all very mysterious, what is it? A new comic, a new competition, a new comic strip to the current line-up? I won't spoil what the announcement is, but the picture might hold a clue. 

The Fantastic Four “...And one shall save him!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Joe Sinnott 

Originally published in The Fantastic Four #62

Cover date May 1967

(Published in February 1967)

Following last week's battle against the Sandman, Ben, Johnny and Sue are devastated that they feel helpless to save Reed who has been sent hurtling through the Negative Zone, on a collision course with the explosive core where positive and anti-matter meet. The Thing uses a "Trans-barrier phone" to contact Reed. It's a clever bit of nonsense that Lee and Kirby use to explain where the story is up too. Reed tells his old friend that there's nothing more they can do and to not prolong the agony of the situation. As the Fantastic Four wallow in their self pity, the Inhuman Crystal and her pet dog Lockjaw teleports into the tragedy-haunted chamber. The Human Torch should be ecstatic to see her finally free, but the reunion is marred by the impending demise of Reed Richards. 

Johnny fills Crystal in on events as seen in this epic double page spread, a classic Jack Kirby technique, where he uses a photo collage with Mister Fantastic floating in the Negative Zone and the earthbound members of the Fantastic Four watching via a giant screen. It should have looked like that but in the British version the double page was printed on a back to back page, spoiling the desired effect. The recutting of the artwork for the weekly doesn't fit that well either. Crystal believes that she may have a solution and orders Lockjaw to teleport them away to find Black Bolt.

Meanwhile, within the Negative Zone a strange space ship flies past the destruction wave to eject a dangerous criminal, imprisoned in a special containment suit, to be marooned an asteroid that was drawn into the area of total annihilation. Reed observes as the ship flies away, unaware of the potentially dangerous cargo they just dumped on the opposite side of the asteroid he is standing on. Elsewhere on an island off the coast of Europe a group of soldiers are moving an "Atomic Nullifier" into position so that they can dictate terms to the Western Alliance. It just so happens that the Inhuman Royal Family are also on that island and they don't appreciate the violent disturbance. They quickly dispatch the invaders but Medusa realises that the enemy submarine still remains offshore and Triton is missing. The saga continues next week.

Spider-man Comics Weekly #112

This feels like a generic Ron Wilson cover, it doesn't connect with this week's Spider-man story in any way. Maybe it was rush job. Mike Esposito inked Ron's artwork.

Spider-man “I am Spider-man!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: John Romita Sr.

Inker: Jim Mooney

Originally published in the Amazing Spider-man #87

Cover date August 1970

(Published in May 1970)

Page nine of the original US comic comes at the perfect time with this splash page. The original speech balloons are moved around a little and one of them is stripped down to form the title for this week's second half. Peter had finally arrived at Gwen's birthday party, with Spidey's mask in his hand, he tells everyone that he is Spider-man. George Stacy is the first to speak, pointing out that Peter looks feverish and sick. Realising that Gwen is distressed Peter flees.

With Peter gone, Harry recalls a time when Peter "pretended" to be Spider-man and confronted Doctor Octopus (in SMCW #4,) in order to save Betty Brant. The villain had unmasked the teenager but had exposed him as an imposter. Peter deciding he needs medical help right away changes into Spider-man so that he's treated more seriously when he explains his situation. The doctor tells him that he's just getting over a bout of the flu bug and nothing more. With his face covered Peter visits Hobie Brown, he gives him his costume and asks him for help by pretending to be Spider-man at a certain time and place. Peter then goes to visit Stacy's home and explains to Gwen, George, Mary Jane and Harry that he made a fool out of himself, in his feverish state he didn't know what he was saying. He tells Them that Spider-man had asked him to look after his costume. At that point Hobie dressed as Spider-man, with his Prowler claws hidden under his gloves, enters through the window convincing everyone that Peter's story is true. His mission accomplished, Hobie leaves the scene and stashes Spider-Man's costume where he was told. Afterwards, Peter departs from the Stacy home with his secret identity intact. I really like this story, even with the big questions it does kick up. Hobie agrees to help Spider-man out of gratitude for not taking him to the authorities, but wouldn't he have a suspicion that Peter Parker was Spider-man? Well this will be dealt with in a future story.  More Peter problems next week when who should turn up but "wouldja believe Doctor Octopus?"

The Web and the Hammer

After the unsuccessful letters M A from Sheerness-on-Sea  had wrote he tries again this time to compliment, rather than complain. For five years of reading Marvel comics he thinks they are getting better and better. Although he doesn't like Planet of The Apes, he very much likes Barry Windsor-Smith's artwork on Ka-Zar. James Hedgecock from Essex has created his own new monster called "Jelly Man", he can change his shape to rob banks. Stephen Whithouse from Wolverhampton has written a song to the tune of "The Bump" by Kenny. He's called it the Marvel. I don't know the original so I'll not comment. Philip Russell from County Antrim says that Spider-man's world is moving at a blinding speed as Josh the militant has replaced Flash Thompson as the chief antagonist in Peter Parker's life. While adult figures like JJJ or the irresponsible officer who drew his gun on the demonstrators over-react to every situation. He adds thank goodness the Kingpin is back as he identifies with the kind of villain the Kingpin is. John Sanderson's Grandad, from Leeds, says he can remember the first American Marvels coming into Britain, as he used to read them.

Sateesh Khanna from Middlesex saw a footballer reading SMCW #70 on a television series called Village Hall. Andrew Sullivan from Glamorgan bought some comics from a second-hand bookshop, but his mother says that they make the place look untidy, so he asks are there folders that can be used to store them? Donald Cooper from Birmingham thinks that Britain is reputedly one of the finest educational centres in the world, with universities like Oxford, Cambridge and Eton, but the majority of letters printed in MWOM, SMCW and the Avengers weekly include such dum downed writing like "My mum says that Marvel" or "I think Marvel is great, Spidey is great, Hulk is great." Robert Gibben from Kent broke his heart when the original Avengers broke up in Avengers weekly #12. The brother of Greg Marsh from Manchester, pick up some comics from his school for him that got him hooked on Marvel. John McIver from Glasgow corrects some of Philip Mickleton's letter from Avengers weekly #62 he points out that it was an Indian named Chi Low Suey who saw a praying mantis kill a spider. He was very amazed with it and took it home. In one week he had caught about 1,000 mantises. According to Chinese legend he studied them for about 2,000 years. Then he taught all he had learned to a Chinese monk named Huang Di and it was passed on from generation to generation. David Sladdin from Halifax recently saw advertised in an American Marvel comic "The Origin of Marvel Comics" and asks when is it on sale in England? The editor answers soon!

Iron Man “When fall the mighty!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Jack Abel

Originally published in Tales of Suspense #80

Cover date August 1966

(Published in May 1966)

With power running low after he was attacked by Krang last week, Iron Man had to break into his own factory in order to make repairs and recharge, only to be interrupted by the arrival of the Sub-Mariner. With little energy to fight back against the Atlantean monarch Iron Man tricks his foe into throwing him into a secure lab which he can safely lock the door from the inside in order to repair and recharge his damaged armour. 

This enrages Namor who tries to smash through the reinforced door, but it holds. He reflects on why he is out to destroy Iron Man, earlier while tracking Warlord Krang and Lady Dorma to get revenge on them for their betrayals he had seen Iron Man's intervention which had allowed them to get away from his wrath. He had followed Iron Man to the factory to vent some of that anger. Iron Man repairs his armour and opens the door for round two with Namor, only to find him gone. The police, Pepper Potts, and Happy Hogan arrive to find out what's happening. There Iron Man tries to explain to the police that he was attacked by the Sub-Mariner. Meanwhile, Namor had returned to the water to regain his strength after being weakened while being on dry land. Now at peak strength, Namor once again charges off to get revenge on Iron Man, for that spectacular epic battle you'll have to come back next week. 

The Mighty Thor “The wrath of the warrior!”

 

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Vince Colletta

Originally published in The Mighty Thor #152

Cover date May 1968

(Published in February 1968)

The original cover from the Mighty Thor #152, US edition, is used as the opening splash page for this second half, with a new title, credit box and re-cap text box added. It actually works really well with the page continuity as Thor has placed his hammer in his belt to allow him and Ulik to have an honourable fight. It's page after page, panel after panel of these two titans duking it out in a furious battle. like no-one but Jack Kirby could draw. 

Back on Earth, at a police precinct Odin dressed in a mortal suit and hat and tricks the police into thinking him a curator from a local museum come to examine the Destroyer. However a call says otherwise. They rush into the room only to find that both Odin and the Destroyer armour gone. In Asgard, the battle rages on. In the din of battle, Loki is ignored as he watches, hoping to seize an opportunity to defeat Thor once and for all. Ulik fights with savage fury, but the superior prowess of Thor wins the day with the Thunder God knocking the giant troll into the Abyss of Shadows. The celebrations are cut short when the Thunder God realises that his hammer has been stolen from his belt. Horrified, Thor recognises that Loki has disappeared too, perhaps with his most prized weapon.

Avengers Weekly #81

Originally from Doctor Strange #181, Gene Colan penciled and inked this artwork but somewhere along the line Frank Brunner redrew the background. The original US cover featured a yellow Nightmare, while he is a much fitting shade of red. I'm not over thrilled with it as it's quite hard to make out what it is supposed to be.     

Iron Fist “This way lies...the Temple of Death!”

Writer: Tony Isabella

Artist: Arvell Jones

Inker: Vince Colletta

Originally published in Marvel Premiere #21

Cover date March 1975

(Published in December 1974)

This week's title is change from "Daughters of the Death-Goddess" to "This way lies...the Temple of Death!” so that the original; title can be used next week, thus keeping some of this tale as a surprise. Batroc is angry over a dispute with Ward Meachum about his payment he owes for him when he hired the French assassin and his brigade to kill Iron Fist. Batroc leaves unhappy, saying that he knows what kind of man Iron Fist is and he will be back for Ward possibly with Batroc by his side. Ward comforts his niece saying that everything is under control. Even though he knows that Iron Fist didn't kill Joy Meachum's father he has his own reasons for wanting Daniel Rand dead.  

Meanwhile Danny arrives at the Wing residence to find the place torn up with seven of the Cult of Kara-Kai members slain. Suddenly he's attacked by Colleen's friend Misty Knight who believes that Iron Fist is one of the cultists. Unable to talk sense into her, Iron Fist is forced to knock her unconscious instead. 

This is the first time British Marvel readers meet Misty Knight, she'll joint up with Colleen Wing to form the Daughters of the Dragon and start up a private detective firm KnightWing. Danny sees a spirit like projection of the mysterious Ninja who leads him to the Temple of Kali. When he enters he is attacked by more members of the Death Cult of Kara-Kai. With some ease he defeats them. Entering the temple he finds both Colleen and her father Lee held hostage under a statue of the Kali. There's more mysteries coming and lots of questions to be answered, but I'm liking the direction that Tony Isabella is taking this kung fu adventure. Next week Iron Fist will encounter the "Daughters of the Death Goddess!" 

Avengers Unite!

N Moss from Stoke-on-Trent defends Quicksilver calling him an awesome mutant, who like Marvel's strips reflect our modern world. He is an individual, fighting alongside those who distrust him, not because he is different, but because he is superior to them. Marvel created all its characters so that they could teach a lesson to mankind. Quicksilver is the only character who really shows the world its mistakes, N goes into great depths to discover "What is a mutant and what is its purpose?" in his lengthy letter. Joanne Bradley from Yorkshire has been reading Marvel mags for years and loves the techniques that the artists use. Steven May from London reviews the Avengers weekly #63, calling Doug Moench's Shang-Chi scripts first-class, George Tuska's art in the Avengers nice and Doctor Strange by Roy Thomas and Gene Colan superb! John Battling from Sussex has found models of Spider-man and Captain America at Gamley's toyshop in Brighton.

Rob Sinclair from London writes that he can tolerate many letters, but A. Black's letter from Avengers weekly #65 has incensed him to reply. He considers himself an E.A.R. (Elderly Reader, not sure what the A stands for.) so as an E.A.R himself he can only say he is really a N.O.S.E. (Nearing Old-age Senility and Eternal rest) if he dares to say that Doctor Strange is boring, old-fashioned and a waste of space. Rob believes that the talented assembly of Roy Thomas, Gene Colan and Tom Palmer combine to give us a classic week in and week out. A rare treat indeed, Paul Carbonaro from St. Andrews in Malta, has his Aunt send him the Avengers all the way to Malta. Garry Fisher from Yorkshire thinks the Avengers story was Marvellous, with 

dialogue great, art great, especially Don Heck's version of the 

Panther. Rhydian Sanderford RFO, KOF from Cardiff used to live in Scotland, where he used to watch Spiderman on TV, but when he came to Wales he couldn't find it on Welsh TV. Nicholas Barnard from Suffolk received the 1975 Avengers Annual on Christmas day but spotted a mistake with Don Hecks artwork, doesn't he realise that Triceratops should have a three horned face.

The Avengers “The secret of the Scarlet Centurion”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Don Heck and Werner Roth

Inker: Vince Colletta

Originally published in The Avengers Annual #2

Cover date September 1968

(Published in July 1968)

The fourth panel from last week's page twenty-four is enlarged to form this week's fourth part. Hawkeye and Black Panther too easily beat Hulk and Iron Man. Hulk by Hawkeye' sonic arrow that puts old greenskin to sleep while an acid arrow works on Iron Man. Next Captain America battles Thor, again a very one sided bout, but against the odds Cap wins by forcing his opponent to become separated from his hammer for longer than 60 seconds, then knocking out Thor's mortal guise of Donald Blake. 

Goliath and Wasp square off against their own original Avengers counterparts near the docks. Goliath defeats Giant-Man underwater due to Goliath's stronger lung capacity, which he had been working on in case he had to battle the Sub-mariner again. This timeline's version of the Avengers had defeated Namor once and for all, so there timeline's version of Giant-Man wouldn't need to work on his lung capacity. The Wasp uses her counterpart's anger against her. With their opponents defeated, Goliath and Wasp capture the final piece of Doctor Doom's time machine.

The victorious Avengers bring the Time Machine components and their defeated opponents back to Doctor Doom's castle in order to repair the device and return the time line back to normal. In reassembling the time machine the Scarlet Centurion appears, revealing to the Avengers that the whole ordeal was part of his plan to take over this era from the very beginning with him implanting an idea that Bucky may have survived in Cap's mind. He hoped that the time displaced Avengers would defeat the original Avengers for him after they had disposed of any threat to him from other super power beings. While the other Avengers distract the Centurion, Goliath shrinks down to Ant-Man size and activates the time machine, sending the Centurion into the far future, and the Avengers back to their own version of history.

The Watcher appears explaining to the readers that the Scarlet Centurion had been the time traveler known as Rama Tut (see MWOM #41,) who after his encounter with Doctor Doom (see MWOM #64,) had devised suit of armour and became the Scarlet Centurion. Upon defeating the Centurion, the Avengers sent him to the year 4000 where he would eventually become Kang the Conqueror (first appeared in Avengers weekly #5,). The Avengers re-materialise in Doom's castle in their own era, with no memory of the events that had transpired. When Jan mentions she dozed off at the controls while the Avengers were back in time during World War II, the group dismisses it and returns home. This has been an epic and enjoyable tale, although I would have been more delighted if John Buscema had drawn it but you can't have everything. 

Doctor Strange “If a world should die before I wake...”

Writer:Roy Thomas

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Tom Palmer

Originally published in Doctor Strange #181

Cover date July 1969

(Published in April 1969)

Directing his words to only Doctor Strange the sorcerer's evil foe, Nightmare, challenges Strange to a battle in his dreaded dream dimension. The Doctor accepts the challenge, Nightmare gives him one hour before the battle can commence. Doctor Strange returns to his Sanctum where he prepares to enter the Dream World. The story title doesn't actually appear on the opening splash page instead it is spread across two pages like a movie listing, showing that this week's tale will be an epic of cinematic portions.

Before the contest can begin Doctor Strange plays through the events that lead him to face Nightmare. Mere moments ago the Phantom called Nightmare  had turned New Year's revelry into a maddening frenzy causing panic. Behemoths had stalked through the very heart of Time Square, fierce-eyed warriors from every eon had been hurled into a century they could not comprehend to lash out at all in their way. Knowing that if he couldn't oppose the dream demon the masses from his time and world would face total annihilation. So he casts a counter spell that hide his occult trappings to reveal the grim regalia of Doctor Strange, ready for "Death in the Dream Dimension!"

Dracula Lives #24

Frank Brunner (pencils,) and Tom Palmer (inks,) created this cover, originally for the Tomb of Dracula #12, which was the comic that features the story that should have been printed next, but instead a quick short tale from the Marvel/Curtis magazine Dracula Lives issue 1 was used, as we'll discuss later. So the events that are portrayed on the cover don't match with the Dracula story inside.   

Dracula “A Poison of the blood”

Writer: Gerry Conway

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Tom Palmer

Originally published in Dracula Lives (US) #1

Cover date September 1973

(Published in June 1973)

In a change to the current run of Tomb of Dracula stories this Dracula story is taken from the Marvel/Curtis magazine issue 1, which definitely has a more mature feel about it. But before I look into that side of things let's look at the continuity problems. Last week we saw Dracula in London after he got his revenge on Lucas Brand and his biker gang. So to find him in New York with absolutely no mention of those events, it's a bit weird. It's certain by what Dracula says that he had been to the continent of North America before, but then there had once been forests that stretched as far as the eye could see.

Dracula has journeyed to Manhattan after reading a newspaper report about Jackson Kubbard, founder of Mysticolgy Inc. who may well be the reincarnation of a sorcerer Cagliostro an old enemy of his. Needing to feed his blood lust, Dracula attacks a man, however for him he has the misfortune of picking a victim who is also a junkie whose blood is tainted with heroin. Realising what had happened, Dracula succumbs to the drug's effects and passes out. Later the vampire lord wakes up in a jail cell next to a man who had "shoot up" before he was arrested. Still starving for more blood Dracula has to feed upon his fresh victim to cleanse himself of the tainted blood in his system. Dracula does sense that his cellmate does also have tainted blood. Has he become addicted not only to his bloodlust but also heroin? It's quite brave of British Marvel to print this sort of story in what was a children's comic, albeit for a more mature thinking child. Dracula transforms into a bat and flies through the bars of the window.

While searching for Kubbard Dracula spots a young woman named Madeline Rogers who is wearing an amulet that identifies her as a Mysticologist and follower of Kubbard's teachings. He learns that Kubbard has planned a gathering, she agrees to take Dracula along with her. Along the way, Dracula is suddenly wracked with pain, he fights it off when he realises that he's going through heroin withdrawal from the blood he drank from the junkie earlier that evening. For the rest of the journey he reflects on the journey he took from Europe to Manhattan. At the theatre Kubbard is putting on his next sacrifice performance. Before Kubbard kills the woman on the altar, he stops and spreads his message and boasts that he is the reincarnation of Cagliostro before resigning for the evening. Madeline takes Dracula backstage to seek an audience with Kubbard. The vampire needs to hynotise a bouncer who refused to let them pass. Dracula confronts Kubbard and learns the truth, admitting that he is nothing more than a fraud. Furious, and craving untainted blood, Dracula feasts upon him. Kubbard's dying screams bring Madeline and the police but Dracula easily fights past the police but is confronted by Madeline. Dracula admits that he used her for his own ends and that she is fortunate to still have her life. The Lore of the Undead returns to the ship where his coffin awaits, leaving Madeline to find her own direction in life.

Cryptic Correspondance

David Houston RFO, KOF from Lancashire picked up a second-hand copy of the American Tomb of Dracula #6 which he thought was a really good story. Then in Dracula Lives #12 he read the same Dracula story, so he compared the two. On pages 11 and 13 of the British comic many of the words had been replace with new text that had spoilt the story completely for him. Philip Clarke from Essex has been reading Dracula Lives and enjoys most of the strips, however he didn't like the ideal of a magic mirror in the Dracula story and that they are starting to make the Count out to be some sort of hero. Paul Clayden from Essex doesn't want to criticise any mag, but the two follow-up stories in Planet of The Apes lower the standard for him. He does describe Dracula Lives as "Magnifico!" though. Neil Leslie from Fife in Dracula Lives #9 the editor said they might bring out some more titles. Well Neil would like Conan, Captain America and the Silver Surfer to feature in them.

Werewolf by Night “In the Arms of death!”

Writer: Len Wein

Artist: Mike Ploog

Inker: Jim Mooney

Originally published in Werewolf by Night #7

Cover date July 1973

(Published in April 1973)

The third panel from page seventeen of last week's comic is enlarged to make this week's second part opening page, with a new title, credit box and catch up boxes. It's an interesting image but it doesn't connect with the continuity of the story break, because it's daylight when Buck and Lissa return to the carnival to look for Jack. Mr. Calliope the owner of the carnival takes them to, Rihva who introduces them to Jack before he entrances them into a hypnotic state. 

The next night Mr. Calliope introduces Buck and Lissa in their hypnotised state as the hideous Chicken-man and the sensuous serpent Girl, with them both wearing outfits that match their stage names. later that night when the general public have been dismissed Rihva begins the blood ritual with the Werewolf and the bloodstone that will reveal were Kaman-Ru's greatest treasure is hidden. Elmo stops him, when he realises that the ritual would involve killing Jack. When a fight that breaks out, the Werewolf breaks free. Rihva tries to hold Lissa hostage, but she snaps out of her trance when she sees her brother. Rihva then falls in terror when he sees the horrifying images in the Werewolf's enraged mind.

Frankenstein’s Monster “All pieces of fear!”

Writer: Doug Moench 

Artist: Val Mayerik

Inker: Jack Abel

Originally published in The Frankenstein Monster #13

Cover date November 1974

(Published in August 1974)

The continuity of this one feels off, like the Dracula story this week. We left last week's ending with Frankenstein's Monster walking through the streets of Manhattan. Between that story and this one the Monster had appeared in Giant-sized Werewolf #2, cover dated October 1974, published July 1974 and before that Monsters Unleashed #8, covered dated October 1974, published August 1974. And last week's tale had been intertwined with stories from Monsters Unleashed. It's a shame that those stories hadn't been reprinted in this weekly. 

After those tales the Monster finds himself at La Guardia International airport, having stowed away inside the cargo hold of a plane that flew from Los Angeles to New York. The Monster fights his way past the airpot security guards. Elsewhere in a tranquil Brownstone in the West Seventies Janice Caccone bangs on her husband Steve's Laboratory door. He has been experimenting with animal and human DNA and neglecting her and their son. Speaking of their son we'll find him soon but first we encounter the Monster stealing a book from a second-hand book shop. Walking silently away he bumps into a teenage gang, their leader wants to have some fun by beating up the monster and calling him a freak. One of their group Ralph, stick up for the Monster. But Billy tells him to butt out and punches him to the floor. Frankenstein's creature hadn't retaliated against the abuse, but sees the young lad who had defended him knock to the floor he strikes out against the thug. Next issue the horror continues as the Monster stalks the streets.    

Planet of the Apes #24

Ron Wilson has another go at creating an original Apeslayer cover that shows the slayer of apes as a gladiator in the General's arena. It's not that impressive really. Mike Esposito again inks Ron's artwork. 

Planet of the Apes “The birth of Apeslayer”

Writer: Gerry Conway and Roy Thomas (plot)

Artist: Neal Adams and Howard Chaykin

Inker: Frank Chiaramonte

Originally published in Amazing Adventures #18

Cover date May 1973

(Published in February 1973)

The Apeslayer experiment continues with the second part opening with a collage of panels from last week's first part. The first panel is a cut down version of the splash page from page two as the Apeslayer battles horde of gorillas, followed by the mortally wounded General take from the first panel of page seven and finally a close-up of the sixth panel from last week's page nine. A new title is added with a credit box and fresh text boxes that aim to give an instant re-cap. 

The scientist who became known as the General recalls to the Apeslayer how he first meet. Maureen Dozer had fled with her son Jonathan and his baby brother the unnamed Joshua. Together with their new friend, Ann Carver, They watch a helicopter arrive, carrying three humans. Caver thinks they are rescued but instead the General orders a soldier to kill them but keep the children alive. The soldier named Saunders kills both women and asks what the General wants him to do with the baby. His reply is "That's up to you," "I just need the older boy, the Apes want him." We can only imagine what happens to the baby. His story from the War of the Worlds American original is explained further in the Marvel Graphic Novel Killraven, (issue 7,) cover dated July1983, published May 1983. Jonathan is taken away and trained to become a gladiator in the Ape arena. This flashback becomes a mish-mash as his time growing up at the training camp and subsequent escape is peppered with images of humans with apes heads, so the the UK readers will be fooled into thinking that this story has anything to do with the Planet of the Apes. 

During those years Jonathan Cozer grew up a gladiator for the amusement of the Ape masters and escaping he spent a year in Queens, where he learned about the time before apes took control from books and tapes as well as learning to avoid sirens, human women to whom the ape scientists gave the ability to bewitch men. One day he meets and joined a group of freemen, eventually became their leader. Raker confesses that the ape masters had used some kind of mind control on him, but now as he nears death, their control is broken. "You can... destroy them... you have the power," he told the Apeslayer. Puzzled he doesn't detect the mutant ape, who attacks him from behind. His gladiator skills help him quickly disposes of it. New menaces approaches in the shape of three sirens. Which we'll discover more about next week. One thing that's worth noting is that you can see the changes made for the British adaption in the two pages above, in the mutant's added ape face and the Apeslayer's outfit, which becomes less "gay-disco" and more "Doc Savage". But take extra notice of the way the three sirens look like, they remain the same in both versions. Like erotic dancers, they're almost pornographic, not the kind of thing you expect in a kids comic in 1975. Did someone miss them out? Wait till you see the "make-down" they get in next week's issue.

Apes Forum

Steve Rodgers (not the Captain America I think,) from Luton thinks that Planet of the Apes is the best mag he's ever read, he finds the features both fantastic and interesting. Paul Rodriguez from Dorset Marvel has created the most fantastic comic ever. However there are two flaws, the covers are dreadful and why have they made up Apes stories when they could adapt the other Planet of the Apes films. Colin McLean from Belfast has collected POTA from issue one. He tries to win a No-Prize for spotting that on the cover of issue POTA #10 the spelling of Zaius is wrong. He doesn't win one as the awarding of a No-Prize has to be for something special. They do answer his question about what the initials RFO, KOF, QNS, TTB, PMM and FFF after people's name stand for. 

Guardians of the Galaxy “Earth shall overcome”

Writer: Arnold Drake

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Mike Esposito

Originally published in Marvel Super-Heroes #18

Cover date January 1969

(Published in October 1969)

Now I'm quite a big fan of Gene Colan's artwork when it's good it's great, but I'm also the first to admit when it's bad it's terrible. I think some times it's down to the inker, Tom Palmer's inking of Colan's Dracula and Doctor Strange is mysterious and wonderful. The simplicity of the Daredevil strip works well with Colan's art. The dynamic panels of Doctor Strange creates a psychedelic world for the Master of the Mystic Arts to live in. Here in this strip it just looks a mess. This week on my possibly, over the years,  third or fourth reading I've accepted those faults, but not completely. This strip was reprinted in Astonishing Tales #29, cover dated April 1975, published January 1975, which was probably the version that is reprinted in this Planet of the Apes comic as both versions have a new caption added that identify that Charlie-27's patrol ship, was a United Cruiser C-57D, that the original did not.

To make the tale seem epic a one page cold opener is used while the title is left for the second page. Set in the year 3007 Charlie-27 has returned to Jupiter after a six-month mission to discover that the evil alien race known as the Badoon,  have completely enslaved his home world. Luckily British Marvel readers may have read the Silver Surfer's encounter with the evil race in the Super-heroes #3 and last week's Super-heroes #4, their defeat must have set them back a lot as it has taken them well over a millennium to launch their second invasion of our galaxy. He realises that he doesn't stand a chance against them on his own so he teleports to other worlds to find help. 

At first he teleports to the planet Pluto where he joins forces with Martinex. Jupitians and Pluvians don't get on, their two planets have been squabbling over a race war for years. Possibly since mankind set out to colonise their galaxy. But a common enemy makes strange bedfellows of everyone, so together they travel to planet Earth. Where two prisoners Vance Astro and the Centaurian Yondu have been captured by the Badoon. The Supreme Commander of the Eastern Sector of the Badoon Empire questions Vance Astro, he tells them that he was an astronaut that set off on a mission from 1988 to reach the outer reaches of space. He had slept in suspended animation for over a millennium to wake up on a world were the human race had already colonised as human technology had advanced so much in the years he slept that faster than light travel was possible. The two manage to escape their incarcerators  and encounter Charlie-27 and Martinex, who they briefly mistake them for more Badoon guards. The  misunderstanding ensues, ending in a fight. However, soon enough they realise that they should be fighting together against a common invader. The four unite to help free humanity throughout the galaxy, naming themselves the Guardians of the Galaxy.

“The secret of the Black Planet”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Steve Ditko

Inker: Steve Ditko

Originally published in Tales of Suspense #28

Cover date April 1962

(Published in January 1962)

Although this story originally appeared in 1962, it was later re-printed in Weird Wonder Tales #4, cover dated June 1974, published March 1974, which is possibly were the editors saw this tale before they chose it as an ideal short story page filler for this British weekly. Most of these mystery tales from that period of Atlas and Marvel have a certain charm. But to be honest this one falls short of those. It starts off with a nice opening as a convict escapes from a prison planet, via a crate that gets loaded onto a rocket ship. From there scientific credibility starts to slip as he jumps from the rocket ship onto an unknown planet, aided only by an "emergency space belt". On that planet the convict discovers what he thinks is a space ship which he intends to steel only to realise that it is a native creature that intends to devour him.

The Super-heroes #5

John Buscema is always a welcomed cover artist and this cover doesn't disappoint. Originally from the Silver Surfer issue 3, that bright but simple colour scheme doesn't have the same realistic grab that the UK version has, although it does slightly loose the Surfer in it's palette. It does feel like the Surfer really has descended into hell to rescue his lover. That's quite a powerful image and it get's my prize of this week's Cover of the Week. 

Silver Surfer “The power and the prize!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: John Buscema

Inker: Joe Sinnott

Originally published in Silver Surfer #3

Cover date December 1968

(Published in September 1968)

Following last week's confrontation with the Badoon the Silver Surfer returns to Earth to visit the woman who was severely injured by the aliens, in the hope that he can finish off healing her with his cosmic powers. After events that made it look like the Surfer was attacking humanity and not defending it against the Badoom, the police was prepared for him with laser rifles. Even so his cosmic powers allow him to save her life. Angered by the human’s continued aggression towards him, he swears to get his revenge on mankind.

Above the Earth, the Surfer uses his cosmic powers to bring civilisation to a standstill, shutting down all machinery, dimming all lights, and blocks all communications, which causes mass panic everywhere, catching the attention of Mephisto. Earth is one of Mephisto’s prized places to harvest lost souls and any threat to this planet concerns him. Viewing the mounting panic that had engulfed the planet. his mystic vapours reveal that it was the Silver Surfer who caused of mankind’s current woes. Seeing a brooding figure, steeped in pain Mephisto also senses the presence of awesome goodness. The Surfer’s nobility and power could be a threat to Mephisto’s control over the Earth and so he begins to devise a plan for the Surfer's demise.

In search of the Surfer's weakness Mephisto transports himself to Zenn-La, into Shalla-Bal’s quarters, where he promises to bring her to Norrin Radd if she does as he commands. Desperate to be with her beloved, she agrees. He teleports them into a Zenn-La spaceship and head off to Earth. When Shalla-Bal questions why they would use a spacecraft to travel to Earth when the extra-dimensional Demon could easily traverse the distance Mephisto replies "My reasons are my own! Mephisto moves in devious ways!" That's a brilliant pair of lines from Stan Lee. He's much maligned and misunderstood, but Stan Lee was in many ways a brilliant writer, as it is constantly shown in this Silver Surfer series. After calming down the Surfer realises that he had caused mass fear, so he reverses the cosmic field and restores order to the world. Just then he notices a Zenn-Lavian spaceship entering the Earth’s atmosphere. Before he can investigate, the Earth’s nuclear defences attack it. The Surfer destroys their weapons, but not before Shalla-Bal’s ship is damaged and crashes. Racing to the crash site the Surfer finds Shalla-Bal gravely injured. He uses his cosmic powers to revive her, she pleads with him that she is just a hapless decoy, brought to Earth for one fearful purpose, to destroy the Silver Surfer. Mephisto appears telling the Surfer that he had seldom sensed such goodness of soul, such purity of spirit, that is abhorrent to the Lord of the Lower Depths and a being like him could jeopardise his supreme scheme. Therefore the Silver Surfer must die! In a flash the evil demon and Shalla-Bal vanish! You should all cherish these tales as only now and again do such epic wonders appear, when a writer, an artist and an inker work on stories about an incredible character all meet and produce such a truly sensational piece of work. Back for more next week? Hell yeah!

Dracula Lives and the Planet of the Apes comics share a full page advertising their latest issues. It's mystery, horror and suspense as the Werewolf by Night attacks a man in two images with horrifying results while the current cover can be seen behind them. To the right of the weekly a line that reads "It's out now." As for the Planet of the Apes below all that, the tag line reads "The latest dynamic issue is on sale now...Don't miss it!" next to the current cover featuring the Apeslayer fighting against an armour clad gorilla in an arena.

The X-Men “Beware the Blob!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Paul Reinman

Originally published in The X-Men #3

Cover date January 1964

(Published in November 1963)

The X-Men are training in the Danger Room until Professor Xavier interrupts their session to inform them that he has mentally detected a new mutant nearby. They change into civilian clothes to head to the city and search for the new mutant. The group splits up to widen the search. Ice Man sees a boy burning paper with what at first looks like light from his hand, only to reveal that he used a magnifying glass to focus the sun's rays to burn the paper. The Beast finds a man standing on a glass advertisement case, which from a distance the X-Man couldn't see and thought he was levitating in the sky.

Cyclops goes to the local Carnival where he watches a sideshow featuring a bulky performer named the Blob. Who can withstand three rifle bullets. They've found their new mutant who invite to meet Professor Xavier at the school, so he can test the Blobs powers. After some tests the Professor invites the Blob to join the X-Men. Not wanting to be bossed around now that he has learned the extent of his abilities he refuses the offer. To maintain the X-Men's secret identities, Professor Xavier tries to mind-wipe the Blob, but before the X-Men can restrain him he escapes back to the Carnival.

The same in-house advert seen in the Mighty World of Marvel earlier teasing next week's announcement appears here.

Under it there's another in-house advert for next week's Avengers weekly. "Behold the Vision!" with the cover of that weekly on the right with a close up of the Vision lifted from that cover by John Buscema on the left.

At the bottom there's a reminder that "FOOM marches on!" with Iron Man asking the readers to fill in the coupon before it's too late. The back page has the FOOM full page colour advert that has appeared on most back pages over the last few weeks. 

Savage Sword of Conan #5

Barry Windsor-Smith's cover was originally from Conan the Barbarian issue 5, but the UK version makes some changes to the original, Zephra's clothing and hair colours take on a more ethereal look in the UK version as does the area behind her also which gives the scene a magical staging. The unused title "The claw of the tigress!" is moved from under Conan's legs to the more spacious area on the right. 

Conan the Barbarian “Zukala's daughter”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Barry Windsor-Smith

Inker: Frank Giacoia 

Originally published in Conan the Barbarian #5

Cover date May 1971

(Published in February 1971)

Many comic readers and Barry Windsor-Smith fans might not agree that the British artist had reached his graphic peak with this story, but by Crom he's very nearly there. Just look at the detail of the opening page. It might still hold onto some of Barry's Kirby-esque techniques but you can still see the blooming of the artist himself in his own work. Zukala's Daughter" was inspired by the Robert E. Howard poem, "Zukala's Hour". It was published in 1970 many years after his death.  

This week we find Conan traveling through a remote Zamorian village on his way to Shadizar. The village must pay a sorcerer 40 pieces of gold each year, or he'll unleash a demon-tiger on them. The demon-tiger attacks the villagers when they're late with their payment. When the beast moves to attack a beautiful stall holder and her child Conan charges in to her defence. The tiger is powerful and more than a match for any man, but it decides not to kill the barbarian and slinks off, transforming into its true shape, that of a beautiful woman. The townsfolk tell Conan that she is the daughter of the sorcerer, Zukala. The girl, Zephra, returns to her father's castle. Looking pale and sickly she falls into her father's arms.

 Meanwhile, Conan agrees in return for 40 pieces of gold and a sword that had caught his eye, he will slay the sorcerer who had terrorised the village for years. After Conan departs the villagers discuss their intent to betray him. Sneaking into Zukala's fortress Conan watches as the sorcerer summons a demon, Jagta-Noga, to punish the villagers for their none-payment of taxes. Conan is discovered by Zephra, who explains her odd behaviour when first they meet. She saw a vision of her future, of her fate to love Conan, and Conan standing over her dead body with a gleaming axe in his hands. The two are interrupted by Zukala, who flees when Conan shatters his mask with his sword. The mask is the source of the sorcerer's powers, but enough of it remains for a few magical tricks.

Zukala commands his daughter to turn into the tigress and slay the Cimmerian, however she refuses claiming that she shall not harm him, not now, not ever. At that moment Jaggta-Noga returns to defend the wizard. Zephra in her tiger form leaps between demon and barbarian. Jaggta-Noga delivers a near-killing blow to the tiger. Horrified at what he allowed to happen Zukala sends the demon away. Seeing his daughter no longer loyal to him  saddens the sorcerer more than anything else. He warns the barbarian to beware his wrath as the pair vanish. Conan takes the gold left behind, deciding it's payment enough, and continues to Shadizar.

One of the best in-house adverts that these British weeklies had. The Surfer senses disaster of Earth below, but in fact it's an advert for one of the greatest team-ups ever! The Super-heroes are here every week with the adventures of the Silver Surfer, plus the X-Men in one sensational mag. The Silver Surfer is by John Buscema, inked by Joe Sinnott and the X-Men are by Jim Steranko with inks by John Tartaglione. Now if that didn't make you want to pick up the Super-heroes comic I don't know what would have.

  

King Kull “The skull of silence!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Bernie Wrightson

Inker: Bernie Wrightson

Originally published in Creatures on the Loose #10

Cover date March 1971

(Published in December 1970)

This story was adapted from the Robert E Howard short story of the same name, which originally saw print in King Kull, a collection of short stories that was published in 1967. Here  Roy Thomas writes a faithful version and Bernie Wrightson draws some really stunning pages. Wrightson is possibly more well know for co-creating Swamp Thing with Len Wein as well as many mystery and anthology titles for both DC and Marvel. I think that it's fair to say that Bernie Wrightson's style may have influenced Alan Davis's chosen style.

In this tale on a journey back to the City of Wonders when Kull and the Red Slayers come upon a castle known as the Skull of Silence, where Kull hopes to find shelter for the night. One of his men, Kuthulos, warns him not to open the doors to the castle, as it will unleash an ancient evil. Kull ignores the warnings, breaks the lock, and opens the door. He is almost overwhelmed by the mystic entity known as Silence. But eventually he manages to defeat it, trapping the entity in the castle, sealing the doors, he declares that no one should ever open those doors again. This story, in Creatures on the Loose #10 was King Kull's first appearance in Marvel comics, although he does appear in a vision or flashback in Conan the Barbarian, cover dated October 1970, published July 1970. His own series, Kull the Conqueror would be published March 1971, so this tale was a try out. British Marvel editors took the sensible move of printed the first two Kull the Conqueror stories before this one. One strange occurrence is the appearance of Kull's Pict Emissary, Ka-Nu who does bear many similarities to Brule. Ka-Nu only appeared in one Robert E Howard story, "The Shadow Kingdom". It was the first of his Kull stories, first published in the pulp magazine Weird Tales in August 1929. 

“The Crusader”

Writer: 

Artist: Joe Maneely

Inker: Joe Maneely

Originally published in Black Knight #2

Cover date July 1955

(Published in May 1955)

The artwork on this short tale by Joe Maneely is beautiful, the detail is incredible. It's possible that Joe wrote this strip or maybe editor Stan Lee had a hand in its formation. El Alemain, known as the Crusader fights through the last of the Mongolian warriors on his quest to join King Richard I of England. His travels take him to Egypt where he comes to the aid of King Richard. The King learns of the Crusader's origins. King Richard accepts him with open arms, however one knight, who believes him to be a spy, attacks him. Thankfully the King stops him. Saladin of Egypt appears, demanding to face the Kings champion. The Crusader agrees to his  offer. The two clash, although the Saladin proves to be a fierce fighter, but ultimately he loses to the Crusader who lets the Saladin go free. Sir De Montfort believes that proves their new arrival is not loyal to the King, Richard believes otherwise and welcomes him to his army, officially knighting the Crusader.

So ends another epic Power of the Beesting blog with just enough time to show you the FOOM advert that appeared on all the back pages of this week's mags, although in two versions. The "purple"version appeared on the back of MWOM and SMCW, while the "orange" version appeared on the Avengers weekly, Dracula Lives, Planet of the Apes, the Super-heroes and the Savage Sword of Conan. So with more stuff and nonsense to do I'll see you for now, but I hope to...

See you in seven.

Make Mine Marvel.