Super-heroes and Indians!

 Week Ending 31st January 1976

The Traitors won the Traitors! That really goes against my Marvel sense of justice and right. OK I know it's just a game, even if it is addictive. It least now the BBC show is over till next year, unless there is another celebrity version, it means that I can regain four and a half hours every week that I can use productively. Maybe spending some of that time working on the blog or reading comics. Anyway its time to review these Faithful seven mags and keep an eye open for any Traitors.

The Mighty World of Marvel #174

MODOK to the right of the Hulk, the Bi-Beast to the right, stuck in the middle with Harpy! At last a cover that, more or less, is accurate to the story inside the mag. Ron Wilson pencils the piece with John Tartaglione inking it. Wilson's version of the Bi-Beast is a bit weird. OK he has a big head because he's got two faces, but look at his neck! 

The Incredible Hulk “Calamity in the clouds!”

Writer: Steve Englehart

Artist: Herb Trimpe

Inker: Jack Abel

Originally published in The Incredible Hulk #169

Cover date November 1973

(Published in July 1973

The opening splash page depicts Betty Talbot aka the Harpy flying above the Statue of Liberty with the defeated Hulk in her claws, but that page is only a teaser as readers discover General Ross watching news coverage on TV of the Harpy's attack on the green Goliath. Recognising his daughter he rushes out to the scene of the battle. Racing to the Holland Tunnel in lower Manhattan he confronts his daughter and tries to talk her out of becoming a killer if she was to fire another Hellbolt at the Hulk. 

Confused she tells him she will kill the Hulk, but not in front of the old man. With that she flies away with the Hulk in her clutches. The military have been alerted to the Hulk and the Harpy's battle, the airforce send three jets to intercept her. She shoots one out of the sky with a cry that she hates soldiers and their weapons. But before she can strike the two remaining jets the sky turns black and out of nowhere a strange tornado sweeps up the Harpy and the Hulk not unlike Dorothy and Toto, but instead of heading over the rainbow, into a giant cloud bank. When they finally stop spinning the mist clears revealing a strange city hidden in the clouds. As the Hulk revives they are confronted by something far stranger than a city in the sky, a two-faced giant creature that calls itself the Bi-Beast. With curiosity it grabs the Harpy to have a closer look. She lashes out with Gamma ray powered Hellbolt that merely stunts the beast. Then the Hulk, wanting to protect Betty attacks the creature as well. The Harpy is easily knocked out with a single blow, but the Hulk proves to be more of a challenge. However, despite the Hulk's eagerness to continue fighting, the thin air in the upper-atmosphere causes him to collapse from the lack of oxygen and reverts back to Bruce Banner. The Bi-Beast asks the gasping scientist just who is he? Find out more next issue.

The Mighty Marvel Mailbag

Matthew Leys from London was at the Roundhouse to see Stan Lee and thought the show was "Super". His question to Stan is what happens to the original artwork for the comics after it had been printed? The editor answers that most of the original artwork is bought outright by Marvel from the artists concerned and stored in a safe place. Although, in a very few instances, and usually for special reasons, Marvel buys only the rights to publish the art and the original work is returned to the artist as their own property. Ray Matthew from Northern Ireland, also saw Stan at the Roundhouse it was so busy, he saw that girl in the office there being crushed against the wall while she was selling "web shooters" and things. D E Morris PMM from Kent like the first two letter writers in this letter page went to the Roundhouse and was over the moon that there was so much Marvel goodies on sale there. The point of his letter is to ask are there any Marvelites out there who have any US Marvels for sale.

Richard Folland from Exeter tells a tale of when he helped his father in his post office, stocking the shelves. While his father did some more work he handed him a book to read. It was an ATLAS mag called "The Hands of The Dragon." Inside it was a letter from the editor, Larry Lieber. It read "They say that in the beginning was the word, but in my case it was the picture, for I was an artist before I became a writer. In 1958 I shifted gears and started wording it for Marvel Comics...a not unlikely choice considering that the editor was my brother. Some of you may have heard of him, his name is STAN LEE." He goes on to say: "In those long ago, halcyon days, Stan plotted and scripted, I scripted, and a fellow named Jack Kirby just drew. I now sit on the other side of the desk, breathing editorial life into this new major Comics Company." He next says, "I also have the good fortune to be employed by a publisher who's unafraid to roll up his sleeves. His name is Chip Goodman, and for you aficionados of historical data, his father founded Marvel comics way back when." Marvel also heard from Graham Johnson from Liverpool, David Vance from Portadown, Peter McCormick from Kirkby, Nicholas Ball London, Sean Phillips from Suffolk, Michael Kennedy from Cheshire, Duncan Plank from Swansea, Anthony Kay from Liverpool, Martin Haggarty from Durham, Brendan Byrne from Surrey, Alex Moroney, from London, Stephen Rogers from Leamington Spa, Robert Rogerson from Hants, Rab Sweeney from Glasgow, Craig Milliner from Enfield, Derek Goodwin from Essex, Paul Donnachie from Edderton, Neil Aitken from Aberdeen, Mick Tomoyou from Herts, Jerry Sheahan from County Longford, B Mitchell from Leeds, Robert Swinburne from Motherwell and Paul Hareich from Northumberland.

Daredevil “A son's revenge!”

Writer: Stan Lee and Roy Thomas

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: George Klein

Originally published in Daredevil #53

Cover date June 1969

(Published in April 1969)

Gene Colan's artwork from the cover of Daredevil issue 53 is repurposed as this symbolic second part opening splash page. The recap text box reminds readers how Daredevil recalls the first time he donned his famous costume and set out to fight for justice, then it was for the murder of his father and to bring the man who ordered his father's death to justice. As the flashback continue Daredevil roughs up the clients at Fogwell's Gym to get the Fixer's attention. 

The Fixer enters and doesn't like Daredevil's questions regarding the arrangement he had with Battling Murdock. Slade, the Fixer's bodyguard Drews his gun on DD, but the hero's senses hears the delicate action of his suit being drawn aside and a gun being pulled from its holster. Daredevil disarms him and starts to fight with the thugs. Slade then pushes DD out of a window while confessing he had committed the hit. Daredevil would have fallen to his death if not for a convenient flag pole that allowed him to swing on and re-enter the gym window. With a clever lie Daredevil tells the criminals he has recorded their confession on a miniature taper recorder in his billy club. The Fixer and Slade flee, so Daredevil follows them as Matt Murdock. Thinking that they have lost him the crooks head down to the subway, only a moment later Daredevil returns, the two villains split up, knocking Slade down with his billy club, DD then chases after the Fixer by "running" on a "trash can". The Fixer has a heart attack, then hitching a ride on a subway train DD tells the police to follow him as he goes back to stop Slade. Again with another clever lie Daredevil gets Slade to confess because the Fixer had already "sang" over Slade's part in Jack Murdock's murder. Finishing his recollection, Daredevil realises his problem is being Matt Murdock not being Daredevil. Next week, "So be it!" if in order to live his life Matt Murdock must die. 

  

A Marvel Masterwork Pin-up of Daredevil the man without fear! This artwork originally appeared on the front cover of the Daredevil King-Size Special issue 2, cover dated February 1971. The series would become known as Daredevil Annual. At first I thought that version of Daredevil looked like Bob Brown had drawn him, but that is wrong as it was Sal Buscema who drew it. 

The Fantastic Four “Where treads the Living Totem!”

 Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Joe Sinnott 

Originally published in The Fantastic Four #80

Cover date November 1968

(Published in August 1968)

While Susan is still in the hospital Johnny is tasked with keeping the Baxter Building tidy, much to his frustration at the Thing getting in the way and not helping. Ben Tells Johnny that he is helping by staying out of the way, while he reads the mail. One letter is from Johnny's friend Wyatt Wingfoot who has been spending the summer with his tribe. Wyatt asks for the Fantastic Four's assistance in helping him solve the mystery of some evil spirits that have been haunting his tribe's reservation.

Just then Reed returns from visiting Susan in hospital. Feeling like a fifth wheel he agrees to pack and go to help Wyatt with his problem due to the fact that he feels he has been haunting the hospital as the doctors have said it could be weeks before the baby's birth. Crystal agrees to stay in New York incase Sue needs her. Meanwhile in the desert region out west we find Wyatt Wingfoot is already making his own investigation into the strange going ons by searching the desert using the Black Panther's Gyro-Cruiser that the Wakandan King gifted Johnny and Wyatt way back in MWOM #122. Suddenly an entire mountain trembles and shakes tearing asunder. The Gyro-Cruiser crashes, pulling himself free Wyatt can hear giant footsteps approaching. Standing before him is Tomazooma, the Totem who Walks. As the Fantastic Four's Pogo-plane arrives the Torch flys around to have a closer look, Wyatt's tribe fire at him. The Torch's flame scares them away but the tribe's chief, Silent Fox, stands firm. He warns the Torch about Tomazooma, the Living Totem, the Walking death, who has terrorised his tribe. Meanwhile Wyatt flees the attacking Tomazooma, the sound of destruction is heard over the ridge by the Fantastic Four. Their investigation of when "the Totom walks again" continues next week.

Spider-man Comics Weekly #155

The Grand Comics Database lists Keith Pollard as the possible penciler and Mike Esposito as the possible inker. I kind of think this cover is a little too bland. 

Spider-man “Flash Thompson: Marked for murder!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: John Romita Sr.

Inker: John Romita Sr.

Originally published in the Amazing Spider-man #108

Cover date May 1972

(Published in February 1972)

There's no indicator to who drew this second part opening splash page which shows Spider-man and Flash Thompson discussing events that lead to Flash being hunted down for being mistakenly blamed for the destruction of a peaceful temple in Vietnam. Spidey delivers Thompson to the military secret service for his own protection. He then heads back to his apartment where Harry Osborn and Aunt May are waiting. 

Aunt May notices that some sort of liquid is seeping under his bedroom door, it happens to be a spilt vial of Peter's web fluid. Peter arrives just in time to defuse a tricky situation by explaining the strange goo was part of his master's thesis in research of a new paste formula. Peter talks Aunt May out of cleaning it up. Gwen shows up and tells Peter about Flash being in military custody and he agrees to accompany her to the Federal Building to see Flash. There Peter happens to spot the Giant One also waiting in the lobby, telling Gwen that he has to take pictures for the Bugle. Peter slips away and tags the Giant One with a spider-tracer. Suddenly a bomb goes off knocking out the building's lights. With no time to change into Spider-man Peter investigates, hoping that the darkness and smoke will cover his secret identity. Peter fights off the oriental Giant and his goons, who are dragging an unconscious Flash away. The Giant tosses Peter aside and tells him they will select the time and place of Thompson's punishment. When Peter tries to go off after them, Gwen stops him, calling him on the fact that everyone thinks him a coward. How does he go after Flash's attackers without making Gwen think he's running away from danger or without revealing that he's really Spider-man? Find out next week when he makes "the dread decision!"

Iron Man “...Enter the Gladiator!”

Writer: Archie Goodwin

Artist: George Tuska

Inker: Johnny Craig

Originally published in Iron Man #7

Cover date November 1968

(Published in August 1968)

This is another second part opening splash page with the identity of the artist remaining a mystery. I did find out that the original artwork was sold by Heritage Auction on the 23rd of February 2013 for $310.70, which converted to pounds would be £227.69. The Gladiator has to convince Whitney Frost, Maggia's current Big M, that he can succeed given his past track record. He reassures her that his failure against Daredevil was due to his partner, the Masked Marauder and not because of his inability to beat the man without fear.

Frost agrees that the Gladiator will be an asset, but before they can put their plan into attack Whitney travels to Stark's factory to make a final check, when in reality she wants to pick Jasper Sitwell so that no harm can come to him. Stark meanwhile is overseeing repairs to the damage caused by the Crusher to the factory as seen in SMCW #152. Jasper is pushing the staff to make the repairs more quickly but Stark tells him that "bugging the boys" isn't going to help. Still smarting over Iron Man knocking him out in issue 153 Jasper leaves in a huff with Whitney, in his anger he lets slip a weak spot in the factory's security. Stark presses it no further as Janice Cord with her lawyer Vincent Sandhurst arrive. Janice wishes to sell her father's assets to Tony. Traveling to Janice's father's old lab, the trio are captured by the Gladiator and the Maggia and taken to their base, where Tony learns that Whitney Frost is the Maggia's leader Big M. With Stark being held by the Gladiator the villains question "Where is Iron Man?" We'll find out next week. 

There's a full page teaser for upcoming events that proves that Marvel's comic revolution continues. As the Titans reaches its fifteenth issue momentum from readers approval for the unique formate continues. So now Spider-man swings into line with a brand new comic, assembling the most awe-inspiring array of super-heroes ever! With new adventures from the power-packed punch of the Thing, Thor the God of Thunder, the mystical world of Doctor Strange and the technological genius of Iron Man all joining Spider-man in "the greatest-ever" Marvel weekly, combining the format of the Titans with the magic of Marvel's mightiest heroes! The next line is where things go wrong, it reads that the "New Spider-man Comics Weekly featuring the Super-Heroes is available next week!" Well the new look comic won't appear for three weeks and won't be that either when it does. Did this early advert upset readers of the Super-Heroes to find out their comic was merging or at least the Thing was leaving it. Doctor Strange readers already were aware that he was leaving the Avengers weekly after reading last week's issue. 

The Web and the Hammer

Gary Bell RFO, KOF, QNS, FOOMer from Belfast greatly enjoy the Thor v. Him battle. It was a very good example that even the strongest and noblest of us all can make mistakes. Thor, at times, disobeys his father. He's not so completely good that he is way above our standards, and we can associate ourselves with him. Don Blake was just formed by Odin, but Blake is a real person. Unlike Captain Marvel's secret identity, is just a suit and an ID card. To him the whole Thor/Blake identity problem is always on the move. James McCabe from County Wicklow review all the weeklies, on Spider-man he says the strip has great artwork, inking and scripting. On the POTA he says that all the Planet strips have been good except the "City of Nomads". Jonathan Rolfe from Bristol has been writing reviews of SMCW and handing them out to his friends at school. Having just finished reading SMCW #141 he was extremely disappointed to find no letter page. Does this mean that you don't get enough letters, or that you are trying to fit more story in? The editor replies that the pressure of space squeezed out the letter page.

Stephen Gurrey from London writes another epic Thor short story. I'll not repeat it here, but I'm sure that some of the plot appeared in the Thor story "The Day the Thunder Failed!" but that story was printed March 1978 in The Mighty Thor #272, cover dated March 1978. Did Roy Thomas copy Stephen's story? Well probably not as it was part of Norse legend. That story. will be printed in the Marvel UK comic Marvel Action starring Captain America issue 30 and 31 from the week ending16th and 23rd September 1981. Micheal Conn from Essex was one of the lucky people in the front row at the Roundhouse. He can't wait for the Hulk feature film to come out like Stan talked about. Pramit Ghose from County Wicklow writes that no comic can equal Marvel's fabulous mags. he made a regular order for Spider-man Comics Weekly.

The Mighty Thor “The carnage of the Cryto-Man!”

 Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Bill Everett

Originally published in The Mighty Thor #174

Cover date March 1970

(Published in December 1969)

Thor patrols the skies over the city when he spots three strange lights in the sky. As he goes to investigate he is struck by a stun ray created by inventor Jasper Whyte. Whyte then uses a device to steal half of Thor's strength for his own devious purposes. Before Thor awakes Whyte flees the scene returning to his lab, he transfers the stolen strength into his creation, A robot known as the Crypto-Man. 

Once the power transfer is completed the robot is activated. Whyte begins the next part of his plans. Meanwhile, in a weakened  state Thor returns to Don Blakes's office. In the practice waiting room an upset patient waits inside for him. Thor instead goes to the roof to change back into his mortal form of Donald Blake before entering his office through the front door and not the window. Blake recognises the patient as Mrs. Whyte, who explains that her son Jasper has gone missing. She explains that Jasper like Blake is a brilliant scientist that made his colleagues jealous. Desperate for any information regarding his whereabouts she asks for Blake's help in trying to find him. Elsewhere in the city, Jasper Whyte has sent the Crypto-Man out on a rampage, terrorising the city, with the police helpless to deal with the robot. Next week "Thor must meet the Crypto-man!" 

Avengers Weekly #124

Originally from the Avengers issue 80 this John Buscema cover is really good, good enough to be my Cover of the Week, but it's competing with a beautifully painted Ken Barr Planet of the Apes cover. It feels a while since I picked a John Buscema cover so I'm going to award my CotW to this one. Tom Palmer inked this one. 

Conan the Barbarian “The Temptress in the Tower of Flame!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: John Buscema

Inker: Ernie Chan

Originally published in Conan the Barbarian #33

Cover date December 1973

(Published in September 1973)

Continuing the adaption of the Flame Winds by author Norvell W Page, Conan has undertaken a spying mission behind the walls of the city called Wan Tengri and faced a tentacled were-thing in an icy pool, then makes his way into the Flame Tower to face the Seven Wizard's seven warriors in an arena under the tower. Coming out of that conflict Conan now faces a vailed temptress, pulling away her vail her face is revealed to be a skull, she calls herself...Death!

Death calls to Conan to forget the fretful turmoil that is life and embrace her. The barbarian refuses her embrace, but grabs hold of her arm, then he forces her to answer a question, "How may one man rule Wan Tengri?" She offers an answer but warns him that he may not be able to hold her long enough to hear it as he immediately begins to age at a fast rate. With his last breath, as he grows weak and frail, his hair greying. He still holds on, telling her he was born free in the wild hills of Cimmera and he will die the same way. Death, impressed with his refusal to simply give in, gives him back his youth. Conan asks the question again knowing that the answer would be enough to topple the precarious government ruled by the seven wizards. She whispers in his ear the key to defeating the wizards then vanishes, leaving Conan holding the body of Kassar, the man who he had come to rescue. The guards of the wizards leap forward to claim the barbarian's knowledge, each wizard ready to pay any sum. Conan plays them against each other and the wizards begin fighting amongst themselves, hoping to gain the upper hand. Suddenly a doorway to freedom is opened by Bourtai who calls Conan to come with him. Conan wonders where the thief disappeared to? Trusting the beggar's reasoning the two of them crawl through the underground catacombs and emerge underneath the Flame Tower that is guarded by a chained lion whose face looks very human. The lion breaks free mauling Conan until he puts it to his sword. Next week Conan must face Shamaash the terrible in a battle of "sword vs mace!"

Letters

John Fortune from Dundee would like to see Doctor Strange as a permanent back-up feature in the Avengers weekly. He suggests that the Avengers weekly should be changed into a five strip mag like the Titans, then the line-up could be Conan, the Avengers, Doctor Strange. Shang-Chi and the Defenders in one comic. Tim Stanger PMM, FFF from Norwich writing in reference to The Avengers epic featuring the Sons of The Serpent. The subject of racism was handled in an impeccable manner. The story got him thinking that it would affect other people in the same way it did him then maybe, somewhere, some people will be a little more wary of people like Dunn and Hale. For if people allow themselves to be influenced by people such as them. then the world will never come to learn that a man should be judged by the person they are and not by the colour of their skin. Ian Beattie KOF, RFO from Glasgow thinks the Jack Kirby and Gene Colan's artwork in the Titans is fantastic. Ian says that the other mags are doing fine and the latest Planet of the Apes serial is the best. He spots an opportunity to gain a No-Prize for the Swordsman not appearing in the poster from the Avengers weekly #80 which featured every Avenger, yet in issues 96 and 97 we where told that he was an Avenger.

The Avengers “The coming of Red Wolf!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: John Buscema

Inker: Tom Palmer

Originally published in The Avengers #80

Cover date September 1970

(Published in July 1970)

"Rich man...poor man...beggar man...thief! Doctor...lawyer...Indian chief!" A frightened man darts through the rain filled streets of New York. Pausing next to a telephone line pole, a tomahawk flies past his face and into the wet wood. A costumed man named Red Wolf and his wolf. Their shadows haunt the man who pulls a gun firing blindly at his pursuers. Running out of bullets the man runs into a bystander which allows Red Wolf to catch him.

The man who the Red Wold's prey bumped into turns out to have been the Vision in his human disguise, who interferes in Red Wolf's attack. The man makes his escape, angering Red Wolf who attacks Vision, but his blows pass through the android's body. The Vision quickly defeats Red Wolf by slightly solidifying his fist in the Indian's chest. The wolf bites the Vision's leg but in his diamond hard form the animal soon gives up when the Vision ignores it and carries its master back to Avengers Mansion. While at the mansion, the Avengers are continuing an investigation into the mysterious group of criminals known as the Zodiac when the Vision arrives with the unconscious Red Wolf. After reviving the Native American tells his story. That he came from an Indian tribe in Phoenix, Arizona that believed in the legend of Red Wolf, a warrior who came from the sky. His reason for hunting down the man will be revealed next week.

Bullpen Bulletins

Batty Bulletins to Bewilder and Bedazzle You! 

This week's Bullpen Bulletin only appears in the Avengers weekly, POTA and the Super-Heroes, but there is a Special Bullpen Bulletin in the Titans as we'll see later. The first Item is about Doctor Strange's time traveling tale that actually appeared two week's ago, even though the Item suggests it appeared in this issue. The next Item tells Marvelites north of the border they should keep an eye out for "Tops Chewing Gum". It's called "COMIC BOOK HEROES" and with each piece of bubble gum it comes with 2 free stickers and one piece of a super Marvel Jigsaw. There's 40 stickers to collect featuring 32 different Marvel Super-Heroes! And just to make sure you don't miss any a checklist is included in each pack. All this for only 3p!After a try-out in Scotland it will be available all over the UK. The final Item is titled Secrets of Marvel Department. When these mags are prepare for the printers, sometimes an extra splash-page is needed. Often the artist and writer who worked on the story are not available so a couple of our nameless Marvel armadillos work on writing and drawing up brand new splash-pages! I guess most readers would have noticed that as the artwork almost never matches, but I wish they would credit the substitute artists.

Iron Fist “Summerkill”

Writer: Chris Claremont

Artist: Pat Broderick

Inker: Vinnie Colletta

Originally published in Marvel Premiere #24

Cover date September 1975

(Published in June 1975)

Iron Fist last appeared in Avengers weekly #84 which featured the second part of "Death is a Ninja!" from Marvel Premiere #22 and the next story, "The Name is... Warhawk" from Marvel Premiere #23, should have been printed before this story. It would have been note worthy because the new creative team of Chris Claremont and Pat Broderick took over from Tony Isabella and Arvell Jones in that issue. Also that story featured the introduction of Lieutenant Rafael Scarfe, who also appears in this week's story and must have come as a surprise to readers of this issue. I can only see that it would have been an easy story to miss out so that British readers get to the good bits. But it also could have remained as the British Iron Fist stories are catching up with the American comic.

 

Practicing his martial arts with Colleen Wing, Iron Fist grows upset having to fight a woman, as in K'un-Lun it would be unsightly for men to fight a girl. Colleen pulls him up on two things, one she is a woman not a girl and two people fight, what sex they are doesn't come in to it. In an interlude, at a SHIELD installation called the Fenris Station, where the workforce and security personnel have been killed by a nerve gas released by terrorists who have infiltrated the facility to reactivate the Monstroid and plan to set after Princess Azir, who is visiting the United States. Later that day, Danny Rand takes a leisurely stroll in Central Park when he catches a wayward softball hit by a group of softball players. One of them is Lieutenant Rafael Scarfe who invites Danny to join Scarfe's softball team against an opposing team, who could well be a Marvel team. Taking a closer look the Marvel team seems to include Chris Claremont, Len Wein, Glynis Wein, Marv Wolfman, Tony Isabella, Irene Vartanoff, Herb Trimpe, Mark Hanerfeld, Bill Mantlo, Mike Kaluta and Al Milgrom. Princess Azir is in the crowd watching the game. Suddenly the Monstroid arrives. Next week Iron Fist must go "to face...the Monstrous!"

Dracula Lives #67

It's another cover originally from the US parent comic, from Tomb of Dracula #31. Gil Kane penciled this one with Tom Palmer again inking it. At the time Palmer was one of the best and most in demand inkers, for a very good reason. He's brilliant.  

Dracula “Ten Lords a dying!”

Writer: Marv Wolfman

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Tom Palmer

Originally published in Tomb of Dracula #31

Cover date April 1975

(Published in January 1975)

Mary-Beth Singleton is getting ready for a party when Dracula calls. He pulls her from her front door and kills her leaving a message for her father Lord Arthur Singleton asking him to abandon his fight in Parliament and to do his bidding or face the consequences. With a police investigation into her murder, the case is turned over to Inspector Chelm, who believes that Dracula or at least some kind of vampire is responsible. He contacts Quincy Harker to add the murder to a list of recent vampire related killings. Quincy is convinced that Dracula is still alive and functioning in England once more.

In far off India, Taj Nital struggles with the responsibility of killing his son Adri, who has been kept alive as a vampire by his wife. Taj cannot bring himself to kill his son, much to the relief of his wife. Before they can consider the situation a group of towns people arrive, demanding that Taj let them do away with the vampire themselves. At the same time in Brazil, Frank Drake is taken to a government funded dig site by his friend Danny Summers to oversee the workers who, according to Danny, have become lazy. Frank thanks Danny for the opportunity to work for him. When Danny leaves him, Frank's thoughts drift towards Rachel van Helsing who also at the same time in London, relaxes at home, aware of a strange draft in her room. So lost in thought she doesn't get up to close the window. While atop of the Houses of Parliament Dracula lands deciding that after two warnings Lord Singleton still needs to be taught a lesson for disobeying the Vampire Lord. During this story Marv Wolfman and Gene Colan used a split page technique to show events that were happening at the same time in different places. It was an innovative way of engaging the reader in a story that had a lot to say but separately may have dragged, perfectly shown why Wolfman and Colan are masters of their craft. 

Cryptic Correspondence

Simon Powell from Stockport lists the eleven reasons why he knew that Hannibal King was actually a vampire in Dracula Lives #55 and #56. David Wells from Glasgow thinks it was a good idea to change the Dracula Lives covers. The Mummy cover on #57 was terrific. He had tried many horror comics, but none equal the talent in the Marvel range it is excellent. Jim Charlton from Northumberland thinks that changing the magazine title to "Dracula Lives, featuring the Legion of Monsters" was a stroke of genius. Although Jim isn't so sure about Man-Thing taking over the Living Mummy's slot, he would have preferred Morbius the Living Vampire to have taken over from the Living Mummy. Allan Horley from York had missed the first brain-blastin' issues of Dracula Lives because he didn't get to the newsagent quickly enough. Allen compliments Marvel on the stories, but at the same time he criticises some of Dracula Lives covers. Some of them are enough to make Dracula turn in his fangs. Chrisphor Brennan from Surrey gets Dracula Lives every week, he's glad the Living Mummy replaced Frankenstein.

 

This Marvel Masterwork Pin-Up of Morbius the Living Vampire was drawn by Don Maitz and inked by Duffy Vohland as you can tell from their signatures Maitz and Vohland. 

Werewolf by Night “The darkness from Glitternight”

Writer: Doug Moench

Artist: Don Perlin

Inker: Don Perlin

Originally published in Werewolf by Night #28

Cover date April 1975

(Published in January 1975)

Following last week's Werewolf by Night tale the Werewolf runs along a beech after fighting Glitternight. Falling down on the shoreline with exhaustion he transforms back into his human form. Buck and Topez take Jack back to his home, there his sister Lissa worries about her 18th birthday the next day and the chance of her becoming a werewolf. 

While they consider Lissa's situation, a flock of bat-like demons fly down the chimney and attack the four friends. They manage to fend them off but as Jack goes out side to find out where they came from they are confronted by Glitternight, who called off his pet demons to demand that Topaz tell him where Taboo is. As he thinks that she is hiding him. He tells them that he will return in two week's to battle Taboo. On the morning before that full moon, Topaz has a dream of seeing Taboo alive in Russoff Manor. Buck, Jack, Lissa and Topez take a speed boat and head off to the Manor. With a taste of salty air the foursome face danger in "Island terror!" next week.

Man-Thing “When worlds collide”

Writer: Steve Gerber

Artist: Val Mayerik

Inker: Frank Bolle

Originally published in Adventure into Fear #13

Cover date April 1973

(Published in January 1973)

Jennifer Kale's grandfather and his cult prepare to defend the Earth when dimensions collide. For only his cult can save mankind from the demon horde. Only they know the Man-Thing's secret and that his swamp is a crossroads of realities. With the help of the Tome of Zhered-Na and the Man-Thing they can save the world. The only thing is they discover that the Tome is missing. This discovery leads the other cult members to believe that the cults leader Joshua Kale has stolen the book. 

Nobody knows that during Jennifer Kales previous encounter with the Man-Thing she had stolen the book to try and bring forth a demon. It did accidentally work, releasing the Nether-Spawn demon. Her brother Andy was forced to burn the book to help the Man-Thing destroy the Nether-Spawn, as in Dracula Lives #64. When she relates the story to her ex-boyfriend Jaxon, he scoffs at her story and decides to explore the swamp, in spite of her best warnings. Jennifer and Andy return home just as their Grandfather's cult finish their meeting. Jaxon is then possessed by a demon that appears in the swamp and is then sent to capture the Kale family. The Man-Thing follows him, witnessing Jaxon transporting the Kale's in to Thog the Nether-Spawn's realm. There Man-Thing is changed back into Ted Sallis and tempted with various pleasures, yet he refuses those temptations and is reverted back into the Man-Thing. The story continues next week.

Planet of the Apes #67

This is a beautifully painted cover, the detail is incredible. It would have been the most attractive cover of any British comic on the newsagent's shelf. Any kid would grab it off the shelf and hand over their pennies. I must be crazy not to pick this Ken Barr cover as Cover of the Week! It is truly gorgeous! Especially if you like seeing angry gorillas throwing humans around. 

Planet of the Apes “To serve the slayer”

Writer: Doug Moench

Artist: Alfredo Alcala

Inker: Alfredo Alcala

Originally published in Planet of the Apes (US) #18

Cover date March 1976

(Published in January 1976)

At the State Security Offices in North America in the near future of 1991 circus owner, Armando, is being questioned or should I say interrogated over a public order offence of calling out at the brutality of police officers when dealing with a disobedient gorilla and his missing chimpanzee named Caesar. The line of questioning lead to the chimpanzee astronauts from the future that arrived on Earth in 1973 and their son who authorities believed had died in that year. They have a gut feeling he did not.

Meanwhile at the Ape Management Complex, Caesar, after infiltrating a new batch of apes imported from Africa, goes through intense training in the domestic chores that would make him and his "dum" fellow apes suitable as servants. Doug Munch and Alfredo Alcala effortlessly create pages of these training montages with very little or sometimes no dialogue, yet still make the pages interesting, funny but in a way sinister as the human trainers show very little care or love for their simian subjects. As well as the similarities with the slave trade there is a crude scene in which a genetic department picks out apes with certain superior qualities, who are chosen to inseminate female apes for breeding. The authorities in 1973 and 1991 hadn't wanted any intelligent apes to develop that could in the future threaten humankind's dominance of the world. But in mankind's own stupidity they are literally sowing the seeds of their own destruction. Later the ape workforce is auctioned off to the public and Government departments, with the highest bidders getting apes of prime and perfect physical specimens, like a scene from mankind's darkest past. The Governor and is aide, MacDonald, are there discussing the rise in ape IQ and the connection with an increase in work output, but also to bid for new ape slaves. The bids rise nine, nine-fifty, one thousand..find out next week which ape is "sold!"

Apes-Mail

Tom Timlin RFO, KOF, QNS from Liverpool gets Spider-man Comics Weekly, Dracula Lives, Planet of the Apes and the Titans every week. Tom really thinks that Rico Rival and Alfredo Alcala are great artists and Doug Moench's scripts are fantastic. Tom isn't so keen on the articles. Mark Hird from Dundee writes that without a doubt, the stories in Planet of the Apes are the best Marvel has produced, he agrees with Ken Harrison on changing the name of the mag to something which suggests Sci-Fi stories rather than Ape stories. K Hawkins from Sussex is a devoted Marvelite and thinks that there should be more letters from girls in the mags. Kay's letter gets very personal when she agrees with Ivor Davis, when he wrote in one of his letters about T J MacGuinness being a "mentally backward cabbage." Wow! The letter pages are getting very aggressive. 

Ka-Zar “Target Ka-Zar!”

Writer: Mike Friedrich

Artist: Dan Adkins

Inker: Frank Chiaramonte

Originally published in Astonishing Tales #17

Cover date April 1973

(Published in January 1973)

Bobbi Morse has taken Ka-Zar to a restaurant to show the Lord of the Savage Jungle how civilised people spend their free time in the big city. But their social date is interrupted by three gun men who haven't come for the fine dining but rather to relieve the restaurant patrons from their money and expensive jewellery. This intrusion angers Ka-Zar who stands up to face the thugs, much to Bobbi's dismay as she warns him they are killers! With no heed to the warning Ka-Zar hurls the table at them. With no fear he beats them all. 

Bobbi tells him he was reckless and innocent people could have been hurt. Angered by the way he sees civilisation is filled with corruption and stifling he rips off his jacket and tie, preferring the freedom of an open necked shirt with rolled up sleeves. The couple discuss the pros and cons of society with the glamour, excitement the people and the power that goes with it, while Ka-Zar points out to Bobbi the cancers that eat away at it like filth, crime and decay. Just then Bobbi's SHIELD communicator breaks up the argument as Nick Fury orders them to report to a "Super-Soldier" briefing. Meanwhile the Pusher is locked up in prison. An anonymous voice calls him a failure, he recognises it as belonging to the AIM agent who hired him to kidnap Doctor Calvin. That voice belonged to Josh Link who using his double identity as Gemini to steal the Super-Soldier formula for AIM in the hope that he could take over the organisation. He recalls how he and his brother, a police officer had been involved in an accident that lead to their merging. Bobbi takes Ka-Zar and Zabu to the SHIELD Helicarrier for briefing on the newly developed replica of the Sallis variant of the Super-Soldier Formula under their protection. Also present is Sergeant Damian Link, official liaison between SHIELD and the NYPD. Unbeknownst to everyone present, Damian is subject to periodic blackouts, when his convict twin brother Josh uses his power to mentally possess him from afar and make him don the identity of the villainous Gemini. Readers of the Super-Heroes #28 would recall Josh and Damien Link in a short one-off story that revealed their origin. Next week Ka-Zar faces "double trouble!"

Black Panther “A shiny veil of mirrored death!”

Writer: Don McGregor

Artist: Billy Graham

Inker: Klaus Janson

Originally published in Jungle Action Vol 2 #10

Cover date July 1974

(Published in April 1974)

This second part opening splash page was drawn by an unnamed artist, although the initials DW do appear on one of the gravestones. Any guesses? The Black Panther returns to the site where he was ambushed by Baron Macabre after investigating the disappearance of a Wakandan citizen who T'Challa had briefly meet named M'Jumbak. Taloned fingers clawed their way free from their buried resting places. As the nightmare grew, corpse-like limbs thrusted upwards from freshly laid graves to pull and maul at the Panther's body.

The Panther strikes out at the undead corpses easily beating them even though they out number him. With the last cadaver he questions it, revealing that it's look is nothing but a fake. When asked where Baron Macabre is the fake zombie tells the Panther that Macabre is below the graves in the dark realm of King Cadaver. With a leap of faith T'Challa jumps into an open grave, dropping a good ten metres he finds a secret passageway under Wakandan that leads to the eerie court of King Cadaver, where sits the King upon a throne with Baron Macabre by his side. King Cadaver's mental powers enhanced by a room of mirrors disorientate T'Challa, until he gains enough force to smash the mirrors and attack Macabre. Pushing the Baron backwards he shatters his mask revealing him to be like the other zombies nothing more than human. The Panther springs on to King Cadaver clawing at his face, but his features are no mask, only real deformities. In a desperate and horrific move the Panther seizes broken fragments and drives them into Cadaver's bulging hypnotic eyes blinding him, then with all his remaining strength he hurls him through the last remaining mirrors. After defeating all his opponents, T'Challa discovers that Killmonger had been arming his legions with weapons stolen from the underground computerised complex in the very heart of Wakanda! Next week "Lord Karnaj, has more than just a taste for blood!"

The Super-heroes #48

I like this split cover, even though I'm not a big fan of Bloodstone but this cover makes me want to pick up this comic. Ron Wilson does the pencils with possibly Mike Esposito applying the inks.  

The Thing and Iron Man..together! “The galactic vampires!”

Writer: Mike Friedrich

Artist: Jim Starlin

Inker: Joe Sinnott

Originally published in Marvel Premiere #12

Cover date November 1973

(Published in August 1973)

This opening second part splash page would have been drawn by an unnamed artist. Thanos is monitoring events on Earth via his Cosmic Cube, as Iron Man has arrived at a secret base in the west of America. The armoured Avenger had been following a lead into the mad Titan's plans to invade Earth. The Thing, abandoned in the desert had followed hoping for a lift back to civilisation. Thanos had ordered his Earth bound agents, the Blood Brothers to kill all who stand against his plans, namely Iron Man.

The Blood Brothers, however, did not anticipate for the arrival of the Thing, who matches their strength and with his rocky exterior helps prevent them from drinking his blood. With the aid of the Thing, Iron Man is able to fight the Blood Brothers to almost a standstill. Until the armoured Avenger and the strongest member of the Fantastic Four start fighting in a tag-team wrestling combo style that does eventually triumph over the galactic vampires and in the process also demolishes Thanos's major beachhead on Earth. With this Thanos tells his lover, Death, that the Blood Brothers knew the penalty for defeat. Thanos uses the cosmic cube to send them away. After the fight is over, Iron Man tells Thing that he doesn't have enough power to carry them both out of the desert and apologises. The Thing trudges off into the desert, continuing his walk back to civilisation. But next week he'll meet the Man-Thing!

Super-Mail

Rodney Campbell RFO, KOF, TTB writes in reply to Paul Etchell's letter in Super-heroes #33. His theory of Heavens and Hells is absolute rubbish, in it he claims that Satan and

Pluto are Mephisto's underlings. But Satan and Mephisto are one and the same, as Satan can appear in many forms. Pluto is not connected with Satan in anyway. He is the overlord of the netherworld of the Greek gods, having been banished by Zeus. Rupert Townsend KOF, RFO, FOOMer from Essex gives a run down on all the strips that had featured in the Super-Heroes since the first issue. Trevor Swistchew from Edinburgh writes that Marvel comics have really influenced him, from the Surfer's search for inner peace, Spidey who changed dramatically after the death of his Uncle and Thor with his concerns over the struggling globe. E Montanaro from London asks How does Marvel do it? A comic such as Super-Heroes is truly is beyond belief, it is mightier than Mjolner. 

This Marvel Masterwork Pin-Up sees Conan the barbarian fighting a malacostracan monster by hurling a winged lizard-man statue at it. This incredibly detailed artwork comes from the skilful pencil of Jeff Aclin, who would go on to draw a good number of second part opening pages for British Marvel comics. The inker on this piece was Dan Adkins. 

Bloodstone “Heart of the gem!”

Writer: John Warner

Artist: Sonny Trinidad

Inker: Sonny Trinidad

Originally published in Marvel Presents #2

Cover date December 1975

(Published in September 1975)

Here's another second part opening splash page by an unnamed artist. Ulysses Bloodstone, a strange warrior who has lived over 10,000 years falls victim to a giant monster calling himself the Possessor who had come to San Francisco looking for Bloodstone's  Bloodgem . The towering creature probes the fallen warrior's mind seeking the secrets of his power. By accident or some unnamed design actor Brad Carter has become trapped in the mental forcefield that the Possessor has used on Bloodstone.

The Possessor reads Bloodstone's mind to reveal the past, in which the hunter had defeated a Mammoth and lead his tribe into Ulluxy'l's temple. The inhuman priest instructed them to stand in formation to perform a ritual. Then the tentacle-faced being activated the gem's power, lightening hit the tribe men with the opaque power of the Hellfire Helix, its lethal mystic energy absorbed the humans' minds and life-forces. The now-horrified hunter was outraged by this and leapt onto the gem, breaking it with his bare hands to stop the process in an explosion. One fragment from the gem embedded itself in the Hunter's chest. Then in the present the Possessor screams out in pain as Ulysses Bloodstone making use of the Possessor's energy through the same link the Possessor was using, forces the two to battle on an astral plane. As the astral battle rages Bloodstone managed to capture the Possessor within his Bloodgem, destroying the monster. Afterwards Brad Carter's film director offers Bloodstone a job on the movie. Bloodstone agrees so that he can stay near Carter to find what link they share.

Giant-Man and the Wasp “While Egghead watches!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Dick Ayers

Inker: Dick Ayers

Originally published in Tales to Astonish #57

Cover date July 1964

(Published in April 1964)

This second part opening splash page was drawn by an unnamed artist with a new story title, catch-up text box and credits added. Last week the criminal Egghead had leaked a false rumour about Spider-man that has brought the Wasp into conflict with the web-slinger. She becomes trapped in his webbing. Giant-Man soon arrives and the two heroes lock in a battle, while the Egghead gleefully watches from a monitor at his hideout while planning to use the distraction as cover for a payroll truck robbery. 

Egghead calls the police with information about Giant-Man and Spider-man's clash. The police then send for reinforcements to the east end if the heroes fighting escalates. With the police distracted the villain hires a gang of thugs to execute his plans to rob an armoured car in the west end. With a rented truck the villains cut in front of the armoured car pushing it off the road. Then they load it into the back of their specially rigged truck. The police, Giant-Man, Wasp and Spider-man soon realise they've all been tricked. Using Giant-Man's spy ants the three heroes track down Egghead's truck,  following it to Egghead's secret hideout near the docks. In spite of Spider-man's and the Wasp's dislike for one another, they work together to defeat Egghead and his gang of crooks. With all the bad guys rounded up the heroes go their separate ways with the Wasp and Spidey's frostily parting. It was a charming 60's tale, but one thing for sure is Dick Ayers, like Jack Kirby, isn't very good at drawing Spider-man. It's all that webbing, only Ditko, Romita and Kane can get it right.

The Titans #15

Now I don't know who drew this cover, neither does the Grand Comics Database, although the GCD does list Mike Esposito as the inker. Could Esposito have penciled the cover? May be, but in all honesty I think it looks like Ron Wilson's art. The cover mentions "Them!" in the bottom left hand corner, which is a bit of an early spoiler, because they are only mentioned in much later episodes of the Nick Fury strip. 

The X-Men “Re-enter: The Minic!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Werner Roth

Inker: Dick Ayers

Originally published in The X-Men #27

Cover date December 1966

(Published in October 1966)

No you haven't missed anything this week's X-Men adventure sees them squaring off against the newly returned Mimic, who has once more imitated all the X-Men's powers and abilities. The young mutants attack Mimic as a team, however they are no match against Mimic's abilities, he soundly defeats them, declaring that nothing in the world can stop him. Then the story returns to events before the opening battle, the X-Men have returned from San Rico after their bitter sweet victory over Kukulcan which leads to the Angel becoming seriously injured. Cyclops had accidentally hit Warren with his optic beam. This had lead the Angel to accuse their leader of striking him on purpose over their shared love of Jean. Warren apologises for the accusation. 

Meanwhile, at Metro College, an explosion in the chemistry lab revives Calvin Rankin’s memories and powers. Elsewhere the Puppet Master attempts to gain control of Professor X to use him and his X-Men against the Fantastic Four. Like he once tried before with the Mad Thinker in MWOM #57 and #58, but this time he is thwarted by psychic feedback. With the need of replacements for Warren and Jean the Professor and his X-Men ask Quicksilver, the Scarlet Witch and Spider-man if they would like to join? But all decline the offer. The next day the team visit Jean at Metro College when they are confronted by Mimic who reveals his powers and memories have returned. Mimic asks to join the X-Men. They agree, unaware that the Puppet Master sees Mimic's joining a perfect opportunity to strike. While Jean presents the team with new costumes, Mimic suddenly is put under the control of the Puppet Master, leading to the battle as seen at the start. The Professor, detecting that the Puppet Master is controlling Mimic, sends Cyclops, Beast, Iceman, and Marvel Girl off to confront the Puppet Master. At the villain's hideout they are attacked by a gigantic robotic "Defender",  that can fend off the X-Men's powers. With the X-Men the Professor has no choice but to send the Angel, who is back on his feet but still unable to fly, to help his teammates. The X-Men have defeated the Defender, but the Puppet Master has forced the Mimic to destroy them. The Angel knocks the Mimic puppet out of the Puppet Master's hands, freeing him from the villain's control. The Puppet Master escapes while the mutants check if the Angel is alright. The Mimic looks like a man condemned as he realises that his powers are not truly his own.

Captain America “If a hostage should die!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby and John Romita Sr.

Inker: Frank Giacoia

Originally published in Tales to Astonish #77

Cover date May 1966

(Published in February 1966)

Captain America sits in the present watching an old documentary of the allies liberating Nazi occupied France during World War Two, some of the footage shows  him fighting the German forces. He almost wishes that he hadn't as it brings back too many memories that were better left in the past. Those images cause Steve Rogers to recall a mysterious woman whom he had loved back then. The girl had lead a band of French resistance fighters. Having to part on separate missions, the girl and her resistance fighters get captured by the Nazis. 

Sometime later Cap is informed of their plight and rushes to her aid. But he is told his actions come too late to save her, even though he single handedly defeats the Nazis who had fought against the resistance group. Captain America is carried aloft by the victors as a hero for helping free France from Nazi control. He tries to break away to search for the girl, little knowing that the girl walks away after suffering amnesia caused by a the shell blast. In the present Cap laments over the fact that he never learned the true fate of his mysterious girl.

Titanically Talented

At last the Titans Art Competition winners! Marvel was overwhelmed by entries and they were very impressed by the standard of the artwork. The entries ranged from the humorous, the dramatically and some entries were just far out. In both colour and black and white, what a talented bunch. Apart from the winners the judges were particularly impressed by the sense of humour manifested by Steven Woods and Lucian McLellan in approaching their entries, as seen below. After much discussion, argument, and study two winners were chosen. One for the ten year olds and under, and one for the over-tens. I think you'll agree that they're first-class! Note the fine line technique and detail of movement of Stephen Kyte's entry to the left, and the authentic Marvel style of Adnan Dent's, showing remarkable maturity for a ten year old, although not shown this week readers can see it in next week's issue. Both winners received £50,00 and a big batch of brand-new treasury editions to the ninety runner-ups. 

To the right at the top of the page is Lucian McLellan's from London, funny effort. Not bad for a ten year old. Below that is the strip by Steve Wood from Lancashire, also aged ten. Again a very funny and creative strip, he's even redrawn Jack Kirby's Captain America to match his own style.  Special mentions to Vincent Danks from York, Andrew Upcraft from South Humberside, Richard Borrill from Middlesex, Paul Johnson from Herts, Mark Thatcher from Kent, G 1 Robson from Glasgow, Alan Davidson from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Liam T Sanford from West Sussex, Steven Woods from Lancashire and Lucian MeLellan from London. 

The Sub-Mariner “...And one shall die”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Bill Everett

Originally published in Tales to Astonish #85

Cover date November 1966

(Published in August 1966)

With the Sub-Mariner's memory restored by a blast from Warlord Krang's flying submarine. Krang leaves thinking he'd killed the Prince, however Namor decides to return to the oceans to restore his strength before he resumes his quest for vengeance against the Atlantan Warlord. The Secret Empire's Number One decides to check if the Sub-Mariner succeeded in his task of destroying the Hulk. Much to his frustration, he finds the Hulk still alive and roaming New York City.

It appears the Hulk is heading toward Number One's secret hideout, so the villain attempts to call back Namor by activating the vibro-discs that he had implanted in the Sub-Mariner's ears. This ultimately fails as Namor realises, he removes the vibro-discs and crushes them. As Namor returns to the sea, the panic-stricken Number One sees the Hulk outside his window. In an attempt to destroy the Hulk once and for all, Number One activates a bomb in the hopes of blowing up the Hulk. However before he can flee, his cowl gets caught in the door. As the automatic lock falls in place, Number One tries desperately to free himself. However the bomb goes off. The Hulk is unharmed and bounds away none the wiser that his unknown enemy was killed in the blast. In an ironic twist the villain's identity remains unknown. The news of Number One's demise prompts Hydra, in light of the crumbling of both AIM and the Secret Empire, to rise again. Meanwhile, Warlord Krang, still believes that it is too soon to return to Atlantis and wait  until news of Namor's apparent demise is broken to the Atlanteen public who will demand his return as king and force Lady Dorma into marrying him.

Special Bullpen Bulletin

The Titans gets its own special bulletin that explains why issue 12 and issue 13 were emergency issues. Everyone meets little gremlins who can cause big trouble. A few weeks ago it was Marvel's turn to be menaced by those little gremlins. Technical problems too numerous to enumerate forced Marvel to bring out two issues without the usual quality covers and with only 32 pages. As a result of the enforced cut-down of pages certain features had to be missed out. Originally it was planned that the results of The Titans art competition would have featured in issue 12. Another omission in issue 12 was the centre spread of that issue. Just for the record it was a double-page pic of the Inhumans and it should feature in a future issue of The Titans. The Marvel editor hated to have to do it. but they had no choice and want readers to accept their sincerest apologies. The emergency is now declared at an end.

Captain Marvel “Vengeance is mine!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Gil Kane

Inker: Dan Adkins

Originally published in Captain Marvel #18

Cover date November 1969

(Published in August 1969)

Yon-Rogg examines video footage that reveals Captain Mar-Vell's connection with the human Rick Jones as they exchange places. The Colonel plots his next move. Mar-Vell takes Rick Jones to the nearest city. Suddenly an out of control car drives straight towards Rick. The teenager leaps to the side then quickly slamming his two Nega-Bands together he changes into the Kree Captain, who flies over the car bringing it to a halt. The driver had fallen asleep at the wheel. The driver then wakes up and continues on his way. Mar-Vell thinks that Yon-Rogg had something to do with it.

Captain Marvel flies to the city then allows Rick to switch places so that he can enter into a bar. The bar has live music that allows open mic performances. So Rick manages to convince the band to let him have a go on stage. The crowd reaction is mixed, with one drunk heckler in the crowd giving him grief. Rick is about to swap places with Mar-Vell again so that the Captain can knock the heckler out, but he tell's Rick that he won't be part of petty squabbles, so Rick punches the guy's lights out himself. This grabs the attention of music promoter Mordacai P Boggs who offers to set Rick up with music gigs and promotion. It's an offer which Rick can't refuse. Afterwards, Mar-Vell deduces the location of Yon-Rogg and Rick switches places so he can go into action as Captain Marvel. Yon-Rogg has taken Carol Danvers to another abandoned Kree outpost on Earth, where a Kree devise called the Psyche-Magnatron is housed. Next week "Marvel meets the Mandroid!"

Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD “Who strikes at...SHIELD?”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Mike Esposito

Originally published in Strange Tales #141

Cover date February 1966

(Published in November 1965)

At SHIELD headquarters an experimental robot goes out of control shooting wildly as agents and technicians duck for cover. Luckily power to it is switched off. Fury then goes to SHIELD's Psi division to watch a psychic projection of real time events in which  Mentallo swims to the Fixer's underwater base, passing the many traps and devices that the technological mastermind has laid out to keep unwanted visitors away. When he meets the Fixer the two villains agree to join together to take over SHIELD. Their plan starts with the pair driving the Fixer's "thru-the-ground tank" to attack SHIELD headquarters. The story continues next week, as does the Power of the Beesting blog, so till then... 

See you in seven.

Make Mine Marvel.