The Gladiator, the girl and the Genesis!

 Week Ending 24th January 1976

I got a loverly comment from Paul Coyle this week, who had discovered this blog a while ago as he was searching for some images of Marvel Mini-Posters. He continued reading through the weekly entries in a nostalgic haze and after reading "The wedlock and the headlock!" he discovered something that he didn't know. That what the "week ending..." blog is about. For fun, for nostalgia, for opinions and you never known a little knowledge, like when you find out something that you forgotten or didn't know. The Power of the Beesting, packed full of bits and pieces and all sorts of stuff and nonsense. Welcome aboard Paul.

The Mighty World of Marvel #173

Herb Trimpe drew this cover for the American comic, the Incredible Hulk issue 169. Again for the third week running the cover spoils events that don't happen till the following week. 

The Incredible Hulk “Who is the Harpy?”

Writer: Steve Englehart

Artist: Herb Trimpe

Inker: Jack Abel

Originally published in The Incredible Hulk #168

Cover date October 1973

(Published in July 1973)

The Herb Trimpe cover artwork from The Incredible Hulk issue 168, which also featured as the cover of MWOM #171, is used as this week's second part opening splash page. New recap text circles, credit boxes and a new story title are added. Like the last three covers of MWOM this opening page also spoils the reveal of the Harpy. Which is where this week's story starts, at AIM headquarters, MODOK places Betty under a Gamma Ray machine that fires Gamma radiation at her. 

The lights flicker in the far corners of the laboratory and even though that radiation is shown as pure energy with no colour it is very easy to imagine that the light throws shadows of an eerie green colour. Englehart and Trimpe beautifully choreograph the transformation of Betty into something that could be quite horrific with her naked body bathed in radiation, then a sinister close up of MODOK, which backs off slightly to reveal an egg-shaped shell that slowly begins to crack as a wisps of steam are released followed by a wing. I imagine that the following page of the full reveal would have originally been printed on the back of that page in the American version to drop the full reveal with more shock when the page was turned. In the British version that reveal had less impact as it was on the opposite page and scene was on the last two week's covers too.  

When Betty's mutated Gamma spawned form finally appears MODOK feels compelled to name her the Harpy. A fitting name that compliments her giant wings, talons for feet and wild eyed vicious nature. Thirsty for the destruction of Bruce Banner and his alter-ego the Hulk, she fires rays of Gamma radiation from her hands at the computer panels behind MODOK. He reassures her that he has spies everywhere and they will soon find him when he reappears. Right on cue a report informs them that the Hulk has been spotted in the Holland Tunnel heading towards Manhattan. MODOK sets her loose, pointing her in the right direction to kill him. She finds the Hulk wandering around downtown New York, where she attacks him using deadly "Harpy Hellbolts". As the two fight, the Hulk ultimately gets the upper hand, but before he can land a knockout blow the Harpy reveals that she is really Betty. That distraction confuses the Hulk long enough for her to fire a knock-out blast of Gamma radiation at point blank range, knocking him out. Standing over the unconscious Hulk she vows to destroy him once and for all.

The Mighty Marvel Mailbag

Richard Wilkins RFO, KOF from Glamorgan is a members of S.T.R.E.W.T.H. (Space Trained Robots to End The Wars of The Humans) brought a copy of MWOM #162 to his "Boss" who instantly after reading it ordered the command to get away from Earth double quick, as they would get caught before they started invading Earth. Brian Ellis RFO, KOF from Berkshire has become a real RFO due to getting Dracula Lives, POTA, MWOM, the Avengers weekly and the Titans every week. Ian Philips from Derbyshire wonders what the abbreviations KOF, QNS, RFO, PMM, FFF, and TTB actually mean and why is the Hulk green? Chris Marchant RFO, KOF, FOOMer from Surrey went to the Roundhouse on the 20th October, but he missed asking Stan a question. Which was that Herb Trimpe had said that it takes him about three weeks to do a mag. If so why don't we have to wait three weeks before they're finished. The truth is it takes his three weeks to do a US monthly mag. The next writer also went to the Roundhouse. They point out that the Titans's new size is a terrific idea! But it has a disadvantage that the art can seem cramped. Actually the pages are now 4cm shorter and 2½cm narrower than the US Marvels, which is a minimal change to the originals. 

Ian Horsley RFO, KOF from Leeds wants Marvel, or someone to arrange a Comic Mart in or near Leeds. Keith Winn RFO KOF from Hertfordshire offers to find out who are Marvelite's favourite writers and artists if they send him a letters with their choices. George Horn from East Kilbride gives his opinion on Marvel's best artist. Marvel's best was Jack Kirby, although the majority probably think John Buscema was and still is Marvel's greatest. However George thinks that the best artist of the moment for him is Rich Buckler, for mainly for having basically the same style as Kirby. Brian Goldstein from London has set up a youth organisation to promote friendship between Christian and Jew. Not sure what that has to do with Marvel comics, but comics have always brought different types of people together. 

Daredevil “One fatal mistake!”

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)

There's no information on who drew this second part opening splash page that gave the readers an opportunity to catch up with this flash back origin story. To help his son through college "Battling" Jack Murdock has agreed to sign a contract with the notorious boxing fight arranger simply known as the Fixer, with an added incentive that he wouldn't have to take a dive in any of his fights. Unknown to him at the same time his son, Matt, sees a blind man crossing the road in front of a speeding truck. 

Leaping forward Matt pushes the man away from danger but in the process he himself is struck by the truck. A cylinder from the truck hits his face releasing some radioactive waste. Later at the hospital Jack Murdock is grief stricken to discover his son has lost his sight. After the accident Matt throws himself into his studies, learning to read braille he works harder to get his diploma in law. While at the same time he continues his physical exercises, becoming more and more intense, his other senses seem to become more powerful as if to compensate for his blindness. He also develops a sort of built in radar sense to help navigate around. Jack Murdock's boxing career really starts to hit the big time when he wins fight after fight. That is until he is pitched against "Dynamite Davis", but the Fixer wants him to take a dive. The Fixer has been paying his earlier opponents to throw their fights to improve Murdock's profile. Murdock goes against the Fixer winning the fight to make Matt proud of him. But that brings the wrath of the Fixer, who has one of his heavies kill Murdock for going against him. Matt is distraught and decides to bring his father's murderer to justice by going after him as a costumed crime fighter. Next week Daredevil vs the Fixer!

Bullpen Bulletins

Plenty of Power-Packed Pronouncements Pertaining to People and Places.

The first Item asks the readers just how much they like or dislike the new landscape format, which brings more stories per issue. Or  do they prefer a format that has the advantage of displaying larger, more readable pages. The next Item recalls last in issue Marvel mentioned "In the Beginning...", a retelling of Daredevil's awesome origin, with all new art and a revised script that started in MWOM #172. Well this Item also fills in that Daredevil's original costume was yellow and red with black shading, while his current outfit is all red. The Items from this Bullpen page also appear in this week's SMCW, the Avengers weekly, Dracula Lives and Super-Heroes. Although with different images.

The Fantastic Four “Bye, bye, Ben Grimm!”

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Joe Sinnott 

Originally published in The Fantastic Four #79

Cover date October 1968

(Published in July 1968)

An unnamed artist created this second part opening splash page with the Mad Thinker's Android Man going on a rampage to find out the real purpose of his creation. Credits, catch-up text and a new story title were added. The Android Man's rage has taken him to the very place where Ben and Alicia are having a dinner date. The Android is drawn to the energy given off by the Wizard's Wonder Gloves, which Ben has kept in his possession. 

The Android Man crashes in through the window drawn to what he thinks is the signal that has guided him to Alicia. Ben tries to rescue Alicia but he's no match for the power of the android. The police arrive but they too fail to stop the humanoid robot's onslaught. In the carnage Ben finds the discarded Wonder Gloves. He puts them on, but instead of acting as they were designed to work by boosting his strength, the radiation they emitted acts as a catalyst and turns him back into the Thing. Now the Android Man is no match for the Thing's incredible strength and he easily defeats  the Mad Thinker's creation. Johnny Storm is alerted to the battle, when he arrives he finds Ben and Alicia. He tells her that Ben cannot become human ever again, Ben claims it is what he had planned all along and sadly says "Why should I be a nowhere nobody like plain Ben Grimm? When I can be the Thing forever....!"

This inside back page promotion piece informs readers that Spider-man will be making a personal appearance in Brighton at the ABC Minors Matinee, Astoria Cinema, Brighton on the 31st of January 1976 at around 9.30 am. He will be signing autographs and introducing a new range of Spider-man toys. There'll be competitions and lots of Marvel-style fun for all. The image of Spider-man was taken from the artwork from Spider-man Comics Weekly issue 153, drawn by Ron Wilson with inks possibly by Jim Mooney.   

On the back pages of the Mighty World of Marvel, Spider-man Comics Weekly, the Avengers weekly and Dracula Lives is this Kellogg's Rice Krispies advert where you can have four free fibre tip pens just by sending in six tops from any Rice Krispies packets. A chance to become an artist, writer or just a doodler while enjoying your "snap, crackle and pop!" 

Spider-man Comics Weekly #154

Again an American cover is used for another British weekly, this time it's a John Romita Sr. cover from the Amazing Spider-man issue 108.

Spider-man “Vengeance in Viet Nam!”

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)

While watching Flash Thompson being bungled into a car by military personnel, Spider-man decides to follow them. Soon his instinct pays off as his spider-sense alerts him to danger when a truck blocks the military car. Suddenly a following car crashes into the back of it while another arrives, smoke bombs are thrown filling the scene with thick fumes. Gas masked wearing men try to pull Flash out of the car. At this point Spider-man swings in to stopped the attackers.

As Spider-man tries to pull the gas mask from one of the attackers a fist hits him square in the face stunning him. As his vision and the smoke clears a giant of about seven feet tall, in a chauffeur's outfit stands above him. Spidey knocks the giant down, revealing that the chauffeur and another attacker are of oriental origin. Webbing up the rest of the kidnappers, however, the giant chauffeur manages to escape. As the police arrive Spidey grabs Flash to take him to safety. The web-slinger asks Flash why the MP's were trying to haul him away? He tells him they were trying to protect him. Starting from the beginning Flash recalls many months ago back in Viet Nam, he was wounded and separated from his platoon. He stumbled blindly into a clearing where hid an ancient temple. There he received medical attention from a monk and his daughter. Later returning to his unit he learned that the military planned to bomb the sector where the temple was located. Horrified he tried to warn his Colonel that there were innocent people in that area. They wouldn't listen to him so Flash goes awol to warn the monks, but as much as he tries to convince them to leave they refuse to leave. The air strike hits destroying the temple. Flash would ultimately be blamed for the bombing. Where ever he went naked hatred eyes followed him. After finishing his tour of duty military intelligence learned that there was a price on his head and put him under military protection. Next week "Flash Thompson: marked for murder!"

Iron Man “The Maggia strikes”

Writer: Archie Goodwin

Artist: George Tuska

Inker: Johnny Craig

Originally published in Iron Man #7

Cover date November 1968

(Published in August 1968)

Members of the Maggia crime family train for a raid on Stark Enterprises. Whitney Frost tells her men to have a rest as they aren't ready to try the real thing. Frost wonders if she is holding back so that no harm can come to Jasper Sitwell, who she has fallen in love with. One of the men tells her that may be it's time they had a new boss who isn't afraid to carry out their plans. Frost tells him they haven't trained enough to deal with Iron Man, with a press of a button the armoured Avenger appears.

The goons panic, shooting at the hero. Frost points out that it was only a dummy to prove a point and they will need to be prepared for the real thing. Still the Maggia goons still think they don't need any more practice. Just then the Big M's newest recruit, the costumed villain known as the Gladiator warns them that their laughing faces hide the fear they showed when facing the lifeless image of Iron Man. Using his discs he shows them what he will do to the golden Avenger. Frost is not convinced that the Gladiator can succeed given his past track record, however the Gladiator assures her that his failure against Daredevil was due to his choice in ally, the Masked Marauder, as seen in MWOM #110 and not because of his inability to stop his foe. The story ends there this week, but bizarrely after The Web and the Hammer letter pages the twelve page of the original US story is mistakenly printed, jumping along seven story pages.

The Web and the Hammer

Mike Warren from Suffolk gave reviews on SMCW, the Titans and Planet of the Apes and also asked whether Origins of Marvel Comics and Son of Origins of Marvel Comics will be put on sale again? Philip Greenaway from Merthyr Tydfil started a Marvel fan club way back in SMCW #99, well it's still going strong. Philip meets up with John Buxton more often. They write and draw their own comics using characters of their own design. They also hold competitions each month where fantastic prizes can be won. Other people could still join by writing to his address. Paul Clayden from Essex doesn't like Morbius the living Vampire, he thinks he's the worst idea for a super-villain yet! He wants some of the old villains to come back like Doc Ock. the Prowler, Sand-

man, or anybody. Just no vampires. John Wolff from Barnseley is very honest offered the Spider-man Annual 1975 to swap for SMWC #1, but whoever wanted it didn't send him their name and address. 

John Buxton from Northampton has gives a rundown on Spider-man, which has been a fiendishly-clever piece of scripted literature is now into its 145th week. It saw a friendly teaming up with the diabolical lizard/ friendly Curt Connors. This period will see the end of Gil Kane's reign and John Romita Sr. returning to the pencils with stories written by Stan himself, such titles as "Squash goes the Spider", "Spidey Smashes Thru", (featuring Spider-Slayer Mark 3), "Vengeance From Vietnam", "Enter Doc Strange"and "The Birth of The Gibbon". 
The lower half of the second letter page contains this week's Bullpen page. The third Item mentions that Planet of the Apes issue 65 which sees Armando held and questioned by the authorities in "Rites of Bondage". The review of the fourth and fifth Items will be reviewed in the Avengers Bullpen Bulletin page.

The Mighty Thor “Battle under the big top!”

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Bill Everett

Originally published in The Mighty Thor #173

Cover date February 1970

(Published in December 1969)

Like Daredevil and the Fantastic Four this week the second part opening splash page of Thor is drawn by an unnamed artist to link this week's half with las week's story, a new story title, credits and recap text boxes are added. The evil troll, Ulik, has been sent to Earth to find and destroy Thor. Teleported by Loki he arrives at the Circus of Crime demanding Thor face him. As the circus troop fights him the Ring Master hypnotises him to do his bidding. Moments later Thor appears taking the place of the circus's strong man who had previously masqueraded as the Thunder God. The Ring Master easily accepts him as their strong man performer.

Participating in the act, Thor is shocked to see that Ulik is present and under the Ringmaster's control, when he is commanded to lift a 2500 kg bar-bell. In America pounds and tons are used as measurements of weight, which would work in mid 1970's Britain, in the original US comic it was a 5000 pound weight, which would be 2.5 US tons. For some reason it was converted to kilograms in the British mag. It would have been 2267.962 kg not 2500 kg, but I guess that 2500 sounds better. The Ringmaster orders Ulik to put it on a flat-bed truck. Thor realises that Ringmaster's scheme is. Throwing his hammer he strikes the giant bar-bell, rousing Ulik from the Ringmaster's thrall. Ulik drops the weight and turns his attentions against Thor. After a brief battle, Thor uses the magic of his hammer to banish Ulik back to Asgard. The Ringmaster then attempts to put Thor under his control, anticipating this move the Thunder God knocks the Ringmaster's hat to the floor. Just then the police arrive, rounded up the Circus of Crime. When the Ringmaster demands proof of wrong doing, Thor smashes open the weight revealing inside it a stolen defence computer. As the Circus of Crime are escorted in to custody. Next week "the coming of the Crypto-man!"

Avengers Weekly #123

The third cover from an American comic, this time by John Buscema from the Avengers issue79. The Conan insert is also by John Buscema with inks by Tony DeZuniga.  

Conan the Barbarian “The battle of the beast!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: John Buscema

Inker: Ernie Chan

Originally published in Conan the Barbarian #33

Cover date December 1973

(Published in September 1973)

Like the stories before this week's second part Conan adventure uses a specially drawn splash page to link the two halves together, with a new story title, recap text boxes and credits added. After being lead by the street thief Bourtai away from the Wan Tengri guards Conan learns that Kassar, the shepherd who smuggled him into the city, has been captured and sentenced to death. Conan while feeling responsible, vows to save him. Boutrai leads him to the Flame Tower where the wizards rule. 

The tower itself is surrounded by the magical red flames that cover the city, and each untrusting wizard's personal guard lies ready to attack each other for the slightest reason. Bourtai and Conan sneaked into the underground passage ways that lead beneath the tower, when in the darkness the two are separated. With only his sword and a light from a flaming torch Conan presses on, the next moment the wind arises, snuffing out the torch. Conan gropes about until he hears a stranger's voice, then sensing something in his path. Suddenly a dozen torches are abruptly lit, illuminating the already deceased Kassar. As his eyes grow accustomed to the light he finds himself in an arena, a guest of the seven wizards. For their entertainment he must face three battles. The first is a tiger that charges at him. Conan readies his sword but it transforms into a snake, which he throws at the tiger. Weaponless he is forced to grapple the beast with his bear hands, but seconds later the wild animal falls dead. Killed with his sword jutting from the very spot he flung the serpent. Next Conan faces a gauntlet of the seven deaths as seven silent warriors, each in the colours of the Wizards round on the barbarian. Even though the odds are against him Conan battles his way through the men to reach a veiled woman. When Conan removes her veil, he reveals she has no face only a skull. The woman tells the Cimmerian he now faces Death herself, in "Fury in the Flame Tower!' next week.

Letters

David Norell from Bristol wants an argument that has lasted over a year that concerns the pronunciation of Conan. His friends say that it is con-nan, with the "Co" sounding as in "co-operate" and "cone". He thinks it sounds too weak and does not do justice to our battling Cimmerian, that is why he has always pronounced it Con-an, with the "Con" sounding as in converse and conservative. The editor confirms that they always favoured Co-nan, with the "Co" as in "cone". Ian Moirie from Ayrshire answers the Bullpen question of whether readers want Shang-Chi, Doc Strange or Iron-Fist in the Avengers. He chooses Doctor Strange. Gerard Gorka from London has made up his own Marvel Olympics.

Thor would win The Hammer-throwing, Captain America would win the Discus, Shang-Chi would win the Karate and Judo, Hulk would win the weight-lifting, Mister Fantastic would win the high and long jumps, Quicksilver would win the running events, while the Sub-Mariner would win the swimming events and of course the Human Torch would light the Olympic flame. Derek Pronger from Kent is still not very pleased about Conan joining the mag.

Although his story is very good it does cuts down the length of the other stories. Under the letters is an in-house advert for the return of Iron Fist in next week's Avengers weekly.

The Avengers “The battle at last!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: John Buscema

Inker: Tom Palmer

Originally published in The Avengers #79

Cover date August 1970

(Published in June 1970)

Specially commissioned for British Marvel Comics this second part opening splash page was drawn by Carl Potts. There's a good chance that he also did one of or all of the linking splash pages in MWOM, SMCW and the Avengers weekly this week. It was sold on Heritage Auctions on the 5th of May 2019 for $168, which is about £125.51. At the time of writing this blog it is up for auction on eBay for $699.99 in America, which would be around £522.95. I like it but not that much. 

As Goliath and the Scarlet Witch enter the sewers they are stunned by a blinding light then attacked by Swordsman and Power Man, who defeat the still blinded heroes. While at the power station, Captain America and Quicksilver face off against Man-Ape and the Living Laser who also defeat the heroes. The captured Avengers are then placed in a giant hourglass that is slowly being filled with deadly vapours. The Grim Reaper asks where Power Man has gone? The Swordsman tells him that he has gone to ransack the Avengers mansion, then almost on cue the Power Man arrives with a defeated Vision, who he tosses into the glass prison with his fellow Avengers to die. He hands the Reaper a file containing detailed information on the Avengers. Upon reading the file on the Vision, the Grim Reaper freaks out, discovering that the Vision's brain patterns are based on his deceased brother Simon Williams, the one-time Avenger and villain Wonder Man. The Reaper smashes the glass open, freeing all inside. Realising too late that it was a trick and that the Vision had switched costumes with Power Man. Once free, the Avengers make short work of the villains. The Avengers thank the Vision, if it had not been for him revealing his connection with the Reaper they would have to had smashed their way free. The grim android leaves saying that he is not the Grim Reaper's brother and has decided to leave the Avengers.

Bullpen Bulletins

The first three Items have already been reviewed in the MWOM and SMCW Bullpen Bulletin pages, just leaving the fourth and fifth Items, which deals with a visiting Bullpenner who who went for a jog which would normally be from his Russell Square hotel and around Regent's Park for an hour. The next time he felt stronger and went out for a two hour jog, when he came to the park gates the streets looked very unfamiliar. It turned out that he had ended up at the underground station at Swiss Cottage miles north of where he should have been. That Bullpenner was Herb Trimpe! The fifth Item doesn't appear in MWOM or SMCW because of the lack of space in those Bullpen pages, but it does also appear in Dracula Lives and the Super-Heroes. It asks "Who is Red Wolf?" Well the concept of Red Wolf was developed by Roy Thomas and drawn up by John Buscema. You can find out more when he makes his British debut in next week's Avengers weekly.

Speaking of the Red Wolf, this Marvel Masterworks Pin-up promotes next week's Avengers story by hinting at the coming of Red Wolf to the strip. The Pin-up was drawn by Howard Bender with inks by Dan Adkins.

Doctor Strange “Showdown!”

Writer: Steve Englehart

Artist: Frank Brunner

Inker: Ernie Chan

Originally published in Marvel Premiere #14

Cover date March 1974

(Published in December 1973)

The eleventh page of the original US comic makes a fine second part opening page with only the credits and a new story title required. Doctor Strange has followed Sise-Neg and Baron Mordo through time in an attempt to stop Sise-Neg from absorbing the powers of sorcerers from different periods in the past. As they arrive in prehistoric times Sise-Neg has evolved into an all powerful entity. 

Strange and Mordo argue over the actions of Sise-Neg, with the Baron wanting to become the sorcerer's disciple. Just then Strange senses the half-ape, half-men primitives fleeing in terror from an unseen menace. Sise-Neg has no concern for anything related to mankind, but at that moment they witness the arrival of Shuma-Gorath on Earth, whose slime-grey tentacles eagerly attack the Demi-men. Sise-Neg knows not the other-dimensional entity's name, but that matters not as he wishes to steal the creature's mystical energy. Strange convinces Sise-Neg to use his powers to fight Shuma-Gorath. But sensing that the creature absorbs power like he does Sise-Neg cannot attempt to destroy it as it would take time and in that time Shuma-Gorath would accumulate energy from him, so instead the godlike sorcerer banishs Shuma-Gorath to another dimension.

With that victory Sise-Neg and the two sorcerers travel back to the beginning of time Sise-Neg achieves his mystical godhood with the realisation that his goal to create the universe in his own vision was foolish and so allows the universe to be created as it was, sending Strange and Mordo back to their own time after both are allowed to witness the creation of the universe. Arriving in their own time, Mordo has been driven completely insane by the events he had witnessed. The Doctor wonders did he witness a second creation or could it have been the first occurrence? Einstein believed that even if you launched yourself into space you would eventually come back upon yourself. Perhaps time is similar, the end of the journey to Genesis had to be the beginning! As Strange looks down on the streets below New Year 1976 is celebrated. In the original US comic it would have been New Year 1974 and the final text box told readers that Doctor Strange would next appear in his own comic while a new feature would appear in Marvel Premiere. In the UK version the news would be that Doctor Strange would next appear in the "new" pages of Spider-man Comics Weekly, while in the pages of the Avengers weekly Iron Fist would return!

Dracula Lives #66

I quite like this British commissioned cover by Pablo Marcos. It's a superbly horrific cover that is mild enough to not get itself cancelled for any controversy. 

Dracula “Blind revenge!”

Writer: Marv Wolfman

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Tom Palmer

Originally published in Tomb of Dracula #30

Cover date March 1975

(Published in December 1974)

An unnamed artist created this second part opening splash page with all the usual bits and bobs added. Dracula recalls how one night he had met a young blind girl named Melanie Knight, whose parents had hit financial troubled times. Dracula and Melanie remained outside while an argument inside the house between her parents escalated to violence. In a moment of fury Paul shoot and kills his wife. Hearing the shot Dracula entered and throws him out on the lawn, to feed on him. When Melanie would inquire what Dracula had done, Dracula would explain that her father had killed her mother and that Dracula in turn killed her father as an act of vengeance on her behalf. Melanie bursts into tears, horrified because she loves her father. Hitting Dracula over and over she announces her utter hatred for him.

Finishing his recollection, Dracula has a hard time trying to comprehend how the child could not understand the concept of revenge. That train of thought leads him to recall his first encounter with Blade the vampire hunter, during a time when he lived in China in the year 1968. Blade would come to Dracula telling him he represented a group of men who believed that in another sixty years vampires would rule the world and that humanity had no chance against their "superiors". Blade with his associates offer their assistance to Dracula during the daytime. To further entice Dracula he puts forward a plan that would speed up the vampire's global conquest to only ten years. Intrigued, Dracula agrees to go with Blade to meet his associates, Ogun, Azu, Musenda and Orji. When he does he soon finds himself in a trap, laid by a group of vampire killers. They nearly succeeded in destroying Dracula by driving a stake into his heart. Then preparing a grave for Dracula's body, his servants arrive and remove the stake from his heart. When the vampire hunters returned three of them were murdered while Blade survived. Dracula's conclusion is that he will always battle and conquer as he is Dracula, Lord of the damned. Next week "House of Lords! House of the dead!"

Werewolf by Night “Scourge of the Soul Beast!”

Writer: Doug Moench

Artist: Don Perlin

Inker: Don Perlin

Originally published in Werewolf by Night #27

Cover date March 1975

(Published in December 1974)

Another unnamed artist created is opening splash page. Jack learns from Topaz she had gone to Glitternight, who had been one of Taboo's teachers in mysticism, to beg him to restore her powers. Instead he had stolen part of her soul and imprisoned it inside a huge egg that he bathed with dark light from beneath his cloak. When Glitternight closed his cloak the egg was opaque, as black as horrible light from his chest. Later after recovering Topaz found that Glitternight had gone. So she returned to America.

While Topaz finishes her story Glitternight captures her, Jack and Buck. Later that day the three friends wake up to find themselves inside a cave, tied to three stalactites. Glitternight is glad that they are now awake as now he can punish Topaz for her "deceit and treachery." As the moon rises Jack breaks free as he transforms into the Werewolf. He charges towards Glitternight, who blasts him with a light force from his chest. As the Werewolf falls backwards he shatters the opaque egg, releasing a repugnant monster created from Topaz's soul. When the creature is killed her soul escapes. The Werewolf then chases Glitternight out of the cave, then  vanishes promising Topaz that his enemy, Taboo, her father, will still die. Topaz is surprised, as Taboo is supposed to be dead already. Next week, Taboo makes an unwelcome return and Lisa turns 18, all under the darkness from Glitternight!

Cryptic Correspondence

Sotiris Charalambous from London asks Marvel when Dracula Lives featuring the Legion of Monsters is going to have Man-Thing and Son of Satan the covers should each week feature different stars every week. Steve Raines from Middlesex has just bought the Blade Special and it was too good for words, especially the story about the night Josie died in vol. 1 #3. The artwork was brilliant, compliments to Chris Claremont and Tony DeZuniga. Ian Whitlock KOF from Essex disagrees with Ann-Marie Robinson who said in Dracula Lives #57 who said that juniper wood stops vampires from entering your room. This is not quite correct. It will stop them if they are not invited into the room, but if you invite them in then all the juniper wood in the world could not keep them out. Chris Foulkes from Leicester asks why doesn't Morbius the Living Vampire join the line-up in the future? Darren Winter from Kent thinks that eight pence for a 36 pages comic is great value for money.

Man-Thing “Corlee's law!”

Writer: Steve Gerber

Artist: Jim Starlin

Inker: Rich Buckler

Originally published in Adventure into Fear #12

Cover date February 1973

(Published in November 1972)

This splash page was drawn by an unnamed artist. Racist sheriff Wallace Corlee pursues a black man named Mark Johnson, who he has accused of burglary. While escaping he finds the Man-Thing standing in front of him. Jackson is more afraid of the sheriff than he is of the muck monster. He tells the Man-Thing that the sheriff framed him because he was romantically involved with a white woman. 

Before long, the Sheriff catches up with Jackson and draws his gun. He reveals that Jackson is a liar and is actually wanted for murder after brutally stabbing an officer who had tried to arrest him. Jackson confesses to the crime, but pleads that he wasn't left with a choice. In a strange empathic way the Man-Thing cannot determine which of the two men is telling the truth. The black man as killed and lied, betraying the Man-Thing's trust, while the white man wearing the uniform of the law, yet consumed by a lawless lust for the black man's blood, so he begins to walk away. The Sheriff gets a clear shot and shoots Jackson dead. The Man-Thing turns when he hears the sheriff joyously laughing over what he has done, saying that he wished he could take his gun and kill all of "his kind" with one shot. The Man-Thing turns having previously considered Corlee to be harmless and stupid, but his animal rage begins to hunger for animal justice as he approaches the police officer, prompting terror in the sheriff's eyes. The Man-Thing grabs Corlee by the face and whoever knows fear burns at the Man-Thing's touch. As the night returns to stillness and the violence is put to rest there is only darkness, the night wind and the Man-Thing's loneliness.

Creature Classic “Back from the dead!”

Writer: Stan Lee and Larry Lieber

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Dick Ayers

Originally published in Tales of Suspense #28

Cover date April 1962

(Published in January 1962)

Harry Dawes, an escaped convict, flees the police, taking a speed boat to Easter Island where a native man asks him for help in locating a parchment which, when read, will reawaken the famous statues. The statues will forever serve whoever frees them. Finding the parchment Harry revives the statue who turns out to be aliens who have been kept in suspended animation. When he tries to make the aliens follow his orders they refuse, and he attempts to get the native to help him escape the island. The native removes a mask to reveal himself as the captain of the Stone-Men. The Stone-Men strongly resemble the later Kronans, who readers of SMCW #1 will remember as the Stone Men from Saturn who fought Thor in a story written by Stan Lee and Larry Lieber and drawn by Jack Kirby. That story originally appears in Journey Into Mystery #83, cover dated August 1962, published June 1962, which was created nearly four months after this story from the Tales of Suspense issue 28 was released. So it doesn't take much to imagine that this was the inspiration for the Thor villains.   

Planet of the Apes #66

I really, really like the design of this cover, an ape with a gun facing their victim as seen in a human eye. I think that this is Ron Wilson's best Planet of the Apes cover. I'm going to name this as my Cover of the Week, partly because I have given Ron Wilson's Planet of the Apes cover's a bit of stick over the last year, but anyway its a beautiful cover. Mike Esposito inked this cover.

Planet of the Apes “Sold!”

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)

This opening splash page wasn't used in the Marvel/Curtis Magazine Planet of the Apes issue 18, It's a very good piece of art that looks very similar to the rest of the story, I wonder if Alfredo was asked to create this splash page for the British comic while he was working on the rest of the strip. The Governor has been questioning Armando over a public disobedience offence that happened in last week's issue, where the circus owner had admitted to heckling peace officers who were beating up an ape. In fact it had been Caesar, his chimpanzee and child of the intelligent apes from the future, who had called out the violence.

 

Caesar had fled, while Armando had tried to straighten things out with the authorities. As they weren't getting the answers they wanted Armando is kept in custody. Meanwhile Caesar had waited for Armando to return, with the instructions that if he failed to return before nightfall Caesar was to make his way to pier 39 and sneak aboard the incoming shipment of wild apes from Africa, to hide in plain sight. Stripping naked he does so. With the other apes he is taken to the "Ape Management Complex" where apes inducted into a program of identification, obedience training and intelligence testing, through a barrage of tests including the brutal use of fire punishment, electro-shock treatment and eventually reward. Caesar is intelligent enough to pass the tests. Although the guards notice that the other apes seem to have chosen him as their natural leader. Next week "To serve the slayer!"

Photos taken from the production of the Planet of the Apes films or TV series that show the three stages of make-up are used as a photo feature. 

Ka-Zar “Now strikes the Pusher!”

 Writer: Mike Friedrich

Artist: Rich Buckler

Inker: Chic Stone

Originally published in Astonishing Tales #16

Cover date Februay 1973

(Published in November 1972)

This opening splash page uses the artwork from the cover of Astonishing Tales issue 16, as penciled by Jim Starlin and inked by Frank Giacoia. On the original cover Ka-Zar and Zabu leaped through the pages of comic strips that were drawn by Gil Kane (pencils,) and Tom Sutton (inks,) here that has been replaced with a blank background. An under cover police man tails Vinnie hoping that he'll lead him to the Pusher, when one of the Pusher discovers the officer and silences him. He then confronts Vinnie to ask why an agent of AIM is so interested in Vinnie's mother the famous Doctor Wilma Calvin.

The Pusher uses Vinnie as bait to lure Ka-Zar into the open and get closer to finding Doctor Calvin without the savage's protection. Ka-Zar finds Vinnie but in doing so he falls in to a trap set by the Pusher who now wears a Strength-Amplifying Harness presumably designed by AIM, to fight and beat Ka-Zar. Vinnie tries to help Ka-Zar, remembering that he had saved his life and the life of his mother earlier. Vinnie takes a beating from the Pusher. Just as Ka-Zar recovers and readies himself to attack the Pusher again, the next page (page 23,) shows him racing the hospital with Vinnie with the Pusher defeated. This is should have come later after pages 24 and 25 which show Ka-Zar battle with the Pusher and the villains defeat. Later we find Vinnie in a hospital bed next to his mother who has recovered from her coma and agrees to continue her work for SHIELD. But next week Ka-Zar must "Beware the sign of...Gemini!"

Black Panther “King Cadaver is dead and living in Wakanda!”

Writer: Don McGregor

Artist: Billy Graham

Inker: Klaus Janson

Originally published in Jungle Action Vol 2 #10

Cover date July 1974

(Published in April 1973)

As the sun sets on the river of grace and wisdom in Wakanda the Black Panther sits alone gathering his thoughts on the events of the last few days. His peace is disturbed when a crocodile decides to make him its next meal, attacking the Wakandan King, driving him into the water. Taku, T'Challa's communication officer rushes to his chieftain's aid. Fiercely the Black Panther beats the crocodile and makes his way to the shore, where Taku helps his King to rest on the grass.

The puzzle on T'Challa's mind that had lead him to not notice the Crocodile's attack had been the discovery of the death of royal officer Zatama after T'Challa had returned from fighting Baron Macabre and his undead servants. The Panther's romantic interest, Monica Lynne had been accused of killing Zatama, as her finger prints were found on the weapon that killed him. T'Challa is certain that Monica has been framed for the murder but W'Kabi cannot hide his anger that he thinks the opposite. Later that night T'Challa returns to the site where he was ambushed by Macabre and his servants to recover the body of M'Jumbak, when the gruesome sight  of taloned hands claw there way upwards from out of graves around the burial site. The Panther must begin the battle with the undead anew! Continued next week.

The Super-heroes #47

I also like this cover, it's a strong week for covers, although it shows Thanos it keeps his henchmen, the Blood Brothers, a secret until you get into the story. Arvell Jones (pencils,) and Duffy Vohland (inks,) created this cover.  

The Thing and Iron Man..together “The bite of the Blood Brothers!”

Writer: Mike Friedrich

Artist: Jim Starlin

Inker: Joe Sinnott

Originally published in Marvel Feature #12

Cover date November 1973

(Published in August 1973)

After last week's adventure were the Thing and the Hulk had fought against Kurrgo and the Leader, with the conclusion of the villains's craft exploding and the Hulk leaping away had left the Thing alone and miles from anywhere in a hot desert. Under the hot burning sun Ben heads back to civilisation in not the best of moods. Suddenly he hears the screaming noise of a small jet over head, in the hope of alerting it to his plight he looks up and see Iron Man flighting overhead. 

Much to Ben's anger the armoured Avenger is too busy to stop. He is on a mission to hunt down a threat to the Earth and possibly to the universe itself. Iron Man is returning to the place where he first met Thanos, in an attempt to find clues to the Titan's location. This story takes place after Iron Man and Captain Marvel fought against the Controller, that British readers will get to read in MWOM #228 and #229 from the weeks ending the 9th and 16th February 1977. Entering the cave he is watched by the Blood Brothers who report to their master, Thanos for orders. Monitoring Iron Man from his Cosmic Cube, Thanos orders his agents the Blood Brothers to destroy the Avenger. Like in the Ka-Zar story in this week's Planet of the Apes mag the attack is seen before the ambush has been set. The correct order of the pages should be read page 9, 7 then 8. Meanwhile having seen Iron Man land at the cave entrance the Thing follows after him. Upon entering the cave the Thing is crashed into by Iron Man who has fled the cave seeking reinforcements. Briefly stunned Ben rises to his feet only to be knocked down by one of the Blood Brothers. Again watching via his Cosmic Cube Thanos order his agents to destroy all who oppose him. Next week the Thing and Iron Man face death at the hands of "the galactic vampires!"

A Marvel Masterwork Pin-up featuring Captain Marvel and the Supreme Intelligence. It's a wonderful piece of art but sadly I couldn't find out who the artist was.

Super-Mail

A Griffiths reads five of the weeklies, MWOM, Avengers weekly, the Titans, Dracula Lives and the Super-Heroes, which he gives a summary of the first 38 issues. The Silver Surfer was the reason he initially bought Super-Heroes, in his opinion it is Buscema's best work. As far as the story goes Stan should get back on that Silver surfboard for it is sheer heartlessness to neglect the greatest hero of all. Andy Redfern from London reviews the Super-Heroes and says that the X-Men are "Xcellent" and their stories should be  printed non-stop. Martin Tudor RFO, KOF, QNS from Birmingham thinks that the Super-Heroes has improved a lot and the reason why is the excellent Doc Savage. Marvel has breathed life into a very stereotyped story. With the Cat, the early exploits of the Giant-Man/Wasp team as well as the X-Men, the line-up is excellent. 

Simon K Herbert  from Staffordshire has compiled a list of the twenty-seven Doc Savage paperbacks that have been written by Kenneth Robeson. Three of them are published by Corgi Books and cost 35 pence each. Peter Lia from Halifax disagrees with Simon Hannaby's letter in SMCW #142 when he says that Spider-man is better than the Silver Surfer. The Surfer fights villains who are in a completely different league, such as Loki, Galactus, The Stranger and Mephisto than Spidey's foes. Tony Roffe and Dave Fulwell from Sunderland have between them have reviewed the MWOM, the Super-Heroes, SMCW, the Avengers and the Titans. Paul Kimber from Oxford congratulates Marvel on the new story "Beware! The Claws of The Cat!" because it's a great story, art and script. Mind you, Paul didn't think much of "Giant Man and the Wonderful Wasp," although he does think the art is good. 

Bloodstone “Hellfire helix hex!”

Writer: John Warner

Artist: Sonny Trinidad

Inker: Sonny Trinidad

Originally published in Marvel Presents #2

Cover date December 1975

(Published in September 1975)

Ulysses Bloodstone has been hunting monsters in San Francisco when a giant monster calling himself the Possessor attacked San Francisco looking for the Bloodgem, which was imbedded in Ulysses Bloodstone's chest. Bloodstone had tried to stop the giant's rampage but in doing so had been rendered unconscious.

The Possessor enters the mind of Bloodstone to learn more about his foe. Ten thousand years ago the man who would become known as Ulysses Bloodstone had entered a cave while on a hunting trip. Inside the light flooded cavern he discovered a hooded man who revealed himself to be an entity that was neither man nor monster, called Ulluxy'l Kwan Tae Syn. Bloodstone's primitive instinct was to attack, but the entity's greater strength overpowered him. He wishes to share his knowledge with the primitive human. Bloodstone returned to his tribe, but being empty handed a rival in the tribe questioned his right to rule if he couldn't supply the tribe with food. As fate would have it a woolly mammoth attacked the tribe. Although it might not have been fate but the hand of Ulluxy'l who arranged that distraction. Bloodstone defeated the mammoth with his bare hands. The now super powered primitive seemed to glow with energy. The story continues next week.

Giant-Man and the Wasp “On the trail of the amazing Spider-man!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Dick Ayers

Inker: Paul Reinman

Originally published in Tales to Astonish #57

Cover date July 1964

(Published in April 1964)

British Marvel readers might have already read this week's Giant-Man story if they had got the Spider-man Annual cover dated 1975 as it was the third story in that annual. The story starts one morning as the Wasp arrives at Giant-Man's lab to find that he has designed a new weapon that fires compressed air, which he calls her "wasp sting". Meanwhile Egghead has decided that now is the time to launch his next attack against Giant-Man by using a transmitter implanted in a nearby ant hill, Egghead transmits a false message that Spider-man is looking to attack Giant-Man. Deciding to get to the bottom of things, Giant-Man sends the Wasp to locate the web-slinger. However when she finds him swinging through the city she is compelled to try out her "wasp sting" and attack him. But when he retaliates she is trapped in his webbing. Giant-Man arrives and the two heroes lock in a battle. Egghead watches from a monitor as he plans that while Giant-man is distracted he can have his gang carry out a robbery without any interference from his giant nemesis. Find out what happens next week in "To stop Egghead!"

This Marvel Masterwork Pin-Up features characters from Tales of Atlantis. It features King Kamuu and Queen Zartra from the series "Tales of Atlantis" which took place in the "Pre-Cataclysmic Age" before Atlantis sank beneath the waves. The artist for this pin-up is unnamed.

The Titans #14

The new look Captain Marvel takes over this week's cover and also gets his name on the title logo. It's another good looking cover that would attract young readers to pick up the landscape mag. Keith Pollard pencilled it with Frank Giacoia's inks.

The X-Men “Holocaust!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Werner Roth

Inker: Dick Ayers

Originally published in The X-Men #26

Cover date October 1966

(Published in August 1966)

Professor X has lost mental contact with the X-Men, through Cerebro he sees El Tigre transformed in to the reincarnation of the Mayan god Kukulcán. Cyclops is held at gun point by a security guard under Kukulcán's control, using his optic blast he destroys the gun and so shocks the guard from his trance. Cyclops then attempts to blast Kukulcán but his optic blast is redirected back at him, knocking him out. Kukulcán's men, Toloc and Ramon, attempt to steal the amulet from Kukulcán, but the pathetic attempt is easily stopped by their master who unleashes the energy knocking them senseless. With his new powers he creates a solar energy sphere around himself, to return to Santo Rico where he will restore the kingdom of the Maya to its ancestral glory. 

The Professor mentally revives Iceman, Angel, Beast, and Cyclops. The next morning, the Professor calls Jean to ask her to bring him books about Maya history and legends. At the college library she meets Ted Roberts and another student, Calvin Rankin, whom she remembers as the costumed criminal Mimic. The Professor had removed his memory of the X-Men. Later Jean joins the X-Men, the Professor learns that the pendant's previous wearer used its divine power, causing a holocaust that had destroyed a Maya city. The X-Men to travel to Santo Rico to stop Kukulcán. Kukulcán has already cleared overgrown vegetation to uncover the true source of his powers, a gigantic plumed serpent statue with the huge Solar Stone atop it. He is alerted to X-Men's arrival. A group of spear-wielding natives attack, Cyclops has Iceman create an ice shield that protects them. Navigating the mini traps the X-Men face Kukulcán. The Beast to notice that the glowing Solar Stone. Ice Man using his powers coats it with a thick layer of ice to block the sun's rays. As the other X-Men fight Kukulcán, his sixth sense enables him to evade the Angel's dive-bomb attack, causing Cyclops to accidentally strike Angel with his optic beams. Kukulcán blasts Cyclops, while realising that they are trying to make him using up all his energy. Desperate to stop them, Kukulcán blasts the idol's base to shake Iceman off of it, which proves to be his undoing as it triggers an earthquake. The idol cracks and breaks falling into a fissure which closes as the city begins to collapse. With no idol to provide the pendant with power, he reverts back to being the powerless El Tigre. Outside the city Cyclops carries the injured Angel, but before Cyclops can explain Warren in a state of delirium accuses him of blasting him on purpose because he is jealous of Warren's mutual love of Jean. The team walk silently away from the ruins, with their brooding leader having doubts about the truth.

The Sub-Mariner “Like a beast at bay!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Dick Ayers

Originally published in Tales to Astonish #84

Cover date October 1966

(Published in June 1965)

The Sub-Mariner is suffering from amnesia following last week's battle with Krang and has been convinced by the Secret Empire's Number One to join their organisation, giving him orders to kill the Hulk. While stalking the streets, the Sub-Mariner is recognised by a police officer who has been searching for the Hulk. The events in this story also occurred at the same time and place as the Hulk story seen in MWOM #35. Namor quickly escapes so that he can focus on his mission. 

Using a communicator given to him by Number One, the leader of theSecret Empire orders Namor to find a disguise to be more inconspicuous while looking for the Hulk. Namor steals a trench coat, which brings the attention of another police officer who fires at the Sub-Mariner. Despite Namor's warnings to stop shooting, one of the cops' bullets bounces off Namor's bullet-proof skin and hits the officer. Namor is about to take him to a hospital when he hears sirens that will bring him help and flees the scene, by ducking into a movie theatre where a newsreel plays footage of the Hulk's latest exploits. Again Number One enquiries into the Sub-Mariner's status which attracts the attention of a cinema goer. Namor flees the scene. More confused than ever, the Sub-Mariner takes to the air to try and spot the Hulk. In doing so, he is spotted by Warlord Krang and Lady Dorma who are still near by. Krang blasts Namor with one of his ship's cannons before he flees the scene. The blast while not harming Namor does succeed in reviving his memory. This story does feel like a waste of time, just treading water until next issue, but readers of the US comic Tales to Astonish issue 84 would have seen it differently as it smartly matched the Hulk tale also printed in that comic.

I couldn't say who drew this Centre-spread poster of Captain Marvel, I couldn't find anything on the net or any clues in the actual poster. Have any of you Power of the Beesting readers any idea?

Titanic Transcripts

Ian Smets from Tewin had just finished reading The Titans and felt compelled to put pen to paper and humiliate, not congratulate Marvel. He says for a start, the shape is completely wrong. Then the artwork, which includes some of the most shoddy and unconstructive inking ever printed which was probably due to the abominable shrinking of the captions, which is a great mistake. Bill Potter RFO from Wolverhampton first encounter with Marvel was the 1973 Marvel Comics Annual then a year later he discovered British Marvel Comics with the Planet of the Apes. Bill really enjoyed the style of the Titans. Paul Gardiner RFO from London thinks the Titans is the very best mag around. The mixture of stories are fabulous. Alex Birchall from Oxford is not sure if he likes the Titans format. The pictures are now smaller than in the original comic instead of bigger as they are in the other British mags but, having five stories included outweighs the little gripe and for 9p it is really a great bargain. Tony Clarke from Herts thinks the Titans is a corny name for a comic. But he loves the new format. His criticism is that the large page-size, coupled with the lack of colour makes most of the art look scrappy. He does think that the Inhumans was a good inclusion especially as Neal Adams' artwork will be appearing soon.

Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD “Mindwarp!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Frank Giacoia

Originally published in Strange Tales #141

Cover date February 1966

(Published in November 1965)

The cover from Strange Tales issue 141 by Jack Kirby (pencils,) and Frank Giacoia (inks,) is repurposed for this second part opening Splash page with a recap box, a new story title and credits added. Nick Fury leaves Hydra's secret head quarters by piloting a Hydra craft out through an underground exit tunnel. Returning to SHIELD head quarters Fury stumbles unwittingly in to an experiment conducted by the newly-created ESP division of SHIELD. 

Thousands of miles away, a former agent of SHIELD is woken as he senses the telepathic minds behind "Operation Brain Blast". The man uses his mind to locate a prisoner, called the Fixer, who is using his skills at creating devices from the most innocent objects to break out of prison by blowing a hole in the cell wall and flying away on a homemade sky rocket. The former agent realises that if they worked together they could rule the world. Back at SHIELD, the head of the Psi devision explains to Colonel Fury that Operation Brain Blast is trying to find a defence against mind readers. Fury tells him that no-one can read minds only to be told there is and he briefly work for the agency. Find out more on ex-SHIELD agent and his powers next week.

Captain Marvel “Switch!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Gil Kane

Inker: Dan Adkins

Originally published in Captain Marvel #17

Cover date October 1969

(Published in July 1969)

This opening splash page for this week's second part was probably drawn by Steve Stiles with inks by Dan Adkins, as the artists signed their names Stiles/Adkins on the right of the panel above the rock behind Rick Jones. Rick has fallen out with Captain America, but unknown to him the Red Skull had been using the Cosmic Cube to impersonate the Captain. While taking a road trip away from New York Rick sees a glowing image of Cap, signalling him to follow. The apparition of Captain America lures Jones into a cave.

Inside the cavern is futuristic machinery, the ghostlike image of Captain America points to a platform and two bracelets, before the apparition disappears. Rick feels the urge to place the bracelets on his wrists. Once on Mar-Vell contacts Rick and explains that he should slam the two bracelets together. In doing so Rick exchanges places with Mar-Vell in the Negative Zone. Yon-Rogg suddenly appears, having found the secret Kree station in the hope of getting the Nega-Bands for himself. This leads to a brief battle against Yon-Rogg, in which Yon-Rogg manages to escape in his ship. Chasing after him, using the power of flight, a gift from the Nega-Bands. Mar-Vell is prompted to save what appears to be Carol Danvers who has been thrown from the craft. But she turns out to be a dummy with a bomb inside of it, which Mar-Vell tosses away before it blows up. With Yon-Rogg escaping, Mar-Vell and Rick agree to work together in the future and exchange places again, and Jones continues his wandering, saying that he will find Yon-Rogg, "even if it takes me the rest of my life!" Mar-Vell's telepathic response is, "And it just might, Rick Jones...it just might..." "...unless HE finds you FIRST!!!"

Captain America “The gladiator, the girl and the glory!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: John Romita Sr.

Inker: John Romita Sr.

Originally published in Tales to Astonish #76

Cover date April 1966

(Published in January 1965)

Captain America has got himself involved in a conflict with Batroc the Leaper, who is after the volatile chemical Inferno 42, which at present is in the hands of a female SHIELD operative. At the being of this story Cap and Batroc have teamed up as they search for the girl and the cylinder that contains the deadly chemical. The urgency of their mission has become pressing at they suspect that the cylinder is broken and if it is accidentally exposed to air it will become active. The female SHIELD agent, who resembles someone from Cap's past, runs off, unaware that it will soon explode with enough force to destroy all of New York City.

During her escape, the girl is soon weakened from exposure to Inferno 42, so Batroc and Cap manage to catch up to her. Batroc and Cap fight it out over possession of the chemical, and Batroc manages to obtain it himself. However when he brings it back to his employers Cap arrives and battles Batroc. The villain's bosses escape. After defeating Batroc Cap rushes back to the girl, to finds her being carried away in an ambulance for treatment, she tells Cap that their mission was a success because while Cap and Batroc were fighting, she managed to switch the cylinder of Inferno 42 with a fake.

Another week, another seven mags and another blog. Time just for a brew and a rest then in seven days another seven, so till then...

See you in seven.

Make Mine Marvel.