Week Ending 20th March 1976
Reading some of the comments from the months of blogs, there seems to be a trend that not every one got all six weeklies at the time, either by poor distribution or pocket money limits or by personal choice. I know I only saw a few that my brother bought or because of the other reasons listed. When I got the chance to pick up the back issues I devoured them and have enjoyed them ever since for multiple reasons. Whether it was the wonderful fun adventures of the mature plot themes at different times during those 50 years I've loved them all for so many reasons. So I hope any of you who stumble across the Power of the Beesting get as much enjoyment out of all this stuff and nonsense as I have.
The Mighty World of Marvel #181
More Action! More Thrills! More Fun! More super-heroes than is necessary on a cover! All the stars feature on this Dave Hunt (pencils,) with Duffy Vohland (inks,) cover.
The Incredible Hulk “Side by side with the Juggernaut!”
Writer: Tony Isabella
Artist: Herb Trimpe
Inker: Jack Abel
Originally published in The Incredible Hulk #172
Cover date February 1974
(Published in October 1973)
This week's second part opening splash page uses Herb Trimpe's cover art from the Incredible Hulk #172, which had already appeared in the front of last week's cover. With the Juggernaut and the Hulk finally free they decide to work together making short work of all the military force that is thrown at them by Colonel Armbruster. The Colonel is confronted by General Ross, who tells him that he needs reinforcements. But Armbruster is confident that the HulkBusters can handle it. They don't as both the Hulk and the Juggernaut escape.
Marvel Mastermind 1975...and now the answers!
Part One.
To Daredevil's regret Miss Page has taken a few days off, as she straightens her life out what with the "death" of Matt Murdock, who she was in love with, her kidnap by Starr Saxon and some urgent matter she had to deal with back home. When Foggy goes through Karen's file to find out where her home is he's a little taken back by the fact he didn't know that Karen's father is the renowned scientist Doctor Paxton Page, the scientist who perfected the Cobalt Bomb. Doctor Paxton had gotten into trouble with the authorities when he had refused to divulge his research, even under pain of contempt of Congress. Debbie Harris, Foggy's girl friend and acting secretary, recalls that Doctor Page was called a traitor when he resigned from his post and retired to his home in Vermont. After taking a train to the sleepy town of Fagan Corners Vermont, then a taxi, well her second choice of taxi, as the first driver refused to take her to her father's house because of some supernatural nonsense, Karen has to walk the rest of the way through a covered bridge that used to terrify her as a child. As she enters she hears the eerie sound of horse's hooves on the wooden bridge in the darkness. The fright continues next week.
Writer: Stan Lee
Reed, however, is unsure of her ability because of her young age. He hadn't thought about finding a replacement for Sue in the team and with Crystal being little more than a child in Reed's eyes he's not sure. But she argues that Sue was only a little more older than her when she first gained her powers, while the Inhuman girl had all her powers "for all her life". With that Reed tells her that he'll have to think about it as it's not a decision to make lightly. Her line about having her powers all her life could be a calculated lie to gain Reed's trust, as Inhumans gained their powers after being exposed to the Terrigen Mists after certain requirements are met. Crystal was exposed to them when she was an infant. Elsewhere the Wizard is developing a new pair of improved Wonder Gloves with the aim of getting revenge on the Fantastic Four for his last defeat, as seen in MWOM #171. He tests his new weapons and then attacks the Fantastic Four at the Baxter Building. The Torch is first to clash with the wingless Wizard, but next week the rest will have "to face the Wizard!"
During the confrontation Octavius manages to pull Spider-man's mask clean off. Quickly Spidey squirts webbing on the Doctor's glasses hoping it'll blind him. Ock is prepared for it this time as he treated his glasses with a chemical enzyme that stops the webbing from sticking, but still it allows Spidey time to escape. Peter is suddenly struck by painful cramps, so he hides. Doctor Octopus is furious and discards the mask before leaving. The mask is found by Randy Robertson who in turn gives it to his father Joe. Doctor Octopus resumes his war against Hammerhead, a new criminal who is trying to take over the underworld. Peter returns home, doubled up in pain. Later he’s visited by Gwen Stacy, he also gets a visit from his doctor, who had been called by Harry. The doctor diagnosis a duodenal ulcer caused by stress. Left alone, he decides to go to the Bugle to sell the pictures of Spider-man's battle with Dr. Octopus. This for Jameson validates that the mask found by Randy is the genuine article. Before leaving Ned Leeds gives Peter a lead about the possible whereabouts of Aunt May. Peter checks it out as Spider-man, stealing a cheap imitation mask from a costume shop to wear. Arriving in the location, Spider-man is attacked by Dr. Octopus. Unable to fight due to his ulcer, he puts on the body harness he took earlier, to give him a boost of strength needed to defeat Dr. Octopus. Exhausted from the fight Spider-man is then confronted by Hammerhead and his men. Spidey's troubles continue next week.
In the Super-Spider-man with the Super-Heroes the Mastermind answers page gets a nice little trophy added to the title logo. But here's more of the answers.
Iron Man survives the explosion and continues his pursuit of the Hulk, following him into a power station. The two exchange ferocious blows, the Hulk leaps at the hovering Iron Man who at the last minute dodges the attack, which leaves him falling into a generator causing a huge explosion. When the smoke clears, the Hulk is revealed to have been an android with severely damaged circuits and mechanisms exposed for all to see. Janice is saved and the real villain's plan foiled. The mastermind's true identity is revealed, to the readers at least, as the Mandarin who tells his assistant Mei Ling that capturing Janice Cord was not the principle task of his plan. Instead it was to confirm that whenever anyone close to Tony Stark was threatened with danger he vanishes so that Iron Man could conveniently step in. Thanks to the android Hulk luring Iron Man out he has confirmed a suspicion that Tony Stark and Iron Man are one and the same. And with that information he will launch a scheme that will place him and the free world in "the hands of the Mandarin!"
Doctor Strange recalls how he ended up in this weird world of unreality, what he has experienced there and how soon once again he must confront Death. The journey nears its end as Aragorn descends to an ominous land full of trudging processions of dark-robed men. Three old men greet Strange, one of whom claims to be Famine. He and his two brothers, once rode with Death. Famine reveals that Strange has entered the Domain of the Dying. Strange soon encounters people who are suffering and wish to die, yet are tormented with eternal dammed life. Their numbers grow as they try to over power the sorcerer. Aragorn takes to the air as he and his rider approaches a shimmering haze. Strange passes through it, but the crowd of people who have been gathering cannot. "Why is he the only one to meet Death? Why not us?" they cry. On the other side of the haze Strange and Aragorn travel through a maze of caves which ends at a cliff. Suddenly the cliff edge crumbles beneath them, toppling them into a void of space. I never complained about the lack of colour in these British weeklies as I understood the financial reasons why and I never criticised the landscape format, knowing that its value for money outweighed the shrinkage in page size. All very valid reasons to moan, but I have to say that Frank Brunner's artwork deserves colour and a decent size of page to show off its detail and beauty. I must make a note to get an Omnibus Edition of his run on Doctor Strange. It's breath taking!
Ebor, a Badoon inquisitor and aide to Drang urgently suggests that they be put to death at once, as they represent the first real threat to the Badoon's rule of Sol-III. At that moment the Thing regains consciousness and punches the Monster of Badoon into the mind probe's power source, electrocuting it and freeing Cap and Sharon. The three are able to beat the Zoms and the Badoon, to force their way to freedom. Escaping from the palace they have to hide in the city. Meanwhile Tarin has meet up with the human resistance, lead by Zakkor, the leader of the resistance, to try to convince him to contact the Guardians of the Galaxy. He is unconvinced until Qarl enters with news of a battle between the Badoon guards and the legendary hero Captain America. Qarl had managed to record it on his "Visicorder." After watching that recording, Zakkor and the others are convinced to call together all of their forces and summon the Guardians of the Galaxy back to Earth. On board the starship Captain America, Martinex receives a communication from Earth relaying the recording. Instantly Major Vance recognises the hero, he remembered as a kid and so he takes the controls and heads to Earth.
It's not a stretch of anyone's imagination that the Guardians of the Galaxy's starship, Captain America, does bear an uncanny resemblance to the Starship Enterprise from the TV series Star Trek. You can bet that the original strip artist and writer might have been fans of the series and had it in mind when they settled on that look. So readers who loved that strip would have loved this Dinky Die Cast Toys advert for the USS Enterprise, Model No.358. The advert says that it comes directly from the exciting Paramount Pictures Corporation TV series Star Trek. At 234mm long the model can fire photon torpedoes, really just round plastic discs and release a Shuttle craft from its undercarriage doors. The second toy on this advert is for kids who wanted to reenact World War Two battles over rugged terrain with this Bren Gun Carrier with Anti-Tank Gun, Model No.619. Its overall length is 283mm. It comes complete with a crew of two, flexible tracks and a tool opening flap. The gun has an elevating barrel and can fire harmless plastic shells. Mind your eyes kids and watch where the photon torpedoes and shells end up or you'll lose them.
This second part opening splash page is pretty well drawn, but it isn't as good as Neal Adams' original artwork. Following on from last week's strip, Conan had been part of a Turanian party escorting Princess Yolinda, the daughter of Prince Yezdigerd, back to Aghrapur. A well organised group of Hilltribe rebels have managed to capture Conan, a Kushite comrade named Juma and the Princess, bringing them back to their base in the Valley of the Sun.
Now between last week's issue and this week's three pages haven't been printed. They detailed the meeting of Rotath who has since been reborn in a body of solid gold hillman to become the tribes ruler. Rotath's baboon mutant, Anaxor, had attacked the Princess, but Conan leapt to her aid, swiftly strangling the pet with his chains. Conan and Juma try to fight for freedom. The fourth and fifth pages have been printed in the wrong order as well, but if you read them in the correct order the story flows that as the two warriors press forward to rescue Princess Yolinda, but Rotath mesmerise the warriors. They wake up enslaved and sent to mine for gold in the valley's deep caverns. After mining for gold for several days, Conan and Juma decide to escape. They flee past a giant reptile, but are saved from the beast when a gigantic slug monster raids the cavern devouring the monster and begins attacking the guards. Conan and Juma grab two bags of gold and run down the mine shaft, as they reach the surface the slug continues to chase them. Conan realises that it is the gold that the creature requires and throws the sacks of gold at it. When Rotath appears the slug is distracted by the sorcerer's golden flesh. It changes direction and slims after Rotath. While the slug eats Rotath's gold flesh, Conan rescues Princess Yolinda and rides off with Juma.
In the Avengers weekly the Marvel Mastermind 1975 a "pinned up" background is added. Here's the third part of the answers.
The Valkyrie takes the Liberators, the captured Avengers and Doctor Erwin to the university to look for the device the Masters of Evil were after, the Doctor's experimental parallel-time projector. Suddenly, Valkyrie knocks out all her comrades and transforms into the Enchantress who was in disguise all the time. The Asgardian sorceress explains that after her last attempt at taking over Asgard failed, as seen in MWOM #45, she and the Executioner were banished to a barren netherworld. There, the Executioner had abandoned her for a mysterious woman who offered the Executioner her love. Feeling betrayed, the Enchantress vowed revenge on all men and used the Valkyrie disguise to form the Liberators, who she had held under a spell to gain their trust. The Scarlet Witch is freed from her spell and battles the Enchantress. Throwing a hex bolt at her causes the Enchantress' spell to backfire causing an explosion. After the smoke clears she is gone, supposedly to atoms. Wanda then frees her fellow Avengers, telling them that the Enchantress's spell over the women depended on keeping their trust, but when she had called the Wasp a "wench" in a demeaning tone the spell started to break. When Goliath questions Wanda's feelings about that "woman's lib bull" the Scarlet Witch calls him a chauvinistic pig and threatens him that one of these days the Liberators will stage a comeback. The saga may have finished but the battle of the sexes goes on.
Chris Daniels RFO, KOF, QNS, from Essex points out that the majesty that is Marvel has launch into yet another Stan Lee epic. Epics that belong to the sixties and epics that he feels that would never be produced again. The British Weeklies are going through their best phases at the moment. The one mag that really shows this is the Avengers, because here is Roy Thomas at his very best, with a Golden Age of Avenger stories. Tom Timlin from Liverpool asks what more could anyone want with the fantastic line-up of the Inhumans, the Sub-Mariner, Nick Fury, Captain America, Captain Marvel and now the X-Men in the new mag The Titans. Tom analysis's the Avengers weekly issue 121. In which the Conan was, as usual, was brilliant. The distinctive talents of Roy Thomas, John Buscema and Ernie Chua make this strip perfect. The Avengers was good with the unexpected return of Man-Ape. The art was typical Sal Buscema, terrific! Doctor Strange is a unique character, Steve Englehart is probably the best scripter of the Doctor, but Frank Brunner, though a great artist, is not the artist for the Doctor, but Gene Colan is. G Morris RFO, KOF from Tyne-Wear likes the Avengers mags, but he doesn't agree with the teaming up of Conan with The Avengers. He realises it was brought about through lack of sales of both mags, but to him the Avengers with Conan just does not go.
Iron Fist's recalls the night that Conal and Miranda snuck out of their quarters to escape punishment, Danny had tried to talk Conal out of going to the Valley of Mists as it is much like a death sentence. Miranda knocked Danny out. In the present, at the hospital Lieutenant Scarfe has news of a lead to the identity of Colleen's kidnappers. An insider wants to meet in London, Scarfe finds it suspicious, but Misty wishes to check it out. Danny continues to reflect on the past. After he awakes from Miranda's attack he tracked his friends but he himself is captured by the H'ylthri, plant creatures that were the dominant life forms in the realm before the people of K'un-Lun had come. Since the people of K'un-Lun attacked the H'ylthri. The leader Sssesthgar of the H'ylthri explains all of that to Danny, offering him the chance of becoming like the H'ylthri, by entering one of three plant pods. Two of them are occupied by Conal and Miranda. Danny refuses to join and attacked Sssesthgar, but is stung with a plant that causes him to lose consciousness, before he does he hears Miranda call out to him for help, calling him her brother. Danny awakes up later outside the castle walls of K'un-Lun. In the present Misty enters the room to check on Lee's condition. She tells Danny what she learned about the informant in London. Next week "The city's not for burning!"
A Batty Barrage of Bombastic Bulletins Burstin' with By-Partisan Banter, Bare-faced Banality, and Unabashed Bull!
The inspector says he'll have Scotland Yard look into Doctor Sun. Chelm also informs Quincy that his former associate Blade is also currently wanted for murder. Elsewhere in London, struggling fashion designer Daphne von Wilkinson rejects another designed made by a male designer. She burns his designs and fires him, fuelling her hatred toward men. Her next visitor is Mr Hardy from the Bank calling to tell her that after five years the twelve thousand pound she borrowed needs repaying. He suggests that her business practices of only hiring women is the root of her business woes. Furiously she orders him out of her office and threatens to sue him for defamation of character. Moments later she hears a crashing sound from the office next door. Investigating she finds Dracula has crashed through her window. The ever weakening vampire passes out, in his clutched hand she notices a file. Reading the file she realises that Dracula is seeking out information about Doctor Sun and that she can use that to her advantage. Daphne calls Mr. Hardy back to her office. There she attempts to seduce him but when that fails she allows Dracula to feed upon him. Next week there could be a "Bloodbath in London!"
A newly commissioned second part opening splash page is by an unnamed artist, with a new story title, credits and some new catch-up text boxes, some of which have been lifted from the ninth panel of last week's page twenty-one. Jack with Topaz, his best friend Buck, his new lady-friend Elaine and her young daughter, Button have gone on a weekend ski trip. You might say stupidly during a full moon. Buck had taken Jack into the snow capped woods on the first night so that he could safely transform into the Werewolf without endangering anyone.
The seven year-old had taken quite a shine to Jack and had wandered out into the cold dark countryside to find why the two men had gone. While Buck had left Jack in the wilderness, he had returned to the ski lodge to find Elaine beside herself in panic, not only was her daughter missing but a snow-storm was forecast to arrive during the night. The local police and mountain rescue services coordinate a rescue, but Buck, taking a motorised ski sledge rushes back out to search for Button, knowing that there is extra danger that night in the mountain, against the police advice. As the snow falls heavily Button is hopeless lost, in the deep snow she sees a figure who she calls out for help. To her horror the figure moves closer revealing itself to be the snarling Werewolf. Button runs and the Werewolf's animal instincts takeover. Just as he is about to pounce Buck arrives, leaping from the ski sledge and onto the beast risking his life by putting himself into danger, Buck gets severely mauled but doesn't stop. Still weak Buck pulls his body between the Werewolf and the little girl. With noise from the arriving search party makes the Werewolf gives up and wanders off, but at least Buttons remains safe.
Right the final answers.
Writer: Steve Gerber
The swamp monster senses that there is something terribly wrong, the marsh land had mysteriously sustained his life, now it is being destroyed. He struggles to piece the fragments of memories together. He can't recall that in another life he had been a man who had search for a way in which mankind might survive the pollutants it poisoned its planet with. Before you all start telling me that Ted Sallis had researching a new super-soldier formula and not an environmental solution you, like me you have to accept that Steve Gerber has retconned the Man-Thing's origin slightly to line up with his ecological story. I just accept that both environmental and super-soldier serum plot lines are true and run parallel. It's not like Alan Moore killed off the character and started again. Although what Moore did with Swamp Thing was fabulous in its own way. In the Marvel Universe the Man-Thing tries to stop the workers from continuing their construction. The foreman, Jake Simpson, leads his crew in trying to kill the monster, but none of their methods of attack work. Simpson picks up an axe and drives it into the Man-Thing with no effect, becoming consumed with fear Simpson panics, the Man-Thing grabs his head, his touch burns him. leaving the man in agony the crew watch in horror as the bulldozer that was intended to crush the monster rolls over Jake Simpson ending his painful misery one and for all. The scared workers flee. The Man-Thing simply returns to the swamp that is his home. Next week's mind-blowing epic "It came out of the sky!"
Caesar has coordinated the apes movements intelligently matching the human's actions with counter measures which are particularly brutal against both man and beast. The apes smother the humans taking the fight to the Governor's headquarters, storming it. As it draws to a conclusion in triumph the apes capture Breck and MacDonald, dragging them from their impregnable command post and out into a night painted in hellish flames, across the plaza to the awaiting rebellion's leader, who they recognise as Caesar. Breck saw him die, Caesar replies "The King is dead, long live the King!" Caesar asks Breck what was so different between the apes and the cats and dogs mankind once loved? Why did they turn the apes from pets into slaves? Breck replied that his kind were once man's ancestors, man was born of apes, because in every man an ape is curled up inside. Apes are the beast that man had to whip into submission, the savage they needed to shackle in chains. Man hates them as they hate the dark side of themselves. Caesar orders them dead but MacDonald protests, noting that violence prolongs hate and hate prolongs violence, asking by what right do apes have to spill blood? Caesar replies by the slave's right to punish his prosecutors. MacDonald says that he is a descendant of slaves and asks him to show humanity.
Caesar proclaims that where there is fire, there is smoke, And in the smoke from this day forward his people will crouch and conspire and plot and plan against the inevitable day of man's downfall. The day when mankind will finally, self-destructively turn their weapons against their own kind. That day is written in the sky, when man's cities will burn under radioactive rubble and the sea becomes a dead sea, the land a wasteland into which he shall lead his people out of captivity. On that day apes shall build cities of their own, with no places for humans, except to serve. Apes shall found their own armies, their own religion, their own dynasty and on that day apes shall rule the world! And that day is upon you now!
The Panther decides now is the time to attack Sombre and bring him to justice for his part in the crimes that Killmonger and his men have waged on Wakanda. The two battle with eventually Sombre being thrown into a boggy mire. As the fiend slowly sinks the Panther watches with a glare of amber hatred. Would Sombre have done the same to him? Would he have let him suffer that fate? Sombre returns a merciless glare with almost a suggestion of a smile, an unnerving acceptance of his fate. But T'Challa is better than that, as the quagmire nearly covers the villain the Panther reaches out a hand, but his effort is too late. There is silence for a while, until its broken by nymph-like man who torment the Panther with child-like questions. With more questions than answers the Panther follows the small native deeper into the valley. Not far on Killmonger and his men pillage the land. Emptying foul liquids into the waters to imprison the brachiosaurus that Killmonger's men capture. Killmonger torments his own men, humiliating Tayete by pushing him into the boggy solution that had been tipped into the water. To make an example out of him.
The Angel pilots the device down into the subterranean tunnel, some distance down they are attacked by the Mole Man, who is armed with a disintegration ray. When the three mutants prove too powerful for the Mole Man to tackle alone, he calls his Moloids to deal with them while he flees. Even though they are outnumbered the X-Men make short work of the Moloids and follow after Mole Man to learn if he has any connection with Tyrannus. He leads them to the River Lethe, whose gases causes the three X-Men to be struck with amnesia. Meanwhile, in Tyrannus' palace, the underground dictator has forced Ralph to create a gigantic warrior robot out of his Super Cobalt alloy so that Tyrannus can use the robot against the Mole Man. Cyclops and Beast have found a message from their teammates and followed them, scaling down the subterranean tunnel in search for their comrades. They find the Earth borer and use it to travel through the tunnels, thereby remaining safe from the amnesia inducing gas from the River Lethe.
The Mole Man convinces the amnesia X-Men that they are his slaves. He reveals his own giant robot which he hopes to use against Tyrannus in the coming war. Back at Tyrannus' lair the tyrant drinks from the Fountain of Youth to maintain his youth and vigour. He is preparing to mount an attack against the Mole Man, but news of a pre-emptive strike has prompted him into ordering Ralph to unleash the Super-Cobalt warrior. Tyrannus' robot defeats Mole Man's creation. The combined might of Marvel Girl, the Angel and the Iceman attack the Super-Cobalt robot, easily destroying it. Tyrannus is puzzled by his robots easy defeat, unaware that Ralph sabotaged the robot. In that moment Ralph takes a swing at the monarch but is subdued by his Tyrannoid guards. As the three X-Men burst into the castle and fight off Tryannus and his minions, at the same time Cyclops and Beast arrive at the Mole Man's castle, where they easily defeat the villain and learn what has happened to their friends. Rushing to Tyrannus' Palace Cyclops and Beast use a device that acts as an antidote to their friend’s amnesia. The X-Men leave the two underground rulers near the River Lethe causing them to suffer amnesia. With that the X-Men and Ralph return to the surface to continue their search for Professor X, the mysterious Factor Three and would you believe it "Spider-man!"
It climbs out of the cavern, the creatures reawakening is picked up by a radar-warning station that picks up the creature's newly acquired radioactivity. The commander of the base orders a full alert. Sea-mines are unable to stop It, as the monster destroys the radar warning station with its bare hands. Returning to Atlantis, Namor and Dorma debate on a war against the surface world. Dorma's argument for peace prevails. Namor agrees to send a peaceful message to the surface men demanding that they should not encroach on his kingdom in the name of peace. The messengers are themselves attacked by It. One of their number escape to warn Atlantis of the powerful new stranger that attacked them. Thinking it's a possible attack by the surface men, Namor rushes off to confront their mystery attacker. Meanwhile an American sub is about to attack It. The Sub-Mariner arrives, during the course of the fight, the men aboard the sub figure they are being attacked by the Sub-Mariner, in much the same way Namor believes that It is working for the surface men. As the two titans clash, the sub fires two torpedoes at the two combatants. The story is continued next week.
Andrew Capostagno from Bath says the new comic, The Titans, started badly, despite the brilliant Buscema/Sinnot poster. All can be forgiven as Neal Adams will soon take over the Inhumans strip, John Buscema will gain the Sub-Mariner, Steranko the SHIELD strip, Sal Buscema Captain America and Jim Starlin Captain Marvel. Darren Buckland from Wiltshire likes that The Titans are great but the Silver Surfer should replace the Sub-Mariner. Tommy Micklewright from London writes that after reading the 1st, 2nd and 3rd issues of The Titans he was sold on it, getting it every week. Clive Parry from Dublin bought a copy of Titans #8. It started off with the Inhumans, followed by 5 pages of the Sub-Mariner strip with "To Walk Amongst Men!" After 4 pages came The Inhumans again. Another 4 pages and back to Subby. That's enough for a 1st class No-Prize, but after 4 pages of Captain Marvel obviously half-way through a story. Looks like Clive got one of the small batch of misprinted mags. Brian Goldstein RFO, QNS, KOF, TTB, FOOMer from London points out that the Captain Marvel strip is coming up to the big changes in Cap's life. In The Titans #13, Cap and Rick joined up via the neg bands, which was very reminiscent of a certain other Captain Marvel, SHAZAM!! P Hesling from Leeds writes that the fact that this new mag has five strips should easily make it the best British Marvel mag on the stalls. He hopes it does, but with the Mighty World of Marvel and Spiderman Comics Weekly breathing down its neck, it won't get too far ahead in the Marvel ratings.
Dismissing it as some form of delayed battle fatigue he continues his security sweep, checking the monitor room. Again he is interrupted by a communication from yet another old World War Two foe Fang the Warlord. Fearing that he may be losing his mind, he finds himself living a vivid dream where he and his late partner Bucky are battling Nazis who have been chasing them. Cap realises this is yet again another hallucination. Next he sees his old sergeant in the army, Sgt. Duffy and his troops on a hike. Growing faint he is caught by Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch. Cap asks them what they are doing in New York as last he heard they were in Europe trying to regain Wanda's lost powers. Suddenly Jarvis tells Cap to wake up it has all been a dream and it was really Jarvis he was talking to. Elsewhere, a group of SHIELD agents have uncover an AIM facility where they find Count Royale, an AIM operative who has released something that they learn is called an "Adaptoid." Count Royale had been working for AIM and had previously been seen in The Titans #19, discussing a plan to destroy Nick Fury at the same time as AIM scientists had discovered the Cosmic Cube. Back at Avengers Mansion as Jarvis places the unconscious Captain America in bed. Suddenly the Avengers butler transforms into the Adaptoid, the fake Jarvis had drugged Cap's coffee earlier. Then it takes the shape of Captain America! Find out "the Adaptoid's mission" next week!
Another newly commissioned landscape splash page and another unnamed artist. Nick Fury has been lured to the site of an exploded egg, which turns out to be a trap. as a hand appears from nowhere.
Jasper Sitwell uses an infra-red blaster to reveal that the Druid had been using a "prototype light-absorber" to render himself invisible. Fury challenges the Druid to a one-on-one fight, the villain agrees. With each blow Fury's fists burn, as if the Druids costume had been coated with some kind of special chemical. Quick thinking he bandages his fists and continues the fight. Sitwell manages to drive a fleet of armoured eggs out of hiding as all Hell breaks loose. Nick Fury and the agents of SHIELD win, capturing all of Druid's men. The Druid brags that his HQ has not been found. Sitwell volunteers to find the base and uncover the Druid's true identity. Next week "the mystery of Them!"
Section A.
INTRODUCTORY QUESTION (5 Points). One of Spidey's friends has an infamous father - name the friend and the father. Nearly everyone got that one right the friend is Harry Osborn and the father is the Green Goblin.
ADVANCED QUESTIONS (for 10 points each). The title of the first Stan Lee superhero comic of the '60s... was the Fantastic Four.
The colour of the Hulk in the first issue of his own American Comic. The answer is grey.
Section B.
INTRODUCTORY QUESTION (5 Points).
Who was the first foe to face the Avengers? This was a controversial question, many answered Loki, however it was not until after they had fought Loki that they decided to band together and call themselves "The Avengers," so the first foe to face "The Avengers" was Space Phantom! Common sense would choose Loki, but after much discussion they decided that it only be fair to accept both Loki and Space Phantom.
ADVANCED QUESTIONS (for 10 points each)
Who were the original 5 Avengers? The original Avengers in question were Ant Man, The Wasp, Thor, Iron Man and The Hulk.
For ONE point each, name ten Avengers other than the above 5.
Nearly everyone was able to name them and also ten other Avengers from the myriad of Superheroes who have belonged to the Avengers at one time or another. With this you have to think, so I say, Captain America, Hawkeye, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, Hercules, Black Panther, the Vision and Black Knight, if they mean up to the current (1975) American edition you can add the Black Widow. You could also count Giant-Man, Goliath, Yellowjacket, Goliath II and technically the Swordsman.
This version of the answers also appeared in Planet of the Apes, as well as versions in SSMwtSH, the Avengers weekly and Dracula Lives. I'll review Part One, Section C and D later in Super-Spider-man with the Super-Heroes.
This Marvel Masterwork Pin-up features Jack Kirby's artwork that was originally from the front cover of the Fantastic Four issue 59 with inks by the reliable Joe Sinnott. If you look carefully you can see that the corner box, from the top left-hand side of the page has been removed as well as the Comic Code Authority panel on the top right. A text box stating that "in this earth-shattering issue the Inhumans break free!" was also removed and the image of the Invisible Girl was lifted up to replace it.
Daredevil “...And death came riding!”
Writer: Roy Thomas
Artist: Gene Colan
Inker: Syd Shores
Originally published in Daredevil #56
Cover date September 1969
(Published in July 1969)
Daredevil is swinging through the city and he's in a happy mood, going by his happy singing performance. He no longer has to worry about Starr Saxon giving away his real identity after the villain's demise last week, or having to deal with Matt Murdock's "cumbersome alter ego" after facing his own death. Daredevil pops in to Foggy Nelson's DA office for a friendly chat and to "see" Karen Page.
I have no idea who drew this magnificent Marvel Masterwork Pin-up of Daredevil verses the Stilt-man above the streets of New York. Who ever it was has done an absolutely brilliant job. I'm surprised that it didn't come from a cover.
Marvel Over Europe
This article would have been very unique to a "boys action" comic in the mid seventies as it deals with Marvel comics across Europe. I'm not sure British readers would ever think about foreign language comics let alone Marvel comics in other countries so this would have been quite an eye opener. What also marks it out is that Neil Tennant, the new editor, wrote this article. He might have wrote replies to letters or even Items in the Bullpen pages, although they might have been compiled by someone in the US office, but this must have been the future pop-stars first professional piece of work. He talks about Marvel's conquest of Europe and the version of the mags that appear in countries like Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain and the Eastern European country of Yugoslavia, which later was split up into Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia (now North Macedonia), Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia through the 1990's and 2000's. Tennant even drops a possible follow up piece by suggesting that if readers wanted it another piece on Marveldom in Australia, South Africa, the Philippines or Canada could be produced. Rather than go into great detail on the article, I'll encourage you to read it all for yourselves. I imagine it will bring back memories of European holidays and seeing different foreign language Marvel comics. Like Neil said, "Now who says Marvel won't take over the World?" This feature also appears in this week's Dracula Lives.
The Fantastic Four “Enter..the exquisite elemental!”
Artist: Jack Kirby
Inker: Joe Sinnott
Originally published in The Fantastic Four #81
Cover date December 1968
(Published in September 1968)
As Sue Storm is on maternity leave after the happy birth of her new born son, the Inhuman Crystal has been asked to fill in by the Torch as the fourth member of the world's greatest super-hero team. And with that comes a new costume that she happily shows off to Johnny and Ben. She gives the boys a quick demonstration of her "elemental" powers. At first Johnny is concerned that she must be able to take orders and keep her powers under control. While showing how she can filter her powers to gain better control Reed returns from hospital after visiting Sue and the baby.
Super Spider-man with the Super-Heroes #162
The second cover from this week's six Marvel mags is the second cover this week by Dave Hunt. This one is better than his Mighty World of Marvel effort, because it in itself tells a story. Spider-man battles Doctor Octopus and as he does Doc Ock unmasks Spidey. He shouts Spider-man's identity to the world, Spoilers: it doesn't quite work out quite like that. Hunt’s use of space is brilliant. there's not an inch wasted. It's my Cover of the Week. Frank Giacoia inks Hunt's pencils. The original artwork was sold by Heritage Auctions for $3,120 (£2,357,) on the 7th March 2020.
Previously Super Spider-man with the Super-Heroes had been printed in Dublin, Ireland by Creation Printing Company Ltd. like Dracula Lives and The Titans. The other weeklies, MWOM and Planet of the Apes were printed in Finland by Savon Sanomain Kirjapaino Oy. But this week's SSMwtSH has been printed in Alloa in Scotland by Alloa Printing and Publishing Co. Ltd. The Avengers had been printed in Ireland until around either issues 116 or 117, when Alloa took over. Was it a slow move to have all the weeklies printed in one reliable place?
Spider-man “They call the Doctor...Octopus!”
Writer: Gerry Conway
Artist: John Romita Sr.
Inker: Tony Mortellaro and Jim Starlin
Originally published in the Amazing Spider-man #113
Cover date October 1972
(Published in July 1972)
The credits box lists that this week's strip was "A Marvel Masterwork presentation was by John Romita (art) and Gerry Conway (script)" It's strange that John name is first but history (and the Marvel Wiki page,) lists that Romita had no more than usual artist input into the plot. My guess is that with Stan Lee leaving the writing chores the John Romita name was, at the time, more pull than Gerry Conway. Spider-man has just faces some street thugs, one of them was even enhanced by a muscle-amplifying harness. But now he has to face Doctor Octopus, who is angered at the web-slinger meddling in his plans once again.
The Mighty Thor “To stop Surtur!”
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Jack Kirby
Inker: Vince Colletta
Originally published in The Mighty Thor #177
Cover date June 1970
(Published in April 1970)
This second part opening splash page is by an unnamed artist who draws Balder the brave’s final moments in the Dimension of Death as he pulls himself along to reach a capsule and within it the sleeping body of Odin. Odin is the last hope Asgard has of stopping Surtur. A catch-up panel, credits and a new story title have been added, but my one question is "who's Sultur?" OK he who is without sin should not cast the first rock, but these things happen and I've corrected the spelling mistake in this story's title above.
Growing rapidly old with every passing moment, Balder manages to pull himself onto the capsule, as his hand touches the glass plate showing the slumbering Odin, the All-Father awakens proclaiming that his Odinsleep has ended. In the battle field Thor faces the might of Surtur. The warriors of Asgard join in the fury, lead by Hogun and Fandral. Thor uses the power of Mjolnir to pull a large meteor from outer space, dropping it on the fire demon, sadly to little avail. As the battle rages on, Balder pulls the capsule with Odin inside out of the Dimension of Death with his last dying breath. Sif weeps at the warrior's bravery, until the hand of Odin, now released from the capsule, comforts her saying that his spark of life still flickers, but only Odin has the power to strengthen it. All looks lost on the battle field, Thor's army is unable to stop Surtur and are forced to use a frost gun, that only momentarily staggers the demon who blasts everyone into unconsciousness, leaving Thor the last god standing. Thor faces death with his hammer in his hand as Odin arrives to banish Surtur beneath the bowels of the Earth. The reviving warriors raise their weapons in honour of Odin as he "doth reign supreme!" Next week "The Stranger!"
Frank Hampson: The man who drew a dream
Like the "Marvel Over Europe" article Super Spider-man with the Super-Heroes has it's own comic page article, but this one features a comic that might be known well by British readers, or if not them, their Dad's would definitely know of, Dan Dare and Eagle comic, or more correctly Dan's famous creator Frank Hampson. Also this article is a giant plug that "The World's Best Comic Artist" draws the Amazing Spider-man. Not as a complete strip, but nearly as good a super centre spread pin-up, This article is written by one of Britain's leading authority on comic art and the creator of COMICS 101, Denis Gifford. This article also plugs what COMICS 101 which was described as the Great British Comics Convention taking place at the Mount Royal Hotel over the weekend of 19-21 March 1976. But this shouldn't be about next week's centre-spread or Denis Gifford's Comic Convention, but about the real super-star of British comics, Frank Hampson, the history of Eagle Comic and its headline strip, Dan Dare, Pilot of the Future. Again I'll not repeat this article, but I will suggest that you really should click on the article and have a good read of Gifford's piece, it's pretty comprehensive.
It's a tale of fire and ice as the Human Torch and the Iceman exchange fire balls and snowballs. The artwork is by Dave Hunt (pencils,) and Duffy Vohland (inks,) and it was sold on the 19th June 2021 by Heritage Auctions .com for $1,800, which is around £1,349.
Marvel Mastermind 1975...and now the answers!
Section C.
This section was all about British Marvel comics.
INTRODUCTORY QUESTION (5 Points).
What was the title of the first ever British Marvel Comic? Dead easy, it was The Mighty World of Marvel.
ADVANCED QUESTIONS (for 10 points each)
What was the terrific free gift in the first issue of Spider-man Comics Weekly? It was a Spidey mask.
Which was the last issue of Savage Sword of Conan before it merged with the Avengers weekly? That would be issue 18.
Section D.
INTRODUCTORY QUESTION (for 5 points)
Which Marvel character can observe events taking place but, by law of his race, never interfere? Marvel's peeping Tom is the Watcher.
ADVANCED QUESTIONS (for 10 points each)
What have the following superheroes in common? THOR, CAPTAIN AMERICA, ANGEL and NAMOR. The correct answer is wings, they all have either real wings or wings as part of their costume.
Which Marvel superhero first befriended Wyatt Wingfoot? Easy, Johnny Storm, the Human Torch.
For Round Two, Sections A and B see the Marvel Mastermind section in the Avengers.
Iron Man “Iron Man vs. the Hulk?”
Writer: Archie Goodwin
Artist: George Tuska
Inker: Johnny Craig
Originally published in Iron Man #9
Cover date January 1969
(Published in October 1968)
This specially commissioned third part splash page appeared after an original page of art that had a text box added to it to look like it was a prologue, so that the page fitted neatly in the story. The artist of this page is unknown. Iron Man had chased the Hulk, who has kidnapped Janice Cord, across the city through the pouring rain, to finally cornering him in a warehouse. The two battle with the Iron Man trapped under a collapsed wall the Hulk piles dynamite that had been stored in the warehouse onto the trapped hero, then lights a match before leaving, that is something that by any stretch of anybody's imagination is completely out of character for the green behemoth.
Doctor Strange “...Where bound'ries...Decay”
Writer: Steve Englehart
Artist: Frank Brunner
Inker: Dick Giordano
Originally published in Doctor Strange #4
Cover date October 1974
(Published in July 1974)
Now the eagle eyed readers might notice that this week's Doctor Strange story was originally taken from Doctor Strange issue 4 and not from issue 3 even though last week's strip had been taken from issue 2. Well apart from the opening splash page and five panels on the last page that issue 3 of Doctor Strange was filled with repeat material taken from Strange Tales #126 and #127. Which British readers would have seen in the Avengers weekly #14 and #15. I can only presume that the decision was made to help Frank Brunner get ahead of the series deadline as the two story have no real connection to the current plot. The Doctor is riding the unreal Aragorn through the Orb of Agamotto to find the way out, located at its centre.
The Marvel Sea-Monkey offer continues this week with the fourth coupon needed for readers to collect if they wanted to send off for a Sea-Monkey kit at half the usual price. This week's coupon features Marvel's own seafaring hero, Namor, the Sub-Mariner. Four more chances to collect coupons, with only six of the eight needed. Details of how to get your kit will be published in the Super Spider-man with the Super-Heroes issue on the week ending the 17th of April.
The Thing and “Seven against the Empire!”
Writer: Steve Gerber
Artist: Gil Kane
Inker: Joe Sinnott
Originally published in Marvel Two-in-One #5
Cover date September 1974
(Published in June 1974)
Its Earth in the year 3014 AD, the Thing, Captain America, and Sharon Carter have been captured by minions of the Brotherhood of Badoon, known as Zoms and the android monster known only as the Monster of Badoon. The heroes from the past have been brought before Lordsire Drang, the Badoon's leader. Drang has Captain America's mind probed to learn how these beings came to be on Earth. Drang and the other Badoon are horrified to learn that they are heroes from the Earth's past.
Avengers Weekly #131
Come on in..the revolution's fine! Inside: Marvel Mastermind answers and surprise guests and villains galore, but it's great to see the Black Widow take a good chunk of the cover in this Michael Netzer cover that could well have be inked by Dan Adkins.
Conan the Barbarian “The city of the silver citadel!”
Writer: Roy Thomas
Artist: Neal Adams
Inker: Neal Adams
Originally published in Conan the Barbarian #37
Cover date April 1974
(Published in January 1973)
Marvel Mastermind 1975...and now the answers!
Round Two.
Section A
INTRODUCTORY QUESTION (for 5 points)
Who drew the first issues of Spiderman Comics Weekly? Many readers put down Steve Ditko, who did draw the first Spider-man strip. But it also contained a Thor strip drawn by Jack Kirby. Hence the correct answer was Steve Ditko and Jack Kirby.
ADVANCED QUESTIONS (for 10 points each)
Which villain first discovered Spidey's secret identity, and later caused the death of Gwen Stacy? It was the Green Goblin. Well that really gave two major near future plots away!
What was the christian name of Aunt May's husband? Simple it was Ben.
Section B
INTRODUCTORY QUESTION (for 5 points)
Who was the first villain to face the Fantastic Four? It was the Mole Man who was the FF's first foe.
ADVANCED QUESTIONS (for 10 points each)
Who is the father of The Thing's girl friend, Alicia? Well, as many of you pointed out the Puppet Master was Alicia's step-father, her real father was unknown. The Puppet Master was the accepted answer, but ten points were also given to those who pointed out that her real father was unknown,
What had been Ben Grimm's profession before becoming a superhero? Ben was a aircraft pilot and not a professional footballer as some said.
I'll reveal the final answers for Round Two, Sections C and D in Dracula Lives.
The Avengers “Halloween shock!”
Writer: Roy Thomas
Artist: John Buscema
Inker: Tom Palmer
Originally published in The Avengers #83
Cover date December 1970
(Published in October 1970)
New panels were commissioned to make this second part opening page with text re-cap, story title and credits added. With a surprise attack the Masters of Evil manage to get the upper hand over the Avengers, that is until the Liberators show up. The newly formed group makes short work of the Masters of Evil and when the male Avengers thank the women for their assistance, they are shocked as the females attacked them, again the surprise turn about sees them easily defeated too.
Avengers Mail
Iron Fist “In the forest of fear!”
Writer: Chris Claremont
Artist: John Byrne
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Originally published in Iron Fist #2
Cover date December 1975
(Published in September 1975)
The Gil Kane cover artwork from Iron Fist issue 2 is repurposed as this week's second part opening splash page. In the present, Colleen Wing is brought to Jera'ad Al-D'in in Halwan, where she is presented to her kidnappers mysterious master. He is not impressed with his follower Hassan, who hasn't broken Colleen Wing's will and conditioned her to serve his master. Hassan's punishment is to be killed in front of Colleen.
Bullpen Bulletin
The first Item in this week starts a new series of mini-origins of Marvel characters. The first hero in the spotlight is Spider-man. I guess the majority of Power of the Beesting readers already know how as a teenager Peter Parker got his super-powers when he was bitten by a radioactive spider. The next Item tells readers not to miss this week's The Titans as the X-citing X-Men face the Warlock. Wait a minute didn't that happen three week's ago in The Titans #18? Yes it did!?!? What is also strange about. this week's Bullpen Page is that there's a plug for this week's Dennis Gifford article on Frank Hampson from this week's Super Spider-man with the Super-Heroes, but it also suggests that the Hampson Spider-man Centre-Spread is in this week's issue too, which it wasn't. The final Item teases that next week's Bullpen Bulletin page will feature a mini-origin on the Incredible Hulk. This week's Bullpen page also appears in Dracula Lives.
Dracula Lives #74
Dan Adkins penciled and inked this Dracula Lives cover. Dracula orders the Werewolf and the Man-Thing to strike and let all humanity beware! But it looks more like they are about to fight each other.
The inside front page tells readers that Mighty Marvel is on the move... with six great mags on sale every week. The Super Spider-man with the Super-Heroes and The Titans covers were actually covers from next week and the week after respectively. The Mighty World of Marvel, the Avengers weekly and Dracula Lives covers might have been mock-up covers that were not used.
Dracula “Night of the She-demon!”
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Artist: Gene Colan
Inker: Tom Palmer
Originally published in Tomb of Dracula #34
Cover date July 1975
(Published in April 1975)
This specially commissioned splash page is used as the second part opener setting the scene at Scotland Yard, were Inspector Chelm, Quincy Harker and a psychologist named Doctor Scott try to figure out what Dracula's next move is. Scott deduces that Dracula may not stay in London for too much longer as in spite of his many resurrections he fears death. They are soon joined by Rachel van Helsing who adds that she overheard one of the female vampires who recently held her captive say that Dracula had become worried about losing his powers. Rachel deduces it is probably Doctor Sun who had succeeded in draining Dracula's life force once who is still the threat.
Werewolf by Night “White death!”
Writer: Doug Moench
Artist: Don Perlin
Inker: Don Perlin
Originally published in Werewolf by Night #31
Cover date July 1975
(Published in April 1975)
Marvel Mastermind 1975...and now the answers!
Round Two.
Section C
INTRODUCTORY QUESTION (for 5 points)
Who was the Hulk's teenage assistant? Easy, Rick Jones.
ADVANCED QUESTIONS (for 10 points each)
Name the two Hulk foes who got their powers through the same incident as befell Bruce Banner (5 points each). I think they meant "by a similar way to what befell Bruce Banner" and not the same explosion, so the answers are the Leader and the Abomination. They wouldn't accept Doc Samson as the answer because he was not really a Hulk foe as such as Marvel heroes often fight each other without being real foes.
Which Marvel superhero died in an American Hulk comic? Right this answer created controversy. Many nominated the Mimic, however was the Mimic a Superhero? They say not! The correct answer is Warlock, in issues 177/178 of the Incredible Hulk, the actual cover of #177 proclaims "Death of a Superhero!"
Section D
INTRODUCTORY QUESTION (for 5 points)
Give all 4 superhero identities of Hank Pym. That should be easy, Ant Man, Giant Man, Goliath and Yellowjacket.
ADVANCED QUESTIONS (for 10 points each)
What are the two old publishing trade names of Marvel Comics? (for 5 points each) The two old publishing trade names of Marvel Comics are Timely and Atlas. Some suggested Power Comics, but that was an imprint of the British comics publisher Odhams Press, which itself was a division of IPC Magazines, which never belonged to Marvel,
For five points each, before FOOM, Marvel has had two other comic clubs. What are their full names? This was a little bit hard but they were The Merry Marvel Marching Society and Marvelmania International.
And the winner is... Well, it's not quite as simple as that. Find out why next week!
Man-Thing “Indian death-song”
Artist: Val Mayerik
Inker: Sal Trapani
Originally published in Adventure into Fear #16
Cover date September 1973
(Published in June 1973)
The opening second part splash page uses Frank Brunner's menacing cover artwork from Adventure into Fear issue 16, with a new story title, catch-up text boxes and credits added. You can see Brunner's signature on the front shovel of the bulldozer. In the following days F A Schist's construction crew workers begin to tear up the land in preparation for the new airport site. The noise and destruction of the swamp brings the limited attention of the puzzled Man-Thing.
Planet of the Apes #74
It's a good cover from Ron Wilson as a giant "river-slug" attacks Jason and his ape friends when apes and humans band together to battle an unknown menace in "Death on a River called Simian!" The only thing wrong here is this tale only starts next week! Did the editors go to early with this cover, or had they forgotten that this week's mag contained the final episode of "Conquest of the Planet of Apes" and didn't have an appropriate cover ready? I have to say the "River Slug" looks more like a giant toad! John Tartaglione inked Ron's pencils.
Planet of the Apes “A city in flames!”
Writer: Doug Moench
Artist: Alfredo Alcala
Inker: Alfredo Alcala
Originally published in Planet of the Apes (US) #21
Cover date June 1976
(Published in April 1976)
This commissioned final part opening splash page features Caesar the intelligent chimpanzee leading a revolution of apes in the Conquest of the Planet of the Apes. Since last week issue the British weekly has been a head of its American monthly counterpart, and even now British readers get to see the film adaption before their American cousins. Governor Breck has ordered the riot police to stop the rebellious apes no matter the cost, using water hoses and guns, but the massing apes sheer numbers makes the task impossible.
Doug Moench pretty much copies the final scene from Paul Dehn's screenplay, but ends it with Caesar declaring that the day of revolution is upon mankind. It's a fantastic point to bring the adaption to an end. The film ended with Caesar following his chimpanzee girlfriend Lisa uttering the word "No"! Caesar hears that and turns to give a more peaceful speech rejecting violence towards man but aiming to dominate them none-the-less. "But now... now we will put away our hatred. Now we will put down our weapons. We have passed through the night of the fires, and those who were our masters are now our servants. And we, who are not human, can afford to be humane. Destiny is the will of God, and if it is man’s destiny to be dominated, it is God’s will that he be dominated with compassion, and understanding. So, cast out your vengeance. Tonight, we have seen the birth of the Planet of the Apes!" That was tacked on to the end of the film as the first cut was much more militant and had Caesar call for all-out rebellion, ordering the execution of all the humans. I certainly love the more powerful ending, shocking all at the brutality of the savagery in both species. The soft ending may have been a cop-out but there's much to be said about the love and humanity soon as Lisa utters a word for the first time in defiance of hate! The comic strip ending is great but let's all strive for love.
Ka-Zar “Beneath the evil ax!”
Writer: Mike Friedrich
Artist: Dan Adkins
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Originally published in Astonishing Tales #20
Cover date October 1973
(Published in July 1973)
The second part opening splash page was drawn by an unnamed artist. Its a pity that I don't know who they were as it's quite good and it's a pity that the scene of Ka-Zar and Zabu in the Savage Land with a Pterodactyl over head doesn't match with the story's setting. thankfully a catch-up box helps to set the correct scene. A new story title and credits are added. Bobbi Morse had been taken captive by Victorious and the hordes of AIM. Nick Fury had sent Ka-Zar to rescue the SHIELD agent. After freeing her Bobbi went looking for the Super-Soldier serum that the savage lord had left in the countryside outside of the AIM base. After disposing of two AIM agents Bobbi finds it and Zabu, who had followed Ka-Zar's trail, had found her.
Fury orders her to go and find Ka-Zar, so with Zabu she enters AIM's lair. On their way in, Zabu takes out Plunderer just as he's waking up from Ka-Zar's earlier beating. Gemini avoids them by slipping away through a secret passage. Zabu races ahead to find Victorius preparing to slay Ka-Zar. The sabre tooth tiger leaps at the villain who uses a specially designed lance that releases knockout gas to fall the giant cat. Bobbi arrives just as Ka-Zar wakes up, she throws him the Serum just before Victorius uses the lance to incapacitate her. Once again Ka-Zar rejects the serum, throwing it into a nearby burning brazier. Despite not possessing super- strength like Victorious, Ka-Zar defeats him through sheer force of will, throwing the villain out the window to land in the moat around the fortress. Gemini resumes his Damian Link identity before the mind of Josh Link returns to his body in prison. Afterwards, Doctor Calvin refuses to make more of her Super-Soldier Serum, much to Nick Fury's displeasure. Finally, Ka-Zar and Zabu get on a plane to return to the Savage Land, but not before Ka-Zar and Bobbi share a farewell kiss. It all kind off feels like a rushed ending, this was the last Ka-Zar story to appear in Astonishing Tales, but over two months later the Lord of the Savage Land would return in his own title, so maybe it was rushed to finish the Super-soldier serum saga and give Ka-Zar a fresh start, which will appear in next week's Planet of the Apes.
Black Panther “There are serpents lurking in paradise”
Writer: Don McGregor
Artist: Billy Graham
Inker: Pablo Marcos
Originally published in Jungle Action Vol 2 #14
Cover date March 1975
(Published in December 1974)
Pablo Marcos takes over as inker with this story, I must say that he keeps the quality of art on this series up to the high standard previous inkers had set. The Black Panther had trailed the mysterious menacing form of Sombre from the cold Land of the Chilling Mist to descend into the humid shroud of the Serpent Valley. T'Challa hopes that he will lead him to Killmonger.
This week's colour back page features a photo taken from the film Escape from the Planet of the Apes, showing Cornelius and Zira, the intelligent apes from the future, captive in a world they do not understand. As portrayed by Kim Hunter and Roddy McDowall.
The Titans #22
The final cover of this week's mags is Dave Hunt's third of the week. It, like his Super-Spider-man one does fill the space well, especially with the menacing silhouette of the Adaptoid in the lite doorway, but it's not as good as the Spider-man v Doctor Octopus one. Mike Esposito inks this one.
The X-Men “War..in a world of darkness!”
Writer: Roy Thomas
Artist: Dan Adkins
Inker: Dan Adkins
Originally published in The X-Men #34
Cover date July 1967
(Published in May 1967)
The Beast makes repairs to Cerebro to aid in their search for the Professor. In the meantime Jean returns to Metro College when she learns that Ted Roberts needs to urgently speak to her. She calls him and learns that his brother Ralph has been kidnapped. He begs her to contact the X-Men. Jean contacts the mansion, Warren answers and wakes up Bobby, leaving Hank and Scott to continue making Cerebro's repairs. Soon the three X-Men arrive at Roberts Research Inc. Ted shows them evidence of his brother's abduction by beings from beneath the Earth. Ralph had just perfected a new Cobalt based metal alloy that is impervious to damage, when suddenly his lab was invaded by Tyrannus and his Tyranoid's who wished to exploit his expertise with Cobalt science. The X-Men agree to help, so Ted shows them another invention of Ralph's, an earth borer that is equipped with a Cobalt power source. The X-Men set off to search the cavern below.
The Sub-Mariner “It walks like a man!”
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Dan Adkins
Inker: Dan Adkins
Originally published in Tales to Astonish #92
Cover date June 1967
(Published in March 1967)
Dan Adkins takes over as penciler from Bill Everett with this week's tale as well as inking himself and I have to say I very much prefer this week's style. While exploring the depths of the oceans Namor and Dorma come across a barrel of radioactive waste that has been dumped by a passing submarine. Namor is furious and delivering it is some kind of attack is about to attack the sub, but Dorma talks him out of it and instead he tosses it into the forbidden Cavern of Darkness. The barrel is ruptured upon impact, freeing the radioactive material that revives a centuries-old creature known as It from its slumber,
This week Marvel Masterwork centre-spread is a gallery of Marvel Super-Villains. From left to right we have the Yellow Claw, Warlord Krang, the Red Skull, Attuma and Magneto, all emerging from the Cosmic Cube, held by Thanos. The art was pencilled and inked by Dave Hunt.
Titanic Transcipts
Captain America “The maddening mystery of the inconceivable Adaptoid!”
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Jack Kirby
Inker: Frank Giacoia
Originally published in Tales to Astonish #82
Cover date October 1966
(Published in July 1966)
I'm not quite as taken with this week's art on Captain America, there's no change in inker so I just put it down to Jack Kirby or Frank Giacoia having a bad day. One night in Avengers Mansion, Captain America reminisces over an album filled with pictures of World War Two exploits. Jarvis serves him a coffee before the star spangled Avengers makes his final security check. While he does so he is suddenly attacked by his old wartime foe, Agent Axis, who vanishes as suddenly as he appears. Agent Axis was not actually a Marvel character, but a Golden Age character from the DC universe, I guess Stan or Jack messed up there. Later Roy Thomas would incorporate the villain into an Invaders story to fix the continuity.
Captain Marvel “The menace of...Megaton!”
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Artist: Wayne Boring
Inker: Frank McLaughlin
Originally published in Captain Marvel #23
Cover date November 1972
(Published in August 1972)
This landscape splash page was drawn by an unnamed artist, it features Megaton threatening to destroy his cell mate. In the credits "Art Stampler"is listed as writer, but it was actually Marv Wolfman who wrote this strip.
Megaton drains his cellmate of his life force, killing him and then uses the gained energy to breaking out of prison. Meanwhile at the lab of Lou-Ann's uncle, Professor Benjamin Savannah, Rick's body is rejecting the photon treatment and he's in a lot of pain when Megaton arrives, sensing the energy. Mar-Vell warns Rick that Megaton is building up too much energy. If left to continue he will explode soon. Rick passes the warning on. Megaton takes Rick to the Artic Kree base which gave the mutated villain his powers. As soon as they arrive, Rick finds a pair of Nega Bands and puts them on. These allow him to freely change into Captain Marvel. Marvel and Megaton fight again but, with seconds to spare, Marvel flies up with Megaton and throws the villain out into space, where he explodes safely. I have to be honest it all sounds like a DC plot, it could have been written for Super-man or Shazam, who ever they are? I love Marv Wolfman's work but this effort was poor.
Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD “Trial by combat!”
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Jack Kirby
Inker: Mike Esposito
Originally published in Strange Tales #145
Cover date June 1966
(Published in March 1966)
More mysteries, more action, more adventures and more stuff and nonsense in next week's Power of the Beesting. Till then...
See you in seven.
Make Mine Marvel.
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