The voice from the Beehive!

 Week Ending 28th June 1975

The football season is kind of over for a bit, so I should have more time for comics, but life is never going to be as simple as that. There never is enough time in the day for all the comic stuff I want to do. But as Fabrizio Romano likes to say, "Here we go!"

The Mighty World of Marvel #143

I quite like this cover, it very much has a British boy's war comic feel. This original British Marvel cover was penciled by Herb Trimpe as per Nick Caputo of the Grand Comics Database believes and I can certainly see Trimpe style in it. Jason Schachter interviewed Ron Wilson who said that he may have penciled or may have assisted Trimpe in the creation of this cover. I can certainly see Ron Wilson's hand in it too. What they do agree on is Mike Esposito inked this cover. 

The Incredible Hulk “Destination: Nightmare!”

Writer: Archie Goodwin

Artist: Herb Trimpe

Inker: John Severin

Originally published in The Incredible Hulk #155

Cover date September 1972

(Published in June 1972)

From the period of Hulk adventures, from the late 60's and into the 70's Archie Goodwin's name wasn't a writer that I was drawn to, listing Roy Thomas Steve Englehart and Len Wein as vastly  superior writers with inspiring imaginations. But Goodwin can pen a good tale, possibly helped by Roy Thomas's editorial directing and Herb Trimpe's stimulating and inspirational artwork. Just take a look at the opening splash page, Banner has shrunk between the atoms on a voyage into infinity in search of his heart's desire, the green queen of the Micro-verse, Jarella. You can't tell if Banner is bigger than the atoms or are they bigger than him. Trimpe draws this visual puzzle perfectly. 

The next page continues the illusion with a giant sized banner smashing into a planet in one panel, a reptilian foot bearing down on him in the next, followed by Banner cracking his head on a moon. Only to awaken on a pavement in war torn New York City. All beautifully drawn by Trimpe and described with poetic prose by Goodwin. Banners journey through the Micro-verse ceases, but the madness still reigns, as he sees the image of the Empire State Building in a Manhattan skyline with a diving plane, that sports a nazi swastika. Which would have been more at home over the skies of London during the Blitz. Banner transform into the Hulk to deal with the Nazi fighter, using an abandoned truck to smash it out of the sky. An army of Nazi soldiers and a Panzer Tank attack the Hulk, who easily smashes them. As a soldier dies he changes into a strange creature who looks nothing remotely like a human. Meanwhile on Earth a teary Betty Ross seeks comfort from Glenn Talbot over Bruce Banner supposed death.

In the Microworld, the Hulk rescues a US fighter pilot from his crashed plane just before it explodes. Witnessing the green goliath's action a group of soldiers make a truce with him. The soldiers jump to the conclusion that the Hulk is an "off-worlder" like the Führer. They explain that a being known as the Shaper of Worlds, who has the power to make peoples dreams come true. But this world has become a perverted fantasy where the Nazi's have invaded America. The Hulk wonders if the Shaper can help him find Jarella's world, but he's told that the Shaper doesn't do anything until the fantasy is over. With that news the Hulk agrees to join the US soldiers to end the war and so the illusion. The Hulk's involvement swings the war towards US victory. Word of that reaches Otto Kronsteig, a former Nazi scientist who was banished to the Micro-verse by Doctor Doom, after helping Doom design a shrink weapon, first demonstrated on Doom in MWOM #21, to travel to the Mirco-verse. Kromsteig is the current subject whom the Shaper is shaping fantasies for. When Otto voices his doubts over the Shaper's promises, the strange being reminds him that while he has the power to turn fantasy into reality, he is devoid of imagination and as such seeks out other beings to make these fantasies manifest. The only way the Hulk can win this battle is through Otto's doubting mind. The Shaper of Worlds tells Otto that his imagination is enough to defeat the Hulk. The fantasies mount up next week with the introduction of "Captain Axis!"

The Mighty Marvel Mailbag

Raj Samra from Aberdeen livens up the letters page with a Marvel quiz. Here's his questions:-

1) Whom did Fu-Manchu bring up side by side with Shang-Chi and whose great friend did he consequently become?

2) What's the Green Goblin's identity?

3) Which of Daredevil's enemies began life in a costume shop?

4) Name the members of the Frightful Four.

5) Who was the first enemy of The Avengers, after they were formed? (ie After Loki.)

6) Who is the Enchantress' partner in crime?

7) Name Dormammu's sister.

8) Name any 2 other people affected by Gamma Rays, apart from the Hulk.

9) Superman's secret identity.

10) Sam Rosen's secret identity. 

The answers later, not sure about the last two questions. Clive McGuire from Australia thinks with the Hulk story in MWOM #92 has reached new heights of greatness for British Marvel. You have finally broken through to the best in the Hulk's story and art.  Jeremy Smith from Harrogate is puzzled by the title PMM. The editor answers that PMM stands for Permanent Marvelite Maximus and you are awarded it if you already have earned an RFO, KOF, TTB and a QNS. The Mighty Marvel Mailbag also heard from Mark Edley from London, Mark Southwell from Port Talbot, Allan Bellwood from Castleford, Richard Griffiths from Essex, N Pinkerton from Tyne-and-Wear, Alan Milne from Aberdeen, Paul Stott from Bolton, Andrew Gallacher from Dunbarton, Dennis Williams from Birmingham, David Jororson from Colford, D O'Sullivan from Birmingham, A O'Regan from Liverpool, Philip Beasley from Essex, G Ahier from Jersey, C I Garry Selembam from Luton, Martin Ward from Staffordshire, Timothy Hayes from Swindon, Stephen Harris from Solihull. The answers to Raj Samra's question are 1) Midnight. (M'nai). 2) Norman Osborn. 3) The Gladiator. 4) The Wizard, Medusa, Sandman, The Trapster (Paste-Pot Pete). 5)The Space Phantom. 6) The Executioner. 7) Umar. 8) The Leader, The Abomination, Doc Samson. 9) Don't know. 10) Who's Sam Rosen? Isn't number 9 Christopher Cavill or Henry Reeve? 

The Marvel Comic Mart shares a page with the reminder that you could be a "Marvel Super Joker" if you are one of the thousands of Marvel fans on holiday with Butlins every week in the summer of 1975, starting from the 18th of May. To join in with the fun all you need do is tell a joke or a limerick at the jolly Red Coats party and you could win a prize. Every entrant receives a Marvel souvenir, the runners up win a "Make Mine Marvel" badge, while the over-all weekly winner at each holiday centre wins a special Marvel t-shirt. The editor reckons that there'll be one hundred and fifty eight Super-Jokers by the time the summer ends. And at the end of the year the Marvel Super-Joker of the year wins a grand prize of a week's holiday for two at Butlin's next year. 

    

Daredevil “Trapped in time!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: John Tartaglione 

Originally published in Daredevil #41

Cover date June 1968

(Published in April 1968)

The original US title for this story has been changed from the "Death of Mike Murdock" to "Trapped in time!" so as to hold any possible spoilers till next week when the original title makes it's return for the second part. After last week's conclusion Daredevil finds himself trapped in his own personal limbo with no way to escape. Daredevil desperately tries to find a way to pull himself out by increasing his momentum, but we won't discover if it works till next week. 

Meanwhile in our time line in New York, Foggy continues his crusade to learn who was the scientist who had backed the Unholy Three by creating their T-Ray weapons. Foggy has been laying a trap with himself as the bait, by telling all the radio and television  media that he knows who the Exterminator really is. Debbie Harris tries to contact Foggy, but as she is only partially restored she cannot be seen or heard. Foggy walks to a park with a phantom like Debbie following him, still distraught with her ghostlike state. Foggy knows that sooner or later the Unholy Three will make their move, his only defence is a police whistle, which doesn't help him, neither does his own fighting skills when the fiends turn up and capture him. Meanwhile Karen Page goes to Matt Murdocks home in search of Matt, Mike or Daredevil. With a key to the apartment all she finds is a spare Daredevil costume on the bed. Will she find more than she bargains for in next week's "the death of Mike Murdock!"? Find out in seven days.

The Fantastic Four “What lurks behind the Beehive?”

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Joe Sinnott 

Originally published in The Fantastic Four #66

Cover date September 1967

(Published in June 1967)

Alicia has gone missing and Ben asks Reed and Sue to help him find her, starting with a search of her apartment. Frustrated with the lack of results Ben begins beating himself up over his appearance now that Reed has apparently stopped trying to cure him. The Thing angrily lashes out at Reed when he tries to console Ben, who then storms out of the room. Reed reveals to Sue that he hadn't stopped trying to cure Ben, but he'd been keeping his work a secret so not to disappoint his friend when so many attempts lead to failure.

Meanwhile at a secret facility known as the Beehive, a mysterious man arrives with Alicia Masters through a Transfer-Grid via his Space Warpers. He is introduced as Hamilton a member of the Enclave, with three other scientists Zota, Morlak and Shinski. They explain to her that they are all experts in their scientific fields, Doctor Hamilton specialty is medicine, Morlak is a master of nuclear physics, Zota's expertise is electronics and Professor Shinski is an expert on biology and genetics. They need her help with their latest creation. To test her sculpting abilities they take her to a large slab of granite, presenting her with an "electroni-blade" then after feeling  Morlak's face she succeeds in creating a perfect rendition of the scientist. 

Elsewhere we find the Thing brooding in Central Park, where he meets a police officer who notices that he is down and offers to help. Ben isn't interested in any sympathy. Although his mood takes a bit of a turn for the better when a group of adoring fans come to meet him. A woman tells the boys and girls to not pester him, but when Ben thinks that she is warning the children off him she tells him that she was afraid that they might have been annoying him as she thinks he's the bravest, sweetest and most wonderful man in the world. She seals that sentiment with a kiss. With his sense of self-worth renewed, Ben heads back to the Baxter Building. I really love how Jack Kirby deals with Ben Grimm, his a loveable hero who doesn't really understand how much he's loved. So much like Kirby himself. You can see and feel Kirby's influence in his character. This whole story is a love letter from Jack to the Fantastic Four. With the sci-fi action and adventure as well as a street level feel from all the main characters. The best way to sum it all up is "family."

The Human Torch returns to find Crystal unimpressed with his sudden disappearance seen two issues ago. They patch things up when Johnny starts to fool around. Inside Reed is hard at work on a device called a Heat-Image Tracer that will hopefully reconstruct the moments leading up to Alicia's disappearance. Meanwhile, at the Beehive, Zota and the others take Alicia on a tour of the facilities when suddenly there is an explosion out in Lock 41, they explain that they have been working to create an artificial life form. But their creation has broken free from its tank and hid itself deep inside Lock 41, using its fantastic powers to force everyone out with its blinding light. Alicia's blindness isn't affected by it so she can get close to it and create a likeness for them to study. To be continued next week. 

The inside back page features two in-house adverts for the two latest weeklies, the Super-Heroes and the Savage Sword of Conan. The Conan advert is the most interesting because of what it hints at. It reads "An epic hero deserves an epic presentation! See next week's issue for news of a classic book which does justice at last to the scope and thrust of the master of sword and sorcery!" What did readers of the time make of that? Was it going monthly with more pages? Or was it getting printed on better paper with colour pages? Some or my readers will be well aware of what will happen, I'll save that for next week, but that piece of text doesn't match with what's dispatched next week. I imagine what it means by an "epic presentation" won't sit well with some readers. We'll have to wait and see.

Marvel are the masters of "over-hyping", just take a look at last week's in-house teaser when the Hulk offered to match the Web-head at his own game and Count Dracula told readers to "Behold ..." as he had next week "news to frighten you out of your life!" Unless that news was about next week's and the week after's weeklies development, I must assume that this advert is what they were talking about. Previously British Marvel offered a sew on patch of the cover of SMCW #88, as seen advertised in weeklies from the Week Ending the 17th May 1974. As that was said to be so successful the Hulk gets in on the act with the British cover from MWOM #129 by Jim Steranko. For those who missed out on the Spidey Patch there came this limited edition for just one pound, which includes the postage, packaging and VAT. It's a full eleven inches by eight inches, just like the Spidey patch or the comic if you like. The twenty applicants will get their name drawn out of a hat for the choice of numbers one to twenty, then after the numbering will be handled in order of receipt. If the reader wanted a special number Marvel would do their best to oblige. It wouldn't have been the notification I would have expected with all of last week's hype but I did always thought that the cover of MWOM #129 was a real "Smasher!" This advert appears on all of this week's mags save for Spider-man Comic Weekly.

Spider-man Comics Weekly #124

This John Romita Sr. cover originally appeared as the cover of the Amazing Spider-man issue 93 and doesn't look any different to the American version save for the change of the colour of the font from green to red and the Prowler's cape and cowl from grey to a grey shade of purple. I like the dynamic-ness of the scene which really opens up as the reader views the two fighting combatants as they fall down a lift shaft. The jeopardy is really cranked up. I'm going to give this one my Cover of the Week for all those reasons, but there is another cover that runs it pretty close.

Spider-man “Attack of the Prowler!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: John Romita Sr.

Inker: John Romita Sr.

Originally published in the Amazing Spider-man #93

Cover date February 1971

(Published in November 1970)

Keith Pollard's cover from last week's Spider-man Comics Weekly is re used as this week's second part opening splash page with a new title, credit box and re-cap boxes added. Spider-man looks in on Gwen at her home, where he's spotted and attacked by the Prowler. Gwen spots them both so Spidey takes the wise decision to take the fight across the city and away from her.

Were as last week's first half dealt with the emotional side of Peter Parkers life and the impacted his super-hero alter-ego places on it, this week is stripped back to "full on" web-slinging action. And that switch from one to the other is wonderful and most definitely the reason why so many, like myself adore his adventures. John Romita Sr. does get both sides perfectly with the amazing human side and with the sensational action side. Spider-man fights with the Prowler takes them to an elevator shaft, where the Prowler is knocked down the shaft. Spider-man manages to save him from any serious injury with his webbing. He takes his unconscious adversary to the hospital after stripping off Hobie's costume. Once Hobie gets the medical care he needs he calls Hobie's girlfriend Mindy. Mindy tells the unconscious Hobie that she will stick by him no matter what. Spidey decides that in spite of everything that he should reveal his true identity to Gwen. Swinging to Gwen's apartment, the web-slinger learns that Gwen had already left for the airport to go to England. Peter arrives moments too late and watches in agony as her plane takes off. With heartache and sorrow Peter realises that his Spider powers have cost him the girl he loves. Next week "The wings of the wicked!

The Web and the Hammer

Leslie Stannage RFO from Belfast writes an epic letter to this week's TWatH, which starts with comments on Stephen McConagle's letter from SMCW #113, in which Stephen highlighted that some Marvel characters, like The Avengers and Spider-man were certainly more popular than others. Leslie feels that the Fantastic Four are just as if not more popular than them as they quite literally lead the way. They weren't just four super heroes, they where four real people with everyday problems, with good days and bad. They were almost portrayed as real people. Leslie's second point concerns the statement that Daredevil had the cream of the Marvel artists working on him. He writes "no offence to Romita and Colan but it was always Jack Kirby who had the magic in his pencil." The point of Leslie's letter isn't to shoot holes in Stephen's, but instead he writes to defend what he believe to be true. Leslie considers what will happen when British Marvel catches up with the US editions. His solution he puts forward is the formation of a group of artists and writers who will be concerned chiefly with the production of a new set of super heroes for the British market. Each of these new heroes could be developed and featured in one of the existing British mags so that when the American titles are caught up with they can be changed to appear monthly as in the States, however the British mag can continue weekly, perhaps with the possibility of them being reproduced in the states years later. The question that crosses my mind did Leslie Stannage grow up to be the Beano Comic artist of the same name who also comes from Belfast? I asked Lew Stringer if he could be and he seems to think so.  

Anthony Steen from Warrington asks a fairly sensible question, is Iron-Man's muscle on his arms, legs and body just the way his armour is formed, or is it really his own muscles? Steven Gascoigne RFO, KOF from Manchester thought that the Thor story, "The Wrecker Goes Wild" from SMCW #106 was magnificently marvellous. He also writes that the editors shouldn't listen to people who say they want the British Marvel mags in colour, as he has come to the decision that black and white pages improves the artwork. 

The rest of the page is taken up with a new Marvel Comic Mart feature and also a advert for a mail order service from J Campbell for all the latest American imports like Conan, Planet of the Apes, Spider-man and Master of Kung Fu, plus thousands of others in stock. 

 

Iron Man “The golden ghost!”

 Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Frank Giacoia

Originally published in Tales of Suspense #90

Cover date June 1967

(Published in March 1967)

 

After the Melter has escaped from prison as seen last week, the criminal has now broken into Stark Industries and is forcing Tony Stark to build a new melting gun out of Stark Industry technology. Now armed with a new device that melts more than just metal, the Melter flicks the setting to "flesh" and blasts Stark point blank, leaving the millionaire inventor for dead while he goes on a rampage.

Once the Melter had left Tony Stark moves, surviving the Melter's deadly shot due to the Melter's gun being only set to "flesh" and not "iron" when the blast hit Stark's protective iron plate which keeps his heart pumping. Outside the police arrive and a firing match between them and the villain takes place. Inside the factory the reader sees dark shadows where metal clanging can be heard coming from. In that darkness a huge lumbering figure slowly emerges, at first two large iron clad boots step into the light, they look like Iron Man's original armour. To be concluded next week. 

The Mighty Thor “The power of Thor!”

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Vince Colletta

Originally published in The Mighty Thor #158

Cover date November 1968

(Published in September 1968)

This second part of Thor's origin continues with the second part of that tale that in the UK originally appeared in SMCW #1. With the "Part two"'s title "The Power of Thor!" being used as this week's title. That's a great name for a story or blog, I wonder where I've heard that one before? Thor lifts a boulder that was sealing the entrance to the cave. While outside the alien invasion fleet show up on Earth's radar screens as fighter jets are scramble to meet them. The Stone Men of Saturn project an image of a huge dragon to frighten the pilots away. Ground forces fire missiles that explode harmlessly on the ships' force fields. 

"Part 2" with the title "Thor the mighty strikes back!", although originally it would have been "Part 3", sees Thor speed to the Earth's defence, but the aliens drop a cage over him. With incredible strength he rips apart the bars. They aim their disintegration beams at him, but his hammer smashes their guns. They unleash their Mechano-Monster, but he shatters it to bits. The aliens flee in their ships. Soldiers ignore a lame passerby when they look for the invaders. In the retelling Stan decided to edit the text on the final panel of that tale, when in the original issue of Journey into Mystery issue 83 it had a notorious mis-spelling of our heroes name, "Thorr!" 

Following this recounting, Donald Blake begins to think about his further adventures and how they eventually brought him to the fabled realm of Asgard, where his life would never be the same again. He recalls his meeting with Odin, the All-Father, and meeting his allies Balder, Hercules and the Warriors Three, and also recalls his battles against such foes as Loki, Karnilla, the Destroyer, Pluto, Cobra and Ulik. All a bloody good excuse for Jack Kirby to draw some smashing pages recapturing Thor's impressive past. Finally, he ponders the two loves in his life, Jane Foster and the goddess Sif. Blake begins to wonder who he really is, Donald Blake or Thor? And if he is really Donald Blake, a mere mortal granted with the power of the Thunder God, what happened to the original? "The answer!" to all those questions starts next week.

This Dinky toys advert gets a second outing on the back of this week's Spider-man Comics Weekly after it had debuted some weeks ago. The Hulk patch advert, which featured the cover of the Mighty World of Marvel issue 129 is moved to the inside back page. If you don't remember this advert it was for a Hanomag Tank Destroyer with a 88mm Gun, Models numbers 694 and 656. As well as the Swiss PTT bus model number 293. 

Avengers Weekly #93

This cover comes a respectable third this week in my choice of Cover of the Week. Drawn by Barry Windsor-Smith and inked by Frank Giacoia, originally for the cover of Marvel Premiere issue 3 which featured this week's Doctor Strange story. It might in many ways feature too much Doctor Strange imagery that confuses its intended look. Still it's nice that Doctor Strange gets to feature on the Avengers weekly cover again, although I wonder why we haven't seen any more Master of Kung Fu covers for a bit? Has the Kung Fu craze punched itself out? 

Master of Kung Fu “Trapped...in the lair of Fu Manchu!”

Writer: Doug Moench

Artist: John Buscema

Inker: Frank Springer

Originally published in Master of Kung Fu #27

Cover date April 1975

(Published in January 1975)

Gil Kane's original cover from Master of Kung Fu issue 27 is reused as this week's second part opening splash page, with a new credit box, catch-up box and title added. Shang-Chi has broken his way into Fu Manchu's New York headquarters and has started to make his way down through the building. In the bottom of an elevator shaft, he kicks through the wall. Inside the deep labyrinth Fu Manchu informs his Council of Seven that his daughter Fah Lo Suee has found the ruby eyes of Seth-Amon and she plans on using it's hypnotic powers to recruit Si-Fan assassins to her own service. 

Shang-Chi interrupts the meeting to tell his father that there is "one this night who lies in death" before throwing a dragon dagger into the table. Shang-Chi will hold his father accountable for the death of an innocent man who was murdered by it. The seven Council members, of course, attack. John Buscema is obviously very good at fight scenes and even though I was nonplussed with him as thais story's artist, this week I've quickly changed my opinion, seeing the advantage of having Buscema as the Master of Kung Fu's artist.  Shang-Chi levers the first assassin into the second and third. Leaping away from their counter attack, onto a beam. One assassin taunts Shang-Chi saying that he has left his honour behind as he cannot fight them from up there. He is wrong, with a loud "HAAIII" he breaks it in two, as the beam knocks down the fourth and fifth assassins, while he lands on the sixth. The seventh rushes at him, but he gets flipped onto the table. With no one left Shang-Chi asks his father to speak with him.

Fu Manchu leads his son into his laboratory. He says that the betrayal of his son and then his daughter have made him lonely. That Fah Lo Suee has weakened his control over the Si-Fan and it was she who was responsible for the recent attempt on his life. A war is coming, between father and daughter, Devil Doctor and Daughter of Hell. He adds that Shang-Chi will be helplessly caught between it unless he ends it before it begins, by killing his father. Shang-Chi cannot bring himself to do so. Fu Manchu's final words are, "Nothing has changed between us. Nothing." Later, Shang-Chi thinks, "I carry his last words into the cold night, and I walk long in their echo ... until I decide, at last, that once again ... my father has lied to me."A new direction is promised for Shang-Chi in next week's "Death-deal!"

"The monthlies are coming!" That's what it promises with this Marvel in-house advert where you can order a subscription for a year's worth of Marvel US monthlies. That's twelve issue delivered to your door for two pounds and fifty pence. You would have to allow ten weeks for the first delivery which will be sent by "boatmail" from New York. The six choices are all big British Marvel mags lead stars, which does make me wonder isn't that a little counter productive and wouldn't it hit the sales of the weeklies? But you could get the Amazing Spider-man, the Incredible Hulk, Conan the Barbarian, the Avengers, Tomb of Dracula and/or Master of Kung Fu, all in full colour. To me it's a risk of your mag getting lost or damaged in the mail, but if it worked you wouldn't have to worry about the hit and miss distribution at your local newsagent.  

The Avengers “Battle of the behemonths!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: George Klein

Originally published in The Avengers #63

Cover date April 1969

(Published in February 1969)

I'm not sure who drew this new splash page for this second part opener. It could well have been drawn by Jeff Aclin who would go on to draw many opening pages for British Marvel comics. But as much as I try I have no prove who did drew it. Hawkeye decides to take Pym's growth serum and the abandoned Goliath costume to take on the identity of the new Goliath and search for the Black Widow himself.

Following a clue from a distress call made by the Widow the new Goliath rushes to Coney Island, but he's watched by her kidnappers, Egghead, Puppet Master, and the Mad Thinker who are plotting to hold the world hostage with a powerful space station of their own design. Even though their base remains a secret they decide to send out a giant robot to deal with this new giant-sized Avenger. Its sudden appearance holding Black Widow as its captive alerts Goliath, distracting him long enough for Egghead, Puppet Master, and the Mad Thinker to retire to a safer place. The android is programmed to attack large moving objects, so after it knocks down Goliath it heads for the huge Astro-Dome. Goliath rushes after it continuing their battle on the giant ride. Cleverly the giant-sized Avenger suddenly shrinks under the android's thrown fist, causing it to swing wild and fall from the tower, destroying the robot and saving Natasha at the same time. The two lovers leave Coney Island to inform the Avengers of the villains plans. But can they deal with them when next week there's a guest appearance from a "Man from Hawkeye's past!"

Avengers Mailbag

Dirk Charlton RFO from Newcastle-Upon-Tyne gets all the British Marvels except Dracula Lives which doesn't  suit his taste. Dirk thinks that the Avengers are more fantastic than ever. Especially the story where the original Avengers fought the recent members. J Reynolds from County Dublin thinks your mags are great, but one thing bothers him, how do you earn the sets of initials after your name? A quick reminder if you forgot, RFO is a Real Frantic One, a buyer of at least three Marvel mags a week. KOF is a Keeper of The Flame, one who recruits a newcomer to Marvel's ranks. QNS is a Quite 'Nuff Sayer, a fortunate frantic one who's had a letter printed. TTB is a Titanic True Believer, a divinely-inspired No-Prize winner. PMM is a Permanent Marvelite Maximus, which is for anyone possessing all four of the other titles. FFF, is a Fearless Front Facer, an honorary title, bestowed for devotion to Marvel above and beyond the call of duty. David Jordorson RFO, KOF, from London thinks the British Avengers are getting better all the time. He has some recommendations and points, first keep John Buscema. Hurrah for the entrance of the Vision! Please commend Rick Buckler on his superb work on Deathlok the Demolisher. Keep Paul Gulacy on British Shang-Chi, his work in Avengers weekly issue 85 was beautiful! John Green from the West Midlands disagree with Neil Sneddon on two points, first he disagrees with him on his "Kung-Fu rubbish" comment, far more people like kung fu than those who don't. And secondly his last 1974 Awards Section the crummiest British story, John thinks that Iron Man doesn't deserve that award as his story is very good and full of action. Gavin Howie from Staffordshire congratulates Marvel on Avengers weekly #76 which had one of the best stories he's read with the Sons of the Tiger.

Doctor Strange “...In a world gone mad!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Barry Windsor-Smith

Inker: Dan Adkin 

Originally published in Marvel Premiere #3

Cover date July 1969

(Published in April 1969)

It's another splash page from an unknown artist to fill in as a second part opening splash page with a new credit box, catch-up box and a new title. Doctor Strange has realised that the Sanctum Sanctorum had been transported to another realm. He discovers a weird world  where outside he hears a voice calling him. A strange version of himself manifests itself in a tree telling him that he must surrender so that they can all know peace. 

The madness rages on with his image appearing in the woods and the clouds in the sky, all telling him to surrender to the force around him. He uses the Eye of Agamotto to learn the truth, that he was actually struck by the truck, seen last week and is now having emergency surgery in a hospital on Earth, that this strange world is really in the dream world. The entity responsible for this torment is his old foe Nightmare. Doctor Strange battles with his old nemesis, just as the doctors battle to save his life. Nightmare lets slip that someone has tasked him with the Doctor's death, so that his unknown master can take over the world.  Strange battles the demon until he defeats him. But after his victory Strange awakens in the hospital, with some probing question from his doctor. Strange erases the doctor's memories of his mystical abilities. Strange returns to his Sanctum deep in thought over this current puzzle as a dark shadow appears the Sanctum's window, yet unseen by the sorcerer. Next week "Murder by magic!" 

Dracula Lives #36

Now if I gave a "Worst Cover of the Week" award out this one would win it hands down. In fact if there was a Worst Cover of the Year this one would win it by a mile. I like a good Dracula cover as much as the next horror fan but this one is as far as you can be from anything remotely good. It looks like Groucho Marx cosplaying Dracula at a fancy dress party, but like Groucho Marx might have said "I refuse to join any party that would have me as a member." Dracula says on the cover "You came here to destroy me, Blade...But you've only succeeded in killing yourself!" Maybe Blade died laughing at Dracula's look, drawn by Ed Hannigan, who felt proud enough to sign it. Even Mike Esposito inks couldn't save this cover. 

Dracula “Death rides the rails!”

Writer: Marv Wolfman

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Tom Palmer

Originally published in Tomb of Dracula #17

Cover date February 1973

(Published in October 1973)

This week's Dracula tale jumps an issue of Tomb of Dracula missing out the story, "Return from the Grave!" That doesn't get printed in a UK Marvel comic till Marvel UK's Chiller Pocket Book issue 24, released March 1982. It certainly a horrific tale, but only slightly more graphic than what has been printed in Dracula Lives. That story was a typical "B" horror movie, In which a "living skeleton" stalks the streets of London causing concern for Inspector Chelm of Scotland Yard as well as Dracula who sees it as a threat to his plans. Eventually, it turns out that the corpse has been removed from its original grave because someone had found it to be the "perfect burial site" after doing astrological calculations. The corpse has now returned to reclaim its grave.

In this week's tale returning to Paris, Dracula visits a secret location of one of his coffins, so that he can rest for the night. However, he finds this location, like many of his others, has been destroyed. Dracula becomes furious when he's attacked by Blade, who is responsible for the coffins' destruction. Blade attempts to slay Dracula, but the vampire overpowers the slayer. Feeding on the vampire hunter's blood, he leaves him for dead, fleeing into the night to find the next coffin. Dracula travels back to Transylvania, by boarding a train in Germany. Dracula orders the conductor to not let anyone into his quarters, while he leaves to find a fresh victim to feed upon. 

Aboard the train too are Frank Drake and Rachel van Helsing, who have deduced that Dracula will be aboard the train. Also onboard is a man name Gruber and his bodyguard Granet. Gruber has something very important inside a briefcase and is afraid that their enemy is aboard the train and may claim it. However, despite this worry, Gruber sends Granet out to get him a drink. Dracula is walking through the train looking for a drink as well, he passes by the young Jack Russell, who is going to Transylvania for his own reasons, both unaware that fate will have their paths cross in the near future.  Meanwhile in Ireland, the vampire Lucas Brand is set upon by some of Doctor Sun's best warriors, whom he easily defeats. Convinced of Brand's value, Doctor Sun welcomes him into his organisation.

Cryptic Correspondence

Andrew Ross from Middlesex thinks that the cover of Dracula Lives #25 was great, as was the Dracula story in that issue. Stephen Waite from London thinks it's been quite a while since the last poster of Dracula was printed in Dracula Lives. But why haven't any posters of the Werewolf and the Frankenstein monster been printed. Mike Griggs points out that Dracula is supposed to be a strong, ferocious character whose attitude to humans is purely of an edible nature, yet Marv has portrayed him as a being capable of all human emotions, and worse, as a slave to them. Mike wants to see Gerry Conway back as writer as he portrays Dracula like Christopher Lee and Bela Lugosi's version of the vampire lord. Paul Grant from Buckinghamshire thinks that Dracula Lives is the greatest comic he's ever read and Mike Ploog's artwork is great. But there are occasionally mistakes. like when next week's "Monsters of the Movies" is advertised but it doesn't appear.

"Sword and Sorcery tales of the Hyborian age!" It feels a little strange to see so many in-house adverts for the Savage Sword of Conan weekly, especially after (Spoiler!) "you know what" is happening next week. It feels a little bit too late. Which is a shame as great things are coming and there's lots of cool stories to be read and stunning art to look at, like this Alfredo Alcala poster used in the promotion artwork seen here, that was originally printed in the Marvel/Curtis magazine, SavageSword of Conan (US) issue 1, cover dated August 1974, published June 1974.  

Werewolf by Night “Lo, the monster strikes!”

Writer: Marv Wolfman

Artist: Mike Ploog

Inker: Frank Chiaramonte

Originally published in Werewolf by Night #14

Cover date February 1974

(Published in November 1973)

This week's tale starts of with a brief re-cap of events from last week, Taboo required the magic book of sins, the Darkhold, from Jack Russell, but found out that it had been destroyed by the mad monk Aelfric, so the evil sorcerer throws Jack, now in his Werewolf form into a cell with his step father Philip, in the hope that the beast kills him. But instead the two escape, Taboo wants Topaz to transfer Jack life essence into the monstrous body of his son, Algon. But she refuses, in the scuffle she does accidentally transfer Philip Russell's life-force into Algon.  

The Werewolf fights the newly animated Algon until the morning breaks, which turns the Werewolf back into the young Jack who his hopelessly outmatched by Algon strength, so he grabs Topaz demanding that Taboo calls off the beast or the girl dies. The sorcerer orders the girl to control the boys mind but she refuses leading to a stalemate. Jack and Topaz leave with his unconscious step-father, with Taboo pleased that his plans are falling into place. Returning to his home Jack finds his step-father's health deteriorating and the only way to restore his life-force is the death of Algon. In his mosque Taboo prepares a spell as part of the next evolution of his plan, which involves the Skull of Daimon, Guardian of the Eternal Soul! Jack needs to return to the mosque and stop Taboo, but he is being observed by an employee of the shady Committee. Continued next week!   

Frankenstein’s Monster “Trapped in a nightmare”

Writer: Doug Moench

Artist: Val Mayerik

Inker: Klaus Janson

Originally published in The Frankenstein Monster #15

Cover date March 1975

(Published in December 1974)

The original Gil Kane and Mike Esposito cover from the American comic The Frankenstein Monster issue 15 is used as this week's second part opening splash page, with the comic book title, this week's story title and the bottom right text box kept from the original cover, only a new credit box has been added. The Monster and Ralph have been ambushed at Eric Prawn's apartment by Cardinal, an agent of the International Crime Organisations Nexus, and his brutish enforcer, Zandor. They are taken to I.C.O.N.'s secret base establishment.

I.C.O.N wants to study the Monster so they can make their own army of monstrous reanimated corpses. Val Mayerik is a wise choice for artist using very detailed backgrounds in panels to show the base but later employing sparse backgrounds when the action heats up, such as when Eric Prawn breaks in to rescue the Monster and Ralph at I.C.O.N.'s warehouse. Adding to the chaos the Jigsaw Creature smashes into the facility and attacks the Monster. In the end, the Creature is killed, the warehouse burns down and it's Prawn that gets to take the Monster and Ralph to his client at gunpoint. Next week we'll discover that Prawn's client is a female and "the lady's name is Frankenstein!" 

Planet of the Apes #36

Ron Wilson (pencils,) with Mike Esposito (inks,) created this cover specially for the British Planet of the Apes comic to fill a gap created by a four or five times a month UK weekly's high demand over a once monthly US mag. I do think POTA gets some poor covers, especially after last week's brilliant effort this week is a let down. Great to see the Ron Wilson standard trope of a character turning and looking out of the cover in the bottom left cover.

Planet of the Apes “Fateful encounter!”

Writer: Doug Moench

Artist: Alfredo Alcala

Inker: Alfredo Alcala

Originally published in Planet of the Apes (US) #7

Cover date April 1975

(Published in February 1975)

Part two of Beneath the Planet of the Apes re-uses the sixth panel from page 13 of last week's issue and two unseen panels from the original US mag that had been left out of that page. A new title, credit box and re-cap box was added. Nova rides down to Brent who is pleased to see another human's face. The conversation is one way but Brent notices Taylor's dog tags around Nova's neck. He asks her to take him to the missing astronaut, but instead of heading back towards the Forbidden Zone she takes him towards the lush forests that surround the Ape city.

Brent is shocked to see apes herding humans like animals. The astronaut considers that he may have been driven mad by the re-entry forces of his crashed space ship. Covertly the pair hide in the greenery and listen to General Ursus who is marshalling the apes into a force to attack the Forbidden Zone and destroy the mysterious force that affects the senses of simians. Zira opposes those aggressive action, much to the anger of the gorilla soldiers, so much so her husband, Cornelius, is asked to calm her down. Nova leads Brent away, but he steps on a broken branch that cracks, alerting a passing gorilla. Does he discover the pair? Find out next week if they are "Enslaved!"   

Apes Forum

Mike Gribas RFO, KOF, from Hertfordshire doesn't want to complain about POTA as it is excellent, with the exception of "Planet of the Apes". At first it was his favourite magazine, but of late it has dropped in quality. The 'tone' used in the final chapters of "Terror on the Planet of the Apes" was awful. The shading on "Evolutions Nightmare" was so bad he could hardly see it. Another thing wrong with POTA is the back-up features. Again they started off all right with Gullivar Jones and Ka-zar. But now Marvel prints odd horror and sci-fi stories. He suggests that Captain Marvel and War of the World feature in the mag. But "War of the Worlds" had to be dropped, because it was changed from Killraven to Apeslayer to make a new apes adventure. An anonymous reader was jealous when they read a letter from a girl from Leicester who had fallen in love with Galen as she wasn't the only one.  The writer was relieved to think that she wasn't the only girl to fall for any ape. Clive Robinson from York was horrified to read one letter writer who said that the TV reviews and articles on Apes films "clutter up" the mag. Clive feels that they make the comic more interesting. Mrs Christmas also mentions that as well as the Devoted follower of Galen from Leicester isn't the only one to fall for the charms of Galen. Both her young daughter (eight year old) and herself are smitten with him.

The Power of Warlock “The madness of Warlock!”

Writer: Mike Fredrich and Roy Thomas (plot)

Artist: John Buscema, Tom Sutton and Gil Kane

Inker: Tom Sutton

Originally published in The Power of Warlock #2

Cover date October 1972

(Published in July 1972)

Gil Kane's cover from the original Power of Warlock comic issue 2 is used as this week second part opener, keeping Warlock speech balloons but adding a catch-up box credit box and a fresh title. Man-Beast has convinced Warlock through hypnotic means that his friends had betrayed him by denying knowing him and that Counter-Earth must be purged of evil by force. Warlock had lashed out and destroyed the "Nations United" building. When the military oppose his violence things really start to escalate as jet fighters are launched.

Warlock destroys a jet, watching the pilot eject safely to the ground Warlock's actions take a very dark turn as he kills the pilot by destroying his parachute. For the first time Warlock has crossed the line, after taking one life there is now no going back. The endless murder begins, no-one is safe, not President Nixon who was having an early morning briefing, or Party Chief Breznev's late supper, or Chairman Mao's bedtime dreams, all the leaders fro the biggest nations are slaughtered. The military has no option but to use an atom bomb against Warlock. Sacrifice in the lives of any civilians around Warlock the missile hits its target. But still he walks out of the deadly blast. With the world on its knees Warlock faces his once friends, ready to kill them. But he has felt their souls and he cannot kill them, so he snaps out of his rage. His four young friends somehow merge, transforming into the Man-Beast, revealing that it was all an illusion to shatter Warlock's soul. Warlock and the Man-Beast clash but Warlock proves to be stronger, the Man-Beast disappears in a blinding flash. Adam is reunited with his friends with some hope for the future.

This full page feature, "The Apes on TV" is pretty much a promo for any of the ITV networks that had been showing any re-runs of the Planet of the Apes TV series. With little news on which stations are showing the repeats and no new information on the series all this page has to show is a couple of photos from the series. The first is of Virdon, Burke and Galen as played by Ron Harper, James Naughton and Roddy McDowall respectively. Followed by a photo from the episode called "The Trap" featuring Virdon again and the gorilla called Urko as played by Mark Lenard.  

The golden voyage of Sinbad 

Writer: Len Wein 

Artist: George Tuska

Inker: Vince Colletta

Originally published in Worlds Unknown #7

Cover date June 1972

(Published in March 1972)

This second part Sinbad story opens with the symbolic cover from Worlds Unknown issue 7 by penciler George Tuska and inker Vince Colletta, with modifications by John Romita Sr. who possibly made corrections to the actor's faces seen because of copyright reasons. The title and the "sword and sorcery" text circle are kept, but the text in the square box near the bottom right is changed to read "Based on the thrilling film by Columbia Pictures!" New credit and catch-up boxes are added. 

In the streets of Marabia Sinbad meets Hakim in the market place who has an offer for Sinbad. Hakim's son is a lazy waster named Haroun, who spends too much time and money on girls and wine, so his father offer Sinbad two-hundred coins to take him with him on his voyage. Sinbad declines, the offer is increased to three-hundred, but still the answer is no. Halim's servant girl enters and Sinbad recognises the girl from his dream. Her name is Margiana. Seeing Sinbad's interest in the girl, her master offers Sinbad four-hundred coins and Margiana in exchange for taking his lazy son on the journey to make a man out of him. Reluctantly Sinbad agrees.  The Grand Vizier of Marabia and Margiana board the ship, once sail is set the drunken Haroun wakes up, mourning the fact that he will be an old man before he sees home again, at least the age of twenty-two. Meanwhile, Koura has hired a ship to follow Sinbad, but he is spotted. Koura does look incredibly like Tom Baker, I wonder why that artistic choice wasn't changed? Sinbad sails into a sea of mists which the other ship cant's follow. Koura uses magic to animate the wooden siren figurehead from Sinbad's ship, to steal their map. Allowing Koura's ship to follow Sinbad's journey to Lemuria.

The Super-heroes #17

Now this cover was very close to being my Cover of the Week, by Kieth Pollard (pencils,) and Mike Esposito (inks,) especially for this British mag, the likenesses of the Fantastic Four and the Silver Surfer are spot on. It's a great effort, nearly as good enough to feature on a US cover. I hate to have to say that as the standard for a British Cover should be the same as a US cover, but sadly corners and budgets are cut for the high turn over weeklies.

Silver Surfer “..And who shall mourn for him?”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: John Buscema

Inker: Sal Buscema

Originally published in Silver Surfer #5

Cover date April 1969

(Published in January 1969)

Following last week's Silver Surfer adventure that was originally taken from the Silver Surfer (US) issue 18, the last issue in that series, British Marvel jumps backwards to the fifth US comic's issue, which had possibly been left out of the original running order so that the Stranger could make his debut in the X-Men strip two week's ago. Alright he had already appeared two year earlier in MWOM #37. It's early morning at the Baxter Building and someone has stolen Reed’s space-scrambler. But before the Human Torch can catch up with the mysterious thief he speeds off into space. John Buscema show here why he was an excellent replacement for Kirby as the artist on the Fantastic Four. It's a pitch perfect effort.

The Silver Surfer was actually the thief, who had hoped to use the devise to break through Galactus’ barrier. Unfortunately, the device malfunctions and explodes, knocking him unconscious and sending him back to Earth. He wakes up in the house of Al Harper, who while walking in the woods discovered him. Harper, a physicist, agrees to help him breach the barrier, but he'll need money to create a device to do so. The Surfer dons human clothing to find a job at various employment agencies to earn the money needed. But due to his lack of work experience, lack of proof of identity and his alien looks, no one wants to take a chance and give him a job. 

Next, he breaks into a bank to steel the funds, but quickly realises that doing so would wrong. A security guard spots him and tries to stop him. The Surfer erases his memories of the incident and fixes the damage that he had done. Out in a near-by alley, he meets a man who had been roughed up after being thrown out of an illegal gambling room because he discovered that the game was rigged. He lost all his money during the altercation. The Surfer insists that he show him the establishment. Using his cosmic powers to control the dice he wins a large amount of money. However, the operators are not impressed with having lost so much money and beat up the Surfer. The man who told the Surfer about the gambling room tries to stop them but they try to run him over when the Surfer intervenes, destroying the car. He gives the man some of his winnings and returns to Harper with the rest. Harper has started to build a device that can disguise the Silver Surfer’s molecular structure and thus enable him to cross Galactus’ barrier. He sores off into space to try it out. The blasts attract the attention of the Stranger. As the crucial moment  draws near the Surfer will discover "The power and the fury of the Stranger!"

Cosmic Communications

Another epic letter gets printed this week, this time from Mike Mittelstadt RFO, QNS, FFF from Bedfordshire who after reading the X-Men adventures takes a nostalgic trip down memory lane to November in 1968 and the classic Power comic, FANTASTIC issue 59 printed an X-Men story that featured the characters from the Coffee-A-Go-Go. Mike laments about those good old days after reading a handful of issues brought back memories of a facet of Marvel that has since been all but forgotten, despite the efforts of the editorial staff, Alf, Bart and the rest of the "Garret Gang'" to disguise the fact that those stories in FANTASTIC were Marvel, even though the credits where eliminated, with any other use of Americanisms in the text. He admits that Power comics had their faults, as does British Marvel. FANTASTIC had no glossy cover, but thankfully it had no ugly grey tone either. They didn't give No-Prizes, or ranks of Marveldom, as at that time there weren't any, but you got a Thor t-shirt for having a letter published! With today's British Marvel version the Super-Heroes offers the half-hearted Stan Lee/Jack Kirby adventures, which came first. as little more than a cheap imitation of the Fantastic Four. a series indistinguishable from all the other Stan Lee creations at that time. Wasn't it Roy Thomas who rang the changes that make the coming era worth waiting for. Mike believes that the Thomas/Werner Roth/John Tartaglione team was the best combination of talent the X-Men ever saw. Those stories may come straight out of art school with their fancy notions, but they may turn crazes like "Kung-Fu" and "Apes" into movies, but they'll never come anywhere near the entertainment value of those X-Men stories! I have to add wouldn't it be amazing if they made the X-Men into films? Wink wink! The editor gives quite a big reply to Mike's letter, joining him on a stroll down memory lane, while revealing that the editors of those old Power comics, Alf, Bart and Cos were really Alf Wallace, who is still editorially linked to the current British Marvel mags, Bob Bartholomew and Al Cossor, known to one and all as Cos.

The X-Men “The origin of Professor X!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby and Alex Toth 

Inker: Vince Colletta

Originally published in The X-Men #12

Cover date July 1964

(Published in May 1964)

The X-Men are alerted to Cerebro's intruder alert. The Professor orders his students to set up fortifications as whoever the intruder is they are extremely powerful. Quickly the team set up defences including an ice wall, a live-wire lined trench and fence posts rigged with grenades. Returning to the Professor, the group are shocked to learn that their attacker is none other than Xavier's own brother.

The Professor tells the X-Men about his father, a nuclear research scientist, who was accidentally killed during a nuclear bomb test in the New Mexico desert. His father's work colleague, Kurt Marko, had been unable to save him, but he did come to comfort Charles's mother at his father's funeral. Charles knew of Kurt Marko's less than noble intentions to take his parent's wealth, position, and property. Soon Kurt moved into the Xavier mansion and married Charles’s mother. Kurt became a ruthless and verbally abusive step-parent, shunning his new family for his work. During this time Kurt's true motives would come out. Marko's son from his first marriage came to live with them. Cain was an unruly child who had been expelled from school and would bully his younger step brother. Cain had argued with his father over money. Cain suggested that his father had orchestrated the death of Charles's father which Kurt flatly denied. Charles confronted them, but during a moment of tension, Cain throw dangerous chemicals at Charles causing a fire. Kurt Marko rescued the boys but later died. Cain's advancement on the mansion progresses, easily smashing through the ice wall and overcoming the electro-magnetic live wire with some ease. Recalling his past Charles remembers after his step-father's funeral Cain had also tried to kill him in a car crash. The origin of the Professor and the Juggernaut continues next week.

Savage Sword of Conan #17

I mentioned earlier that generally the standard of artwork for an American cover was higher than a British cover, at least at this point in history, but even original American covers has poorer efforts sometimes, like this Conan cover. I might have thought that it had been commissioned for a British weekly if I didn't already know that it originally appeared on the front of the US edition of Conan the Barbarian issue 17. What's even more strange is that the artist is Gil Kane who during the seventies was one of Marvel greatest cover artists. Well I guess that everyone is entitled to an off day. Frank Brunner inked Kane's artwork. 

Conan the Barbarian “The Gods of Bal-Sagoth”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Gil Kane

Inker: Ralph Reese

Originally published in Conan the Barbarian #17

Cover date August 1972

(Published in May 1972)

The next story to follow on in the American version of Conan the Barbarian comic would have been "The Frost Giant's Daughter" that had been reprinted from the Marvel/Curtis magazine Savage Tales issue 1, cover dated May 1971, published January 1971. It's a pity that it wasn't printed in this weekly because it's an absolute classic, but I suppose that the adult themes and images wouldn't have been considered suitable for this comic's supposed age group. British Marvel readers could still read that classic even if they didn't have the American versions of it. It was printed in Marvel Comic, issues 335 and 336, week ending the 28th March 1979 and the 4th May 1979. As well as in the Marvel UK Conan the Barbarian Pocket Book issue 6, April 1981 and much later in Havoc issues 1 and 2, cover dated 13th July 1991 and 20th July 1991 respectively. If you've got any of them you should read it that story is brilliant.

What was published is Roy Thomas and new Conan artist, Gil Kane's “The Gods of Bal-Sagoth”, which was adapted from the Robert E Howard story of the same name, which was originally published in the American fantasy and horror fiction pulp magazine, Weird Tales in October 1931. Conan sails on a Turanian galley on the Vilayet sea when it is attacked by a pirate crew led by the pirate Fafnir, whom he met briefly, in Shadizar some months ago. Conan's crew is defeated and killed, but Conan is pressed into service of the pirates. However, the ship runs aground on a hidden reef only Conan and Fafnir make it to shore. They fight for a minute, then realise there is no real reason to fight anyway. Together, they rescue a girl from a dinosaur-like monster. The girl, Kyrie, reveals that the two are on the ancient island Bal-Sagoth. She was also shipwrecked on the island but, as she had scarlet hair like the sea-goddess Aala, was taken as an object of worship.

The high priest Gothan, however, took over and killed those loyal to Kyrie, and dumped the girl on the lagoon to be killed. Fafnir and Conan, desperate for food, agree to help Kyrie get her kingdom back and fulfilling an ancient prophecy. The three reach the imposing castle, marching right in with swagger that relied on the power of the prophecy of two men from the sea who will destroy the reptile guardian. Gothan's puppet king, Ska, has his champion, Vertorix, challenge Conan to a duel. After a brief battle, the onlookers discover that Vertorix is an empty suit of armour that fights like a man! Kyrie realises that Gothan controls the armour, and using her mirrored headdress, reflects the sun into Gothan's eyes, causing him to lose concentration. The armour crumbles to the ground and Gothan and Ska flee, leaving Kyrie, Fafnir, and Conan in charge. Conan considers that this land is a good a place as any to make a kingdom, but perhaps he would feel differently about it when next week he must face "The thing in the temple!"

The Hyborian Page

Barry Lewis from Tyne-and-Wear write sombrely that there's an atmosphere of near-tangibility and all-pervading truculence about Conan, which says a lot for Howard's creative genius that he conceived, contrived and executed the life of Conan with such forcefulness. If only the novelist hadn't committed suicide. Thankfully there are others who carried on the legend, keeping a great hero from the blanket of obscurity. Two of them, L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter have revised Howard's stories with great effect, writing stories from mere fragmentary notes, even together or singularly, stories from their own fertile imaginations, with great success. But never with such regularity as Marvel's own Roy Thomas, who has done more for the sales of the Lancer Book paperbacks than any other, working outside them. Barry salutes Roy for his devotion to Marvel, and in particular Conan. Timothy Keating from London is a longstanding Conan fan who was happy to see the British editions of Conan's comic. B R Tilt from Birmingham also was pleased to discover Savage Sword of Conan weekly, especially the Kull stories and Barry Windsor-Smith's artwork on Conan. 

Kull the Conqueror “A kingdom by the sea!”

Writer: Gerry Conway

Artist: Marie Severin

Inker: John Severin

Originally published in Kull the Conqueror #5

Cover date November 1972

(Published in August 1972)

King Kull is out in the forest hunting when another arrow hits his pray, fired by a poacher who tells Kull that it was his arrow that felled the stag, as he throws a dagger towards the king. It was not intended for Kull, but instead hits a boar that had started to charge toward Kull. H'nar had saved him and agrees to let Kull keep the stag. H'Nar and Kull meet again but this time in King Kull's royal court, as H'nar the prince regent of Demascar, who requires help from Valusian.

Kull and his armies travel to Demascar, but the Valusians are attacked by demons. Kull believes he has been lied to about Demascar's enemies and their use of black sorcery, still after an argument Kull agrees to fulfil his promise to H'nar. A girl called Krista shows Kull the plight of her people with a dream crystal. Revealing how Demascar's mad mage Kakar, had become so powerful none could resist. After she leaves Kull has loads to ponder upon that didn't make sense. 

Come back next week and see if Kull or myself can make sense of the second part. I'm off now to study it and all the other fantastic tales from and batch of Marvel weeklies, to make some sense out of all that stuff and nonsense. Till then...

See you in seven.

Make Mine Marvel.