Turning back time!

 Week Ending 31st May 1975

Marvel marches on with as the Silver Surfer meets up with the Hulk and Spider-man in two tales, old green skins is set to meet Doctor Strange and future Valkyrie, Barbara Norris in another. With last week's Doctor Strange and Namor, the Sub-Mariner team-up, do I feel a Defenders gathering is on the way? Could be, but before that let's check out this week's mighty Marvel mags from 50 years ago.  

The Mighty World of Marvel #139

This cover by Marie Severin (pencils) and Frank Giacoia (inks) is a really nice piece of art that comes from the opening splash page of this week's hulk adventure. Originally it appeared in Tales to Astonish issue 92, British readers would have remember that story from MWOM #39. It does seem a waste just to use it inside the comic when it does make an incredible cover. 

The inside front cover features a full colour advert for Ready Brek. The unique selling point for this breakfast cereal is each specially marked packet will contain one of six replicas of a British butterfly for free. The butterfly choices are Camberwell Beauty, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Swallow Tail, Peacock and Purple Emperor. Each pack also features an attractive cameo to cut out and mount your butterfly on. Ready Brek must have payed some for this advert, having an inside colour page for it is unusual for British Marvel comics at that time. This advert also featured on the colour back pages of Spider-man Comics Weekly and Avengers weekly.   

The Incredible Hulk “Turning point!”

Writer: Archie Goodwin

Artist: Herb Trimpe

Inker: John Severin

Originally published in Tales to Astonish #92

Cover date June 1967

(Published in March 1967)

Finally British Marvel readers get to read this classic Hulk complete with the reveal of the sensational guest star! Apart from the those lucky enough to pick up an imported copy of Tales to Astonish #92 most British readers at the time would have only seen the edited version that appeared in MWOM #39, that had the final page revealing the Silver Surfer removed, as the cosmic hero had yet made his appearance in the Fantastic Four strip. 

For current readers who never read the early weeklies they wouldn't have recognised this tale and must have wondered why Betty Ross was still heart torn for Bruce Banner after she had found out that Bruce/Hulk had fallen in love with Jarella, when a semiconscious Banner had called out the jade skinned queen's name in MWOM #132. Also the appearance of Rick Jones and his Teen Brigade would also be a touch continuity jarring. Banner has created a new device that will collect gamma radiation from the atmosphere to bombard him with it, in the hopes that it will finally cure him of being the Hulk. However the experiment fails, turning Banner once more into the Hulk. The Hulk bursts out of the apartment and tries to find a safe place to hide. Seeing, what he thinks is a flying saucer in the night sky the emerald giant hopes to catch up with it, so it can take him away from the Earth and so many bad memories. In MWOM #132 the next story from Tales to Astonish #94, "...To the Beckoning Stars!" makes out that the High Evolutionary had sent that "flying saucer" to collect him. Finally we see it was the Silver Surfer in the night sky that had "buzzed" past the Hulk. To be Hulk-inued next issue when MWOM readers finally get to read the story from Tales to Astonish #93. (Yeah I know it did get printed in Marvel Annual 1975 from winter of 1974.)

The Mighty Marvel Mailbag

Stuart Ryall from Liverpool asks for another 100 page mag like the Fantastic Four and Spider-man mags, I presume he means like the Marvel Treasury Editions. Well the editor tells him that there'll be a Thor 100 page mag in April and a Hulk 100 page mag in June. Ross Heaven from Herefordshire is starting up a fanzine and needs artists, writers and colourers aged between 14 and 16 to help him with it. S Cummings from Wales is offering his copy of POW annual 1970, Captain America King-size special and some of my U.S. Marvels in trade for the Marvel Treasury Edition of the Spectacular Spider-man, because he's had no luck finding it in any of his local newsagents. Iain Sinclair from Glasgow has made up his own hero, called the Roper. He got his powers from a cosmic box. Martyn Thompson from Middlesex spotted a mistake in the Fantastic Four when Alicia came charging up to Silver Surfer and spoke with him. Martyn thinks that's strange, because she's blind. As the editor says though "Alicia is blind, but she isn't dumb!" Adrian Webb RFO, KOF, TTB, FOOMer from Coventry says that with his vast knowledge of Marvel comics he will answer any questions that readers send in to him. All it'll cost you is a stamped addressed envelope.

Daredevil “The Exterminator and the Super-powered Unholy Three”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: George Tuska 

Originally published in Daredevil #39

Cover date April 1968

(Published in February 1968)

Daredevil returns after guest starring in the Fantastic Four strip last week, to his own strip. And he returns with a bang by facing a trio of old foes in the form of the Unholy Three, more commonly known as Ani-men in their previous appearance in MWOM #80, when they were lead by the Organiser. In this variation of that group their members are Bird-man, Cat-man and Gorilla-man. What is strange is that Daredevil names them the Unholy Three even though they have never used that name previously.

Not only does this tale mark the return of Daredevil to his own strip, the return of three villains but also it marks the return of some of Gene Colan's best super-hero artwork. The past few Daredevil strips by Colan have seen some poor artwork, here we see some of his best work. It helps that George Tuska takes over from a run of inkers who haven't given Colan's artwork the inks it deserves. The story starts with the Unholy Three having been released from prison and sees them resuming a crime spree across the city. Daredevil finds them, but the battle is short as the three fiends overpower him and escape. Returning to his Law office as Murdock we find Foggy fuming over Daredevil's treatment of Debbie the day before. Matt suggests that Foggy's real problem is that he's worried about public perception of him as he becomes a candidate for the district attorney while dating a former criminal. Matt then convinces Foggy that the public will respect someone who gives people a second chance. Next we meet the Unholy Three's employer known only as the Exterminator, and witness a demonstration of his latest invention the "Displacer Ray" which "displaces" the Gorilla-man from his time continuum. More answers to more questions next week.

The Fantastic Four “The Sentry sinister!”

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Joe Sinnott 

Originally published in The Fantastic Four #64

Cover date July 1967

(Published in April 1967)

The text box says that this tale is "another majestic mind-expanding Marvel masterwork!" And it's not wrong there. We are in peak Lee/Kirby/Sinnott Fantastic Four and after jumping forward eleven stories this story follows on, Marvel continuity wise, from the Fantastic Four adventure last seen in MWOM #134, as promised in the last panel of that Fantastic Four story. I love this Kirby opening splash page with Mister Fantastic fixing the Negative Zone barrier door by having the Thing hold up the power core above his head for possibly no reason what so ever other than to keep him busy. 

Tired of fighting world threats non-stop for a good number of  weeks Sue demands that the team take a holiday. They decide that taking a break is exactly what they need. Meanwhile somewhere in the South Pacific on a deserted island a pair of explorers discover the existence of an ancient alien civilisation. Using a strange artefact, the elderly explorer triggers an energy beam at a jutting rock that uncovers a secret underground vault filled with alien technology. Guarding it stands a massive robot that identifies itself as Intergalactic Sentry 459. When the archaeologist's guide fires his gun at the robot, but using a mass of "Colloidal Atoms" it immobilises them. Back at the Baxter Building, the Fantastic Four choose where to spend their holiday by having the Thing throw a dart at a map of the world. Who would have guessed it, the dart hits a small deserted island off the South Pacific that just happens to be the location of the Sentry. Johnny opts to stay behind to spend some alone time with Crystal, while Triton also stays behind to look after Crystal and Lockjaw. Reed, Sue and Ben head off in the Pogo Plane. The newly awoken Sentry follows the orders from his Kree masters and erects a "vibe-screen" to protect the outpost. The Pogo Plane crashes into the barrier. Valiantly Ben brings down the plane but standing in the way is the alien android. This is what we came for full on action as the three members of the Fantastic Four take on the Sentry and it's Clobberin' Time! Continued next week!

The colour back page features an advert for Dinky Toys and Dinky Kits. In the year 2000 Eagle One zooms off, from Gerry Anderson's latest TV sensation, Space:1999. The Eagle Transporter, Model No.359, is packed with action features and at 222mm it's a great toy. I should know, I had one. If classic cars were your thing then the Mini Clubman, Model No.178, might be up your street. At 82mm it had jewelled headlights, doors that opened, plus moulded windows and interior. If you liked to build your cars then this Beach Buggy kit, Model No.1014, would be hours of fun. 

Spider-man Comics Weekly #120

Originally from the front of the Amazing Spider-man (US edition,) issue 91, this John Romita Sr. cover is pretty much the same as the original, including Spidey's thought bubbles, the "To smash the Spider!" text line and the "featuring the murderous menace of..the man called Bullit!" tagline, the only difference between the two is that the British version has brighter colours. Going back to the tagline, I have to say that "featuring the murderous menace of..the man called Bullit!" feels a little overkill. It's a typical Stan Lee hyperbole, It's kind of an after thought that sneaked in at the bottom. But how did young kids in the 70's feel about that line. Was Bullit a murderous menace? Or just a self-serving, egotistical jerk?

Spider-man “The city against him!”

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: Gil Kane

Inker: John Romita Sr.

Originally published in the Amazing Spider-man #91

Cover date December 1970

(Published in September 1970)

Last week's Spider-man Comics Weekly cover is re-used as the opening splash page to this second part story. Alan Kupperberg penciled it for that cover and Mike Esposito inked it. A new title and re-cap text box was added. With Jameson's media campaign Sam Bullit has put the focus on vilifying Spider-man.  Everyone is so frightened of the wall-crawler, the propaganda and fear mongering has caused the streets to be deserted at night. Peter has decided to change back to his civilian guise then he's confronted by Bullit and his men. 

The candidate for district attorney wants information from Peter about Spider-man. Peter refuses and likens Bullit's bulling, authoritarian actions and rhetoric to Adolf Hitler. Taking the beating from Bullit's goons he is left in the streets. Playing possum when they leave Peter changes into Spider-man and heads after them. Tracking down Bullit's men he takes them on. Webbing up one of them up as a "message" to his employer. Spider-man then heads home. Entering he is suddenly the lights are turned on by Bullit who had come there with Gwen Stacy because he knows there is a connection between Peter Parker and Spider-man. 

This John Romita Sr. Pin-up page artwork featured way back in SMCW #31, from the Week Ending 15th September 1973, but there the background was all black with a white spider web. Back then I didn't know where the original art came from and after some considerable research I still don't. Funnily enough this week I bought the Marvel Masterwork Pin-ups hard-back that was released to celebrate 80 years of Marvel by IDW Publishings. It had loads of Marvel Pin-ups from the 60's which would have helped me in the past. I was hoping this Spidey Pin-up would be in it. Sadly it wasn't, so if you know when it first appeared let me know through the usual channels and you could bag yourself a shiny Power of the Beesting No-Prize!

The Web and the Hammer

Martin Wilson from Birmingham asks four questions with answers. 1), why doesn't Spidey's webbing stick to his hand? Answer his gloves are covered with a repellent chemical. 2), when Spidey punches, why doesn't webbing shoot out?

Answer, his fingers slide under the button. 3), Thor's absences as Don Blake. Answer Thor can cause a time-vortex with his hammer and travel into the past and appear seconds after his disappearance. And 4), How does the Human Torch fly? He heats up the atoms around him causing them to move, due to the energy given to them in the form of heat. When they move they leave a vacuum in their place. The pressure forces the air to fill the vacuum and this lifts him. Lloyd Robert from Salop writes in defence of The Silver Surfer in reply to David Ewen's letter in SMCW #103, one point of his letter is to explain how the Surfer travels through space by bending the fabric of the universe. All the facts and points can be seen in Lloyd's letter. Linda Smith from London really enjoyed the Special Fantastic Four Collector's issue. John Knights from Sutton Coldfield got the Marvel LP the Marvel World of Icarus. All over the sleeve were pictures of Spidey, Captain America, Daredevil, Thor, Hulk, Conan and others. As for the LP itself he calls it "Outasite!" and "the best LP of the decade apart from the Spiderman 'Rockacomic' LP."

T.Walker from Mid-Glamorgan has been keenly collecting Marvel comics even though he's only known Marvel comics, their creators and their great stories for about a fortnight. Jim Shawley RFO, from London is fully against colour in the British weeklies. T W Groves from Birmingham writes in again to point out that The Mighty World of Marvel and Spider-man Comics Weekly are printed in Finland. Also the Avengers weekly, Dracula Lives  and Planet of the Apes are printed in Dublin. T W thinks that surely it would be cheaper if they were all printed a little closer to home. Some of the earlier mags were printed by W Webb Offset in the UK. Why did they stop printing Marvel mags? The simple answer is they can't get the same printing done in Britain at such a good price. Stephen Pringle from Tyne-and-Wear lists unbelievable sound effects from SMCW #104 including PTINNGS, THOKS, FTANNGS, SKREE, THIWICK, ZOK, STAP, BTAM, SKLACK, VROOOMM, CLAKITTY WHOOM, THUMMP, WHOOOSH, THWOOM, BAROOM, BTOOM, BRRAK, CLAKS, CLICKS and SPTANNGG. Phil Noonan RFO, from Liverpool thinks the new comic, the Super-Heroes is a great combination of the Uncanny X-Men and the Sensational Silver Surfer and the poster was great.

Iron Man “Crisis..at the Earth's core! Part 1”

 

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Frank Giacoia

Originally published in Tales of Suspense #87

Cover date March 1967

(Published in December 1966)

Tony Stark evacuates is factory so that he can begin testing safely a brand new atomic powered earth-boring device. These safety measures begin to anger nearby citizens who believe Stark's inventions are too dangerous and could eventually destroy everybody. He dons his Iron Man armour to start the test. An earthquake causes a nearby building to collapse at the same time. In another part of the city another building suddenly sinks below the surface, this time it's an office block. "The mystery mounts" next week. 

The Mighty Thor “The madness of Mangog!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Vince Colletta

Originally published in The Mighty Thor #156

Cover date September 1968

(Published in July 1968)

The original cover from the Mighty Thor issue 157, cover dated October 1968, published August 1968. by Kirby and Colletta, makes up the the first panel of this second part opening page, with the fourth and fifth panels from page thirty-four of last week's issue placed under it. On the battlefield, Thor uses his power over the storms to summon a tornado to hurl large boulders at Mangog, who is still busy fighting off the Warriors Three. Thor up close with Mangog unleashes the full fury of his hammer. However the alien creature continues to advance as Thor increases the power of his hammer. The resulting lightning erupting a volcano. Needing time to regroup Thor flies the Warriors Three to safety so that they can come up with a new strategy.

As the heroes make their escape, Heimdall is greeted on the Bifrost Bridge by the Rigellian Recorder. He has come to record the events for its masters. Heimdall remembers Thor recounting his encounter with the Recorder and orders an Asgardian warrior to escort the Android to the royal palace. Back on the battle front, Thor and the Warriors Three regroup just as the eruptions stabilises, but to their dismayed they witness Mangog rise unaffected by the heat from the molten lava. The creature begins to hurl lava at them, Thor furiously unleashes a powerful storm that floods the area, washing Mangog away, once again giving them time to think up a plan to stop the creature. At the Norn Queen's castle, Balder continues to fight off reanimated warriors. Karnilla the Norn Queen tells the brave warrior that she will call off his attackers if he pronounces his love for her. Balder continues to deny any love for Karnilla, who tells him that unless he surrenders his heart to her his sentence is death.

Meanwhile at the royal palace the Recorder finds Sif standing over the sleeping Odin. The Recorder deduces that Mangog intends to draw the Odinsword and thereby causing the end of the universe. Unwilling to stand idly by, Sif decides that she will go to the Odinsword and defend it with her life if need be. Leaving their shelter the Warriors Three discover that Thor has left to face the Mangog in the hope that now must come..."the ending!"

Avengers Weekly #89

Keith Pollard gives us his version of Herb Trimpe and Marie Severin's cover from the Incredible Hulk (US edition) issue 126 for this "made of the UK" cover. Instead of a gallery of Undying Ones followers, Pollard chooses to have a blue faced Doctor Strange observing the battle. Mike Esposito inks the finished artwork.  

This great looking in house advert for the Super-Heroes mag appears on the inside front page of this week's Avengers weekly and the inside front page of the Planet of the Apes mag. Featuring various panels of artwork from the X-Men and Silver Surfer strips by Jim Steranko and John Buscema with John Tartaglione and Joe Sinnott inks respectively. The X-Men panels came from The X-Men (US edition,) issue 50, cover dated November 1968, published September 1968, page five, panel five and page fifteen, panel one. The Surfer panels came from the Silver Surfer issue 1, cover dated August 1968, published May 1968, page twenty-nine and page thirty-three. Those pages appeared in the Super-Heroes #2. The centre image of the Surfer is taken from the cover of Silver Surfer issue 8, cover dated September 1969, published June 1969, by John Buscema with Dan Adkins inks. British readers will remember it from the cover of the Super-Heroes #11.  

Master of Kung Fu “Recalled to life!”

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)

I have no idea who drew this fifth part opening splash page. It certainly wasn't Paul Gulacy. Personally I feel it could have been a Keith Pollard piece of work or even Mike Zeck, but as much as I tried to find out who drew it I came back with zero information about it. I do think that the second page, as seen below, from this week's strip would have worked really well as an opening page instead. 

At the end of the secret passageway Shang-Chi finds Fu Manchu and the real Petrie! Suddenly he realises how his father used the killing of Petrie for two reasons. One to test his son resolve and to eliminate the fake Petrie, keeping the abduction of the real Doctor a secret. He had been used. Fu Manchu claps once and a panel opens revealing Sir Denis Nayland Smith strapped to a table, with two Phansigars ready to stab him if Shang-Chi attacks his father. Shang-Chi reluctantly agrees to a contest, if he can beat Shadow Stalker, Smith will die quickly, but if he loses, Smith dies slowly. To make the fight interesting, Shadow Stalker has two spiked balls on chains at the ends of a bar run through his topknot, and both fighters are chained to a pole. 

The fight begins Shang-Chi uses one of the spiked balls to break his chain and breaks the pole to knock out Shadow Stalker. Fu orders Smith's death, but suddenly Reston appears, shooting the assassin. Fu presses a button and escapes through a trap door in the floor. Released Petrie tells Sir Denis that Fu Manchu was searching for an elephant statue that Smith had taken from a raid in China. Inside of it was the elixir vitae, his potion of immortality, which he needed as his supply was running low. Shang-Chi remembers that it shattered during the fight in Smith's townhouse, but the young Chinaman tells Sir Denis that succumbing to it's temptation is a painful lesson as immortality is meant for no man and that life has meaning only when rewarded with death. Shang-Chi is glad that Doctor Petrie is alive, but also saddened that in his mind he is still guilty of his murder. Master of Kung Ku is always great when it's full of action but also magnificent when it deals with bigger questions in life. 

This pin-up originally appeared in the Avengers Annual issue 1, cover dated September 1967, published July 1967. It was drawn by Don Heck (pencils) with George Roussos (inks). It features the original Avengers symbolically above the new (at that time,) Avengers. The original artwork of this pin-up sold for $96,000, that's an incredible £70,880, way back on the 1st August 2019 via Heritage Auctions.  

Avengers Fans Assemble!

Paul Burns from Coventry has just finished reading the Avengers weekly #76 and he thought the Sons of The Tiger story was just great and he wouldn't miss issue 77 for all the comics in the U.S.A. Celia Robertson from Reading has noticed on Marvel's letter pages feature letters that summarising some of Marvel's issues, but they have all been by boys and no girls. So Celia summarises Avengers weekly #79. Iron Fist's plot was slightly corny, but the artwork was very good and the action was superb. The Avengers had a good plot but Don Heck's art was a bit "sketchy". Celia describes Doctor Strange with only two words "Sheer Brilliance". Jonathan Davies from Salop has some suggestions to improve the Marvel weeklies, the first have colour on the inside of the covers as well as the outside. Secondly don't print letters that spoil upcoming stories for other readers. Thirdly alternate Doctor Doom with Doctor Strange. Fourthly have Sgt. Fury in Planet of the Apes. Nick Packter from Middlesex was delighted with the two new comics, The Super-Heroes starring the Silver Surfer and the X-Men. He was also pleased to see Conan starring Conan the Barbarian and King Kull. Nick thinks the Avengers has improved greatly, but he doesn't like Shang-Chi. Spiderman is brilliant, MWOM isn't too bad, POTA is great and Dracula Lives is quite good. Finally the Avengers could improve more if instead of Shang-Chi or Iron Fist, Captain America and The Falcon was printed.

The Avengers “The secret of the Yellowjacket!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: John Buscema

Inker: George Klein

Originally published in The Avengers #60

Cover date January 1969

(Published in November 1968)

The cover from last week's issue and from the Avengers (US edition,) issue 60 is repurposed as this week's second part opening page with the slight adjustment with the removal of the Ringmaster and his Circus of Crime from the left hand side of the page. A new title, catch-up text box and credit box are added. Princess Python's pet snake attacks the Wasp on her wedding day, thankfully the Panther and the Vision subdue it. The wedding guests agree to leave early so that the active Avengers can deal with events.

Once the wedding guests depart the Circus of Crime break cover and attack. Strangely enough the Circus seem to be holding their own against the Avengers, but to gain the upper hand once again the Python coils around the Wasp, holding her hostage. Now call me a plot pooper, but couldn't the Wasp just shrink to her insert size and escape? Either way she doesn't and the Ringmaster demands that the Avengers surrender. Seeing the Wasp in danger causes the Yellowjacket to panic and tremble. Then to the surprise of the Ringmaster, if not the readers, Yellowjacket starts to grow as his costume rips apart revealing that he was in fact Henry Pym, the Goliath! 

This turn of events cause the villains to panic and the Avengers easily defeat them, with even the Wasp punching out Princess Python. Hawkeye escapes from the kitchen meat hook to find the action over. There's a call out to why Thor never turned up. Well he was battling Mangog over in the current issue of Spider-man Comics Weekly. The Wasp explains that very early on she realised that Yellowjacket was really Hank and that a dose of leaked chemicals had caused Hank to suffer schizophrenia, that fed off his self doubt. This shows Hank Pym's mental health problems that will plague him much later on. But as far as Janet Van Dyne is concerned Hank and her are now Husband and Wife. So even with the poor plot points this story is important in so many ways to future plots. And as an old romantic at heart I'm a sucker for happy endings. I really enjoyed this one.

  
  
  The Checklist makes another appearance with the current week's issues. A simple but effective way to let readers know what's happening in the great weeklies on sale in the week ending 31st May 1975.

British Marvel Comics in partnership with Butlins holiday camps hosts a Marvel Super-Joker competition. From the 18th of May 1975 every Butlins camp will run a Joker contest to find out who's the ultimate Super-Joker. Each and every week through the summer the merry Red Coats of Butlins organise a show for their visitors children. In the contest the kids will be called up on the stage to tell their jokes. Every entrant will get a small Marvel souvenir, while runners ups win a "Make Mine Marvel" badges. Each week the camp winner will win a Special Marvel teeshirt as the Super-Joker. With some hundred and fifty eight Super-Jokers by the end of the summer, readers could be one of them. Each week, all the winners and their Marvel jokes, will be reprinted in the Marvel comics. By the end of the year a panel of judges will decide on who is the Marvel Super-Joker of the year and they will win the Grand prize of a week's holiday for two at Butlins next year. The next ten best jokes will receive an additional bonus of five pounds each. This page also features in this week's Dracula Lives, Planet of the Apes, the Super-Heroes and the Savage Sword of Conan.

Doctor Strange “...Where stalks the Night-Crawler!”

Writer:Roy Thomas

Artist: Herb Trimpe

Inker: Herb Trimpe

Originally published in The Incredible Hulk #126

Cover date April 1970

(Published in January 1970)

This story had already been seen in the Hulk  strip from MWOM #85, way back in the week ending 19th May 1974. The four panels that should have been on the left have been removed so that a panel could be added to the right of the page with a text box re-capping the story. The image of Doctor Strange came from a pin-up first seen in Doctor Strange issue 180, cover dated May 1969, published February 1969, by Gene Colan. You will see it again when it becomes the cover of the Avengers weekly issue 91 from the week ending 14th June 1975. 

A group of cultists led by Van Nyborg have found the unconscious body of Bruce Banner and plan to use him as a vessel to free their masters the Undying Ones, they send into another dimension. Doctor Strange is using his body to seal the gap between the dimensions so another route must be found. One that goes through a dimension guarded by a demon called the Night Crawler. The cult intends to have the Hulk defeat the Demon. Although Banner refuses to do so, the cultists use their magic to change him into the Hulk and send him into the realm of the Night-Crawler. One member of the cult, Barbara Norris, starts to have second thoughts about what they are doing. Punishment for this is that she is tossed into the Night-Crawler's realm with the Hulk. The Hulk is confronted by the Night-Crawler who uses his Sceptre of Shadow to cast a beam of pitch darkness. The battle continues next week.

This pin-up page, from the inside back page, again was originally from the Avengers Annual issue 1, cover dated September 1967, published July 1967. And again it was drawn by Don Heck (pencils) with George Roussos (inks). The original artwork was also sold at auction, but as much as I try I can't find out how much it went for. 

Dracula Lives #32

A nice cover, created especially for British Marvel's Dracula Lives by Dan Adkins. It's got a classic gothic horror look, pitched perfect for this horror weekly.

Dracula “Dracula is dead!”

Writer: Marv Wolfman

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Tom Palmer

Originally published in Tomb of Dracula #14

Cover date November 1973

(Published in August 1973)

Dracula is dead! Slain by Blade who impaled him in the heart with one of his wooden daggers. However, before the vampire hunters can dispose of the body, the villages in Dracula's thrall break into the mortuary, overpowering the heroes they take Dracula's corpse away. Meanwhile somewhere along the Irish Coastline, Mister Lo arrives at a mansion with the corpse of the vampire Lucas Brand. Lo's  master, Doctor Sun has ordered a scientist, Professor Morgo to conduct an experiment upon the vampires inert body. Initial tests confirm that Brand truly is a vampire.

Back with the vampire hunters, who collect their thoughts, set off after Dracula's body. On the way they find Taj Nitall alive and well after his fall from an upstairs window, thrown by Dracula last issue. While not far away, Dracula's corpse, now placed within a casket by his mindless slaves, begins to crumble to bare bones. After this happens the Vampire Lords control over his slaves vanishes. Fearfully they drop the coffin and flee from the scene. While not far away the dejected Father Josiah Dawn sits forlorn as he begins to question his faith due to the diminishing attendance of his church. Tossing his Bible away in anger, but quickly he repents and asks his Lord to show him a sign. Josiah spots Dracula's abandoned coffin nearby and finds Dracula's body within. The Priest sees it as a sign from God. As happens way too frequently next issue we'll see "The Vampire has risen from the grave!" I know it's all part of the vampire legend and in many ways I wouldn't have it any other way, but you kind of expected it didn't you?

Cryptic Correspondence

lan Smails (Hon Sec of the T.C.D.C.) from Tyne and Wear points out that there is more than one way to become a vampire, like make a deal with Satan, or make a blood pacts, witches and warlocks.Werewolves were burnt alive to stop them returning as vampires; until 1823 suicides were staked at burial to prevent them returning; murder victims whose death went unavenged were liable to turn into vampires; those over whose dead body a cat, bird or nun passes, can too return from the daed. Keith Anself from Birmingham letter deals with the timeline of the Planet of the Apes films, which is a strangely printed in Cryptic Correspondence instead of Apes Forum. Another strangely placed letter comes from the thirteen year old Eamonn Clarke from Solihull, who in his letter talks about how his school class are doing a play about Planet of the Apes and says he enjoys all the British weeklies except Dracula Lives and SSOC. Fans of the Mega City Book Club might have recognised Eamonn's name, this letter was indeed from the host of the podcast that looks at the Galaxy's Greatest comics. The current episode looks at the underground comic "The Trials of Nasty Tales" from 1973, with guest Tony Esmond. As always a good listen. Anyway I contacted Eamonn and asked him about this letter, he told me he had very little memory of writing it and didn’t see it published until another podcaster told him about it a few years go. Since then he picked up a copy of that issue.

Werewolf by Night “Cry werewolf”

Writer: Marv Wolfman

Artist: Gil Kane

Inker: Don Perlin

Originally published in Werewolf by Night #12

Cover date December 1973

(Published in September 1973)

The noose draws tighter as the Hangman hoists the Werewolf higher into the air. The Werewolf struggles futilely until it finally he pulls himself up upwards allowing him a chance to chow through the rope with his teeth. The two square off with one another again as a pair of police car pulls up, forcing them to flee. The Werewolf stumbles down an alleyway and passes out. By morning, he has transformed back into Jack Russell.

Elsewhere, Professor Makko with other members of the Committee continue to torture Phillip Russell, who resists as best he can until ultimately he submits to the pressure and tells them all he knows about his step-son Jack. Bedraggled Jack eventually awakens and returns to Colden House. There he briefly makes acquaintances with neighbour Raymond Coker. Coker is a jerk but more on him in future issues. Jack meets up with his more friendly neighbours Sam and Clary Winter, who help alleviate his stress by sharing a dip in the pool. Much later in the evening two agents of the Committee arrive at Colden House. They break into Jack's apartment and wait for him to return home. Jack tries to take them on  but they knock him out. Bungling him into the back seat of their car they set off back to the Committee headquarters, unaware that Jack is a werewolf and dusk is falling, the young man transforms into his beastly form as the full moon rises for it's third night!

Brother Voodoo “March of the dead”

Writer: Len Wein 

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Frank Giacoia

Originally published in Strange Tales #171

Cover date December 1973

(Published in September 1973)

Brother Voodoo walks through a grave yard as a hand breaks through a grave. Soon other graves open as Zombies rise from their resting places. Brother Voodoo fights them as well as he can, he even sends the spirit of his brother to possess one of the animated cadavers but it cannot enter it. Soon he becomes over powered by their sheer numbers. 

Brother Voodoo's mind wonders to the meeting of a group of men whose factory in Haiti had been attacked by an army of zombies. Their leader Baron Samedi lead his army to one factory smashing a laboratory, but also taking one of the "electronic transformers" with them. After examining a captured zombie, Brother Voodoo agrees to help the men with their problem. See if he does next week. 

Dracula Lives gets a different version of the Checklist than the one seen in the Avengers weekly. Instead of this week's mags to check off, in a clairvoyant way it promotes next week's comics. Well this is a horror mag so it could be the spirits telling readers of the future or it could be a cock-up from the editors. I think it's probably the editors fault.

Planet of the Apes #32

The Grand Comics Database doesn't list anyone as the penciler for this especially made cover for this British Marvel comic. I did think it might have been by Ron Wilson but I wouldn't set my house on it. One thing the GCD does say about it is that Mike Esposito could possibly have inked it. Could he have drawn it too? Who knows?

Planet of the Apes “The city ”

Writer: Doug Moench

Artist: Rico Rival

Inker: Rico Rival

Originally published in Planet of the Apes (US) #9

Cover date June 1975

(Published in April 1975)

Chapter three of the Kingdom on an Island of the Apes starts with time traveller, Derek Zane, finding an apes city sometime in the future, where humans are treated like vermin and apes rule. The apes army leader, Gorodon has chased down the human traveller, but Zane had managed to escape. Gorodon had taken Zane's back pack full of equipment to the apes leader, an orangutang called Xirinius, who had dismissed the contents of the pack as worthless artefacts.

Gorodon has an argument with Xirinius about the lies that he, as their leader. have made fact are to cover up the truth that humans do have the capability to speak and that an investigation into it may uncover other secrets. General Gorodon confronts Xirinius and plans to kill the minister by making it look like the renegade human killed him. Over hearing all that and witnessing Gorodon murdering the orangutang, Zane climbs through a sky light and confronts Gorodon with a gun. After tying up the gorilla, Zane frees the humans who are kept as target practice, then steels a horse and carriage filled with gun powder and heads as far away as possible. Soon he finds himself at a shore and builds a raft to sail to an island in the hope that its remoteness will offer him security. However as he beaches the raft he gets a shock that will be revealed next week in "The island out of time!"

An interview with Wally Harton: Costumer on the Planet of the Apes

This week Samual James Maronie interviews Wally Harton, the chief costumer on the films Planet of the Apes, it's sequel Beneath the Planet of the Apes and the last film in the quintet, Battle for the Planet of the Apes. Now it seems that this article only appeared in the British edition of the Planet of the Apes as I can't find any reference to it appearing in the Marvel/Curtis magazine. I can only imagine that it was commissioned for the American magazine but was never used. So maybe the UK got an exclusive?  

Apes Forum

Miniemus, a young ape, writes a letter in which he thinks that the interviews printed in POTA with the actors from the TV series are absolutely fantastic. And would like to see an interview with actors Jim Naughton and Ron Harper, like there was with Mark Leonard, as Miniemus is doing a project on "Planet of The Apes". Philip Presland from Essex writes that Planet of the Apes is fantastic! The story and artwork was great. But as for Terror on the Planet of The Apes, the story is good, but the artwork was "YUKK!" George Tuska is a good ape space artist, but Mike Ploog is no good. Debra Noon from Portsmouth has collected every issue of Planet of the Apes and has every one of the ape pin-ups, although her friends and Debra would like to see more pin-ups of Galen, Virdon and Burke, as well as some coloured pin-ups of Zira and Cornelius. Well Debra check out the back page.

The Power of Warlock “Rhoda and the Hounds of Helios!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Gil Kane

Inker: Dan Adkins

Originally published in Marvel Premiere #2

Cover date May 1972

(Published in February 1972)

The opening splash page for this story's second part comes from the cover of Marvel Premiere issue 2, drawn by Gil Kane, inked by Joe Sinnott. It even uses the comic logo and the story title from that cover too. After a panel featuring the High Evolutionary looking out from his space station was removed and replaced with a re-cap text box, we discover the Man-Beast calling his aid Kohbra to make a report of any news on their target Adam Warlock. They have located him in Southern California. Kohbra suggests they send Rhodan, the Master of the Hounds of Helios, to assassinate him. 

Rhodan is a highly evolved humanoid rat who flies on a chariot pulled by two winged hounds. The stuff of nightmares. Meanwhile, Colonel Barney Roberts, Josiah Grey, and Senator Nathan Carter have hired a private detective called Marlowe to locate their children who have run away from home. Tracing them to the barn where Adam Warlock landed, they confront their children. Adam Warlock emerged from the barn to defend the children's actions from their fathers. Suddenly one of the Hounds of Helios attack. Adam Warlock has to kill the hound to save the life of the humans. Filled with revulsion he levitates upwards toward the heavens. There he confronts Rhodan and his remaining hound. Warlock reverts the hound back to its true form, leaving Rhodan to fall to earth only slowed down by his "grav-belt." Adam follows the fleeing fiend into a barm only to emerge after the sound of a painful squeal. The three fathers ask who Adam Warlock is? He responds by having them look into his eyes. They fall silent as they see the dark past they all have. Afterwards, Adam Warlock revealed that Rhodan had been transformed into a primitive rat and killed by a cat.

Planet of the Apes also has a Marvel Checklist like the one seen in this week's the Avengers weekly, however the covers of the Savage Sword of Conan and the Super-Heroes are pushed together slightly to make room for an advert at the bottom of the page. The advert is for American Marvel comics for sale via mail order from J Cambell. For twenty pence you can get a list of the issues available that month.

The back page featured this cover pin-up of Cornelius and Zira as played by Roddy McDowall and Kim Hunter. I'm pretty sure that this photo was taken from the third Ape film, Escape from the Planet of the Apes from 1971. This feature also doubled as a promotion for the upcoming comic strip adaption of the second film Beneath the Planet of the Apes that will soon be coming to the weekly.  

The Super-heroes #13

Two of Marvel's greatest headline characters drawn by two of Marvel's best artist feature on this week's Super-Heroes cover. Originally from the Silver Surfer (US) issue 14, John Buscema pencilled it while John Romita Sr. inked it. It's well designed, I really like the way the full moon spotlights Spider-man as the Surfer rockets towards him. Cool cover, could even be this week's Cover of the Week. Could be but not quite.

Silver Surfer “The Surfer and the Spider!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: John Buscema

Inker: Dan Adkins

Originally published in Silver Surfer #14

Cover date March 1970

(Published in January 1970)

This story starts with the Silver Surfer deflecting not one but two meteors that are on a collision course with the Earth that could well spell disaster for the human race. But the Surfer puts his life on the line to stave off the catastrophe. The repercussions are that he is injured and crash into the sea near New York. From the Title and the cover it's very easy to jump to the conclusion that this event was engineered to weaken the Surfer so Stan can deliver a fight between the cosmic hero and the web-slinger, satisfying readers demands. But there's much more to it than that.

The team up of two of Marvel's bankable super-stars isn't the main focus of this tale, it's just the candy that catches the kids attention. Henry is just a kid who like us all loves TV and comics, but his dad  is tired of seeing him fill his head with useless daydreams. It's clever that Stan slims down the family dynamic by just having a father and son, removing the mother and any siblings that would over complicate the fundamental message. What's important to remember is in the late 60's and early 70's there would be only one television set with probably few channels in most households, at least in the UK there was only three. Argument over what to watch would've been common then, while now the kid would have gone to his room and watched his own set. The generational gap would have caused tension back then, now it's kind of ignored, which is a shame as we are missing the drama that binds families together, allowing the divide to widen. Henry makes some points that his dad chooses not to hear, like he enjoys reading comics much as his dad enjoys golf and even his teachers are hooked on comics. Henry's attention is distracted by the appearance of the silver surfer.

The Surfer is aimlessly flying through the city when Spider-man's webbing snags the Surfer's board. This pure accident sets off a confrontation between the two. Henry goes to watch it while his dad falls asleep in front of the TV, with an unread paper on his lap. I have to say that some artists really can't draw Spider-man well, as much as I think that John Buscema is one of Marvel's greatest artists, his Spider-man isn't great. He's not the only one Kirby's web-slinger is poor too. Spider-man seems to out fought the Surfer, separating him from his board. The battle has brought the attention of the army too, who start shelling the Surfer for his part in the unwarranted destruction of property.

 The Surfer has had enough and calls his board to him to leave the battle zone, but Henry is playing on the Surfer's discarded board, it starts to return to it's master with the kid standing on it. The boy will fall to his death and only the Surfer can save him, but at the cost of weakening his own force shield that is protecting him from the army's bombardment. With standing the attack the Surfer cushion's the boards descent, gently lowering the boy to the ground. Henry's father rushes past the soldiers check point to hug his son with love and relief. Feeling guilty of acting to the Surfer because of his differences, like others act towards him, Spider-man leaves seeing that the Surfer is no menace. The troops lay down their guns too. The final thoughts go to the Surfer, "Perhaps there is still hope for them! Perhaps, one day they will renounce all use of force..for then...at last..will mankind come of age!"

Cosmic Communications

Nicholas Mumby from South Humberside says the comic the Super-Heroes is absolutely great and that the person who makes it great is, of course, The Silver Surfer. Nicholas has been hoping that Marvel would one day bring the Silver Surfer to Britain. Leslie Cowell from Manchester very much likes the new mags, Super-Heroes and Savage Sword of Conan. They've placed a regular order for them. Leslie can't wait for Stan's appearance on Magpie. Alan Lyre, RFO, KOF, FFF from Nottingham thinks the Super-Heroes are just dynamite, even though he's read the Silver Surfer story before in the now deceased TV 21, and the X-Men story in MWOM #49 and #50. Nicky Simmons from London gives percentages for his favourite Marvel mags, the Avengers weekly gets 98% and is getting better. SMCW gets 97.5% and still getting better. Super-Heroes are straight to the top with 96%. MWOM is still good as ever with 90%. Dracula Lives, 87% getting better. Savage Sword of Conan gets a poor 85% and Planet of The Apes is 80% having gone haywire since the first issue. Nicky saw Stan on Magpie and wants to see more of him.

The X-Men “The return of the Blob”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Chic Stone

Originally published in The X-Men #7

Cover date September 1964

(Published in July 1964)

Professor Xavier and the students from his school of gifted youngsters have their photograph taken to celebrate their graduation. Afterward, the Professor informs them that he bid them farewell as he has some unfinished business to take care of. Elsewhere the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants regroup. First to arrive are Scarlet Witch with Mastermind who offers her a life of luxury, but she refuses since she cannot stand him. Magneto and the rest of the group arrive to complete the disjointed group.

At the school, Professor Xavier asks Scott to accompany him to a previously unseen section of the school. There he shows him Cerebro, a machine he uses to detect mutant brainwave activity. Cyclops wonders why a telepath would need such a device? The Professor informs him that he will be the new leader of the X-Men and has such he will need it. The next morning, the X-Men learn that Professor Xavier has already departed. The group goes to the City to celebrate to their graduation, but Scott remains to monitor Cerebro. Meanwhile Magneto discovers the Blob at the carnival and recognise his mutant abilities, he offers him a place with the Brotherhood. The Blob's memory return setting off a warning on Cerebro, Cyclops must alert the team to face the returning threat next week.

The Marvel Checklist makes an appearance on the inside back page of the Super-Heroes, but this time only six weeklies are featured with the Savage Sword of Conan missing out. Is that foreshadowing the future? Or was this feature originally only meant to be printed in that comic as it did appear in the inside back page of Savage Sword of Conan. The shortness of the Checklist is necessary to accommodate a paid for advert. This "Dark they were and golden eyed" was drawn by  James Cawthorn, a critic, writer and an illustrator, known for the  oversized graphic novel Stormbringer and his association with Michael Moorcock. The science fiction bookshop at the time was situated at number 10 Berwick Street London and took its name from the short science fiction story by the American writer Ray Bradbury.

The back covers of both the Super-Heroes and the Savage Sword of Conan once again feature this Badge N' Patch offer. You could have a Silver Surfer badge and patch for seventy pence or a Conan badge and patch for again seventy pence. Better yet you could have both sets for one pound thirty pence. The offer closes on the 28th July, so back in 1975 you still had time. Sadly in 2025, unless you had a Time Machine, you've missed out.  

Savage Sword of Conan #13

Gil Kane is one of Marvel comics best cover artists and I'm surprised that more of his covers haven't appeared on more British Marvel weeklies and also I'm surprised that I've not chosen more of his covers for my Cover of the Week award. This is just what a Conan cover should be, Conan scrapping chest deep in a horde of barbarians, with a sword in one hand and a barbarian's neck in the other. Savage action just as I like it. So this superb Kane cover, originally from Conan the Barbarian (US) issue 12, wins my Cover of the Week award. On a side note, although Rion's Pendant (that's the three disc pendant necklace,) is depicted on the cover, it mysteriously doesn't appear in the main strip for the first time since issue one.

Conan the Barbarian “The dweller in the dark”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Barry Windsor-Smith

Inker: Barry Windsor-Smith

Originally published in Conan the Barbarian #12

Cover date December 1971

(Published in September 1971)

Conan arrives at the Corinthian city of Zahmahn and is surprised by Zahmahn guards. The Cimmerian kills the captain of the guards, but other solders manage to get the best of Conan and drag him before their queen, the power-mad Fatima. Impressed by the barbarian, she makes him as her new captain and consort. But Fatima is insanely jealous of Conan's niceness to a slave girl, Yaila. The envious Queen sentences the two to death in the sewers, at the pleasure of the Dweller in the Darkness. 

Conan is chained next to Yaila as they both hear something coming from down inside the darkened caverns. Conan breaks free of the chains that hold him as a huge tentacle reaches around a corner. The Cimmerian and the girl flee down the sewer tunnel just as the Dweller, a giant octopus-like creature, slithers into view. The wretched creature lashes out at Conan and Yaila. Conan attempts to rescue the girl but even the monster's skin is spongy and hard to cut, although he does manage to slice one of the creature's eyes, blinding it. Now in pain it begins lashing out as the Cimmerian and the girl attempt to find an escape, scrambling up a tunnel in the ceiling. Breaking through a manhole, they find themselves in Fatima's throne room. Conan grabs the Queen, threatening to throw her down the hole to the monster. Fatima promises Conan anything he wants, but not believing her Conan tosses her to the Dweller and listens, satisfied with the screams. Conan readies himself to face the guards. To his surprised they cheer. Conan takes the opportunity to attempt to make himself king, but discovers that Zahmahn only allows queens. He names Yaila as Fatima's successor. Yaila offers Conan a place as her consort, but the barbarian doesn't accept as over the past fortnight he has had enough of Queens and truly doesn't know if he could survive another. I really like this Conan tale, a typical barbarian plot, but still all the better for it. 

Kull the Conqueror “The king and the oak”

Writer: Robert E Howard and Roy Thomas (breakdowns)

Artist: Marie Severin

Inker: John Severin

Originally published in Conan the barbarian #10

Cover date October 1972

(Published in July 1972)

Now this should really be a fantastic short story, what with Marie and John Severin's beautiful artwork setting the scene of one of Robert E Howard's original poems, "The king and the oak", but strangely it doesn't gel with me, even though I really wanted it to. May be I need to check if I'm feeling well or take a breather from reading all these comics, but I'm not feeling it. 

Maybe I just don't get Roy Thomas's breakdowns, that are supposed to match the poem with the artwork, but the artwork is absolutely beautiful. So don't take what I said about it as the definitive opinion, read it yourself.  

Thongor “Thongor! Warrior of lost Lemuria!”

Writer: George Alec Effinger

Artist: Val Mayerik

Inker: Vice Colletta

Originally published in Creatures on the Loose #22

Cover date March 1973

(Published in December 1972)

A change from a Kull back-up strip, this Thongor, Warrior of Lost Lemuria, strip is a really great replacement. Val Mayerik's artwork is detailed and perfect for the character. George Alec Effinger, novelist and short story writer made brief forays into writing comic in the early 1970s, one of which was this strip, which he adapted from the Lin Carter story "Thieves of Zangabel" which first appeared in "Mighty Barbarians: Great Sword and Sorcery Heroes" which was an anthology of fantasy short stories in the sword and sorcery genre published in 1969. Carter created Thongor of Lemuria for six novels and another six novelettes setting Thongor’s Lemuria over 490,000 years ago.

Caught between the Zangabal guards and the Thieves Guild Thongor the only surviver of the Black Hawk Tribe has gone from assassin, to wanderer, slave and thief, now seeks refuge, which is offered by Kaman Thai, a priest of the Seven Gods of Zangabal. In return for sanctuary and twenty pieces of gold Thongor must steel a mirror of Black Glass from a cruel magician named Athmar Phong. To get to the House of Athmar Phong Thongor must follow a trail of yellow symbols and ignore the red ones. Kaman Thai gifts  him a crystal talisman called the Shield of Cathoda to protect by absorbing or diverting magical attacks. It all seems a little bit too much "Dungeons and Dragons" to me, which many may like, but to me it's off putting. Each to their own. Hopefully next week's action will be more to my liking with "Demon of Zangabal!"

Right I'll leave the last word this week to Eamonn Clarke, whose letter was printed in this week's Dracula Lives letter page, Cryptic Correspondence. He never really liked that mag, much preferring Planet of the Apes. Eamonn even played Urko in a school play. Here's Eamonn, who went on to become a doctor, showing off his second hand copy of Dracula Lives issue 32, proving once and for all that you don't have to be a crazy monkey to enjoy reading comics, but it helps! You can find Eamonn regularly at the Mega City Book Club podcast, where currently he's talking to Tony Esmond about the 1973 British anthology comic "Trials of Nasty Tales," which features early Dave Gibbons artwork. Or catch them both on the Never Iron Anything podcast talking about the legendary cartoonist Gerald Scarfe. Ideal for a wet bank holiday weekend, after you've read the Power of the Beesting blog of course...

See you in seven.

Make Mine Marvel.