The last (Super-) Heroes!

 Week Ending 14th February 1976

I'm sad to say that on the 24th January 2026 one of the greatest Marvel artists passed away, just two days before his ninetieth birthday. Sal Buscema the younger brother of John, was often looked at as the inferior artist of the siblings, which feels very unfair as when Sal took over from Barry Windsor-Smith on the Avengers as seen in Avengers weekly #102 his artwork was as good as John's or Barry's versions. I particularly love his Avengers story "Endgame!" as seen in Avengers weekly #108, again as good as if not even better than his older brother's Avengers run. Sal of course drew many comic strips for Marvel, the artwork on his run on the Incredible Hulk is in my opinion far better than Herb Trimpe. I have a soft spot for his time on Spectacular Spider-man too. Versatility was his strength and I think the best way to sum him up is to take a line from Tony Esmond, from the Awesome comics Podcast and Never Iron Anything fame, "…sometimes all you need is Sal."

The Mighty World of Marvel #176

Herb Trimpe's cover from the Incredible Hulk issue 170 is used this week for "Britain's Favourite Comic Magazine!" as it says on the top tag line.

The Incredible Hulk “Death from on high!”

Writer: Chris Claremont and Steve Englehart (plot)

Artist: Herb Trimpe

Inker: Jack Abel

Originally published in The Incredible Hulk #170

Cover date December 1973

(Published in August 1973)

This week feels like a Chris Claremont special. He's a writer who I've always enjoyed, especially with his work on Iron Fist, Spider-man in the Marvel Team-Up stories, his charming early Captain Britain and later Excalibur work, plus of course his supremely brilliant and lengthy work on the X-Men. A few months ago I slated a text piece he wrote in POTA #50, but in general I can't say a bad word about his writing. Here he works on Steve Englehart's plot and he does OK with it but nothing more. If you're looking for better Claremont stuff keep reading this week's blog.

With the destruction of the Bi-Beast's floating island, Bruce and Betty fall to their doom, until Banner's stress causes him to transform into the Hulk to make a safe landing. They find themselves on a remote island just as it begins to rain prompting the monster to carry the unconscious Betty to a nearby cave to keep dry. Betty awakes believing that the Hulk has kidnapped her, with no memory of events prior to her nervous breakdown to prove her wrong. Betty makes a break for it but the ground suddenly rises up. To her shock and horror it is some strange alien creature. The Hulk arrives and beats the creature into submission and sends it running. In the process Betty is knocked unconscious so the Hulk carries her back to the cave. Lightning in the storm sets fire to a tree which the gentle green giant uses to start a fire in the cave to keep them warm and dry. Then he looks for food, spotting a deer he considers killing it but can't bring himself to do so. Instead he finds a fruit from a tree and brings it back for Betty to eat. Stretching believe liability the Hulk tends to Betty's wounded shoulder with some roots and leaves, then dresses the wound. Awakening in a panic Betty tries to run away again however the Hulk blocks her way. The castaway adventure continues next week.

The Mighty Marvel Mailbag

Evan Arto-Morris RFO, KOF from London writes concerning Ivor Davis' letter in SMCW #140, Evan sincerely agrees that T. J. MacGuinness should try harder to understand the "American" letters and that "Are the X-Men Mutants?" type question letters are pretty silly, but he thinks Ivor' outburst was totally unnecessary and he should apologise. An anonymous writer from Derbyshire was disappointed with the Doc Savage story, it was too short. They also write that the FF hasn't improved and Doctor Doom needs to come back. Raymond Bryant from London wants to star a mag and uses this letter to advertise for an artist, a colourer and a writer. An unsigned writer from South Humberside uses their letter to list the meanings of the Marvel honour awards for any one who doesn't know what they mean.

 A merely magnificent Marvel Mystery pin-up. Just fill in the dot-marked shapes in colour. Presumably green would be an ideal choice, and the Mystery Marvel character will appear. It's pretty easy to spot who it is without colouring the dots and I imagine readers of Mighty World of Marvel issue 16 will remember the same outcome when they first saw this puzzle/activity page over three years earlier. 

Daredevil “Matt Murdock, no more!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: George Klein

Originally published in Daredevil #54

Cover date July 1969

(Published in May 1969)

Gene Colan's cover artwork from Daredevil issue 54 is repurposed for this eerily foreboding second part opening splash page as the phantom images of Daredevil, Mr Fear, Spider-man, Karen Page and Foggy Nelson hover next to a grave stone which reads "RIP Matt Murdock Died 1976." We find out the meaning of it all as the Man without fear recalls, in a flashback monologue, events that lead to Murdock's "death!"

A disguised Matt Murdock hires a plane to take a look-a-like dummy of himself for a oneway flight. Setting a bomb to destroy the plane in mid-flight as Daredevil leaps for safety into a lake. This far fetched plot line works making the world believe that Matt Murdock is no-more and in the process allowing Daredevil to continue his search for Starr Saxon. During the days that follow the nest-laid plans of our sombre swashbuckler so sadly astray as no sign of Saxon turns up. Even a brief fight with some common thieves can tame his frustration. A chance assist by Spider-man makes the web-slinger reconsider his earlier hunch that Daredevil could actually be Matt Murdock. Daredevil soon hears about a challenge being posed by his foe Mr. Fear, who calls out the man without fear as just a "common craven coward". But does Daredevil step up "to face fear!" Find out in next week's blog.

The Fantastic Four “Let there be...life!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Joe Sinnott 

Originally published in The Fantastic Four Annual #6

Cover date November 1968

(Published in August 1968)

The stakes are ramped up in this adventure as "the fabulous Fantastic Four fight a fight that can't be won!" That will feature the glory of birth beneath the shadow of death! Ben and Johnny are concerned that Reed is grimly emerged in his research lab as the birth of Sue's and his first child grows nearer. Reed's cold and abrasive manner isn't unusual for this period. I always found him to be a little too sexist towards Sue in earlier strips and very condescending towards Johnny and Ben. This could have been from Stan's writing, maybe directed by Jack, with their old fashioned attitudes, but in many ways it would have been instrumental in his character. He's a super intelligent man who may consider others as inferior or slow thinking, after all he christened himself Mister Fantastic. Sometimes logic and science over rule passion and humanity.

With Sue about to give birth at any moment, her life and that of her unborn son are in terrible danger. After the accident many years ago which gave birth to the Fantastic Four's super-powers, the cosmic radiation in her blood is still present. Resulting in a fatal risk to both during child birth, unless Reed can secure Element X, an element only found from a single source in the Negative Zone. The risks are dangerous so Reed elects to make the deadly journey on his own, not willing to put Johnny or Ben's life in ridiculous danger. Of course they aren't going to stay at home, it's Johnny's sister's life at risk and there's no way Ben is going to let them go without him so the three set off into the Negative Zone. No sooner do they enter the strange universe than they are attacked by weird creatures. Back on Earth Sue's doctor explains to Crystal the danger Sue and her child face. Under a microscope samples of her blood show strange flashes, the doctor tells her they are "cosmic impulses", living energy that if uncontrolled could soon cause Mother and child's death. Meanwhile in the Negative Zone the Torch and the Thing have been separated from their captured leader and they soon are also swallowed up in a deadly trap. Continued next week if you can bear the shocks!

Spider-man Comics Weekly #157

Ron Wilson drew this British commissioned cover with Mike Esposito applying the inks. Doctor Strange's bottom left corner cameo sets him up as a guest star for this week, but also teases the good Doctor's regular back-up spot that starts next week. 

Spider-man “Death in a mystic land!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: John Romita Sr.

Inker: John Romita Sr.

Originally published in the Amazing Spider-man #109

Cover date June 1972

(Published in March 1972)

This second part opening splash page artist is named as Paty Cockrum by Jason Schachter from the Grand Comics Database. With a new story title, catch-up dialogue and credits added. Personally at first glance the images of Doctor Strange and Spider-man looked like Herb Trimpe's art from his time on Marvel Team-Up in 1981. After Doctor Strange shows Spidey that Flash Thompson faces execution from a group of Vietnamese monks the Sorcerer Supreme pledges to help Spider-man save his friend.

Meanwhile, Flash is visited by Sha-Shan, the girl he befriended and daughter of the High Priest. She tells Flash that he had come to the temple to warm them of the shelling and that after the bombing she had helped to guide the American GI to safety. But upon returning to the temple ruins she found the other monks grieving for her father, who had fallen into a coma-like state. Only by sacrificing Flash's life could her father live again, Flash asks her why has she come now. In answer she pulls out a knife adding "You must accept your fate." Just then a monk enters the room, pulling her away as the sacred ritual can only begin at the holy hour. While at Harry Osborn's apartment, Gwen tells Harry that Peter has been "kidnapped" by Spider-man. Aunt May over hears and is worried for her "poor boy!" Gwen lashes out at her calling Peter a boy, but she quickly apologises to her as both of them are equally worried. At the hideout of the Monks are preparing to execute Flash when Spider-man and Doctor Strange burst in. Spider-Man holds off the Giant One and his men, while the Doctor casts a spell that brings the elder out of his trance. With the elder restored to normal, the elder absolves Flash of any wrong doing. Strange departs leaving Flash telling Spidey that Gwen will be happy to hear the story. Spider-man departs wondering how he's going to compete with Flash Thompson's feelings for Gwen now that he's a civilian again and how much she hates Spider-man. Next week "the grinning Gibbon!"

The Web and the Hammer

Leslie Duggan from Worcestershire asks for colour to be put in the British weeklies, even though it might mean a higher price. Jeff Lambert from Milton Keynes really enjoyed his evening at The Roundhouse on October 20th, 1975. He was lucky enough to have Stan Lee answer one of his questions, which in his book, is better than a thousand No-Prizes. He also suggests that covers on SMCW and MWOM should alternate to give the other characters a chance to appear. Gareth Jones from Edinburgh strongly agrees with T.J. MacGuiness, that the American letters are extremely boring and unimpressive. So he didn't like it when "some soggy little mental-case scrawled out a letter about how wrong MacGuiness was." I think that Ivor Davis' ears might be burning in this week in 1976. Stephen Hurons from Merseyside continues on the Ivor Davis bashing, as he protests at the treatment by Ivor Davis of four fellow Marvelites, in letters seen in SMCW #138 and SMCW #140. In his first letter he says: Paul Mount should strip himself of his QNS and be relegated to the adventures of Desperate Dan" and goes on to say that R. Leyland's views are "absolute rubbish". Then in his next letter he refers to T.J. MacGuiness as having the "maturity of a mentally-backward cabbage" and goes on to state that Thomas Timlin, in his criticism of Jim Ivers and Mike Mittelstadt "wrote a lot of nonsense" and he hoped he would "die a painful death in his baby chair while learning the alphabet". Stephen suggests that surely if he has any worthwhile criticism to make he can write constructively, not with poison ink. Mr. Davies should correct his own faults before he so readily condemns others. Neil Wagstaff RFO, KOF, QNS from West Glamorgan was doodling and created a new super-hero called Electro! He asks for a Marvel artist's opinion of his effort.

Iron Man “A duel must end!”

Writer: Archie Goodwin

Artist: George Tuska

Inker: Johnny Craig

Originally published in Iron Man #8

Cover date December 1968

(Published in September 1968)

Iron Man is desperately fighting the Gladiator in order to save Janice Cord and her lawyer Vincent Sandhurst, who have been kidnapped by the buzz blade welding villain. The armoured Avenger is at a disadvantage not only because his repulsors gauntlets have been damaged saving Cord and Sandhurst from a heavy falling machine, but also in the incident iron Man strained his hands. With each punch he throws, the jolting pain sears along his arms. 

Whitney Frost, now revealed as Maggia's leader the Big M, leads her Maggia goons knock out the security guards assigned to protect Stark Industries Long Island Plant, so that they can steal Stark's high tech weapons and machinery. Whitney struggles over her feelings towards Jasper Sitwell, while she reflects on how she came to be the head of the Maggia. She was the daughter of wealthy Wall Street financier, Byron Frost. Society columnists called her "the girl who had everything." And she did, with an indulgent father who sent her to the best schools in America with all the advantages that came with money she became qualified to be part of the International Jetset, one of the so-called "beautiful people." She was set to fall in love and wed one of the wealthiest men in the country, Roger Vane, who came from the most politically prominent families in America. However as she reached adulthood Byron Frost died, a tape recorded message from her father revealed that he was secretly employed by Maggia to divert their illegal funds into Wall Street investments and was ordered to raise Whitney as his own daughter.  Her true father reveals his identity to her, the villainous Count Nefaria. 

This page originally appeared in Spider-man Comics Weekly issue 155 giving the details of British Marvel Comics' latest merger, the second in its four and a half years of production. I feel that it was always intended to be the text information dump before the centre-spread promotion seen below. In the format that the Titans readers know and love, or in some cases not, Spider-man Comics Weekly changes its name and merges with the Super-Heroes comic. Last week regular Power of the Beesting reader, Dangermash commented that it was not an accident that Doctor Strange appears in the SMCW logo as it was perfect timing just as the good Doctor was dropped from Avengers just before he appears in the new mag that absorbed the Super-Heroes into Spider-man, with the only decent strip in the Super-Heroes being the Thing "team-up"strip. Doctor Strange ends up as the fifth strip. He makes a good point as Spider-man with Iron Man and Thor are joined by Doctor Strange and the Thing. Or do they? Find out next week. The centre-spread pages promotes a free special full-colour poster with next week's issue. There's also a hint in the name of the new comic, "Super Spider-man" which it reads that is "now on sale!" Well it actually went on sale on the 15th February 1976 with a cover date of Week Ending the 21st February 1976.

 

The Mighty Thor “The fall of Asgard!”

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Bill Everett

Originally published in The Mighty Thor #175

Cover date April 1970

(Published in February 1970)

From an advantage point Thor watches armed men hijack a truck, but they have been set up by the police after the gang hijackes one truck too many. With Thor's help the thieves are captured. Meanwhile in the land of the Norns, Balder and the Warriors Three have recovered from their injuries. Readers of SMCW #148 will remember them fighting the Thermal Man and facing death at his hands until the Norn Queen teleported them to safety. You kind of have to wonder why Thor never searched for them and in truth I forgot about them myself. Thankfully Stan and Jack didn't, albeit remembering them months later.

The Asgardian warriors pay their leave to Karnilla, thanking her for her hospitality. Balder and Karnilla have another exchange about how Balder cannot give up his loyalty to Asgard and love Karnilla. After the quartet departs Haag taunts Karnilla over her softness toward Balder, but the Norn Queen throws a goblet at the old wretched crone who flees out of the room as Karnilla confesses that if Balder falls then so does her own heart. En route back to Asgard Balder and the Warriors Three pause when they spot Mountain Giants on the march, in the employ of Loki who are heading to attack Asgard. Spotting Loki's involvement, Balder and the Warriors Three decide it's best to contact Thor as soon as possible. On Earth Thor returns to Don Blake's office, but before he can enter via the window he spots Sif on the building's roof top. As he joins her she tells him that Odin has once more entered the Odinsleep and that Loki is about to amass an attack on Asgard. Upon returning to the Golden realm, warriors inform them that the city is besieged by an army of giants lead by Thor's step brother, Loki. Next week find out what goes on "while Odin Sleeps..." 

Avengers Weekly #126

The main section of this week's cover is taken from John Buscema's cover artwork from the Avengers (US edition,) issue 81. The right-hand image of Conan looks like it was taken or adapted from John Buscema 's cover from Conan the Barbarian issue 52, cover dated July 1975, published April 1975. Notice how Conan's arms and sword have been moved to fit the panel and maybe his facial features have been changed slightly, but look closely at the ruins behind him and it is the same. Could it have been an early version or was it redrawn for the British weekly? The inker for both covers was Tom Palmer.

Conan the Barbarian “The Hell-spawn of Kara-Shehr”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: John Buscema

Inker: Ernie Chan

Originally published in Conan the Barbarian #35

Cover date February 1974

(Published in November 1973)

“The Fire of Asshurbanipal”, which "The Hell-Spawn of Kara-Shehr" is freely adapted from by Thomas was originally written by Robert E Howard in the early 1930’s as a straight adventure story. Howard later revised the story to have a supernatural ending and this version was submitted by Howard's father to Weird Tales, nearly six months after his son's death it was published in the December 1936 issue of Weird Tales. The original version was discovered by Glenn Lord in a trunk and it was first published in The Howard Collector #16, in the Spring of 1972. It is consider to be part of the Cthulhu Mythos shared universe.

Conan and Bourtai travel through the desert west of Khitai and southeast of the Vilayet sea crossing the barren wastes towards Aghrapur, the capital of the empire of Turan. They encounter a man hassled by bandits. Bourtai considers it none of their business, the hapless wayfarer may well be a thief or a rapist, but Conan's moral compass cannot let him pass by, the murderous brigands could well turn on them after they have finished with their first victim, so he rides to the man's rescue. The Bandits flee, only to return like a pack of jackals in larger numbers, charging at Conan and Bourtai. The Cimmerian picks up the wayfarer and race away. Luck has it that the bandit's rides are more tired than Conan's. After losing their pursuers Conan stops to give water to his rescued passenger. But his actions are a little too late, with the man's dying breath he tells them about the Azure Eye, a great jewel from the city of Kara-Shehr. A sandstorm consumes them, when it disperses allowing them to find the lost city the wayfarer mentioned. Conan is wary, but Bourtai wants the jewel, so together they search through the ruins. In the castle's throne room they find a skeleton clutching a great blue gem. Conan has been in too many ancient abandoned sites and is sure the instant anyone touches the gem the skeleton will come to life. Bourtai' greed makes him take the risk and the prize, with no supernatural resurrection, save for the unnoticed stoney wall that begins to slowly part behind the two companions. Conan makes him put it back, this time the skeletal hand closes on the gem and again unseen the stone wall closes. Conan thinks he heard something this time. The barbarian chooses to take the gem, but before he does a voice cries out not too. From "who indeed?!" find out next week.

An in-house advert for this week's Dracula Lives. Dracula cries out to Quincy Harker, "..But tonight is the night you die!!" While the fallen vampire hunter only reply is "Dracula Lives...it's on sale now- at your newsagents!" 

 

Avengers Unite

David Whitehead from Rotherham is really happy that Conan merged with the Avengers weekly because it has reduced his weekly comic money down to 32 pence. David has big love for black heroes like the Falcon, Power-Man, Black Goliath, Thunderbolt and the Prowler, although the last two aren't heroes. Martin Hogvall from Sweden was in London last June and bought five copies of the Savage Sword of Conan with the beautiful artwork of Barry Windsor-Smith, he adds "it's better than the current American version. Greg Naser from Cambridge is pleased to see Shang-Chi alternate with Dr. Strange, as it mean that no-one lost out more than was necessary. He was upset about the merger of Savage Sword of Conan with The Avengers, because it entailed dropping Kull and Thongor. Ian Postlethwaite from Lancashire writes a bit of Science fictional in his spare time and wondered how writers get their material published. The editor replies that scriptwriting isn't really something that can be taught. The only way to make it is to read a lot and then form your own style. Then start bombarding the magazine editors. Andy Sanders PMM from Hull said of Avengers weekly #95 that Conan in The Avengers was "Wow!" adding that Barry Smith is a fantastic artist. second only to John Buscema.

This magnificent Marvel Masterwork Pin-Up of Conan the barbarian was drawn by Jeff Aclin, as per his signature dated 1975, in the bottom right hand corner. Aclin was a quick artist who would turn over linking pages to multiple part British printed stories between 1976 and 1979 for British Marvel comics. But here it shows that given the time his artwork really shines, This has to be one of his most detailed pieces of work and my favourite. 

The Avengers “When dies a legend!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: John Buscema

Inker: Tom Palmer

Originally published in The Avengers #81

Cover date October 1970

(Published in August 1970)

Captain America, Quicksilver, Thor, the Black Panther and Iron man watch from the Avengers mansion's roof as Goliath, Vision and the Scarlet Witch fly off to Arizona with the Native American hero known as Red Wolf to deal with Cornelius Van Lunt, who has been using insidious means to buy up land in the state. The watching Avengers return inside to plan how they will continue their search for the villainous organisation known as Zodiac. That is all save for the Black Panther, who departs to resume his responsibilities as a school teacher in his civilian guise.

In the Quinjet heading Southwest Red Wolf recounts how he came to be in the Avengers' company, recalls events from the Avengers weekly #124. Soon they arrive flying over the Arizona desert, when they are attacked by another aircraft. The Vision abandons the Quinjet and phases through the other craft fuse large to find the attacker craft is crewed by robots. Even though the Vision manages to destroy one of the robots, he fails to prevent it from shooting down his friends' ship. The robot pilot radios its master, "Searcher #1 to Van Lunt: UFO has been downed returning to base!" The android Avenger increases his mass, causing the craft to plummet to the ground. While searching for the others, the Vision only finds an unconscious Scarlet Witch floating on the edge of a lake. Soon the two Avengers are captured byVan Lunt's armed thugs, among them the Vision recognises Jason Birch. With Wanda still too weak from the crash to use her Hex powers the Vision surrenders incase his female teammate's life is put at risk. Under armed guard they are taken to meet with Jason Birch's boss. 

Iron Fist “Morning of the Mindstorm!”

Writer: Chris Claremont 

Artist: John Byrne

Inker: Al McWilliams

Originally published in Marvel Premiere #25

Cover date October 1975

(Published in July 1975)

This is the first collaboration between Chris Claremont and John Byrne, it was only Byrne's third piece of work for Marvel, but for me it reads like they had been working together for years. A partnership made in graphic heaven. This strip had reached its potential and as long as they worked together on it, it became a surefire winner. In the gardens of the Halwani Embassy Iron Fist is attacked by Khumbala Bey, the bodyguard of Princess Azir. His family had served the Lion Throne of Halwan for over a thousand years. When a stolen robotic killing machine called Monstroid, had tried to take Princess Azir's life,  Khumbala was no were to be seen.   

Princess Azir would have died if not for the intervention of Iron Fist. Ashamed Khumbala Bey is beyond redemption. The fight is pretty evenly matched until Khumbala grabs Iron Fist in a deadly bear hug, Before Danny can break the mountain of a man's grip Azir arrives and breaks it up. Lieutenant Scarfe asks Danny if he's alright. He is and so tells the Princess that there was no need to discipline her body guard. Iron Fist leaves with Scarfe, but they are under surveillance by two men on the orders of a man only known as "the Fat Man." When Iron Fist returns to Lee Wing's home, he is suspicious, the apartment has been wrecked. In the shadows an assailant with a Samurai sword attacks Danny. Quickly defending himself we discover that the attacker was actually Professor Wing who is acting strange thinking that Iron Fist is a demon and that the monsters will get Colleen. Iron Fist and Rafael Scarfe decide to go looking for Colleen, the Lieutenant follows  a hunch, when they find Colleen she has been arrested by two patrolmen, who try to bluff the Lieutenant. Iron Fist reacts when one draws his gun. The other escapes with Colleen, Scarfe and Danny race after in the Lieutenant's car. The chase concludes next week.

Dracula Lives #69

Gil Kane's cover originally from Tomb of Dracula issue 32 is pretty horrific as the Lord of the Undead pouncing on upended wheel chair user, Quincy Harker and as in desperate the vampire hunter grasps for a wooden stake to defend himself. Tom Palmer inks Kane's artwork on this cover.

The inside front page features an in-house promotion for next week's Spider-man comic, which is a cut-down version of the centre-spread from this week's Spider-man Comics Weekly. The new comic's full title will be revealed next week. It's the shape of things to come! Spider-man swings into line with a brand new comic assembling the most awe-inspiring array of super-heroes ever! Thor, Iron Man, Doctor Strange and the Thing, or maybe not the Thing at first, see next week's blog for the details. 

Dracula “And some call him...madness!”

Writer: Marv Wolfman

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Tom Palmer

Originally published in Tomb of Dracula #32

Cover date May 1975

(Published in February 1975)

Quincy Harker waits patiently with his dog Saint, knowing  Dracula will be coming for him in the belief that Harker has a means of destroying the vampire lord once and for all. The phone rings, thinking it's Rachel he answers it, but it turns out to be Dracula who tells him that he will kill him shortly. Meanwhile in India, Taj Nital attempts to stop the local villagers from entering his home and killing his son Adri, who Dracula changed into a vampire years ago. Despite his best efforts, the villagers push past him and drive a stake through Adri's heart, killing him. Simultaneously in Brazil, Frank attempts to encourage Danny's workers to work, he suddenly realises to his horror that they are really zombies! 

The zombies turn on Frank, with nothing but a gun to protect himself. His "friend" Danny returns to his home to call Dracula to confirm that Frank Drake has been dealt with. With Drake supposedly dealt with, Dracula places the phone back on its hook, noting that Harker will be alone. Arriving at Harker's home, Dracula scoffs at Harker's poor attempt to get Dracula to sit in a chair rigged to stake him. As the two match wits, Quincy lets Saint loose, the dogs collar is studded with silver crosses that burns Dracula's hands, Tossing the dog aside, Saint is knocked out. Harker manages to slip away, the vampire chases after him through the mansion, Dracula finds that Harker had rigged it with many vampire killing traps, including a spear firing pool cue, a crucifix shaped pool table and pine covered walls that slide down revealing a room of multi-faceted mirrors which greet the vampire lord with an endless symphony of crosses. Come back next week to answer the question "can Dracula--escape?"

Werewolf by Night “A sister of hell”

Writer: Doug Moench

Artist: Don Perlin

Inker: Don Perlin

Originally published in Werewolf by Night #29

Cover date May 1975

(Published in February 1975)

As if in a nightmare Jack Russell has travelled to Monterey, the Transylvanian Castle Russoff bought by Miles Blackgar from Philip Russell, to face the evil sorcerer Glitternight whose plan was to exterminate humanity by turning their souls into a demonic legion by using the souls of his once apprentice Taboo and his apprentice's own prodigy Topaz. As the full moon rises Jack transform into the Werewolf, while his sister, Lissa, now reaching her eighteenth birthday also succumbs to the werewolf curse, but under Glitternight's evil magics her transformation is into a were-demon.

 Brother and sister fight off in a savage battle between the two werewolves. Topaz and Taboo battle Glitternight with all their mystic might. Elsewhere in Detroit Michigan a once passive car driver suddenly stops singing and drives his automobile towards a young couple with a baby nearly killing them with murderous intent. More on that road rage later, keep reading. At Castle Russoff the were-demon that was Lissa unleashes demonic powers at her older brother causing a fire which she throws her werewolf brother in to, as the battle really heats up. Meanwhile Lieutenant Victor Northrup continues his investigations in to the appearance of a werewolf by questioning Jack's former landlady Sandy, about Jack and her other lodger Raymond Coker. Coker who is now cured of his werewolf affliction has travelled to Haiti. The story continues next week with "the final chance!"

Man-Thing “The Demon-plague!”

Writer: Steve Gerber

Artist: Val Mayerik

Inker: Chic Stone

Originally published in Adventure into Fear #14

Cover date June 1973

(Published in March 1973)

Across the country, people begin committing wanton acts of violence. Children begin trying to kill one another and an underpaid secretary karate kicks her employer, while in the Florida Everglades the Man-Thing is attacked by creatures from the swamp. Now then these strange moments of violence might seem connected with the sudden act of road rage seen in the Werewolf by night strip earlier in this comic. Was it a horror cross over? Well no not as it was intended, you see page eighteen should have been printed as the third page of this week's Man-Thing story, I guess the editor or the printers, slipped that page in the wrong order.

News reports of strange outbreaks of violence, such as elderly women attacking construction workers, a world leader appearing naked and teachers striking students are watched by Joshua Kale and his grandchildren Jennifer and Andy. Kale realises that these seemingly unrelated incidents are in connection with the takeover of human minds and souls by demons of the underworld. He assembles his cult to prepare a ritual which he hopes will block the demons' entry to the Earth realm. Watching the spectacle nearby is Jennifer and Andy with the Man-Thing who in curiosity shambles closer to them. Suddenly, a strange mist surrounds Jennifer and the Man-Thing, causing them to disappear and then re-appear in chains in an other-worldly dimension, a million universes away in a time outside of time, a space without measure. Next week the dire nature of their peril will unfurl before them. 

Planet of the Apes #69

Armando's fatal fall is augmented with him landing into an angry rabble of gorillas on Ron Wilson's cover, which never happened quite that way in the strip. Dan Adkins probably inked the cover. 

Planet of the Apes “The savage is king!”

Writer: Doug Moench

Artist: Alfredo Alcala

Inker: Alfredo Alcala

Originally published in Planet of the Apes (US) #19

Cover date April 1976

(Published in February 1976)

Circus owner Armando falls to his death after fleeing from a seven story window at the Interior of the State Security Office building, while evading difficult questions about his missing "pet" chimpanzee and the intelligent Apes from the future and their child. Under instructions from Armando, before he went to the authorities for questioning, Caesar had infiltrated the imported apes from Africa, pretending to be like the other wild apes. After processing he was sold as a slave ape to Governor Beck's office. At the Communications and Intelligence Centre Caesar overhears Beck discussing with his chief aide, MacDonald, that the circus owner Armando had been lying and had died trying to protect the offspring of Zira and Cornelius.

Worried that an intelligent ape is loose in the city that might fulfil the future possibility of annihilation of the human race Governor Beck orders that a full scale ape-hunt is carried out. A list of potential intelligent apes, named the Achilles List, is distributed to each police precinct and perimeter stations. Every ape on the list are to be rounded up and delivered to the Reconditioning Centre by oh-six-hundred the next morning, with their offences specified as violation of article four, paragraph nine, listing them as a dangerous threat to state security. This order of totalitarianism that takes aways civil rights is questioned by MacDonald, but Beck points out that there have been a growing number of overt acts of disobedience over the last year that needs stamping out. While this argument raged on Caesar recalls his young life with his adopted father. Memories that shatter with the pain of loss. He goes about his duties, finding the old flyer presented to Armando's interrogators, in the bin. His sadness turns into anger as he rips then discards the flyer. Slowly the flames of rebellion start to burn as Caesar teaches other apes how to rebel.

Apes Mail

Bill Potter RFO, FOOMer from Wolverhampton is a great fan of Sci-Fi he really approve of POTA comic especially "Man-Gods from Beyond the Stars". He hopes Warlock will continue as it was extremely good. Now that Captain Marvel has moved over to The Titans, as this gives room for other stories. Dominic McDonald from Somerset makes a point that in infinity there are an infinite number of planets and the possibility of a planet ruled by apes is very possible. Anthony Jones RFO, KOF from London thinks that the depiction of the Ape movies are great and asks if the strip version are told exactly how the film was, as being a disbeliever at the time they were released, he never saw them. The editor replies that the adaptations of the Apes films are as faithful to the films as the difference in the two mediums allow. By that they mean that there are certain things that can be done in a film that, with the very best will in the world, just cannot be put over in a picture strip.

Ka-Zar “Gog cometh!”

Writer: Mike Friedrich

Artist: Dan Adkins

Inker: Frank Chiaramonte

Originally published in Astonishing Tales #18

Cover date June 1973

(Published in March 1973)

Ka-Zar has followed Gemini who has escaped from the SHIELD Helicarrier with a stolen version of the Super-Soldier Serum, on his way to meet up with his partner, who turns out to be the Plunderer, Ka-Zar's own brother. The savage lord must face the combined might of Gemini, the Plunderer and his "pet" alien monster, Gog! After using Gog to subdue Ka-Zar, Plunderer explains how after reading reports of monster-sightings he was drawn to the Savage Land, just like the Daily Bugle staff did in SMCW#144, which lead Spider-man to first encounter Gog. 

The Plunderer rescued Gog from the quicksand where he was left for dead. Despite the brute's appearance, Gog matured to a level of intelligence that had been imprinted on its brain to fashion a complex mental link that allowed it to communicate with the Plunderer. Yet despite the alien's mental primacy, it remained docile, obeying Plunderer's every whim. Ka-Zar's brother went on to forge an alliance with Gemini and AIM in their plan to steal the super-soldier serum. Meanwhile at an isolated area of south-west England, named Land's End, in an AIM research lab, a scientist named Professor Conrad has his Eureka moment as he rediscovers the original Super-soldier formula. Before he knows it an agent of SHIELD busts in after following up leads on the only extant copy of the original 1941 formula that had been lost in nazi files until 1952, only to be lost again, until SHIELD had traced it to have fallen into the hands of AIM. A shoot out starts and the agents orders are to retrieve or destroy the formula, the confrontation ends in an explosion. Onboard the SHIELD helicarrier Bobbi Morse reports to Nick Fury, he tells Agent 19 that reports from England confirm that the original Super-Soldier formula has been lost leaving only Doctor Calvin's version. Next week, "The battle of the brothers!"

Black Panther “Night dragons!”

Writer: Don McGregor

Artist: Billy Graham

Inker: Klaus Janson

Originally published in Jungle Action Vol 2 #11

Cover date September 1974

(Published in June 1974)

An unnamed artist drew this second part opening splash page with a new story title, catch-up text boxes and credits added. In Wakanda the Black Panther leads his forces into a showdown with Lord Karnaj and Baron Macabre, however T'Challa's mind forces on events the night before when he had laid a trap to uncover the murderer of Zatama. The Panther had baited the murderer of Zatama to show their hand, by implying he already had evidence against them. 

Instead T'Challa waited and watched as Tanzika tried to bury evidence of a relationship between her and Zatama. W'Kabi had thought that the weapon used to kill Zatama had been a spear, when in fact it had been a two section shish kebab stick, that had been used to serve food to Monica Lynne, framing her by having her finger prints on the weapon. A third section had been added to the middle to turn it into a spear by Tanzika. Upon confronting her T'Challa learned that Zatama had used Tanzika after they've been together then cast her aside. Tanzika killed him in anger and blamed it on Monica Lynne. Although sympathetic to how she was mistreated T'Challa was maddened that she decided to use Monica in the same way she herself was used by Zatama, simply a tool for what she needed. The near miss from a spear thrown by the mercenary known as Malice causes the Panther's mind to return to the battle at hand. Lord Karnaj blasts away at the Panther, accidentally killing an innocent child. The usual gentle Taku is overcome with rage and beats Karnaj to a pulp even as the villain begs him to stop, T'Challa pulls Taku off him, stating that he has seen men lost in their journey to vengeance. With victory over W'Kabi points out that their enemy was evil, to which T'Challa adds "once you slay the dragon, its blood often stains more than your hands." Next "Land of the chilling mists."

A Marvel Masterwork Pin-Up of the Black Panther by Don Vaughn (pencils,) and Keith Pollard (inks,) as per their signatures.   

The Super-heroes #50

As the last issue of the Super-Heroes that didn't quite last a full year this cover is pretty historical, it features all the heroes that have appeared in the comic. Well all except for the X-Men, Doc Savage and Bloodstone, oh and Gemini from the story "This badge bedevilled!" as seen in Super-Heroes issue 28. But Joshua Link his twin brother, Damian Link, didn't become a hero, more like a villain. The only reason I can think of for X-Men and Doc Savage not appearing is it might distract readers from them starring in the Titans. Doc Savage's copyright in 1976 was owned by (Literary/Character Rights) Condé Nast Publications, (Film Rights) George Pal and (Reprint Rights) Bantam Books, so maybe his use was a problem. Dave Hunt pencilled the cover while Dan Adkins applies the inks. So because it is the last issue of the Super-Heroes and because I kind of like it, I'm going to award this cover my Cover of the Week.

The Thing and Man-Thing together “Just a couple of Things...”

Writer: Steve Gerber

Artist: Gil Kane

Inker: Joe Sinnott

Originally published in Marvel Two-in-One #1

Cover date 1973

(Published in 1974)

This second part opening splash page that contains a new story title, catch-up text and credits was drawn by an unnamed artist for this British weekly to link the two parts. The Thing had arrived at the Florida Everglades in search of the creature who had been getting press coverage by using the name Man-Thing, but to his surprise he is confronted by the Molecule Man, or more accurately the Son of the Molecule Man. When the Man-Thing is drawn into the fight the Thing charges at the villain, but using his wand the Molecule Man transform both monsters back into their human forms. 

The two men are relieved to be human again, but realise that they must stop the Molecule Man before he fulfil his desire to destroy the entire Fantastic Four. The Molecule Man teleports to New York, but the Swamps nexus of mystic forces causes the laws of science to go awry causing him to only get as far as the nearby town of Citrusville, were the villain wreaks havoc with the powers of his wand. He turns an innocent bystander into a likeness of Mister Fantastic, stretching his body beyond even Reed Richards limits he kills him. Ben Grimm and Ted Sallis arrive witnessing the carnage they try to stop him. Their noble efforts trouble the madman, so he transforms the Thing back into his orange rock form but chained to two giant weights, which angers him. Ted Sallis tries to calm Ben. The Molecule Man is inspired to return the once scientist back to his swamp form to have them destroy each other. The Thing punches his fist through the Man-Thing's chest. With a fistful of muck he hurls the slime at the Molecule Man, knocking his wand from his hand. The cosmic device falls to the floor, but as the reservoir for his power, the Molecule Man desperately tries to retrieve it before his power levels quickly deplete. As his life essence drains away the construct that was the Son of the Molecule Man dies. Recovering the madman's wand, the Thing hands the now-powerless device to a nearby child, while instinctively the Man-Thing lumbers back to his swamp. Next the "Sub-Mariner!" it reads, but not in this comic, as it is the last issue. The Thing's "two in one" adventures will continue in Super Spider-man with the Super-Heroes #160 on the week ending 6th March 1976, but not with Namor.

Super-Mail

Patrick Mathiot from London thinks that Steve Noble's opinion on Jack Kirby's X-Men, which he aired in Super-Heroes #35, was because he was jealous of the King's art-style. Patrick sees Jack Kirby's art on the X-Men is great. Andy Pearson from Birmingham read the letter page in the Super-Heroes #37 and noticed a missive by Chris Phillips concerning comic marts in Britain. He was wrong about there not being any comic marts in the Midlands though, there was one in Birmingham earlier this year. Philip Saunders from Surrey has a few criticisms of the new-look Super-Heroes mag. He thinks Giant-Man is great, a worthy replacement for the stupendous Silver Surfer, but as for The Cat. Oh dear! He says get rid of that trash. Graeme Bassett from Grimsby was true to his word and stopped buying the Super-Heroes as soon as Doc Savage was cancelled. However, while flipping through the latest issue, while constantly watching out for W.H. Smith's Gestapo, (yeah I used to do that.) he noticed his name on the letters page, which pumped up his ego. He liked the two regulars strips and loved the Cat.

The Black Knight “When Modred strikes!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Howard B Purcell

Inker: Dan Adkins

Originally published in Marvel Super-heroes #17

Cover date November 1968

(Published in August 1968)

An unnamed artist drew this second part opening splash page with all the usual bits and bobs added. After encountering the spirit of his ancestor Sir Percy of Scandia, the original Black Knight, at the Knight's ancient castle, newly inherited by Dane Whitman, his ancestor declares his descendant Whitman worthy to possess the Ebony Blade, a blade forged by the legendary sorcerer Merlin from fallen meteor. Sir Percy urges him to fight the still present threat of Modred. 

Meanwhile on the rainy streets of Soho in the not too distant city of London Paul Richarde, a down on his luck stage performer and knife thrower is forced to retire, after accidentally killing his glamorous assistant during a performance. Torturing himself with memories of the day he tries to force himself to sleep. In the darkness of his room the spirit of Mordred comes to him, drawn to the remorseless self-pity and guilt that has driven him to madness. Mordred gifts Richarde with powers and purpose to oppose the new Black Knight, as Mordred's weapon of evil naming him Le Sebre. He was given an armour, an animated gargoyle as his winged steed and Mordred's Ebony Dagger, the weapon with which Mordred had killed the first Black Knight. Dane Whitman feels evil in the air and transforms into his armour. Flying above the city of London on Aragorn, his winged stallion, he is confronted by Le Sebre. The two battle, axe against Ebony Blade, with the blade shattering the axe. Le Sebre draws Modred's dagger but Aragorn kicks the weapon from Le Sabre's hand. With a stake of the Ebony Blade Le Sebre falls from his monstrous mount to his death and transforms into his civilian clothing. The Nether Gods curse Mordred for his chosen warrior's defeat, but the fiend vows to continue to spin his evil web for them. The end..or the most macabre beginning, but it will take a few years from this date in 1976 before the Black Knight rides again as part of Dez Skinn's Marvel Revolution.   

Giant-Man and the Wasp “Giants, giants everywhere!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Dick Ayers

Inker: Paul Reinman

Originally published in Tales to Astonish #58

Cover date August 1964

(Published in May 1964)

This week's second part opening splash page uses the cover artwork from Tales to Astonish issue 58, drawn by Jack Kirby and inked by Sol Brodsky. After travelling to Africa to follow up reports about a giant threatening locals. Giant Man and the Wasp discover the giant who calls himself Colossus. The giant attacks the heroes however, Giant-Man's inability to match Colossus' 30-foot height tires out the Avenger enough for Colossus to gain the advantage.

During the battle, Giant-Man notices a strange object that looks like a space ship on the peak. But before Giant-Man can devise a plan to stop the villain he gets dizzy and lose his power. The Colossus prepares to throw Hank off the peak as the Wasp finally reveals her true feelings to Hank. Hank however is still concentrating on battle he has the Wasp blast Colossus with a full Wasp's sting at the same time he throws a punch. This bowls Colossus backwards while Giant-Man shrinks so fast that Colossus thinks the hero disappeared. Fearing that the planet he's been ordered to watch might be bewitched, Colossus flees into space. Janet confronts Hank about what she told him, Hank dismisses it by saying that people say things in times of peril, even though she was trying to tell him that she meant it. With the alien defeated, the people of Bora-Buru construct a statue to honour the two heroes.

The Titans #17

There isn't a penciler listed for this cover, but the inker was Mike Esposito. Any ideas who might have drawn Hulk, Rick and Mar-Vell? Let me know. The tag line reads "Plus: A fantabulous pull-out of Conan!" But there wasn't inside this week's mag, only a pretty "fantabulous" centre-spread of the Black Knight!

The X-Men “When titans clash!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Werner Roth

Inker: John Tartaglione

Originally published in The X-Men #29

Cover date February 1967

(Published in December 1966)

As the cold of winter freezes a near by pond the X-Men in their civilian guises go skating. Warren's flirting with Jean causes the brooding Scott Summers to wonder off telling all that he's forgotten to bring his skates. Unable to express his emotions he fires his destructive blasts against the side of a mountain causing a rock fall. The blast also manages to revive the Super-Adaptoid, still inert following his last battle against Captain America. A story that will be printed in the Titans issue 22, in just a few months time on the week ending the 20th March 1976. The Adaptoid decides it is time once more to venture forth and find what force has awoke him. 

Meanwhile the X-Men leave Bobby to skate on alone. Transforming into Iceman he finds his skating is much easier. The Super-Adaptoid, realises there are other super-powered beings on Earth, other than the Avengers and approaches the mutant to duplicate his powers. The startled Iceman freezes the Adaptoid and flees for help. The Super-Adaptoid breaks free and follows the mutant who tries to warn his teammates, but they think he's just joking. Scott shows up at the pond to find Bobby's clothing, but no sign of a robot. During training a fight breaks out between the X-Men and Mimic, but the Professor breaks it up and orders Mimic to leaves so he can concentrate on looming threat of Factor Three.

The group play football for a while but the game is cut short when the Super-Adaptoid fights them, using his Avengers absorbed powers. Mimic returns and the robot sensing he has powers like his offers him a chance to become second in a new species of Super-Adaptoids that will take over the world. Cyclops warns Mimic that the Super-Adaptoid only intends on using him as a slave. Realising his decision was foolish he breaks free from the beam that would have turned him into an Adaptoid and begins to fight the robot. The two are equally matched as their battle takes them into the skies. The Super-Adaptoid attempts to copy Mimic's abilities. This causes an energy backlash that sends both of them crashing to the ground, nullifying both their powers. The powerless Mimic is saved by the Angel, while the powerless Adaptoid smashes into the lake vowing to return. Calvin Rankin is sorry for his actions but leaves the group forever. Next Week the mind-staggering malicious mutant of all, Warlock!

Spidey and Captain America--together “The granite sky!”

Writer: Len Wein 

Artist: Gil Kane

Inker: Frank Giacoia

Originally published in Marvel Team-Up #13

Cover date September 1973

(Published in June 1973)

This Marvel Team-Up story fits uneasily between the 60's Captain America adventures that would have been from 1966, but this tale was probably shoe horned in to distance the Super-Adaptoid's appearance in this week's X-Man strip with it's first appearance, Marvel continuity wise, in the Captain America strip. I don't think a few week's difference would fool British readers into making them forget his out of order appearances. Still this week's adventure is pretty darn good. 

Peter Parker takes a walk along the waterfront to get his mind off the recent death of the girl he loved. Spoiler: this tale actually gives the upcoming death of Gwen Stacy away in the first splash page! How can the editors be so foolish, between that and the Super-Adaptoid continuity, maybe they thought that no-one who reads SMCW reads the Titans! What fools! Peter's troubled thoughts are interrupted by a drunk sailor, but rather than listen to the man's drunken rambles Peter slips away. Suddenly a strange meteor splashes down in the water. The sailor helps the man out, only to be turned into stone by the super-villain known as the Grey Gargoyle. As Spider-man patrols the city he comes across some AIM soldiers who begin shooting at him. Spidey easily rounds them up, as another AIM goon is tossed through a window by Captain America. Giving Cap a hand the two men easily defeat the AIM soldiers. The Captain radios SHIELD to pick them up. Suddenly they are teleported aboard the SHIELD helicarrier, to be greeted by Dum Dum Dugan. An eager SHIELD agent remembers that Spider-man is wanted for murder. Continued next week.

Following the Black Knights adventures in the last two issues of the Super-Heroes, Dane Whitman duels with a demon monster over the Houses of Parliament. Drawn by Dave Hunt (pencils,) with Mike Esposito (inks,) as per their signatures.

Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD “To free a brain slave”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby and Howard Purcell

Inker: Mike Esposito

Originally published in Strange Tales #143

Cover date April 1966

(Published in January 1966)

Mentallo and the Fixer have invaded SHIELD headquarters and taken Nick Fury as their prisoner, attaching an electronic mask on Fury's face, which the Fixer reveals will make him theirs to command. Dum Dum and his men prepare to strike while Tony Stark takes command as the SHIELD technicians prepare a "Neutraliser". Asked if it will free Colonel Fury, Stark replies that it has a bigger job to do. He then asks to be taken to the ESP Division, but they are unable to pick up any trace of Fury's thoughts. 

The Fixer attaches a miniature H-Bomb to Fury's wrists, then removes the mind-control mask so that he and Mentallo can gloat to the Colonel's face. Revealing their plans they ask what Fury has to say about them. He asks for a cigar from his desk to that he can smoke. Fury immediately begins thinking of an old war song "Johnny, get your gun!" which to Mentallo is nothing more than a song but to the ESP Division it is a signal to ready the troops. Stark orders an Assault Force to ready "Plan D". The troops wear protective helmets to stop Mentallo's mental probing. Two shots are fired at Mentallo and the Fixer, which release a burning chemical compound that causes the villains to remove their protective helmets. Quickly Fury mentally orders the ESP Division to attack, causing an "Extra Sensory Peril!" as readers will discover next week.

Captain Marvel “The hunter and the holocaust”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Gil Kane 

Inker: Dan Adkins

Originally published in Captain Marvel #20

Cover date June 1970

(Published in February 1970)

The story "The Mad Master of the Murder Maze!" from Captain Marvel issue 19, should have been published this week, but instead this story was printed. I wouldn't say that the missing story was great, but it could easily have fitted in with the current run. May be it was missed out by mistake. Still "The hunter and the holocaust" is by far a better strip. 

After playing a number of gigs in New York, Rick Jones is once more met by peerless promoter Mordecai P Boggs, who offers the teenager an opportunity to become Rick's promoter. Rick once more declines, even though after he leaves he regrets saying no. Later in his apartment, through a mirror Mar-Vell discusses with Rick their physical existence problem that means that one of them must stay in the Negative Zone while the other lives and breathes in the natural world. It has been months since Rick switched atoms with Captain Marvel. Rick says that he hasn't seen any muggings lately as the truth is he doesn't know who he is anymore other than a folk-rock crooner. Rick recalls how at a young age he had partnered with the Hulk and later Captain America, even being an unofficial Avenger, eventually his path crossed with Captain Mar-Vell. Suddenly a scream for help sends Rick racing to help the victim of a mugging. He manages to stop the muggers, with the help of Mar-Vell, when the two thugs turn their fist on Rick. Continued next week. 

The Sub-Mariner “Moment of truth!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Bill Everett

Inker: Bill Everett

Originally published in Tales to Astonish #87

Cover date January 1967

(Published in October 1966)

Namor rushes off to confront Lady Dorma and Warlord Krang, whose ability to breathe on land has started to wear off as the US Army use them as hostages to trap the Prince. The army shoots at Namor who dodges most of them until he's struck in the arm by a mortar shell. Still he manages to retrieves the net holding Dorma and Krang, bringing them to the ocean to allow them to breathe the water freely. Krang attacks Namor, but Dorma flees to return to Atlantis, making Namor believe she’s self-serving. However she asks Lord Vashti to activate a teleportation device, returning Namor and Krang to Atlantis. Krang is subdued by the guards.

Namor is healed to full health with a "Medi-Ray". When the captured Krang is brought before the Sub-Mariner, he decides the best way to deal with the Warlord is to show the people of Atlantis that Krang is unfit to rule by trial by combat in the arena. As Namor's strength is superior to all Atlanteans, the Prince agrees to let Krang choose whatever weapons and armour he wants. Krang prepares by putting on a suit of magnesium armour, an indestructible helmet and shock gauntlets believing that these weapons will allow him to best Namor in battle. In the battle, Krang gains the upper hand by shocking the Prince, but his superior strength prevails as he throws Krang against a pole, snapping the pole and knocking him out temporarily. With Namor the victor Krang is punished for failing to remain in exile, he is taken to live out his exile in the most isolated depths of the sea due to the crime of making Atlantis the enemy of mankind, with his actions that almost started a war between the surface and Atlantis. Summoning Lady Dorma, Namor explains he has forgiven her after learning the truth about her siding with Krang to insure the Princes safety. Together the Prince and Lady Dorma address the cheering people of Atlantis once more.

Well that's the last seven weeklies blog for a good while as next week I've only got six comics to look over. Granted there'll be twenty-two stories and not twenty-three stories as with this week. Just when I thought it was going to get easier. Oh well, I best start again already. In the mean time...

See you in seven.

Make Mine Marvel.