Three Sleepers are sleeping!

 Week Ending 27th December 1975

As we reach the winter solstice its nice to remember that pagan Anglo-Saxons celebrated the festival Mōdraniht or "Mothers' Night" and North Germanic peoples celebrated a winter holiday called Jól, the Old Norse form of the word "Yule". But over time Christians merged the festivals with the birth of Jesus Christ to make Christmas Day. Which sadly has become a festival of money. It's the perfect time to reflect on the years gone, celebrate life and families, as well as relax as we're half way out of the darkness and heading for the warmer months. And what better way to relax than reminisce about nostalgic days from our youth with another look at the history of British Marvel Comics from 50 years ago this week. I can't promise you a nativity tale, but their will be tales of abandoned babies, of giant World War Two robots, monsters from nightmares and heroes from the past and present, so as the Ghost of Christmas Present would say, "Come in! and know me better, man!"

The Mighty World of Marvel #169

This cover was a week too early as the Modok story only starts next week. I wonder was a Zzzax cover ever made? Who knows? But what I do know is that Ron Wilson drew this British commissioned cover, with John Tartaglione.

During his trip around the UK to promote the first issue of the Titans and the release of his first book, Origin of Marvel Comics Stan Lee meet many people who made the trip memorable. So this page allows him to say thanks to all those helpful heroes who aided Marvel in a tour that ended the Roundhouse on the 20th October 1975. Here's a list of honorary FFF (Fearless Front Facerer). Mick Sawyer of Manchester Piccadilly Radio, Tony Wilson, Jeremy Fox and David Robinson from Granada TV's "What's On", Clive James, Herb Trimpe, Tony Brainsby and of course the British Bullpen and all the Marvel staff. David Hunn from the Observer magazine, Bob Wellings from BBC "Nationwide", Jean Davies, Gerry Dawson and Mike Rhodes from London Broadcasting, John Walmsley and Gordon Clough from the BBC, Lee Rodweell from the Evening News, David Briggs and Maggie Mordon from Capital Radio. Charles Shaar Murray and Joe Stevens from the New Musical Express, Pam Creed and Bob Langley from BBC Birmingham. Gina, Clement and the staff at the Roundhouse, Ted (Warhol) Polhemus, Jim of the Jam at the ICA, Geoffrey Mansell and Roger Hutchinson from Time Out. John Taylor and Janet Street-Porter from London Weekend TV. Mark Bolan, Roy Wood, Keith Altam, Tony Howard and John Cadbury all at Thames Television. "Good Habit" and manager Ron Bleacher, Frank Dickens, Big Jim Campbell and his Rocky Mountain Comic Shop, Roger Thomas from BBC Radio Birmingham, Sue Littledale from BBC Radio 4, Paul and Linda McCartney and finally Guy Meyler from the Manchester Evening News. All can now display the mystical letters FFF  after their names in recognition of their services beyond and above the call of duty to Marvel.

The Incredible Hulk “Who can stop it?”

Writer: Steve Englehart

Artist: Herb Trimpe

Inker: Sal Trapani

Originally published in The Incredible Hulk #166

Cover date August 1973

(Published in May 1973)

Herb Trimpe (pencils,) and Sal Trapani's (inks,) cover from the Incredible Hulk issue 166 is repurposed as this week's second part opening splash page. New catch-up text boxes are added, with the dialogue balloons from the original cover removed and a credit box is also added. The story title "Who can stop It?" seems to continue the impression that the electrical energy creature is still known as "It" instead of Zzzax, especially as the catch-up text also refers to it as "It", but what's in a name would a high voltage be any less shocking by any other name? 

Zzzax is about to consume Bruce Banner when the newly arrived Hawkeye intervenes, shooting an arrow in to the creature, allowing Bruce to revive, giving him time to get worked up enough to transform into the Hulk. The two behemoths clash, however, Hawkeye wanting all the glory for himself, attempts to restrain the Hulk. The temporary reprieve allows Zzzax to escape. Furious that the creature is able to hurt him, the Hulk rushes off to battle it again. Try as he might, the Hulk proves to be incapable of fighting off the creature. Meanwhile in Russia Talbot and Armbruster's commando squad manage to break in to the facility to free General Ross as in New York the battle rages on, with Hawkeye hurled into the water around the pier. Taking an early bath in the dock the marksman is reminded of the pre-credits scene from Goldfinger, "Shocking, positively shocking." Firing a cable-arrow through Zzzax and hitting the water on the other side of the jetty short circuiting the creature. Much to Hawkeye's dismay the crowd cheer on the Hulk for saving the city. Meanwhile in Russia as Armbruster's commandos escape Glenn is shot and seemingly killed by the Russian guards. the others flee, unable to recovering his body, completely unaware that Glenn had survived and had replaced General Ross as prisoner of the Russians.

The Mighty Marvel Mailbag

Tim Newton from Blackpool writes that with news of a new British weekly (The Titans,) that will feature Captain America and asks does this mean the end of the America equivalent of Cap's mag? He says that the UK reprints won't harm the sales of the US mag. Derek Collins from Hampshire, became a Marvelite by chance when one of his friends gave him a Spider-man magazine, immediately he was hooked. Alan Butcher from London wonders why heroes like Spider-man, Doctor Strange and Daredevil don't move around where they live? Such as Peter Parker moving to another city and try to start again? Daredevil could become a lawyer in England, thereby giving England a super-hero, or how about a French super-hero in France and why isn't Thor in Sweden or Denmark? He also wants to see the Wasp with more powers and have Tony Stark killed off and replaced by a teenager. Now that will never happen, until 1995 and 2013. Alan wants to see the Ghost Rider too. A Jack Kirby fan from Derby has been reading a big batch of American Marvels and found out that Jack Kirby has returned to Marvel and will be writing and drawing Captain America and 2001: A Space Odyssey as a Marvel Treasury Edition. 

John Scott from London thanks Marvel for the Marvel Treasury Edition, Conan the Barbarian which gave him a chance to read the award winning "Red Nails". He especially liked the personal message from Roy Thomas. It's this sort of thing, readers and

Bullpen communications, that is so sorely-lacking in the competition's mags he writes. Stephen Biggs from Leicester thinks that boob-spotting is not worth enough for the award of a No-Prize. Still in saying that he's waited a long while until he got a breakthrough with spotting a mistake in the Daredevil story from the first panel of page 24 in issue 137 of MWOM. See the letter page to find out what it is. Following the Mighty Marvel Mailbag comes Week Two of the Marvel Mastermind competition. This week Dez Skinn has worked out a tougher batch of questions to test the depths of reader's Marvel knowledge. Last week's Round One answers together with this week's Round Two answers must be sent by the 10th of January 1976. This week's questions are right here.

Marvel Mastermind Round Two

Section A

INTRODUCTORY QUESTION (for 5 points)

Who drew the first issues of Spiderman Comics Weekly?

ADVANCED QUESTIONS (for 10 points each)

Which villain first discovered Spidey's secret identity, and later caused the death of Gwen Stacy?

What was the christian name of Aunt May's husband?

Section B

INTRODUCTORY QUESTION (for 5 points)

Who was the first villain to face the Fantastic Four?

ADVANCED QUESTIONS (for 10 points each)

Who is the father of The Thing's girl friend, Alicia?

What had been Ben Grimm's profession before becoming a superhero?

Section C

INTRODUCTORY QUESTION (for 5 points)

Who was the Hulk's teenage assistant?

ADVANCED QUESTIONS (for 10 points each)

Name the two Hulk foes who got their powers through the same incident as befell Bruce Banner (5 points each)

Which Marvel superhero died in an American Hulk comic?

Section D

INTRODUCTORY QUESTION (for 5 points)

Give all 4 superhero identities of Hank Pym..

ADVANCED QUESTIONS (for 10 points each)

What are the two old publishing trade names of Marvel Comics? (for 5 points each)

For five points each, before FOOM, Marvel has had two other comic clubs. What are their full names?

Round Two's sets of questions appear in all six British Marvel weeklies except for the Titans, which is silly as the way that comic is set out they could easily have found the space for it. 

Daredevil “The night of the Panther!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Barry Windsor-Smith

Inker: Johnny Craig

Originally published in Daredevil #52

Cover date May 1969

(Published in March 1969)

I've raved over Barry Windsor-Smith's Daredevil art over the last six weeks but this week's strip has got to be his best Daredevil work. The police are patrolling the city in search of Daredevil as a matter of life and death! But as the unsuspecting city slumbers the Black Panther is on the prowl! In two, near silent pages Windsor-Smith portrays action and urgency in just eight panels. A city scape at the top of each page, while the Panther's fluid movement takes centre stage in the remaining six.

A search light stops the Avenger in his tracks, its the police and DA Foggy Nelson, who mistake his silhouette for that of Daredevil. Nelson explains to T'Challa that Daredevil was wounded earlier and after a blood test was taken the results show he had a violent reaction to it, due to his medical treatment reacting badly with the radioactive particles in his blood. They then ask the hero for his assistance in administering an antidote to Daredevil who faces the risk of death. In a silent moment, amidst the falling snow the enigmatic Panther leaves without saying a word. But to Foggy the look in his eyes say enough. Later the Panther calls in to the Avengers to report that he'll be unable to return to the group for a while as he searches for Daredevil. Recalling that Daredevil had a friendship with Foggy Nelson and his law-partner Matt Murdock, the Panther heads towards Murdock's apartment. There he is attacked from behind by the disorientated blind man. Meanwhile in Murdocks ransacked apartment Starr Saxon holds Karen Page hostage. The shock of striking the Black Panther clears Murdock's delirium, finding him only stunned Matt recalls that Karen is in danger and sets off to the rescue as Daredevil must live again.

It seems strange that this in-house advert for Mighty World of Marvel should appear in this week's mag with the cover of this week's comic. Is this an example that the cover on this week's mag was meant for next week's issue and this advert was intended to promote the following week's issue?

The Fantastic Four “The power of Psycho-Man!”

 Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Joe Sinnott 

Originally published in The Fantastic Four #77

Cover date August 1968

(Published in May 1968)

I'm not sure who drew this week's second part opening splash page, but I have to say it really does look like it was drawn by George Pérez to me! I don't know who lettered the new story title either, but who it was missed out the "y" in Psycho-Man. In the Microverse Reed examines the wreckage left after the Thing clobbered their foe, while in our universe the Surfer locates a new, inhabited world for Galactus to consume.

In the Microverse the Fantastic Four have managed to track down the Psycho-Man again who attacks them in yet another suit of armour, one that can counteract their super-human abilities. However as the struggle continues, the Thing causes some of the Psycho-Man's equipment to fall on him, trapping him. As that happens the Silver Surfer succeeds in his appointed task and asks Galactus to set him free from his forced exile. Galactus refuses, instead teleporting him back to Earth so that he can find the Silver Surfer easily should he require his assistance in the future. Back in the Microverse, the Thing frees the Psycho-Man as Reed explains the threat of Galactus and how if the world devourer destroyed the Earth, the Microverse would be destroyed as well. After Psycho-Man probes Reed's mind and learns that he is telling the truth, he teleports them back in their own universe in the hopes they can stop Galactus. Soon as their journey ends they will learn that Earth had endured and a different danger awaits them next week that could see "the end of the Thing!"

A yuletide advert for the Giant Superhero Holiday Grab-Bag Marvel Treasury Edition is really the only sign inside the mag that this week's comic is from the Christmas week. But stay tuned as British Marvel does eventually give the readers a seasonal treat.

This Marvel Masterwork Pin-up of Daredevil was drawn by Jack Kirby and featured originally as the cover of Daredevil issue 13, cover dated February 1966, published December 1965.

Father Christmas joins five of Marvel's greatest heroes to wish readers a Merry-Marvel Season's Greetings to One and All! All six British Marvel weeklies feature this John Romita Sr. artwork that originally appeared on the back cover of the Marvel Treasury Edition issue 8, sub-titled the Giant Superhero Holiday Grab-Bag. The Hulk, Spider-man and even Doctor Strange would be well known to British fans, some readers would have seen Nick Fury in the Titans, but Luke Cage wouldn't be that well known to British fans, Only the Titans' landscape format doesn't feature it. I'm sure if they did print it side ways readers would have turned the mags on its side to appreciate the intension. 

Spider-man Comics Weekly #150

This cover was originally from the front of the Amazing Spider-man issue 106 by John Romita Sr. (pencils,) and Frank Giacoia (inks,) as per their initials, JR & FG, seen between the third and fourth villain on the screen consoles surrounding. The text from the US version remains the same here, but the story title is lifted up into the artwork, while on the original it was on the frame of the cover box below the artwork.

Spider-man “Squash! Goes the Spider!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: John Romita Sr.

Inker: Frank Giacoia

Originally published in the Amazing Spider-man #106

Cover date March 1972

(Published in December 1971)

As Spider-man refits his mask he notices a security camera recording him changing from Spider-man to Peter Parker. Webbing up the device stops his spider-sense, however, he is too late as Spencer Smythe, who has taken control of the camera system, had already taken a picture of Spider-man's real identity. Examining the camera's pedestal Spidey discovers a plaque reading "Property of the NY Police Dept."

Deciding to err on the side of caution, Spider-man pays a visit to Curt Connors to use his lab to create a synthetic mask based on his own face, in the hopes that any potential compromise to his secret identity can be reversed. Meanwhile at the offices of the Daily Bugle Jameson is angered at his remote control's failure to operate the Spider-Slayer last issue. The remote self-destructs, filling the editor's office with smoke. Joe Robertson enters bringing news on about the theft of the control device to the police's security cameras. Elsewhere Smythe invites various underworld gang leaders to try to get them to buy his services. He reveals that thanks to his brilliance he can use the Police security camera network to plan where and when crimes can be carried out. And how he used it to learn about the secret identity of Spider-man. However, when he trains the camera on Spider-man again, the wall-crawler is ready with his synthetic "Parker" mask and takes it off in front of the camera, which discredits Smythe. Believing that the web-slinger has been clever and he had under-estimated the hero Smythe offers to make it up by attacking Spider-man in his new Spider-Slayer model, which this time will be piloted by himself. Find out how that goes next week as "the Spider-Slayer strikes!"

The Web and the Hammer

It's nice to see the festive holly around this week's The Web and the Hammer letter page. First up is Sefton Collett from Lincolnshire who thought that FOOM #9 was great, especially the feature on the Silver Surfer. Sefton only started the British Marvel mags late, even though they used to read the old Power Comic, POW!, but now is only missing issue 1 of SMCW and issue 19 of MWOM. Vince Rapley RFO, KOF from Ipswich was introduced to Marvel mags a few years ago by his older sister. In his letter he "Grouse", or has some trivia complaints about the state of some letters, the inclusion of Conan in the Avengers weekly and that the Doctor Strange strip has lost some of it's earlier originality. He has some "Praise" in that Spider-man is getting better and better, POTA is now fantastic after the Apeslayer strip was "dropped" and the Avengers have also improved tremendously. He also makes some "Suggestions", each comic should have a full length strip in it, one strip could also be in full colour and a book could be produced of various Marvel covers. Stuart Ferguson from Glasgow gives a detailed review of SMCW issue 132. His conclusion is to make it even better the Ghost Rider could replace Iron Man.

This in-house advert for the Titans weekly has Iron Man tells readers to join the rush to grab the latest mighty Marvel blockbuster with the new shape format! Twice the amount of action and adventure for your money. Five fantastic features, including the likes of Captain America, Captain Marvel, the Sub-Mariner, Nick Fury and the agents of SHIELD and the Inhumans. Also a third of this page reminds readers that the following page contains week two's questions for the Marvel Mastermind competition. 

Iron Man “Confrontation in the 24th Century!”

Writer: Archie Goodwin

Artist: George Tuska

Inker: Johnny Craig

Originally published in Iron Man #5

Cover date September 1968

(Published in June 1968)

 

The cover artwork from Iron Man issue 5, as penciled by George Tuska and inked by Frank Giacoia is repurposed here as the third part to this three part story. A new story title, credits and a mini story synopsis is included that reads Tony Stark has been summoned to the future to battle one of his own creations, Cerebrus, an omni-computer gone amok! Well there's more to it than that but you get the idea. 

 Cerberus had sent robots to battle Tony Stark who had managed to find preserved in the future a suit of Iron Man armour. Now the insane omni-computer creates a massive manifestation of itself into combat with Iron Man. The computer construct is too powerful for Iron Man however Stark forces it into a loop of contradiction, when he tells it that he is it's creator from the past and if it was to destroy him it would cease to exist, leading it to overload it's own logic circuits when he reveals that under his helmet he is Stark. Unable to put its own self preservation over protecting its creator it explodes. Iron Man rescues Krylla from the explosion and she says goodbye to Stark before returning him to his own time. When next week he will face more dangers in "Vengeance cries the Crusher!"

The Mighty Thor “Rampage of the Wrecker!”

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Bill Everett

Originally published in The Mighty Thor #171

Cover date December 1969

(Published in October 1969)

I have no idea who drew this second part opening splash page, obviously it's not Jack Kirby or Bill Everett and I have to say it's pretty poor, certainly more so than the Kirby/Everett art in this week's strip, which isn't up to Jack's high standards as it looks even more "blocky" than usual. The Wrecker is rampaging through the city and his berserk actions do not go unnoticed, as it causes the ground to quake, disturbing the surgery that Donald Blake is participating in. Quickly finishing the operation Blake leaves his patient, civil rights activist Pedro Luis Lopez, with the other doctors so that he might investigate as Thor. 

Changing into his godly form, Thor searches for the source of the disturbance when he is attacked from behind by the Wrecker, who now feels stronger than ever before is eager for a rematch with the Thunder God, after their previous encounter, which saw him defeated by the Destroyer as seen in SMCW #108. As their battle rages across the city, Thor is put on the defensive, unable to stop his foe. Their battle concludes when they arrive at the New York subway system where Thor tosses the Wrecker onto the electrified third rail. This causes the Wrecker to boast at Thor, because the rails voltage is insufficient to harm him. That pause in the attack gives Thor the time to slam his hammer onto the rail electrifying it with its thunderous energies. The overload of power knocks out the Wrecker, ending his threat. Resuming his Donald Blake guise, Thor returns to the hospital where he learns that his patient is expected to recover, however his colleagues question what type of person he is because of the perception of Blake fleeing on a patient. Blake takes this on the chin and suggests to his fellow that nobody is perfect and walks out of the room. Next week "Jane Foster returns!" 

Avengers Weekly #119

This cover is definitely the best drawn of the seven this week, drawn by John Buscema and Tom Palmer, both my favourite artist and inker from this time period. But I can't fully commit to naming it my cover of the week. It's either a little too busy or not as dynamic or interesting enough to make me wax lyrical about it. It's a very fine cover but nothing more. Originally from the Avengers (US edition,) #77

Conan the Barbarian “The sword and the shadows”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: John Buscema

Inker: Ernie Chan

Originally published in Conan the Barbarian #31

Cover date October 1973

(Published in July 1973)

The artwork from the cover of Conan the Barbarian issue 31, drawn by Gil Kane with John Romita Sr.'s inks is repurposed as this week's second part opening splash page with new credits, a story synopsis and a new story title added. After being trapped with his Turanian regiment by a Hill Tribe who have offered them a chance of freedom to the side whose champion wins the fight. Conan reflects on a time when in his youth he had wandered north to seek his fortune in the never ending border wars between Aesgaard and Vavaheim, when he stumbled in to a dark, numinous cave to find a skeleton's hand holding a mighty sword.

Prying the sword from the dead hand Conan is suddenly attacked by his own shadow wielding a shadow sword, A fierce battle takes place with the supernatural shadow whose Ebony blade slices through solid stone. Using justified reason Conan allows his quickly made fire to burn brighter, by throwing drapes onto it, filling the room with light, so that no shadows can form. Then fleeing into the cold night he leaps headlong into the snow drifted landscape to reach safety. Sitting there in the snow rubbing his wounds Conan grimly contemplates over the sword he had just won. Eventually he chooses to discard it fearing a curse. In the hills of Turan sundown approaches, Captain Mathuz readies himself to face Torok, the Hill Tribe's giant of a champion. Conan knocks the Captain out to take the place of Aghraphur's champion with no others offering to take his place. Conan fights valiantly but he is outmatched physically. With cunning the Cimmerian manages to direct the mountainous hill-man towards a pile of precariously placed boulders. Throwing his sword upwards Conan causes a landslide which buries Toruk. With the contest won fairly the Hill Tribe men allow the Turanian unit to leave peacefully. Conan wonders if he had retained the mystic sword that he left between the land of Aesgaard and Vavaheim would it have made his battle today easier? There would be no way of knowing, but in some way he thinks not. The hand of Toruk trapped under a tone of rubble shakes as the last breath of life falls, as does the same magical sword Conan found those many years ago, from the dead giant's grip. Next week Conan must face "the flame winds of Lost Khitai!"

The Avengers “For hire: The Avengers!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: John Buscema

Inker: Tom Palmer

Originally published in The Avengers #77

Cover date June 1970

(Published in April 1970)

This week's second part opening splash page uses the artwork from the Avengers (US edition,) issue 77 by John Buscema (pencils,) and Tom Palmer (inks,) that also featured as last week's Avengers weekly cover. The story title, font and all is retained from the cover, the  speech balloons have been removed and replaced by catch-up boxes, credits are also added. Tony Stark faces an hostile take over of Stark Industries from Cornelius Van Lunt and needs cash quickly and so has asked the Avengers for their back rent. To earn the necessary funds the Avengers have agreed to work for Van Lunt as demolition men.

The Black Panther is also earning money, this time as a school teacher at a certain ghetto high school. His lesson teaches the young black students all about their ancestors all about their heritage in Africa, when the ancient and proud people on that continent laid out a birthright that relied on courage and bravery just like medieval Europe did on Chivalry. Meanwhile, Kronus and his men carry out a bombing plot in the tunnel that Van Lunt requested the Avengers to work in. As Goliath, the Vision and the Scarlet Witch head down the tunnel Quicksilver joins them. The underwater tunnel exploded. Kronus and his gang rob the city gold deposit however the Avenger that they missed, the Black Panther arrives to stop them, quickly followed by the other Avengers who planned a secret exit before the bomb went off. The gang's leader is soon unmasked and revealed to be one of Van Lunt's lackeys, who had been forced out of business by Van Lunt so that the unscrupulous businessman could cheaply buy out his company. He then took up a job as Van Lunt's lackey and the guise of a costumed criminal as a form of revenge. With the demolition work finished and the Avengers pay off the debt owed to Van Lunt the Avengers swear that even though he had done nothing illegal, his crime against the heart and soul of man, they would make him pay for it one day.

Avengers Unite!

Paul Deamer from Essex writes that the Avengers had 25 pages before Kung Fu came to the comic which was better than the 11 or 12 pages they have now. All the stories up to issue 28 were good, when Shang-Chi practically took over the mag. Paul does prefer Iron Fist to Shang-Chi. Then Conan joined with issue 95 to which Paul thinks was a good idea. After reading Timothy Thorne's quiz in SSOC #18 Peter Farmen RFO, KOF from Berkshire has created his own quiz. So if you warmed up with the Marvel Mastermind questions try these. 1) From what race does Captain Marvel belong? 2) Name two gods worshipped in the Conan stories. 3) Name Conan's woman friend. 4) Name 3 sections of the land in which Conan roams. 5) What is Son of Satan's alias? 6) How many times does Thor have to hit his hammer on the ground to create a thunder storm? 7) Who were Marvel's 1st, 2nd and 3rd creations? 8) Who assigned Warlock to counter-earth? 9) What was the name of Captain America's sidekick during the war? 10) What rank was Steve (Captain America) Rodgers in the army during the war? I'll give you his answers at the end of this letter page. Julian Modest RFO, QNS from Oxon doesn't approve of putting Conan in The Avengers mag, it just doesn't fit. A R Fell and M C Snelling from West Sussex write that they have been hypnotised by the "Fabulous, Stupendous, Magnificent Marvel mags" for more than 10 years. With the launch of a number of British mags they were overwhelmed with joy, but they still have a few pointers, like take Shang-Chi and Iron-Fist out of the Avengers so that they can star in a new mag for Kung-Fu, MWOM is a great mag but the Hulk brings it down and the art in all the mags is great, but Don Heck and Herb Trimpe are slightly below par. Now the answers to Peter Farmen's earlier questions. 1) Kree, 2) Mitre, Crom, Ishtar, 3) Red Sonja, 4) Vanaheim, Zemora, Ophir, Singara, Agitoma. 5) Daimon Hellstrom. 6) Three times, 7) 1st Fantastic Four, 2nd Hulk and 3rd Spidey. 8) High Evolutionary. 9) Bucky Barnes, 10) Private. Shouldn't the answer to question 7) be the Human Torch, the Angel and Namor, the Sub-Mariner, from Marvel Comics Volume 1 issue 1 by Marvel Comics forerunner Timely Comics, cover dated October 1939, published August 1939. Argue that amongst yourselves.

Doctor Strange “The talons of the Gargoyle!”

Writer: Steve Englehart and Mike Friedrich

Artist: Frank Brunner

Inker: Crusty Bunker

Originally published in Marvel Premiere #12

Cover date November 1973

(Published in August 1973)

This opening second part splash page uses the Frank Brunner artwork from the cover of Marvel Premiere issue 12, with the usual bits and bobs added. Doctor Strange has gone to find Baron Mordo to inform him that the Ancient one no longer exists. While searching for the Baron in a Transylvania village the Doctor is attacked by the locals, but rescued by a gypsy who takes Strange to his camp. There the sorcerer is introduced to Lilia, the Witch Queen of the Gypsies. She uses her hypnotic powers to send Strange into a trance where he is willing to do as she says. 

Lilia tells him of how Baron Mordo had offered her sweet words to seduced her into letting see the Book of Cagliostro. He then stole the book for his own evil purposes. Lilia forces Strange to fight Mordo's mystic guardians to retain the book. The evil sorcerer has levitating his castle beyond the reach of humans. Doctor Strange levitates Lilia and himself to the castle to locate the book on a pedestal, in the Baron's absence it is guarded by the Living Gargoyle. Strange battles the creature but without independent thought he can't defend himself, but before the Gypsy Queen can release her possession of the Sorcerer Supreme she is knocked out, freeing Strange from her control anyway. When she sees for herself how noble Strange is, she sacrifices her life to help stop the Living Gargoyle. After the battle, Strange looks over the Book of Cagliostro and learns that its power could disrupt the pillars of the universe because Cagliostro learned a spell on how to change the past without altering one's future. Strange then travels backwards in time, "into the shadows of chaos"  to find and stop Baron Mordo.

Dracula Lives #62

I have a soft spot for the Man-Thing and here he makes his first British Marvel comic cover appearance, although who ever drew this cover, the Grand Comics Database lists it as either Keith Pollard or Ed Hannigan, has made the Man-Thing's middle tendril look like an elephant trunk. But if I can just look past that it's quite a creepy cover with a legion of Marvel's macabre monsters swooping, lumbering and racing towards the reader. So I'm going to make it my festive horror themed Cover of the Week. Well isn't it traditional to have a ghost/horror story before Christmas, in the fashion of A Christmas Carol?   

Dracula “Fever dreams!”

Writer: Marv Wolfman

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Tom Palmer

Originally published in Tomb of Dracula #28

Cover date January 1975

(Published in October 1974)

I've no idea who drew this opening splash page as the artist is un-named. The hidden mastermind behind the theft of the Chimera uses its power to torture his opponents, first David Eshcol and then Shiela Whittier who sees an illusion of who she wants to be with, its Dracula but with total love and devotion to her. Then when the image of Dracula embraces her with a kiss, the Vampire Lord's un-living flesh and blood turns into a skeleton that mocks her.

Dracula himself is next to be toyed with as illusions of all of Dracula's foes: Quincy Harker, Blade, Frank Drake, Taj Nital, Rachel van Helsing and even his own daughter Lilith. However, the Vampire Lord realises that this is an illusion as Quincy Harker walks and Taj is able to speak. Dracula attacks the unseen mastermind's henchmen. Then he manages to knock the Chimera off the table where it has been resting, shattering the illusion. Recovering the Chimera, Dracula is about to use it when Mae Lei grabs Shiela and threatens to kill her if Dracula doesn't turn over the Chimera. Not phased by the threat, Dracula uses his hypnosis powers to force Mae Lei to stab herself in the chest, killing her. Then to Shiela's horror, Dracula then feeds upon Mae Lei's armed guard. When Dracula recovers the Chimera, Shiela angrily swats it out of his hand causing it to smash into pieces on the ground, after deciding that nobody deserves to wield the power of the Chimera, let alone Dracula. Shiela renounces him as she finally realises what sort of man Dracula really is. She tells him that he can keep her mansion and leaves with David. Meekly Dracula, cries for the woman to come back, but his pleas are unheard. Next week "Vengeance is mine, sayeth the vampire!" 

Werewolf by Night “Horror times two!”

Writer: Doug Moench

Artist: Don Perlin

Inker: Vince Colletta

Originally published in Werewolf by Night #25

Cover date January 1975

(Published in October 1974)

Again it's another second part opening page by an artist that I've been enabled to find out who drew it. The Werewolf escapes the police and has tracked down DePrayve, their battle continues but then ends when he resumes his original form as the formula wears off. The Werewolf limps home after fleeing from the police. As the morning breaks Jack stumbles in through the door, wounded in the leg by the police gun shot, his step father and sister carry him to his room. 

A month later after his leg has healed Jack visits Redditch in the hospital to clear the air and ask for his help. Thinking the Werewolf may be able to help with his research, Redditch agrees. On his way out of the hospital Lieutenant Victor Northrup confronts Jack and Buck over their connection with Winston Redditch. The hospital lights switch on as night falls causing Jack to realise that it's the time for the next new full moon. Transforming again under the full moon the Werewolf flees, running into the noose of the Hangman. Next week the results of Redditch's serum and the return of the Hangman in "a crusade of murder!"  

It would have been a bit to late to get these offers for Christmas but maybe in the new year British Marvelites could spend their Christmas money on either the Mighty Marvel Bicentennial calendar 1976 or Stan Lee's follow up to his first book Origins of Marvel Comics, called Son of Origins of Marvel Comics. With a limited run of only 500 the calendar cost £2.10 with postage and packaging included. While the book cost £4. 

Man-Thing “Man-Thing!”

Writer: Gerry Conway

Artist: Gray Morrow

Inker: Howard Chaykin

Originally published in Adventure into Fear #10

Cover date October 1972

(Published in July 1972)

A car comes to a stop on a bridge, somewhere in the Everglades, an unknown man takes an infant and tosses the child over the edge of a bridge. Little does he realise that the Man-Thing, stationed beneath the bridge, catches the child. The monster briefly recalls images of his life before he became a swamp creature, his final moments as Ted Sallis when he had been betrayed by his girlfriend, Ellen, to a group of enemy agents who wanted the super-soldier serum he and his colleague Doctor Calvin had been working on. They chased his car into the swamp. In an attempt to stop those men from having the serum Sallis injected it into himself. Awaking from the insanity as the Man-Thing.

In some humanitarian way the Man-Thing's psyche brings the child to the home of Doctor Warren B Thompson, leaving the baby on the doorstep. the Doctor recognises the child as Bobby Drummond and he tells his wife that the child's father threatened to kill Bobby if his mother Billie-Jo didn't give him up for adoption. Hank Drummond returns to his home, where he argues with his wife, Billie-Jo. He lies telling her that little baby, Bobby, had fallen ill, so he took him to Doc Thompson. Suddenly, Hank hears a ruckus taking place outside. In the swamps outside the Drummond cabin, the Man-Thing is embroiled in a struggle with a hungry crocodile. He quickly crushes the animal, then lumbers onward towards the cabin. Hank sees the creature and grabs a shotgun. while telling Billie-Jo to run for her life. The Man-Thing clamps his hand across Hank's face, slowly he begins to burn. Billie-Jo begs the Man-Thing to release him, by some miracle he does. Hank’s body slumps down to the ground, barely conscious, as the Man-Thing turns and walks back out into the swamp.

Planet of the Apes #62

After last week's spectacular Ken Barr cover we are faced with a lacklustre effort from Ron Wilson. I can't say more than that except that the inks were by either Mike Esposito or John Tartagloine. 

Planet of the Apes “Ape a menace”

Writer: Doug Moench

Artist: Rico Rival

Inker: Rico Rival

Originally published in Planet of the Apes (US) #16

Cover date January 1976

(Published in November 1975)

This opening splash page connects the Planet of the Apes universe with the Marvel Universe thanks to the symbolic newspaper headline that become's this final part's story title, from the Daily Bugle that appears behind Cornelius and Zira. The artwork, thanks to the Grand Comics Database, is sourced to Gary Brodsky. It's not a patch on the rest of the strip art by Rico Rival as you'll soon see.

The two chimpanzees have escaped from the authorities, having run away from the circus as Doctor Hasslein has tightened the search for the fugitive apes, like a modern day King Herod in his search for baby Christ as he believes their baby will grow to bring about the down fall of mankind. After the discovery of Zira's abandoned dress near deserted oil refinery and ship graveyard, Hasslein leaves the search to take things into his own hands. Climbing one of the towers, with binoculars he spies Cornelius looking for a suitable place for Zira and the baby to sleep.

Hasslein sneaks on board the derelict ship, kicking a can disturbs Zira who goes to look for Cornelius. The human asks for the baby and when its mother refuses Hesslein chases after her as he fires his gun. Lewis and Stephanie arrive with the police and witness Hesslein shooting Zira in cold blood. Then a shot rings out from Cornelius's gun as he cries "Murderer!! Stinking human murderer!!" The police fire at Cornelius who falls to the deck below. Zira pushes the baby over the side and into the water, then she pulls herself to her husband to comfort him in their final moments of life. Lewis comforts Stephanie as the tragedy ends. Several weeks later Armando's Sensational Circus prepares to move to its winter quarters, the animal-loving Armando faces a cage telling it's occupant that they are such an intelligent creature, but so was it's mother and father. Moving away he reveals a young ape with a medallion round his neck as the baby chimp asks out loud "Mama? Mama??..."

Apes Mail

Kevin Sargent from London thinks that Planet of the Apes is now probably the most popular craze in Britain with paperbacks, annuals, masks, bendy faces, iron-on transfers, shoulder bags, games, films, TV programmes, rings, posters, rodeos, stickers, kits, dolls and of course comics. Mark Philpott from London complains that even though the comic is called Planet of the Apes only nine or ten pages are devoted to it. Stephen Moor from Yorkshire thinks that POTA is the best British comic Marvel have ever made, the second being "Fantastic" from back in 1967! G I White from Dorset notes that in previous "Ape Forum" pages many girls have fallen for Galen, but he has fallen for Zira. Faith Porter and Christine Pitchers from Suffolk go crazy over Jim Naughton. The girls want to get in touch with the three girls who wrote into POTA #43. Marvin Wheeler from Hertfordshire is pleased to see that Planet of the Apes back on TV and wants to join the Roddy McDowall fan club.

Black Panther “Malice by Crimson Moonlight”

Writer: Don McGregor

Artist: Rich Buckler

Inker: Klaus Janson

Originally published in Jungle Action Vol 2 #8

Cover date January 1974

(Published in October 1973)

The Black Panther stands in the crimson Wakandan dusk waiting with his senses alert to assassins waiting in the shadows and the early moonlight reflecting off an upright blade. As T'Challa faces the men a female sneaks into the royal palace on a mission of her own. Her name is Malice and she has come for Killmonger's co-conspirator Venomm, who was captured last issue. 

The Panther beats the attacking warriors, proving his worth in the test, under the watchful eye of Mendinao, a herbalist for a generation of Wakandan Kings. Who tonight once again has witness the rite before and prepares the forbidden heart-shaped herb that bestows the scared panther powers on the King of Wakanda. Malice makes her way deep inside the palace to the prison cells. Where in Taku, the Kings Chief Advisor, with a gentle and considerate voice talks to the prisoner. Horato, the man who became Venomm. See last week's blog for more on Don McGregor's intension for these men. Malice listens from her hiding place as Venomm retells of how as a young boy he was bullied and even scarred with acid thrown in his face and how Killmonger had defended him and gave him purpose. Meanwhile Monica Lynne, the native New Yorker who had traveled with T'Challa strolls under the blood red sky when she hears chants rising to a strange intensity in a clearing, when she sees ominous features crowd around a hapless body she recognises as T'Challa in the middle of a "ritual!" Find out more next week.

Ka-Zar “...And who will call him savage?”

Writer: Mike Friedrich

Artist: Gil Kane

Inker: Tom Sutton

Originally published in Astonishing Tales #15

Cover date December 1972

(Published in September 1972)

Midnight on the streets of New York Ka-Zar and Zabu take a stroll through the concrete jungle. The Jungle Lord recalls over the last few days when he had helped search for the missing scientist, Ted Sallis and discovered a plot by AIM, lead by the traitorous Paul Allen to kidnap the injured Doctor Calvin. While rescuing the Doctor he had meet the swamp creature who the locals had named the Man-Thing. Suddenly a noise alerts Ka-Zar, a gang of thugs lean on a group of drug pushers for their cut of the illegal profits. Ka-Zar and Zabu chase the thugs off. The police arrive but they aren't happy with the savage's respect for the law. Next week Ka-Zar faces "the Pusher!"

The Super-heroes #43

The top tagline reads "Mighty Marvel strikes again!" in the seventies that often meant that the workers would stop and protest, but this time it means that the Super-Heroes featured three big features, the X-men, Giant-man and the wonderful Wasp and thirdly the Scarecrow! The Scarecrow looks to be drawn by a different artist than the rest of the cover. Was he a late addition to a cover that could be used with a space for the rotating third strip? The cover was penciled by Keith Pollard with Mike Esposito the inker. 

Giant-Man and the Wasp “On the trail of the Human Top!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Dick Ayers

Inker: Dick Ayers

Originally published in Tales to Astonish #55

Cover date May 1964

(Published in February 1964)

Giant-Man and the Wasp show the Giant-Man fan club film footage of their battle against the Human Top, as seen in the Super-Heroes #36. I have one long term No-Prize attempt here, the film footage shows the Human Top without his helmet on and both heroes can clearly see his face. Yet when The Human Top starts to work for Janet Van Dyne as a chauffeur in the Avengers weekly #58 she doesn't recognise him. But I guess someone else pointed that out before me. After watching the film, the Wasp muses that it would be frightening if the Human Top escaped from jail.

Coincidentally, at that moment, the Human Top escapes from jail by spinning so fast that he becomes invisible to the naked eye. Soon he robs a bank which alerts Giant-Man and the Wasp of his escape. Rushing to the scene of the crime, the heroes realise that they have arrived too late to capture the Human Top. They vow to defeat the villain and return to their lab track down the foe, little realising that their target has been using his super speed to follow them back to their home. Next week they must "Stop the top!"

Super-Mail

Mark Abbott RFO from London became a Marvelite four years ago on a Saturday morning when he went to pick up the daily newspaper and spotted a new mag called (the Mighty World of) Marvel. He picked up MWOM and SMCW up to #40 then he had to stop as there was no room in his house where he could keep them. The only thing he could do, was to sell the old ones in order to get new ones. He thinks the Super-Heroes is British Marvel's best mag. Trond Ward RFO, KOF, QNS, TTB, PMM, from Hertfordshire reviews all six British Marvel weeklies starting with MWOM which he thinks it shouldn't be changed as all three series are good. In SMCW Spider-man is his favourite. In the Avengers weekly he thought that Conan wouldn't work but it gives the mag a heightened style. The Super-Heroes is great, except for Doc Savage. As for POTA he ask for "Ol' Silvertop" to be moved into Superheroes, (I've not got a clue who he means). Finally of Dracula Lives he writes "I don't like it, so I

don't read it."

The X-Men “The plague of...the Locust!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Werner Roth

Inker: Dick Ayers

Originally published in The X-Men #24

Cover date September 1966

(Published in June 1966)

Jean Grey's parents have enrolled her into a more conventional school at Metro College in New York, which leaves the X-men sad at her no longer being around. The Professor gives her some books as a parting gift. Warren and Scott drive her to her new college, with Scott brooding the whole way, while Warren muses how she will be attending classes with another super-hero on campus as Johnny Storm studies there also. Arriving at the building, Jean is introduced to Ted Roberts, a student at the college who escorts Jean to the register, as Scott believes that he's lost Jean for good.

Elsewhere in a wheat field, a new villain called the Locust, has created an army of gigantic insects to threaten the world’s food supply has sent them to eat all of the wheat in the area. His attack on farms alerts the X-Men, who arrive on the scene to investigate. The X-Men battle Locust's insect horde, but the villain manages to escape as the authorities spray the area with insecticide. Back at Metro College, Jean's attention is drawn toward the eccentric Professor Hopper, who is a top Entomologist until he was fired for his bizarre theories. We learn that Hopper is really the Locust who has created a device that makes insects grow to fantastic sizes. His plans that he can save the day by destroying them, to gain credit from those who mocked him. Cerebro confirmed that the insects and their master are not mutants. When Jean visits the X-Men she tells them about her suspicions of Professor Hopper. The Professor finds a map of locations where the Locust has struck and where he will strike again and sends out the X-Men to stop him. While the X-Men battle the Locust's insects, an old man tries to convince the unhinged Hopper to renounce his evil ways. The Locust grows even larger insects for the X-Men to fight but Marvel Girl telekinetically curls his antennae, to disrupt his control of his creations causing the giant bugs to turn on him. The X-Men destroy the insects and Hopper's lab. The Locust breaks down after finally listening to the old man, who turns out to be Professor X in disguise after once again utilised his mechanical legs to walk. Professor Hopper turns himself in to the authorities.

Scarecrow “Death waters of the River Styx”

 Writer: Scott Edelman

Artist: Ruben Yandoc

Inker: Ruben Yandoc

Originally published in Marvel Spotlight #26

Cover date February 1976

(Published in November 1975)

In the Soho loft of Jess Duncan a demonic hand pushes its way through the canvas of the Scarecrow painting, followed by a grotesque body of a demon. Soon accompanied by two more demons. They lumber towards the local police station in order to collect the Horn of Kalumai, that is currently in the possession of the police following the death of its former owner Gregor Rovik as seen last issue. The creatures kill the police officers who try to stop them.

Just then a relentless laugh fills the room, in the frame of an open window, lit by the moonlight stands the Scarecrow. Two of the demons round on the laughing figure, while the third demon looks for the horn. The Scarecrow defeats the two monsters and confronts the third, who impales the Scarecrows body through its chest, but all that does is make him laugh even more. Snapping off the stake of wood the supernatural hero beats the beast into submission with it. Then picking up the Horn of Kalumai the Scarecrow returns to Jess Duncan's apartment, but as he morphs into the canvas the horn falls onto the floor just as Jess Duncan and Harmony Maxwell enter the room. They find the horn, they are also suddenly visited by Dave Duncan who is all exhausted for some unknown reason. After resting Dave remembers that he has been invited to an exhibit of a giant deep sea fish that is on display at the local aquarium. While Harmony is left alone looking at one of the tanks she is attacked by more demons sent by Kalumai. The story continues next week.

The Titans #10

It's a bit shoddy this cover, yeah I get that Captain Marvel has leaped in front of Carol Danvers to save her from Iron Man's blast, but the blast covers up Captain Marvel, Carol can barely be seen and Keith Pollard took the easy option to only draw Iron Man's head and shoulders, the kind of technique I used as a kid to draw my amateur comic strips. Even then I knew it was lazy. Frank Giacoia inks the cover. Note also that Captain Marvel and Iron Man share the comic title's logo.   

The Inhumans “Trapped...by Magneto!”

Writer: Gerry Conway

Artist: Mike Sekowsky

Inker: Bill Everett

Originally published in Amazing Adventures Volume 2 #9

Cover date November 1971

(Published in August 1971)

As the Black Widow strip finished with Amazing Adventures volume 2 issue 8 the Inhumans strip length expanded to twenty pages, so this second half needed a new opening splash page, which used the artwork from Amazing Adventures volume 2 issue 9, by John Buscema (pencils,) and Joe Sinnott Inks,) with a new story title, catch up boxes and a credit box. Magneto's Mutant brothers have kidnapped Black Bolt, mistaking him for a mutant.

As Medusa, Gorgon and Karnak have also been mistaken by the Mutant Brothers as mutants, the three Inhumans fight the Brotherhood, who they defeat and interrogate the to find out where their King had been taken. Breaking in to Magneto's lair they face more of Magneto's mutants, easily defeating them, but when they face Magneto himself it's quite a different story as the powerful master of magnetism captures them all. But who will rescue them? It all looks bleak, their despair is deep, but perhaps it would lighten if they could see the battered figure of Black Bolt's new friend, Joey, who slowly rises out of unconsciousness, who might hold the fate of the world in his hands, as we'll see in next week's story "The Universe Machine."

The Sub-Mariner “When rises the behemoth”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Bill Everett

Originally published in Tales to Astonish #79

Cover date May 1966

(Published in February 1965)

While returning to the bank he just broken into while under the control of the Puppet Master, the Sub-Mariner finds himself surrounded by the military who have come out searching for him following the break-in. Ripping up a lamp post Namor swots the soldiers away, then flies up the side of a building as the soldiers open fire on him striking his shoulder. In anger the prince of Atlantis then throws an entire billboard down on the soldiers below, before flying away.

Wounded, Namor makes his way to the George Washington Bridge where he dives back into the water. In Atlantis, Lady Dorma and Lord Vashti wait for Namor's return. Matters become more pressing as the Behemoth finally breaks free from it's years long imprisonment beneath Atlantis and is now rampaging through the underwater kingdom. Dorma searches for Namor, she finds him in the water below the bridge. He tells her that his mind is foggy, but using the force of his will, he causes the Puppet Master's puppet to suddenly explode, freeing him from the villain's control. Warlord Krang has been monitoring the situation while in exile and decides to seek out the Puppet Master. Arriving at the Puppet Master's lair, Krang forces him to begin constructing a puppet of the Behemoth so that Krang might use it to destroy the Sub-Mariner. Namor and Dorma return to Atlantis to find the Behemoth waiting for them.

Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD “Under the Betatron Bomb!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Joe Sinnott

Originally published in Strange Tales #139

Cover date December 1965

(Published in September 1965)

An un-named artist has drawn this second part opening splash page. Thanks to Laura Brown, the Imperial Hydra's daughter, Nick Fury escapes from his prison cell. But help is on the way as Dum Dum Duncan leads an elite squad of SHIELD Agents to rescue their leader. The  Imperial Hydra call in Hydra's Tiger division to fight the SHIELD insurgents. But that all masks the real danger, as long as the Betatron Bomb hovers in the heavens above the world is still at the mercy of Hydra. The World and SHIELD's last hope is the Brainosaur!  What the hell is the Brainosaur? We'll find out in next week's issue!

I have no idea who drew this Marvel Masterwork Centre-spread of Captain Marvel verses Quasimodo. But I feel like many of them look similar to David Hunt's previous work, but that could very well be wrong. If any readers have found any information to any of these British Centre-spreads, or even the un-named splash pages seen in this blog please let me know.

Captain America “The Sleeper shall awake!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: George Tuska

Originally published in Tales to Astonish #72

Cover date December 1965

(Published in September 1965)

In a smart change from the World War Two tales Stan Lee and Jack Kirby mate the past with the present to make a really engaging tale. At the Avengers mansion in the present Captain America tells his fellow Avengers, Quicksilver, Hawkeye, and the Scarlet Witch, about his adventure in Greymoore Castle during the War, tying up all the loose ends of that tale before retiring for the night. Later that evening, Cap's memories drift back to the War and to his final battle against the Red Skull in which the Skull had supposedly died in his secret bunker, but not before warning Cap about "Der Tag", German for "the day". A date 20 years after the wars end where three Nazi sleeper agents would be awaken to start the Third Reich once more.

Realising that the date was actually coming to pass, Cap recalls a metal box he took from the Red Skull during that battle. Recovering it, he finds inside of it a list naming the three Nazi sleeper agents. In Gortmund, where the first of these sleepers are supposed to be, Von Kimmer has hired men to release the first of three Sleeper robots from an artificial boulder covering a hole in the hill. After the rush of air activates the Sleeper, it begins smashing its way across the Bavarian country side. Captain America parachute into Germany just in time to see the robot smash through a village. His attempt at stopping the giant robot comes to nothing. So he ends up following it, while elsewhere in the town of Telbeck, the second agent, Erica Wolfmann, is arranging to have the second Sleeper robot reactivated.

Captain Marvel “When a galaxy beckons...”

Writer: Gary Friedrich

Artist: Frank Springer

Inker: Vince Colletta

Originally published in Captain Marvel #14

Cover date June 1969

(Published in March 1969)

Captain Marvel has saved Kennedy Space Center from attack by the Man-Slayer robot, but is now held at gunpoint for treason. Carol Danvers tries argue the case for Mar-Vell's release. While all that is going on we find out that the Man-Slayer controller is non other than the Puppet Master, which starts to connect some continuity, two week's ago the Black Widow as an agent of SHIELD had tried to a mysterious mastermind from unleashing their killer robot on the free world from their Caribbean island hideout. In that issue she was captured, but long term British Marvel reader will remember seeing the Avenger Goliath rescue her from the Puppet Master, the Mad Thinker and Egghead, in Avengers weekly #93. 

Tony Stark was on his way to a business meeting in Miami when, using one of his special puppets the Puppet Master takes control of Iron Man, as part of a plan to aid Egghead against the Avengers. Stark changes into Iron Man to attack Captain Mar-Vell at the Cape Kennedy Space Center. The fight between the two heroes is fierce, Carol gets injured in the fall-out. Marvell uses a "lasonic-disintegrator" (Yeah I have no idea where that weapon came from!) to knock out Iron Man due to his weak heart. A furious Puppet Master, not knowing why Iron Man no longer responds to his command, throws his puppet at the controls causing an explosion that buries the Puppet Master under his own machinery. Again surrounded at gun-point Marvell teleports into space. There, he is contacted by Zo who tells him that his time is up in getting revenge against Yon-Rogg and that he must do Zo's bidding immediately and pay "the price of vengeance!" in next week's issue.

For the third week I'll end on the back page colour advert for that year's Marvel Treasury Edition, Giant Superhero Holiday Grab-Bag in-house advert, well it is Christmas after all. I'll wish all you Power of the Beesting readers and your families a Mighty Marvel Merry Christmas and I hope you get some cracking comics left under the tree from the man in the red suit. There'll be a seasonal surprise from me, hopefully on Boxing Day, if I get cracking on with it, so keep checking in. If you miss that festive post the blog will return for a look at the mighty Marvel mags for the Week Ending the 3rd January 1976, posted (hopefully,) on Stan Lee's birthday, the 28th December.

See you in seven.

Make Mine Marvel.