Week Ending 4th October 1975
Regular Power of the Beesting reader Mark Lotinga asked after last week's blog, "....And so it end...Only joking!", if I had an idea or vision for how far I would go with the blog before finding a good point to end it? Perhaps with a date or an issue? Well the thing is some days it's a slog, especially if that week's comics are uneventful, with bland stories, disappointing art and uninteresting covers, then I wonder should I end it? Some days the mags are really great, but I get lost down a rabbit hole of research that slows down my writing progress and that can become a pain and I think it's too much. Some days the stories are great and a joy to read, the research is forthcoming and the writing just flows and I get a real kick out of it. Originally I looked ahead to the start of Spider-man Comics Weekly and onto the Sinister Six tale. Then on to the Avengers weekly. But I wanted to deal with events, some of which were seen as controversial like when all the mags got glossy covers, when Shang-Chi joined the Avengers and further still the Apeslayer saga. When Dracula Lives and Planet of the Apes came with what was another milestone that I had earmarked. With that came more pressure. I wanted to write about the Silver Surfer, the Super-Heroes issue 27 and Conan in his own weekly and later its merger with the Avengers. Theirs still more milestones to go. Very soon there'll be the Titans and the landscape format. Britain's first Super-Hero to get his own comic with Captain Britain. A British Marvel War comic in Fury, I must admit I'm less excited about that one. There are interviews with pop-star marvel fans, yearly mastermind competitions. New weeklies for the Fantastic Four and the Defenders. There's monthlies galore, a Marvel Revolution lead by Dez. More original comic strips by British writers and artists than you can shake a rolled up copy of Warrior or 2000AD at. There's science fiction mags and silly mags, pocket mags and specials, there's mergers without end. The milestones go on and on, so barring events beyond my control I think there's enough to keep going till I reach February 1986. Who knows even then there may be more. I've just got to get past the 17th July 1976, or is it the 27th November 1976. But all that's in the future, or is it the past? Speaking of the past, lets get on with the week ending the 4th of October 1975
The Mighty World of Marvel #157
It quite a smart design for this week's Mighty World of Marvel cover, penciled by Dave Hunt and inked by Duffy Vohland. I love the way a giant sized Hulk holding up Daredevil in one hand and the Fantastic Four in the other, with I think it's fair to say a broad smile on his face. The top tagline boasts its "Britain's No.1 Comics Magazine!" that's quite a swaggering statement, but you know it could be right!
The Incredible Hulk “The Hulk at bay!”
Writer: Steve Englehart
Artist: Herb Trimpe
Inker: Sal Trapani
Originally published in The Incredible Hulk #159
Cover date January 1973
(Published in October 1972)
The Mighty Marvel Mailbag
20. Bad Moon Rising-Jack Russell/Werewolf By Night.
19. Born with a Smile on My Face-Stan.
18. Good Vibrations-Daredevil.
17. You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet-Invisible Girl.
Danny Harrington from County Cork gives his opinions on the six current Marvel mags. MWOM is great with the Hulk improving, Daredevil good, but the Fantastic Four are the best in the comic. SMCW is his favourite comic and Spidey his favourite strip, with both Iron Man and Thor getting better all the time. In the Avengers weekly "Kung Fu is good" but he would like to see Shang-Chi battle different people. The Avengers are "top-grade". Doctor Strange is getting better but he too needs to change opponents. POTA is good, he enjoyed the mediaeval one and the "Beneath the..." looked great. Warlock is good too. Dracula Lives is not bad, the Werewolf by Night is good, Frankenstein isn't. And finally the Super-Heroes, the Silver Surfer is great as he would have expected. The X-Men are coming along fine. The last letter in the Mighty Marvel Mailbag comes from Jim, Jim who you ask, well it doesn't say but by judging from the suggested length of the letter before it was cut to a third I'll hazard a guess at Jim Ivers. He gives is version of how Matt Murdock became the man a without fear! This week Marvel also heard from, Geoffrey Talent from Merseyside, Terry Allen, RFO, KOF, from Worcestershire, Philip Loy from Birmingham, Mark Bryant from Berkshire, Bian Smythe RFO, KOF, from London, Bobby Lang from Leyland, John Tomlinson from Oldham, Andre Smith from Surrey, B Kass, from Leeds, Robert Sutcliffe from Halifax, A Moreton from Staffordshire, Derwyn Jones from Wrexham and Grahame Broadbent RFO, KOF, QNS from County Cleveland.
It turns out that the mob aren't pleased that New York could get a Law and Order DA, so they hire the Stilt-Man to "take care of" Foggy. Daredevil fights them to find out more information on the hit, but when they try to escape Daredevil doesn't stop them until they think they are clear and let slip where and when the hit will take place. Gene Colan is brilliant at showcasing the man without fear's sensory powers and his prowess as an athletic fighter. There's only seven pages of Daredevil this week, with no super-villains and no civilian side story and yet I loved all seven pages. Colan knows what makes Daredevil tick and delivers it week in, week out. Daredevil waits till the last minute to dodge the speeding car to find out that the hit is on for tonight at the offices of Murdock and Nelson. When Matt turns up at the office he can smell the unforgettable perfume of...find out next week!
Writer: Stan Lee
When the Android attacks, Johnny tries to use his flame powers, but it counteracts that by coating its body in ice, which freezes Johnny and knocks him out, the android then attempts to throw him out of the building, only to be stopped at the last moment by Reed who saves Johnny's life. Reed then lured the Android into his space-time laboratory, where he sends it hurtling through the open portal into the Negative Zone, ending its threat. In the aftermath Reed rushes to his wife's side. Crystal arrives and checks up on Ben and Johnny. The conclusion to this story sees Reed informing the team that due to the constant danger that threatens his pregnant wife both he and Sue are going to quit the Fantastic Four. Meaning the end of the Fantastic Four! Continued next week I hope!
This cover is sensational, penciled by John Romita Sr. and inked by Frank Giacoia, signed JR and FG respectively, it originally featured as the cover of the Amazing Spider-man issue 100. Spidey crawls over negative images of a whole host of friends and foes. The 100th anniversary banner is removed for obvious reasons, but it also removed a teaser, or spoiler, that read "with the wildest shocking-ending of all time!" Without that edit I noticed that Mary Jane would have featured more, not as much as Gwen, but still. I think that Romita always had a thing for MJ. The American edition featured in the comic galleries from the Sega CD version video game The Amazing Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin from 1991 and the Nintendo 64 Spider-Man game from 2000.
Writer: Stan Lee
Stephen McGonagle from Dunbartonshire comes to the defence of his letter from SMCW #113 after Leslie Stannage question some of it in her letter printed in SMCW #124. Stephen regrets his statement over the Fantastic Four, although he does still think that their popularity was because they were a forerunner in a new trend of comics. His preferences to artists were John Romita Sr. and Gene Colan, so try as he might he could never make himself a fan of Jack Kirby's. To dig deeper into that that he uses comparing John Buscema's work in the Silver Surfer to Jack Kirby's, adding that he thinks you'll agree that Big John was the better of the two. He thinks that it was a shame that he never mentioned Neal Adams work in more detail especially Adams's short runs on the Avengers and the X-Men. He believes he thoroughly deserves his ACBA award for best artist. Ivor Davies RFO, KOF, QNS, also from Dunbartonshire questions Paul Mount who wrote in complaining about the "infernal shiny cover" in MWOM #136, was this guy a Hotspur fan or a DC spy trying to topple the great Marvel empire? Ivor thinks the British Marvel comics have been improving all the time. David Scott from Huddersfield has been living in the "Mighty World of Marvelsville" of the past three years. He'll soon be leaving home but will carry the good book Marvel with him so that "whose renowned and prophetic pages enforce the superiority of good over evil in truly superb graphical style." Mark Bradshaw from Middlesex finds himself asking the question "why is Peter Parker Spider-man?" So in an answer he points out the many reasons why he shouldn't be, from his Uncle's death, Jameson's constant public abuse, how being a super-hero has ruined his social life and his education and has come between his girlfriend and him. Mark doesn't think he's subconsciously a sadomasochist and actually enjoys hurting himself and his friends. Instead his theory is that being Spider-man is a drug to Peter. Fun to begin with, but now turned sour. Peter's hooked and there is no way he can kick it. That's pretty deep for a kids comic in 1975.
Mark Jones from Cheshire wants to know if the Superman/ Spiderman team-up will be on sale in Britain. The answer is yes. David Evven TTB, from Leicester writes in answer to Duncan Philips and Lloyd Roberts, "Duncan is using the Einstein
In the panic as cascades of water fall Jasper temporarily loses his glasses when he hears a woman calling for help. Finding his glasses he identifies her as one of the women who had been looking for Stark at his factory back in SMCW #135. Using his SHIELD airborne jump school training he picks her up and leaps into the ocean where he radios a SHIELD jet-assisted hover-craft to pick them up. The craft is manned by Nick Fury, Dum Dum Dugan and Gabe Jones, who Sitwell makes his report to. When Fury asks who the lady is she tells him that she is Whitney Frost, an apparent socialite and admirer of Tony Stark. After landing Whitney kisses Sitwell to show her gratitude for saving her, but later in her room Whitney is revealed to be the Big M, leader of the Maggia, looking to gain access to Tony Stark's super weapons which she believes she will be able to do now with Sitwell's help. Many readers will know who Whitney Frost really is and who her connections are, but I won't give anything away as these Iron Man adventures are starting to get better. Elsewhere Iron Man's conscious body is taken to AIM's leader Mordius!
Him explains that since he has risen he feels lonely and seeks out a mate, choosing Sif for that role. Naturally Thor and Balder try to stop Him from taking Sif away, however they are easily batted away, as Him teleports away with Sif. Furious Thor with the power of Mjolnir follows Him. In Asgard, Odin with one of his scientists continues to research the origins of Galactus, seeking out the world that spawn Galactus. Meanwhile in unnamed place, Thor and Balder have tracked down Him and Sif. When Thor attempts to directly attack Him, he is struck down with an energy blast. Balder then moves to save Sif only to be interrupted by the sudden appearance of Haag who uses a giant hand to pull Balder back to Asgard. Thor is forced to come to Balder's aid, saving his friend and banishing Haag back to Asgard by closeing the portal which she had opened with the power of his hammer. With this new threat vanquished, Thor turns only to find in the confusion Him had escaped with Sif. Undaunted, Thor vows to not only get his beloved back, but get vengeance against Him. Next week "a god berserk!"
In the Turanian camps, Yezdigerd consults with his adviser Sulimar as they prepare for the final push, which is made easier since Pah-Dishah's mercenaries have followed Red Sonja lead and left Makkalet. Yezdigerd receives predictions from his priests about a griffin and a serpent, interpreted as being Turan and Makkalet, but also of a horse and walking swords. Yezdigerdconsiders it to be mumbo-jumbo, but that sort of nonsense helps strengthen his men's belief. The armies prepare for battle. Back inside the castle, Akkad questions the meaning of the mirror's image, but Conan has no idea what he's talking about. Akkad forces Conan to look into a mirror, but all he sees a skeletal version of himself, just before the mirror becomes a portal to another dimension and a tentacled monster reaches out.
John Fitch from Glasgow is an older reader who has been buying Marvel Mags since 1968 with Fantastic and Terrific. He can't forgive Marvel for reducing the length of the Conan Strip to half each week. John Gradorge RFO, KOF, says that the Yankee mags are flooding into the shops, if people want them they should try getting them in WH Smith's or underground station newsagents. Oh those were the days. Elwy Jones from Wigan, (I think that should be Glyn Jones from Wigan, but I could be wrong.) disagrees with Steven Harris when he said that there was an error because in Avengers weekly #1 Captain America had his costume on but in issue 77 he was portrayed falling into the sea in civilian clothing. Well, if you look at Avengers #1, you'll notice Cap has tatters of other clothing on him. And in #77, Zemo puts army uniforms, not civilian clothing on Cap and Bucky, because he despises the star-studded costume of Captain America that he must die in coarser, common clothes." The Original Boris writes again, first that the new Doctor Strange stories are just incredible, although they'll soon catch up with the American comics in the next couple of months, so may be the Defenders would be a good replacement. Iron-Fist/Shang-Chi stories are going to catch up on those too. Boris suggests Ant-Man or Giant-Man would make good replacements, Just check out the Super-Heroes this week Boris.
Richard Owusu (alias Critciser) from London critiques the artwork from the Avenger strip in issue 95 and also points out the questionable way that the vision flies in that story in which he needs an artificial form of propulsion in space, suggesting that he hasn't a form of his own. If this is so, merely lowering one's density enough to float on air would not give him control over his direction in flight. Ian Clark from London proves Steven Lloyds' No-Prize win in Avengers weekly #96 wrong by saying that Captain Marvel won't appear in #79 because of the demise of the Fantastic Four the Sentry wouldn't have been destroyed and Ronan wouldnt have been dispatched by the Kree, so Mar-Vell also wouldn't have also. Next a letter from an unsigned writer says he likes the large number of guest stars that are appearing in all the strips. W Pierce from Lancashire wants to know why the Hulk is sometimes shown as one of the original Avengers? It's because he was! Vaughan Russell from Middlesex who disagrees with the large number of readers who want to see Doctor Strange dropped, as he has always been a personal favourite of his and the development of his character has been finely-wrought.
16. Kill Queen-Karnilla.
15. One Bad Apple-Maximus The Mad.
14. Light My Fire-Human Torch.
13. Disco Stomp-Gorgon.
12. Misty-Dracula.
11. Silence is Golden-Black Bolt.
10. Pick up The Pieces-Sandman.
9. Love Me, Love My Dog-Crystal.
8. Stand by Your Man-Betty Ross.
7. Imagine me, Imagine You-MasterMind.
6. Young Americans—X-Men.
5. At The Hop-The Toad.
4. Magic-Doctor Strange.
3. Bend me. Shape Me-Mister Fantastic.
2. The Wild One-Conan the Barbarian.
1. Leader of The Pack-Ghost Rider.
Daredevil “Farewell to Foggy!”
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Gene Colan
Inker: George Klein
Originally published in Daredevil #48
Cover date January 1969
(Published in November 1968)
This week's Daredevil tale promises the spine-chilling challenge of the Stilt-Man! Although he doesn't appear in this week's first half, what we get is DareDevil doing some high swinging action as he over hears news on the grapevine that there is a hit out for Foggy Nelson, who at the time is riding high in the opinion polls to be the next District Attorney in the up coming election. This opening splash page is brilliant as it shows what could be a boring plot into a dynamic page, thanks to Gene Colan's fantastic story telling talent.
It turns out that the mob aren't pleased that New York could get a Law and Order DA, so they hire the Stilt-Man to "take care of" Foggy. Daredevil fights them to find out more information on the hit, but when they try to escape Daredevil doesn't stop them until they think they are clear and let slip where and when the hit will take place. Gene Colan is brilliant at showcasing the man without fear's sensory powers and his prowess as an athletic fighter. There's only seven pages of Daredevil this week, with no super-villains and no civilian side story and yet I loved all seven pages. Colan knows what makes Daredevil tick and delivers it week in, week out. Daredevil waits till the last minute to dodge the speeding car to find out that the hit is on for tonight at the offices of Murdock and Nelson. When Matt turns up at the office he can smell the unforgettable perfume of...find out next week!
A page full of in-house adverts starting with a teaser for next week's Spider-man Comics Weekly showcasing Iron Man battling against the hordes of of A.I.M. And a little tease that Thor must face death in Asgard! The big spoiler is that six arms won't help Spider-man against Morbius the living vampire! I hope that Spidey fans read his comic before they spotted this ad. It even says "On sale now!" which was a little premature, did readers rush down to their newsagents to find out it would be next week? Anyway a two armed Spider-man in the lower promo asks "What brings Stan Lee to London in October?" Somethings brewing and what new sensation announcement Stan will reveal will be seen next week. But Avengers weekly and Dracula Lives readers will find out this week, see later in this blog.
The Fantastic Four “Overkill”
Artist: Jack Kirby
Inker: Joe Sinnott
Originally published in The Fantastic Four #71
Cover date February 1968
(Published in November 1967)
The dynamic cover from the Fantastic Four (US edition,) issue 71 is repurposed for this week's second half opening splash page. A new story title is squeezed in at the top while a credit box has to make do with the middle of the page, I kind of think that the credits should have been at the bottom in a long panel. Johnny and Reed come to still believing that the Thing is still under the Thinker's control and has been attacking Sue so foolishly they "come to her rescue" by attacking Ben. Sue quickly informs them that the real problem is the Mad Thinker's deadly Android.
By the fourth page Reed, Johnny and the readers should be up to date and there should be no more confusion. Sadly for the British readers there still is confusion as pages 24 and 25 have been swapped with each other. Instead of showing the Thinkers Android rising up from the streets below the Baxter Building, then catching the Thing and the Torch by surprise we get to see the two heroes sneakily attacked by the Android and then see him rise from the pavement levitating to the FF's penthouse. I blame the printers, or did the editor send it to them in the wrong order?
I love the design of this Android, it's one of Kirby's best. He resists the temptation of making it big and bulky instead he's slim-lined and cool. With tiny little jets from his feet and retractable disintegrator guns from its mouth. How cool and how deadly is that? One of the first times I saw this version of the Thinker's Android was in Marvel UK's Spider-man issue 546 and 547, cover dated the 24th and 31st of September 1983 some eight years later. There it was drawn by John Romita Jr. who kept all of Jack Kirby's design which at the time I thought was John Jr.'s, but I was delighted to find out later that the King ruled!
Spider-man Comics Weekly #138
Spider-man “Deadly dreams of madness!”
Artist: Gil Kane
Inker: Frank Giacoia
Originally published in the Amazing Spider-man #100
Cover date September 1971
(Published in June 1971)
This week's second part features a new splash page with a new story title catch-up box and credit box, but without any indication of who its creator was. Here Spider-man fights three phantom foes, even though the Goblin and Doc Ock haven't appeared yet. As the page turns last week sneak attack turns out to have been the Lizard who Spider-man struggles with at first, before wrapping webbing around the man-monster's mouth. He leaves the Lizard to seek out the person he hears calling for help.
He's next attacked by the Green Goblin, who Spider-man quickly knocks off his glider. Moments later, he is attacked by Doctor Octopus. Like with the other foes, Spidey knocks him out with reasonably quick ease so that he can continues on his trek over the rooftops to find the mysterious voice. As he fights he feels discomfort and then pain in his sides. Confronting him next is the Kingpin, but despite the villain's great strength, Spider-man defeats him too.
Finally Spider-man reaches the voice that has been calling throughout his feverish dream. A face starts to take shape and to his surprise becomes the spirit of Captain George Stacy floating in the air. Stacy tells Spider-man that he knows his secret, that he is really Peter Parker. He implores Peter to keep his powers to continue fighting against the forces of evil, even though he has tortured himself by trying to live a normal life, but he cannot. He must accept the fact that he is Spider-man, which is a blessing and a curse. Suddenly, Peter wakes and realises that it was all a dream. He begins regretting drinking his formula without testing it first as his sides have become incredibly itchy. Removing his sweater, Peter is shocked to discover that he has grown four additional arms in his sleep. This story has been a classic but the ending might be to some readers tastes been a little too much. It's not the worse plot idea in Spider-man's long history. Can't say I enjoyed the conclusion but I accepted it, because loving Spider-man is my blessing ad my curse.
The Web and the Hammer
Theory of Relativity: Einstein's universe (1915) was a closed sphere without expansion. whereas Lloyd employs de Sitter's universe. which expands as the galaxies recede, originally formed by the detonation of the "primeval atom"' or "manobloe." I'll just nod like I know what he's talking about. I think it's something to do with the Silver Surfer. On a more casual note he wants to congratulate Marvel on the Hulk story, plotted by Harlan Ellison in MWOM #123 to #125, as well as Mike Moorcocks plotted US Conan stories and the adaption of Harry Bates' "The day after the day the Martians came" as seen in POTA #18, he adds keep them coming. Ian Thomson from Fife writes "Did you know that Les in the Bay City Rollers likes and reads Spider-man comics?" Well we do now. On another musical note Mark Bradshaw from Middlesex tells us that on Paul McCartney's new LP there's a track about Magneto, Titanium Man and the Crimson Dynamo. What's more interesting is this is Mark Bradshaw's second letter in this week's The Web and the Hammer letter page!
Iron Man “Alone against A.I.M.!”
Writer: Archie Goodwin
Artist: Gene Colan
Inker: Johnny Craig
Originally published in Iron Man #1
Cover date May 1968
(Published in February 1968)
Iron Man has been hit by AIM's Vortex Suction Beam and pulled through the hull of the Maggia ship, causing it to sink when AIM disengages their submarine. Next Iron Man is overpowered by sleeping gas and taken to AIM's base while Jasper Sitwell and the other passengers of the gambling ship try to flee the sinking ship. For those who did know AIM stands for Advanced Idea Mechanics. Think of Hydra but with brains.
This Marvel Masterworks pin-up of the Invincible Iron Man was drawn by Herb Trimpe. How do I know you ask? Well he signed it at the bottom!
The Mighty Thor “Man-God unleashed”
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Jack Kirby
Inker: Vince Colletta
Originally published in The Mighty Thor #165
Cover date June 1969
(Published in April 1969)
This week's second part uses Jack Kirby's (pencils,) and Vince Colletta's (inks,) artwork that was originally used as the cover of the Mighty Thor (US edition,) issue 165. With all the usual bits and bobs added. The story of how Him came to be in his cocoon state in an Atomic Research Center in New York continues, having to enter his cocoon state after journeying into deep space in search of purpose he had fallen into a space trap set by the Watcher, which had been designed to capture and study astroids, Him had protected himself by forming a cocoon around himself. The Watcher having felt compelled to violate his solemn oath of non-involvement he placed the cocoon in a US Space laboratory satellite that was destined to return to Earth.
Avengers Weekly #107
This is a cool original British weekly cover, penciled by Ed Hannigan and inked by Frank Giacoia. When I was researching this cover I found out that there is a Legion of Superheroes homage cover by Allan Goldman (Penciller) with Bob Almond (Inker) and Russell Payne (Finisher) on the Comic Art Fans site.
Conan the Barbarian “The murderous mirrors of Charm-Akkad”
Writer: Roy Thomas
Artist: John Buscema
Inker: Sal Buscema and John Severin
Originally published in Conan the Barbarian #25
Cover date April 1973
(Published in July 1973)
This week's second part opening splash page uses the Gill Kane cover art from Conan the Barbarian issue 25 with "the Nemedian Chronicles" header text added to the top, a smart splattering of catch-up text boxes and a credit box. The thing about the credit box is it's half wrong, Ernie Chua didn't ink this story, it was Sal Buscema and John Severin. John Costanza didn't letter it either, Artie Simek performed that task. As for the story title on this page, it is copied from the original US cover with Kane's art.
Disgusted by this black sorcery, Chumballa Bey attempts to fight the monster, but is stabbed in the back by Kharam Akkad. Now free of his bonds Conan grabs Chumballa's Sword and begins fighting off the monster, slicing off its tentacles. Then the priest draws a sword to finish the barbarian off, as outside the battle for the city begins. In horror, Akkad is a good fighter but Conan is by far stronger. Suddenly the priest realises that the hilt on Conan's sword is of an eagle and that Chumballa Bey's fallen shield had been held using snake-skin straps. As Conan delivers the killing blow he wonders what the lion had meant. In the sorcerer's mirror the Cimmerian sees the same vision of Akkad's death that the priest saw, only he is ignorant of the animal symbolism, not knowing that he is one day destined to be called Amra, the lion. As readers of Conan's adventures in the Marvel UK's version of MWOM called Marvel Comic will no doubt remember from 1979. But next week readers od the Avengers weekly will be in for a treat with "The hour of the griffin!"
Assemble!
The Avengers “Enter:The Squadron Sinister!”
Writer: Roy Thomas
Artist: Sal Buscema
Inker: Sam Grainger
Originally published in The Avengers #70
Cover date November 1969
(Published in September 1969)
Sal Buscema's (pencils,) with Sam Grainger's (inks,) cover is repurposed as this week's second party opening splash page. No need for any catch-up text, just let the artwork and the new story title (which was lifted from the bottom of the cover to the top of this page,) say it all. Yellow Jacket and the Black Panther watch via Kang's screen Captain America standing triumphant over the Nighthawk. First blood to Kang but the Grandmaster states that there are three more battles.
Starting next with Iron Man against Doctor Spectrum. It looks as though the Squadron member with his sentient power Prism will get the upper hand, but Iron Man upon hearing the villain blurt out that only a "Polychromatic shield" could defeat him, tricks him into falling for his ultra-violet power beam defeating him with ease. In Egypt at the site of the Sphinx, Thor kicks off against Hyperion, who explains that he came from a Micro-World which was destroyed when Earth scientists split the first atom. Thor manages to defeat Hyperion by using his enchanted hammer Mjolnir to shrink Hyperion in size and trap him in a sphere of glass that he crafted from the desert sand. The fourth Avenger, Goliath must face the Whizzer in London England, in the shadow of the Great Clock of Westminster, or Big Ben as it is more commonly miss-named. There the giant is accosted by the Black Knight before the villain arrives. Goliath tells the Knight to not get involved.
Master of Kung Fu “Why a Tiger-Claw”
Writer: Doug Moench
Artist: Keith Pollard
Inker: Sal Trapani
Originally published in Giant-Size Master of Kung Fu #4
Cover date June 1975
(Published in March 1975)
Shang-Chi is about to cross the street at Madison and 57th, when he is nearly hit by a taxi. The taxi driver is Rufus T Hackstabber, who bears an uncanny resemblance to the late actor and comedian "Groucho" Marx, who was well known as one of the Marx Brothers from the many films they stared in. His appearance isn't the only thing that resembles Groucho Marx, his actions and dialogue complete the pastiche. He was born on the 2rd of October 1890, he would have been 84 when the US comic came out, I wonder did he ever see it? Possibly not but I would have loved him to say "I wouldn't want to be in a strip that would have me in it!" It's reported that the lass thing he said before he passed away with pneumonia in hospital on the 19th August 1977 "This is no way to live!" or the similar phrase, "Die, my dear? Why, that's the last thing I'll do!"
This inside back page feature details on how Marvel is on the move once more in Britain. First up is at the ICA in London's Pall Mall there'll be a two-week exhibition of Marvel artwork. On top of that at the Roundhouse theatre there'll be a Marvel show featuring Stan Lee himself! Tickets would go on sale at the very reasonable price of 60 pence for the show that would be on Monday 20th October. There's a massive hint at he'll come with news of a new British Marvel Mag! And attendees would not only be able to see and speak to Stan, but there would also be an opportunity to buy a copy of volume two of "Origins of Marvel Comics" which would much later be revealed as "Sons of Origins of Marvel Comics." plus other goodies too. This page also appears on the inside back page of this week's Dracula Lives. Speaking of which.
Dracula Lives #50
This week's Dracula Lives cover boasts a "Special 50th Issue!" dramatic text box, which stretches credibility a little as although the strips inside are all pretty great, there isn't anything that's more special than last week's issue. But let's be honest a little bit of hyperbole isn't a bad thing! I like the inclusion of the weekly's other horror stars, that's something that we'll see more of in two to three months time and I think it improves the pulling power of the comic, much more interesting than seeing Dracula sneaking up on a woman like a pervert every week. The Grand Comics Database lists Aubrey Bradford as the artist.
Dracula “Demons in the dark”
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Artist: Gene Colan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Originally published in Giant-Size Chillers #1
Cover date June 1974
(Published in March 1974)
The two discuss their past together, how he does not care for her as she was the daughter from a forced marriage to a woman named Zofia. Centuries ago Dracula threw Zofia out of his palace. She would take their daughter Lilith to Lianda, the gypsy woman who would eventually turn Dracula into a vampire. Later he would get revenge on her by feasting upon Lianda's own son. The gypsy witch would cast a spell turning Lilith into a vampire who would be hell bent on causing her father as much trouble as possible. With the conversation over, Lilith asks her father to drop their grudge toward one another so that they could form an alliance to rule all vampires together. Dracula rejects this idea and leaves. Lilith vows to get revenge against Dracula. I have to be honest this part of the story feels pointless, other than setting up events that Wolfman may come back to in the future, or more likely to tease a Lilith strip, which in the US did happen in various Marvel/Curtis Magazines Vampire Tales and Dracula Lives (US edition).
As Quincy Harker recovers in the hospital, Dracula returns back to the home of Shiela Whittier just in time to save her as she trips and falls down the stairs. He learns that someone is in the house and has been tormenting her. Rushing upstairs he discovers Lord Henry, who he believed had been under his complete hypnotic control. Lord Henry admits that under Dracula's powers he had done too many horrible things but he couldn't resit, until suddenly he felt free and wanted to kill Dracula. Admitting to being the one who tormented and tortured Shiela. Lord Henry pulls a gun out, Dracula tells him bullets won't kill him, but the bullet wasn't for the vampire lord. It was to take away one of his victims, with that he kills himself. I like horror tales, I remember watching many of the Walking Dead TV series but after the first season I just wanted them to get on with it. Shock horror, even fast forwarding to get to the good bits. These Dracula tales are starting to become like that. May be Halloween will bring back my love of it.
Cryptic Correspondence
Werewolf by Night “Some say the world will die...!”
Writer: Tony Isabella
Artist: Don Perlin
Inker: Vince Colletta
Originally published in Werewolf by Night #1
Cover date July 1974
(Published in April 1974)
The Werewolf gained consciousness on the beach after the Hydra goons had attacked him and abducted Tigra. With an animal sense of loneliness the beast tracks the female were-woman. At this point the text just goes crazy. It must be a full moon when I'm writing this blog because I have to admit this is another story I'm getting cranky with. It clearly says that "despite the trail being a FULL twenty-four hours ago" he "quickly picked up her scent!" So was the Werewolf and at some point Jack unconscious for that amount of time? It must have been some revolver butt that the Hydra agent hit the Werewolf with!
This isn't a Marvel Comic Mart, it's a Dracula Comic Mart. So what makes it different than any other Comic swap shop? Nothing it's practically the same.
One other thing of note on this page is a message from Ben Grimm, The monthly subscription list is now filled up and they can't accept any more, so don't send any more request forms in as the "computer" can no longer deal with them. If you was one of the luck ones with an exiting subscription you'd get your comics. I imagine that Marvel had brought into the UK a limited number of titles and they had been snapped up. So that profit had balanced the books but the additional cost with increasing the offer may have been to costly. May be it hadn't gone quite as well as they hoped and they cut their losses. Comics through newsagents may have made more commercial sense.
The Living Mummy “A choice of lions”
Writer: Len Wein, Tony Isabella (plot) and Val Mayerik (plot)
Artist: Val Mayerik
Inker: Dan Adkins
Originally published in Supernatural Thrillers #10
Cover date December 1974
(Published in September 1974)
The opening splash page of this tale is a cracker, but the page to the right isn't it. Spoilers: it does get used next week, but goodness only knows why this specially commissioned splash was used instead. I've no clue of who drew it. After the symbolic opening splash page the Living Mummy walks across the desert in pursuit of the Ruby Scarab. As he does his mind wanders about the recent events where the Elementals had commanded him to search out the Ruby and had been opposed by the Living Pharaoh. His mind drifts further back through the ages to the days when he was only N'Kantu.
“One hungers”
Writer: Neil Adams
Artist: Neil Adams
Inker: Dan Adkins
Originally published in Tower of Shadows #2
Cover date November 1969
(Published in August 1969)
This story had also been reprinted in the Marvel/Curtis Magazine Monsters Unleashed issue 8, cover dated October 1974, published in August 1974. This short horror tale is the best of this week's bunch. Written and drawn by the legendary Neal Adams it tells a tale of a mutated caveman who is chased by a savage tribe who lose him in a cave where the roar of a water fall makes them dizzy. The emptiness fills him with hunger. A long time passes, a very long time, but he finds a new source of food to fill his hunger.
Denny and Sheila are out walking with Denny strumming his guitar, when they come across a strange white area on the edge of the woods as if there has been a bomb test that had scorched the ground. They also find an old abandoned house and investigate. Denny's foot falls through the rotten floor boards. Sheila helps him pull it out as a mutated mess that once had been the caveman is attracted to their noise. Sheila screams as it touches her and the creature pauses and starts to glow. Denny notices that it stops and glows every time they make a noise. He plays to it with his guitar while Sheila frees his foot. The pair flee as quietly as they can, cutting across the white neutral ground. With their silence the creature gets smaller and smaller. They are getting to close to the forest with its noise from the branches and wild animals, its silent in the white area. The creature needs their noise, it hungers. Just one scream to feed it, it hungers. It's only the size of a short tentacle now, it hungers as it reaches out to touch Sheila. It hungers...Fin
Planet of the Apes #50
Now this week's Planet of the Apes 50th issue needs no dramatic text box to sell this cover as the painted artwork must have made the weekly fly off the shelf. Ken Barr painted this beautiful piece of art. And even though his name wouldn't necessarily be the first to cross your mind when you think about Marvel's painted covers, unlike Bob Larkin, Barr did quite a good number of painted covers at the time, including covers for Doc Savage, Marvel Preview, The Deadly Hands of Kung Fu and Rampaging Hulk to name just a few. Ken Barr was born in Glasgow, Scotland on the 17th of March 1933 and sadly passed away at the age of 83 on the 25th March 2016. After National Service with the Army in Egypt he established himself as one of the top artists in the graphic art and comic industry, first working on many different genre from science fiction to war. He drew the covers of the first fourteen issues of the British comic Commando, starting from June 1961. Barr's final cover for Commando was issue 4138. Ken moved to the United States in 1968, where he quickly carved a career as an artist with credits that include fantasy art covers for Warren publications such as Creepy and Vampirella, as well as DC Comics such as G.I. Combat. It wasn't only covers that he earned a living from under Joe Kubert’s editorship he became a regular penciller/inker and occasional writer for DC’s various war comics, including Our Army At War, Our Fighting Forces, Battle Album and Star Spangled War Stories from 1969-74. The human emotion he put into Cornelius' face as he witness the destruction of the Earth from the portal of his spacecraft is exceptional. I'm not sure that the ship from the film or the comic strip would have round portholes but that doesn't matter as it frames his face perfectly. I love the bottom tagline, "The end of Earth...and the beginning of 'Escape from the Planet of the Apes!'" So with that I just have to name this as my Cover of the Week!
One other thing, Colin Jones pointed out to me that last week's POTA was the final appearance of the chimp face in the corner-box. From this week onwards the corner-box features a "grinning" gorilla.
Second other thing, Mark Rice, the Power of the Beesting's part-time simian expert and all round good egg get's his wish, a POTA CotW! Well Mark it is excellent.
Planet of the Apes “Escape from the Planet of the Apes. Part 1 Upward to the Earth”
Writer: Doug Moench
Artist: Rico Rival
Inker: Rico Rival
Originally published in Planet of the Apes (US) #12
Cover date September 1975
(Published in July 1975)
A space rocket lifts off from the Earth in the year 3955 carrying three astronauts glad to escape the war that is about to be raged on the planet below.
The third astronaut asks "Where are we... going?"
"To their deaths!" answers one of the others, just as the planet explodes with apocalyptic effect. They are blinded by its brightness.
"They've destroyed the entire Earth..!! Killed a world..and we've escaped...yes we've escaped..if we survive the...shock wave!"
The wave hits sending the craft into the darkness. on board the chronometer goes crazy as its date goes backwards as unreadable speed. Even though they had been forced out of orbit the computer readout say they are about to descend but to what planet?
This new ape adaptation is simple, removing the need for unnecessary scientific explanations. Just cold and quick action that leaves the reader to want more. The Arthur P Jacobs 1971 produced film "Escape from the Planet of the Apes" starts with a simple shot of a coastline and you hear a helicopter that suddenly appears from behind a cliff as it heads to a floating space craft in the sea, other helicopters gather together with a convoy of army vehicles. That version nicely moves to the classic reveal which the readers of the comics strip will see next week. Doug Moench's version showed more out of necessity, but in a way that didn't spoil the dramatic surprise. Although I think that most readers would have like the comic to have given all this week's pages over to this strip, much like issue one did, but I can't deny that Doug Moench and Rico Rival have done it again, another brilliant version of an Apes film. Next week find out "the secret of the Astronauts!"
Mar-Vell has to petition the Imperial Minister for permission to return to the Earth. Their concerns for a "few paltry primitives" deaths from caused by Mar-Vell's lost nuclear device does not interest the Minister. However the Captain's desire for revenge against the accursed Skrull does as they cannot allow the Skrulls to gain a foothold on Earth. So in the name of the Supreme Intelligence he grants Mar-Vell's request to return to Earth. Mar-Vell arrives just in time to see Doctor Walter Lawson entering the Cape Kennedy Space Center carrying the Kree case with the active nuclear device inside of it. Of course Lawson was the shape shifting Super-Skrull in disguise, he had easily walked past security and even held conversations with the bases commanding officer General Bridges and the head of security, Caroline Danvers, but to be fair both of them had some concerns about the Doctor. Mar-Vell attacks the Super-Skrull, blowing the alien's cover. The battle is evenly matched, but when the Super-Skrull tries to use his hypnosis abilities on Mar-Vell the Kree Captain knocks a reflective dish with his wrist Uni-band to turn the Skrull's own power against himself. Mar-Vell takes the carrying case and deactivates its self destruct mechanism. His final action is to order the hypnotise Skrull to flee to the furthest reaches of space. To neatly tie up any loose ends Mar-Vell learns the owner of his hotel had received injuries that end with him falling into a coma.
Great, brilliant, magnificent and breathtaking are how Bambos Anglos from London describes Adam Warlock. The way he sees it he gets the feeling that the story had a religious foundation, in that the Evolutionary was God, the Creator; Warlock played the part of Jesus, the Saviour; the four children (David, Jason, Eddie. Ellie) were his disciples and the Man-Beast was Satan, the Evil one. He wonders if after the series finishes could the Johnny Future (from the Power comic called Fantastic from the late 60's,) stories be reprinted? Anita Smith from Surrey is a big fan of Roddy McDowall. Usually people of her age (18) would swoon over pop stars but her pin-up would be Roddy. Mrs Atkinson from Clwyd, a mother of two in her early 40's and acts just like her two ape-mad youngsters. She loves to read all the Ape books, watch all the films. She is particularly smitten with Galen. Adrian Wood from Leicestershire thinks that POTA is smashing but really liked it when the comic was just about the Planet of the Apes strip and a movie/TV behind the scenes article. He thinks that "Terror" and "Evolutions Nightmare" and "Ape Slayer" and "Warlock" are rubbish.
Captain Marvel “...And now falls the Super-Skrull”
Writer: Roy Thomas
Artist: Gene Colan
Inker: Vince Colletta
Originally published in Captain Marvel #3
Cover date July 1968
(Published in April 1968)
A new splash page by an unnamed artist starts this week's second part Captain Marvel adventure with a very dramatic catch-up box that sets the scene. Captain Marvel has just escaped from. the Super-Skrull's space craft and is heading towards the Kree starship that has been hidden in orbit above the Earth, just as his belt rockets start to cut out he makes it to the ship's airlock. On board Colonel Yon-Rogg refuses to grant Mar-Vell permission to go back to Earth to stop the Super-Skrull and save the Earth from a possible nuclear holocaust.
Apes Mail
Our Martian Heritage: An excursion into fantasy
Writer: Chris Claremont
Originally published in Monsters Unleashed #4
Cover date February 1974
(Published in November 1973)
This must have been a early piece of prose by Chris Claremont, a writer who I've always had a lot of time for and would pick up a comic and read it if it had his name on it. But with these four pages I was just confused.
The Power of Warlock “Hunted!”
Artist: Bob Brown
Inker: Tom Sutton
Originally published in The Power of Warlock #6
Cover date June 1973
(Published in March 1973)
The John Romita Sr. cover from The Power of the Warlock issue 6 was repurposed as this week's second part opening splash page, with some clunky dialogue added, a new story title and a credit strip at the top. Astrella, President Rex Cartpenter's sister, has offered to help Warlock by taking him to meet with Colonel Barney Roberts. But in fact she is luring him in a trap which is sprung on the San Francisco Bridge as the Brute attacks.
These inside back page in-house adverts starts with a clearly amateurish drawn scene of the Hulk facing up against the Abomination. To be fair a lot of effort has gone into it and probably was the start on a road to becoming an accomplished artist as the technique was certainly there. The message from it was that in this week's Mighty World of Marvel the Hulk battles the Abomination, Daredevil the man without fear faces the Stilt-Man and can the Fantastic Four defeat the indestructible Android? As by now you probably know the answers from earlier in the blog. Under that advert is another teaser for the up-coming Stan Lee appearance in London in October. For readers of this weekly they would have to find out next week. These two promotions also appear on the inside back page of this week's the Super-Heroes. Which is coming up right now.
The Super-heroes #31
"The mighty Marvel MAGIC strikes again!" Well that's what the top headline says, but I'm not completely sure that's true. This cover really does try to make the reader think that, it's quite an attractive piece of art, even if I do have a few gripes. I've never liked that version of the Cat's costume colour scheme, it should have been dark blue and yellow, may be they thought that with the X-Men there was enough dark blue and yellow costumes. And why are they promoting the astonishing Ant-Man when from the very first page Hank Pym appears as Giant-Man? OK I know that strip was originally titled Ant-Man and the Wasp. Keith Pollard and Bradford penciled this cover with Mike Esposito and/or John Tartaglinie applying the inks, so the Grand Comics Database lead me to believe.
Giant-Man and the Wasp “The birth of Giant-Man”
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Jack Kirby
Inker: Don Heck
Originally published in Tales to Astonish #49
Cover date November 1963
(Published in August 1963)
Meanwhile a frightened neighbour of Pym's makes a complaint about a giant man, but the police tell him that they're too busy as they are currently looking for a "pixie" that is apparently erasing people. Later in a local park, a team of police team search for a being they're calling "The Eraser." The Eraser is hiding in the woods until he's discovered by a hot dog vender. Not wishing to have his presence alerted, he "erases" the hot dog vender. Look this was the sixties and lots of people took drugs, I'm definitely not saying that either Stan or Jack took any drugs. But the Eraser is a completely stupid idea. I wonder what readers of this comic in the seventies thought about it? May be they took drugs too. But really you shouldn't they're not good for you. The best form of drugs is comics, they really expand your mind to unknown vistas. Later the Eraser travels to the home of Doctor Ebbhart, there he explains that he's been "erasing" atomic experts. His next target is Henry Pym. Once "erased" Pym finds himself teleported to "Dimension Z." The Eraser explains that their world shares the same space with Earth.. They have been monitoring Earth for years and sought to claim its atomic technology to do so and invented "erasers" to kidnap Earth scientists to build them atomic weapons. With the help of the Wasp, who unintentionally hitched a ride under Pym's lab coat, Giant Man breaks free, only to find himself "Trapped in Dimension Z!" as we'll see more of next week.
Super Mail
Obviously, with such a prodigious wing-span they are not the fold-flat-against-the-back variety. He does have a point in a "Tharg" way. Borag Thung Ian.
The Cat “Beware the claws of...the Cat”
Writer: Linda Fite and Roy Thomas (plot)
Artist: Marie Severin
Inker: Wally Wood
Originally published in The Cat #1
Cover date November 1972
(Published in August 1972)
Linda Fite had been hired as an editorial assistant/production assistant by Marvel comics, but she continually appealed to editor Roy Thomas for writing assignments. At first she was given short back-up features her first as a regular writer was with Claws of the Cat. An early attempt to appeal to female superhero comic readers. She hated it but was happy to be given a chance so she infused the series with a woman's liberation tone. However (Spoilers!) the comic was cancelled after four issues due to poor sales. Other notable work included the Night Nurse from around the same time. She was also responsible for helping fledgling artist Barry Windsor-Smith with an encouraging note to the artist when she was the assistant to Stan Lee, after Barry and his friend, Steve Parkhouse, flew from England and camped out near the Marvel Comics offices, seeking work. Fite married and later divorced artist Herb Trimpe, with whom they had three children together.
The X-Men “If Iceman should fail..!”
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Werner Roth
Inker: Dick Ayers
Originally published in The X-Men #18
Cover date March 1966
(Published in January 1966)
Professor X, Angel, Cyclops, the Beast and Marvel Girl have been defeated by Magneto and imprisoned in a high altitude hot-air balloon, so that they will perish once it reaches 100,000 feet. Magneto revels in victory, magnetically lifting the mansion out of its foundation, only to lower it back down to the ground. Just after the Worthingtons, the Angel's parents arrive. Magneto opens the front door and using his magnetic powers he hypnotises them. Magneto realise that the Iceman is missing.
See you in seven.
Make Mine Marvel.
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