Week Ending 13th September 1975
The covers from the British Marvel weeklies have always been a subject of discussion. They didn't always portray the correct stories that could be found within. Some week's they where below great, other week's they made your choice for favourite a hard one. Whatever was your choice for Cover of the Week would always be right on some level, because each cover would always ignite golden memories that last forever. Let recall those memories with another walk through British Marvel mags vast history continuing with those from the week ending the 13th of September 1975.
The Mighty World of Marvel #154
This covers promises everything, "Daredevil faces his deadliest foe!", "Is this the end of the Fantastic Four?" and "You may be hot-stuff on land, Hulk..but under water, Tiger-Shark is supreme!" But I'm not sure that the Jester is Daredevil's deadliest foe, or the Fantastic Four are finished and as for Tiger-Shark, he's not even in this weekly! I think this cover should go down as one of British Marvel's biggest cock ups. The story in which Tiger Shark appears is printed in MWOM #158 and #159, in fact this cover gets a recrudesce on the front of issue 159 on the week ending 18th October 1975. Did they loose this week's cover and go with whatever they had at hand.which was this Keith Pollard (pencils,) and Mike Esposito (inks,) created this cover.
The Incredible Hulk “Frenzy on a far-away world!”
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)
A new writing team starts this week, but the style hasn't changed at all, probably because Roy Thomas is still editing the title and he also lays out this story's plot. Thomas was also editing the Warlock comic that crossed over with this story, so I see him as a great director coaching the writers and artists in the direction he envisaged. As for Steve Gerber's input I don't see much of his style in the story or dialogue, only just great writing. No political subtext or talking ducks here! Just a great story, with may be a little more dialogue than usual. Continuity wise Warlock's appearance fits between POTA #32 and #33. The Hulk has leapt onto the Leader's space-shuttle that had been carrying a mind controlled Rhino to the wedding of Glenn Talbot and Betty Ross to wreak some havoc, however the Leader sees an opportunity to rid himself of both juggernauts by sending his craft to the other side of the sun.
On Earth General Ross monitors the ship as it spirals towards its ultimate destruction with collision with the Sun. However, the fate of the Rhino and the Hulk takes a turn as the ship instead orbits around the Sun until it passes through the atmosphere of the High Evolutionary's Counter-Earth. Oblivious to the situation the Hulk knocks the Rhino from the ship, he himself crashes in to a city, interrupting a battle between Kohbra's beast-men and Porcunius' rebel group, which causes Kohbra and his minions to flee. As Porcunius offers the Hulk friendship and sanctuary, they are spotted by the military who are being led by Counter-Earth's versions of General Ross and Glenn Talbot. However, they flee the scene, leaving Ross puzzled at what just happened. Aboard his space station, the High Evolutionary muses grimly at the discovery of his New-Men on Counter-Earth, even though he knew it was going to eventually happen. A news report breaks with news that the army have discovered a strange space-ship, which reaches both warring factions of the New-Men, who seek to claim the shuttle. The Counter-Earth versions of Bruce Banner and Betty Ross arrive to examine the ship. Banner is surprised to learn that it is powered by Gamma Rays and recalls a close encounter where he saved a young boy named Rick Jones from the explosion of his experimental Gamma Bomb which he managed to safety before they where irradiated. Just then the Hulk, with Porcunius and his New-Men faction smash through the wall. The Hulk wants the ship to get home, but he recognises Banner as the one person he hates the most. Find out what happens net week in "Unleashed on Counter-Earth!
Daredevil “A joke-a-day keeps the Jester away”
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Gene Colan
Inker: George Klein
Originally published in Daredevil #46
Cover date November 1968
(Published in September 1968)
The Daredevil strip has been for most part a second rate strip, but slowly and steadily under Gene Colan's art and plot direction with Stan Lee's improved writing it has been allowed to develop into one of the strips that I look forward to every week. Very quietly but purposely events are laid out to take the strip to even better heights. Next week "Stranger take my hand..!"
Tim Stranger from Norwich disagrees with Roy Thomas when he said in FOOM #8 that some writers are churning out a large number of Gods in Marvel comics. Tim thinks if writers should cut them down they should cut down vampires instead. Nigel Fortey from Gloucester thinks that Marvel doesn't think much of its British readers, as they don't seem to be giving us much attention and would like to see a well established British character written by a British writer. The editor gives quite a big reply to Nigel's point. To summarise their standpoint they say "to a question of whether British Marvel should contain British characters. Give it time, and something of that kind will surely come about." Simon Boddy from Oxon has just received his first Spider-man and would like some information about Marveldom. His letter doesn't say information on what parts so the editor suggests reading "Origins of Marvel Comics" by Stan Lee. If only Simon had read Scott Deeley's, from Rotherham, letter where he recommends the Marvel Information Bureau for all your Marvel information. Micheal Rowe from Nottingham wonders if the Daredevil t-shirts advertised in Daredevil issue 47 from December 1969 are available in the UK? The answer is "probably not."
Paul Shanley from County Dublin gets six of the British Marvel mags each week, the only one he doesn't is Dracula Lives, which he describes as a "waste of time!" He gives six mini reviews on SSOC, SMCW, the Super-Heroes, the Avengers weekly, MWOM and POTA. Raymond Brooking KOF, RFO, QNS from Devon writes in with a tip on how to make a do-it-yourself Marvel paper weight. Douglas Angel from Norfolk wants to start up his own mag and needs a team of artists, writers and colourers, who are between the ages of 11 and 14. He asks for applicants to submit a letter detailing themselves with examples of their work.
The Mighty Marvel Mailbag
It's another week of Butlin's Super Jokers with a short list of winners from the week commencing the 21st June. Christopher Muldoon, aged 11, from Lanarkshire won at Ayr holiday centre, Paul Adams, aged 10, from Oldham won at Barry holiday centre, Tony Jervis, aged 5, from Suffolk won at Clacton holiday centre, John N. Collinson, aged 7½, from Middlesex won at Minehead holiday centre, Amanda Yelland, aged 8, from Stoke-on-Trent won at Pwllheli holiday centre and at Skegness holiday centre Susan and Brian Rawson, aged 8 and 10, from Doncaster were also winners. Jokers of the week are Peter Flannigan. aged 5, from Stoke-on-Trent won at Bognor holiday centre with this joke, "Why did the policeman climb the tree? Because he wanted to join the special branch!" And Caroline Dow, aged 10, from Glasgow joked "There once was a monster called Nessie, Who frightened a lady called Bessie, Through the mud they did run, But that was no fun
While out on the street, the Thing learns of the police dragnet out trying to find him from the newspaper and decides to go to the Mad Thinker's hideout to get his final "revenge" against Reed Richards. Since the Thinker used Santini's machine on the Thing his reasoning has been erratic and violent, so when a taxi fails to stop for him, he goes on a rampage in the streets attracting the police and forcing Ben to flee through the sewers. At the Baxter Building, Sue confides with Crystal about the danger her husband and brother will face while looking out for Ben and that they need her more than ever. Crystal comforts her saying that she needs to be untroubled and calm for the sake of her unborn baby. Meanwhile, at the Mad Thinker's hideout, the Torch melts a hole in the floor to stop the room from flooding but flies directly into an electro-wall barrier blocking their path into the next room. At the same time the Thing emerges in the New York Subway, sending commuters fleeing. The story continues next week.
The back page on all this week's weeklies, save the Avengers, have a teaser for next week's special feature. "Midsummer Madness!" promises that every British Marvel comic will have a free Marvel mask. So if you want to be Spider-man, or green with rage like ol' Hulk, or as scary as the Werewolf, or just monkey around like an ape you can with Marvel. All you have to do is cut out the face from the full colour back pages, one on each comic, then stick them to a piece of card from a breakfast cereal packet and there you have it, minutes if not hours of joy. Before any reader can moan about ruining the comic or the stories inside Marvel guarantees that on the inside back pages of the comics there'll be no stories or other Marvel features. So when you get snipping you won't give Spidey the chop. I guess the editors have taken notice of what the readers have said about cutting out things from the comics. Four examples of the masks are shown here and if you had a pet cat or dog you could make a mini version of the masks for them. Although that isn't really a 1970's thing, more like a Tic-tok/ Instagram generation thing.
Writer: Stan Lee
Well happiness and joy in the Marvel Universe only exist in the pockets of peace between the chaos and crisis. So even Peter's happiness gets shaded under dark clouds when funds needed to take Gwen out are in short supply. Taking up the offer of a job at Oscorp is definitely out of the question, especially if too much time spend near Norman Osborn awakens memories of his evil alter-ego. The obvious choice is to return to the Daily Bugle news paper and see what work he is offered. Stan Lee must have been having a good day because between him and Gil Kane the plot turns, Jameson needs a photographer for a prison riot news story and Robertson thinks that Peter is ideal for the assignment. Peter talks money before he accepts the job, much to Jameson's dismay. Playing hard ball the publisher agrees to take Peter on as a spare time staff photographer on a salary with one hundred dollars for every shot the paper uses. Parker changes into Spider-man and heads to the prison. The prisoners have rioted for better conditions, holding the warden hostage until their demands are met. However the leader of the protest. Turpo, is using the demonstration as cover for his planned escape, even using some prisoners who wanted to express their grievances as scapegoats. Spidey breaks into the prison to rescue the warden and the genuine protesters, while stopping Turpo and his group. More on how it ends next week.
Glynne Cook RFO, KOF, TTB, from Cheshire has come up with a new way to copy Marvel characters, I'm not sure what he means, it sounds like a cross between tracing or ink rubbing. Julian Joseph RFO, KOF, from Devon missed the "Spidey" Treasury Edition and wonders if there's anywhere he can write to, to get a copy of it. Andrew White RFO, KOF, QNS, TTB, PMM from Liverpool describes the Spider-man story from #117 to #122 as "Wow!", because of the ways that the death of Captain Stacy and the after effects from it was handled. Especially the bit where Gwen sided with Bullit against Spider-man, which he calls "fab". He goes on to say that he was lucky enough to pick up an American edition of the Amazing Spider-man, in which Spidey went to France and battle the Cyclone, describing the bit when someone impersonates Gwen as great. What's that about, I can't tell you for spoilers. John Swales from Barnsley doesn't think that he's ever enjoyed a Spidey story as much as he enjoyed "When Iceman attacks!" The plot was great, the dialogue was neither corny nor choppy and it flowed smoothly throughout. In his opinion Gil Kane is the best Spidey artist he's seen. His smooth flowing artwork reminds him of the long gone days of Steve Ditko on the early Spidey classics.
Writer: Stan Lee
Back at Stark Industries, SHIELD agent Jasper Sitwell has learned that Iron Man was carried away when his armour had frozen after defeating the Grey Gargoyle by Morgan Stark some issues ago, see events in SMCW #133 and #134 After radioing in for information from SHIELD HQ, Jasper is ordered by Nick Fury to handle the situation himself and locate Iron Man on his own, as they're short handed and can't spare the men power to help. To make matters worse Jasper has to wading through Tony's various female admirers who are concerned with Tony Stark's disappearance. One particular woman is highlighted, a mysterious woman in a fedora who has taken specific interest in the situation. Just past the border into international waters aboard the Maggia cruise ship, Iron Man's holographic projector batteries are finally run out, with the true Iron Man revealed, the Big M orders Whiplash to finish Iron Man off once and for all. Next week sees the armoured Avenger "at the mercy of the Maggia!"
Meanwhile on modern day Asgard, a troubled Balder tries to escape thoughts of Karnilla the Queen of the Norns. However the Queen is aware of Balder's struggling emotions and appears before him, to charm him into renouncing his loyalty to Odin by declaring his love for her. Balder refuses her advances and seeks out Odin to grant him peace from his troubled thoughts. Odin witnesses Balder's dilemma, even though the All-Father is preoccupied with puzzling over the origins of Galactus. Odin sympathises with Balder's plight and offers Balder a method to escape his aching heart, he sends him to Earth where he seeks out Thor and Sif in New York City. There he finds a strangely glowing time warp where the Atomic Research Center was located. The story, as you've come to expect continues next week.
The inside front page features an Airfix Model advertisement for Rommel's Half-track construction kit, which is a 32nd scale model in the Series 6 range. During the Western Desert battles of 1941-43 the German commander, Field Marshall Erwin Rommel. came very close to winning victory with his tactical skill. Rommel frequently directed operations from his armoured radio command car just behind the front line. "Greif", which means "Strike" in english, was the name he gave to the vehicle, was a standard SdKfz 250 semi-tracked reconnaissance car. The SdKfz 250 series of armoured vehicles was designed and built by the firm of Demag and could carry a crew of six and a main armament of two heavy machine guns, with a cross country top speed of 37 mph. Model makers would love adverts like these, even though it showcased what would be to British readers an enemy vehicle the mention in the advert of a Airfix Magazine at the price of twenty-two pence with all the up-to-date news and details of Airfix models would be appreciated by model fans. Also available are a set of detailed Airfix Books, that give detailed background information on other models such as the HMS Victory, the Cutty Sark, the Mayflower Spitfire, the Messerschmitt Bf 109 the P-5l Mustang and the Hawker Hurricane.
Part two of "the Song of Red Sonja!" starts with Sonja and Conan approaching a tower with intensions of pilfering the riches that are said to be housed within. Once again Conan makes advances of a sexual nature towards Sonja, which are quickly repelled, pushing the Cimmerian into a hedge. He tells her that he has killed men for less, which brings the brilliant reply from the warrior woman, "For what? For not letting you kiss them?" I'll admit I'm not sure if that was a Roy Thomas line or from one of Robert E Howard's prose, but that disarms the barbarian, while leaving him with a smile on his lips if not a kiss. Red Sonja had chosen Conan wisely, having heard about Cimmerian's impressive skills as a climber. The two scale the walls and find a room filled full of incalculable wealth. 
Sonja tells Conan to not waste his time with worthless baubles and to check the corridors. When he asks why can't she do that she again out smarts the barbarian by telling him that only he could handle any skulking guards better than her. Her logic makes sense to him even though it was the first time he heard her admit it. As Conan pokes around the room, Sonja sets out on the real mission King Ghannif of Pah-Dishah had given her. To recover a specific trinket, that had been part of his daughter's dowry, a serpent tiara. Once she finds the gleaming prize with bejewelled bright eyes, she bolts from the room. She neglects to summon her companion, that is until Conan hears her scream. The second part ends with an epilogue which sees King Eannatum comforts his wife, sharing tenderness that doesn't come from passion, but from a tender caring companion.
Donald MacLeod from Ross-shire has spotted what he considers to be a massive mistake on the part of Roy Thomas, in the Doctor Strange story, "The Mystic and The Monarch", Donald has a friend who studies horror and the occult and he say that in the colonies a witch would have been hanged if convicted, but on page 31 of Avengers 87, last panel it reads "He who lit the first witch-pyre..." He also accuses Marvel of another nefarious deed, namely, adapting "Killraven" out of the World of The Worlds US mag to fit into the Planet of the Apes mag as the "Apeslayer" story. He expects loads of angry letters on that. David Taylor from Northants has been collecting the Avengers weekly since issue 1, but has nowhere to keep them. Mark Bilsborough from Sheffield sent in a copy of the Sword and Sorcery comics orientated fanzine CROM, which he edits and wants some feed back on it. The Marvel editor replies "we reckon it's gonna get better once you're into your stride. The makings are there, but we'd say you need a little more variety and interest in your copy." Stephen Elrick RFO, from Laurencekirk points out that in one of the stories in the Avengers weekly a "Ninja" was helping Iron Fist, but the Ninja are murderous assassins who practised the art of killing, with everything from arrows to herbs. P D Edderton from Scotland writes "at last" we're getting some classic Avengers stories with "Even an Android can cry" and "The name is Yellowjacket." Robin Cullen from Wiltshire sees improvements in the latest issues of the Avengers weekly with no more scratchy, heavily-shaded words and the covers have also greatly improved. He describes John Buscema as a "marvel" and considers that Shang-Chi is a brilliant creation. The only reason why people moan about him is because he seems to "hog" the covers. Anthony Doherty from Scotland writes in to try and win a RFO and a KOF.
As the Avengers reach the wing of the hospital where Tony Stark was being treated they are greeted by five agents of SHIELD who can now stand down to just two agents now the Avengers are here. Soon the Avengers are joined by Captain America and Thor, who has brought Doctor Jose Santini to help with Stark's treatment. British readers may not have put two and two together but Santini is meant to be the same Doctor who the Mad Thinker kidnapped and impersonated to get closer to Reed Richards and sabotage Ben Grimm's cure, as seen in MWOM#150. During their visit, the Wasp comes across a tiny figurine. She discards it as unimportant and throws the doll size robot into the bin as they leave to give the Doctor more space.
The Growing Man starts to grow to twice its size. It's destination is Stark's room, in its way are the two SHIELD agents who try and stop it but all they do is manage to make it grow more when they shoot at it. The creature knocks Doctor Santini to one side and scoops up Stark. The Avengers rush in and attack. Thor recognises it as one of Kang's Growing Men creations, last seen battling Thor in SMCW#88. With all the pounding the Avengers give the stimuloid man, he grows to the size of a giant. Goliath tries matching the Growing Man's size but the strain is too much for him. Suddenly a beam of light shines down on the Growing Man, causing it to shrink down to human size, then both it and Stark are lifted into the sky. The beam also draws the Avengers upwards, transporting them all via a dazzling sphere through the void of time and space to face, "the way of Kang!" in next week's issue.
Strange manages to fight off and eventually destroy N'Gabthoth, but not before allowing it to flee, so that he can follow the stumbling creature towards an ancient church where the demonic creature rips open the weather worn floorboards to find a old chest covered with cryptic sigils with eidolons out of a forgotten age. Strange defends himself against the necromantic dark fury that the demon throws at him by countering it with his amulet. Eventually the sorcerer's constant mystical bombardment sends it back to the primal ooze from where it came from. Stashed in the treasure box was an ancient map of Stonehenge. Next week the Doctor heads to England where he'll have to face "the shadow in the Starstone!"
Dracula arrives, swatting Peter to one side, so he can and using his hypnotic powers to get the full story out of Petra. Still unsure how Gorna manages to resist his commands, Dracula goes after the disobedient vampire foe. to destroy him. The villagers decide they should take an active role in dealing with Gorna and end being the pawn of the undead. Back in London, Frank Drake and Rachel van Helsing return to Quincy Harker's estate to tell him that they believe Dracula dead after his battle against Doctor Sun. Quincy tells them that he was attacked by a woman who had claimed to be Dracula's daughter. Taj had left, leaving a note behind explaining that he urgently needed to go home to India. Finally, back in Kamenka, Dracula has tracked down Gorna, who has been horribly scarred from the nights earlier burning. The two fight, as the towns people begin a huge fire around the cemetery. Dracula easily over powers Gorna, tossing him into the flames where he is incinerated.
Pauline-Lu-Loverley enjoyed Dracula Lives and the fantastic picture of Christopher Lee. She does have an issue with Dracula's pointed lugs. T W Groves QNS, RFO, from Birmingham finally managed to pick up a copy of "Origins of Marvel Comics" and summarises the book detailing how Stan Lee started as a proof-reader at Marvel when it was called Timely Comics and later became editor producing comics about various genres but really hit the big time in 1961 with the start of the super-hero revolution. Gaile Vince from Staffordshire writes in to support Mike Griggs on one aspect of his letter in Dracula Lives #36, agreeing that he's completely correct about Gene Colan and he too, was very disappointed with the art in the Dracula stories in #25 and #27. The artwork on both of these was utterly appalling and the story was below par. As for the other issue he raised, on Dracula's characterisation, Gaile found it a bit far-fetched. She feels that if Dracula was too terrible, people would stop buying the mag. People can identify with him, so it is, it seems, psychological. She adds as a female of the species Homo Sapiens, she finds Dracula "a rather attractive bit of flesh". She asks them to not change him, leave him as he is.
He fights the vampires just as Raymond Coker, in his own more controlled Werewolf form, joins in equaling the odds. Coker had been following Jack in spite of their petty rivalry, to see if jack had discovered a cure for the werewolf infliction. Coker's intellect comes up with a plan to destroy the vampires. He hands the Werewolf a wooden stake so that they can impel the vampires through their hearts, but the beast throws it away. Coker drives his stake through Liza's heart, while Jack throws Louis Belski against a movie prop that breaks, leaving a wooden shard impaled in the vampire's heart. Afterwards as the morning breaks Jack and Ray transform back and find a copy of the Libro del Malditos, which reveals to them that the curse of a werewolf can only be cured by one werewolf killing another werewolf.
N'Kantu is taken to the Palace of the Gods and introduced to the Elementals, four ancient Gods, Hydron, Lord of Water, Magnum, Master of the Earth, Hellfire, Welder of Flame and Zephyr, Mistress of the Winds. Eons ago before Atlantis was built they made their presence felt on Earth, carving out a mighty kingdom that spread across the land until it reached a country that would become known as Egypt. A young warrior known only as Dann refused to submit to their rule and with a wizard called Garret the two created a fearsome weapon in the shape of a scarab beetle shaped gem. named the Ruby Scarab it sapped the powers of the Elementals and banished them from the Earth. The four beings promise to help the Living Mummy become human again if he agrees to get them the Ruby Scarab. Recognising their evil nature, N'Kantu refuses to help them. The outraged demigods then attack him, with Zephyr using her powers to force him under her will.
N'Kantu is then commanded to retrieve the Ruby from Professor Abdol and is teleported to Earth. Meanwhile in New York City, Doctor Skarab claims that he "heard" through some sort of mind link, N'Kantu calling out the name of his ancestor and that the Mummy has returned to Egypt. As a result, Skarab informs Ron and Janice that he has decided to travel to Egypt in order to find the missing Mummy. N'Kantu materialises just outside the pyramid and confronts a guard. Even though he doesn't wish to harm the man, he cannot seem to disobey Zephyr's commands, slowly he moves forward, ready to kill. Next week "Pyramid of peril!"
The inside back page features two in-house adverts and a paid for Charles Atlas advert which offers to make you a real He-man! The appeal of it is tempting but to be honest I've always doubted the legitimately of its claim. You should never take any for granted, much like the two in-house adverts, which I can confirm are totally incorrect. The first promises "Marvel's mighty action" in this week's Mighty World of Marvel by showing the incredible Hulk as he battles Tiger-Shark. However even though that same image appears on the cover as mentioned earlier in the blog, no-such story takes place. Under that the promise of the man of bronze, Doc Savage, will appear in "a great new feature in the Super-Heroes". That too didn't materialise. The part image of a Super-Heroes cover was possibly a design that as far as I can tell was never used. Was there an intention of continuing the Doc Savage adventures? Or was the advert just a little too late? The MWOM was simple way too early.
Normally I quite like Mike Hunt's covers, this one, inked by Duffy Vohland, isn't one of them. The reason for that is it's a bit of a mess, with almost cartoon-like artwork as ape kills ape in abandonment, as if it was a scene from a Tom and Jerry cartoon. And let's be honest the artwork on the cover isn't a patch on the beautiful artwork Tom Sutton created for the Planet of the Apes strip, "City of Nomads". I have to say sorry to Friend of the Beesting (FOTB,) Mark Rice, POTA doesn't get the COTW this week.
A maritime civilisation had evolved on board a great city-ship called the Hydromeda, with orangutans becoming the ruling class. They had once governed the whole ship, but now their power had been confined to half of the vessel. Councillor Lornus ponders his society's current problems. The rebel gorillas had been exiled into a ghetto stronghold, with an uneasy peace holding off any chance of war. Suddenly while deep in his thoughts a crossbow bolt strikes Lornus down dead. His body is discovered by a chimpanzee servant, who alerts the City-Magistrate Argol to the murder. Argol discusses the reasons and the possible culprit with his advisor, that a crossbow would be a primitive weapon not used by an orangutang but could that signal a fresh incursion by the gorilla rebels? Argol orders the defences along the border to be strengthened. After the apes leave the murder returns to the scene of his crime, a hooded figure who removes his precious bolt from the body. The Slinker departs with his quiver full. Barbarus, the rebel gorilla leader hears news of the orangutang forces increasing along Freedom's Row. The possibly of war looks likely. Overhearing BarBarus's plans from his concealment the Slinker wears a smirk or is it a frown beneath his cowl. The ape machinations continue next week.
Darren Traynor from Staffordshire gets the Planet of the Apes every week and both him and his Dad enjoy it. Kevin Hapgood (could that be Kev Hopgood the future Marvel artist? The answer is yes it was indeed from Mr. Hopgood as the artist confirmed to me.) RFO, KOF, QNS from Bedfordshire describes the Savage Sword of Conan and the Super-Heroes as two masterpieces. The releasing of the Super-Heroes should shut up all those sceptics who criticised Marvel's choice of characters with Planet of The Apes and Dracula Lives. The thing that's so good about the Super-Heroes is that it's so adaptable. As for SSOC he hasn't been a great fan of Sword and Sorcery and his monetary situation means he won't be buying the mag regularly. He is delighted with the trend that is being shown in Planet of The Apes. Not particularly because of the Apes, which he considers to be at a low ebb, but because of the great back-up features. In the last few weeks there's been some superb Sci-Fi epics like the Guardians of the Galaxy, the magnificent "He Who Hath Wings" by Gil Kane, the Thomas/Kane/Palmer horror spoof "Dig Me No Grave" and the Marvel take-offs of "The Invisible Man" and "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde". And Kev should know a superb strip when he sees one. John Wilkinson from Middlesex writes it has been eight years since he last bought a Marvel comic. However the other day he went into a shop to get a magazine for his Mum, and saw on the rack some Marvel mags. The Planet of The Apes looked really interesting so he bought it. It was really good with great art-work and exciting stories.
The Super-Skrull is ordered to find out what their enemies are up to, and kill Mar-Vell. His reward for success would be anything the Super-Skrull desired. Wanting to be married to the emperors daughter Anelle, the Super-Skrull accepts the mission and returns to Earth. Where Mar-Vell has just returned from his battle against the Sentry to find that his carrying bag has been stolen from his human identity, Walter Lawrence's hotel room. Suspecting the owner and fearing that tampering with the alien lock may have activated the self-destruct mechanism within it, Mar-Vell rushes out to find the hotel owner, Jeremy Logan, who is on his way to the Cape Kennedy Space Center with it, to turn it over to the military and inform them that Lawrence could be an enemy spy. Logan is escorted to the base's check point with the case, but the Super-Skull picks up Kree readings from the case and attacks the escort cyclist. The story continues next week.
Something has awakened him although he doesn't know what. The geologists advise him that there will be an underground bomb test at that very site in under two hours, they are worried that the test may activate the San Andreas fault causing a disaster. But Warlock seems to have his thoughts elsewhere. Meanwhile, Von Doom, who on Counter-Earth has a peaceful disposition, tries to stop the test knowing that it would have a disastrous effect on the San Andreas fault. Rex Carpenter, who has become President in the meantime, refuses to cancel the test. Just as Von Doom feared the test is carried out, which causes the earth to shake and tremble, forcing vast cracks which fork across the land. The San Andreas dam begins to fracture, allowing the deluge of water to escape. Warlock is alerted to the disaster and prevents the torrent of water from causing more devastation. However he is unaware that deep within a cavern where outlawed weapons have been stored, suddenly shake ferociously, that set in motion the firing mechanism. Anti-personnal missiles nicknamed "Deathbirds" were considered to be too vicious for civilised warfare had been hidden, but now they have been activated. Find out what happens next in the weirdly titled "Dream World!" 
If you've read last week's Power of the Beesting blog, "Here comes the Doomsday Man!" (if you haven't you should go and read it.) you would have read that I bought issue 27 of the Super-Heroes second-hand from a school jumble sale and fell in love with the cover, the characters and those stories. For many years it was a one-off comic. But many years later I got the opportunity to buy back issues of British Marvel mags from either the "Dangerous Visions" mail order adverts in many of the Marvel UK comics in 1980, or more probably from the company that took over from it, "The Perfect Mailing Company" which run numerous adverts in Marvel UK comics around 1984. I wanted to finish off the Silver Surfer "Doomsday Man" story and the X-Men "Sentinels saga" so my first choice was the Super-Heroes issue 28. I kind of think, unless I dreamt it, that in one of those adverts this cover was shown, which made this issue a must have. Keith Pollard drew this British Marvel comics commissioned cover, with Aubrey Bradford helping Keith perfect the Iceman figure. Its a wonderful cover and even though the Human Torch didn't appear inside the mag, it would have been more suited to his earlier appearance in the Silver Surfer as seen in the Super-Heroes #17. Still it looks fantastic and is my choice for Cover of the Week.
The Surfer distracts the robot enough that it puts down the bomb and attacks him instead. He dodges the robot's assault and has it fall into a bottomless pit created by his cosmic blast. Doctor Kronton foolishly tries to help the robot out of the pit, but instead his creation lashes out at its creator, killing him instantly. The robot slips deeper down the pit, falling to the Earth's core. The Surfer hurtles the cobalt bomb into space. As the crowd gathers around they blame the Silver Surfer for the doctor's death. They even accuse him of unleashing the robot, but instead of defending himself, he just silently walks away. The "next" tagline reads "The Surfer and..Spider-man!" which if these strips had been printed in the correct order would have seen the general public against the Surfer and Spider-man intervene to stop him leaving. That story was printed earlier in the Super-Heroes #13. That will cause confusion, just because they forgot to remove that line.
George Cummings from Edinburgh considers it a real coincidence that Marvel combined the Silver Surfer and X-Men, because not only is the Surfer the greatest literary achievement in comic-book history, but also because the greatest artwork he's ever seen will eventually appear in the mag. He's talking about Neal Adams' brilliant work in the later stages of X-Men. M Kingscott RFO, from Wolverhampton writes that the Superheroes #11 and #12 brought out every element, physical and emotional, that gives the character to the Silver Surfer. Michael Lever RFO from Harwich knows that Marvel is for any age-group, but It's hard to convince his dad and older brothers. But at 16 he has been reading Marvel for six years. Adrian Keyes KOF, RFO, from Sussex bought a French comic called "Voyage Cosmique! Less Fantastiques." when in France. It was all about Dr. Doom stealing the cosmic power of the Silver Surfer. Soon afterwards He saw it in English. It taught him a lot of French. David White from Scunthorpe has been collecting the Super-Heroes since issue 1 and thinks they are all brilliant especially the X-Men. He asks if the Silver Surfer ends and it is replaced with Captain America that they should still keep the X-Men, because they are X-tremely good.
Writer: Len Wein and Mike Friedrich (plot)
Josh's accomplice shoots the other cop as the crooks escape, but two days later a news report reveals that Damian recovered and named his brother as one of the suspects in the robbery. With their anonymity compromised the criminals turn on Josh taking him back to the labs to dispose of his body in an acid bath. Josh's fear and desperation triggers a newfound power, his life essence leaves his body and goes into his brother's. Without realising why, Damian suddenly knows where to go to save Josh and finds his strength and speed doubled when dealing with his would-be killers. With the danger passed, Josh's spirit returns to his own body just as the police arrive to take him away. Despite the rescue, Josh refuses to forgive Damian for turning him in. The brothers are separated once more, now with a mystery hanging over their heads. Wein, Friedrich and Tuska have crafted a smart little tale that is great as a one-off, but we haven't heard the last of the Link brothers as we'll discover in another weekly in early 1976, or 2026 if you're continuing reading the blog.
The original cover, by Jack Kirby (pencils,) and Dick Ayers (inks,) from the X-Men (US edition,) #15 is perfectly suited to be used as this week's second part opening splash page. The Beast is brought before Master Mold, who forces Trask to use a psycho-probe device so that he can learn the mutant's origin and discover a way to defeat them. As Cyclops, Angel and Marvel Girl gain entry into the Sentinel Base, there they find a bunch of deactivated Sentinels, but they're spotted by an active one, who without orders the robot tells the X-Men to follow it while it goes for more instructions. The X-Men follow, hoping to taken to its leader.
Elsewhere the Beast recounts how his mutant powers gave him an advantage as a child over schoolyard bullies, while the other X-Men find Iceman. But before they can free Bobby, they are attacked by a team of Sentinels who are easily defeated so they free Iceman and continue their search for Hank and Trask. The Beast continues his tale explaining how his agility made him a high school football star, which attracted the attention of Professor X, who offered Hank a place at his school to train him in how to use of his powers. Master Mold decides that learning the identity of the X-Men's leader would provide him the key to destroying mutants and he probes deeper. Monitoring the situation from a safe vantage point with his mental powers, Professor X sends out his astral form to try and stop Hank from outing him as the X-Men's leader. Xavier attempts to exert his mental will on Master Mold, but the massive Sentinel detects Xavier's presence and repels his astral form with micro-electric blasts. Xavier's weakened astral form returns to his body. The X-Men continue to fight their way through the Sentinels. Just then they are pinned to the ground by a strong gravity ray. Master Mold demands that Trask create him an army of Sentinels which he refuses to do. The Master Mold orders his minions to hold Trask and force him to do his bidding. The Sentinels look to hold all the cards, so even if you're not a mutant you'll be mad to miss next week's continuation. So till then I'll...
Chasing Bessie's too messy said Nessie."
The Fantastic Four “When fall the mighty”
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Jack Kirby
Inker: Joe Sinnott
Originally published in The Fantastic Four #70
Cover date January 1968
(Published in October 1967)
Reed Richards, Johnny Storm and the New York police have managed to locate the Mad Thinker's hideout in the hopes of finding a way of restoring the Thing's personality to normal. There they discover it guarded by the Mad Thinkers deadly androids. The androids attack but the split second thinking of Mister Fantastic and the destructive heat blasts of the Human Torch destroy the androids. The Torch speeds ahead just as the Mad Thinker begins flooding the room with water.
While out on the street, the Thing learns of the police dragnet out trying to find him from the newspaper and decides to go to the Mad Thinker's hideout to get his final "revenge" against Reed Richards. Since the Thinker used Santini's machine on the Thing his reasoning has been erratic and violent, so when a taxi fails to stop for him, he goes on a rampage in the streets attracting the police and forcing Ben to flee through the sewers. At the Baxter Building, Sue confides with Crystal about the danger her husband and brother will face while looking out for Ben and that they need her more than ever. Crystal comforts her saying that she needs to be untroubled and calm for the sake of her unborn baby. Meanwhile, at the Mad Thinker's hideout, the Torch melts a hole in the floor to stop the room from flooding but flies directly into an electro-wall barrier blocking their path into the next room. At the same time the Thing emerges in the New York Subway, sending commuters fleeing. The story continues next week.
Spider-man Comics Weekly #135
Gil Kane (pencils,) and Frank Giacoia's (inks,) cover from the Amazing Spider-man issue 99 is salvaged from last week's Spider-man strip opening second part and used where it should have been as the cover of this week's edition. You know it's a Kane cover from the wide eyed and angled facial shapes, but I do feel that it could have been a cut and paste cover.
Spider-man “A day in the life of..”
Artist: Gil Kane
Inker: Frank Giacoia
Originally published in the Amazing Spider-man #99
Cover date August 1971
(Published in May 1971)
After the last four weeks worth of social commentary from Stan and Gil this next story looks content to slip into a romantic melancholy story, allowing our hero to enjoy the good times for a change now that Gwen has returned from London with a brighter attitude towards Spider-man and some wholesome love directed at Peter. Things are looking rosy for this young couple, let's not spoil it.
The Web and the Hammer
Iron Man “The warrior and the whip!”
Artist: Gene Colan
Inker: Frank Giacoia
Originally published in Tales of Suspense #98
Cover date February 1968
(Published in November 1967)
Iron Man has to face-off against the Maggia's new enforcer, Whiplash, after Tony Stark's cousin Morgan Stark had handed over the golden Avenger to the Maggia's leader the Big M, in exchange for leniency with his extravagant gambling debts. After a brief scuffle where the weakened Iron Man is injured by Whiplash's electrified whip, Iron Man decides to buy himself some time by using his hologram projector to cast duplicate images of himself to confuse Whiplash.
With kids going back to school as September arrives what better advert could there be than a stationary advert. Well I'm not sure that many children in the mid seventies used fountain pens but anyway here it is from Stypen Cumberland Graphics, eight super coloured fountain pens. Even though Cumberland Graphics limited is based in Warley West Midlands, the pens are from France. Each fountain pen costs 38 pence and comes with two cartridges.
The Mighty Thor “Lest mankind fall!”
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Jack Kirby
Inker: Vince Colletta
Originally published in The Mighty Thor #164
Cover date May 1969
(Published in March 1969)
In some apocalyptic future Pluto, the lord of the Netherworld, stands above the defeated Thor and Sif. Humanity has been devastated by atomic war, causing the rise of an inhuman army of Mutates. As Pluto gloats over his victory, the two Asgardians revive from the previous attack and prepare to counterattack.
Avengers Weekly #104
Another cover that could have or should have been saved for Avengers weekly issue 106 which used the material from the Avengers (US edition,) issue 70 and also marked the first appearance of the Squadron Sinister. Sal Buscema (penciler,) and Sam Grainger (inker,) created this cover . What an iconic and beautiful cover it is too.
Conan the Barbarian “The song of Red Sonja! Part two”
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)
In a prologue to this week's second part story the high priest of Tarim, Kharm-Akkad, sits among his treasures and ancient scrolls, then for the thousandth's time he rises to remove the tapestry that cover the magical mirror. The image he sees leaves him with a face filled with horror.
Avengers Assemble!
Another Marvel Masterwork pin-up from artist Gary Brodsky, as signed, showing Doctor Strange, Master of the Mystic Arts, standing in a weird dimension with his mentor, the Ancient One watching over him.
The Avengers “Let the game begin”
Writer: Roy Thomas
Artist: Sal Buscema
Inker: Sam Grainger
Originally published in The Avengers #69
Cover date October 1969
(Published in August 1969)
The Avengers have made a special visit to Tony Stark in a hospital, after suffering from a near death incident. At first I thought it was due to the incident in the Avengers training room in Avengers weekly issue 98, or the attack by Ultron 6 in Avengers weekly issue 100, but in fact his injuries where due to a heart attack Tony Stark suffers, that story will be told in Super Spider-man with the Super-Heroes #187, from the week ending 8th September 1976.
The Growing Man starts to grow to twice its size. It's destination is Stark's room, in its way are the two SHIELD agents who try and stop it but all they do is manage to make it grow more when they shoot at it. The creature knocks Doctor Santini to one side and scoops up Stark. The Avengers rush in and attack. Thor recognises it as one of Kang's Growing Men creations, last seen battling Thor in SMCW#88. With all the pounding the Avengers give the stimuloid man, he grows to the size of a giant. Goliath tries matching the Growing Man's size but the strain is too much for him. Suddenly a beam of light shines down on the Growing Man, causing it to shrink down to human size, then both it and Stark are lifted into the sky. The beam also draws the Avengers upwards, transporting them all via a dazzling sphere through the void of time and space to face, "the way of Kang!" in next week's issue.
Doctor Strange “Dr. Strange must die!”
Writer: Gardner F Fox
Artist: Frank Brunner
Inker: Sal Buscema
Originally published in Marvel Premiere #6
Cover date January 1973
(Published in October 1972)
This second part opening splash page was drawn by an unknown artist but I have to say that its a really good page, I like the way the credits are incorporated into the alter that Wong, Clea and Johnny Frames are about to be sacrificed to Shuma Gorath on. Doctor Strange comes to rescue them and must face N'Gabthoth in combat. The Ancient One, having sent his astral form to help Strange battle N'Gabthoth, increases the Doctor's mystic strength.
I quite like these Doctor Strange stories, but I do have some reservations about the current plots. Johnny Frames appears only in this and last week's story. When I look at future tales a new character is brought in, when Johnny could have been used instead, what a waste. Before Johnny Frames there was Ethan Stoddard. So many forgotten characters. Also the Ancient one is almost forgotten over the next couple of issues, but surely his rescue must be a priority? Has Roy Thomas took his editorial eye off the ball? Gardner Fox is a great writer, but I'm looking forward to Steve Englehart's run on the strip.
This in-house advert looks sensational and even though its set in a fantasy world where ape and men fight to rule the planet, it looks so incredibly real as man and apes fight each other with swords. The city ship looks fantastic too but more on that later in this week's Planet of the Apes tale "City of Nomads".
The inside back page features another Marvel Masterwork pin-up, this time Thongor, warrior of lost Lemuria. It would have kept the Savage Sword of Conan fans happy, even if regular Avengers readers may not have known anything about the character. I'm not sure about the flying ship to his left though. The art was by Howard Bender (pencils,) and Mike Esposito (inks,) as their signatures reveal.
The Doctor Strange Marvel Treasury Edition advert that had appeared on numerous mags over the last few weeks features on the colour back page of this issue.
Dracula Lives #47
I really like Pablo Marcos' covers, he's very underrated in other people's opinions, but he always delivers a great cover. He really knows how to fill it, no space is wasted.
Dracula “Master of the living lightning!”
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Artist: Gene Colan
Inker: Tom Palmer
Originally published in Tomb of Dracula #22
Cover date July 1974
(Published in April 1974)
The cover artwork from Tomb of Dracula issue 22, by Rick Buckler (pencils,) and Tom Palmer (inks,) is used as this second part opening splash page with a new title, catch-up boxes and a credit strip. Gorna returns to the Vornik home and once more to attempts to feed upon Petra, but he's interrupted when her father enters the room. Protecting his daughter he stabs him with a flaming stake. Gorna flees from the scene turning into his bat form even as the flames burn its chest.
Dracula arrives, swatting Peter to one side, so he can and using his hypnotic powers to get the full story out of Petra. Still unsure how Gorna manages to resist his commands, Dracula goes after the disobedient vampire foe. to destroy him. The villagers decide they should take an active role in dealing with Gorna and end being the pawn of the undead. Back in London, Frank Drake and Rachel van Helsing return to Quincy Harker's estate to tell him that they believe Dracula dead after his battle against Doctor Sun. Quincy tells them that he was attacked by a woman who had claimed to be Dracula's daughter. Taj had left, leaving a note behind explaining that he urgently needed to go home to India. Finally, back in Kamenka, Dracula has tracked down Gorna, who has been horribly scarred from the nights earlier burning. The two fight, as the towns people begin a huge fire around the cemetery. Dracula easily over powers Gorna, tossing him into the flames where he is incinerated.
Letters to the House of Dracula
Werewolf by Night “Vampires can die, too!”
Writer: Mike Friedrich
Artist: Don Perlin
Inker: Vince Colletta
Originally published in Werewolf by Night #19
Cover date July 1974
(Published in April 1974)
The original cover artwork from the US edition of Werewolf by Night issue 19 by Gil Kane (pencils,) and Tom Palmer (inks,) with some adjustments by John Romita Sr, is used as this second part opening splash page, as you would expect a new story title, credit box and catch-up boxes are added. Jack's search for his sister leads him to a movie studio where as the full moon rises he turns into the Werewolf and almost instantly he's attacked by Louis Belski and Liza Pyne, two freshly turned vampires as detailed last week.
A half page Marvel Comic Mart shares the page with an in-house advert for the latest Avengers weekly. Although the image of the weekly cover seems to be from issue 96.
This Marvel Masterwork pin-up of Tigra is used as a teaser for a double dose of horror excitement in the pages of Dracula Lives issue 48 to 50, as two of Marvel's latest female horror stars grace the pages of the comic. Next issue introduces Lilith, the daughter of Dracula and the Were-woman Tigra. This pin-up was drawn by Marie Severin and Duffy Vohland and was originally used as a "next issue" preview piece from the Marvel/Curtis Magazine Monsters Unleashed issue 9, cover dated December 1974, published October 1974, to promote issue 10 of that mag.
The Living Mummy “The Dreams of Gods”
Writer: Tony Isabella
Artist: Val Mayerik
Inker: Val Mayerik
Originally published in Supernatural Thrillers #8
Cover date August 1974
(Published in May 1974)
Here's another second part that uses the cover artwork from the strips original comic, but with a twist this week the cover from Supernatural Thriller issue 7 is used, even though this week's tale is from issue 8. Yeah continuity wise it doesn't work at all, but for an atmospheric feel it fits like a glove. The artwork was by John Romita Sr. (pencils,) with Ron Wilson adding the inks.
Planet of the Apes #47
Planet of the Apes “City of Nomads”
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 alternative Planet of the Apes saga takes the apes to a maritime setting that shouldn't work as simians are generally considered to dislike being around large bodies of water and are poor swimmers. However this tale works as the floating city is used as a method from the writer to isolate this primate society from the outside world, sharpening the stories direction and thus focusing the reader on the essence of the tale while keeping it's magnificent grandeur. Doug Moench's writing is matched by the fantastically-detailed art of Tom Sutton. Moench recalled that Sutton had worked on gigantic pages, whereas most other artists would work on pages 1 1/2 up, that is the art pages were half again bigger than they were reproduced. Tom's art was twice as big as the final product. In that way he could get more detail in.
Apes Forum
Captain Marvel “From the void of space comes...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)
This story is incredibly historic as it here that readers first learn that the Kree and the Skrulls have been intergalactic enemies for centuries. Countless light years from Earth, in the fifth quadrant of the vast Andromeda galaxy the Skrull emperor, Dorrek VII, receives information that the Skrull's age old enemies the Kree, have become very active on Earth. Most recently with the activation of the Kree Sentry. Seeking to find out the extent of the Kree's involvement on the planet, Dorrek calls the Super-Skrull back from his exile, after his last defeat at the hands of the Fantastic Four. The Super Skull would have been in exile since his battle with the Fantastic Four as seen in MWOM #70. But British readers would have last seen him battle Thor in SMCW #92.
This photo feature shows General Urko as played by Mark Lenard in the 1974 Planet of the Apes television series.
The Power of Warlock “The day of the Death Birds!”
Writer: Mike Friedrich
Artist: Gil Kane
Inker: Tom Sutton
Originally published in The Power of Warlock #5
Cover date April 1973
(Published in January 1973)
After events in POTA #39, which saw the death of Adam Warlock's friend Eddie Robert, Warlock had returned to his cocoon. He awakes after two geologists who investigate the strange object that lays within a bomb test site. Bursting from his cocoon Warlock recalls events that lead to Eddie's death and how at the funeral he considered his presence on Counter-Earth as a contagion and so sort solitude. After venting his rage the High Evolutionary calmed him down, suggesting that he return to his cocoon for a while.
The Marvel Masterwork Pin-up of Warlock takes his image from the Gil Kane cover artwork from The Power of the Warlock issue 2, cover dated October 1972, published July 1972.
The Super-heroes #28
Silver Surfer “Dreams of doom!”
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: John Buscema
Inker: Dan Adkins
Originally published in Silver Surfer #13
Cover date February 1970
(Published in December 1969)
John Buscema and Dan Adkin's cover from the Silver Surfer (US edition,) #13 is used as this week's second part opening splash page, which does preview this week's events, but it does jump ahead a little too much, however thanks to a healthy amount of re-cap boxes it works fine. Having arrived at the United Nations and managed to bypass security, he is welcomed by Doctor Kronton who sees the Surfer's power as being crucial to stopping the Doomsday Man. The ambassadors are skeptical of all of it and the meeting breaks down into arguing.
Tired of all the disagreements the Surfer departs with Doctor Kronton as they head to the bunker to investigate. At first the Doctor can't breathe, so quickly the Surfer forms a cosmic force field to allow the scientist to breathe and prevent him falling off the board as they reach the island at high speed. They break into the fortified structure through the ground below it, but are quickly attacked by the robot. While the Surfer recovers from its laser attack, the robot grabs a large cobalt bomb that has also been stored in the bunker, smashing his way out of his prison. They follow the robot under the waves has he heads towards the mainland with the bomb. With a slip of the tongue Kronton reveals to the Surfer that he hasn't been telling the whole truth, he has been controlling the robot and plans to threaten the world with the deadly bomb that the robot is carrying, to force every nation to pay him a ransom in order to stop the robot.
Cosmic Communications
“This badge bedevilled!”
Artist: George Tuska
Inker: Mike Esposito
Originally published in Astonishing Tales #8
Cover date October 1971
(Published in July 1971)
Brothers Damian and Joshua Link grew up on opposite paths. Josh becomes a delinquent then a criminal, while Damian became a police officer. One fateful night their paths cross when Damian and his partner respond to a silent alarm at a bio-genetics lab, Futura Research Laboratories. Josh and his cohorts have broke in to steal equipment for their boss. During a struggle, the brothers fall together into a chamber where they get accidentally bombarded with an experimental ray that appear to kill Damian and turn Josh's hair white.
The X-Men “The Sentinels triumphant”
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Jack Kirby and Werner Roth
Inker: Dick Ayers
Originally published in The X-Men #15
Cover date December 1965
(Published in October 1965)
See you in seven.
Make Mine Marvel.
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