Titanic teasers!

 Week Ending 11th October 1975

The last quarter of 1975 saw changes a head that took British Marvel mags into their fourth year. It had been three years since the Mighty World of Marvel issue 1 hit the newsstands of Britain on the 30th September 1972, with a cover date of the week ending the 7th October 1972. That anniversary isn't mentioned in any of the six weeklies. May be it was overlooked by the American and British editors. But what a long way the British branch of ideas has come, from one title to seven, then six in just three years. So to be joined by another! Even though the Power of the Beesting blog has been going for over twelve years, on and off, the "Week Ending..." section has been going steadily (more or less,) for the last three years, slowly building a reasonable following, that has become quite healthy of late. So I want to thank the many regulars who log on to put up with all this stuff and nonsense, thanks to those who dip in and out too, they all count. Thanks to the commenters on the blog and the social media platforms where the links are posted. Your clicks, likes and comments have been much appreciated. And thanks to those who offer corrections, or reply to my queries and questions, PotBNoP winners all (Power of the Beesting No-Prize,). Way too many to name, but you know who you are. Finally thanks to my big brother Andrew, for his tech support, but more importantly for letting me read his mags when we were kids. Shall we do another year? Go on then why not! 

The Mighty World of Marvel #158

This cover was taken from the Incredible Hulk issue 160, penciled by Herb Trimpe and inked by Sal Trapani. I think it's a great cover, certainly one of this week's better ones.

The Incredible Hulk “Nightmare in Niagara Falls!”

Writer: Steve Englehart

Artist: Herb Trimpe

Inker: Sal Trapani

Originally published in The Incredible Hulk #160

Cover date February 1973

(Published in October 1972)

In a half remembered comment and a half thought out reasoning the Hulk is trying to reach Niagara Falls because Betty needs him. The logic and confusion continues even when the jolly green giant calms down and becomes a similarly confused Bruce Banner, who even knowing that Betty has married Glenn Talbot still thinks that she is in trouble and needs him. These twisted emotions in man and beast won't let go.

Without the Hulk's powerful legs Banner needs to find his own way to Niagara Falls. Handily Steve Englehart comes up with a smart way that Banner can get fresh clothes and a lift by having had Banner pin "traveller's cheques" in one of his pockets in case of an emergency. So after buying some of the latest "purple clothes", which has to be explained in the black and white UK edition, Bruce hires Spad McCracken to fly him to the falls. McCracken would return in later Englehart written stories. While giving Bruce the full tourist guide to Nagara Falls, Spad mentions that the Falls is a honeymooners hotspot. Suddenly the penny drops and Banner realises that Talbot has taken Betty there for their honeymoon. The realisation that he's an idiot and a love fool causes him to panic and transform into the Hulk, shattering the aeroplane cockpit as he leaps free. McCracken makes a crash landing, witnessed by Talbot, who rushes to find the Hulk climbing up the Falls. The Hulk and Talbot are shocked to see each other, but their appearance isn't as shocking as the next as an arch-foe of the Sub-Mariner also makes a splash! Find out how big in next week's "Jaws of the  Tiger Shark!"  

Here's a mini in-house advert for the Avengers and the Savage Sword of Conan, an even smaller advert for Meccano mini kits and some more of Butlin's Super Jokers. This week's winners from Butlin's holiday centres are, from Ayr holiday camp Debby Black, aged 12, from Aberdeen. Bognor holiday camp winner Nichole Taylor, aged 12 from Abbotts. At the Clacton holiday camp Jackie Pond, aged 13 from Surrey. At the Filey holiday camp Anne Mackie, aged 6 from West Lothian. The winner from Pwllheli was Christina Brown, aged 7 from Cheshire. At the Skegness holiday camp Mark Willows aged 8 from Lincoln was the winner and at the Barry holiday camp Julie Billington aged 5 who came from Essex. The winning joke of "What do Indians use when they get out of the bath? Scalpum powder!" was by Michael Lawrence aged 7 from Reading, who spent his holiday at the Minehead holiday centre.

Daredevil “Death is the Stilt-Man!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: George Klein

Originally published in Daredevil #48

Cover date January 1969

(Published in November 1968)

This week's second part opens with an enlarged third panel from last week's issue page 20, with only a new credit and new title added. After hearing about the mob hiring a hitman to assassinate Foggy Nelson before the upcoming District Attorney election, Daredevil finds out that the assassin hired was the Stilt-man and the hit would be at the office of Murdock and Nelson later that night. Matt calls into the office to make sure that Nelson leaves early so that Daredevil could lay in wait for the villain.

Just before Matt enters the office he smells a woman's perfume, who he instantly recognises as the scent of Karen Page. Matt and Karen embrace like reunited lovers, but time isn't there for them as Matt needed to clear the office before the Stilt-man arrived. Matt makes an excuse that he can't help Foggy with his campaign speech, much to the distain of his friends. Soon Foggy, Debbie and Karen leave allowing Matt to change into Daredevil. After last week's slow build this week's action really kicks up, as Gene Colan has a ball drawing Daredevil fighting the Stilt-man. This week's instalment ends with the villain smashing a wall with his hydraulic leg sending the man without fear dangerously outside, high above the New York streets. More high flying drama in "the fight supreme!"

The Mighty Marvel Mailbag

Derek Clarke from Birmingham could never find the words to express the enjoyment he has absorbed from Marvel's Superb mags. Timothy Lonsdale from West Yorkshire noticed on the film West-Side Story that one of the Jets was reading a Captain Marvel comic and the character said that Captain Marvel doesn't use a guns. Philip Dennis RFO, from Derbyshire spotted that the Fantastic Four strip pages from MWOM #147 and #148 had been mixed up. (Yeah I did point them out in the two blogs.) So Philip corrected the order for any confused Marvelites, MWOM #147, pages 24-30, 32, 31, 33. MWOM #148 page 34, MWOM
#147, page 35, MWOM #148, pages 26-33 then finally MWOM #147 page 34. The Bullpen admits they messed up. Johnny Marks from Manchester saw the light and started to collect MWOM some five weeks ago, he loves it so much he wrote a poem about it. 

Mike Grattan from Barrow-in-Furness wonders will the newly imported US colour mags affect the sales of the British weeklies? Peter Talbot RFO, KOF, TTB from Coleraine in Northern Ireland gives his opinions on the six weeklies. Some of his highlights are "The Origin of the Defenders was a better story than usual" and " the Silver Surfer is exquisite!" In the POTA the recent story, Beneath the Planet of The Apes is the best story yet, even better than the first story, with better art than any of the previous strips. Also he asks Marvel to not listen to any of the people who tell them to drop the articles on the actors and films. Joe Murphy from Essex thinks that Stan Lee is reaching his zenith with the current Fantastic Four stories that are intelligently written and beautifully illustrated. N Constantinides from London first heard about Marvel some years ago when he bought a t-shirt for one pound with a character on the front. Years later he learned that the same character was in fact the Hulk!

A couple more in-house adverts, the first up is from Spider-man Comics Weekly, even though it shortens the comic's name to just Spider-man, it features Iron Man drawn by George Tuska from the cover artwork from Iron Man issue 8, cover dated December 1968, published September 1968, with a tag line that reads "Iron Man battles against the hordes of AIM!" A six armed Spider-man fights against Morbius, the living vampire, from this week's Spider-man Comics Weekly cover, see elsewhere in this blog for details. Thor just gets a small tag line, "Thor must face death in Asgard!" with no image,  Under all that an advert for Dracula Lives that features a Dracula image from the cover of Tomb of Dracula issue 18, cover dated March 1974, published November 1973, by Gil Kane, the Werewolf by Night from the comic of the same name issue 15, cover dated March 1974, published December 1973, by Mike Ploog and the Living Mummy, from goodness knows where and by goodness knows who. The Mummy replaces the Frankenstein's Monster in a previous version of this ad. Both comics are said to be on sale "now!"

The Fantastic Four “Where soars the Silver Surfer!”

 Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Joe Sinnott 

Originally published in The Fantastic Four #72

Cover date March 1968

(Published in December 1967)

The story title grabs you, but it's the saddened image of Ben and Johnny that makes you turn the page, even if you haven't read last week's episode that saw Reed Richards declaring that he and his wife are leaving the Fantastic Four for the sake of their unborn child. Crystal tries to cheer the two of them up by suggesting a holiday, or may be Ben should call and see Alicia, but before they can decide what to do a shadow of the Watcher falls over them. He brings news that the Silver Surfer intends to attack humanity! 

Meanwhile on a train bound for their new home Reed and Sue ponder Reed's decision. Reed reiterates that his choice was for the best as both Johnny and Ben are capable enough to carry on and his duty is to protect Sue and their baby. Up above the world the Silver Surfer considers that mortals could create a living utopia if only they would turn away from wanton, unthinking savagery that taints the air with the arid stench of bigotry, hatred, greed and oppression. Formulating a plan to show humanity the error of their ways, by giving them a common enemy, in the hope that they will unite and forget their differences in order to try and stop him. The Baxter Building shakes as the Surfer attacks New York which brings the Thing and the Human Torch headlong into combat with him. This story would have made perfect sense if it had followed straight on from the Silver Surfer tale seen in the Super-Heroes #16, which should have been the last of the Surfer's run if not for British Marvel running them out of order. At least it would in the UK, in America that comic was some thirty months away from this original tale. Still it would have been great for British readers to enjoy the Surfer again after his series ended recently in the Super-Heroes weekly with issue 30. 

Spider-man Comics Weekly #139

The Grand Comics Database doesn't list who the artist of this cover was, I can't find any of the original artwork on any of the auction sites that I use for reference either, so if you think you might recognise the style let me know. What the GCD did suggest was it could well have been inked by Mike Esposito.

Spider-man “A monster called...Morbius!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Gil Kane

Inker: Frank Giacoia

Originally published in the Amazing Spider-man #101

Cover date October 1971

(Published in July 1971)

Spider-man with six arms? And they want to talk about a monster called Morbius? In Spider-man's most bat-shit plot-line since he first spun his first web readers must have been horrified to find their Spider-man flailing about with four extra arms. And I'm not just talking about the American readers of the original strip, the British readers too, I don't think that this story line would have been mentioned in the letter pages or at fan events, unlike Captain Stacy's death, or the fate of Gwen and the Green Goblin would have. In saying that they must have been horrified I don't think it was a terrible tale, I'm glad they did it, then went back to the tried and tested two armed version.

 

After taking a potion to remove his spider powers so he could live a normal life with Gwen Stacy, Peter has awoken to the shock of having grown four extra arms. His state of panic is snapped back to reality when Gwen rings inviting him to see a movie. Peter snaps at her and makes an excuse. The phone rings again, it's Joe Robertson offering him a late-night photo assignment. Peter rejects the offer, making another excuse. After thinking over his options Peter calls Doctor Curt Connors and reveals to him that he needs his help. Curt offers up his Southhampton home for Spider-man's use, telling Spider-man that the key is under the mat and that if he needs it there is a fully-equipped lab is in the basement. With some coordination problems Spidey manages to get to Curt's home. The scene shifts to a boat a mile down shore where a meeting is being held between some scared sailors, the meeting is led by 'Whitey', who tells the crew that Captain Bloom is dead. Whitey blames the guy in the hold because they've had nothing but bad luck and missing sailors since they found him stranded in the ocean. Confronting the man in numbers they find him stronger than the crew first thought. He holds them off and escapes. The tale continues next week in "the vampire and the Spider!"

The Web and the Hammer

B J Caswell from London While revising for his English Literature O-level exam, he learnt that Shakespeare gives his minor characters their own separate character which makes his plays so much better than those of his contemporaries. Much like why Marvel is so much better than their rivals. Mark Pattison and Malcolm Biocow from Hertfordshire were inspired to make Spider-man costumes. John Preece and John Slack from Exeter are two Marvel fanatics who would like to become pen pals with other fans. James Tyler from London never gets bored with Spider-man, but thinks that Marvel are making things too hard for Iron Man, he should easily defeat most of his villains. James is disappointed to find out that Thor wasn't just the one and only true Thunder God, but he is only a "puny mortal" who has accidentally stumbled upon the power of the original Thor. Lennie Parker from London would rather have British Marvel comics in colour. 

Jon Webb thought that the old Iron Man suit looked a bit boring and weak, now it looks great. Adrian Barrass from Northumberland is willing to sell his copy of SMCW #80 to Marek Matraszek for one pound, after he said he was missing it in SMCW #123. Maria Walton from Altringham is a girl who has just got into Marvel and wants her own Spider-man costume. Jeff Miller from the West Midlands agrees with Marcus Everett that there aren't enough pages for Spider-man and the Iron Man pages should be cut. Maynard Chitty from London considers that the Scorpion, Sandman and Electro are Spider-man's most powerful foes, even though they never get enough coverage in the comic like Doc Ock and Vulture do. 

Iron Man “...An Avenger unchained!”

Writer: Archie Goodwin

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Johnny Craig

Originally published in Iron Man #1

Cover date May 1968

(Published in February 1968)

This week's second part opening splash page uses the Gene Colan (pencils,) and Mike Esposito (inks, ) cover artwork from Iron Man issue one. with all the bits and bobs that would be required. AIM has captured the armoured Avenger and delivered him to their ambitious leader, a man named Mordius, who has aspirations to lead AIM into greater villainy by creating a machine that somehow manages to duplicate Iron Man's armour.

Mordius's machine reproduces the golden Avenger's armour three times, which he gives to each of his three assistants to try out. Breaking free of Mordius's x-ray photo-chamber Iron Man points out that his suit came with its own oxygen supply that saved him from AIM's knock out gas, he had only been faking unconsciousness to learn more about the new group that menaces the free world. Iron Man destroys the Vario-mold matrix that held the information which Mordius's machine had stolen. Mordius orders his three Iron Men to attack the original. Luckily the duplications aren't perfect copies and the men inside aren't as experienced with their armour, which shifts the odds in Stark's favour. Seeing this, Mordius orders for the heavy weapons, specifically the Rocket cannon. However, Iron Man manages to sneak into the generator room under the cover created by the Rocket Cannon. With Stark's skills and a few modifications Iron Man tricks AIM into overloading their generators causing their island headquarters to explode. Next issue "the Demolisher!"  

The Mighty Thor “A God berserk!”

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Vince Colletta

Originally published in The Mighty Thor #166

Cover date July 1969

(Published in May 1969)

The Thunder God is enraged that the being known as Him has kidnapped Lady Sif. He lashes out at the world, crying for vengeance and causing massive amounts of damage when his hammer blows erupt a volcano on the strange planet that he and Balder find themselves on. Still this doesn't quench his anger, he throws Mjolnir away, shattering a mountain before summoning up a storm that teleports himself and Balder away to find where Him had taken Sif. 

As the Asgardians vanish from sight the scene turns to the Land of the Norns where  Karnilla scolds Haag for her previous failure in bringing Balder to the Norn Queen. However Haag is not without other resources and begins creating a special doll of Balder that will hopefully help achieve Karnilla's goal. While materialising on another world, Thor and Balder search for the Lady Sif. Balder tries to reason with Thor, offering himself up first to face Him as it was his capture that distracted Thor for rescuing Sif. Thor will have none of it, but before anymore can be said  the plants on this world become animated and entrap the two Asgardians. Him does not seek to fight either of them, he only wished that the female Asgardian becomes his companion. He presents Sif sealed in a sphere high above them. Furious, Thor demands that he defend himself as he will strike Him down. Next week "the Battle Supreme!"

The inside back page goes all out to promote Stan Lee's personal appearance at the Roundhouse on Chalk Farm Road London, where he would be on Monday the 20th of October 1974 to talk about the mighty Marvel scene and answer questions from the audience. There would be a slide show from 7.15 pm but Stan would be there at 7.45 pm. It adds that Stan will also introduce his latest book "Origins of Marvel Comics volume II", or "Sons of Origins" as it later came to be known. Copies would be on sale in the theatre. A good bit of marketing that one! There would be all that plus the launch of British Marvel Comic's latest "super sensational" new weekly mag! No mention of its name in the promo as they're saving it for a surprise! Stick around as readers of the Avengers weekly, Dracula Lives and the Planet of the Apes from this week's comics will get a sneak preview of just what Marvel had in store for them. Tickets to the Roadhouse would only be sixty pence! Those who went should count themselves as the lucky few. There was no chance of this northern monkey getting an opportunity to go.

Avengers Weekly #108

Now there's no mistaking who drew and inked this cover, originally from the Avengers (US edition,) issue 71 this cover was pencilled by Sal Buscema and inked by Sam Grainger as you can tell by their signatures to the left of Cap's boot. I love the scene, the newest Avengers fighting the legends of World War II in front of the Eiffel Tower. Doesn't Sal draw a great "Carl Burgos" version of the original Human Torch. It's an iconic cover, Marie Severin reproduced the artwork for the cover of Marvel Super Action #32, cover dated June 1981, published March 1981, which sold by Heritage Auctions for $4,182.50 back on 23rd February 2012, which would be £3,109.84. Imagine how much the original Avengers #71 artwork would got for! The original comic was on sale the same week I was born. That doesn't make it a Cover of the Week, what does is that it's a sensational cover! 

Conan the Barbarian “The hour of the Griffin!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: John Buscema

Inker: Ernie Chua

Originally published in Conan the Barbarian #26

Cover date May 1973

(Published in February 1973)

Following last week's events Conan  finds himself standing over the dead carcass of Kharam-Akkad  while seeing a vision in the mirror of Tuzun Thune that shows him killing the priest with images of a lion, an eagle and a snake. Outside the forces of Aghrapur unfurl their griffin banners as they raid the long besieged city of Makkalet with its once proud tall towers. Prince Yezdigerd and his advisor, Sulimar, discover from a prisoner who once laboured in the city's temple, that there is a cave that over looks the sea to nether side of the city, which directly leads into the Temple of Tarim. He offered that information as a bargain for his own life. But his only reward was an instant death, delivered by Yezdigerd's sword. 

Yezdigerd sends a ship to seek the cave, while inside the city King Eannatum tries to comfort his wife Melissandra. The king decides that only Kharam-Akkad can save his wife and sends her to the wizard-priest. Conan recovers his thoughts, a civilised man might hesitate in curiosity with the Mirrors of Tuzun Thune, that would be lost on him, instead he smashes it before any more terrors can come through it. Chumballa Bey, who had helped Conan when the monster had come through it and had been stabbed by Kharam for his treachery isn't dead. Conan helps him and they flee the city. Meanwhile, the Turanians have come through the caves and descended through a trap door in the winged horse (a version of a griffin,) statue in the courtyard, to quickly slaughter the defending soldiers of Makkalet, capturing Queen Melissandra. Conan manages to fight off a number of Turanians, while the queen and Chumballa escape. Conan finds himself in the room with the Living Tarim. 

It has been noted by better men than I that this saga owes a great deal to the myth around the Trojan War. Both have  soldiers entering a besieged city, through the belly of the statue of a horse. In its run we see other parallels between the two, such as a war caused by the abduction of an important character, while a trade rivalry is hinted to be the underlying motive. There is a woman commander of auxiliary forces, the queen of amazons, Penthesilea in the Trojan War, in this series it was Red Sonja. The conclusion see the mystical death of a high priest that precedes the fall of the city as members of the royal family flee the slaughter. The story concludes next week.

A Marvel Masterwork pin-up featuring Red Sonja, the she-devil with a sword! This artwork was penciled by Gil Kane and inked by John Romita Sr. It was originally used as the cover artwork for the first issue of the second volume of Marvel Feature, cover dated November 1975, published July 1975. There's a good chance that British Marvel fans might have seen this pin-up before the US comic hit the UK shores. The original artwork was sold at auction via Heritage Auctions on the 16th May 2019 for $50,400, which in ye old English pounds is just five pence over £37,397. 

The Avengers “Endgame!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Sal Buscema

Inker: Sam Grainger

Originally published in The Avengers #71

Cover date December 1969

(Published in October 1969)

The Black Knight rushing through his ancient home to the Brazier of Truth, summons the spirit of his ancestor Sir Percy of Scandia, the original Black Knight. His ghostly ancestor informs him of the events that led to the Avengers being caught up in a game between the Grandmaster and Kang the Conqueror. The Brazier then shows the Black Knight events that are currently going on in the future year of 4000 AD, where Kang spends a private moment alone with the suspended animated form of Ravonna before returning to the main throne room to prepare for the second part of the competition. 

Kang has sent the Vision, the Black Panther, and Yellowjacket to France in the year 1941. After fighting off a small army of Nazi's, they are soon confronted by their challengers, Timely comic's big three heroes from 1941: Captain America, the Human Torch, and the Sub-Mariner. In volume three of Marvel Omnibus, The Avengers Roy Thomas wrote in the essay "Heroism enough to go round" that it was a big height for him to include those three legends. He also wrote "I didn't have it in mind, by any stretch of the imagination that half a dozen years later I would talk Stan into letting me launch a series starring those heroes titled the Invaders; I was just looking for a good match up!" 

In the present, the Black Knight, seeking to help out the Avengers realises that when his interference forced the Grandmaster to transport all the combatants to the present, Goliath was holding the Knight's ebony blade. As he was mystically bonded with the sword, he could focus on it, resulting in him being transported to the future year of 4000 AD. There he finds that Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, and Goliath are held prisoner with the blade at the giant's feet. Quickly recovering his sword he fights off an army of Kang's troops before hearing the Wasp's calls from inside a prison cell. Once freeing her the pair team up, but what happens next will have to wait till next week!

Avengers Assemble!

Neil Fisher from Merseyside asks why the people start their letters off with "Dear Stan"', when Stan can't possibly read them, as he is over in America? In the early days Stan used to answer personally every letter that was published.As time grew, Stan would read each letter received and scribble a guide-line on each letter to be published. Following Stan's guide-lines, the reply to the letter would be written in the Bullpen. But eventually Marvel outgrew even this system. So now the letters are read by the Bullpen and an analysis of them is sent to Stan. David Fielder from Hertfordshire writes it isn't hard to see why Barry (Windsor-) Smith became so respected as THE artist for Conan with his unique style. But John Buscema's subsequent work on Conan is also exceptional. Glen Young from Derbyshire is greatly indebted to Roy and Barry for introducing us to the best science Fantasy Literature around. He wishes that Robert E Howard were alive today to see the latest Conan comics. David Patel RFO from Staffordshire has been a comic fan for over ten years and suggests that the best way to please everyone is to have the Mighty World of Marvel give all thirty-six pages over to each character each week and then rotate the strips weekly. 

Colin O'Connor from Hull wants to thanks Barry Lewis for his letter in Savage Sword of Conan #17. He has his grateful thanks for the list of Conan Paperbacks. He now realises that he only needs two to complete his collection. I McCulloch RFO, KOF, from Derby asks what are 'skeletal' sketches? The answer is a 'skeletal' sketch means exactly that. In other words draw your character in skeleton form. And here's why. Very often if you look at the work of someone who has some basic art talent, but lacks experience you'll feel that something is wrong with the look of his characters, particularly when action is being depicted. John Leonard from Birmingham likes Spider-man, because he's just groovy, the Fantastic Four, because they always seem to figure out a way to beat the toughest villains, Daredevil, because of such skill and super-senses for a blind man and the Avengers, because they are Britain's greatest. Eric Chambers from Suffolk thinks that it was great idea to have the Avengers and the Savage Sword of Conan together. Andrew Butler RFO, KOF, from Devon asks them to bring out a new monthly with Shang-Chi, Iron Fist, The Sons of The Tiger and a new Kung-Fu girl, like Sandy in it.

Master of Kung Fu “Chase!”

Writer: Doug Moench

Artist: Keith Pollard

Inker: Sal Trapani

Originally published in Giant-size Master of Kung Fu #4

Cover date June 1975

(Published in March 1975)

In all honesty I've no idea who might have drawn this specially commissioned second part opening splash page. Catch-up boxes, new story title and credit strip added as usual. Rufus T. Hackstabber with Shang-Chi chase a pair of bank robber in their get away car, only briefly losing them after an old lady gets in the way. Picking up the trail they reach a dead end in an alleyway, but by the time they get there the car has disappeared, with only a truck to be seen.

Rufus thinks that the criminals are in the truck, but without any evidence Shang-Chi isn't happy breaking into the back of it. Shang-Chi opens the back of a truck parked there. Hackstabber won't let it lie and his constant talking forces Shang-Chi into breaking into the back off the truck with his most powerful kick. Inside they discover the get-away car, but the occupants have disappeared. Hackstabber inspects the car, but in the process falls through a hole in the truck's floor that is positioned over an open manhole that leads to the sewers beneath. Shang-Chi follows the taxi driver in a random direction. Elsewhere a servant tells Fu Manchu that a search for Tiger-Claw has turned up nothing. When Ducharme asks about Tiger-Claw, Fu tells her that he is a traitor who will die in a slow painful manner. Continued next week.

Another in-house advert for Spider-man Comics Weekly with a close-up of Morbius taken from Gil Kane's artwork from the Amazing Spider-man issue 101, cover dated October 1971, published July 1971. The joys on offer with this week's mag are Thor facing the fury of Him!  and Spidey battling a monster called Morbius! Under that is an advert for Meccano's super construction sets in a mini strip titled "Micky Meccano Goes to the fair!" I feel like I should know who drew it, but I have no idea. I'm open for any suggestions.

On the inside back page there's a full page in-house advert for the new weekly that was hinted at in the Stan Lee Roundhouse promo. But I'm going to break tradition and not review it till later in the blog, just to keep you on the edge off your seat. Keep reading.

Dracula Lives #51

This cover leaps ahead of Count Dracula's continuity and actually uses the cover art from Tomb of Dracula issue 24, by Gil Kane (pencils,) and Tom Palmer (inks,). The events that are depicted in this cover actually take place in Dracula Lives issue 53. The reason why the cover from Top of Dracula issue 23 wasn't used was because that art was used as the cover of Dracula Lives #10. 

Dracula “Shadows in the Night!”

Writer: Marv Wolfman

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Tom Palmer

Originally published in Tomb of Dracula #23

Cover date August 1974

(Published in May 1974)

Dracula and Shiela Whittier are standing over the body of Lord Henry, the British politician who was under Dracula's control, but turned on his master and attempted to kill him. Dracula is under the belief that it was Lord Henry who had been tormenting Shiela during her stay at Dunwick Castle. However, after recounting his night to Shiela, Dracula realises that his assessment was wrong as Shiela suddenly has a cut appear across her face. 

Dracula takes Shiela to bed to rest. The Lord of darkness recalls his encounter with daughter Lilith, but his train of thought is interrupted by a knock at the door. He opens it to find nobody there. Meanwhile in Jajpur, India, Taj Nitall arrives in his home town where he is lead to  the home of his wife by an old friend. Back in London, Dracula fights off a phantom force that attempts to destroy him. Shiela wakes up after feeling a strange presence. Her screams cause Dracula to come to her aid. She explains that she is haunted by the ghost of Alestar Dunwick. After another disturbance from spectral forces, Shiela explains that she inherited Dunwick Castle when her Uncle Alestar and Aunt Henrietta had died. At first Shiela moved in with her boyfriend Freddy, but felt uneasy about the house. Her fears would be proved valid when Freddy fell to his death when unknown forces push him down the stairs. The haunting continues next week.

Cryptic Correspondence

Valerie Knett from Northampton thinks it would be a great idea to have Morbius replace Frankenstein's Monster. Mark Heald from Lancashire asks where has Dracula Lives gone to as he hasn't seen it for months, even though he has been looking all over Lancaster and Morecambe and has seen no sign of them. The editor suggests that he place a regular order so he doesn't miss it. Frank Butchard from Milton Keynes thinks that the Living Mummy was excellent as you would expect when you combine Rick Buckler with Steve Gerber. Chris Lane from Stoke-on-Trent is glad at last Steve Gerber has made his way into a British weekly. Chris says that Steve is, without doubt, the finest comic writer of all time. His style is unmistakable in its limitless imagination. His work on Man-Thing has been sheer genius and yet he is never satisfied, he is always experimenting, trying new approaches and bringing new concepts into comics. He has taken the Defenders out of the shadows of mediocrity and given it new life. And Howard the Duck has got to be the most unusual character of all time.

Another Butlin's Super Jokers that was different from the one that appeared in the Mighty World of Marvel. Winner from the Ayr holiday camp is lan Black, aged 5 from Edinburgh. The Clacton holiday camp winner was Ted Burgers aged 9 from Ipswich. Pwllheli camp joker was Susan Lodge, aged 9 from Lancashire. Butlin's at Barry was won by Yvonne Tongue, aged 9 West Midlands. Other super winners with their jokes are from Minehead camp winner was Gary Woollam, aged 7 from Liverpool with this joke, "What do you get if you cross a bald-headed man with a camera? Answer Kojak Instamatic!" Skegness winner Garry Shuttleworth, aged 12 from Burton-on-Trent joked "Who is the best gardener in the Marvel comics between Spider-man, Thor, Iron-man or Hulk? The answer is the Hulk, because he has got green fingers!" Bogner's winner is Ricky Edwards, aged 13 from Gloucester, who joked "Why can't a nose be 12 inches long Because it would then be a foot!" And finally from the Filey holiday camp Jamie Mackie, aged 11 from Fife joked  "Why did the golfer wear two pairs of trousers? In case he got a hole in one!"

Werewolf by Night “Eye of the wolf!”

Writer: Doug Moench

Artist: Don Perlin

Inker: Vince Colleta

Originally published in Werewolf by Night #20

Cover date August 1974

(Published in May 1974)

Jack is lost in thought, thinking a lot about the Werewolf's encounters with a vampire who bore a passing likeness to Dracula, named Louis Belsji, with the Committee and their agents like Ma Mayhem and his confrontation with Hydra when he meet Tigra. But his main concern is his kidnapped sister Lissa. All the time as he walks he is unaware that he is being watched by another werewolf.  Jack meets Raymond Coker, who is also cursed as a werewolf. 

Jack and Ray have mutually assured each other that they won't kill the other to cure their lycanthropy, though Jack points out that he can't control his wolf form like Ray can. While they're talking in the park. Both are completely unaware that the werewolf is still watching them. This werewolf is transformed outside the cycle of the full moon with the help of a certain ring. Later Jack is visited by Lieutenant Hackett who asks about a sighting of a werewolf, who he believes to be Jack's neighbour Raymond Coker. Later Jack takes Clary out for dinner where they meets attorney Geraldo Kabal who interrupts their meal to flirt with Clary. He offers Clary a ring out of esteem for her acting. But Jack feels compelled to snatch it from her taking it for himself. The conversation leads to Kabal revealing that Baron Thunder had offered a tidy sum for a trunk that Jack and Ray had found a version of the Darkhold in, as seen in Dracula Lives #47. Kabal tells Jack about the Baron's home "Moonrise Hill". Jack goes there to find his sister and finds that if he wears the strange ring he can become the Werewolf. Entering the house he finds his sister chained up as well as her abductor Ma Mayhem and the leader Baron Thunder, who with a single blow knocks the Werewolf out. Continued next week.

Above a weekly checklist that gives a brief review of each of the six weekly comics with covers of the Avengers weekly, Spider-man Comics Weekly and the Planet of the Apes, Stan Lee tells Marvel fans that mighty Marvel is on the move again. With the Bullpen "ablaze" with an excitement over a new mag in a new format that will give readers twice as much story and action. Stan is sure that fans will love it.  

The Living Mummy “A choice of Lions! Part two”

Writer: Tony Isabella and Len Wein (plot)

Artist: Val Mayerik

Inker: Dan Adkins

Originally published in Supernatural Thrillers #10

Cover date December 1974

(Published in September 1974)

This week's second part opening story actually opens with the splash page from the original strip that was removed from last week's first part. Zephyr travels to Earth to regain control of the Living Mummy who has been searching for the mystical Ruby Scarab that had been pilfered by the Asp, a thief who hopes to sell the Scarab, with the aid of his colleague Miles Olddan, only to steal it back and sell it over and over again to get rich. 

He rendezvous with Olddan and tells him of his encounter with the Mummy (who he knows is following him) and the two depart for the city to sell the Scarab to Doctor Skarab.

While in the desert, the Living Mummy comes across a young soldier named Racha Meyer who is being chased by two men in a tank. When she realises that the Mummy doesn't mean her any harm and that his body is immune to their bullets she uses the Mummy as a shield and blows up the tank with a grenade. She then thanks the Mummy for his help before the two part company. Next week "the sting of the Asp!" 

Dracula Lives features this full page in-house advert for the Avengers weekly with added adventures of Conan the Barbarian, making it more than ever Britain's greatest weekly!

The inside back page also features that new in-house advert about the new mag, but it's not time for that yet. Keep reading.

 

Planet of the Apes #51

Ed Hannigan penciled this cover with Mike Esposito inking it. It's an eye-catching cover, but is it me, or are the ape astronauts in this cover gorillas? In the story they are Cornelius, Zira and Milo, three chimpanzees. Generally when coloured for the covers British covers, gorillas are blue/grey while the chimpanzees are brown/orange, or am I just overthinking it? 

Planet of the Apes “The survivors!”

Writer: Doug Moench

Artist: Rico Rival

Inker: Rico Rival

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

Cover date September 1975

(Published in June 1975)

A new opening splash page by an unknown artist is used for part two of Escape from the Planet of the Apes. The chain of command is followed when an old NASA space craft crashes down to Earth off the coast of America. The General is informed about current events, who informs the Pentagon who in turn informs the President. 

A high ranking Colonel greets the mysterious three astronauts, who remove their space helmets to reveal themselves to be three human sized chimpanzees, Cornelius, Zira and Doctor Milo. Remaining silent the three simians are taken to the local military base and held in the guard house. Doug Moench and Rico Rival really allow the story to build at its own pace. Moench knows when to use dialogue and when to let Rival's beautiful art do all the talking. It doesn't need me to say more just read it for yourself. The third part of this adaptation returns next week with a "death in the family!"

Apes Forum

Keith Mackie from Manchester in the USA, recently obtained 13 American magazines entitled "READ". which have articles on Marvel Super-heroes. Paul Ward from London writes that "Planet of The Apes" gets better every week, the story "Beneath the Planet of the Apes" is great too. Gillian Barnes from Lancashire writes that Planet of The Apes is an ace comic, especially the info and picture features, they're the part that Gillian always turns to first. Steve Redman from North Humberside writes that with the exception of the adaptation of the original film "Kingdom on an Island of the Apes" was the best Planet of The Apes story until "Beneath the Planet of The Apes" started. Cameron Christie RFO from Lanarkshire suggests that as a lot of people have complained about the way stories are divided in two, then each weekly should feature two characters every week. So for example MWOM would have a Hulk story and alternate a complete Daredevil and Fantastic Four story every week.

Captain Marvel “The alien and the amphibian!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Vince Colletta

Originally published in Captain Marvel #4

Cover date August 1968

(Published in  July 1968)

Following Marvel's tried and tested story plot-line this week Captain Marvel battles the Sub-Mariner. But first this story starts with Captain Mar-Vell sitting in his hotel room contemplating the conflict he feels between his duties as a Kree warrior and his growing concern for the safety of the humans on the planet Earth. His torment is interrupted by Hal, the nephew of the hotel owner, Jeremy Logan, who still hospitalised in a coma. Hal passes on a phone call message from the Cape that they need him to go to the base as soon as possible.

At the Kennedy Space Center, Carol Danvers expresses her mistrust of "Lawson" and wishes to continue her investigation into his background. Walter Lawson is needed to help with the latest project which will launch a deadly bacteria into space to see how cosmic rays affect the bacteria. Meanwhile, deep in the ocean, the Sub-Mariner is speeding to New York to seek the aid of Reed Richards for assistance in locating the villain known as Destiny. This search for his arch-foe follows events that will be told in the Sub-Mariner story in The Titans issue 36, from the week ending the 23rd of June 1976.  The rocket launched as planned, but is forced to crash in the ocean due to Yon-Rogg's interference. A ship is sent to recover the rocket before the deadly bacteria is released. A short distance away the Sub-Mariner crosses paths with the ship, find out what happens in next week's issue.

The Power of Warlock “Doom: At the Earth's core!”

Writer: Mike Friedrich

Artist: Bob Brown

Inker: Tom Sutton

Originally published in The Power of Warlock #7

Cover date August 1973

(Published in May 1973)

A weary Jason Grey tells Warlock and Victor von Doom how he with his friends, David and Ellie, were attacked by an angry mob just because they were known friends of Adam Warlock. Ellie and David were arrested by the police and taken into "protective custody", while Jason managed to escape. Against Von Doom's advice Warlock leaves to free David and Ellie. Meanwhile, their fathers, Barney Roberts and Nathan Carter, have an argument with the police about their children's role in events. Roberts sides with Adam Warlock because he saved Ellie, while Senator Carter is harsher towards Warlock. The desk sergeant reminds them, that they can hold the kids for 24 hours, which might be the only thing saving them from the angry mob outside.

President Carpenter reviews the scene of the Brute's attack against Warlock at the Golden Gate Bridge and is forced to admit that Warlock is not a villain because he saved many people while repairing the  damage to the bridge that was caused during the battle. Carpenter swing in support was only to maximise public opinion. Having reverted back to his human form Reed Richards is released from hospital when a presidential aide requests that he come with him to see the President. Again the mysterious man in the shadows forces him, with hypnotic powers, to become the Brute again. Adam Warlock stops the rioters outside of the police station where David and Ellie are being held and because of the President's change of mind all three are free to go. Von Doom is working on his latest machine, Earth-Corer-1, when the Brute arrives to steal it. Warlock and his friends return just as Victor recovers and tells them that the Brute's intention is to drive Earth-Corer-1 deep down into the Earth core to consume its energies, which will cause global disaster for life on the surface. Be here next week to find out what happens next "pilgrims" in part two of "Doom, at the Earth's Core!" 

The inside back page features that exciting event, but I'm still going to make you wait till later. Keep reading!

The Super-heroes #32

Keith Pollard penciled this cover with Mike Esposito applying the inks. Another three-way split between the X-Men, the Cat and Giant-Man. I still don't like the blue and green Cat costume colour scheme. 

Giant Man and the Wasp “Worlds at war!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Don Heck

Originally published in Tales to Astonish #49

Cover date November 1963

(Published in August 1963)

This light, cheap but cheerful early sixties tale starts with a specially newly created second part opening splash page by an unnamed artist that shows Henry Pym shrinking down to a diminutive size to escape the guards and their hunter hounds. Pym with many of Earth's Scientific elite have been abducted by the dimensional alien known as the Eraser to create weapons for his world in Dimension Z. The two Earth heroes travel through the air ducts to find the kidnapped scientists.

Taking a growth capsule, Giant-Man storms the city, easily defeating the guards. The giant Avenger captures one of Dimension Z's scientists and forces him to bring them to the lab where the "erasers" are kept. However the alien known as the Eraser traps  Giant-Man in an unbreakable glass cage. Like every good villain would he boasts to Giant-Man that he has the only eraser on the planet. Beaming in his victory, the Eraser fails to notice that the Wasp has triggered the release mechanism to free Giant-Man, allowing him to easily defeat the Eraser and take his "eraser" device. Returning to the prisoners, Giant-Man uses the devices to send them all back to Earth's dimension.

The Cat “...And now is born the Cat”

 Writer: Linda Fite and Roy Thomas (plot)

Artist: Marie Severin 

Inker: Wally Wood

Originally published in The Cat #1

Cover date November 1972

(Published in August 1972)

Wally Wood (pencils,) and Maria Severin's (inks,) cover artwork from The Cat issue 1 is used as this week's second part opening splash page with a credit panel, a new story title and catch-up box added. The story starts with a flash back origin, Greer Nelson was offered a job as her lab assistant by her old physics professor, Doctor Joanne Tumolo, who later explained her goal was to allow women to totally fulfil their physical and mental potential, despite society's barriers. The doctor had run out of funds, and had to accept the sponsorship of a world-famous eccentric entrepreneur, Malcolm Donalbain. Tumolo wanted Greer to be the first subject, but Donalbain wanted Shirlee Bryant to be their "first lovely guinea pig". Doctor Tumolo was prepared to abandon the experiment, but Greer convinced her to clandestinely test Greer as well.

Donalbain had Shirlee use her enhanced senses to memorise a copy the doctor's process so that he could create a duplicate at his headquarters. He also had dozens of cat-like uniforms created, which Shirlee and other trainees would wear as members of a secret army. Using health clubs as a front, Donalbain's intention was to slowly subjugate the entire country. The Cat's suit mechanically amplified hearing and optically enhanced vision via the uniform's mask while steel claws built into the gloves and boots helped the wearer to climb walls like her namesake. Donalbain supplied one more accessory to Shirlee's uniform, a collar with metal studs. Dubbed a "will-nullifier", it rendered the wearer helpless to resist his commands. Shirlee followed Donalbain's orders without regard for her own safety. She died in a fall. Donalbain callously made plans to replace her with another prototype. Tumolo had determined that Shirlee's test results were so inferior to Greer's that she should terminate the experiment, arriving in time to witnessed Shirlee's demise. She tried to slip out unnoticed, but finding a closet containing the Cat uniforms she took one as evidence of his scheme. Later she told Greer who promised to stay with her after she packed an overnight bag. While gone, Donalbain's henchmen set off an explosion to destroy the evidence of the experiment at Doctor Tumolo's lab. Swearing to avenge her mentor and Shirlee, Greer put on the Cat uniform Tumolo had obtained and used it to invade Donalbain's headquarters and overwhelm his henchmen. The tale returns to the present, continuing the Cat's escape from Donalbain's men she manages to sabotage the experimental equipment, setting the building on fire. Rather than let the Cat capture him, Donalbain shot himself with his own pistol when it proved ineffective against her superhuman agility. Greer was left to ponder "Have I become a stronger woman, only to become a poorer human being?" More social questions next week in "The Owl and the pussyCat!"

The X-Men “The final clash!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Werner Roth

Inker: Dick Ayers

Originally published in The X-Men #18

Cover date March 1966

(Published in January 1966)

An unnamed artist created this second part opening splash page with the usual new story title, catch-up and credit boxes added. Iceman arrives at the mansion to learn of Magneto plan to create Mutant clones from the Worthingtons DNA, Iceman sneaks in to stop the flow of information by freezing the machine, leaving the clones inert. Magneto enters the room and attacks Iceman. Underestimating the Iceman's ability Magneto is forced outside of the mansion.

Meanwhile aboard the balloon, the Professor orders Cyclops to use his optic blast to poke a hole in the balloon so that the helium inside slowly leaks out, allowing them to safely descend to the ground below. After safely landing the X-Men attack Magneto together, however the Master of Magnetism manages to fight them off, magnetically trapping Iceman and threatening his life if the X-Men don't cease fighting. Iceman tells them to not surrender. Then the Angel pulls him free from Magneto's grasp. The battle resumes until Professor X tells them to surrender. Magneto gloats at his "superiority" over the X-Men. However the Professor's surrender was only a delaying tactic, he had sent a mental summons calling the Stranger back to Earth to collect Magneto. Magneto flees the scene, with the Stranger trailing behind him. The X-Men rush inside to stop the now thawed out machine from bringing Magneto's Mutant slaves to life. Now deactivated the clones disintegrate. The next day the Worthingtons awaken from their sleep with absolutely no memory of their encounter with Magneto, to join Professor Charles and his students for breakfast. Next issue a new type of foe, a new type of story and a new type of action, but the same old Marvel magic, lets hope. 

And so ends another blog...see you in seven...only joking. What about that in-house teaser from the Avengers weekly, Dracula Lives and Planet of the Apes you ask, well here it is...

"The most exciting event in Marvel history!" Well may be not so much, but it does mark a significant change in the British Marvel comics format and I'm pretty sure that no other British comic ever adapted to the "landscape format", of course I could be wrong on that, let me know if you can think of any. The Titans featured five strips, some of those full length. It did this by turning the A4 magazine sideways, placing two pages of comic on one page, doubling the amount of strip for your money. It originally featured the Inhumans, Captain America, SHIELD, the Sub-Mariner and Captain Marvel, many strips that fans had demanded, unlike the Super-Heroes' current choices of Giant Man and The Cat. The new format also necessitated the need for more original artwork that worked in "landscape" form, giant-size centrefold posters and original "landscape" covers too. Letter pages could feature twice as many letters and there was space for more feature pages like the return of Bullpen Bulletins. Issue one went on sale on the week ending the 25th October, while issue two came the following week, the 1st of November 1975. What was there not to love? Well the shrinkage of pages size lead to many complaints about readers needing glasses to read the text and enjoy the art, but more on that in the following months. For good or bad the Titans are coming, so strap in Marvel fans, the Power of the Beesting will be there to take a sideways look at those classic comics from your childhood with all the usual stuff and nonsense. So...

See you in seven.

Make Mine Marvel.