The Treachery and the Hate!

 Week Ending 15th November 1975

I might hark on about how it is a thankless endeavour each week throwing together this blog, I mostly do it for the love of these British Marvel Comics which birthed my love of comics in general and how I want to share that love with other like-minded fanatics. But every now and then someone writes a comment on the blog or in the social media outlets that promotes the blog, that really hits you in the best possible way. Last week Friend of the Beesting Steve Jones commented that he had wrote the letter in the Super-Heroes Super-Mail letter page that featured a story about the X-Men. He must have been eleven at the time. Now retired he had spent months last year tracking down that very issue. I presume he did find it before he read that blog but it thrill my old heart when I hear of someone reconnecting with their childhood memories. Sadly Steve never went on to follow his dream of being a writer for Marvel, but for getting his story published and 50 years later getting it remembered again in a blog full of stuff and nonsense that memory shines out, so he gets to live that joy once again and for that I'm going to award him a special Power of the Beesting No-Prize (PotBNoP,) for his splendid story. 

The Mighty World of Marvel #163

In all honesty this cover riffs of the Herb Trimpe cover from the Incredible Hulk issue163. But this is definitely Ron Wilson's pencils on this cover and the Grand Comics Database lists Mike Esposito as the inker, with possibly John Tartaglione assisting. 

The Incredible Hulk “The World below”

Writer: Steve Englehart

Artist: Herb Trimpe

Inker: Sal Trapani

Originally published in The Incredible Hulk #163

Cover date May 1973

(Published in February 1973)

This week's second part opening splash page feels a very basic affair, as if it was drawn by an art competition winner, with just a credit box and a story title added beneath the Hulk's feet. The artist was actually Gary Brodsky as per his signature at the bottom of the rock that the Hulk is standing on. Gary was the son of Marvel production managers Sol Brodsky. It's possible that Gary did many opening splash pages for British Marvel comics. He later set up his own company Solson Publications that produce many black and white magazine then went silent for a time before returning in 1997 when the company re-emerged controversially with a series of how-to books by Gary Brodsky himself. 

A Hulkbusters squad of jets patrol the artic skies above where the Hulk has gone missing. The Gremlin sends his Super-Troopers to capture General Ross when he overhears him on the radio. Inside the secret Russian base the Gremlin meets with the Hulk and tells him about his father's death, as seen in MWOM #2, which he blames on him, however it wasn't the Hulk's fault as the Gargoyle sacrificed his own life to save Banner. Still the Gremlin always vowed revenge. Changing his mind he decides to test the Hulk's abilities, while keeping him mildly sedated. Too much sedative causes the Hulk to revert back in to Bruce Banner. Banner sees that Ross has been taken prisoner as well. He tosses Banner a note asking him to transform into the Hulk so they can both escape. Later Banner transforms into the Hulk, the Gremlin's Super-Troopers attempts to gas him again, but he smashes through the wall to escape. Coming face to face with Ross who asks him to break him out. The Hulk refuses and simply smashes out of the facility by himself. Meanwhile Betty and Glenn return from their honeymoon. Betty is joyed to read about the Hulk's recent exploits knowing that Bruce Banner is still alive. Betty's joy however is replaced with grief upon learning that her father is a prisoner of Russia. Next week "They come from the depths."

The Mighty Marvel Mailbag

Tim Stranger from Norwich writes in telling readers how he gets back issues of the American Marvel mags, you need to look no further than the American mags themselves. There are several advertisements for mail order firms offering Marvel back issues, but the prices aren't cheap. The prices per comic can range from 65 cents (roughly 35 pence) to 135 dollars (roughly 65 pounds) for Fantastic Four issue 1.There are two ways to send money, through a bank or a Post Office International Money Order, which costs £2 and takes six days to get there, whereas a letter should take three days by air mail. There is a limit of £50 as well. Alan from London has been enjoying "the Jester vs Daredevil storyline, which was a story that he had missed out on when he used to collect the American mags. 

Kieth Graham from Middlesex has been an ardent follower of Marvel Comics for many years, so much so he's one of the lucky few who can remember the Power Comics. He asks, Power Comics reached a peak, but then gradually fell out of existence. Why? His answer is that many will say that it was because they ran out of material, or "caught up" with the American Marvel publications. But he feels that as they were not published by Marvel they didn't give readers the ability to be the true editors of the mags and Power Comics were definitely not published for any one of any age as adults could well read Marvel Comics, but if mags like "Wham", "Smash" and "Pow" were aimed at younger readers. Dennis White from Cleveland writes that in the 60's with artists like Kirby and Windsor-Smith leaving Marvel comics look in a rut. But lately Mighty Marvel exploded into a new renaissance with new writers and new characters. Roy Thomas became the new editor, but his greatest coup was to produce Conan in comic book form. 

Bullpen Bulletins

A gargantuan grab-bag of greatness, gab and other stuff beginning with a "G". Or ya can't win 'em all... Another Bullpen Bulletin, this time hosted by Howard the Duck. The cigar smoking duck would be recognisable to the British readership who haven't read any of the Man-Thing comics that he guest-starred in, or his own US mag that was only released on the 28th of November 1975. The first Item is about Spider-man and the King Kong inspired creature that will make a full appearance next week but has already featured on this week's Spier-man Comics Weekly cover. The following Item takes a look at editors of these British Marvel mags, Duffy Vohland and John Warner. Duffy can be seen inking covers, splash-pages, and pin-ups of the Super-Heroes and The Titans. There's a hint that Duffy's artwork will appear in the upcoming Bloodstone strip that will be feature in the Super-Heroes. I'll discuss the next Items in the Bullpen Bulletin page in Dracula Lives.

Daredevil “If in battle I fall...”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Barry Windsor-Smith

Inker: Johnny Craig

Originally published in Daredevil #50

Cover date March 1969

(Published in January 1969)

Gene Colan takes a break from drawing Daredevil for three months with this story, those strips will be featured over the next nine week's of the Mighty World of Marvel. Taking his place is the legendary British artist Barry Windsor-Smith with his third piece of work to be published for Marvel, after he drew his first in the X-Men issue 53 and his second in Nick Fury Agent of SHIELD issue 10. You can tell it's definitely his early work, but it's very well crafted with a massive nod to Jack Kirby. As much as I love his later work, especially on the Conan story "Red Nails" from Savage Tales issue 2, cover dated October 1973, published June 1973, I really love this story and this period when his art was very rounded and wholesome, simple put powerful and mixed up how others would lay out panels on a page.

Matt Murdock had returned home to lay-in-wait for the "Plastoid" robot to reattempt kidnapping him. But he dressed in readiness as Daredevil. The robot had broken in to his private gym and battle our hero, eventually capturing the man without fear in a rolled up exercise mat after it had increased its power levels to 10. The robot lifts the mat above its head in readiness to throw it and Daredevil against a wall, with the pressure of the robots grip increasing the man without fear has one course of action, with his hands pressed to his sides he gropes his way to his holstered billy club and presses the stud that releases the hook and cable, snagging a bar on the far wall. The robot throws the mat in the opposite direction with a blinding force, allowing Daredevil to slip free while holding onto his billy club handle. As the battle continues the robot programmed not to fail increases its power levels beyond ten, reaching 20, then 40 and even 53 as its inner power source crackles with excessive "Kirby energy". In the flat above the gym a phone begins to ring, its Karen Page who is desperate to rekindle her love with Matt Murdock. I do have one puzzling thought though, why does a blind man have a photo of his love next to the phone? We won't get that answer next week, but we will find out what happens next in "Starry, starry, night!"

The Fantastic Four “Armageddon!”

 Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Joe Sinnott 

Originally published in The Fantastic Four #74

Cover date May 1968

(Published in February 1968)

This second part opening splash page is another of Gary Brodsky's, this time much better drawn than his earlier Hulk effort, although the design is very much copied from the first panel of the next page. A catch up box fills the readers in that Galactus is back and he wants the Silver Surfer to return as his herald and so he has sent the Punisher to collect him. The Human Torch and the Thing are helping the Surfer by detaining the android while the Surfer can stay hidden. A new story title and credit box are also added.

Johnny engages in an airborne dogfight with the Punisher, knocking him into the river, however the resulting splashdown douses the Torch's flame. Reed Richards arrives just in time to save Johnny, as the Punisher begins to launch another attack against the leader of the Fantastic Four, pounding his rubber body with a deluge of fist hammer blows. Meanwhile Galactus draws ever closer to Earth, his hunger growing as his starvation causes him to rescind his oath to spare the Earth if his former herald refuses to return to the stars as his herald once more. On Earth, Ben pulls himself out of the rubble and takes a cab out to the waterfront to rejoin the battle with his friends. When the three male members of the Fantastic Four begin to pile on the Punisher, the robot is overpowered and is suddenly teleported away, leaving them to ponder their next challenge, the return of Galactus himself. The gigantic alien ship appears over the Earth with a search beam probing the planet in search of the exiled herald. Johnny remembers that before he vanished the Surfer had  said "There are worlds within worlds!" Find out where he's gone next week as we will "journey to the Microverse!"

Spider-man Comics Weekly #144

This is a great cover by Gil Kane, it's the only cover this week reprinted from the American editions, originally from the Amazing Spider-man issue 103. I have to say that I think that it looks better in the British version because the colour used here are brighter and more "realistic" than the US edition, especially the greens used on Gog. On the original cover the giant reptile was coloured grey. So as it improves on the original I had no doubts that it deserves to be my Cover of the Week.  

Spider-man “Walk the Savage Land!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Gil Kane

Inker: Frank Giacoia

Originally published in the Amazing Spider-man #103

Cover date December 1971

(Published in September 1971)

This week's amazing tale of action and adventure doesn't keep any secret about where its inspiration comes from, it has Merian C Cooper's classic film creature's name all over it. From the American who needs to find a big story to save his career, to the damsel who is asked to tag along, the prehistoric monsters in a lost land and a giant monster who is the star of the piece. The only difference is that Spider-man never appeared in the 1933 classic King Kong! 

This offbeat story starts off as any Spider-man tale would with our web-slinging hero busting up yet another bank robbery. J Jonah Jameson meets with his top journalists at the Daily Bugle news office to break the bad news, costs are up, revenue is down and circulation is heading in the same direction. He needs to find a quick way to turn all that around. His train of thought is interrupted by a breaking news report about an explorer named Richard Calkin who's just returned from the Savage Land with stories about a strange gigantic creature. Jameson figures this is the scoop that the Bugle needs to stay afloat and decides to travel to the Savage Land himself in order to get the exclusive. Jameson needs a photographic to go with him to snap pictures of this elusive beast, so he orders Robertson to get him Parker. At first Joe doesn't think that the Savage Land is a safe place for a kid Peter's age to go, but the city editor rings him anyway. When Joe calls Peter he instantly agrees as he needs the money. Even though this upsets Gwen, Peter decides to take her to the Bugle with him. When he arrives there, Jameson sees that a woman's perspective would be a great angle for the expedition exclusive and so he asks Gwen if she'd like to come. In spite of Peter's reservations about the idea, she agrees to come along. With Richard Calkin as their guide the party head toward the frost antarctic wasteland, finishing their journey in a helicopter they cross into the warm hidden jungle narrowly dodging a Pterosaur on the way. When they land Jameson and Gwen stage what they had planned, Gwen strips to her Bikini so that Peter can take some pictures of the beautiful blonde against the jungle back ground. Which he's pleased to do as long as when they find the "King Kong" creature she's safe back in the helicopter. Find out if she is in next week's "The coming of Gog!"

The Web and the Hammer

Andy Williams from Blackpool complains that Spider-man is getting squeezed off the front cover, he personally thinks there's not a hero you've created that is fit to stand in Spider-man's shadow. Henry Dyson from Caernarvon writes that he was over-joyed to see Conan disappear, because to him he's a mess. Franco Scannella from Surrey has been forced to write in after six faithful years of following Marvel mags, with four points, joining Savage Sword of Conan with the Avengers weekly was a smashing idea, the planet of the Apes is a great comic but he'd like to see Gullivar Jones and Ka-Zar return to it. In the Silver Surfer strip in the Super-Heroes #19 the Warlord was a creep. And finally he doesn't read Dracula Lives as he doesn't think it's any good. R Stuart RFO from Preston writes in with a list of shops around central Lancashire where he has managed to buy Marvel mags from. 

This stupendous Spider-man Comics Weekly pin-up page of Thor the mighty versus Loki the God of Evil is taken from the cover of The Mighty Thor issue 147, cover dated December 1967, published October 1967, with art by Jack Kirby and inks by Vince Colletta.

Iron Man “The end of the Freak!”

Writer: Archie Goodwin

Artist: Johnny Craig

Inker: Johnny Craig

Originally published in Iron Man #3

Cover date July 1968

(Published in April 1968)

The Johnny Craig cover from Iron Man issue 3 is repurposed as this week's second part opening splash page with only a new story title and a credit box. With Pepper Potts in his arms the Freak bursts thru the factory wall, leaving Iron man trapped within as a fire breaks out. For the sake of space page 16 from the original US comic is left out. It would have shown Iron Man escaping the fire as the factory's automated fire control system kicks in and the Freak desperate to escape the golden Avenger's pursuit climbs a building construction site.

Iron Man catches up with the Freak atop of that missed page's constructed building. The armoured hero tries his best to capture his mutated friend but all he can do is keep his attention to manoeuvre him away from Pepper who the creature had laid down on the framework of the semi constructed skyscraper. After taking some powerful hits from the Freak that knock him down to the ground below, only to be saved in the nick of time with his jet boots. He sores back up and picks up Pepper from her perch, carrying her safely down to the ground and into an awaiting armoured van. The Freak scales down the buildings skeleton framework and follows them. Pepper escapes through a back door inside the armoured van, leaving Iron Man to wrestle with the Freak inside the vehicle as both doors slam shut sealing them inside. Iron Man takes the bludgeoning blows as an anaesthetic gas is pumped into the sealed compartment rendering the Freak unconscious as Iron Man's own oxygen supply saves him from the same fate. The Freak is then transported back to Stark Industries to get treated with the "Enervation Intensifier". Next Iron Man must face "the unconquerable Unicorn!"

A page of in-house adverts for British Marvel's oldest weekly and their latest comic. The top advert describes the Mighty World of Marvel the only comic to feature the Hulk and the Fantastic Four, which is true at that time and to prove it an image of ol' green skin battling ol' blue eyes is used, as seen on the Mighty World of Marvel #79 cover, but originally it was from the Incredible Hulk (US edition,) issue 122, cover dated December 1969, published September 1969, drawn by Herb Trimpe. The advert under that is obviously for The Titans, showing the cover of issue 1, by Keith Pollard (pencils,) and Frank Giacoia (inks). Five great features every issue in this double value action, new shaped, new style adventure weekly, at least that's what it says.

The Mighty Thor “And now..Galactus!”

 Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Vince Colletta

Originally published in The Mighty Thor #168

Cover date September 1969

(Published in July 1969)

I've always felt that this artwork by Jack Kirby looked a little strange, or at least its proportions did. But who am I to argue with the King. Originally from the cover of the Mighty Thor issue 168 is effortlessly used as this week's second part opening splash page with only a new story title and credit box added. A communist army from the east have loaded the Thermal Man robot up onto a missile and fired it towards American air space. Naturally, the US intercept the missile and considering it a threat blast it out of the sky unaware that they have unwittingly unleashed the Thermal Man on American soil. 

In the depths of space, Thor finds his ship has been halted and brought onto a planetoid by Galactus himself. Ignoring Galactus' explanation that he seeks no battle the Thunder God attacks with little success. Galactus explains that he has grown tired of Thor's chase, he decides to tell the Asgardian of his origins. Engulfing Thor in a visi-cloud, Thor begins learning all about the past of Galactus. Ages ago a ship that had crashed on a distant world is observed by one of the Watchers. This Watcher investigates the crash and finds that the entire crew had apparently been slaughtered by a strange plague. As Galactus tells his tale back on Earth the Warriors Three and Balder spend time in Donald Blake's apartment getting accustomed to the mortal world. The overweight Volstagg has the most trouble finding Earth furniture that can withstand his massive weight. Just then a news report about the Thermal Man's attack on New York breaks. The four Asgardians set off to face the menace. On a distant planet, Thor revives from the visi-mist and after some consideration, Galactus decides that Thor is ready to learn "the why of Galactus!" as told in next week's comic.

Avengers Weekly #113

This cover was especially commissioned for this weekly with pencil artwork from Don Vaughn and Keith Pollard with inks by Frank Giacoia. The insert of Conan, drawn by John Buscema (pencils,) with Steve Gan (inks), was taken from the opening splash page of Conan the Barbarian issue 58, cover dated January 1975, published October 1975. It must have been photocopied from the original printers proofs of that comic days after it was finished and added to this cover. 

Conan the Barbarian “Night of the Gorilla”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: John Buscema

Inker: Ernie Chan

Originally published in Conan the Barbarian #28

Cover date July 1973

(Published in April 1973)

This second part opening splash page has been drawn by Carl Potts and features different versions of scenes from the original strip with much of the dialogue taken from the fifth panel of last week's page eleven. A new story title, catch up text box and a credit box added. Speaking of credits, the inker is credited as Ernie Chua, now many might think that this is a spelling mistake as there is also a well known artist called Ernie Chan. Well they would be right and wrong at the same time. Ernesto "Ernie" Chan was a Filipino artist, who for a number of years was obliged to work under the name "Ernie Chua" as that name had been wrongfully entered on his US immigration documents. I'm going to start listing him under his birthed surname, Chan.

After freeing himself from quicksand, left to die by a Stygian called Thutmekri the barbarian finds the dying tormentor who after Conan frees reveals he had stolen a religious idol from Zembabwei. Conan decides to retrieve the golden statue for himself and begins to hunt through the rainforest. Soon he comes across another of Thutmekri's party, M'Gorah, who explains that the Witch-Dancers of Zembabwei have kidnapped Helgi, Thutmekri's slave girl, with plans to sacrifice her. Never one to let a beautiful, buxom blonde slave girl face any danger, Conan tracks down the Witch-Dancers and discovers Helgi tired to a tree. Conan races towards her and falls into a hidden pit. The trap was set by M'Gorah, who is actually possessed by Thutmekri's pursuer Dalboor. The natives of Zimbabwei come forth, and M'Gorah/Dalboor begins the sacrifice ritual around the golden ape idol. However the children of Cimmeria are taught to climb before they can walk and Conan easily scales the pit walls only to encounter a giant fanged ape. Conan fights the gorilla for a while, cutting the monster with Thutmekri's dagger that the barbarian had laced with venom from the serpent he had killed last week. Doubling round Conan places M'Gorah between himself and the crazed ape, in its rage the creature kills M'Gorah, before it succumbs to the poison. Seeing this the Zimbabwei natives flee. Conan frees Helgi, who faints into his arms. Next will see "Two against Turan!"

The Avengers “Betrayal!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: John Buscema

Inker: Tom Palmer

Originally published in The Avengers #74

Cover date March 1970

(Published in January 1970)

John Buscema (pencils,) with Tom Palmer's (inks) cover from the Avengers issue 74 is repurposed here as this week's second part opening splash page. New speech bubbles, a new story title and a credit box are added. The Avengers search for their missing teammate after the Supreme Serpent boasts that he will capture and unmask the Black Panther to expose his criminal nature after he had been seen attacking and robbing businesses who had shown their support for the Sons of the Serpent. 

Seeking to get to the bottom of things, the Wasp has track down the "Black Panther", soon her teammates arrive and try to capture the "Panther". Even though he isn't the genuine hero he still manages to distract the Avengers and escape them. Regrouping back at Avengers Mansion they soon see on television that the Sons of the Serpent have "captured" the Black Panther and are about to unmask him on television. The Avengers rush to the station to face the Sons of the Serpent, easily swatting them to one side. As they reach the television studio the Supreme Serpent unmasks T'Challa telling the watching public that this is the face of America's foe. "T'Challa" replies "And why shouldn't I be its foe, Serpent? No BlackAmerican can rest while a white American lives!" Meanwhile the Vision has sneaked away and found the real T'Challa chained in another room with another Supreme Serpent watching the events unfolding on a TV monitor. The android Avenger frees Black Panther who race into the studio and reveals the "unmasked" Panther was really an impostor. With two Supreme Serpents the wasp and Yellowjacket unmask the true masterminds behind the Sons of the Serpent as Dan Dunn and Montague Hale. Their racism was an act intended to stir up hatred and violence to gain power. Although Hale was using "Black America" for his own ends, Monica Lynne and T'Challa point out that even though his methods were wrong, the cause is still right. Monica admits she has found a new purpose, to which the T'Challa adds, "so has the Black Panther!" So is this the end? Hardly!

Doctor Strange “Doorway beyond”

Writer: Gardner F Fox

Artist: Jim Starlin

Inker: Frank Giacoia

Originally published in Marvel Premiere #8

Cover date May 1973

(Published in February 1973)

This second part opening splash page was created by Paty Cockrum, with a new story title, catch up and credit boxes added. Doctor Strange has journeyed to Stonehenge, in a mission to stop Shuma-Gorath's incursions into the world. Strange battles a number of winged demons, quickly he slays them all. He then senses the awful evil of the agent of Shuma-Gorath who sent the demons, Kathulos, who focuses its necromantic rays on Strange, projecting beams of starlight that wrap around Strange and pull him through the inter-dimensional spaces to a strange alien world.

Discovering that the whole planet is alive, Strange is confronted by Kathulos who manifests as a humanoid head within the mouth of a giant Venus flytrap. The evil deity of the Pre-Cataclysmic Age informs Strange that he is the planet itself. With powers granted to him by Shuma-Gorath he has brought Strange there to die. Kathulos then prevents Strange's magicks from working on this world. Amusing himself he decides to kill the sorcerer slowly. When Strange proves to be a worthy enemy, Kathulos paralyzes Strange as he prepares to absorb him. Unable to resist the essence of Doctor Strange he is absorbed through some form of psychic symbiosis becoming one with Kathulos, but at the last moment he learns that Kathulos cannot resist his magic while absorbing him. Strange then casts the Crimson Crystals of Cyttorak at Kathulos, fatally wounding the plant from which the spirit draws its sustenance. As it quickly withers and dies, Strange finds himself the only living thing on the planet. The realisation that, in dying, Kathulos has triumphed over him leaving him marooned, far from Earth and unable to stop Shuma-Gorath from rising, leaves Strange filled with despair. Next week "the crypts of Kaa-U!"

Magneto and the Titanium man! It's not the latest team-up of super-villains but a song on the album "Venus and Mars" by Paul McCartney and Wings. As Paul is said to be a staunch Marvel fan, because at the time of this feature he said as much in a radio interview, British Marvel Comics are giving away ten copies of Paul's Album, Venus and Mars to the first ten runners-up of their Clean-up Competition that ran in the weeklies from the week ending 30th August 1975. Those ten runners-up are, DJ Mattershead from Oldham, G Parkinson from Sheffield, Paul Pattinson from Chester-Le-Street, John Kurs from West Derby, Neil Bailey from Luton, CG Wilshaw from Bignall End, Michael Warren from Walthamstow, David Holloway from Kirkby-in-Ashfield, N Andrews from Chertsey and finally Steven Haylock from London.

The back pages of the Avengers weekly, Planet of the Apes and the Super-Heroes all featured this Trebor Blobs advert, which is a nice way of listing the winners of the winning recipes that was held way back on many of the week ending 26th July 1975 weeklies pack pages. Those winners are Charles Liebscher from Northampton with Roly mouldy pudding with iced shaving foam, Belinda Gelder from Yorkshire with Leaf stroganoff, Sarah Knowles from Middlesex with Pram wheel fritters, Verity Crawford from Westcliffe-on-Sea with Bat burgers and fried bunions, R Sutton from Cheshire with Tarmac tart, Paul Roach from Kent with Fried braces, Wendy Goodwin Cheshire with Moth broth, N Tomalin from Kent with Slugs of the day, Denise Dorington from Bristol with Baked spiders in their jackets and finally Ian Rawbon from Stafford with Puddle pop. I'm guessing they all got their ideas from school dinners. 

Dracula Lives #56

The second Ron Wilson cover this week and a well designed one too, that incorporates all three horror stars from the weekly in fairly equal amounts, although the Lord of the Vampires gets the lions share of the cover. Mike Esposito applies the inks.  

Dracula “Hannibal King, Vampire Stalker”

Writer: Marv Wolfman

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Tom Palmer

Originally published in Tomb of Dracula #25

Cover date October 1974

(Published in July 1974)

Gil Kane (pencils,) with Tom Palmer (inks,) and John Romita Sr. (adaptions,) cover from Tomb of Dracula issue #25 is repurposed as the opening splash page of this second part Dracula story in which Hannibal King, vampire stalker meets Count Dracula himself. After last week when King has confronted the Vampire lord over the murder of Fred Walters. The investigator had been thrown out off a second story window, while Dracula gave orders to O'Brien before leaving. King interrupts O'Brien's phone call, he tries to shoot King who swiftly kicks the gun from his hand.

King then interrogates O'Brien to find out about his latest shipping manifest, specifically, the destination of a wooden coffin. O'Brien tells him that one was shipped to a warehouse in Kensington. Hannibal goes to the warehouse where he finds Dracula as well as several of his vampire followers. The first, a female hurls him into a crate that breaks into pieces, picking up one of the broken shards of wood he impales it into her. The next King slows down with the foam from a fire extinguisher, then puts him to death with a fire ax. To more vampires attack King but the sound of a police siren in the distance pauses them, Hannibal had purposely tripped a silent burglar alarm before he had entered the warehouse. Dracula realises that he didn't have time to fool around with King any longer. The two remaining vampires transform into bats and fly away. Dracula swears to King that this won't be their final meeting. Before Dracula too flies away King asks him what Fred Walters had learned and why had he to die? Dracula refuses to answer as he leaves. The following evening, Hannibal meets again with Adrianne Walters to tell her everything that he learned, and explains that Dracula killed her husband to cover up the paper trail concerning the exportation of his various coffins. Adrianne leaves, without ever learning the true reason why Hannibal King knows so much about vampires. He himself is a vampire, who had been bitten by a certain white-haired vampire. We'll take our leave from Hannibal King for a while as next week sees the return of Taj in "the shadow of the Chimera!"

Bullpen Bulletins

This version of the Bullpen Bulletin page features Spider-man and the Hulk instead of Howard the Duck, it also appears in this week's Super-Heroes. Which is the subject of the third Item in the Bullpen Bulletin page, that comic will soon be going through various transitions when the Cat's series ends in three weeks, the following week see the sinister Scarecrow starts as it's replacement. The artwork from that strip will be brought to you by Rico Rival and Ruben Yandoc from the scripts of Scott Edelman who would be familiar to British Marvel readers who read in previous Bullpen Bulletins that Scott also edited the UK weeklies. The fourth Item discusses changes coming to Dracula Lives with it's new title addition "featuring the Legion of Monsters", another change will be to the covers, they'll be seeing all that mags super stars, including Dracula, the Man-Thing and the Living Mummy will appear on the covers.

Cryptic Correspondence

Christopher Miley from Sheffield spends ninety-nine point five per cent of the time reading Marvel mags. He gives a run down on the six weeklies from week ending 16th August 1975. The highlights are Spider-man is brilliant, the return of the Goblin, cheered him up a lot. In MWOM the Hulk was quiet in this issue, but Sal Buscema's art makes the Hulk too big-lipped. In the Avengers weekly the Conan story was thrilling, with brilliant art, as usual and the Avengers story didn't come as a shock as he expected the return of Ultron. Dracula was as usual the most horrible of the strips in Dracula Lives. He welcomed the adaption of "Beneath the Planet of the Apes" as it was the only Ape film he hasn't seen. And finally in the Super-Heroes the Surfer was brilliant, Doc Savage was really quite good, but he found the X-Men slow to start. Stuart Watson RFO, KOF from Cleveland thought Tony Isabella's review of "Film Fantasy Scrapbook" was well written. He has the book and recommends it to every real fan of Harryhausen.  

Werewolf by Night “And now strikes..Atlas!”

Writer: Doug Moench

Artist: Don Perlin

Inker: Vince Colletta

Originally published in Werewolf by Night #22

Cover date October 1974

(Published in July 1974)

The commissioned opening splash page for the second part of this Werewolf by Night story was penciled by Steve Stiles and inked John Tartagilone. The original artwork can be seen on the Comic Art Fans website. Lieutenant Northrup of the Los Angeles Police Force discusses the disappearance of his colleague Lieutenant Lou Hackett, who unbeknown to him had been killed when, as a werewolf, he had been kicked into a vat of molten metal by Raymond Coker who was also a werewolf, as seen in Dracula Lives #54. Just then news of a homicide at the home of movie producer Simon Kolb reaches the station.

Meanwhile the Werewolf by sheer coincidence arrives at Simon Kolb's mansion, entering the grounds because he thinks that behind the wall lies his beloved forest, he finds the lone figure of the man called Atlas, who had been Steve Rand, an actor deformed and driven mad by an accident on set of one of Simon Kolb's films. Taking on his masked identity he sets out to get revenge, starting with murdering producer Simon Kolb. The Werewolf attacks, Atlas tries to drown him in the waters of a fountain but when the beast saves himself by clawing at the killer's face Atlas clubs him repeatedly. The unconscious Werewolf falls to the ground next to the fountain as Atlas leaves. The next morning Jack Russell wakes up with no memory of the night before, to find himself surrounded by the police. With no explanation on why he was there Jack Russel finds himself arrested as a murder suspect. Next week we find out more about the strange and terrifying secret behind the "maniac called Atlas!"

Everything you wanted to know about Vampires*

*But were afraid to ask. 

Writer: Chris Claremont

Originally published in Vampire Tales #4

Cover date April 1974

(Published in January 1974)

Six weeks ago Chris Claremont wrote a themed sci-fi/martian article that was printed in Planet of the Apes issue 50 and I hammered it a little as I thought it was a poorly written, which is strange because Claremont is on of my favourite writers. Here he manages to bring the subject to life this time. The subject is vampire legends from around the world. If you like your vampires multicultural this article is for you. If you've read Vampire Tales #4, the Marvel/Curtis Magazine, you'll know that this piece was part of a five part article with parts one to three originally appeared in issues one to three of Vampire tales with the fifth found in the fifth issue. Text saying as much in this British version has been redacted on page 21. Also the word "copulating" has also been redacted from page 22 of the British comic where it should have read, "There are prehistoric carvings, as well, one depicting a man copulating with a vampire whose head has just been cut off."

The Living Mummy “A separate war”

Writer: Tony Isabella

Artist: Val Mayerik

Inker: Dan Green

Originally published in Supernatural Thrillers #13

Cover date June 1975

(Published in March 1975)

Ron and the Living Mummy are returning to their friend's hide-out after last week's failed mission to collect scrolls from the University of Cairo. Along the way they run into a group of men whom have collaborated with the Elementals. A fight breaks out with the men gunning down the Mummy under machine gun fire. But the creature's tough hide protects it a little and he fights back.  

During the fight, as the Living Mummy starts to beat the attackers one man with a flame thrower takes aim at him. Ron grabs hold of a gun and fires it at the man. Unfortunately the high velocity bullet hits the fuel tank of the flame thrower, igniting the combustible gas causing an explosion that envelops the man leaving Ron mortified by being forced to kill the man in such a horrifying way. N'Kantu comforts his companion as best he can without sharing a common language. As they turn and walk away one of the defeated men regains consciousness and picks up his gun to shoot them in the back. As he releases a round a rat leaps in the way dying instantly as the man slips back in unconsciousness. Returning to where Professor Skarab and Janice are holed up, they catch a news report about the Elementals conquest of Cairo and how the rest of the world cannot penetrate the magical barrier around the city. Once more seeing images of Asp, Olddan and Zephyr being held prisoner by the Elementals rowels up Ron enough to want to go out and save them.

Planet of the Apes #56

Another Ron Wilson cover, making a total of three. I very nearly made this my Cover of the Week, not because it's a beautiful piece of art that's really well drawn, because let's face it, it's not. What I do like about it is the wit of it. Cornelius and Zira on a wanted poster that is mirrored with Cornelius and Zira looking at that poster then turning round to face the barrel of a gun. There's an irony in that and an irony in the fact that the images on the poster show both chimpanzees in very angry poses. It tickles my funny bone. Sadly as you can see my second hand copy has a house number or resale price written over the POTA logo.  

Planet of the Apes “A final note of treachery!”

Writer: Doug Moench

Artist: Rico Rival

Inker: Rico Rival

Originally published in Planet of the Apes (US) #14

Cover date November 1975

(Published in September 1975)

Another Gary Brodsky splash page for the second part of a strip this week, in fact its the third and as I've not found any of them to be good this one has the extra inadequacy of being a completely bland image. Cornelius and Zira are the bells of the ball as they are taken to a Nice society party. After resting in their luxury hotel room, Cornelius watches television while Zira relaxes in the bath.

The next day Cornelius is taken to watch a prize-fight boxing match, which he finds human fighting human for sport "beastly".  Zira has the more civilised pastime she speaks to a woman's organisation, then later she visits a museum where she is startled to see a stuffed ape and faints.  Zira reveals that she is pregnant. Doctor Hasslein takes her back to her hotel where alone he gets Zira drunk and plies her for information. He learns what she saw when they were in orbit around the earth as it exploded. He also gets from her the date registered on the ships date meter. Hasslein informs the President of the United States that the apes are from the future and if things aren't changed those events and the appearance of the apes could shape the destruction of the human race. He argues for the extermination of the apes after the CIA carry out a full proper interrogation of the two chimpanzees. Next issue "In the cradle of a father's sins."

A photo of Zira, as played by Kim Hunter, taken from the 1971 film Escape from the Planet of the Apes. With her famous line "Doctor...I have such a strange craving...!" written underneath it. 

Apes Forum 

Ken Towl from Mid-Glamorgan thought "Light of Other Days" was good, "War Toy" was much better. In his opinion the artwork was the best in any British Marvel so far. The Apes saga is building up into something good now, and the apes' faces are drawn better than ever, so that they show more emotions even than the humans. Graham Tarve Warwickshire thinks that the Planet of the Apes has been getting gradually better ever since issue 1. The artwork in "Beneath." is just great. Issue 39's cover did a lot to improve the mag and so let's have a few more like it. Peter Schneiter from London saw a mag called "Horror". Which had many special offers, some were Planet of The Apes themed with models of Urko and Galen. Plus there were also Planet of The Apes home movies of all five Ape films. Gregory Dunne from County Derry thinks that Planet of the Apes is the best comic out there. He suggests a story-writing competition. Then those stories could be drawn into a comic strip in the mags.

Starr the Slayer “The sword and the sorcerers!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Barry Windsor-Smith

Inker: Barry Windsor-Smith

Originally published in Chambers of Darkness #4

Cover date April 1970

(Published in January 1970)

This is Barry Windsor-Smith's eleventh comic strip for Marvel in what is essentially a tryout for a sword and sorcery strip that would eventually bear fruit when Roy Thomas is given the opportunity to complete his pet project, Conan the barbarian with Barry. It must have been liked by the readers and by Stan as six months later Conan the Barbarian was given his own strip. Even the hero of this strip bears an incredible likeness to the Cimmerian barbarian with his bear chest and horned helmet.

The story seems to start with a barbarian hero fighting a fire breathing monster for the safety of the city of Zardath. Starr the Slayer is the King of that city with the evil wizard Trull his arch-nemesis who wishes to seize control of Zardath. Starr confronts the wizard after defeating his conjured up demon, by throwing his broad sword towards the wizard. Suddenly Len Carson awakes from those events in his dream. Carson is a writer who is trying to sell his barbarian stories of Starr the Slayer. But with that dream he considers killing off the character in the next story because the dreams are putting too much of a strain upon his health. On his way to the office, Starr assaults him out of an alley with accusations of "Murderer!!" upon his lips. The writer is unbelieving, even as Starr raises his sword and strikes him down. Starr wakes in his own world and relates a dream to his faithful minstrel, Morro, who tells him that Trull had been slain, The question remains which was fantasy and which was reality?

Man-Gods from beyond the stars “Trial of the Gods”

Writer: Doug Moench and Roy Thomas (plot)

Artist: Alex Niño

Inker: Alex Niño

Originally published in Marvel Preview #1

Cover date February 1975

(Published in July 1975)

Gary Brodsky must have had a busy week as here's his fourth opening splash page, there's a bit more detail in this one but I can't say that the quality improved. All the usual bits and bobs like a new story title, catch up and credits boxes are added. Compared to Alex Niño's art it's pretty lame. Visitors from an alien civilisation have landed on a prehistoric Earth to carry out scientific research. Although their prime directive is to not interfere with the planets natural culture. However when a wild sabre-tooth tiger attacks a native woman things quickly change.

Commander Raaman kills the sabre-tooth with his laser pistol saving the girl. Much to the anger and indignation of a fellow crew officer, Aide Norg. To compound matters Raaman orders Norg to take the injured woman to the spacecraft and have the ships medical officers attend to her wounds. Norg refuses at first as the Commander's actions have continually broken the prime directive, but Norg complies with the order when Raaman points out that he is the sole member of the expedition party entrusted with a weapon. 

An interlude to the Peruvian Museum of Antiquity in Cusco on 29th January 1975, anthropologists and historians John Chambers and his colleague Charles discuss a frieze on display that depicts a scene similar to paintings they found on cave walls, showing what could be a "winged helmeted" man next to a shape that could be interpreted as a modern astronaut at the controls of a space capsule. Charles questions if Chambers believes that this evidence substantiates the wild notion that prehistoric Earth was visited by aliens. He does, to which Charles tells him to get a grip as he's an anthropologist and not a science fiction writer. Chambers replies that the notion of flight to the moon was nothing more than the delusion of a science fiction writer until five years ago it happened.

Commander Raaman returns to check that his order has been carried out, entering the Surgery Chamber he finds that the native girl is being examined using extreme methods. When he asks the medical officers report on the meaning of this torture, the crew member informs him that they were merely examining the female specimen, since it would have been highly irregular to bring an indigenous life-form aboard the ship, they assumed that the Commander had wished a further examination and perhaps even a vivisection. Raaman is angered that Norg did nothing to correct the assumption. The artwork here is very adult seeing probes attached to the woman's nipples and restraints holding her down. It must have slipped through the British editors censorship. Or maybe the artwork was too good to censor. When the girl is seen to Raaman escorts her outside. The silent exchange leads to a tender loving moment of a sexual nature that doesn't go unnoticed by Aide Norg who retrieves a laser pistol from a box. The similarities to the scenes between the Tribe leader and the rebellious savage with Norg and the returning Commander are obvious as power struggles are played out with both sets of men. Norg leaves the ship with the pistol and goes to the tribe, while the rebellious savage attempts to enter the ship. The savage is detained before entering the ship while Norg shows the tribe his status by firing his weapon at some rocks. Find out what happens next week in the gripping conclusion. 

A Roddy McDowall Special

If you've read the Planet of the Apes letter pages over the last few months you would have noticed that there are dozens of female readers who are devoted fans of Roddy McDowall, the actor behind the make-up of chimpanzees Cornelius and Galen in the Planet of the Apes movies and TV series. So as it's always wise to give the readers what they want the inside back page features a photo montage of the actor in various rolls, with and without the make-up, including two photos of Roddy from very early film rolls as Joe Carraclough in "Lassie Come Home"from 1943 and Ken McLaughlin in "Thunderhead, Son of Flicka" from 1945. I'm pretty certain that all those pictures had already appeared in the comic in various articles on the actor, But at least it went some way to please the female fans.

The Super-heroes #37

For the second week running the Cat gets the lion's share of this split scene cover, which was drawn this week by Arvell Jones with inks, the Grand Comics Database suggests, possibly by Frank Giacoia. 

Giant Man and the Wasp “The Black Knight strikes!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Dick Ayers

Inker: Dick Ayers

Originally published in Tales to Astonish #52

Cover date February 1964

(Published in November 1963)

Jack Kirby leaves this strip in the capable hands of Dick Ayers as penciler and inker. You couldn't say that Jack had been giving the strip his best work so Dick's pencil line artwork feels like a refreshing change, even though the strip is still very much stuck in a sixties rut it does marginally read better to the eyes of a 1975 young Marvel fan. The story opens with Giant-Man busting the sale of top secret information between scientist Professor Garrett and communist spies, with Giant-Man capturing all involved. Garrett is later bailed by his communist employers and he defects to a remote Balkan kingdom in the Alps. 

Inspired by a winged horse statue in the village he buys a castle and begins genetically engineering a horse to have wings. many weeks later in America, the Wasp arrives in Henry Pym's lab to tell him a fantastic story, where she saw a knight on a flying horse fly through the city. the Knight attack an armoured car, using his lance to melt a hole in it's side to gain access to its cargo and grab bags of money, before he makes his quick escape. Using his "ant communicator", Giant-Man finds that the Black Knight is going to attack a helicopter in mid-air next. Enlisting the help of the air force Giant-Man it is a ride on board a cargo plane that arrives in time to witness the Black Knight's mid-air heist. Giant-Man leaps from the cargo plane onto the helicopter. The Black Knight uses many scientific gadgets at his disposal to attack the giant hero. The Knight gloats and boasts about his achievements in inventing a lance with many devices and a paralyser pistol, revealing how he'd hoped to get his revenge on Giant-Man, which gives Pym the clue that the Knight is really Professor Garrett. Will Giant-Man fall to his doom? Find out next week.

The Cat “Stampede!”

Writer: Linda Fite

Artist: Jim Starlin and Alan Weiss 

Inker: Frank McLaughlin

Originally published in The Cat #4

Cover date June 1973

(Published in March 1973)

Another artist change, this time its the team of Jim Starlin, Alan Weiss and Frank McLaughlin who take over from Paty Cockrum and Bill Everett. It certainly does make it look more "arty", but not enough to save the original US comic that the strip came from as next week's second part will be the last solo Cat story, after that a certain web-slinger makes a team-up appearance. While visiting Sally an old school friend in Chicago Greer Grant encounters William Taurens in a Chicago bar. Taurens get far too familiar with the girls. 

When he gets too "touchy feely" with Greer she uses her training that allowed her to become the Cat to inconspicuously locate points on his hand that with the right amount of pressure allows her to flip the jerk onto his back, then by a controlled "accident" spills his drink onto him. When the beer soaked misogynist gets up to retaliate the local male drinkers step in to teach Lauren's a lesson in gentlemanly behaviour. Taurens takes a beating and takes his humiliation personally. He heads to the little boys room and injects himself with the mutagenic bull enzymes serum which turns him into the Man-Bull. He rampages through the bar, knocking the clientele aside like the stereotypical bull in the china shop. Greer quickly changes into costume to face him. When Man-Bull see the costumed heroine his mind flashes back to a previous encounter with the costumed super-hero Daredevil, which British readers won't have the chance to read until MWOM #286 to #290 from the week ending the 22rd March 1978 onwards. The Man-Bull goes into a rage and charges at the Cat knocking her flying. Find out next week if she can stop his rampage. 

Super-Mail

Don Perretta, KOF, RFO. from London thinks the American Black and White mags are really terrific, he gets as many of them as he can, including the Savage Sword of Conan, the Deadly Hands of Kung Fu and the occasional Savage Tales. Don also makes regular trips up to "Dark They Were and Golden-Eyed" where he found mags like Doc Savage, Kull and the Barbarians and the Savage Sword of Conan Annual Special. Anyhow, back to British mags, as an avid Marvel fan he was extremely pleased when Super-Heroes and Conan were brought out. They're simply brilliant. John Flaxman from Norfolk has been reading Marvel comics for a few years now and is keen to become a Marvel artist. He asks for any tips on becoming one and also asks to have his address printed so as to offer any readers a page-size pin-up of any Marvel characters they want drawn by him free of charge. Christopher Philips from Staffordshire asks about any comic marts in the Midlands and how he can get any of the American back issues. 

The X-Men “From whence comes...Dominus?”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Werner Roth

Inker: Dick Ayers

Originally published in The X-Men #21

Cover date June 1966

(Published in April 1966)

The X-Men reach the secret hideout of Lucifer when their ship is suddenly deflected by a strange force field. Strange objects are pulled out of the sky into the mysterious base. Witnessing the spectacle is Porter Mack, the owner of Dude Ranch who feels that the strange goings-on will drive away his customers. With his best men he investigates the disturbance. Meanwhile, the X-Men land and investigate on foot leaving the Professor behind as they begin to search for a way into the base. 

They are spotted and attacked by Porter and his posse, who think there may be a reward for the X-Men since they are still wanted criminals back east. However, the X-Men make short work of their would-be attackers. Iceman seals Porter in an ice block, sending him back to his ranch. Resuming their search the X-Men make their way to the river where Iceman create an ice raft for them to ride along. They follow the river to the underground opening but find themselves caught in a whirlpool. As the X-Men are swept away, the Professor is shocked to find that telepathic contact with his students have been severed. Before Xavier can do anything about it, he is confronted by two robots commanded by Lucifer who capture the Professor and carry him away into the base. Taken before Lucifer himself, the Professor is put at the alien's mercy with the robots inquiring if they should destroy their captive. Lucifer refuses, telling the robots and the Professor that he prefers that Xavier lives so that he can witness as the Dominus super-computer enslaves the entire world.

This Marvel Masterworks Pin-up of the original X-Men was drawn by Dave Hunt and inked by Duffy Vohland as signed on the bottom right of the poster. Now I could have sworn that I'd seen this pin-up feature elsewhere, I thought it might have been on the cover of the Marvel UK Original X-Men weekly from 1983, or possibly as a colour poster, but I couldn't track it down. It does bear some similarity with Jim Steranko's cover from The X-Men (US edition,) issue 48, cover dated October 1968, published August 1968, But you won't call it a direct copy. I guess I've been looking at too many comics over my long life, they all blur into each other. 

The Titans #4

Keith Pollard has been confirmed as the artist for this split landscape cover with Frank Giacoia applying the inks. Sometimes when there's too much going on it can spoil a cover, I guess they were trying to grab as many people's attention as possible. The Black Bolt and Namor vignettes, like last week's, have been taken from the covers of Fantastic Four issue 46, cover dated January 1966, published October 1965, drawn by Jack Kirby with Joe Sinnott adding the inks and the cover of Sub-Mariner issue 63, cover dated July 1973, published April 1973, with John Romita Sr. inked by Joe Sinnott again.

The Sub-Mariner “By force of arms!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Vince Colletta

Originally published in Tales to Astonish #72

Cover date October 1965

(Published in July 1965)

Having encountered the Diamonds of Doom in order to collect the third and final clue which will lead to the location of Neptune's Trident, Namor must battle against the Demon of the Diamonds. Although weakened by the diamonds rays Namor is still able to hold his own, so much so he manages to knock off the Demon's crown which protected him from the diamonds' effects. The Demon however recovers the crown but he is distracted when Namor summons electric eels to incapacitate the Demon. 

The eels absorb the energies from the Diamonds allowing Namor to collect the final clue. Speaking through the eels, the spirit of Neptune once more congratulates Namor on his victory. Watching this via a monitor Warlord Krang is furious that once again the Sub-Mariner has succeed in his quest. Learning from the eels that Lady Dorma has been cast to the Faceless Ones as punishment for refusing to marry Krang, Namor must decide if he should continue his quest for the Trident or save Lady Dorma. Meanwhile, the people of Atlantis, fed up of Krang's totalitarian regime stage a revolt in an attempt to overthrow the tyrant's rule. Despite the armed guards and high tech weapons that Krang has to keep the rebels away, they manage to make it to his throne room. Namor has decided to rescue Lady Dorma, finding her survival more important to him than obtaining the Trident of Neptune. The Atlantean Prince speeds towards the cavern of the Faceless Ones, as the savage underwater creatures approach the cage that Lady Droma is held in. Who will get there first find out next week.

Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD “Hydra strikes!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: John Severin

Originally published in Strange Tales #136

Cover date September 1965

(Published in June 1965)

This second part opening splash page is by an unnamed artist with only a new story title and credits added. Last week Hydra had been tailing Nick Fury when he entered a barbershop. Thinking that it's a secret entrance to SHIELD headquarters they sent two undercover agents inside. Fury captures them and hypnotises the pair into believing they had succeeded in shooting him and that the barbershop isn't actually the headquarters but an old warehouse elsewhere.

The hypnotised agents lead a Hydra Taskforce to the warehouse, then using a portable x-ray scanner they see an array of complex computers inside, so they assume they had discovered SHIELD's secret base.They summon the Hydra-ram that has been hovering in the clouds above. Landing next to the warehouse door its hydraulic battering ram smashes the wooden doors to reveal a steel door of over a foot thick. Next they use a powerful laser to cut the door open and remove it with an electro-magnetic grappling arm. The army of Hydra soldiers race in but find it has all been a trap laid by Fury. It works as they capture all the Hydra agents in various traps. Back at Hydra, the failed Hydra-Hunter is killed and replaced, as Hydra mantra goes "Cut off a limb and two more shall take its place!". With the mission complete Hydra will no doubt launch another dastardly plan to take over the world. 

The Inhumans “With these rings, I thee kill!”

Writer: Jack Kirby

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Chick Stone

Originally published in Amazing Adventures Volume 2 #4

Cover date January 1971

(Published in October 1970)

After discovering the ancient temple that houses the idol of Yin, before the Mandarin could find it, Black Bolt removes the eye from the statute of Yin. But while the Inhuman's King studies it the strange sphere suddenly leaps from his hands as if drawn by some unseen irresistible force, then it speeds off. Black Bolt gives chase until he loses it in the maze like catacombs of the ancient temple.

We find the Mandarin had planned to use the Inhumans to do his dirty work all along as he uses one of his rings to draw the sphere to him. The Inhumans split up to search the labyrinth of passageways for the Eye of Yin. The Mandarin plans to used the artefact's power to conquer the world. As the sphere dissolves the Mandarin's rings absorb the power from the globe. To test his new found power he vaporises his faithful servant. Karnak is the first Inhuman to discover the villain and he starts to battle the owner of the ten rings. Then the other Inhumans arrive to battle him. It looks like the Mandarin has won and is about to use the full force of the rings to destroy the Inhumans until Black Bolt creates a "hypo-pattern" that renders the villain unconscious. With him defeated they remove his rings, discarding them in the underground temple while Black Bolt seals them in the cavern with a blast of electron energy. 

Bullpen Bulletins

The Titans' version of the Bullpen Bulletin page features Captain American, but has the same Items as when it appeared in this week's other comics. The fifth Item follows on from the last with more news about the re-branded Dracula Lives featuring the Legion of Monsters, revealing that the Man-Thing and Daimon Hellstrom, the sensational Son of Satan will replace the Living Mummy and Werewolf by Night. The final Item answers why no items have mentioned Planet of the Apes, the Mighty World of Marvel or the Avengers and the Savage Sword of Conan, well may be they will in next week's Bullpen Bulletin.

The Titans Marvel Masterwork Centre Spread number 4 features Captain America and Bucky in their World War Two days as the Red Skull watches over a bombed out London the galant heroes rescue a crying baby from the wreckage of the blitz.  It's a shame I couldn't find out who the artist was. If you know let me know!

Captain America “The fantastic origin of the Red Skull”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Chic Stone

Originally published in Tales to Astonish #63

Cover date June 1965

(Published in March 1965)

While sneaking into Nazi Germany Captain America is captured and becomes the prisoner of his mortal enemy, the Red Skull. The Nazi tells Cap that the man whom he fought last week, named Maxon, wasn't the Red Skull but an impostor. Red Skull decides to tell Captain America how as a young orphaned boy who lived on the streets, he had to steal to survive. Finding himself on the wrong side of the law or working as cheap labour, he grow up full of hatred for others. 

During the rise of the Nazi party to power, the young boy was a bell hop in a posh hotel. One fateful night, the boy waited on Adolf Hitler, who had been staying there. Realising that hatred filled the boy's heart, there was a potential that he could exploit. Hitler took him under his wing and trained him to be the third reich's greatest soldier. He bestowed on him the title of the Red Skull and a costume to fit the name. Soon he would become a figure, that even Adolf Hitler would come to fear. The Skulls story is interrupted when Cap tries to escape, however, the Red Skull knocks him down and continues his story. He had from the early days of the war managed to spread destruction and terror across Europe and the world. Slowly eliminating all whose ranks were above him until he was second only to Hitler himself.

Finishing his story, the Skull is attacked once more by Cap, but suddenly a drug that was administered to him kicks in. The Captain passes out. A Nazi doctor reveals that the drug given to him would wipe his mind like a clean slate ready for brain washing. Conditioning him to believe in the Nazi ideal, Captain America is ordered by the Red Skull to seek out and murder the supreme commander of the Allied armies. Now I wonder where they got the Hydra Captain America idea they used in modern Captain America stories from?

Captain Marvel “And fear shall follow!”

Writer: Arnold Drake

Artist: Don Heck

Inker: John Tartaglione

Originally published in Captain Marvel #8

Cover date December 1968

(Published in September 1968)

A trading vessel piloted by members of the Aakon race, who are age old enemies of the Kree, is detected by a Kree vessel in proximity to the planet Earth. The Aakon's decide to land on the dark side of the moon to avoid detection. However, their effort proves too late and Yon-Rogg orders his men to attack the Aakon, in spite of Mar-Vell's warnings. During the battle on the Moon, Yon-Rogg is injured in combat, and Mar-Vell is forced to kill the Aakon leader in order to save his superior. Both parties flee the battle, with Mar-Vell assuming temporary control of the Kree vessel while Yon-Rogg recovers from his injuries.

Soon Mar-Vell has to return to Earth, where he decides to investigate the home of the late Walter Lawson to turn up clues from the man's past to maintain his cover under Carol Danvers' constant questioning and also for his own curiosity. There he finds a secret lab where something big and humanoid had been constructed, but is now missing only leaving its giant-sized mold. Mar-Vell is attacked by members of the Organisation, who had commissioned Lawson to build a robot to be the perfect assassin. Battling the Organisation agents, Mar-Vell chases after them, however they end up crashing their escape vehicle, leaving Mar-Vell with no answers. The leader of the Organisation orders Captain Marvel's death.

Captain Marvel visits Carol and after reporting some of what he knows she kisses him, further fuelling the jealousy of Medic Una who watches remotely from the Kree ship. The robot built by Lawson, Cyberex, has tracked Lawson to the site of his death, and continues to track the Kree Captain. When Cyberex attacks "Lawson", Mar-Vell escapes long enough to change into Captain Marvel. The Kree warrior battles Cyberex until seemingly he destroys the robot with his Uni-Beam. However, after everyone has gone, Cybrex begins its self-repair system. Next week with the threat of the Aakons and Cyberex Mar-Vell finds himself "between hammer and anvil!"

Well as ever I find myself between a life and a deadline so it's time for me to pop off until next week. Till then...

See you in seven.

Make Mine Marvel.