Late midsummer masks of madness!

 Week Ending 20th September 1975

More stuff and nonsense in the piffy pages of the Power of the Beesting, your weirdly wonderful walk through the nutty nostalgia the likes of which hasn't been seen since the week ending the 20th September 1975. So join me for a late midsummer masquerade ball! 

The Mighty World of Marvel #155

The only cover this week taken from an American comic, artwork provided by Herb Trimpe (pencils,) with Dave Hunt (inks,) originally featured on the front of the Incredible Hulk issue 158. It's not as stunning as I would have liked, It almost looks as if it was a panel taken from the strip.

The Incredible Hulk “Will the real Bruce Banner please turn green?”

Writer: Roy Thomas (plot) and Steve Gerber

Artist: Herb Trimpe

Inker: Sal Trapani

Originally published in The Incredible Hulk #158

Cover date December 1972

(Published in August 1972)

My earlier comment kind of comes true as Herb Trimpe's cover artwork almost bleeds through to the inside front page, if not for the fact that it isn't a mirror image, the text is repeated from the front with new story title and credit box added. Speaking of the credit box, Steve Englehart is listed as the writer, however it's next week that Steve takes over the writing reins. I guess the weekly's editor jumped the gun a little. Continuing from last week the Hulk with Porcunius' New-Men arrive to steel the Leaders ship to fly back to his original Earth. Before the Hulk can attack Counter-Earth's version of Bruce Banner, his son, Bobbie tries to hit the Hulk, demanding that the Hulk not hurt his father. Confused and unable to strike a child, the Hulk stops his attack. With his guard let down he is struck by the Rhino, who has teamed up with Kohbra and his minions who fight over the control of the ship.

The Leader, watching events from his space station, attempts to call back his ship in the hopes of stranding the Hulk and the Rhino on Counter-Earth. However, the Hulk knocks the Rhino out and carries his unconscious body on board the ship just before it blasts off. Both factions of the New-Men retreat, leaving their story to be continued elsewhere in other weeklies. On board the Leader's craft the Hulk reflects on his hatred of Banner, drawing the conclusion that he cannot hate a man who has a good son. Away from Counter-Earth, the relaxed Hulk transforms back into Bruce Banner. As Banner reflects on what he can recall, he begins to wonder if the Betty of his Earth has a future with him as well. In contrast to those thoughts, on Earth, the wedding of Betty Ross and Glenn Talbot ends as the groom kisses the bride, much to the relief of the father of the bride, General Ross, whose own thoughts consider for the sake of his daughter's marriage and happiness, he pray's that Bruce Banner is dead, as the two newlyweds drive off to their honeymoon. 

At least that's how it should go, however page five of this week's strip should have been page 5 of next week's issue and vice versa, with the swapping of a wonderful splash page featuring the Hulk and the Rhino as they clash with another featuring Bruce Banner being shot down as he returns to Earth in next week's story. Both mistakes confused the hell out of me when I read them. I wonder how many readers noticed the strange page that didn't fit in with continuity in this issue, did they connect the next week's slip up with it? Well the letter pages in later issues might answer that question. Were they distracted with "the awesome Abomination!!"'s return next week? Find out in seven days.

The Mighty Marvel Mailbag

Saturday the 5th of July arrived with a big shock for M J McKenzie RFO, KOF, QNS, from Cheshire, when he asked his local newsagent for his seven reserved weeklies he was handed six with Conan amalgamated with the Avengers. By Sunday he had read all of them, with the usual high standards from Dracula Lives, Spider-Man Comics Weekly and the Mighty World of Marvel. With Planet of the Apes he can't find the heart to welcome Sinbad. He spent all of Sunday, Monday and Tuesday thinking about the Avengers/Conan merger, with many thoughts and ideas, good and bad, but his reflection is could it be like the old Power Comics gradual join-ups which could signal the death-knell of these comics. Kerr Lucas from Buckingham is fed-up with people moaning and groaning about spelling or begging for a No-Prize. To make a point of this his letter is a list of all the things that Marvel have done right. Stephen Lewis PMM, from Bournemouth wasn't happy with Gene Colan replacing the "brilliant Buscema" in Avengers #92 although he thinks Colan's artwork on Daredevil and Iron Man is very good. He loves the artwork and scripts on the fantastic Hulk strip, but battles with his super-foes seem a little bit short. He wants to see titanic battles with the green-skinned behemoth against Hercules, Thor, Destroyer, X-Men and even Klaw. Kevin Whyte from London thought that bringing out Savage Sword of Conan as another brilliant comic in the mighty line of Marvel weeklies, but mixing that mag with the Avengers was "just not on!"

Paul Wood's, from Staffordshire, letter reads like a movie script by Edger Wright as he makes a journey to his local newsagents to pick up some absolutely magnificent mags, all to a seventies sound track. The Watcher, who apparently lives in Milton Keynes, not the Blue Area of the Moon, writes in even though he is forbidden from intervening with events on Earth. He describes Marvel as truly the greatest force he has witnessed since Galactus, who so nearly destroyed Earth not long ago. There is one other thing that bugged him. On the cover of Mighty World of Marvel #138 it shows the Thing v the Hulk. But the Watcher couldn't find any such fight inside. Even though he must observe countless galaxies he still finds the time to spot one little slip up. The last third of this letter page is given over to a Comic Mart column.

Daredevil “Brother, take my hand!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: George Klein

Originally published in Daredevil #47

Cover date December 1968

(Published in October 1968)

I have in the past been a little dismissive of the early Daredevil strips, but of lately there's been some classic tales that don't conform to a generic super-hero tale. In this week's adventure we are given a tale of grim reality that looks at aspects of the Viet Nam war without using it to present the hero's latest enemy, cementing the Daredevil tales that I love as a hero who has to deal with down to earth situations, or street level stories if you will, as one character has to live with the horror of that war with him everyday.

Daredevil is asked to visit the troops in Viet Nam, which he does by putting on a show. Many of the soldiers are excited by the prospect of seeing a superhero close up. One such soldier is Willie Lincoln, who during his tour of duty was blinded. Willie "sees" the show as a faded outline due to his injured sight, with  the shape of Daredevil standing tall and powerfully before the crowd. During the performance Willie's declining eyesight leaves him forever much to his despair. With a cry of anguish he falls. Later in the infirmary the doctors administrate him a sedative that calms him, but after a brief sleep he gets a visitor. Daredevil chats to Willie who tells him how he lost his eyesight. The enemy lobbed a grenade smack dab centre of his squad, so he heroically saved the lives of his outfit at the cost of his sight. Before the war he used to be a New York cop, but was discharged because he was accused of accepting a bribe, Daredevil suggests that once he gets back stateside Lincoln should look up Matt Murdock who would help him prove his innocence. When he is discharged he returns to New York to clear his name, first he goes to his old Captain who tells him that he'll need a good lawyer to help him disprove the evidence against him. He then goes to the Welfare Department for more advice. There he meets Karen Page who advises him to meet up with Matt Murdock who can help him, but also not tell Matt it was her who sent him, for her own personal reasons. The story continues next week.

The Fantastic Four “Cry panic, cry doom!”

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Joe Sinnott 

Originally published in The Fantastic Four #70

Cover date January 1968

(Published in October 1967)

Jack Kirby and Joe Sinnott's cover artwork from the Fantastic Four issue 70 is used as this week's second part opening splash page, with a new story title, credit box and catch-up boxes added. The Thing hitches a ride on a New York Subway train to the Thinker's lab, where the story follows with Mister Fantastic slipping under an energy barrier to confront the Thinker who fires a weapon at him, but thanks to the real Doctor Santini's interference Richards manages to knock out the villain and turn him over to the authorities.

When the Thing arrives with his twisted personality he attacks Reed and Johnny, who begin to lure him across town to the Baxter Building. While they battle their way across town the police take the Mad Thinker to a jail cell, but he isn't completely out of tricks, using a wrist watch he remotely activates one of his androids to complete his mad scheme to destroy the Fantastic Four by sending it towards the Baxter Building. Finally reaching their skyscraper headquarters Reed and Johnny fight Ben, with Johnny steering Ben into the path of the menta-wave unit, just as Reed blasts him. The jolt knocks the Thing out, but also leaves Johnny and Reed unconscious. The Thinker's android comes crashing through the wall, just as Sue enters the room to see what is going on, her first conclusion is that Ben, Reed and Johnny are dead! "...And so it ends...!" or does it? Find out in next week's mag.

The first of the Marvel Midsummer madness face masks is the Incredible Hulk. I have no idea who drew ol' Greenskins, to me it looks like Ron Wilson could have drawn this image, what do you think? What the readers had to do was stick the page onto a thin piece of cardboard, like a cereal packet and carefully cut around the face. Punch out the two holes just above the Hulk's ears and thread a length of elastic between them to fit to your head. Don't forget to make two eye holes to see through. This design also included a dotted line under the Hulk's nose that can be cut out to help it fit your face. There is a different mask on Planet of the Apes, Dracula Lives and Spider-man Comics Weekly this week, even though SMCW isn't mentioned on this page.

Spider-man Comics Weekly #136

Now this is a clever design, a trio of heroes that showcase the gems that this comic has to offer. The Invincible Iron Man, the Mighty Thor and the Amazing Spider-man, what's not to love. I very nearly pick this as my Cover of the Week, but the winner sported better artwork. Dave Hunt drew this one with Frank Giacoia applying the inks.  

Spider-man “A day in the life Part two”

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: Gil Kane

Inker: Frank Giacoia

Originally published in the Amazing Spider-man #99

Cover date August 1971

(Published in May 1971)

For the second time in three week's the cover artwork from the Amazing Spider-man issue 99 is used as the second part opening splash page as it had been used in much the same way in SMCW #134 for Spider-man's second part, as well as the cover of last week's mag. Here it makes more sense than three week's ago as Spider-man is breaking up a prison riot that covered the ringleader of the riot from escaping and highlights the protesters legitimate concerns to be given a fair say. 

As Spider-man is swinging away he is stopped by a talk show host who offers him the opportunity to be a guest on his talk show. Although he isn't named he does bear an incredible likeness to Johnny Carson. When he offers Spider-man the usual rate for appearing he agrees. Peter then goes to sell Jameson the pictures of the prison riot but he's less than pleased because working for a salary means he will only get paid on Friday, meaning he's short of cash to take Gwen out to dinner. Hoping that his guest appearance on the Carson show will see him paid on the spot Peter goes to the TV studio. After showing that he's the genuine article for the audience he uses his platform on the show to showcase the faults with the prison system, that is understaffed, overcrowded and antiquated. Were young first time offenders are put in the same cells as hardened criminals that makes it a breeding ground for crime. But more than that prisoners stay locked-up for months on end while waiting for trial because there aren't enough judges or law courts. Just as he finishes he's forced to flee, without taking any payment, when the police come to arrest him for the warrant still out for his arrest. Now completely disappointed that he doesn't have the money to take Gwen out, Peter arrives at Gwen's apartment. She tells him not to be silly as she's spent all afternoon cooking them a nice romantic dinner. It's been another quite enjoyable tale from Stan Lee that deals with social problems with a little Spidey action mixed in. Was Stan playing to the audience as he mixed with more young people and students? Yeah, probably but I don't see it as a bad thing as long as the high levels of action are kept.  

The Web and the Hammer

Steve Small from Hull thought it was time to write a letter to praise Spider-man, although he does have a slight suggestion for him, he should have a fighting partner. J Michelson from London has spotted a mistake in SMCW #114, on page 33 when Odin voiced to Thor and Loki, "Both be blood of Odin's blood. flesh of Odin's flesh." But he points out that Loki was adopted by Odin after he led an attack on the storm giants. Martin Tudor RFO, KOF, QNS from Birmingham believes that British Marvel mags have finally hit the right format, with the excellent new Ape story "Beneath the Plant of The Apes", Warlock and varying Sci-fi strips in Planet of The Apes. The vastly improving Werewolf, Dracula and Frankenstein strips. As well as Spidey, Avengers and Marvel mags that are as good as ever. Kulwant Singh from Staffordshire wishes he was a time-traveller so that he could go back in time and buy every one of the first issues of Marvel comics.

Micheal Kennedy from Stockport gives us the "good" and "bad" news. First the bad news, his newsagent informs him that there will only be three annuals again this year. Which doesn't sound bad to me. Michael hopes this isn't true, I presume that he wants more. As for the good news, "Magneto and The Titanium man." is title of one of the tracks of the new Wings LP. "Venus and Mars." Nuff said. 

The rest of the letter page is given to Butlin's Super Jokers, with another checklist of winners from various competitions winners from different holiday centres. At Ayr Holiday Centre, Christopher Muldoon, aged 11, from Lanarkshire, Barry Holiday Centre winner Paul Adams, aged 10, from Oldham, Clacton Holiday Centre winner Tony Jarvis, aged 5, from Suffolk, Minehead Holiday Centre winner was John N Collinson, aged 7¾, from Middlesex, Pwllheli Holiday Centre winner Amanda Yelland, aged 8, from Stoke-on-Trent and from Skegness Holiday Centre Susan and Brian Rawson, aged 8 and 10, from Doncaster. Jokers of the week, the first is from the Bognor Holiday Centre is Peter Flannigan, aged 5, from Stoke-on-Trent whose joke is "Why did the policeman climb the tree? Because he wanted to join the special branch!" From Filey Holiday Centre Caroline Dow, aged 10 from Glasgow with this limerick, "There once was a monster called Nessie, Who frightened a lady called Bessie, Through the mud they did run, But that was no fun, Chasing Bessie's too messy said Nessie."

Iron Man “At the mercy of the Maggia”

Writer: Archie Goodwin

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Johnny Craig

Originally published in Tales of Suspense #99

Cover date March 1968

(Published in November 1967)

Although Iron Man's damaged armour left him at the mercy of the assassin Whiplash, he uses the last of his power to knock out the villain, however this drains all his energy and causes him to pass out. Meanwhile, Jasper Sitwell is still searching for Tony Stark's cousin Morgan, who was responsible for kidnapping Iron Man in his seized armour and then take him to Maggia's secret gambling ship head quarters. A message from Nick Fury informs him that Morgan is being escorted onto a private plane by some of the Maggia's hired guns. Rushing to the airport, Jasper manages to incapacitate the Maggia's heavies and save Morgan who tells Jasper where to find the armoured Avenger.

Back aboard the Maggia ship, Whiplash is about to destroy Iron Man when he is stopped by the Big M, and ordered to bring him to his laboratory compartment for examination. I do question why a crime boss has a secret laboratory, but this strips new writer, Archie Goodwin, used it as a plot device to introduce a James Bond "Goldfinger" style laser to bring the danger and try to open up the hero's armour. Iron Man himself regains consciousness but is too weak to free himself. Suddenly, the ship is rocked by an explosion. A submarine attacks the Maggia vessel, piloted by AIM (Advanced Idea Mechanics), who want to steal Iron Man's armour for themselves. AIM was a group of villainous scientists that had split from Hydra and the Secret Empire. This would be their first British Marvel appearance, although they had already made numerous appearance in the US Marvel comics, they would be seen in ever increasing strips in British Marvel mags over the coming months. The resulting attack causes the lower decks of the ship to fill with water. Maggia's leader escapes, but Iron Man finds himself trapped to a magnetic table as water slowly fills the room. Quite a cliff hanger, so find out what happens next issue with "The torrent without! The tumult within!"

The Mighty Thor “Pluto defeated!”

 Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Vince Colletta

Originally published in The Mighty Thor #164

Cover date May 1969

(Published in March 1969)

The splash page from page eleven of the Mighty Thor issue 164 came at the right time, meaning that no special artwork was needed for this week's second part opening page. All that was added was a new title and a credit box. Balder approaches the barrier, but tells the troops to stand back as he ears the awesome clang of the mighty Mjolnir drawing closer and closer. Soon there is a blinding flash and when the smoke clears the barrier has gone and in its place stands the Atomic Research Centre. Not only that but Sif and Thor have returned to the present. 

Following the Asgardians are Pluto and his army of Mutates, who continue their attack. Thor and Sif are aided in combat by the military and Balder. As the battle wages on, news of Pluto's activities reaches Mount Olympus, prompting Zeus to act on what is happening on Earth. The Military, Sif and Balder have a hard time fighting off the Mutates and their advanced weapons while Thor faces Pluto in battle. The evil Olympian God engulfs himself in hellish flame and attempts to burn Thor, however the Thunder God calls a storm that puts out the flames. Just then, Zeus appears, addresses all the combatants, he banishes Pluto back to Hades and sends the Mutates back to their own time restoring much of the damage. Thor baths in the dawning of a new day, but Sif wonders about the being who Pluto had so desperately wanted to obtain from the Research Biulding. little knowing that a very familiar cocoon has burst open to reveal a single hand. Next week the reveal of "the being within!"

The second of this week's Marvel Midsummer Madness Masks and of course it had to be Spider-man. The easiest artwork of all four, so it could have been drawn by anyone. There's no nose outline to cut out so it's probably the easiest to cut out and mount on some card. Of course you would have had to cut out some sort of eye holes, because this mask doesn't have the one way lens like Spidey's mask has. Two more masks on the back of Dracula Lives and Planet of the Apes.

Avengers Weekly #105

I really like this Arvell Jones cover, it's a clever idea, which may draw some inspiration or plagiarism from the Avengers (US edition,) issue 70 cover by Sal Buscema and Sam Grainger. But the inclusion of the Grandmaster adds depth and even more menace. I like it, it would really make me pick it up off the shelve to buy it. So that makes it my choice for Cover of the Week. Inks by Frank Giacoia and Mike Esposito.

Conan the Barbarian “The Song of Red Sonja! Part III”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Barry Windsor-Smith

Inker: Barry Windsor-Smith

Originally published in Conan the Barbarian #24

Cover date March 1973

(Published in December 1972)

Now I don't have a Page of the Week, as I have enough to do with compiling this blog. But if I did this page would win it hands down with Barry Windsor-Smith's breath taking art, that begins part three of "The song of Red Sonja!" The red head warrior maiden desperately shrieks the words of an ominously familiar song, as a great reptilian form rises from a golden tiara. Readers of the Kull story from Savage Sword of Conan #3 (UK weekly,) will no doubt recognise the lyrics "Ka nama kaa lajerama", she sings. 

Conan sees Sonja terrorised by the misty serpent, at first he balances the scales between fighting or fleeing. After all it would seem that she meant in treachery to desert him in the palace, but as he sees Red Sonja raising her sword arm in defiance of the creature's slavering tooth filled jaws the scales swing in favour of fighting the monster back to what ever black pit of hell it slithered from. The snake constricts around the barbarian, it's then that Sonja comes to Conan's aid. The distraction is short lived as the serpents returns to deliver a killing blow to the Cimmerian, but as it swoops Conan rams a jewel filled casket right in to the monster gaping mouth. This gives the two warriors time to reset their stance. Conan has come up with a plan, asking Sonja to distract the beast, by batting her eyes or wiggling her hips, Conan climbs to higher ground to gain a better attacking advantage. Sonja tells the barbarian that she will forget that remark until later as she taunts the beast. Leaping from above onto the serpent neck he drives his sword down into its skull, piercing its brain. 

The slain beast turns back into the tiara. Conan asks the girl if she knew the tiara would change into a serpent creature? She replied that she knew precious little about it except that Pah-Dishah's wizard had given her a phrase to speak to keep the serpent-band from spring into life, an ancient phrase, that had once been used by King Kull of Valusia against his serpent-like foes, to lock it into its shape. They leave the temple via the rope they came, but Sonja sabotages Conan's descent by setting fire to the rope. Like dry straw it burns fast, causing Conan to fall the rest of the way. Extremely angry and maybe a little bit turned on, Conan tells her she will pay with kisses a-plenty for the nights misadventures. But he finds out the hard way that Sonja will only give herself to a man who defeats her in battle as she rides off laughing at the kicked barbarian who lays on the cold ground. Conan, done with it all, punches a wall, now with a bruised hand and a sore leg, he wanders back to the barracks. And so finishes a magnificent tale by Thomas and Windsor-Smith, where sometimes the hero doesn't win the day or the girl.

Here's another magnificent Marvel Masterwork Pin-up, this time of Solomon Kane, drawn by Howard Bender (pencils,) and Dan Adkins (inks). 

The Avengers “Ordeal in otherwhen!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Sal Buscema

Inker: Sam Grainger

Originally published in The Avengers #69

Cover date October 1969

(Published in August 1969)

I'm not sure who drew this second part opening splash page, or who decided on the new story title "Ordeal in otherwhen!" and quite frankly its worth skipping past the it and even the catch-up box to feast your eyes on Sal Buscema's wonderful double splash page that tells the reader all they need to know.

After chasing Kang's Growing Man, who had captured the critically ill Tony Stark and transporting all to a distant place, the Avengers soon find themselves in the 4000 AD throne room of Kang the Conqueror. Surrounded by Palace guards, the room also holds Princess Ravonna in a stasis device, who the Avenger believed had been killed during a palace rebellion when they last meet in Avengers weekly #21.  

The Avengers enquire about their friend Tony Stark. Kang points to a glowing sphere behind him, telling the heroes that he is safe with his Stimuloid Growing Man, shrunk down inside the frigid fireball that brought them here. And to answer their question of why they are brought to the 40th century Kang replies they are there to serve him! Briefly the Avengers battle against Kang's guards, but a well known voice calls out for them to stop. It is the Black Panther who tells them to listen to Kang, because he has good reason to enlisted their aid in help, to oppose a cosmic being known as the Grandmaster. Kang explains that he was visited by the Grandmaster who offers him the opportunity to restore his comatose lover, if he were to win a "chess" game which pits champions of Kang's choosing against those selected by the Grandmaster. However, should Kang loose, not only will Ravonna not be awakened, but the Earth would be doomed to oblivion.

The Avengers agree to help Kang, on the condition that Tony Stark is returned to Earth. He agrees returning Stark to his hospital bed. Readers would have to wait till Super Spider-man with the Super-Heroes #190, from the week ending the 29th of September 1976 to find out what happens next to Stark. Upon Stark's departure the Grandmaster appears as it is time to start the game that will take place on the Grandmaster's Tri-Sphere, a alien device that shifts it's very form to create a world for the Grandmaster's game to take place. Kang selects Captain America, Goliath and Thor as his champions, who will be joined by a fourth later. Their first opponents are Hyperion, Nighthawk, Doctor Spectrum and the Whizzer, who bear an uncanny resemblance to heroes from the DC universe. Roy Thomas considered that the Avengers should face their counterparts at DC, the Justice League of America, who had in their own way inspired Stan Lee to create a new super-hero title on his publisher's suggestion to be as popular as the JLA, thus the Fantastic Four was nudged towards it's creation. (Let's be honest Jack Kirby Already had the idea for a "family superhero team", so the story is so much more complicated than that.) So Sal Buscema took Roy's suggestions and co-created Marvel's versions of Super-man, Batman, Green Lantern and the Flash. And so was born "the Squadron Sinister!" who we'll see more of next week.

Avengers Assemble

Neil McIntyre from Chester writes that British Marvel are bound to receive a spate of letters concerning the recent merger of SSOC with the Avengers weekly, not all of them complimentary. His letter, however, is. Any mag that features two Barry Smith art jobs and two Roy Thomas scripts can't be bad. He mentions that too much emphasis is placed on the Shang-Chi/ Manchu feud and there's no variety in the plots. If Fu Manchu played a lesser role then a greater variety of plots could be introduced, thus arousing more interest! Simon Milnes from Sheffield was only introduced to Marvel about five weeks ago and already he's recruited somebody to Marvel's rollickin' ranks. Mark McGonigle recently received FOOM issue 9 instead of issue 8. Kevin Odell from London congratulates Marvel on Conan, a magnificent piece of craftsmanship. unsurpassed except by the immortal Robert E Howard himself. There's something about Conan that gets in people's blood, that has made him become the number one hero in all of Sword and Sorcery. D Parks from County Down, says that all Marvel Comics are great, but why combine Savage Sword of Conan with The Avengers? And in doing so drastically reduce the length of each story. He asks are they punishing him for missing the first four issues?

Paul Buctan RFO, FOOMer from Hertfordshire starts his letter by saying it is totally illogical to put Conan in the Avengers mag. for two reasons. 1) Conan already has his own mag and 2) Conan and the Avengers just do not go together. He feels it would be a much better choice to take out Doctor Strange and put in the Defenders. Paul wants Shang-Chi and Iron-Fist to be left in. Paul also suggests that Warlock should be taken out of POTA and Marvel's versions of Star-Trek could be printed instead. Malcom Bruce from Hull has been reading Marvel for three years and has been prompted to write after reading Joe Potter's letter in Avengers Assemble from issue 90, which he attempted to claim a No-Prize for his explanation of why Captain Mar-Vell did not appear in the original Avengers/New Avengers clash, in which Rick Jones had not been merged with Captain Mar-Vell. Malcom believes that theory defeats itself, for if we had travelled back in time to before Captain America was rescued by the Avengers, then Mar-Vell would not even have entered the Negative Zone yet! His own simple explanation is simply that Mar-Vell had not even come to Earth yet. N McIntyre from Chester thinks Marvel's adaptation of "The God in the Bowl" was good, except for the order of events. In Howard's original story opens in Publico's temple, where Arus finds him already dead. Also, the reader is left in doubt as to the truthfulness of Conan's story. He thinks that Barry Smith's art manages to captures the Hyborian "feel," which is lacking in John Buscema'a art. Stephen Keevil QNS, RFO, KOF, from London asks that Marvel doesn't get rid of Doctor Strange as he is his favourite character. He has made his own version of the book of the Vishanti and his own Doctor Strange outfit.

Doctor Strange “The shadows of the Starstone!”

Writer: Gardner F Fox

Artist: Graig Russell

Inker: Mike Esposito, Frank Giacoia and David Hunt

Originally published in Marvel Premeire #7

Cover date March 1973

(Published in December 1972)

Having defeated Shuma-Gorath's servant, N'Gabthoth, Strange leaves for Stonehenge to prevent the next step in the revival of Shuma-Gorath. In Cornwall, near the town of Penmallow, Henry Gordon asks for directions to Witch House, a manor that he has just inherited from his Uncle Jed. Villagers question his sanity for wanting to go there. At the Manor he is greeted by his uncle's housekeeper, Blondine, who tells him of his uncle's interest in the occult and the sunken land of Kalumesh, that sank because its people worshipped a demon-god called Dagoth who served Shuma-Gorath. 

After finding a wet footprint of a giant webbed foot, Henry notices a light shining in an old tower that Blondine identifies as the Tower of Dagoth. She warns him never to go there, but Henry ignores her, suspecting that she and the villagers are attempting to steal his inheritance. On the beach near the tower, Henry finds a strange jewel with a weird shadow trapped inside. He brings it back to Witch House. Henry believes that his uncle was seeking a lost treasure in sunken Kalumesh. So the next morning he and Blondine head out in a motorboat. Blondine warns Henry that legends tell of Dagoth, who still inhabits the depths of the Cornish coast. Henry again dismisses her warning and the two of them go scuba diving in search of the lost city of Kalumesh. However, just as they spot the sunken city, Henry and Blondine are confronted by the demon Dagoth. Helpless against the monstrous creature, the duo are about to be killed, just as Doctor Strange flies over the empty boat anchored at sea. Sensing the danger below the waves Strange dives down and instantly stops the demon from killing Henry and Blondine at the cost of the creature grabbing the Doctor around his throat. To be continued next week.

Dracula Lives #48

Arvell Jones' second original British Marvel cover this week, another crisp and attractive one. And by that I mean the artwork, not Dracula's daughter Lilith! Who to be fair for a female vampire is extremely attractive too. Frank Giacoia added the inks.

Dracula “Night of the She-demon”

Writer: Marv Wolfman

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Frank Chiaramonte

Originally published in Giant-Size Chillers #1

Cover date June 1974

(Published in March 1974)

Marv Wolfman is a fantastic writer, but the turn over of stories in his American comics at that time might have taken its toll. This story is supposed to be set slightly before the later events in last week's story, but Dracula was in Moldova then and now he's in London, which stretches the creditably of the timeline. But if you can look past that Wolfman still writes a wonderful tale. Anyway the Lord of the undead has returned to England to pay a visit to Lord Henry at the Houses of Parliament, to discuss matters. He requests the Lord, who is under his thrall, into getting him diplomatic immunity so that he is no longer hunted by the police while operating in Britain. Dracula then begins discussing the acquisition of a castle just outside of London, one owned by Shiela Whittier.

North of London a grave in a cemetery begins to stir for the first time in 30 years. Not far from it is the home of Martin O'Hara, who is violently abusing his daughter Angela, because her boyfriend, Ted Hannigan, has got her pregnant while out of wedlock. Ted is knocked aside by Martin as he tries to stop him from hitting her, The fall renders a fatal blow to Ted's head. As Angela cries over the death of her lover, the spirit of Lilith, the daughter of Dracula rises from the nearby grave and takes possession of Angela, changing her features into her own form. Lilith then attacks and feeds upon Martin before flying off into the night in her bat form. Meanwhile Quincy Harker answers a call from Frank Drake and Rachel van Helsing who reports that Dracula has been killed in an explosion, as they believed happened last week. Quincy tells Taj the news, but the Indian silently retires to his room where he finds a letter from his homeland. The contents of it promotes him to pack his things and leave to return home. A short while later, Lilith takes the form of an innocent woman as she arrives at the Harker's home to ask Quincy for help, with a fake story about her father dying. When Quincy has his back turned to her, Lilith resumes her vampire form and feeds upon him, before she leaves.

Cryptic Correspondence

Ronnie Wright from Darlington offers some complaints and praises for Dracula Lives and Planet of The Apes. He considers that POTA is the worst of the two with Dracula Lives being the best because of the great artwork in the three horror stories. N Cooper gets SMCW, POTA, Dracula Lives and the Super-Heroes, because of the magnificent artwork inside of them. But he thinks that some of the covers are "yuk!" Dracula Lives issue 14 was enough to put him off reading comics, but issue 25 has a "magnifico" cover. He also believes that Blade is a character with fantastic potential, that is just the sort of thing to liven up the Dracula strip. Peter Bamborough from Durham describes Dracula Lives as the best comic out, but he's not as impressed with Planet of the Apes. He also wants to see the Werewolf by Night strip to be more bloody and horrific, where scenes show the Werewolf tearing his victims to pieces and lap up their blood. Very graphic! 

The Living Mummy “Pyramid of peril!”

Writer: Tony Isabella

Artist: Val Mayerik

Inker: Dan Adkins

Originally published in Supernatural Thrillers #9

Cover date October 1974

(Published in July 1974)

N'Kantu has been transported to Egypt by four ancient godlike beings, known as the Elementals, to recover the Ruby Scarab, a powerful mystical artefact. While under the control of the air elemental Zephyr the Living Mummy has to pass by a security guard who he is forced to attack and murder. As events leading to his current situation are replayed in flashback form, he over comes the order to kill, breaking free from their control. Remotely the Elementals watch him theorising that he intends to use the Ruby Scarab to cure himself.

The Living Mummy enters the tomb where the Ruby Scarab is kept. Also inside is Professor Ahmet Abdol, the mutant known as the Living Pharaoh, who has found that the Scarab restores some of his lost mutant powers. Unless they had picked up the American imported X-Men #54, cover dated March 1969, published January 1969, British Marvel readers at that time may not have heard of this character, who powers had been connected to Alex Summers, the mutant known as Havoc, brother of the X-man Cyclops. That story would be told in X-Men story from Marvel UK's Marvel Super-Heroes #362, from June 1980. After defeating one of his guards, the Mummy's presence is alerted to the Pharaoh who sends his other guards out to attack. Next week sees "Battle of the past!"

This in-house advert for the Mighty World of Marvel takes up nearly a full page, however it promotes issue 153, from three weeks ago. The background image of the Hulk is by Marie Severin with inks by Frank Giacoia and was originally used on the cover of the Incredible Hulk (US edition,) issue 105, cover dated July 1968, published April 1968. The story from that comic was "This Monster Unleashed!" which was printed in MWOM #53, which didn't use Severin's art on it's cover, so it was great to see it here at least.

Werewolf by Night “Tigra the Were-woman!”

Writer: Tony Isabella

Artist: Don Perlin

Inker: Vince Colletta

Originally published in Giant-Size Creatures #1

Cover date July 1974

(Published in April 1974)

This tale promises "the rebirth of comics most fabulous femme star in a new unexpected role!" Again British Marvel mags brings a character in their later presentation before their first appearance are shown, In Greer Nelson readers should have meet her as the Cat in her debut story "Beware the Claws of the Cat", which British readers can soon read in the Super-Heroes issue 31, from the week ending 3rd of October 1975. Our story starts with Jack Russell walking alone upon a deserted Mexican beach, until a dark haired woman run into him. 

While Jack sees if Greer is alright he is struck from behind with the butt of a revolver. While he slips into unconsciousness Hydra agents take Greer way, accusing her of spying on their secret installation. Just then they notice a cat shaped ring on her finger, which identified her as a member of the Cat People. With her cover blown Greer transforms into Tigra the were-woman. As she fights for her life against the Hydra soldiers the new moon rises causing Jack to transform into the Werewolf. Still feeling the pain of the surprise brutal beating the beast attacks the first thing it sees, which is Tigra. The Hydra agents use a "Sonic Shatter Cone" to knock out both were-people. The Werewolf is left on the beach while Tigra is taken inside the Hydra base.

“A monster reborn!”

Writer: Steve Gerber

Artist: Pablo Marcos

Inker: Pablo Marcos

Originally published in Monsters Unleashed #4

Cover date February 1974

(Published in November 1973)

It's an interesting story from Steve Gerber and Pablo Marcos does some of his most detailed artwork, which sees an aging Rabbi Samuel Grellmann, whose congregation seems to be growing smaller every day. He comment's to Aaron, a member of his congregation, that his faith in the old ways is dying and soon no one will want to hear him speak. Aaron takes it upon himself to revitalise the numbers of the synagogue. He starts by looking through ancient tomes in the Rabbi's study. There he finds the Kabbalah and uses it to create golems to fill out the congregation. The horror is really cranked up when the Rabbi walks in front of the crowd. At first he's stricken with fear but then relaxes and comes to the realisation that these creatures were created by god as well. So the Rabbi pulls out his scrolls and begins the service.

The third Marvel Midsummer Madness mask is of the Werewolf by Night. Like the Hulk mask you can, if you choose to, cut out the line under the nose to fit your face better. You have to wonder why Dracula's features wasn't chosen as the template for this mask, but to be fair the Werewolf works extremely well and was a great choice. It's my favourite mask of the four.

Planet of the Apes #48

This Ron Wilson cover may have given away some of the City of Nomads plot before it is made clear in the actual strip. But it pulls no punches as a gorilla slave driver commands his human slaves to row for their lives! Mike Esposito adds the inks to Ron Wilson's artwork.

Planet of the Apes “Encounter!”

Writer: Doug Moench

Artist: Tom Sutton

Inker: Tom Sutton

Originally published in Planet of the Apes (US) #12

Cover date September 1975

(Published in July 1975)

This week's second part opening splash page was drawn by Carl Potts, although the quality of artwork is very high, it doesn't match Tom Sutton's incredibly high quality story artwork. But it does match the style of the story, minimum text, maximum drama, with a new story title and a credit box. Nuff said, let's go!

The mysterious assassin makes his way with effortless athletic skill from one side of the  city-ship to the other, murdering any gorilla rebels who get in his way. His next target sits at the dining table of the decadent orangutang leaders, who are honouring Commander Dymaxius with a banquet of monstrous proportions as this council debates the best course of action to avert a hasty war with the gorilla rebels. As a toast is risen to the long life and health of Dymaxius a bolt from a crossbow cuts that life expectancy short as it imbeds itself in his skull. Chaos rains down as panic sets in with the orangutang leader, Argol, finding safety in the throat of a giant fish head, that was to be their supper. This allows the assassin the cover to flee. The carnage that follows leads to a declaration of war between the two factions. Giving Tom Sutton the opportunity to draw some of his most incredible artwork in an apes strip. The bloody spectacle is viewed by the silent assassin who sees the stronger gorilla marauders overpower the weaker orangutang soldiers. The war continues next week.

Apes Forum

Miss Jackie Dunham from Norwich has just joined a Planet of the Apes fan club, thanks to her American pen pal friend. In her letter she gives their address. Membership costs two dollars and fifty cents a year, for that you get a newsletter packed with loads of info and Planet of The Apes articles, stories and drawings. As well as POTA mag she gets Marvel's other comics like Spider-man Comics Weekly, the Super-Heroes and the Avengers weekly. Her favourite character is Captain America, in her home town there's a restaurant called "Captain America" that sells American food, like hamburgers. Jamie Ward from Cleveland writes in about the five books based on the Planet of the Apes with the first one "Man the fugitive" based on the television series, contains two tales, "The Cure" in which a village catches malaria and is quarantined, followed by "The Good Seeds", in which Galen breaks his leg and they take shelter in a nearby farm. Another book is "Escape to Tomorrow", which contains TV adaptions of "The Surgeon" where Galen visits his former girl-friend and steals books from Zaius' office and "The Deception" about Gorilla dragoons who plan to eliminate all humans. They are written by George Alec Effinger. The other three books are adaptations of the films "Conquest for the Planet of The Apes", "Battle for the Planet of the Apes" and "Escape from the Planet of The Apes" and they are all written by David Gerrold.

The Power of Warlock “Death Sting!”

Writer: Ron Goulart

Artist: Gil Kane

Inker: Tom Sutton

Originally published in The Power of Warlock #5

Cover date April 1973

(Published in January 1973)

Gil Kane's cover art from The Power of the Warlock issue 5, that was inked by Frank Giacoia, is used as this week's second part opening splash page, with a new story title, catch-up box and credit strip added. Doom calls President Carpenter again to get the Air Force help to stop the deadly Deathbird missiles. Yet again Carpenter turns Von Doom down and tells him that he will handle the Air-Force problem personally. It feels strange to see this version of Doom, who is hinted to be a colleague of Reed Richards. He isn't afraid to take action on his own.

Von Doom had created a deactivator for the Deathbirds and sets off to use it. Already the Deathbird missiles zero in on the body heat given off from a group of refugees fleeting the danger zone. As the carnage starts Adam Warlock swoops in to distract the missiles by increasing his own body heat to become a bigger target. As he leads them away in to the desert, Von Doom uses the deactivator to detonate the Deathbirds. Later in a television speech, Rex Carpenter proclaims that Adam Warlock is a danger, that they must stop at all costs. The people around Warlock refuse to believe this because they had witnessed Warlock's actions and Von Doom is outraged, as he himself had warned the president about the danger of an earthquake and the Deathbirds. The drama continues next issue with "Enter Reed Richards!" plus we'll learn a startling secret regarding Victor Von Doom!

In quite an unusual step one page is given over to one letter, but to be fair it carried news that was important to Planet of the Ape readers who had taken interest in stars of the Planet of the Apes TV series fan club, particularly the James Naughton fan club that had been set up by Janis Cronin and the Ron Harper fan club that had been arranged by Janice Clements. At one point both girls had received letters from the TV stars encouraging both of them to start up fan clubs, as seen in POTA #25. It seems that at some point they decided to pair up and combine their resources. Which would have been great but as this letter from Janice Clements details that they have been unable to continue contact with either Naughton or Harper and so they have found themselves with no other choice but to finish the fan club. Janice apologises but does't set blame or anger on either actor, but you can sense her disappointment. The editor is very diplomatic by writing that they sympathise with the two Janices, who courageously started the club, but pointed out that the Apes series has finished and show business being what it is, both actors no doubt moved on to new acting roles.

Here's a full page of in-house adverts from page 24 of this week's Planet of the Apes mag. The top half features an old Dracula Lives promotional piece, which dates itself somewhat with the inclusion of the Frankenstein's Monster with the mags two other stars, the Werewolf and of course the Lord of Darkness himself. Under that ad is a teaser for an up-coming new exciting ape story in the Planet of the Apes. Many readers would have demanded it and boy are they going to get it judging by the beautiful Rico Rivel artwork shown here of three chimpanzee astronauts who have managed to "Escape from the Planet of the Apes". It looks great as you'll see in two week's time!  

Captain Marvel “The spaceman and the Super Skrull!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Vince Colletta

Originally published in Captain Marvel #2

Cover date June 1968

(Published in March 1968)

Gene Colan's cover from Captain Marvel issue 2, with inks by Vince Colletta, is used as this week's second part opening splash page with all the necessary bits and bobs added, including a new story title. It jumps the gun a little but it still looks great. The Super-Skrull has been sent to Earth by the Skrull Emperor to investigate the increase in Kree activity on that planet. The skrull has detected Kree technology in a case that is being taken to the Cape Kennedy Space Center by Jeremy Logan, the night clerk at the hotel where Walter Lawrence had stayed. Logan believes that Lawrence is a foreign spy, when in fact he is the Kree warrior, Mar-Vell. 

Captain Mar-Vell tracks down his missing case, only to find that the Super-Skrull has beaten him to it and is attacking the human. Captain Marvel then battles the Super-Skrull, however the Skrull's powers that mimic the awesome combined might of the Fantastic Four prove to be too much for Mar-Vell who is knocked unconscious and taken prisoner. In Orbit above the Earth aboard the Kree ship, the jealous Colonel Yon-Rogg decides to allow the Skrull to defeat the Captain, hoping the Super-Skrull will eliminate his opposition for Nurse Una's affections. The Super-Skrull then leaves the scene with Mar-Vell as his prisoner, leaving behind the Kree carrying case, which with Jeremy Logan's tampering has activated the cylinder's self destruct mechanism. But as the Kree aren't your every day kind of crazy, the explosive isn't a small amount of explosive material, oh no, it's a nuclear device that will destroy a vast area of the countryside in a devastating inferno. Come back next week as it reaches "Zero hour!"

The fourth and final mask from the Marvel Midsummer Madness mask series is of Galen the chimpanzee character from the Planet of the Apes TV series. Again Galen's nose can be cut out to give the mask more shape. Still not sure who drew this image but like the Werewolf image from the back of Dracula Lives, they are both very detailed. 

The Super-heroes #29

This Keith Pollard's Super-Heroes cover almost looks like it was a cut and paste collage instead of a commissioned artwork, but the slight difference in art style may come from two very different inkers, Mike Esposito, who is said to have inked Spider-man and the Fantastic Four heads and Aubrey Bradford, whom I would imagine inked the rest of the art. 

Silver Surfer “The flame and the fury!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: John Buscema

Inker: Dan Adkins

Originally published in Silver Surfer #15

Cover date April 1970

(Published in March 1970)

Last week's commissioned cover that featured the X-Men fighting a Sentinel and the Silver Surfer swapping cosmic blasts with the Human Torch's flame balls was probably intended for this week's issue, as this week's story starts with the Surfer in New York and ends with him in a pitched battles with the Torch. But before we get to that we find the Surfer once more deciding to find away he can become part of humanity. His first move is to go to a tailor and get a new set of clothes. 

This kind of extraordinary meets normal everyday situation brings its own problems that Stan and John weave into a naturally interesting read, when the salesman is shocked to see the Surfer and tries to run away, only to have the Surfer seal the doors. The switch to the normal is wonderful as he agrees to help the him find the perfect outfit. Even the Taylor's assistant couldn't be anymore "New York normal" as he enter the room chewing a cigar, but without blinking an eye as he gets on with his measuring as if he's some kind of Jack Kirby clone. This set piece gives Stan and John and more importantly the Surfer, a chance to reflect on his recent adventures on Earth. Recalling his and the Fantastic Four's battle against Galactus. This train of thought leads the Surfer to decide to contact the Fantastic Four once more to see if there is anything that they can do to help him get past Galactus's barrier. Arriving at the Baxter Building, he overhears the Fantastic Four discussing with a military General the Silver Surfer. Mister Fantastic notices the Surfer eavesdropping at the window and grabs him. Believing himself to have been betrayed he quickly shocks Richards with the power cosmic and flees. The Human Torch chases after him. A "Battle supreme" breaks outing next week's issue when he catches up to him.

Galactic Graffiti

Paul Yates KOF, FFF from Nottingham explains why the Surfer becomes vulnerable when using his cosmic blasts, as seen in issue 13. The Surfer is covered in a silver substance that keep's the Surfer protected. But when his blasts are fired the silver substance is drawn to his fingertips, both to protect his fingers from the heat and to enable him to fire the bolts in the first place. The silver substance replaces itself in much the same way as does blood, only much more quickly. Malcolm Dunn RFO from Hertfordshire gives his impression of the Super-Heroes weekly by saying that Silver Surfer is good since leaving Mephisto. The X-Men, excellent and is getting better with every issue, even though they are still in their infancy. Pete Gibbins from Hull isn't happy that the Silver Surfer has been cut down to ten pages as he is Marvel's best character to date. Paul Levy from Lancashire answers Lawrence Mead's letter who said that the Silver Surfer stories would dwindle down to ten pages by issue 6 by pointing out that his letter was printed in issue 16 and in that issue the Surfer story was nineteen pages long. He also questions why Lawrence has the audacity to say John Buscema was never suited to the Silver Surfer stories and that Barry Smith "doesn't draw muscles very well." In Paul's opinion, John Buscema is one of the best (if not the best) of Marvel artists, and Mr Smith makes him proud to be British. 

The X-Men “The supreme sacrifice!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby and Werner Roth

Inker: Dick Ayers

Originally published in The X-Men #16

Cover date January 1966

(Published in November 1965)

With only two strips in this week's Super-Heroes the X-Men are given the lion's share of the mag to finish this Sentinel saga. Professor X has only just made it back to his physical body after the Master Mold had attacked his astral form, As the Sentinel base sinks into the earth the X-Men have been captured and await interrogation by the Master Mold. The Professor decides to go back to the television studio to examine the deactivated robot. Meanwhile, the X-Men try as they might to break free from their glass prison. The Master Mold has gotten all the information he can from the Beast and orders the mutant to be caged with his comrades. When Bolivar Trask sees the error of his ways when he asks Master Mold what he intends to do with the X-Men, the robot responds by telling him that he intends to destroy them.

At the television studio the Professor studies the inert Sentinel, probing it with his mental powers. He learns that something must have interfered with the robot's receiver unit. Looking out of  the window, he notices a giant crystal on display atop the Crystal Products Building. This gives the Professor just the idea on how to destroy Master Mold and the other Sentinels. Meanwhile the Sentinels prepare to put the Beast in the cell with the other X-Men. When a small opening is made in the transparent prison Cyclops blasts his way free. catching the Sentinels off guard. The young mutants make good their escape until the Sentinels recover enough to fire their stun beams, knocking them out. Just as they prepare to kill the X-Men they suddenly collapse. Outside, Professor X and the authorities have arrived in three helicopters carrying a giant crystal. Suddenly, the high tech giant cyclone cannon begins to attack the helicopters.

Professor X telepathically alerts the X-Men to the Sentinels' weaknesses. Rushing off to face Master Mold, the X-Men are startled when the lights begin to go out as some giant machine beneath their feet begins operating that will construct eight new and more powerful Sentinel robots. Realising that with enough power, Master Mold can go on producing Sentinels forever and dominate all mankind, Trask takes action as he smashes a vital machine in the lab causing a massive explosion. As the complex begins to collapse around them they manage to escape the destruction with the help of Marvel Girl's telekinetic powers. The Beast carries an injured Iceman out of the complex as the walls crumble. Passing his unconscious comrade to the Angel, Beast quickly runs down the side of the complex by himself just moments before it explodes. Watching the destruction, the X-Men wonder what might have happened, unaware of Trask's sacrifice. With the threat of the Sentinels over, the X-Men head back to their mansion, unaware that someone lurk in the shadows, waiting for their return. Discover who that might be in next week's Power of the Beesting blog, so till then...

See you in seven.

Make Mine Marvel.