Plunging into the maelstrom of the Beesting!

 Week Ending 3rd May 1975

Comics can be many things to many people, morality plays, lessons in history, in science and in life. Examples of how best to treat people and how to reach your own well-being and happiness. But mostly they are good clean entertainment. Pope Francis' papal motto was "Miserando atque eligendo" which means "by having mercy and by choosing." I'm in no way religious, but it seems the world has lost another "good guy", while the "bad guys" seem to grow daily in power. Sometimes it feels more comfortable to immerse yourself in the harmless fun of comics. Stan Lee was no religious leader, but there are times when he said "Excelsior," that I really understood what he meant. Be kind to others and choose some of the greatest stories printed in comic form. If anything, it'll be fun.   

The Mighty World of Marvel #135

Ron Wilson (pencils,) with Mike Esposito (inks,) created this very uninspiring original British Marvel cover. It looks like Ron telephoned this one in, or at the very worst something I could draw on one of my best-ever days with a little help from a good inker. 

The Incredible Hulk “But who will judge the Hulk?”

Writer: Gary Friedrich and Steve Englehart

Artist: Dick Ayers and Herb Trimpe

Inker: Frank Giacoia

Originally published in The Incredible Hulk #152

Cover date June 1972

(Published in March 1972)

This strip has got guest stars galore, but as we find the Hulk fighting the US army in the Nevada Desert most readers will notice that the regular artwork has changed and I must say not for the better. I'm not sure why Herb Trimpe and John Severin have taken a break from the strip, may be they went on holiday, but from my point in the future I can reassure Trimpe/Severin fans that they will return to this Hulk run very soon. So for a week or two we'll have to make do with Dick Ayers version of the Hulk. In my opinion Ayers is a better inker than a penciller, I do feel that some of his panels seem copied from other artist's version's of the Hulk, the Ditko and Kirby versions spring to mind. But to be fair the artwork is aided and abetted by Herb Trimpe, who maybe didn't go that far on holiday, with practically the whole of the Bullpen.

Nick Fury and his agents of SHIELD bring an army of LMDs, Life Model Decoy, to capture the Hulk without risking human life. Captain America is also there too, but his relationship with Nick Fury is a bit frosty, due to events that are never revealed in a British Marvel/Marvel UK strip. But the answer to their touchiness can be found in Captain America #149 (US edition). The Hulk is eventually captured with orders from the President, are that the Hulk must be placed on trial. In the original US version was Richard Nixon, with his Vice President being Spiro Agnew, in the UK version an art bodger re-drew them both as Gerald Ford and Nelson Rockefeller. I imagine that most British readers wouldn't know or care who was the President or Vice President and they could have kept them the same. 

The Mighty Marvel Mailbag

D B from Derbyshire is glad that the "crummy old re-runs" from 1962-1966 have mainly been used up. He used to buy 3 copies each of "Wham" and "Smash" in '67 so he was a fan of that era. He's quite keen on the way British Marvel have moved on with the likes of Planet of the Apes. But he still thinks there's a place for comics for 14-year-old kids in Britain, with maybe a British Marvel mag with sci-fi characters for the more intelligent readers, with stories like Warlock, the Silver  Surfer and some of those beautiful sci-fi stories from Astonish and Suspense? Adam Harris from Hertfordshire calls MWOM #122 a masterpiece. Although he does scrutinise it as he notes that the Hulk is getting more eloquent with the use of some quite intelligent prose, Gene Colan's art on Daredevil is great stuff and in the FF story Doctor Doom may be an evil-minded genius, but he's useless at lying, plus Kirby's artwork is brilliant. Pete Taylor from Birmingham congratulates Marvel for the refusal of a FFF request in MWOM #117. FFF's should not be asked for, they should be ordained. Pete must be a classically trained musician, as he's spotted four mistakes in on panel, all musical. They are on page 29 of MWOM #117, 1) Grieg's Piano Concerto in A minor is opus 16. not 15. 2) World-famous pianists don't use sheet music at performances, 3) You can't play that concerto without an orchestra and 4) Even if you could, the pianist starts with both hands at the top of the scale, not one each end.

Tony Marlow from London points out that it was nearly a year ago that the Silver Surfer was due to appear in a Hulk story in

MWOM, but because it wasn't printed many Marvelites were annoyed. So Marvel waited for an opportunity after the story of Galactus had exiled the Surfer to Earth was printed in MWOM #107. The Hulk/Surfer clash was put in the Marvel annual 1975, which was great. The editor answers why some stories are put off now and again. "With such a closely-knit set of action-dramas running it can pose a problem at times. Because the very last thing we ever want to do is confuse our readers. We know only too well what an uncomfortable sensation that can be! Which is where the editing comes in, getting stories in the best sequence, and so on." Sharing the page with the Mighty Marvel Mailbag is the Marvel Comic Mart. Its a feature that was very similar to Swap Shop, a feature that appeared a while ago in the weeklies.  

Daredevil “The name of the game is mayhem!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Frank Giacoia

Originally published in Daredevil #36

Cover date January 1968

(Published in November 1967)

This week's Mighty World of Marvel takes a slight change of format, instead of three strips per week we're treated to two strips. The first being the ten pages of the Hulk, followed by twenty pages of Daredevil. this isn't completely unusual as it had been the Hulk with the twenty pages replacing the Daredevil strip. This week it's the Fantastic Four who take a break, although not entirely as we see the story starting with Daredevil entering the Baxter Building, to find the Invisible Girl glued to the floor as bait in a trap.

The Trapster had left a bomb that would detonate with added body heat from any returning members of the Fantastic Four. Of course Daredevil's super sensitive hearing detects the ticking of the bomb, so instead of triggering the device he uses his billy-club cable to hook the bomb and whip it away so that it can explode safely above the Manhattan streets. Reed Richards and Johnny Storm rush in to find Daredevil helping Sue Storm up from the floor. Daredevil explains how he became involved in stopping the Trapster's plot. The FF recall how Daredevil had helped them when they lost their powers and Doctor Doom chose to attack them, as seen in MWOM #84 and #85. The Human Torch tries to go after Trapster, but Daredevil asks him to let him handle the villain himself. Daredevil battles Trapster across the city in some action packed pages from Gene Colan.

Elsewhere Foggy Nelson is offered a chance to run for District Attorney which makes him pretty happy but before he can formally accept the offer he wants to speak to Matt. The last time Foggy was put forward as the next District Attorney was in MWOM #77, where he had been duped by Abner Jonas who had been the criminal mastermind known as the Organiser. By sheer coincidence Foggy receives a call from Debbie Harris, an ex-girlfriend of Foggy's, who had been involved in the Organiser's plot, but had helped Daredevil in the end and had just been released from prison early. Her intentions was to see Foggy again. Meanwhile, Daredevil manages to beat the Trapster when their fight sends the Trapster's glider crashing into a subway entrance. The police find the villain and take him away but as Daredevil was knocked unconscious out of sight he was left until he starts to come around, revived with the sound of armoured footsteps coming towards him. Those footsteps, he soon learns, belong to Doctor Doom!

The back page of the Mighty World of Marvel and Spider-man Comics Weekly promoted the Dracula Lives Special Edition. It was published by World Distributors (Manchester) Limited in the Spring of 1975. With a cardboard cover and 68 pages of reprinted Marvel Dracula  strips and text tales, plus pin-ups and photo features taken from various editions of Dracula Lives (US edition), Tomb of Dracula and Giant Sized Dracula. It wasn't quite the colour spectacular that the Marvel Treasury Editions were as the interior was only black and white and still this edition would cost you 50 pence. The artwork for the front and back covers of the Special Edition was by Stephen Fabian and had originally been used as the cover of Marvel/Curtis magazine Dracula Lives (US) issue eleven, cover dated March 1975, published January 1975.  The artwork of Dracula sitting up inside his coffin was by John Buscema and was originally used as the cover artwork from The Frankenstein Monster #8, cover dated January 1974, published October 1973. Dracula had been reaching up towards Frankenstein's Monster but for this advert his arm, and the Monster had been removed. On this version of the advert the candle casts a yellow glow, but the text "Dracula needs you!" is slightly hidden in the purple shadow.

Spider-man Comics Weekly #116

This one looks like it was made especially for a British Marvel comic cover, but it wasn't, John Romita Sr. drew it for the cover for the Amazing Spider-man #89. Maybe he "faxed" this one in. 

Spider-man “Today Spider-man shall..die!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Gil Kane

Inker: John Romita Sr.

Originally published in the Amazing Spider-man #89

Cover date October 1970

(Published in July 1970)

The opening splash page for this week's second part re-uses a panel from page 8 of last week's issue with another featuring Doc Ock, panel seven from page six again from last week's comic. Spider-man is searching for the eight limbed fiend and with the mess the Doc is making it isn't long before he finds him. 

Last week ended with Spider-man spotting Doctor Octopus climbing up the smoke stack on the city's main power station. Octavius's intention was twofold, to put the city at his mercy and to attract the attention of Spider-man. Fearing the villain might black out all of Manhattan, Spidey rushes after his foe. Ambushing Doc Ock, the two begin fighting it out on top of the power station, with Spider-man holding his own until Octavius damages a water tower, which threatens the anti pollution protestors down on the streets below. In a brave act Spider-man braces the water tower with his body, pushing it away with all his strength. But this leaves Spider-man vulnerable to attack. Doc Ock manages to overpower the web-slinger. He tosses Spider-Man down to the street below. We get some pretty iconic panels from the pages that spotlight Spidey's battle with Doctor Octopus, even with John Romita Sr. taking over the inking chores and Gil Kane picking up the pencil this week's artwork is spectacular. Now will Spider-man survive? Find out in next week's "Tentacles of Terror!" 

The Web and the Hammer

Ian Manewell RFO, KOF from Yorkshire writes a long letter high-lighting 34 different mistakes in Spider-man. Thankfully I don't need to go through them because the Marvel editor decided to edit them out. But even with all those mistakes Ian writes that Marvel is still for him! Alan Douthwaite from Essex writes that the two new comics are great, so much so he buy's Planet of The Apes each week. However he still thinks SMCW is the most fantastic comic ever to hit the mag-stand! Paul Briggs from Oxford writes that SMCW is imaginatively throught out with the exception of Iron Man. His stories tend to be repetitive and uninteresting, with many boring scripts where Iron Man defeats a "commie" warlord in "Bodavia". Very different from your Spider-man stories, who has lifelike hang-ups and is not all fight. His message to Stan Lee is "You preach against bigotry and say all creeds, colours and races are equal (quite right too). He asks why some of Marvel's scripts contain anti-communist (and in one case anti-Cuban) ideas. Like when the cruel communist warlord is just overcome by the brave American superhero!" Stan Lee seems to have answered Paul directly, or is at "ghost-written" by someone else. Here's his reply, "Well Paul, those stories were written many years ago, when we honestly believed we were endangered by the Communists, just as we felt 3 decades ago in regards to the Nazis. Since then, we're far more sophisticated and enlightened, and realise the world isn't composed solely of "good guys" and "bad guys" where politics is concerned - and we know there are no longer simplistic answers to profound and momentous questions. This is evidenced by the fact that our more recent story lines obviously reflect a more liberal point of view. However, many people still enjoy those old tales, and we never feel anyone today is very affected by the rather anti-deluvian political sentiments therein expressed." James McCabe from County Wicklow asks British Marvel to produce a coloured monthly with 76 pages like the American ones. Here's a name check for the letter to The Web and the Hammer, Micheal Thomson from Fife, Simon Edwardes from West Yorkshire, Tom Smyth from Belfast, Colin from London, David Ellett from Birmingham, A. Giacomazzi from London, George McLean from Lanarkshire, Martin Write from Northants, Tony Bevan from London. T. Hodgetts from Jersey, Peter McDaniel from Devon, Stephen Pointer from Kent and Peter Saunders from Northumberland.

Iron Man “Victory!”

 

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Jack Abel

Originally published in Tales of Suspense #83

Cover date November 1966

(Published in August 1966)

Iron Man battles the Titanium Man in Washington DC, putting Pepper Potts in danger as she's caught in the Titanium Man's paralyser ray. With quick thinking Iron Man manages to free her with a live wire from his armour that somehow short circuits the ray, allowing her to safely escape before the battle is resumed. Pages four and five of the original US strip have been left out, presumably for lack of space. 

The battle rages on as the nation watches it on TV. Viewers even include the US Senate and President, who haven't been redrawn like the President and Vice President were in this week's Hulk strip. Eventually Iron Man defeats his enemy with a device that chips away the titanium coating of Titanium Man's armour, allowing Iron Man to inflict damage upon the inner workings of his foe's armour forcing him to flee. The Titanium Man tries to return to his masters, however the sub that was supposed to take him back home following a victory leaves him. With what little power remains the Titanium Man falls into the sea. Back in Washington Tony Stark is greeted by Pepper, who shows her affection towards him, neither of them knowing that Happy has regained his memory and remembers that Tony Stark is really Iron Man. 

A couple of in-house adverts for other British Marvel weeklies. The first is a previously used Dracula Lives advert, while the other features this week's Mighty World of Marvel cover with some pretty shady shading going on.  

The Mighty Thor “The Mangog lives!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Vince Colletta

Originally published in The Mighty Thor #154

Cover date July 1968

(Published in May 1968)

The splash page from page thirty-two of last week's issue is re-used as this week's second part opening splash page with a new title, new re-cap text boxes and credits. Loki returns to Asgard, to be told that the Cave of the Ages has been opened and that its prisoner is advancing towards Asgard. The timing of that event isn't great as Odin has once more entered his much needed Odin sleep. Loki takes advantage of the situation and assumes command of the Asgardian throne.

On Earth Thor stops a robbery by a criminal outfit known as Muggers Incorporated before continuing his search for Loki. Thor asks a group of Hippies if they have seen his half brother. The Hippies mock Thor's appearance, so Thor gives them a show of his power, with a lecture that "'Tis not by dropping out , but by plunging in, into the maelstrom of life itself that thou shall find thy wisdom!" It seems that either Stan Lee or Jack Kirby wished to hammer home a truth to the youth of America. A lesson I'd happily learn from the God of Thunder. The lightning from the storm sends them running in, maybe to make a fruitful life. Meanwhile in Asgard Karnilla the Norn Queen continues her attempt at seducing Balder, who wishes to leave her realm. Before he can go, she shows him a hall full of other warriors who spurned her love and found themselves frozen into statues and asks Balder to consider his position wisely. Not willing to be enslaved by a woman, Balder raises his sword, prompting Karnilla to take action. Elsewhere, Ulik and Mangog finally escape from the Cavern of the Ages, where Mangog reveals he desires not just the destruction of Odin, but he also intents to bring about Ragnarok. Thor awaits his father's summons, completely unaware that his Father is currently in the Odin sleep. More next week.

More adverts on the inside back page, one reminding the readers that Conan is now appearing in his own mighty mag every week, as the Savage Sword of Conan is on sale now! There's a Charles Atlas "You too can have a body like mine!" advert and a Stamp Competition advert but next to those is an in-house promotion for the Avengers weekly featuring Iron Fist, telling readers to "see our latest issue-now!" The only thing is Iron Fist, for the time being, isn't in the Avengers weekly, as you'll soon see as I look through issue 85 of that very comic next.

Avengers Weekly #85

This cover was originally used for the cover of Doctor Strange #183 by Gene Colan with Bill Everett adding the inks. More often than not I've really enjoyed the British version of American cover, mainly because of the colouring choices. The UK version colours the Undying Ones in a shade of scarlet, but the original had them coloured in green tones. I actually feel that the US version is better.

Master of Kung Fu “Fives of rebirth”

Writer: Doug Moench

Artist: Paul Gulacy

Inker: Vince Colletta

Originally published in Giant Size Master of Kung Fu #3

Cover date March 1975

(Published in December 1974)

Shang-Chi returns this week to the pages of the Avengers weekly, replacing Iron Fist for a while. I have to say even though I prefer Iron Fist as a character Paul Gulacy's artwork is so much more desirable than the past number of artists who had drawn Iron Fist. The story opens with Shang-Chi looking into a toy-store window, well aware that he's being followed. Confronting the man, who produces a card identify him as an agent of the British Secret Service. He tells Shang-Chi that Sir Denis Nayland Smith sent him. 

Shang-Chi takes the back seat of a sedan while the agent drives, until gas begins to fill the compartment. As the rear windows are bullet proof Shang-Chi's only exit is through a hole in the roof made by two fists of fury. He climbs atop the car and smashes the front passenger-side window, gaining access to the driver who he grabs by his tie, causing him to lose control of the vehicle, sending it veering off the street and into a wall. Shang-Chi examines the man and discovers a dragon amulet which he recognises as the sign of the Phansigars, an eastern Indian cult that handles Fu Manchu's most important jobs.

After fleeing from too many police questions Shang-Chi arrives at Smith's townhouse, where the butler informs him that Smith has left. He introduces Clive Reston, a British agent, who takes a sudden interest in the amulet. Just as suddenly, three Phansigars burst through the window. Shang-Chi defeats two of them quickly. Even without his gun Reston is still a capable agent, disarming his opponent with the use of a curtain before knocking him over an upstairs railing. Shang-Shi finds the British agents use of unnecessary humour after the necessary violence distasteful. In the process of the fight he had knocked an elephant statue off a stand. With the fight over, Reston tells Shang-Chi where their next destination is, which we'll find out next week.

Avengers Unite!

J from Homerton College in Cambridge writes to thank Marvel for publishing magazines in Britain, it being especially great, because he remembers spending his formative years searching local newsagents for copies of Captain America and Fantastic Four, But his reason for writing is as a twenty-year-old student, his views may be different from that of many other readers, but wants to see more of Captain America. even though there are perfectly valid reasons for his disappearance. Mark Jones from Cheshire has noticed a sharp increase in the standard of letters being printed. However, there are still print some pretty crummy letters and he also complains about the way honours and No-Prizes are handed out hand over fist. Many of his friends think he is very childish reading comics but little do they realise how brilliantly Marvel characters are portrayed and how realistic and true to life Marvel mags are. Brent Henshaw KOF, RFO from Coventry and his friend have started a Marvel fan club and now they have seven members. Stephen Riddell from Leeds has been reading Marvel stories since the days of Smash (one of the Power Comics that came before British Marvel produced the Mighty World of Marvel, but we don't talk about that.) and he's collected every edition of MWOM, SMCW and the Avengers weekly. Although Stephen is a massive fan of Marvel, the point of his letter is Marvel Comics are not Art, as often claimed by Stan Lee, because Art seeks solely to convey a message or to describe without compromise. Whilst Marvel Comics, however much they try to relate a message, are made basically to make money. Harsh but also true. 

The Avengers “Even an android can cry...” Part 2

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: John Buscema

Inker: George Klein

Originally published in The Avengers #58

Cover date November 1968

(Published in September 1968)

The cover of last week's issue and the original US comic is used as a splash page opener to this week's second part. There's no new snappy title instead we just get "Part 2" added to "Even an android can cry!"title. Vision remembers he was created by Ultron to kill the Avengers, but other than that he knows no more and the mystery behind Ultron and the Vision remains. Henry Pym recalls that Ultron is a solar powered android, similar to an artificial human he was working on, which he dubbed a synthozoid. 

The Avengers set off to Goliath's lab with Thor transporting them there with the power of his Uru hammer. That's something you don't see often. I wonder who decided that they wouldn't use an Avengers Aero-vehicle? Was it Roy or John. But now I think about their usual Aero-car wouldn't fit them all in. The Quinjet would make it's first appearance in The Avengers #61 (US edition,) which was printed in Avengers weekly #77 as a Doctor Strange story. That story was supposed to appear three Avengers tales after this one. The next story that a Quinjet appears will be in six week's time in Avengers weekly #92. Once they arrive at Pym's old labs they find it boarded up and abandoned. The last time Goliath can recall being there is when Dragon Man broke free under the control of Diablo as seen in Avengers weekly #48.  It should have been left in ruins, but it had been restored and covered in dust. Using a piece of apparatus called a "Memory Bank" Goliath remembers how he created Ultron after learning how Dragon Man functioned. It gained sentient life, however it attacked him and with hypnotism made him forget the entire incident. 

The Wasp had discovered Goliath in the ruins of his lab, he decided that from then on he would be better working from the lab in the Avengers mansion. Just then Iron Man notices that the memory tapes they made of Simon Williams, also known as Wonder Man, was also missing. Wonder Man made his appearance in Avengers weekly #6. Just then they realise that the Vision is made up of Wonder Man's memory and brain patterns. Which when I first read this tale that all felt plausible especially after reading the many Avengers tales that follow. But all these years later I wonder was that jump to a conclusion a little too easy. In the end it all ties in nicely. When they return to the mansion there is only one thing left to do. Goliath offers the Vision full Avengers membership. 

The Vision wonders why they have accepted him, even though he is not truly a human being. Goliath tells him is any man less human because he has an artificial leg, or a transplanted heart. The five original Avengers included an Asgardian immortal and a green skinned behemoth. All they ask is a man's worth, not an accident of his condition. Vision asks to be excused for a moment. Iron Man wonders if he detected a trace of sentiment yet his voice was unspeakably cold. Henry Pym points out that he can't help that and maybe if he looked in his eyes right now he'd learn that even an android can cry! 

Doctor Strange “They walk by night!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Tom Palmer

Originally published in Doctor Strange #183

Cover date November 1969

(Published in July 1969)

Doctor Strange ventures out on a rainy night to answer a call of help from an old associate named Kenneth Ward. While the journey takes him through a stormy sky a simple spell keeps him dry as he recalls the reasons why the Telegram was addressed to "Stephen Sanders".  Looking deeper into events Strange realises that Eternity had changed reality so that Stephen's name was different, in order to protect his secret identity of Sorcerer Supreme.

The Doctor uses another spell to change into civilian clothing before he arrives at Kenneth Ward's home. Stephen is concerned that Ward now has a full time butler, when as an explorer he would always answer the door himself. Also the two strong framed bodyguards seem to have been a late addition. Strange is guided into a dark lit room where Kenneth Ward sits weakly in a wheelchair in the shadows. The mystery deepens next week. 

The promotion for World Distributors (Manchester) Limited's Dracula Lives Special Edition again appears on the back cover of this Avengers weekly as well as this week's Dracula Lives and the Planet of the Apes mags, but instead of a yellow background cast by the light of a lit candle, here the background is purple and the top text is yellow. It might not be as atmospheric it is however easier to read. Also noticeable with this advert is that you could order it for 65 pence, obviously 15 pence dearer than the shop price, to pay for postage and packaging. The stories that appear in this special are "Night of the Blood Stalker!" from Tomb of Dracula #25, cover dated October 1974, published July 1974, "Blood Moon", a text story taken from Dracula Lives #7 (Marvel/Curtis magazine US version,) cover dated July 1974, published May 1974 and "Let It Bleed!" from Giant Sized Dracula #4, cover dated March 1975, published December 1974.

Dracula Lives #28

There seems to have been a trend this week that most of this week's covers aren't really that good, which I think many would agree with. This original Dracula Lives cover has to be one of the poorest. Ed Hannigan (pencils,) and Mike Esposito (inks,) created this bland cover. You might ask why the original US cover from Tomb of Dracula issue 12 wasn't used for this week or next, well that one was used for the cover for Dracula Lives #24 at the beginning of the month when they needed a quick fill-in cover, but we haven't heard the last of that issue's cover, keep reading! 

Dracula “The night of the screaming house!”

Writer: Marv Wolfman

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Tom Palmer

Originally published in Tomb of Dracula #12

Cover date September 1973

(Published in June 1973)

Elizabeth Langely was about to become Dracula's next victim until he's interrupted by the arrival of Quincy Harker, his daughter Edith, Frank Drake, Rachel van Helsing, and Taj Nitall. All attempts to kill Dracula are thwarted as Dracula grabs hold of Edith. Frank is swatted away when he attempts to save her. Dracula tells Harker that he will be in touch at midnight the following evening to tell him the location of his daughter, telling him if he does not appear, he will never see his daughter again. Dracula then transforms into bat-form and flies off with Edith as his prisoner, leaving the vampire slayers behind. 

The following night Dracula contacts Harker to tells them to go to a haunted mansion called Whispering Hell. As the heroes travel there Dracula contacts Blade and taunts him into coming also. Blade leaves to try and slay Dracula, much to the anger and disappointment of his woman, Safron. Entering the house, Quincy Harker and the other vampire hunters find the house plunged in darkness, with torches they carry on, but there are traps and dangers laid out for them. Frank's foot falls through rotting stairs, rousing an army of bats which attack them, scarring Rachel's face. The bats are fought off by Quincy and Taj, while Rachel and Frank spot Dracula leading Edith away. The horror continues next week.

Cryptic Correspondance

Graham Ward RFO, KOF from Tyne-and-Wear lists his favourite stories from each of the five comics, "And a Blind Man Shall Lead Them." in MWOM, "If This be My Destiny." in SMCW, Shang-Chi's continuous fight against the Si-Fan in loads of Avengers weekly issues and "Monster of The Moors." in Dracula Lives. However  he hasn't made up his mind for the best story in POTA. J Shepherd RFO, KOF from Leeds receive all five of the British weeklies and has managed to hunt down sixteen American mags a month. Ivor Davies from Dunbartonshire was disappointed with the artwork from the Dracula strip's terrible shading and the artwork for Frankenstein's Monster which doesn't look the same since John Buscema took over, with the worst yet to come when Val Mayerik's efforts appear. The last letter in the Cryptic Correspondence comes from Count Attilla Vlad Dracula from Transylvania, who complains that he is wasting valuable

drinking-time while writing this letter, but he thinks his story is excellent as it is. The Werewolf By Night story should be altered. He wants the characters cghanged and put it in to the last century. At the moment the modern setting ruins the gothic horror of the story. While the Frankenstein Monster is superb.

Werewolf by Night “The sinister secret of Sarnak!”

Writer: Gerry Conway

Artist: Tom Sutton

Inker: Tom Sutton

Originally published in Werewolf by Night #10 

Cover date October 1973

(Published in July 1973)

Sarnak gloats from above the pit, as the Werewolf struggles to break free, a prisoner with his sister Lissa. Even as he breaks free from his chains he cannot scale the sides of the pit. Sarnak explains why the Committee hired him to kidnap the Russell siblings. The Committee had intended to stimulate the economy by sewing seeds of paranoia and discord throughout the country by unleashing a Werewolf under their control. That kind of conspiracy theory plot seems plausible in today's world, where big business or big influencers manipulate people with fear to increase their revenue. 

Elsewhere, detective Lou Hackett and his partner, Vince, discover Phillip Russell’s drivers license inside of the car that Jack had been driving. They head towards the Russell estate to find more answers. Daylight breaks and the Werewolf transforms back into Jack Russell, but without the Werewolf's strength he cannot free Lissa from her bonds. However he is able to climb out of Sarnak's pit and go get some help. One of Sarnak's creatures tries to stop Jack, but the lads determination allows him to beat him. At Russell's house enforcers of the Committee arrived wanting Phillip Russell to pay his debt to them. Jack has made his way to Buck's place. Unfortunately Jack's tiredness taken its toll and he passes out.

Brother Voodoo “Brother Voodoo!”

Writer: Lein Wein

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Dan Adkins

Originally published in Strange Tales #169

Cover date September 197

(Published in June 1973)

Doctor Maitland a pathologist from the United Nations arrives at Port-au-Prince in Haiti. His guide Willoby explains that there are certain factions who are violently opposed to the work carried out by the United Nations. Suddenly a number of Haitian gunmen confront them at gunpoint. Voodoo drums start playing as a cloud of smoke rolls in, and from it steps, Brother Voodoo. Voodoo dives into the men, driving them to the ground. A fleeing thug attempts to run Brother Voodoo down, but Voodoo dives out of the way of the car, which crashes into the side of a building killing the would be assailant.

Suddenly, a ghostly figure rises from Brother Voodoo's body. The apparition takes possession of one of the other gunmen and forces him to turn against his allies. When the threat alleviates, the spirit leaves the gunman’s body and returns to Brother Voodoo. Brother Voodoo takes a moment to reflect on the course of events that set him down his chosen path. With a flashback Brother Voodoo recalls when sometime ago, when he was merely Jericho Drumm, a prominent psychologist practicing in the United States, who had returned to Haiti when he received word that his brother, Daniel, had become seriously ill. He had also been attacked soon after arriving Drumm had fought off the supposed muggers and continued on his journey to his childhood home, where he is greeted by his Aunt Matilda. Next week we find out how "a legend is born!"

It's check list time! This is the first time a British Marvel checklist shows the covers of six of the current comics on sale. It features the Super-heroes, the Mighty World of Marvel, the Avengers weekly, Dracula Lives, the Savage Sword of Conan and Spider-man Comics Weekly. I have to wonder where the Planet of the Apes is. Maybe this advert was only intended to be printed in the Apes comic, which it also was on the inside back page of POTA. 

Planet of the Apes #28

This cover has been adapted from the "War of the Worlds" cover from Amazing Adventures #20 by Herb Trimpe. I've no idea who re-drew the Warlord as an ape-cyborg. I'm so glad who ever did got rid of Killraven's kinky stripper boots and put some pants on the Apeslayer. You can see the attacking Tripods which are obvious leftovers from the War of the Worlds. I really like this cover, so I'm going to make this one my Cover of the Week, but not because it's the best of a bad bunch, it's so much better than that.

Planet of the Apes “Airport of death!”

Writer: Marv Wolfman

Artist: Herb Trimpe 

Inker: Frank Giacoia

Originally published in Amazing Adventures #20

Cover date September 1973

(Published in July 1973)

The fourth panel from page nine of last week's issue is enlarged to make this week's second part opening splash page, with a new title, re-cap text boxes and a credit box added. It kind of emphasises that this is Apeslayer and not Killraven as it focuses on the Apeslayers new costume. That kind of focus is needed as much of this week's story centres on a Tripods attack on Apeslayer and Mala, which is obviously an iconic War of the Worlds image. Attacked by the "simian" machine the two Freemen are forced to crash into the river as it destroys the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, which connects Brooklyn to Stanton Island. After dislodging a boulder from under one of the Tripods feet the machine crashes into the water, destroying it. 

For the second half of this week's adventure the art bodger does have to earn his money as he has to transform the Warlord, a human cyborg under the control of the Martians from the original Amazing Adventures comic, into an ape cyborg who follows orders from the Ape General. Herb Trimpe's big and bold artwork helps with that transformation so much so I wonder did Trimpe have any hand in adjusting his own artwork? 

Who ever the art bodger was they did miss one panel where the Warlord was discussing his plans with his Martian Master. Previously he had been talking to an Ape General on a TV screen but this point of view from behind the alien was missed. I imagine it would have been hard to portray the necessary scene with the reader looking at the back of a TV screen. The Warlord's plan works and the Freemen fall into his trap as they break into a weapons deposit at LaGuardia Airport only to find the Warlord and his troop of cyborg apes waiting for them. The Warlord challenges the Apeslayer, who he blames for his cyborg condition, to combat. But the cyborg ape's superior strength beats the Apeslayer. The Warlord gloats that the Freemen will join their leader in the "Arena of Mutants!" next issue!

The remaking of Roddy McDowall

This article was originally from the Marvel/Curtis Magazine #8, cover dated May 1975, published March 1975. It was written by Abbie Bernstein, a feature writer who would become an author of many film and TV tie-in books, such as The Art of Mad Max: Fury Road, Altered Carbon: The Art and Making of the Series, Godzilla King of the Monsters to name a few. Here he takes an in-depth look at how make-up artist Fred Blau transforms actor Roddy McDowall into Galen for the Planet of the Apes. 

Apes Forum

The first letter in this week's Apes Forum is from Mike Collins from West Bromwich who points out that if Gene Colan hadn't left the artwork on the "Watcher" he would have a strip in every British Marvel mag, with  Daredevil in MWOM, Iron Man in SMCW. Dracula in, of course Dracula Lives, Doctor Strange in the Avengers weekly and Tales of the Watcher in POTA. Mike loved was Ralph Reede's artwork on "The Day after the Martians Came" and thinks that POTA is 'FANTASMACOSMICAWAREEDLYINTER.

DIMENTIONALLYGORICAL!! so much he made it a regular order. Now Mike Collins' name may ring a bell. Mike is the British artist who's best know for working on various comic strips from Doctor Who for Marvel UK,  Judge Dredd, Sláine and Rogue Trooper for 2000AD and many, many more. As well as a storyboard artist for various TV shows, most famously Doctor Who. How do I know it was the same person? you ask, well I emailed him and he said that he'd forgotten about the letter but what giveaway it away was his love for Colan and Ralph Reese. Speaking of the Watcher, the all-seeing alien also wrote in to give his opinion on both the Planet of the Apes and Dracula Lives. He thinks the lead story in POTA is excellent and so is the Barry Windsor-Smith artwork on Ka-Zar, even though he can't relate to the character. The Watcher believes that Dracula Lives is a better comic than POTA in his opinion, even though it's not the Bram Stoker cinema-orientated version there is still enough of it to be a chiller in his own right. He thinks that Gene Colan, is much better suited to drawing vampires than he is to drawing blind men in red long-johns, Garry Lane from Northants gives his opinions on the strips in Dracula Lives too but has nothing to say about the Planet of the Apes which is strange as his letter is printed in the Ape Forum letter page.

The power of Warlock “And men shall call him...Warlock!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Gil Kane

Inker: Dan Adkins

Originally published in Marvel Premiere #1

Cover date April 1972

(Published in November 1972)

Opening with a symbolic splash page from Gil Kane, readers see the being known as him floating in space as the High Evolutionary watches on. The next page sees an asteroid floating through space, in reality it is the High Evolutionary's ship. The genetic scientist is recording his memoirs, starting with the time when he created the Man-Beast and was forced to leave Earth with his creations, as seen in the Thor tales from SMCW #72 and how much later  he employed the Hulk to destroy his New-Men as seen in MWOM #39, which actually came before the Thor strip was printed in the UK, well that's British Marvel continuity for you. The High Evolutionary remembers also how him becoming an Ultimate being drove him to the brink of madness.

His train of thought is interrupted by Sir Raam who requests his master to come to Level 10. An unidentified object is found floating outside the ship. Under the High Evolutionary's command it is brought on board and examined with a Psyche-probe to reveal an image of a living being inside the "cocoon". The High Evolutionary ponders that the being inside could be the ultimate new-man, like a son he never had. The being hears his words and replies that he is nobody's son. The scientist is shocked that it can hear him. "Him" tells him about his birth and rebirth because he senses him to be noble and powerful. "Him's" origin will be told in nine week's time in the Fantastic Four adventure starting in MWOM #143. "Him" asks The High Evolutionary to restore him to space as he is not ready to emerge. The genetic scientist agrees as the being poses no threat to his Project Alpha. "Him" asks about the project, which the scientist reveals as a plan to make another earth which will be perfect. The new "counter-earth" would be duplicated from the genetic code taken from the original world.

The Super-heroes #9

Now I do like a John Buscema cover, you can't go wrong with one of them. This one was originally from the US comic Silver Surfer issue 7. The Surfer is fighting the heir of Frankenstein but it doesn't grab me like the POTA cover. John's younger brother Sal inked it for him.

Silver Surfer “The heir of Frankenstein!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: John Buscema

Inker: Sal Buscema

Originally published in Silver Surfer #7

Cover date August 1969

(Published in May 1969)

This Silver Surfer story jumps three US issues of his own comic. Why you ask? Well I can't think of any reason other than there was a mix up in the schedule. The stories featuring the Stranger will feature in the Super-heroes issues 17 and 18, while the following adventure will appear in issues 19 and 20 before the original US continuity is resumed. This story starts with Ludwig von Frankenstein, the modern descendant of Victor von Frankenstein attempting to create life using modern scientific technology, aided to some degree by his hunchbacked assistant Borgo. 

But the local villagers who are well aware of his ancestors legacy storm the castle. His latest creation fails due to the interference from the villagers so Frankenstein decides to activate his latest project, Experiment X. However it requires a powerful living host. At that moment flying through the Alps the Silver Surfer sees the villagers storming the castle. Believing them to be aggressors, he repels them with cosmic blasts. The Count befriends the Surfer, who is at first reluctant to trust him due to his experience with Doctor Doom as seen in MWOM #122. Frankenstein tricks him into becoming the host for Experiment X. The Count explains that his experiment will drive evil from men's minds. The Surfer agrees to help, allowing him to siphon the power cosmic from him and redirect it into a lifeless clay model. Only trouble can come from this as we'll find out in next week's "Legacy of Frankenstein!"

The X-Men “Trapped: One X-Man!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Paul Reinman

Originally published in The X-Men #

Cover date May 1964

(Published in March 1964)

Returning home after last week's battle against Magneto and his Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, with the Professor injured and his telepathic abilities destroyed, the X-Men ponder what they will do without Professor Xavier's help. Just then Marvel Girl's parents arrive for a visit. Quickly they change into their civilian clothes so they can greet their visitors, while making an excuse Professor Xavier's absence they give Jean Grey's parents a tour of the mansion. In the Danger Room Hank McCoy explains that the room is a gymnasium that is waiting for new equipment. As they leave Scott is accidentally trapped in the Danger Room, and a program designed for the Beast starts automatically. He escapes the obstacles by destroying them with his optic blasts.

Pleased with their visit Jean's parents leave, unaware of anything out of the ordinary. The Grey's fail to notice one of Magneto's henchmen, Mastermind, near by searching for the X-Men's headquarters. He calls Magneto to pick him up as his search has come up with nothing. Quicksilver picks him up in a strange aircraft that returns to an amazing asteroid in space, the home of the Brotherhood, named Asteroid M. Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch ask Magneto why finding the X-Men is so important. Their leader explains that the X-Men will intervene in his plans for mutants to rule the world. But his latest plan will coax the X-Men out of their headquarters.

Back on Earth Scott ponders how they can stop the Brotherhood. Bobby watches an athletics event on TV. Jean covers Professor Xavier with a blanket while Hank and Warren join Bobby in front of the television set. One contestant that wins various events by using incredible jumps. The crowd turns on him because they believing him to be a cheater. The X-Men realise that he could be a mutant, so they out to rescue him from the angry crowd. Their escape with him takes the X-Men on to the subway. The Beast realises that there's something familiar about him. Pulling a mask off from the mutant's face the Beast reveals that it is actually the Toad. Just then Magneto arrives and attacks the X-Men. Next week "The Angel is trapped!"

The inside back page of the Super-heroes and the Savage Sword of Conan features a different version of the British Marvel Checklist. It's a format I really like. Six of the seven weeklies are shown with only the Planet of the Apes missing out again, although at the bottom left of the page a small in-house advert for POTA is printed. In the Checklist each cover of the six is followed by a very brief review of that comics contents and any guest villains who might appear within. All of them that is save for the Super-heroes who miss out on a mini text review due to lack of space. This kind of feature works better than just an in-house advert with just covers. I would definitely want to rush out and buy them all. 

Savage Sword of Conan #9

The last cover for this week, Barry Windsor-Smith does a smart job on this Conan cover originally from the US comic Conan the Barbarian issue 9. There are slight colour variations between the US and UK versions, but nothing to write about. What is worth writing about is the text box that reads "Plus! Ka-Zar Lord of the Hidden Jungle!" Ka-Zar doesn't appear in this comic and it reminds me of the cover of Savage Sword of Conan issue 6, which did feature the Lord of the Hidden Jungle, but on that cover a text box read "Plus! Kull and the Death Dance of Thulsa Doom!" which is printed in this week issue. Swapping the Ka-Zar for the Kull Story doesn't match because last week's Kull story, "The Forbidden Swamp" would have had to be printed in that issue. I think the editors go their schedule mixed up.

Conan the Barbarian “The garden of fear”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Barry Windsor-Smith

Inker: Sal Buscema

Originally published in Conan the Barbarian #9

Cover date September 1971

(Published in June 1971)

This week's Conan tale is based on the Robert E Howard story "The garden of fear!" That tale, originally published in Marvel Tales Volume 1 Number 2, released in July/August 1934, begins with  the main character James Allison, who possesses a unique ability to recall his past lives. One of which was Hunwulf, a warrior of the Æsir tribe. Marvel Tales was a collection of short text tales by various authors. Hunwulf's life sees a ceaseless southward migration with his lover Gudrun. Their journey sees them face numerous perils, such as when tragedy strikes as Gudrun is snatched away by a winged, ebony-skinned being, prompting Hunwulf to embark on a perilous rescue mission. Roy Thomas takes Howard's original idea, cutting out Hunwulf and replacing him with Conan to fantastic and seamless effect.

The Marvel version sees Conan and Jenna riding through a mountain range, when they are attacked by savage hill men, who manage to grab Jenna. Conan responds violently, but the battle is halted by the appearance of the savages' chief, whom Conan decides to trust to the point of even joining the savages in their frenzied dances. The next day Conan and Jenna prepare to leave, but the girl is snatched by a winged creature and taken beyond the cliffs. Conan chases them into a valley that contains all number of greenery and exotic animals, like the hairy mammoths that Conan ponders if they could be the elephants of legend. Finally he reaches a lighthouse-like tower in the second valley. Upon top of an ebony, winged man steps out and tosses a man into the odd-looking flowers below. 

To Conan's horror when the barbarian tries to clear away to the man the plants fight back. The screens from the fallen victim end as the plants promptly kill him by sucking the blood from his body. The white skinned man silently notices Conan, but goes inside only to return moments later with the limp form of Jenna, who he dangles above the man-eating plants. With no way to reach the tower, Conan returns to  the first valley. Lighting a fire behind a herd of mastodons sending them into a stampede toward the tower. The beasts trample the field of flowers, making a pathway towards the tower which allows Conan to climb its walls. He fights the winged man to the death. Jenna sobs in Conan's arms as Conan comforts her by reminding her that it was not the first winged devil to have carried her away, a reference to when they first meet in Savage Sword of Conan #6. Uninterested in unraveling the mysteries of the tower and its owner, Conan leads Jenna out of the Valley.

Kull the Conqueror “The death dance of Thulsa Doom!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Marie Severin

Inker: John Severin

Originally published in Kull the Conqueror #3

Cover date July 1972

(Published in April 1972)

Festivities follow Kull's recent victory over the Serpent Men. But the king ponders that if it was his jewel that give him some invulnerability to the Serpent Men's attack then the other serpent gem as seen missing from the serpent idol would mean that someone else has the same invulnerability he possesses. A Pict Ambassador from Ka-Ku presents Kull with a tiger, which attacks Thulsa Doom. Brule and Kull wrestle the beast apparently saving Thulsa Doom’s life. Even though the mysterious guest is wounded he refuses to have any treatment, preferring to return to his room. 

Later Thulsa Doom enchants Shiva, Kull’s consort, showing her a gem, similar to the one Kull owns that protects him from attack by the Serpent Men. Shiva seduces the guard at the royal chamber, killing him and hiding inside before Kull enters. The girl watches as Kull leaves the jewel on a table, seeing her chance she picks it up and transforms into a giant eagle, leaving the room through an open window. Kull grasps the bird as it makes its escape, causing them to plummet to the ground with Shiva transforming back into human form and hitting the ground, dead. Kull mediately recognises that it was Thulsa Doom who is responsible for Shiva‘s death. 

Revealing his true face, a fleshless skull, from behind the shadows the two engage in a sword-flight, both of their swords pass harmlessly through one another. Thulsa explains that "He who possess both eyes of the Serpent God, wields power beyond compare!" Thulsa fades into nothingness save a haunting echo of laughter. The quest for answers will have to be solo for Kull as a Red Guard is consumed in flames the king knows that this night Kull rides alone to face the "Demon Hordes of Thulsa Doom!" in next week's issue. 

The intersection on a Venn diagram of comic fans and football fans is probably quite small, but for all my sins I sit in that section, getting a great deal of enjoyment from both. So as this Sunday may well see my beloved Liverpool win their twentieth league title I'll take leave from this week's lovefest of 70's British Marvel comics, till next week at least, to cheer on the Mighty Reds. Remember like the Vision in this week's Avengers tale, "Even an android can cry!" you never walk alone!

See you in seven.

Make Mine Marvel.