The fiends and the Fury!

 Week Ending 14th June 1975

I'm always happy to be corrected if I slip up or miss any interesting titbit of information or facts about the subjects of the blog, I even offer a prestigious Power of the Beesting No-Prize to any correspondent who points them out. So the first PotBNoP has to go to Jeff Featherstone, who through the Facebook page, UK Marvel in the Seventies, noted that Doctor Strange's head had been redrawn in the Avengers wedding reception scene from Avengers weekly #88, to show the masked version of his face so that if fitted in with British Marvel continuity. Now I always thought that John Buscema had drawn the blue masked sorcerer in that scene, but after checking my Omnibus edition I had to admit Jeff was spot on. I guess spending years and years reading the British weeklies had warped my mind.

After taking another closer look at that splash page I noticed that the X-Men, Marvel Girl, the Beast and Angel also had their costumes changed to their original uniforms to match with their adventures in the Super-Heroes. 
 The second mistake that I need to correct is from last week's blog and was spotted by myself, after I had posted the blog online and had began to search the next one. I'd listed the Thongor strip as being originally from Creatures on the Loose issue 22, which the first part was, but Chapter 2, "Where broods the Demon!" actually came from issue 23 of Creatures on the Loose. Noting the mistake I quickly corrected the post and left a note saying as much. When I'm wrong, I'm wrong, but thankfully it doesn't happen too often, only on days that have a Y in them. Well at least I won a PotBNoP for it. Now where should I display it? Any way let's concentrate, on with the blog.

The Mighty World of Marvel #141

There's a wonderful simplicity with this Ron Wilson cover that allows a juxtaposition of a villain towering over the Hulk. I'm not completely sure that from Ron's version many readers realised that the shiny white masked villain was in fact the Spider-man foe the Chameleon, save for the tag line that reads The Hulk.."in the clutches of the Chameleon!" But in truth who the giant villain is, doesn't really matter, it's the fact that the Hulk has been forced into that position by a "third rate foe". I love it, my Cover of the Week. Mike Esposito inks Ron's cover.

The Incredible Hulk “Hell is a very small Hulk!”

Writer: Archie Goodwin

Artist: Herb Trimpe

Inker: John Severin

Originally published in The Incredible Hulk #154

Cover date August 1972

(Published in May 1972

The Hulk strip returns to events it left three weeks ago in MWOM #138 after the Hulk had escaped from being placed on trial. The last two week's encounter with the Silver Surfer is simply forgotten as per standard operating procedure for British Marvel's continuity error corrections. It's also a relief that Herb Trimpe has returned as penciller, Marie Severin's artwork was very pleasing for the last two weeks but Dick Ayers previous efforts didn't do it for me. The plot for Hulk suburban search comes from Bruce Banner subconscious desire to find Jarella, the green skinned queen from the microscopic world, with the help of Henry Pym, also known as the Ant-man, an idea first mentioned some eight weeks ago, way back in MWOM #133.

Banner's subconscious mind is directing the Hulk towards Pym's suburban Long Island home to obtain his shrinking formula that helped Ant-man rescue the Fantastic Four from Doctor Doom's trap in the Micro-verse as seen in MWOM #33. The green monster thinks he's found it and downs the serum after smashing his way into Pym's vault. Doctor Pym enters to discover a pole-axed Hulk, but this laughing Doctor isn't Pym, but the spy turned super-criminal the Chameleon, who had come to steal secret plans developed to combat a Hydra created biological weapon called Virus Nine, that Pym was working on before he spotted the Hulk entering the building.

The Chameleon planned to sell them to Hydra and earn some more dirty cash by quite literally handing the Hulk over to them as the green giant had become more doll sized after the shrinking formula had worked. Hydra's Commander desired revenge on the Hulk as a guinea pig for the Virus Nine, after he had destroyed their plan to use him as a brainwashed weapon of destruction as seen in MWOM #96. The Hulk even at pocket size is more than a handful and he escapes down an air vent. Hydra release a horde of rabid rats to attack him. Earlier Hank Pym had been alerted to the break in of his lab, leaving Janet Van Dyne to follow in the car, Pym changes into his alter-ego, the Ant-man, jumping onto a flying ant called Spa-fon he discovers the damaged lab. Can Ant-man locate the stolen notes and join up with the Hulk in next week's "two against the hordes of Hydra!"?

The Mighty Marvel Mailbag

Marcus Siemaszko from Cheshire thought it was about time he wrote a constructive letter instead of the corny ones, so with this one he voices his opinions on all seven weeklies. Graham Head from Upton Park wonders why MWOM has been printed in numerous places since it was published, it has been printed in Oxon, Carlisle, Ireland, Spain and Finland. The editor's answer to why they've been working their way around the British Isles and the continent for printers is one word ECONOMY. With every overhead shooting skywards they tried everything to help keep cost down. Howard Gunnell RFO, KOF from Sussex thinks that The Mighty Marvel Treasury edition of the Fabulous Fantastic Four was "Fabulous!" and "Marvelous!" While Philip Horrod from Middlesex asks one of the biggest Marvel questions ever, "why has The Thing only got four toes?" The editor's answer is "It's just the way it is." The Thing also writes in, when he noticed that "some crummy punk writin' in my peerless pages about the strongest guy of all, an' gettin' me name wrong!" I guess he's not happy being mistaken for the Hulk. Jamie Ward from Cleveland considers that POTA was the best thing Marvel had done, except that the costumes and the stories are getting a little too complicated.

Daredevil “The fallen hero!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: John Tartaglione

Originally published in Daredevil #40

Cover date May 1968

(Published in March 1968)

Another inker joins Gene Colan as artists for this week's strip as John Tartaglione takes over the pen and bush from George Tuska. John keeps the quality to a reasonably high standard. After the Unholy Three, under the Exterminator's orders, use their T-Ray on Debbie Harris as revenge for her involvement in the Unholy Three's previous arrest and as a bargaining chip against Nelson. Foggy had believed Debbie to be dead and begged Matt to get his "brother" Mike to avenge her as Daredevil. Matt realises that Debbie is not dead, but in another dimension. So Matt returns home to change into Daredevil to search for the three fiends.

The criminals in question are continuing their crime spree by robbing banks for bags of cash, just like any comic strip criminals would. No security guards can stop them when they use the T-ray to shunt any opposition into a limbo dimension just outside of their reality. It's not long before the man without fear finds the crooks with his super-senses. A battle breaks out with Gene Colan giving it the kind of big super-hero action you're come to expect from a Daredevil strip. Big panels, big pages and lots of to and fro combat. The fight continues next week.

The Fantastic Four “..From beyond this planet Earth!”

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Joe Sinnott 

Originally published in The Fantastic Four #65

Cover date August 1967

(Published in May 1967)

It all starts with a dream, but what is real, what is unreal? After the destruction of Sentry 459, the Kree leader, a tentacle headed entity known as the Supreme Intelligence has probed the minds of the Fantastic Four as they sleep, warning them that their guilt or innocence in the matter will be determined by his agent, Ronan the Accuser. Johnny and Ben wake up from the nightmare after sharing a bed which is all innocent in a Morecambe and Wise way after working hard. Reed and Sue had also shared the same dream. Mister Fantastic ponders what it all means, although Sue just wants to spend their tlife like a normal married couple.

Meanwhile in deep space, Ronan the Accuser arrives in Earth's orbit. Using a Matter Transmitter he teleports himself to the Earth. Materialising in the middle of New York City, then using his hammer-like "Universal Weapon" he erects a cone of impenetrability around him to maintain an Aura of Negativism so that he can conduct his trial without any interruptions from outsiders. Totally unaware of those events the Fantastic Four go about their day. Johnny and Ben get up to their usual horse play while Sue takes Crystal shopping. Johnny arrives with his newest hot rod so the young couple take it for a spin leaving Sue to carry all the bags until the galant Reed Richards arrives offering to help her carry the load if she has dinner with him. Suddenly the pair vanish in the middle of their meal. Johnny too is teleported away leaving Crystal shocked. Lastly the Thing is teleported away while answering the door to a parcel delivery man. Find out what's going on next week in "I accuse!"

 The inside back page of this week's Mighty World of Marvel features an in-house advert for next week's Planet of the Apes comic that boasts the start of the adaption of the second biggest ape thriller, Beneath the Planet of the Apes. It shows a proof cover of POTA issue 35 beautifully painted by Bob Larkin as well as panels from the strip by the wonderful artist Alfredo Alcala. Two of the panels are taken from the POTA issue 35 and the other from much later in the series but it shows what goodies the readers can look forward to. This was quite a big event as versions of this advertisement had appeared in all seven of the weeklies, three similar to this ad and three others getting a special colour treatment on the back pages. Keep reading this blog and you'll see.

Spider-man Comics Weekly #122

Ron Wilson pencils another great original British cover. A bit more traditional super-hero fair with Spider-man and Iceman coming to the rescue of Joe Robertson. It's very much in the mid 70's world, with a Starsky and Hutch feel for added "flares"! The inker could well have been Mike Esposito or Al Milgrom, I'm not sure which and neither is the Grand Comics Database. 

Spider-man “Side-by-side with the Iceman!”

 

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Gil Kane

Inker: John Romita Sr. and Tony Mortellaro

Originally published in the Amazing Spider-man #92

Cover date January 1971

(Published in January 1967)

The credits for this comic only list John Romita Sr. as the inker, but the Grand Comics Database suggests that Tony Mortellaro may have helped with inking the back grounds. This second part opening splash page is the enlarged and expanded sixth panel from last week's page thirteen with a new title, re-cap box and credits box added. Peter Parker has just seen Sam Bullit's henchmen kidnap Joe Robertson from the offices of the Daily Bugle, after the city editor threatened to print damaging information about the DA candidate. Spidey's quick on the chase, until the Iceman  cools his heels. 

Iceman has been lead to believe that the web-slinger is a wanted criminal after he was seen swinging away with Gwen Stacy. The two heroes fight, but Spider-man has no time for that, when Robertson's life is in danger. Webbing up the young mutant web-head picks up the kidnapper's trail. Spider-man hears Bullit telling his men to kill the reporter after he's gone, Iceman has heard him too. The pair team-up to free Robertson and capture Bullit's heavies. Later at a fund-raising banquet Bullit is giving a speech about his brand of law and order, in which there's no room for "anarchists" who disagree with him, whether they be turn coat newspapers or so-called super-heroes. A voice calls out that Sam Bullit is a liar and a crook. It's Spider-man with the Iceman who tells him his heavies have spilled everything to the police, just as Joe Robertson did. Bullit puts his foot in it by saying Robertson is dead, his boys don't fail him. Only to have the editor step forward. The police arrest Bullit so everything ends well. If only the thugs, bullies, criminals and liars who have gained power these days couldn't be put away as easily. I'm looking at you Donald, Elon and Vladimir, or those who follow in their footsteps. 

Iron Man “Beyond rescue!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Frank Giacoia

Originally published in Tales of Suspense #88

Cover date April 1967

(Published in January 1967)

The Mole Man had sunk one of Stark Industries factories into the ground so that he could capture Stark's atomic powered Earth Borer. Iron Man survives the cave in to find that Pepper Potts had disobeyed his instructions to evacuate the building while he was testing the Earth Borer's engines. The pair are attacked by the Mole Man's Moloids. Iron Man is able to fight off the Moloids, while the Mole Man explains his intention to use the Earth Borer to reach the surface with his vast subterranean army to conquer the world.

Iron Man flys Pepper to safety, then contacts the US Military to explain what's going on but cautions them about mustering a rescue party as they'll be outnumbered with the Mole Man's subterranean army. The Mole Man attacks, unleashing a creature that bears an uncanny likeness to a fire breathing dragon. While Iron Man fights off this beast, Pepper is kidnapped by the Mole Man. Iron Man defeats the monster and catches up to them. Iron Man offers to show how the boring device works in exchange for Peppers life. The armoured Avenger tricks the Mole Man into causing the device to overload with radiation and explode. Our Iron clad hero escapes with Pepper just before it does. Next issue "the return of the mysterious Melter!"

The Web and the Hammer

It's double page spread for The Web and the Hammer letter page this week. Jim is first up who has decided that it was high time something was done about putting Marvel on TV. His answer is getting readers to persuade TV companies by writing demand letters. Neil Fisher from St Helens is quite a regular Marvel letter writer, his name is one I remember from that time. This letter complains that some letters are repetitive. Once you've read one you've read them all. For instance an example Neil gives is from Stephen Whitehouse, whose letter was printed in SMCW #112, Neil says that if he had sent that letter to Marvel in America it would never have got printed. He goes on strongly with he "thought it was a bit stupid to print a letter of that kind." However Neil does like Peter Taylor's letters from MWOM #120 and #128. Naming Peter as the best letter writer in British Marvel's letter pages. David Rathborne RFO, KOF from London sounds like he's please to see the Silver Surfer, Conan and the X-Men in new comics so soon after Dracula Lives and POTA. Shella Bradley RFO, from West Midlands asks about the reasons for the Marvel ranks and if his five regular British Marvel purchases earns him an RFO? Yes it does. 

Planet of the Apes gets a landscape in-house advert under the Web and the Hammer letters, teasing the comic strip adaptation of Beneath the Planet of the Apes, using many of the panels from the POTA in-house ad seen in this week's MWOM. The adaptation is going to be a Mighty Marvel classic.

The Mighty Thor “Final battle!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Vince Colletta

Originally published in The Mighty Thor #157

Cover date October 1968

(Published in August 1968)

This second part opening splash page uses the Jack Kirby/Vince Colletta art from the cover of the Mighty Thor issue 156, cover dated September 1968, published July 1968. Which was a little strange as this week's Thor tale actually comes from issue 157 of the Mighty Thor. But it still works. The original comic's logo remains but a new title, catch-up box and credit box are added. Loki panics and flees now that the Mangog closes in on his final target.

Thor, Sif and the Rigellian Recorder are all that stand in the monster's way from drawing the Odinsword, once drawn it would signal the start of Ragnarok!. Desperately for calls for a powerful storm to slow the Mangog down, but only the All-Father's own power combined with his son's powers could defeat the alien, but Odin still sleeps. Or does he? The storm had woken Odin from his Odinsleep, now with his Power Sceptre the All-Father reduces the alien monster to nothing more than an illusion. He had made the creature a living prison that held its entire race prisoners. A billion billion beings released after serving their penance. Once more the Eternal Realm stands triumphant. It's almost too easy an ending, but I can forgive that because the quest was so brilliantly written and drawn. The story ends with the line "Dum Spiro spero!" Many readers, me for one, wouldn't have known what that means. It's a Latin phrase that translates as "While I breathe, I hope!" You learn something new every day.

Avengers Weekly #91

This Gene Colan cover was originally a pin-up from Doctor Strange #180, cover dated May 1969, published February1969, that had replaced the letter page in that comic. The British version has the background changed to a shade of yellow that really suits the overall image, almost like the faces behind him are forming out of a fire. The cast of extras also are coloured differently than the original pin-up, which really does improve its look. One thing that does bother my OCD is that Doctor Strange's enemies are mixed in with his friends. I would have preferred that the characters are mixed more evenly or have friends on one side foes on the other. But I'm just weird. 

Master of Kung Fu “Emerald destiny!”

Writer: Doug Moench

Artist: Keith Pollard

Inker: Sal Trapani

Originally published in Master of Kung Fu #26

Cover date March 1975

(Published in December 1974)

The opening splash page for this second part comes from the cover of Master of Kung Fu issue 26, by Gil Kane. As per usual a new title, credit box and catch-up boxes are added. While searching Greville's lodgings Shang-Chi is attacked by a Si-Fan assassin, who is also looking for Greville. The two fight but Shang-Chi beats him. Shang-Chi finds a map leading to Greville's dig, so he and Smith head there.

Greville's map leads them to Seth-Amon's pyramid. Fah Lo Suee is already there with Greville escorting her to the crypt, which he has breached only that day and has not yet surveyed. She finds the box with the Golden Beetle inside, but someone has pried out the ruby eyes. Shang-Chi and Smith arrive. Smith admits that he too fell under Fah Lo Suee's spell years ago, history repeats itself again. Shang-Chi averts his gaze so that he doesn't fall under his half-sister's hypnotic spell. Suddenly six sarcophagi burst open as six Si-Fan leap forth. Fah Lo Suee orders Greville and Smith to protect her, so Shang-Chi must protect Greville and Smith as well as reluctantly his half-sister. During the battle a seventh sarcophagus topples, smashing open to reveal the mummified body of Seth-Amon, whose eyes are the missing rubies. Shang-Chi spies a time bomb! Fah Lo Suee takes the rubies and Greville, while Shang-Chi defeats the remaining Si-Fan. A slap to the face brings Smith back to his senses and the pair flee the pyramid just before it explodes. Out on the sands, they find Greville, who is dying from the kiss of Fah Lo Suee's poisoned lipstick. Above Fu Manchu's helicopter departs, leaving Smith and Shang-Chi are left to wonder did Fah Lo Suee survive?

Avengers Assemble!

Mike Griggs from Kent congratulates Marvel on having the good sense to print the letter by a certain Rob Sinclair in Avengers weekly #81, He doesn't agree with Rob referring to A Black, whose letter from Avengers weekly #65 suggested that he was a 'NOSE' (Nearing Old age, Senility and Eternal rest) because he found Doctor Strange boring! Aren't there a lot of letter writers getting personal about other writers. Mike goes on to praise Doctor Strange himself. Mark Emmett from Essex has worked out a theory why people say letters are made up. It is because they have written in and not had their letters printed. Mark mentions that he thoroughly enjoyed Tony Ware's letter from Avengers weekly #69. Mark suggests that another mag should be produced with the Fantastic Four as the lead strip with the Defenders as back-up. Raymond Priestly from Bradford saw in Avengers weekly #81 a Stegosaurus from the Jurassic period which should have been a herbivore, with flat teeth and considerably smaller in size. The next letter is from the Silver Surfer, who is angry with the Marvel editor's behaviour at annoying the thousands of his devoted and loyal fans who write to you each year, pleading with them to bring back his mag, yet you make stupid earthly excuses. I suspect he's on about his American comic not the latest Super-Heroes comic. 

Simon Gaines from Plymouth writes that he had spent some time in hospital but that time was made better by introducing him to the joys of comics. Some many years later saw him rediscovering the Mighty World of Marvel, at first he did not begin to recognise stories until later. He began to search for the American issues. Many things had changed since his first time of reading, but the changes interest him. He's now has a big collection of British and American Marvels. The Avengers mailbag has also heard from

Philip Hinks from Leicester, Leonard Clapp from London, Brian Newman from Merseyside, P Lyons from London, John Flack from London, John Moran from Reading, lan McCulloch from Derby, Howard Gordon from London, Paul Cooper from Liverpool, Timothy Hyland from Lancashire, John O'Brien from Liverpool, Philip Knightley from Leamington Spa, Andrew Ludzik from Derby, Sefton Collett from Lincoln, Fraser Drummond from Edinburgh, Brian Gewitzke from London, Neil Fisher from St. Helens, Daniel Marchant from London, Carl Griffiths from Essex and Sean Neale from Leeds.

The Avengers “Fury of the Man-Ape!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: John Buscema

Inker: George Klein

Originally published in The Avengers #62

Cover date March 1968

(Published in January 1968)

The second part of this Man-Ape story uses the enlarged second panel from last week's page twenty-two, with a new title, credit box and catch up box. M'Baku, now calling himself the Man-Ape,  attacks T'Challa while explaining that he will take over the kingdom after killing the Wakandian King. Everyone will then worship the white gorilla instead of the panther god. The battle wages on through the village of Wakanda, taking them below into the Techno Organic Jungle where the atomic fire pits that power the small nation are situated. 

There the Man-Ape almost falls into the pit, but Black Panther saves him. While pulling up his foe, the Man-Ape attacks again, knocking the jungle king out. Later regaining consciousness the Panther finds himself strapped to an alter beneath the statue of the Panther god. The Man-Ape then attempts to knock the statue onto the Black Panther in an effort to kill him and destroy the idol of his god. The other Avengers meanwhile come too. The Vision's density powers enabling him to smash the walls and break out. where they witness the Man-Ape's attempt at crushing the Panther backfires. The statue crumbles, crashing down on top of him while the Avengers free T'Challa from his restraints. It was nice to read a Black Panther tale in the Avengers, especially one by Roy Thomas and John Buscema, the Panther is one of my favourite Avengers and this period of Avenger history one of the best.

Doctor Strange “The return!”

Writer:Roy Thomas

Artist: Don Heck

Inker: Frank Giacoia

Originally published in Marvel Feature #1

Cover date December 1971

(Published in July 1971)

This tale comes from Marvel Feature issue one which debuted the first official appearance of the Defenders, although this story takes place before they were formed. Doctor Strange after renouncing his magical powers, is driven to return to his old home in Greenwich Village, the Sanctum Sanctorum, which he abandoned some time ago. There he finds that Wong is still the manservant of somebody who claims to be Doctor Strange. 

Wong flees thinking that Stephen Strange is an imposter he calls his master. Wong's "Master" wears Doctor Strange's super-hero style outfit with the full faced blue mask. This "Master" states that the Stephen Strange is an imposter who is wearing a clever disguise. The only way to prove himself is cast a simple spell, but Stephen is unable to perform that task as he has renounced his former powers and it would take a consecration with a number of days of dedication to restore them. The blue masked Doctor Strange has heard enough and attacks Stephen with a mystical blast which he ducks under, but his second spell send Strange reeling. The cloak of Levitation entraps Strange and then the impostor casts a spell to make him sleep. While unconscious, Strange is visited by his master the Ancient One who restores Strange's mystical powers and his original identity. Strange then attacks his impostor once more but this time defeating his foe. Unmasking him, Strange finds that his doppelgänger is none other than his nemesis, Baron Mordo. The Baron escapes with Doctor Strange vowing to meet him again knowing that he must not shirk his responsibilities and once more pick up the mantle of Doctor Strange, master of the mystic arts. Im'm glad the Doctor is back, I wasn't a big fan of the super-hero costume.

This Planet of the Apes teaser had already appeared in the Mighty World of Marvel and Spider-man Comics Weekly, but like the previous two there's subtle changes with the positions of the Apes and the imprisoned humans. Some of the text has been moved around too. This version of the house ad also appears in this week's Dracula Lives.

Stand by, ready to fire! Here comes the German artillery with this Hanomag Tank Destroyer, Model 694, with its 88mm gun, Model 656 from Dinky Toys. They're both 1/35th scale, the tank is 171mm long, while the gun is 218mm long. The Tank Destroyer has flexible tracks and a gun barrel that fires shells. The 88mm gun also had a gun barrel that elevates and fires shells. The gun lifts off the bogies to become a static gun, which can rotate on its base when static. If that wasn't your scene there's the more serene Swiss Postal Bus, the Swiss PTT Bus, Model 293, which is 119 mm long. 

Dracula Lives #34

This cover was originally used on the front of the American mag Tomb of Dracula issue 15, drawn by Gil Kane. The Grand Comics Database suspect that Dan Adkins may well have inked this cover, but of the sake of another opinion the website, Marvel.Fandom.com list no inker at all. Nick Caputo, a comics expert who writes the nick-caputo.blogspot.com blog and is a regular contributor to the Grand Comics Database, has unearthed that John Romita Sr. made alterations to Dracula's face. One mistake with this British cover is the top headline which states that the comic also stars Werewolf by Night and Brother Voodoo. However Frankenstein's Monster appears inside instead of Brother Voodoo.

The Monster Lives! This Marvel Masterwork Pin-up uses artwork taken from the fourth panel from page twenty-four of Dracula Lives #2. That story had originally appeared in The Monster of Frankenstein issue 1, cover dated January 1973, published October 1972. 

Dracula “Fear is the name of the game!”

Writer: Marv Wolfman

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Tom Palmer

Originally published in Tomb of Dracula #15

Cover date December 1973

(Published in September 1973)

Dracula recalls in his ledger, events that happen just short days ago, after his recent brush with eternal death after Blade had staked the vampire lord with his wooden dagger, only to be resurrected by  Reverend Josiah Dawn. Following his murder of the Reverend Dracula escaped into the countryside returning to his sanctuary, just as a hunter, named Vinnie, decided to bag the giant-sized bat. A bullet won't kill a vampire, but it does make him furious enough to attack his foe. Vinnie escapes and flees into the woods, however Dracula sends an army of rats, wolves and bats to finish him off. The hunter becomes the hunted.

His reflections on this event takes him back to his first victim as a vampire: Turac, the man who invaded his kingdom. Turac had left Dracula in the hands of a gypsy who turned him into a vampire. Turac also murdered his beloved Maria. Later Dracula gain revenge by turning Turac into a vampire himself. Thoughts of the love for his wife makes him reflect on the relationship between man and woman. He recalls how one night not too long ago, he happened upon a young couple, Richard and Kitty, who had been fighting. Driving down the road after another argument, Kitty tells Richard that she is filing for divorce. Knowing that his adultery will loose him a fortune, Richard won't accept divorce he pulls out a gun and shoots her in cold blood on the side of the road, revealing that he never loved her and was only interested in her money. Her dying body is found by Dracula, who asks her if she wishes to get revenge. Kitty weakly answers yes. Dracula turns her into a vampire just as she dies. She returns her home to find Richard with another woman, the shock of seeing his dead wife again ends when she sinks her teeth in him. The "diary of death!" continues next week. 

House of Dracula

Julian Lewis from Essex is a newcomer to the Mighty World of Marvel, but he has started off with one of their greatest, Dracula Lives. He doesn't understand why POTA is more popular than Dracula, although he does find a few faults with the horror comic. He wasn't happy with Dracula making friends with humans as seen in Dracula Lives #18. Also the Werewolf should easy beat his foes by himself and Frankenstein can at times be too sorrowful. Susan Ovell from Hampshire is a great horror fan and she adores Dracula and his films. She disagrees with B Fox from  Dracula Lives #23 who wrote "many rotten things" about the mag. Susan believes that Mike Ploog is very suited for the Werewolf By Night story. Susan is a big fan of the Christopher Lee photo pin-ups too. Margaret Turner from Kent also enjoys a good poster, She has the free Dracula poster from issue one on her wall and she says that the Christopher Lee pin-up in Dracula Lives #10  was absolutely great.

Werewolf by Night “His name is Taboo”

Writer: Marv Wolfman

Artist: Mike Ploog

Inker: Frank Chiaramonte

Originally published in Werewolf by Night #13

Cover date January 1974

(Published in October 1973)

This story starts in the middle with the Werewolf having fallen under the spell of Topaz. She had mesmerised the beast so that her master Taboo could use him for his own nefarious reasons. Topaz makes the Werewolf sleep and as he does, he dreams of the previous day's events. Breakfast with his female flatmates, Clary and Sam, then the interruption of that meal by the bad tempered Coker who claimed that Jack had stolen one of his magic books. Jack then drove his flatmate, Clary Winter, to a film studio where she worked as an actress under the stage name of Melody Tune, on some dubious films. Jack was offered a job as a stunt man and later made plans to find an uninhabited spot in the Verdugo Mountains, where he could safely change into the Werewolf when the full moon rose. Unaware that a helicopter with the beautiful Topaz was following him.

When Jack transformed with the rising moon the young girl calmed the beast so that two helpers could bring him to Taboo's lair. Taboo needed the Werewolf and his familiar, Topaz, had the power keep the beast under control. He claimed his magic had manipulated the Committee with the aim of having them work for him. The Committee had kidnapped Philip Russell, who was also part of his plan that required the Darkhold to save his son. Topaz reads Jack's suppressed mind and learns that Russell's copy of the Darkhold was destroyed by the monk named Aelfric as seen in Dracula Lives #15. Taboo becomes angry and orders Topaz to kill the Werewolf, but she refuses. He instead has the Werewolf thrown into a holding cell along with Jack's also-kidnapped step-father. The Werewolf is expected to kill Philip, but deep down he remembers his mother's dying wish and instead focuses on escape. More Werewolf horror next week.

Frankenstein's Monster “Fury of the Night-Creature!”

Writer: Doug Moench

Artist: Val Mayerik

Inker: Dan Green

Originally published in The Frankenstein Monster #14

Cover date January 1975

(Published in October 1974)

Replacing Brother Voodoo this issue is the return of the Frankenstein Monster, which continues the story that had been paused in Dracula Lives #25. It was possibly felt that the UK Monster's tales had begun to catch up with the American issues and a breather of nine weeks would solve the problem. Don't forget that the American comic was on sale every two months and SPOILERS, there would only be five more US issues left, including this story, before it was cancelled! Which would be a shame as Val Mayerik's art is gorgeous in a gory way. Doug Moench's writing is great too.

Ralph Caccone had befriended the Monster and returned home with him only to find that his father's crazy experiment, a patchwork creature, has escaped and killed its creator. Ralph's mother rushes in after hearing all the noise, knowing that her jealousy of her husband's dedication to his work had lead her to lash out at his experiment, causing the creature to gain life that had spawned the monster.  In her sorrow the Jigsaw Creature kills  her too, which sends poor Ralph into a frenzy. The Jigsaw Creature swipes the distraught boy away. Frankenstein's Monster can no longer watch the tragedy unfold, he attacks the creature, hurling it through a window, the creature lumbers off. Afraid they'll be blamed for his parents' murder, Ralph flees with the Monster. Taking Ralph's van they are followed by a mysterious car, but they manage to lose him but that driver has more problems as he is stopped by another car with a gang of heavies that jump out and pull him out. Three against one doesn't seem fair, will the Monster even the odds? Find out next week.  

The inside back page features a couple of in-house ads for the Super-Heroes and the Avengers weekly, as well as a "paid for" advertisement for Fun-joke, a mail order joke shop called Ellisdons from Bedford, although you wouldn't know it unless you had a magnifying glass. The text was unbelievably small. You could order the trick items listed or send off for the "Super Joke Catalogue" for 10 pence. I wonder if any one who did managed to read the small print sent off for the tricks or the catalogue? The in-house ads would have certainly got read. 

Planet of the Apes #34

The third original British Marvel cover from Ron Wilson this week sees a gorilla factions storm a castle battlements. It's a typical Ron Wilson design with a protagonist looking slightly towards the reader. One thing I don't like from this cover is the tagline. "Attack and battle on a Kingdom on an Island of the Apes!" It reads poorly like a spin doctor was trying to fit as many of the key words from the story into one line. The "Attack" and "Battle" comes from the fifth and sixth chapters of the story.

Planet of the Apes “Attack!”

Writer: Doug Moench

Artist: Rico Rival

Inker: Rico Rival

Originally published in Planet of the Apes (US) #10

Cover date July 1975

(Published in May 1975)

Ron Wilson's cover from last week's issue is reused as this week's third part opening splash page, which uses the title of the fifth chapter from Kingdom on an Island of the Apes as this week's instalment. A couple of re-cap text boxes are added with a small credit box. It's reuse make good financial sense, but it didn't fit seamlessly into the story continuity as the next page follows on from were it ended last week with Derek Zane dismounting the gorilla Sir Gawain from his horse, who angrily shots a crossbow bolt at Zane's back. Luckily a warning from Lady Andrea saves him.

Sir Gawain is exiled from the kingdom by the orangutan King Arthur. The newly-knighted 'Sir Derek' falls in love with Andrea Zane and becomes a part of Avedon's culture. On the mainland General Gorodon discovers how and where Zane had escaped too and readies an army to follow him. Warned of Gorodon's attack, Zane instructs the other knights to set up gunpowder traps outside the castle walls. When Gorodon's troops attack the castle, archers shoot a flurry of flaming arrows at them. The gorilla forces are trapped in the explosions of the gunpowder ignited by the arrows. The sheer number of aggressors storm the castle walls. It came down to a face-off between Gorodon and Zane, sword against empty rifle. Both man and ape are disarmed in the battle but once again Lady Andrea comes to Zane's aid when she tosses him an axe allowing once and for all the knight to fell General Gorodon. Zane and Andréa wed and normality returned to the kingdom, or as normal as it could be for a kingdom of man and apes. To me the story seems rushed, especially the ending with too many ideas thrown at one strip. The good thing is the comic adaptation of the movie Beneath the Planet of the Apes begins next week, which I for one am looking forward too. Although we might not have seen the last of Derek Zane, keep reading the blog to find out if he returns.

Apes Forum

Melanie from Cumbria found that while reading the Apes Forum all the letter writers were male, so she decided to show that one of them wasn't. Melanie writes that the main story is too short and the back-up strips take up too much space, the Apes should have the mag completely to themselves. She adds the features and pin-ups are brilliant. C Jameson RFO, KOF from Tyne-and-Wear gives their views on the Apeslayer strip from POTA #24,  it "seems to be developing steadily, but in this you could be forgiven for mistaking Apeslayer as the supporting feature, mainly because of the excellent concept, story, art and fantastic imagination put into the great Guardians of the Galaxy." Which C wants to see "More, more, more!" off. C also wonders that in POTA #23 Roger Cooper writes that the articles should stop and in the next issue they did, was it because of Roger's interference? No it was a sheer co-incidence. Sherlock Richard Starkings Holmes from Leeds writes a wonderful letter in the style of the classic English detective, who spotted a mistake from POTA #1 that the American space research association is known as NASA and not ANSA as it is printed in that issue. I suspect that Richard isn't the great British detective called Sherlock Holmes, but is in fact the letterer who went on to work on 2000AD, Warrior and Marvel UK where he also spent time as an editor and writer. In 1992 Starkings founded Comicraft, who created the standard for many comic strip fonts, and is releasing his ongoing series Elephantmen:Hipflask again on Kickstarter. Richard's previous letter was printed in the Cosmic Communications letter page in the Super-Heroes #12, although due to a spelling mistake by the letter setter it was under the name of Richard Stockings! Could that have been the catalyst that lead him on the path of a letterer?

On location: Conquest of the Planet of the Apes

This article was a behind the scenes recount by the article's writers Al Satian and Heather Johnson of their experiences on location during production of the 1972 film Conquest of the Planet of the Apes. It features loads of on set photos giving a good insight in how the movie was made. Originally the piece appeared in the Marvel/Curtis Magazine Planet of the Apes issue 9, cover dated June 1975, published April 1975. So it had only just hit the American magazine shelves some six to seven week's ago. There's a chance that this weekly was read by British readers before the American edition hit the UK shores.

 

The Power of Warlock “The day of the prophet!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Gil Kane

Inker: Tom Sutton

Originally published in The Power of Warlock #1

Cover date August 1972

(Published in May 1972)

There's no surprise when I tell you that this second part opening splash page uses the cover of the Power of the Warlock issue one cover. Apart from the credit box there is nothing added. Even the story title is from the US cover. Adam Warlock and his young group of friends wander through the city until they stumble upon a gathering around a Prophet, who is giving a speech about how a saviour is coming to Earth. 

The gathering and the Prophet are attacked by two evil New Men, Haukk and Pih-Junn, but after a brief fight, Warlock defeats them both. The Prophet tells Warlock that he is the saviour who has come to Earth to save them from the evil of the Man-Beast. He must face the fiend and only the Prophet can take Warlock to wear he senses the Man-Beast is. However, Warlock decides not to take the four teenagers, and he sends them to the Prophet's sister's house for their own safety. Warlock and the Prophet enter the sewers. Briefly exploring the labyrinth of tunnels they arrive at a trap door that leads to the Man-Beast's lair. Inside a room full of evil New Men are waiting for them. Spotting Man-Beast sitting on his throne Warlock attacks him. However, it turns out to be just a mannequin. The Prophet then removes his mask to reveal himself to be Man-Beast the entire time. He then threatens to kill Warlock if he doesn't ally with him. Will Adam Warlock join "in league with the Man-Beast!" next issue? Find out in seven days.

The back page features a in-house advert for next week's Planet of the Apes, which will include the comic adaptation of the 1970 film Beneath the Planet of the Apes. The photo image is taken from the film showing the English born actor Maurice Evans playing the orangutang leader of the apes, Doctor Zaius. Added to the lower right hand side is another image of apes which I assume is also taken from the same film and does in my opinion include Zaius in the crowd. To the left is a proof version of the cover from next week's weekly. This advert also appears on the back covers of this week's the Super-Heroes and the Savage Sword of Conan. Another version of this page will appear next week, but more on that then.

The Super-heroes #15

Herb Trimpe (pencils,) with Chic Stone (inks,) created this cover originally from the Silver Surfer (US,) issue 17. It's unusual that John Buscema didn't draw this cover, but Herb and Chic did a really great job with it. So much so that I very nearly give it my Cover of the Week award.

Silver Surfer “The Surfer must kill!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: John Buscema

Inker: Chic Stone

Originally published in Silver Surfer #17

Cover date June 1970

(Published in May 1970)

Mephisto has given the Silver Surfer an ultimatum: destroy SHIELD, or lose Shalla-Bal forever. Knowing that the Prince of Darkness has hidden Shalla-Bal somewhere on Earth, the Surfer searches the planet to find her. Meanwhile, Nick Fury and SHIELD frantically try to discover who was the mysterious being that has been streaking across the skies. Reed Richards contacts Fury with information that it was the Silver Surfer. Tony Stark creates a special weapon to use against the Surfer. Amongst the chaos, Mephisto secretly replaces a female operative at SHIELD with Shalla-Bal in the hopes that the Surfer will kill her along with the rest of SHIELD when he attacks them.

The Surfer's quest turns up no signs of his lost lover, so knowing that he has no other choice, he travels to SHIELD headquarters, resolving to only attack the SHIELD base without taking any lives.  SHIELD defends itself by using Z-Gas fired from blasters designed by Tony Stark, to counter the Surfer's assault. Its works as it manages to stop him, knocking him out and allowing them to lock him up in a cell. The Surfer awakens to find himself imprisoned, with  Mephisto watching him through the cell window with Shalla-Bal by his side. Realising that Mephisto had violated their agreement when he had endangered her by hiding her at SHIELD headquarters in hope of that the Surfer would unknowingly harm her during his attack. Angered the Surfer smashes his way free in a fit of strength and power fuelled by rage you don't usually see from the alien. He attacks Mephisto, who makes Shalla-Bal disappear. 

After a brief battle with the Surfer, Mephisto makes his retreat and the Surfer makes his escape as he is doused with more Z-Gas. Calling his surfer board to him the Surfer makes a desperate escape barely remaining on the board as it makes its way to safety in the heavens. Although he is able to get away, the Silver Surfer eventually falls victim to the gas and crashes towards a city in a hidden realm. Find out who lives in that city next week in a story that is teased as "The Inhumans." Oh that's given it away. 

An X-Men X-tra with this special pin-up page featuring the Beast. This piece of artwork by Jack Kirby with Chic Stone's inks originally appeared in The X-Men (US,) issue 8, cover dated November 1964, published September 1964. Strangely enough that issue's X-Men adventure should have been printed in this week's X-Men strip, but for some unknown reason the strip jumps four American issues to X-Men issue 11. More on that later. 

Cosmic Communications

Rod Summers RFO, KOF, QNS, PMM, FFF from Bristol writes that the release of the Super-heroes and SSOC has, in one fell swoop, practically filled the large gap that existed in Marvel's British weeklies. He goes on to say that through the Silver Surfer "you commented on the 'lot' of the world; the people in it, their prides and prejudices, their emotions and, above all, their right to continue to exist." Rod adds that the X-Men deserve a place in the weeklies, but points out that the early artwork will improve as the series goes on. Damie Chaill from Dublin thinks with the publication of these new mags, making seven weeklies and the imported American mags, Marvel is really showing its supremacy in the British comics industry. He admires the choice of cover for "The Super-heroes", (I think he means for Super-Heroes #1)  reprinted from an old Fantastic Four mag. He describes John Buscema's early artwork seemed somewhat Kirbyesque, in other words, brilliant. He also picked up on the changes to the Beast dialogue in the same issue. He also has a lot of good things to say about the Savage Sword of Conan and both of its featured strips.

A page full of in-house ads for three of British Marvel's greatest weeklies. Tales of savage adventure with Conan the barbarian in his own weekly, the Savage Sword of Conan. The artwork from one of the many John Buscema drawn strips. I can't place which strip but I do known that there was a woman to Conan's left. Any ideas let me know, there's a PotBNoP in it for you. Ron Wilson's cover from this week's Mighty World of Marvel makes the in-house ad for that amazing issue, while the M'Baku image by John Buscema is taken from the first panel of page seventeen of this week's Avengers weekly is used to tease that mag.

The X-Men “The triumph of Magneto!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Chic Stone

Originally published in The X-Men #11

Cover date May 1965

(Published in March 1965)

As mentioned earlier this X-Men adventure jumps forward some four American X-Men issues. Missing the X-Men's encounter are with Unus, the Untouchable, which also included appearances from Magneto and his Brotherhood, the X-Men meeting the Avengers to fight Lucifer and a Savage land adventure where they meet Ka-Zar. Why the jump was necessary I have no idea, yes the Avengers appearance would be the original line up that might being question from the new readers, but not as much as Professor X's reappearance this issue even though he left the group two week's ago in the Super-Heroes #13, there's no explanation for that. Also, SPOILERS, the Stranger takes Magneto and the Toad with him into space next week, leaving Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch free to join the Avengers, yet they'll all return as the Brotherhood in later in the Super-Hero #21. That's going to attract more letters of confusion.

Professor X calls the X-Men to show them his Radar-Image Beam that has picked up the energy signature of a very powerful being. Suddenly the image disappears. The Professor is concerned that such a being possesses such deadly potential. Elsewhere in New York, the object of the X-Men's concern is a strange suited man who has taken up residence in a boarding house. The landlady demands up front a full week's rent, the Stranger pulls a large wad of money out of his coat and hands it to her. Deciding to explore the city, this Stranger, walks in the very air over the city to avoid traffic. The citizens of New York are shocked to see the spectacle. Not wishing to attract anymore undue attention, the Stranger flees the scene. Compelled he enters a particular building by walking through the very wall. Inside he finds Magneto and his Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. Elsewhere the X-Men search the city for this supposed new Mutant. Scott attracts the unwanted attention from the police who become suspicious of his skulking. In a scuffle, Scott's ruby quartz glasses fall causing his optic beams to fire wildly, one officer pulls his gun, which is destroyed by one of Cyclops blasts. Luckily the Beast pulls Scott out of the situation and the group reunite. In the building where the Stranger has met with the Brotherhood, the Stranger is offered membership. The Stranger asks why he should join them? Magneto binds him with metal in a display of his powers. Mastermind then uses his illusions on the Stranger, but he sees through the illusion. He breaks free of Magneto's bindings and shows the extent of his own power by firing a bolt of energy at Mastermind which converts the mutant into solid matter, whose increased weight crashes him through the floors. Angel is the first to reach the scene alerted by the civilian's calls for help. Could next week's issue see "the final victory of Magneto!"? Find out in seven days.

Savage Sword of Conan #15

Originally from Conan the Barbarian (US,) issue 14, drawn by Barry Windsor-Smith, it's pretty much the same as the US version except that the title, "A Sword Called Stormbringer!" was shown at the bottom of the cover.

Conan the Barbarian “A sword called stormbringer!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Barry Windsor-Smith

Inker: Sal Buscema

Originally published in Conan the Barbarian #14

Cover date March 1972

(Published in December 1971)

This week's Conan tale comes from a story plotted by Michael Moorcock, the creator of Eric of Melniboné and the writer and an illustrator James Cawthorn. Elric of Melniboné was the protagonist of a series of sword and sorcery stories that took place on an alternative Earth. His first appearance in print was in Moorcock's novella "The Dreaming City" in Science Fantasy No. 47 from June 1961. James Cawthorn was born in Gateshead on 21 December 1929 and died 2 December 2008, he had in the1960's illustrated covers for New Worlds magazine and in the early 70s published an oversized graphic novel called "Stormbringer" about Elric of Melniboné for Savoy Books. Cawthorn is also know for the adverts used by the science-fiction bookshop, Dark They Were and Golden Eyed in around 1977. Roy Thomas based this and next week's strips on plots created by Moorcock and Cawthorn.

After last week's events, Conan travelled far riding through Koth, the southern neighbour of Zamora. Conan spies a group of hooded riders chasing a fleeing woman on horseback, so the young barbarian rushes to her rescue. Out numbered by the hooded men Conan falls, but before they try finish him off, a flock of giant eagles appears to chase the men away. The girl turns out to be Zephra, daughter of the wizard Zukala, who Conan met some years before, as seen in SSOC #5. Zephra had been sent by her father to find Conan, seeking his help. The wizard himself, now without the power of his mask, has become a frail old man who seeks Conan's help in defeating the evil of Kulan Gath and his henchwoman Xiombarg. He asks Conan to go to the city of Yagala, which has been transported thousands of years ago from another dimension, as a jail for the dead-but-not-so-dead body of an evil sorceress and empress. Zukala enchants Conan's sword and Zephra guides the barbarian to the city. The wizard then turns his attention to the chaos Goddess Xiombarg, who is preparing to send her captain, Gaynor, after Conan. Xiombarg senses Zukala's spying and breaks the connection. Later Conan and Zephra encounter a pale rider who attacks them, declaring himself to be Elric of Melniboné. Conan is unable to beat Elric's magically enhanced armour. Both parties stop fighting when they realise neither is working for Xiombarg. Suddenly, the undead forces of Gaynor attack. A vicious fight begins, only ending when Zephra uses her magic to call forth a flood of rain that washes the hellish flesh of the damned away. Gaynor makes an escape. Elric is also heading for Yagala so the three decide to travel together, where next week they will face "the Green Empress!" This week's artwork by Barry Windsor-Smith is superb and Roy Thomas has merged classic sword and sorcery icon's together making an exciting read. If next week's strip is as good we're in for a real treat. 

The Hyborian Page

Stewart Gibbs ROF, KOF from Essex thanks British Marvel for the two new mags the Super-Heroes and SSOC as he's long awaited Conan's arrival to the British weeklies. Tom Darragh from Dublin says that the second issue of Savage Sword of Conan is, if anything, even better than that magnificent first, with its blazing Neal Adams poster. He adds that the "Lair of the Beast Men" with its "Planet of the Apes" pre-history lesson and the powerful scripting and artwork by Roy and Barry confirmed his hopes that Savage Sword of Conan will set a "headline" for all graphic magazines in the British Isles, as Conan really comes across as a more fully rounded character, even when Roy Thomas allows him to shift a little off centre-stage at several crucial points in the story to make the rest of the cast gain in definition and depth. Gary Lewis RFO, KOF, PMM from Berkshire is very pleased that Marvel brought out two new super mags in Britain, showing that when readers asked for for Conan, the Surfer and the X-Men, they received them. So now he's asking for Captain Marvel, Ghost Rider, Son of Satan, The Inhumans, The Defenders and the Sub-Mariner. "We Marvelites are never satisfied." he jokingly adds. 

Thongor Warrior of lost Lemuria “The Man-monster strikes!”

Writer: George Alec Effinger

Artist: Val Mayerik

Inker: Vince Colletta

Originally published in Creatures on the Loose #23

Cover date May 1972

(Published in February 1972)

The second part of this Thongor tale, see this week's blog intro and last week's blog for more on that, uses the cover from Creatures on the Loose issue 23, by John Romita Jr. as the opening splash page which does fit seamlessly into this weeks action. While being strangled by the Demon of Zangabal, Thongor sees visions of a flashback of why he has come to the lair of Athmar Pong on the errand of the priest Kaman Thuu to steal a Black Mirror owned by the evil magician. Thongor awakens in a prison cell next to Ald Thurmis who was also sent on the same mission.

Thongor frees them from the dungeon and the two look for Thongor's sword and the Black Mirror. Facing the Demon of Zangabal once more, Ald Thurmis is able to stall it long enough for Thongor to recover the talisman known as the Shield of Cathloda and banish the Demon back to Hell. Athmar Phong materialises on his throne. With a magic spell he mobilise the two warriors, slowing changing their flesh to stone. While bragging Athmar Phong presents his black mirror, which holds captive Aqquoonkagua, Prince of Hell. With just enough mobility Thongor managed to throw the talisman at the mirror, shattering it and unleashing the demon who after decades of imprisonment slains Athmar Phong before he leaves, returning to the Ultracosmos. Ald Thurmis and Thongor also depart the terrors of the House of Athmar Phong, but will they return next week. The answer is no, but who will take up the back-up strips place? Find out next week in another week ending blog. Till then...

See you in seven.

Make Mine Marvel.