Of apes and men!

Week Ending 15th February 1975

I'm going to award myself a Power of the Beesting No-Prize for spotting that in last week's Doctor Strange story Thor and the Black Panther fly to Wakanda in a Quinjet, which marked its first appearance in both Marvel and British Marvel continuity. But I have to take that PotBNoP away from myself because for a good number of hours after releasing last week's blog I posted a broken link, so there might have been some disappointed POTB readers. Or maybe they were glad they missed it. Any way if you check out thepowerofthebeesting.blogspot.com most Sunday evenings you should see the latest blog there. If not try again later.  

The Mighty World of Marvel #128

Herb Trimpe drew, while John Severin inked this cover originally from the US Incredible Hulk issue 148. Marvel.fandom.com lists the well known comic writer Steve Englehart as the colourist for the original version. He had coloured numerous comic strips and covers, his palate on the US version was very bright. In the UK version the colours look a lot darker, probably due to the technique used by the Finnish printers.

The Incredible Hulk “Return of the Emerald Empress!”

Writer: Archie Goodwin and Chris Claremont (plot)

Artist: Herb Trimpe

Inker: John Severin

Originally published in The Incredible Hulk #148

Cover date February 1972

(Published in November 1971)

The first six panels from page twelve of last week's issue is reused with a fresh title and a credit box, as this week's second half opening page. Banner now cured of his monstrous alter-ego has retired to Peter Corbeau's beach-side retreat, when Jarella materialises by magic. She's not the only new arrival as Fialan, Lord Visis's assassin lurks in the shadows while Major Talbot, flys in by helicopter, needing Banner to return to the Gamma Base to help out with the impending solar disaster. 

Peter Corbeau calculates that the transfer of energy from the sun wasn't solely responsible for the adverse effect, threatening the sun's very existence. Some object or objects passing through the fabric of time and space greatly speeded up the reaction. But the time-space fissure might be healed if Jarella was returned home. Instead of sending the princess back to her microscopic world, Corbeau calls on a favour from Nick Fury, who arrives with a LMD (Life Model Decoy) of Jarella, who Corbeau intends to send back. But before they send it, Fialan attempts to kill Jarella. Banner pushes Jarella to safety before rushing  into the Solar Energy Chamber to reverse the process that cured him. Emerging as the Hulk he tackles Fialan, but an explosion kills Jarella. The green monster thinks the girl is dead and smashes Fialan. Jarella reappears, it was the duplicate that died. The army uses "Tranquilliser Guns" to knock the Hulk out. Not wanting to destroy two worlds Jarella willingly returns to K'ai. Now that Project Greenskin can't cure the Hulk they'll have to hold him so that he doesn't escape. But he might have to when next week the Inheritor comes to claim his legacy.

The Mighty Marvel Mailbag

Paddy from Northumberland thinks that the stories in the British mags are too short, as you start a tale before "continued next week" appears. He adds with seventeen strips per week another one, like the X-Men, could be added, which would allow for nine mags with two strips per issue. He sees no problem with that. Peter Taylor from Birmingham pens a very serious letter that deals with relevant issues like women's lib, ecology, student power, racialism and other fashionable liberal subjects that have been touched upon in the comics and readers letters. Peter's points are worth reading as I can't give them the gravitas that they deserve. The editor's reply is also worth reading too. A Forde from London suggests that the gamma rays from the Hulk's body makes Bruce Banner's trousers stronger, so that they don't tear. Mick George from London is a relatively new Marvelite, as he only started reading in the summer of 1974. His mates reckon that Marvel Comics are "kids stuff", but his faith shall not be broken. 

J Moorshead from Surrey has only recently started buying and collecting seriously the Avengers and Planet of the Apes. Before that he used to collect the imported American mags. Jon Tate from London states that Reed Richards' grey sideburns turned white during the second World War when he aided allied prisoners to escape from the Nazis. Lennie Parker from London has been arguing with his brother whether the Hulk was ever an Avenger? Well Lennie he was once. David Maddick from Tyne-and-Wear writes that he had introduced his best friend Paul James to Marvel about six months ago. His other friend Keith Robson had also won a QNS when he got his letter printed and he won't stop bragging about it. Daniel Herbert RFO, KOF from Leicestershire is a victim of an anti-Marvel campaign from his mother and father, comics filter out of cupboards occasionally and end up dustbin-bound. He asks is there any ideas as to what he should do? The editor advises to keep them tide so there's less chance of them being tided up into a bin.  There's also a mini column from the "Batty Bullpen," discussing why they have chosen to print more letter writers addresses.

Daredevil “In the darkness dwells death!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: John Tartaglione

Originally published in Daredevil #32

Cover date September 1967

(Published in July 1967)

This second part opening splash page uses the artwork from the cover of Daredevil issue 32, but with Daredevil removed from above Mister Hyde's head. That cover like the artwork in this strip looks rushed. Not the quality you normally get from Gene Colan. Without his super-senses the literally blind Daredevil is taken to a lighthouse where the evil duo of Cobra and Mister Hyde plan to destroy Daredevil. Daredevil manages to cut off the power to the lights to even the odds a little. By sheer luck or poor writing Daredevil manages to get hold of the antidote for the potion that removed his enhanced senses and quickly overpowers the two criminals. Hyde escapes but Cobra is turned over to police custody. Next week DD faces being "Beaten by the Beetle!"

This in-house advert gets shown for the second week and after reading the very lacklustre Daredevil adventure I would have been tempted to rush back out to my newsagents and pick up both copies of the Super-Heroes and the Savage Sword of Conan. 

 

The Fantastic Four “The final round!”

 

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Joe Sinnott 

Originally published in The Fantastic Four #60

Cover date March 1967

(Published in December 1966)

For this second part Fantastic Four adventure the cover artwork from the Fantastic Four issue #60 is reused, but Mister Fantastic, the Invisible Girl and the Human Torch are all removed from the spire rock formation. The Watcher is observing the battle from the safety of the Moon, however he cannot face seeing the deadly fate of the world so instead he leaves to witness the evolution of a new humanoid race in Sector 34. 

Elsewhere the Inhumans have set up camp, but they're spotted by some locals who are suspicious of the strangers. The xenophobic locals attack the Inhumans, but they're sent fleeing when Gorgon stomps his hooves. In the battle against Doom, the Fantastic Four have distracted him long enough for the army ordnance to complete and deploy Reed's Anti-Cosmic Flying Wing. It begins to weaken Doom as it flies by, Doom goes after it in a vain attempt to destroy it, just as Reed had plan it. The Flying Wing takes Doom higher into the atmosphere, where he impacts the barrier placed around the Earth by Galactus. As he possessed the Surfer's powers he is seemingly destroyed upon impact with the barrier, ending his threat. Reed explains what happened as they witness the Surfer's surfboard returning to its rightful owner. Next week a new danger dawns.

Spider-man Comics Weekly #109

This is another cover taken from the original US comic, this time pencilled and inked by John Romita Sr. Again the colours are slightly different between the American and British versions, I'm not sure which version I prefer, the shadow on a white wall or on a sun kissed yellow wall? Either version would be a great choice for my CotW, but I think in this week's batch there's one better.

Spider-man “Beware...the Black Widow!”

 

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: John Romita Sr.

Inker: Jim Mooney

Originally published in the Amazing Spider-man #86

Cover date July 1970

(Published in April 1970)

I really like this Spider-man tale, it starts with our hero swinging away with a slight headache he received after last week's Kingpin clash and then focuses on this week's guest star, the beautify be deadly Black Widow. Stan Lee or possibly John Romita Sr. decided that a female version of Spider-man would be a great foe to pit against our own web-slinger. Rather than creating a new character the Black Widow was nearly perfect to be cast in that roll. 

Natasha Romanoff had had a very chequered career as a Russian spy, then super-villain, before falling in love with Hawkeye and defecting to the West, becoming an ally to the Avengers and an agent of SHIELD. She had lost her husband, trained to be a deadly secret agent, before betraying her old country and later finding her husband again, in his new identity as the Red Guardian, only to witness his death. An offer of membership to the Avengers was also on the cards but she sort out semi retirement but now she seeks fulfilment in a fresh destiny with the aim for forgetting her haunted past. In truth Stan intended to use the Black Widow in a new comic to be published in the same year as this stories debut, sharing the Inhumans in the split book Amazing Adventures. It was Marvel's first series to feature a female superhero. With the Widow portrayed as a wealthy jet setter/crime-fighter. Written by Gary Friedrich and drawn by Gene Colan for the first few political lead issues. Later Roy Thomas and then Gerry Conway moved it away from politics in favour of melodrama, developing the relationship between Natasha and her father figure Ivan Petrovich.

Romita had an incredible knack for creating great design and although in his own way Don Heck was a prolific character designer I always through that his version of the Black Widow's costume was a little twee. Marvel was heading into the 70's and a new look was needed. In his 2012 book "Marvel Comics: The Untold Story",  Sean Howe writes that Romita based the Widow's new costume on the 1940s Miss Fury comic strip. But I feel that what Romita did was take a look at more modern designs and what better design for a secret-agent/super-heroine than one that was originally seen five years earlier in the British cult TV series, The Avengers. Emma Peel worked with the suave British super-agent John Steed from 1965-1967 as played by the incredibly beautiful and talented Diana Rigg, who in her prime could have played the Black Widow in an Avengers movie. Romita ditches the flamboyant cape, kitsch mask and camp fishnet body stocking over a basque in favour of an all-in-one black leather catsuit, ideal for combat acrobatics. It looked simple, functional and sexy at the same time. Very little has changed since then and why would it, it's perfect. Peter returns home to be greeted by Captain Stacy and Gwen who are worried about him. Of course he deals with her concern the wrong way. Next week he'll have to sort out more than one woman trouble as the Black Widow wants to test her new look and gadgets out on Spider-man.

The Web and the Hammer

Pete Taylor from Birmingham wants to thank Marvel for at last bringing the epitome of creative genius, the Silver Surfer, to the British weeklies. He likes the relevance of the strips as they reflect society from the reprints of early Iron Man, in its quaint and laughable unfashionable anti-Communist era, to the one-off episodes of Hulk and Spider-man dealing with such issues as Women's Lib, pollution, drugs, racism etc. He praises the Silver Surfer comics, that he'll get to re-read in the new Super-Heroes mag. Neil Evans from Buckinghamshire gets three British weeklies as he thinks that the Avengers weekly, Planet of the Apes and Spider-man Comics Weekly are really superb. Neil has a problem though with the logic of a time paradox in the Hulk story "Descent into a Time-Storm" from MWOM #100. If the Hulk had kill the Phantom Eagle, then the Hulk would have ceased to exist. Thus he couldn't have been sent back in time to kill Phantom Eagle. Colin Cannock from Manchester has 531 Marvel comics and two annuals. By contrast Steven Hogan from Surrey has been reading Marvel comics for long as he only started in August, yet he has already got 47. 

Graham Spinks from Birmingham writes it's been ten years since he first bought his first Fantastic Four comic. He's noticed that some readers don't much like the earlier Iron Man stories, but he thinks they capture the 1960's atmosphere and are a real tribute to the talent of Stan Lee and the Bullpen back then. Peter Vaughan from Birmingham offers up a way-out suggestion, suggesting that the weeklies are stopped so that a book costing about £2.00 featuring more characters could be launched. Andrew Rush from Leicester wants to see Hobbie Brown's alter-ego, the Prowler more. He noticed that John Romita Jr. created him. If he is as good an artist as his father they should keep him on the staff. Tom Spasic PLM (Peace Loving Marvelite) from Oxford writes that Marvel has never let me down. Time and again he re-reads his comics and the high quality never ceases to please him. He congratulate Marvel on having the best comics group out.

Iron Man “Ultimo lives!”

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Jack Abel

Originally published in Tales of Suspense #77

Cover date May 1966

(Published in February 1966)

The Mandarin explains to his prisoner Tony Stark how the  construction of the giant android called Ultimo was born in a volcano. Playing for time Stark humours the Mandarin until the villain grows weary with his captive, firing a blast from his power ring he leaves Stark for dead. Stark's armoured chest plate takes the full force and allows Tony to slip away so he can retrieve his attaché case and his Iron Man armour inside. Too preoccupied with directing his android the Mandarin orders it to attack the Red Chinese troops who are preparing to attack his fortress. 

Making short work of the Chinese troops the enormous Ultimo proves that its bulletproof body, incredible strength with the ability to shoot from its eyes lethal beams of energy is now match for any army. Iron Man arrives on the scene to battle Ultimo. Back in the US, Senator Byrd meets with the defence committee to order the shutting of Stark Industries until such a time as Tony Stark can appear before them in Washington to answer their questions about Iron Man. Tony Stark is facing more troubles back in China, as Iron Man who  seemed agile enough at first to dodge his opponent's varied assaults until he is caught in Ultimo's giant grasp. Can Iron Man escape the behemoth's clutch, find out next week. 

The Mighty Thor “..To rise again!”

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Vince Colletta

Originally published in The Mighty Thor #151

Cover date April 1968

(Published in February 1968)

Thor, stripped of his godly might by his father Odin, must face the Destroyer, while completely unaware that the soul that powers it is his lover, Sif, who had agreed to pilot the armour in order to save Thor from the Wrecker. Now unable to steer away the  Destroyer's natural inclination to destroy any God, she begins to lose control of the mystic armour's base instinct. In the throughs of a pitched battle Thor smashes a car over the sentient armours head, sending it into a berserker fury.

Karnilla and Loki, watching from the Norn Queen's castle are pleased that they have orchestrated events which they hope will see the Destroyer kill Thor. Karnilla calls forth the recently captured Balder to witness the destruction of Thor, in a vein attempt to win Balder's affections. Her flirtations are interrupted when a sword is thrown towards the captured Asgardian. On Earth Thor continues his battle against the Destroyer in the kind of way that only Jack Kirby could draw. While from the eternal throne room Odin finally uses a replacement for the Crystal of Eternal View, to watch his son's skirmish with the Destroyer. "Odin Speaks!" find out what he has to say next week.

Two More triumphs from Marvel, with this pair of winners. It shows the cover of the Mighty World of Marvel #99, with a text box that tells the readers that in the current issue they can see the return of the emerald Empress. The Avengers weekly uses an image first seen on the cover of Avengers weekly #28, although the cover shown on this promo isn't that cover. The text box reads that Shang-Chi returns with a story from the Deadly Hands of Kung Fu. 

 

Avengers Weekly #78

Originally from the Avengers Annual #2, cover dated September 1968, published July 1968. This brilliant design by John Buscema (pencils,) has been copied hundreds of times. Slight versions of it appear on the front of The Avengers #53, #70, US editions, Both by John Buscema so you can't say he was stealing. Issue 53 featuring the Avengers vs the X-Men, came out before the annual cover. While issue 70 featured the Squadron Sinister vs the Avengers. Here its the new Avengers vs the original Avengers. Power and strength wise, I have to say I think the new Avengers are completely out matched! Still it's a classic! And it's my Cover of the Week. Frank Giocoia applied the inks. 

Master of Kung Fu “Fu Manchu!”

Writer: Steve Englehart

Artist: Jim Starlin

Inker: Al Milgrom

Originally published in Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #1

Cover date April 1974

(Published in February 1974)

This story brings back the original creative team of Englehart, Starlin and Milgrom which sees Fu Manchu questioning the Priests who were responsible for Shang-Chi's training, so he may find the reason why his son had turned against him. In Marvel continuity it must sit just after Shang-Chi had "murdered" Doctor Petrie (as seen in Avengers weekly #28,) and him confronting his father (as seen in Avengers weekly #29,). 

The head priest, Cho Lin, proceeds to recount a tale told in flashback of when Shang-Chi was fourteen years old and  Fu Manchu had hired four assassins to attempt to kill his son in order to determine if Shang-Chi possesses the "killer instinct." These four assassins had played out the roll of killers hired by the British. From his hiding place Cho Lin at first considered that Shang-Chi was filled with self doubt and that the assassins would over-power him. But soon the tide was turned as Shang-Chi began to master their attacks. It's absolutely great seeing Jim Starlin and Al Milgrom working on the Master of Kung Fu strip again. Their artwork is both functional and sensational. I love Paul Gulacy's artwork but it was the Starlin/Milgrom version that I really fell in love with. Englehart's writing is also top notch!

Once the battle was over and the four lay dead around the temple, Cho Lin stepped out of his concealment to made his presence known to Shang-Chi. The young Chinese boy was surprised that the priest had been watching him and asked why. When Cho Lin explained that it had been a test ordered by his father to determine if he was as skilled as he believed he was. Cho Lin interpreted Shang-Chi's astonishment was over the thoroughness of his father's endeavours. But Fu Manchu now realises that his fourteen year old son was obviously upset over the brutality and suffering he saw in the test, as he had seen no need for it. Fu Manchu was amazed at Cho Lin's insensitivity to his son's reaction, but Cho Lon's apology and the many years of devotion to his master meant that the evil crime-lord forgave him. As Fu Manchu leaves Cho Lin offers his gratitude to his master's leniency, But only the reader sees Cho Lin's smile. Maybe the priest had intended the young Shang-Chi to learn an important lesson about his father that would shape his future along a path of good.

The Avengers “...And time, the rushing river...”

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)

Returning from their World War II adventure where they had used Doctor Doom's Time Platform to witness the moments before Bucky had died during his and Captain America's final war time battle against Baron Zemo, as seen last issue. The Avengers find that their Aerocar is missing and while they walk back to their headquarters they get really odd looks from the general public. Things get stranger when once they reach their mansion, upon entering they set off defences that became obsolete many years ago. 

Entering the meeting room they come face to face with the original Avengers: Iron Man, Thor, Giant-Man, Wasp, and the Hulk. Although both parties are confused, things get really weird when the shocked Goliath tries to unmask Giant-Man, only to find it really is Hank Pym. A fight erupts between the old and new Avengers. The original Avengers manage to force the "new" members into retreat. Later Goliath and the rest of the new Avengers seek refuge in a nearby subway tunnel as they try to figure out what's going on. They come to the conclusion that perhaps their current predicament might have been caused by their accidental tampering with history during World War II, creating a time paradox. Next week it's the battle of the century when the old Avengers clash again with the new.

Doctor Strange “To battle the Gods themselves!”

Writer:Roy Thomas

Artist: John Buscema

Inker: George Klein

Originally published in The Avengers #61

Cover date  February 1969

(Published in December 1968)

The third panel from last week's thirty-fifth page is enlarged to make this week's second half opening splash page with the fourth panel from that same page cut down and added in the corner. A new title has also been added. The Black Panther with Thor, who had replaced the Vision in the UK version, arrive in Wakanda to face Ymir the Ice Giant. While the Black Knight with Hawkeye fly to Antarctica to face Surtur. 

The art bodger continues to do an excellent job replacing the Vision with Thor in all the necessary panels, keeping the guts of the story intact. Thor would have suited this tale instead of the Vision, as he previously had encountered both Surtur and Ymir. 

Although the results of their effort wasn't without some weird images, like Thor flying with his hammer in tucked inside his belt as seen in the first panel of the above page and the forth panel were Thor seems to blast Ymir with lightning from Mjolnir as he holds it to his head where the Vision had fired eye blasts at the Ice Giant in the original US version. 

Doctor Strange prepares to use the Crystal of Conquest to stop the two demons from causing the end of the world. When things appear to be against our heroes best efforts, Strange completes his spell as the two beings are about to strike. Ymir,  Thor and Black Panther are all transported to the South Pole. There, Ymir appears in front of Surtur just as both are about to strike, their blows cancel each other out causing both monsters to vanish in a massive explosion. Dr. Strange appears and tells the Avengers that only the Sons of Satannish were victims of their own folly.

Dracula Lives #21

Gil Kane (pencils,) and Tom Palmer (inks,) created this artwork, originally used on the cover of Tomb of Dracula #10. As it was Blades first appearance in the comic it would also be his first appearance on a cover. 

Dracula “To slay the undead”

Writer: Marv Wolfman

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Jack Abel

Originally published in Tomb of Dracula #10

Cover date July 1973

(Published in April 1973)

The fourth panel is used again with a new title, fresh text and a credit box. The fifth, sixth and seventh panel that should have appeared on page fifteen of last week's issue, but wasn't because an extra big "Next Issue..." text note was used, so that were saved and used as the second, third and fourth panels of this second part opening page. Blade has tracked down Dracula to Garbiel Trulaine's ocean liner. After taking a quick dive he secretly boards it.

Dracula intends to use the powerful revellers as part of his plan to conquer humanity, but it backfires when one of the passengers pulls out a crucifix causing the vampire lord pain, giving the passengers time to rush him. Meanwhile, in Dracula's quarters one of his victims revives and knocks Clifton out, leaving to find her "lover". Dracula escapes the passengers by turning into mist. Blade challenges Dracula, the two lock in battle, but even the skilful Blade is over powered by Dracula, until he is distracted when the woman reaches him and calls out his name, with Clifton Graves following behind apologising to his master over letting her go. Furious at this distraction he throws the girl at Blade. Dracula warns them all that he has ordered the captain to detonate explosives that will kill them all. Blade ushers everyone to jump overboard, leaving the pathetic Clifton Graves behind, begging his master to come back for him. The ship explodes with all safe except for Graves.

Werewolf by Night “Carnival of fear!”

Writer: Len Wein

Artist: Mike Ploog

Inker: Frank Bolle

Originally published in Werewolf by Night #6

Cover date June 1973

(Published in March 1973)

A mysterious pair of hands hold a crystal ball to watch the Werewolf fight a gang of thugs. Those hands and crystal ball belong to Swami, an fortuneteller and Leader of Calliope's Carnival, who intends to use the Werewolf to unlock the secret of the "Blood Stone" which supposedly will lead to the incredible treasure of Kaman-Ru. 

Jack, Lissa, and Buck visit a carnival outside Los Angeles where a sinister Swami has foreseen the Werewolf's arrival and thus manages to entrance and capture Jack for the sideshow. Thinking Jack has abandoned them, Buck and Lissa head home. "The Carnival of Fear" continues next issue!

Another half page in-house advert telling readers to not miss the "other Marvel Monster" mag, the Planet of the Apes.

Frankenstein’s Monster “Carnage at castle Frankenstein!”

Writer: Gary Friedrich 

Artist: Bob Brown

Inker: Vince Colletta

Originally published in The Frankenstein Monster #11

Cover date July 1974

(Published in April 1974)

John Romita Sr.'s artwork from the cover of The Frankenstein Monster issue eleven is used with the young damsel removed from the bottom right. Our tale of horror starts as Ivan raises the sword to strike the creature Vincent re-enters the chamber and shoots Ivan in the back, choosing not to risk losing his great uncle's creation. Ivan in his final moments begs the Monster to avenge his death.

The Monster picks up the sword and swings it towards Vincent who fires two shots directly into the monster's chest. The wounds are not fatal, but still enough to weaken him greatly. As Vincent turns to leave, the Monster hurls the swords towards him, but misses. In the hall his wife's maid, Betty confronts Vincent with a pistol, revealing that while he "piddled about in his precious laboratory" his wife, Lenore had died. Blaming Vincent for her mistress's death Betty shoots Vincent Frankenstein in the chest, killing him. The Monster, having gotten to his feet, wanders out of the castle. He regrets the fact that he was unable to kill Vincent Frankenstein personally. The twist in this tale is that Betty reveals that prior to her demise, Lenore gave birth to a son, the "Last Frankenstein". Next issue "A cold and lasting tomb!"

“More than blood!”

Writer: George Alec Effinger

Artist: Billy Graham

Inker: Billy Graham

Originally published in Journey into Mystery #2

Cover date December 1972

(Published in September 1972)

This is a charming six page filler, that sees a high school sports team plagued by a strange illness that seems to drain the life out of team players. The twist is that the captain's girlfriend turns out to be a psychic vampire, who steals her own boyfriends life-force.

The inside back page features this in-house advert for the Super-Heroes and the Savage sword of Conan comics. It had been used last week, but they really should have changed the bottom right text circle that reads "The 1st smash issue is now on sale!" because at the time when this Dracula Lives mag was on sale so would the second issues of both new comics.

Planet of the Apes #21

The Grand Comics Database lists both David Wenzel and Ron Wilson as possible artists on this UK original cover. I actually feel it is Wenzel's work as the style looks very similar to his work on the Avengers, US editions from issues 174 to176. What they are certain about is that Mike Esposito ink it.

The inside front cover features this photo pin-up, it was taken from the 1968 Planet of the Apes film. It features an unknown actor playing a gorilla who stops the young Chimpanzee Lucius who is Zira’s rebellious teenage nephew, who was played by actor Lou Wagner. Originally the photo also showed Zira, as played by Kim Hunter, sitting next to Lucius on the cart seat. 

Planet of the Apes “Death lies at the mountain of madness”

Writer: Doug Moench

Artist: Ed Hannigan

Inker: Jim Mooney

Originally published in Planet of the Apes #5

Cover date February 1975

(Published in December 1974)

The opening page of this week's second part sees page seventeen of the original US strip cut in half with three panels on the right of that page removed. They would have shown Solomn and Jovan arguing over the direction they should go in. The human draws his knife ready to stab the ape in the back, until Solomn points out that if they are to survive they must cooperate or both will die. With that truth Jovan returns his blade to its holder. It's a pity that the full page wasn't shown in the UK edition. Another thing that is also a pity is the heavy tones used. They don't enhance the artwork and muddy the storytelling. Survivors from a savage battle between humans and apes, Solomon the gorilla and Jovan the human, continue with their uneasy truce, both work together to over come their war inflicted disabilities. 

The human whose legs had become lame was carried on the shoulders of the ape, who had lost the use of his arms. Jovan provided food for both with his bow and arrow. But still their hatred of each other was so great that their collaboration could only be temporarily, after their recovery they wanted to continue their battle to the death. Their mutual hatred for each other is brilliantly shown when Jovan kills, cooks and eats a rabbit for dinner, slicing meat off it, Solomn asks what about him, to which the human questions, "you want me to feed you?" An angry ape replies "You better feed me, if you hope to move one inch from the campsite faster than an elbow-crawl!" Jovan takes the point, but with each bite Solomn bares his teeth a little more than necessary. Their uneasy alliance later comes into play when they are attacked by a ferocious beast, who knocks them to the floor. Solomn kicks out at the creature while Jovan's hand drives his knife forward with the killing blow. 

After crossing the desert, harsh landscape and the torrential rain force the bizarre duo to seek shelter. Lightning points them towards a cave high on a mountain side. Again their teamwork is tested as loose rocks dislodge the ape's footing leaving the human holding onto the cliff face with the weight of them both. Solomn is forced to swing his body and use his powerful legs like his ancestor would've done, to pull them to safety. Seeking shelter they discover light emanating from the cave, a campfire made by an ape-human hybrid named Mordecai. When asked is he ape or human he replies "Neither. And because I'm neither..I am no more than a hermit." The morality play continues next week. 

Interview with Dan Striepeke

This week there's an interview with Dan Striepeke, make-up artist and head of 20th Century-Fox's Make-up Department. He worked on the original Planet of the Apes movie and three of the four sequels. Dan also worked on the Mission Impossible TV series and the Planet of the Apes TV series as well as hundreds of other movies and TV projects. This interview, written by Samual James Maronie was originally printed in the Marvel/Curtis Magazine issue 5 cover dated February 1975, published December 1974, it sees Dan Strieoeke talk all about his career up to that 1974. Strieoeke continued to have a massive career, he was nominated for two Academy Awards and has often done make-up on Tom Hanks films, like Forrest Gump, Apollo 13, Saving Private Ryan, The Green Mile, Catch Me If you Can, The Terminal and The Da Vinci Code to name a good few. 

 

“Killdozer!”

Writer: Gerry Conway

Artist: Dick Ayers and John Romita Sr.

Inker: Ernie Chan and John Romita Sr. 

Originally published in Worlds Unknown #6

Cover date April 1974

(Published in December 1973)

Inspired by Theodore Sturgeon's 1944 novella Killdozer! Sturgeon was an American fiction author who primarily wrote fantasy, science fiction and horror stories. He was also a critic and going by my research he wrote approximately 400 reviews and more than 120 short stories, 11 novels, and several scripts for the original Star Trek TV series. Famously in 1957 Sturgeon coined what is now known as Sturgeon's Law, which says, "Ninety percent of (science fiction) is crud, but then, ninety percent of everything is crud." This was originally known as Sturgeon's Revelation. Sturgeon has said that "Sturgeon's Law" was originally "Nothing is always absolutely so."

The Earth had once been populated by a great empire until an alien race of pure energy started a war. Using weapons that took over machinery, the aliens turned them against Earth's population. Earth gained the upper hand with a new weapon, but it runs out of control, destroying the planet. Only a single example of the alien energy weapon survived, falling into slumber as no Earth machines remained for it to possess. After countless millennial later construction crew starts building an airstrip on a remote Pacific island. 

 The construction workers break open the ancient shelter, releasing the alien weapon which possesses the bulldozer. The machine goes on a rampage, hunting down the crew and killing them. With only three men remaining alive and one of them losing his mind, the sane two realise that there was a brief lull in the action after the bulldozer was hit by an arc welder. They lure the dozer into water that is connected to the welder power supply, electrocuting the machine and killing the energy weapon. The two agree to keep what happened a secret, but worries about their mad co-worker are eased when they realise that no-one will believe him. In 2020 the original novella Killdozer! won the 1945 Retro-Hugo Award for Best Novella.

The Super-heroes #2

This cover is pretty smart, it was drawn by Jack Kirby and inked by Joe Sinnott. The main bulk (Galactus and the star-scape background,) of the cover is taken from the cover of the Fantastic Four #74, cover dated May 1968, published February 1968. While the Silver Surfer is lifted from the third panel of the third page of the Fantastic Four #55, cover dated October 1966, published July 1966, then flipped and resized to fit the cover. Marvel was very green even in the 70's with all that recycling. 

Silver Surfer “The origin of the Silver Surfer!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: John Buscema

Inker: Joe Sinnott

Originally published in Silver Surfer #1

Cover date August 1968

(Published in May 1968)

The origin of the Silver Surfer continues as Galactus's herald recalls the days before the devourer of worlds came. Norrin with his beloved, Shalla-Bal, are alerted when the citizens' alarm sounds. A gigantic alien spacecraft was headed for Zenn-La. A peaceful planet with little defence against the hostile stranger. Its leaders only option was to use the Weapon Supreme, a weapon so powerful that it destroyed much of the planet's buildings when fired. Unfortunately, the alien ship takes refuge in the fourth dimension the moment the weapon was used.

With Zenn-La now powerless Norrin seeks out a way to reason with the threat. Finding a member of the council of scientists Norrin has him build a spaceship to reach the alien spacecraft. Once completing that first encounter the brave Norrin meets Galactus, devourer of worlds! Norrin pleads to save his planet, if the planet destroyer drains all of Zenn-La's energy no-one on the surface would survive, he would in fact have slain an entire race. Norrin's argument falls on deaf ears, Galactus points out that if his own life depended stepping on an ant hill would he hesitate? In order to live the space god must feast on energy, so if some must fall so that Galactus may endure, so be it! Norrin makes a deal with Galactus to save Zenn-La. Agreeing to became his Herald Norrin Radd will find other worlds without sentient life that can feed Galactus's hunger. In exchange for that Zenn-La would be spared.

John Buscema with the aid of Joe Sinnott's inks creates page after iconic page depicting the transformation from man to legend as Norrin Radd is reborn as the Silver Surfer. Much credit should go to Jack Kirby. It was his style that lit the touch paper that launched this rocket.

Once transformed the Surfer bids farewell to Shalla-Bal, before soaring off into space, alone. The Surfer started off by finding Galactus planets that were free of sentient living creatures for him to feed on. But as the years went by, his vigilance to save innocent life faltered and he lead Galactus to Earth as readers of the Fantastic Four in MWOM #107 would know. Regretting this decision he fought back against his master with the Fantastic Four to prevent the Earth destruction. After Reed Richards threatens to use the Ultimate Nullifier against Galactus, the Devourer of Worlds agrees to leave Earth but banished the Surfer to the planet, no longer able to roam the galaxies. Tired of this hostile planet and missing outer space, the Silver Surfer wonders where his destiny lies. This incredible tour deforce by Messrs Lee, Bucsema and Sinnott will continue next week with another fantastic tale, "When lands the saucer!"

This in-house advert follows the design of last week's first issue version. It features the cover of the second issue of the Savage Sword of Conan, with an added panel showing Kull the King of Atlantis. 

The X-Men “5 against Magneto!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Paul Reinman

Originally published in The X-Men #1

Cover date September 1963

(Published in July 1963)

The Jack Kirby cover from the X-Men issue 1 (US edition,) is repurposed as the opening splash page for this second part conclusion. The X-Men are alerted to the crisis at the Cape. They don their uniforms, then after a quick drive to the airport before taking a private jet to the Cape, the X-Men arrive. Cyclops requests that the army hold off firing for fifteen minutes while they face the mutant threat of Magneto. Cyclops uses his power to make a hole in Magneto's magnetic force field, but alerted to their presence on the base, Magneto fires heat-seeking hunter missiles at the team. 

After a display of well rehearse teamwork the group dispatches the missile attack. Magneto is amazed at the team's abilities and sends a pile of metal hurtling at Angel. The team stops to help him. Taking advantage of that distraction Magneto rolls a flaming barrel of rocket fuel at them. Quick thinking Iceman quickly encases the team in an ice shield as the tank suddenly blows up. Convinced he had won Magneto starts to walk off when suddenly Cyclops' beam shoots out from the ground. The team emerges and begins to strike at Magneto once again. With discretion being the better part of valour and the page count coming to an end, Magneto takes flight, blocking the X-Men with a magnetic force field. They eventually breach it, but Magneto has already departed. The army is gracious that the base is safe once again and thank them for their help. 

Savage Sword of Conan #2

Not one of Barry Windsor-Smith's better covers, originally used on the front of Conan the Barbarian (US edition,) issue 2. 

Conan “Lair of the Beast-Men!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Barry Windsor-Smith

Inker: Sal Buscema

Originally published in Conan the Barbarian #2

Cover date December 1970

(Published in September 1970)

I can't profess to being the ultimate Conan expert or fan, but over the years I've amassed a love for the barbarian and the many, many stories I've read. But this one is my least favourite. I really struggle to get into it. With the second, third, fourth and fifth reading my dislike has melted slightly like a Cimmerian spring thaw. Although I still think that this tale would feel more at home in the Planet of the Apes mag.

While traveling through Aesgaard, Conan discovers the remains of a giant Beast-Man, before he spies a young woman shivering in the snow. She runs so he follows into an ambush by two brutish ape men. They drag him down into their underground kingdom of Brutheim. They place him inside of a dungeon filled with "manlings". These men have been raised in slavery and have never once traveled to the surface world. Conan befriends the slaves leader, Chief Thrall Kiord, who tells him that dreams of escaping are futile. Later, Conan is chosen to fight for the Beast-Men's king, Gha-Kree, in the battle arena. Gha-Kree is impressed with his first bout. Back in his cell. Kiord offers Conan a sharpened stone should he wish to take his own life. Conan scoffs at the notion, indicating that he still intends to fight back. Later in the arena he is forced to fight against a savage snow-lion. Using the stone blade Conan kills the lion. 

The sight of victory inspires Kiord to revolt, breaking free of his cage his followers run out into the arena. The Beast-Men are shocked at such never before seen courage and are unsure how to react. Conan and Kiord press against one of the Beast-Men's wheeled battering rams, pushing it towards the king's throne, smashing the pillars of the arena in the process. In the frenzy, King Zha-Gorr comes up behind Kiord and strikes him dead. In anger Conan slashes the king with a sword across the back of his neck. The other Beast-Men are either buried beneath the rubble or have fled the arena. Conan takes Zha-Gorr's crown and places it on Kiord's lifeless head, proclaiming him "First among men".

The Super-Heroes second issue gets a full page in-house advert. The Silver Surfer image is by John Buscema while the four X-Men was the first panel of page twelve from The X-Men issue 50, cover dated November 1968, published September 1968 and was drawn by Jim Steranko. A full page advert for the Planet of the Apes also appeared, as did a half page advert for Dracula Lives above a small article for British comic fanzines that had appeared in last week's Mighty World of Marvel.  

Kull “To kill a King”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Ross Andru

Inker: Wally Wood

Originally published in Kull the Conqueror #1

Cover date June 1971

(Published in March 1971)

The fourth panel of last week's thirty-fifth page is enlarged to create this week's second half opening splash page. Kull's mind pictures his youth. The young Kull sees a maiden about to be burned at the stake for marrying her tribes enemy. Seeing the girls pain and wishing to end her suffering Kull throws a dagger that kills the girl, before he flees, diving off a cliff to escape the arrows of her tribe who wanted to watch the girl burn for sport. 

Kull is saved by pirates only to serve as an oarsman until he eventually escapes. Finding that his skills make him an ideal gladiator and later a commander in the army of Valusia. Where he rises through the ranks to become the Commander of the Black Legion, a post next only to King Borna himself in power and prestige. Four gather to plot against the throne, Baron Kaanuub, after the King the rightful heir to the throne of Valusia, Enaros, a member of the Black Legion who believes that the people are weary of King Borna's tyranny, Ridondo, the minstrel who is the most clever of plotters and Ducalon was the count of Komahar. Using Ridondo's plan they tell Kull that King Borna plans to abolish the Black Legion as he sees them as a threat to his own power.    

Kull challenges King Borna with those accusations and asks if he toys with words as well as with peoples lives, would he play equally as well with his rusty battle-axe. Borna accepts the challenge, soon appearing to get the best of Kull, but he slays the king with his dagger. The crown falls from his head, but before Baron Kaanuub can retrieve it Kull lifts it up with his sword saying that it is too large to fit on the Baron's head and it fits better on his own. Thus Kull becomes King. I wasn't drawn to this story last week, but I am now, I think that my opinion of this week's Conan tale has increased my enjoyment of this one. 

Six out of the seven back covers this week sport the in-house advert for FOOM membership, with the Mighty World of Marvel having a purple boarder instead of this yellow and orange one. Spider-man Comics Weekly features the in-house advert for issue two of the Marvel Treasury Edition, The Fabulous Fantastic Four! Right spring is calling and there are jobs to do, with maybe a little comic reading too. So until next week...

See you in seven.

Make Mine Marvel.