The power and the heartache!

 Week Ending 15th May 1976

Comics are for kids! 

Except when they not! 

One day I'm going to write a blog about that. Stories like "One Big Rat" and "V for Vendetta" spring to mind, but I thinks that this week's Spider-man tales easily fits into the category of stories that are fundamentally for adults or at least for kids who are very maturely minded. Sadly on the 26th April 2026 one of Marvel's most underrated writers passed away. Gerry Conway may have wrote more classics than you remember. His story weren't flashy, weren't overly controversial, they were just bloody good stories with great characterisation. He co-created Man-Thing, the Punisher, Werewolf by Night, he wrote Marvel's first Dracula story and penned the single most important moment in Marvel comics history, of which British readers got the chance to read it full in this week's Super Spider-man with the Super-Heroes. I hope you enjoy this week's blog, but if you read one full comic strip this week please read the Spider-man strip from SSMwtSH #170, or from Amazing Spider-man #121. Thanks Gerry for all the absolutely amazing stories that I grew up with. 

Gerry Conway RIP.

The Mighty World of Marvel #189

This British commissioned cover is a little bit of a mystery, other than the inker, Frank Giacoia, the Grand Comics Database isn't sure who the artist was. Ron Wilson credits himself as the penciler, however Nick Caputo, from the GCD suspects that it is the artwork of Keith Pollard. I have to be honest, to my eyes it looks more like Pollard than Wilson.

The Incredible Hulk “I am the President!”

Writer: Gerry Conway and Rot Tomas (plot)

Artist: Herb Trimpe

Inker: Jack Abel

Originally published in The Incredible Hulk #176

Cover date June 1974

(Published in March 1974)

I have no idea who drew this opening second part splash page, it is purely symbolic of the action that follows. I wouldn't call it a great piece of artwork, but let's be honest, Herb Trimpe's artwork isn't his best this week. The Hulk has found himself on Counter-Earth, where we find out that the President of the United States is actually the evil creation of the High Evolutionary known as the Man-Beast. He orders his minions, Barachuudar, Snakar, Weezhil, and Cobrah to capture the Hulk. 

As they leave they are saluted by a guard outside the Oval Office who doesn't look twice at there strange appearances as he sees them in their human forms. Once they take off in their sleek aircraft the Man-Beast is contacted by his minion Lizhardus, who informs him that all attempts to bend Adam Warlock's will to their side have ended in failure. The reptile man advises that an alternative like "Operation Smear" should be used. The Hulk has arrived in Washington DC seeking solitude in the Washington Monument where he has to smash through some soldiers in order to get peace and quiet. His solitude is broken when the Man-Beast's minions attack, blasting away at the top of the Monument to get to the Hulk. The four New Men battle the Hulk who easily out powers them until they manage to slip a mask on his face, that bonds to his skin with molecular adhesive and releases enough gas to cause him to pass out and revert back into Bruce Banner. Elsewhere Lizhardus, deep in thought, is attacked and knocked out from behind by the Recorder, who has come to free Warlock under instructions from the High Evolutionary, so that he can save Counter-Earth from the Man-Beast. "The Man-Beast triumphant!" find out next week.

Bullpen Bulletins

Awe~Inspiring Announcements to Yawn With!

The first Item is about possibly the most off-beat ending of the year that can be found in this week's Fantastic Four story featured in The Titans! The villain is Doctor Doom! The story by Stan Lee with art Jack Kirby if you haven't already guessed. This week's Bullpen Bulletin features a classic Stan's Soapbox, my favourite ever so I'm going to print it here in full.

"For many years we've been trying, in our own bumbling way, to illustrate that love is a far greater force, a far greater power than hate. Now we don't mean you're expected to go around like a pirouetting Pollyanna, tossing posies at everyone who passes by, but we do want to make a point. Let's consider three men: Buddha, Christ, and Moses... men of peace, whose thoughts and deeds have influenced countless millions throughout the ages - and whose presence is still felt in every corner of the earth. Buddha, Christ, and Moses... men of good will, men of tolerance, and especially men of love. Now, consider the practitioners of hate who have sullied the pages of history. Who still venerates their words? Where is homage still paid to their memory? What banners still are raised to their cause? The power of love - and the power of hate. Which is most truly enduring. When you tend to despair ...let the answer sustain you. Excelsior! Stan Lee." 

The rest of this week's Items will appear in the Bullpen Bulletin seen in Dracula Lives.

The Mighty Marvel Mailbag

Steve Whitting from Norfolk has a secret to reveal, the truth of the No Prize is so profound that it could disgrace you before Marveldom. Behold the Immortal No-Prize, not of this fragile existence, but of a higher realm. It’s intangible, existing in the infinite splendour of the consciousness, mind, and soul. It’s Truth only in the imaginings of the favoured few, yet more treasured than any material thing. Craig Briggs from Keighley has an ambition to become an artist. He can't decide if the old partly-coloured mags or the new black-and-white shiny covers are the best. Craig thinks it would be a smash idea if you printed some mags in the old style and some in the new style and that there should be colour posters printed on the back, as the back covers are often wasted on advertisements. Laurent Alexander from West Midlands has just finished reading the Spiderman/Superman epic. It was fabulous. The artwork was great, the story marvellous and the cover was fantastic. Laurent thinks that MWOM is good but how about adding Shang-Chi, Luke Cage or The Defenders to it, making another 30 minutes of exciting reading.

Mark Heald from Lancashire writes that Marvel appears in schoolbooks? He was in English, browsing through a book called "Conflict 2" by Nelson. And on page 78 there was three pages of artwork from "Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos". He looked in the acknowledgements and it read, "Taken from a cartoon in August 1968 and appears by kind permission of Trans-world Features Syndicate Inc.and the Marvel Comics division of Bard Publishing Corporation." Anil Shah from Middlesex but originally they came from Africa where they never heard of Marvel comics. He now gets four British Marvel weeklies MWOM, SMCW, the Super-Heroes and The Titans. David Fielder from Herts writes that the Superman/Spider-man team-up mag is a superb achievement, Still, he supposes that one couldn't expect less from a collaboration between DC and Marvel. Chris Shaw from London asks will there be any more Treasury Editions? As the Spidey vs. Superman was great. The bottom of the letter page has an advert for Fantasy Exchange, a mail order company from Kent, who have a huge selection of old and new Marvel Comics for sale at low prices. They specialise in British Marvels back issues plus about 5,000 American issues. 13p in stamps or coins would get you the latest list or 50p for the list and five US Marvel back issues.

Daredevil “The Torpedo will get you if you don't watch out!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Syd Shores

Originally published in Daredevil #59

Cover date December 1969

(Published in October 1969)

Daredevil is on the prowl in New York when he stumbles across one of the oldest and dirtiest rackets, but also one of the most profitable games, a protection scam. Two gun men rough up a shop owner telling him that if he doesn't start paying his contributions they are going to be forced to lean on him a little. Daredevil takes down the thugs when the police arrive. The shop owner instantly tells them there has been some sort of misunderstanding as the two "gentlemen" never really meant to harm him. Daredevil realises that the chief witness, like many in the city, are so afraid of Crime-Wave that they suddenly "forget" what has happened. 

Daredevil returns to the District Attorneys office, changing into his civilian clothes to make an entrance as Matt Murdock. There he joins Willie Lincoln and Karen Page in Foggy Nelson's office as they view a television report on Crime-Wave, as there newscaster reports that the Mayor is asking that the people of New York get involved as the gangland boss Crime-Wave is  only the second greatest foe of New York. Public enemy number one is apathy! The tension between Karen and Matt is obvious as she is still mad at Matt for not retiring his Daredevil identity. Foggy asks Willie to clue Matt in on the details of how he might have evidence that might help take Crime-Wave down. Willie reveals that he had earlier travelled to a local bar where he heard Crime-Wave was based. While there, he accidentally leaned on a door that snapped open causing the blind man to fall through into a a metal chute that lead to the secret base of Crime-Wave.

Out on the 13th May 1976 the seventh edition of the Marvel Treasury Edition feature the Mighty Avengers in another great full colour spectacular with four action packed Avengers stories for the price of 50 pence. The stories featured in this edition are "Death Calls for the Arch-Heroes!" originally from the Avengers #52, cover dated May 1968, published March 1968, UK appearance Avengers weekly #70 and #71, "Behold... The Vision!" originally from the Avengers #57, cover dated October 1968, published August 1968, UK appearance Avengers weekly #82 and #83, "...Till Death Do Us Part!"originally from the Avengers #60, cover dated January 1969, published November 1968, UK appearance Avengers weekly #88 and #89, "Come on in... the Revolution's Fine!" originally from the Avengers #83, cover dated December 1970, published October 1970, UK appearance Avengers weekly #130 and #131.

The X-Men “Mark of the Monster!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Don Heck

Inker: George Tuska

Originally published in The X-Men #40

Cover date January 1968

(Published in November 1967)

While the X-Men are training in the Danger Room Iceman decides to pull a prank on the Beast when he begins to showboat. The Beast doesn't see the funny side of things but takes his chance to get Iceman back just then the training session is cut short when the team receive a summons from Professor X. The male X-Men bump into Marvel Girl who had been working with the Professor on a "hush-hush" project. The Professor reveals to his students that he has uncovered the location of Frankenstein's Monster, long thought to be a fictional character from Mary Shelley's  gothic romantic novel.

The Professor recounts the tale as it is known, but tells his students a startling revelation, that the "Monster" is really a high tech android, who might be a creation of a mutant. The android was discovered in the Arctic ice where it was trapped for centuries. He orders his X-Men to prevent the scientists from thawing it out to avoid any humans being harmed. In their civilian clothes the Professor and his students go to the museum but they are barred by the security guard. Inside the over-eager Professor Powell ignores his colleague’s warnings of caution and starts the thawing process. Suddenly the android breaks free prompting the X-Men to change into their uniforms and leap into action. It attacks them with its strength superior to theirs. The creature also has eye beams as powerful as Cyclops' optic blasts. Making short work of the X-Men, the "Monster" leaves the scene. As they recovering from the encounter another professor blames the X-Men for the damage done, Iceman temporarily freezes him while the mutant heroes flee. The Professor's mental probes tracks the Frankenstein Monster to a sea freighter. There the young mutants are attacked by the crew when they board the vessel. After easily subduing them the mutants  search the cargo hold for the creature. 

Super Spider-man with the Super-Heroes #170

This is a wonder cover that riffs of John Romita Sr.'s cover from the Amazing Spider-man issue 121. The artists of the British version is Dave Hunt with Frank Giacoia inking Dave's pencils. Dave's colours are more somber with blue backgrounds on the photos and a black page. I think that the way Hunt has positioned the portraits of the suspected deceased works better than Romita's version because the reader and Spidey would genuinely look from right to left, not up and down. Romita's design is fantastic, it gives nothing away, the reader has to concentrate on any "clues" and even though it was the worst kept secret in British Marvel, the letter pages talked openly about it and even a Captain America story from The Titans #17 had Spider-man lamenting over it, this cover must've worked well to save readers from the spoiler. Granted those who had read an imported copy of the Amazing Spider-man issue 121 would have guessed right away. Romita's original is great, Hunt's copy is also amazing and the story itself is earth shattering and historic. A cover I'll always remember and so it's this week's Cover of the Week.

Spider-man

Writer: Gerry Conway

Artist: Gil Kane

Inker: John Romita Sr. and Tony Mortellaro

Originally published in the Amazing Spider-man #121

Cover date June 1973

(Published in March 1973)

This landscape opening splash page has been re-drawn by an unnamed artist basing it on Gil Kane's original opening splash page. Gerry Conway's opening lines are brilliant as they set the tone without giving anything away, they're worth repeating, "There are quite a few things we could say about this issue, but we won't. As for the title , that's something we'd like to conceal for a while , but we promise you this pilgrim, it's not a title you'll soon forget!" Gerry is almost riffing on a Stan Lee Spider-man script but soon everything changes, in both for Spider-man and for Marvel comics. Spidey looks in through Harry Osborn's window to find his friend in a bad way, with a doctor, Gwen and Mary Jane around his bedside. Peter has returned to New York not a moment too soon!

The Osborn's family doctor tells Gwen and Mary Jane that he's done all he can, Harry should really be in hospital but his father wishes to keep is son's condition private. Gwen asks him has he been taking drugs again. The doctor replies that it seems so, D-Lysergic Acid Diethylamide to be precise, more commonly known as LSD. He gives Harry a shot of Thorazine, a tranquilliser to offset the effect of LSD. Mary Jane knew that Harry had become a little flakey but this was something else, the doctor tells her if Harry hadn't been so depressed when he took it, the drug would't have hit him as hard, he diagnoses his symptoms as total clinical psychosis, basically schizophrenia. Spider-man quickly changes on the rooftop and enters Norman Osborn's family home. His uninvited entrance is noticed by Norman Osborn who angrily confronts Peter, telling him again to not go near his son. Peter protests his innocence, his appearance was only to make sure his friend was alright. Manically accusing him of causing his son's problems. Gwen and Mary Jane hear the commotion, Norman tells them that they're not welcomed his house. With that they leave. Peter worries that under the pressure Norman is starting to crack and his Green Goblin persona could return.

Feeling a cold coming on from his time spent in Montreal, Peter heads to the Daily Bugle to drop off some pictures of the Hulk and Spider-man from his Canada assignment. J. Jonah Jameson enters telling Parker to get out before he spreads his cold to everyone in the building. Robbie points out that Jameson should send Peter a bonus check for about two hundred dollars for the amazing pictures from Montreal. Meanwhile Norman Osborn leaves his son's bedside thinking how he has failed his son as a father. He starts to hallucinate, seeing his enemy, Spider-man coming at him in all directions. Soon he flees out into the streets, until he gets to Manhattan's Lower East Side. There, in a place he had almost forgotten, where lies his Green Goblin paraphernalia. With the return of his Green Goblin persona, he decides to kidnap Gwen. He finds her standing at the window of Peter and Harry's apartment wishing there was some way she could help Harry when the Green Goblin comes flying into view.

Peter's cold is getting worse so he swings back to the apartment to rest up. Entering by the window he finds is a pumpkin lantern sitting on top of Gwen's handbag, left behind as a message by the Goblin that Gwen has been kidnapped. Swinging around the city he has no idea where the fiend had taken her, only relying that his Spider-Sense might lead him to the fiend. Suddenly his Spider-Sense alerts him to the George Washington Bridge, triggering a memory that Norman Osborn's favourite President was George Washington. Ironically penciler Gil Kane actually drew the Brooklyn Bridge not the George Washington. On one of the towers he spots the Green Goblin standing over a motionless Gwen Stacy. At the bridge Spider-man and the Goblin square off in a fight where the kid gloves are off, matching attack for attack. A pumpkin bomb explodes close to Spidey making him loose his balance and fall. Still uneasy on his feet he manages to pull himself back up and when the Goblin's bat-glider swoops by Spidey snags the villain, pulling him towards him he puts all his strength into a punch that sends the Goblin flying.

Racing up the bridge support Spidey finds Gwen in a state of shock, in urgent needing medical attention. Lost in his concern for Gwen, Spider-man doesn't sense that the Green Goblin has recovered and is swooping down to attack again. In a psychopathic attack the Goblin plunges down, knocking Gwen off the side of the bridge towards the water below. With time only for his lightning reflexes to fire a web line the Web-slinger catches her with a "swik!" as the webbing grips hold of her legs. He pulls her back to the top of the bridge only to discover her dead. There has been numerous debates over the years on what really killed Gwen. Whether the jolt broke her neck from the whiplash from her sudden stop or had the Goblin already broken her neck prior to the fall nobody can say. The Green Goblin states “Romantic idiot! She was dead before your webbing reached her! A fall from that height would kill anyone — before they struck the ground!” But this stories editor, Roy Thomas has confirmed it was actually being grabbed by Spider-man's webs, when he said “It saddens us to have to say that the whiplash effect she underwent when Spidey’s webbing stopped her so suddenly was, in fact, what killed her. In short, it was impossible for Peter to save her." It's up to you to decide, or not if you choose. The fact is her death is a tragedy that shapes Peter Parker's life to this very day and beyond. Spider-man cradles the lifeless body of Gwen in one arm, with his other fist raised in anger he vows to make the Goblin pay for the death of the woman he loved.

“The night Gwen Stacy Died!”

The Web and the Hammer

Paul McKenna from Birmingham thinks that it shouldn't be called "Spiderman Comics Weekly." It should be "Magazine", because comic gives a distinct impression of comedy and comedy is one thing these mags just haven't got and shouldn't have! Paul also writes for art you just can't beat Jack Kirby and John Buscema! These two have original talents and know just how to handle 'em! Kirby's best was "The Wrath of Wrecker" in Thor. For John, "Even an Android can Cry." in the Avengers. Simon Brown from West Sussex thinks that Spider-man should fight better foes like Iron Man, the Silver Surfer and Doctor Doom.

Putting the Thing in Super-Heroes was a great idea, but he doesn't like Bloodstone, who he thinks should be replaced with The Defenders. Paul Edison from Grimsby has opinions on four of the weeklies, SMCW, MWOM, the Super-Heroes and The Titans, of which the new comic format makes other comic firms look like novices.

Michael Preece from West Midlands started collecting SMCW 152 issues ago, when he saw his little cousin with a mag with a smirk on his face. After flicking through it he bought it every week. Robert Hudson from West Yorkshire says that the recent merging of SMCW and the Super-Heroes prompted him to write. Firstly the Super-Heroes simply ceased to exist. However he would rather buy a single comic filled with popular, long-

running series than two comics, one of which was filled with constantly-changing series, peopled by almost unknown heroes. Secondly on the question of money. The new Super Spider-man is obviously far better value than the old SMCW. All things considered the merger has been a very good move. Robert would like all the weeklies to become the Titans format. POTA could join with Dracula Lives and MWOM with the Avengers. The latter would certainly be a huge success as it would incorporate four of Marvel's most popular series, the Hulk, the FF, Conan and The Avengers. Sefton Collett from Lincolnshire regards the new Super Spider-man with the Super-Heroes landscape format as a bad mistake. He doesn't mind one of the comics in that format, but not two. It may hold more stories, but it completely spoils the superb artwork by reducing the frames to such a size. Who wants to see John Romita's fantastic work on Spidey shrunk down? Especially when one of the greatest Spidey epics is coming up in the near future "The Green Goblin's Last Stand!" Sefton certainly doesn't. Mastermind 1975 winner Peter Judge PMM, from London writes again, his opinion on Super Spider-man's new look gives Spidey the transfusion of new blood that he needed. 20 pages of Spidey is just what (to judge from letters pages) the readers want. The classic death of ... (mustn't give it away) is now mere weeks away! (Well it's actually this week's story.) To Peter Thor and Iron Man had become boring, but the new features are just what the Doctor (Strange) ordered and the idea of using a whole "Titanic" page for splash pages is a good one. Peter also wants to see friendlier letter pages as there are too many private feuds going on at the minute. The only people wanting to read those letters  are the people who wrote them.

Iron Man “The monster within!”

Writer: Archie Goodwin

Artist: George Tuska

Inker: Johnny Craig

Originally published in Iron Man #12

Cover date April 1969

(Published in January 1969)

 

This gothic landscape splash page was drawn by an unnamed artist for this week's second half opening page. Tony Stark can't figure out why Janice Cord's attorney, Vincent Sandhurst, wants to sell her father's old factory. He must known that Janice could do much better financially if she was to retain the company. 

Vincent Sandhurst visits the family home where his brother Basil lives. The house is automated as Basil had become paralysed in a lab accident months earlier. Vincent managed to use his influence as Drexel Cord's lawyer for Cord Industries, to get Basil a job there. Vincent, himself less than scrupulous, hoped Basil would help him take over the company. Basil felt that his intelligence was being exploited. When Vincent tried to calm him down his brother went on a rampage in the lab, in the tussle Vincent accidentally pushed him into some experimental chemicals. The resultant explosion scarred and crippled Basil, leaving him once more bedridden and weak. However, Basil, using his mechanical know-how and mental energy research has become the Controller by enslaving his servants to drain their minds like human batteries to empower his exoskeleton. The third part continues next week. 

This Kang vs. the mighty Avengers centre spread has been attributed to the artist Dave Hunt. The original art, created in ink over graphite on two sheets of Bristol board with a joined image area of 22" x 7.5" was sold for $2,640 by Heritage Auctions on the 16th January 2022. The inker is unknown but I suppose it could have been Hunt who penciled and inked it.

The Mighty Thor “My brother, myself!”

 Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Neal Adams

Inker: Joe Sinnott

Originally published in The Mighty Thor #181

Cover date October 1970

(Published in August 1970)

This landscape splash page scene of Balder facing off against Loki, the god of Mischief, who has swopped bodies with his half brother Thor was drawn by an unnamed artist for this week's second half opening page. Loki then attempts to harness the full power of Thor's hammer to use against Balder.

Meanwhile down in Hades, Thor uses those selfsame powers to free his friends by radiating his inner goodness, defeating Mephisto by causing the hell-lord extreme pain with an overwhelming aura of goodness of unrestrained purity of soul and noble heart. Mephisto transports Sif, the Warriors three and Thor, still in Loki's body back to Asgard. The Lady Sif reminds Thor that Heimdal will not let him pass the Bifrost bridge while he wears Loki's body. Thor already understanding as much, sends his friends on while he travels to Earth to personally deal with Loki. In Odin's throne room the Great Vizier informs the All Father of all that has happened. To his surprise Odin tells him that he knew the truth all along. Thor arrives on Earth just in time to see that Loki, wearing his body, battling Balder on a construction site. Brother battles brother with Thor as "Loki" drives a dumper truck at his half brother who throws Mjolnir to smash the caterpillar tracks off the machine and imbeds itself into a wall, to not return to "Thor" because he isn't worthy.

As the real Thor had hoped, 60 seconds pass as gods clash.  "Thor" turns into Don Blake causing Loki's spirit to leave Thor's body. Thor's spirit returns to Blake's body. Loki completes the body-switch, returning to his own body. Blake rushes to his walking stick, tapping it on the ground and becomes Thor once more. Ironically Loki back in his own body suffers from the beating up he gave it and is forced to retreat. With the battle over, Thor soars off into the sky triumphant. The final page has been expanded to fill three quarters of the landscape page. Here it is done really well as various panels have been made larger by an art bodger in a near seamless way. An in-house advert for Marvel Treasury Edition issue 7 takes up the last quarter. Next week "Doctor Doom and Doctor Blake!" 

The Thing and the Black Widow..together! “Is this the day the World ends?”

Writer: Chris Claremont

Artist: Bob Brown

Inker: Klaus Janson

Originally published in Marvel Two-in-One #10

Cover date July 1975

(Published in April 1975)

Chris Claremont takes over the full script writer roll in this week's Thing team-up, while last week's story was plotted by Steve Gerber. The Black Widow flees from a group of terrorists known as the Sword of Judgement, who she has been investigating. Meanwhile the Thing and Alicia Masters take a romantic walk through Central Park. She speeds towards the couple causing Ben to push Alicia to safety but leaving himself open to the Widows out off control car's path. Ben is knocked unconscious.

Slightly dazed the Black Widow checks to see if the Thing is OK, leaving her open to the terrorists attack. The  extremists take the Black Widow and the Thing away calling a helicopter to pick them up. The two heroes are taken to the Sword of Judgement's base, located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. There, they are brought before the Sword's leader, Agamemnon, who tells them of his plan to detonate a giant nuclear bomb that would cause radioactive tidal waves to wipe out both North America and Europe. I find this story a little full of holes, apart from Agamemnon threatening to kill the Widow if he tries to stop them, that feels a little weak but I'll let it pass. The two heroes are locked up in a cell rigged to give even the Thing a shock to stop him from escaping. Ben asks the Widow why Agamemnon seems to know her. She admits that she once knew him as Andrei Rostov many years ago. Next week "the move!"

Doctor Strange “Rights of passage!”

Writer: Steve Englehart

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Klaus Janson 

Originally published in Doctor Strange #8

Cover date June 1975

(Published in March 1975)

Clea has returned to the Dark Dimension to rescue Doctor Strange from the threat of Umar and the Dread Dormammu, but there she discovers that the Doctor's jailer, General Orini is in fact her father! When the General orders his demonic underlings to attack Strange and his daughter it is the Sorcerer Supreme who rescues them. Later Clea explains what she has found out, Dormammu lies incubating at the centre of the Earth's core. 

Clea also explains that in younger times the Dark Domain was a wondrous place, where Dormammu was the unquestioned master of the people who accepted their position as unquestioning slaves. Chief among the slaves was her father who was allowed to be privileged enough to sit at Dormammu's side. Clea is contacted by the spirit of the Earth, known as Mother Nature, who is in pain due to Dormammu absorbing power from the Earth's core. Umur meets Dormammu to plan on how to gain his vengeance against the Scarlet Witch. He instructs her to sacrifice the snivelling addict who failed to kill Clea, who was last seen in SSMwtSH #166. The once disciple of Dormammu is visited by Umar, who injects him with a lethal dose of heroin. Again no punches are pulled regarding drug use, allowing the subject to be seen in a mature manner. Clea meets up with her father again and tries to repair their relationship and ask for his help to defeat Dormammu. At first he has no interest in helping, but later he helps a little. Strange and Clea meditate to create a spell that will win the day.

Avengers Weekly #139

This cover was pencilled by David Wenzel and inked by Frank Giacoia. It's a homage to Marie Severin's Avengers cover from the Avengers (US edition) issue 73, shown on the left, where the Avengers watched a monitor showing the Black Panther fighting the Sons of the Serpent, instead of the agents of AIM shown on Wenzel's version. The Severin version was used on the cover of the Avengers weekly #111 where that particular story was printed in the UK.

Conan the Barbarian “...The bones of fools!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: John Buscema

Inker: Ernie Chan

Originally published in Conan the Barbarian #41

Cover date August 1974

(Published in May 1974)

An unnamed artist created this second part opening splash page. Conan had been riding through the Zamorian desert with a mysterious woman named Zhadorr. The pair had been chased by a horde of desert rats. Conan dives into the cooling oasis, where at the bottom the barbarian spies human remains that remind him that the name of the oasis, Shar-Al-Tjinn  in Hyrkanian dialect means the bones of fools! Conan is afraid that the water is poisoned, but as he comes to the surface he finds that he has bigger problems as the bandits have finally caught up with him and Zhadorr. Conan fights them but he's heavy out numbered and knocked unconscious. He is tied up and kept alive as the bandits intend to sell them as slaves.

That night the brigands make camp in the oasis, next to a large tree covered in vines and giant pods, that looks slightly out of place among the more tropical flora. With the warmth of the campfire the men quickly fall asleep save for one called Haak-Shi, who is to keep watch, while his eyes are on the girl Conan sneaks a sharp stone and cuts away at his bonds. All through the night Zhadorr hums a soft, strangely haunting non-melody that drives Haak-Shi to his wits end. When she refuses to stop he takes her behind the great tree to teach her a lesson so her screams won't waken the other. There are no wails of despair, only the incessant humming. Conan slips free with his first thoughts for the girl's safety, racing round the giant tree Conan discovers Haak-Shi's sword unbloodied and ownerless next to fleshless human remains. Zhadorr has stopped humming, but weak she tells Conan that she wanted to spare him and he must flee before its too late, her words die like her mortal body in the Cimmerian's arms for mysterious reasons. Unseen by Conan a tendril stirs but the sudden scream of men saves him from its touch. 

The harsh crackling of the camp fire had kept the predatory beast sat bay, but not what was already there. With a curse on his lips Conan witnesses the tree itself attacking the men, using vines as ropes to pull the men and their horses into a gaping maw in its trunk. Conan frantically hacks and chops at the tendrils, but as one is cut others reach and entwine the barbarian, pulling him to a horrific fate like the others. Conan is dragged past the still roaring fire where no tendrils stir, with a desperate free hand Conan snatches a loose fire brand in a last-ditch ruse, nearing the tree's gaping mouth he throws the torch inside, setting it aflame, it seems to shriek as if in soul racked pain, no longer concerned by the human morsel. Conan is dropped unlike the bandits who if still alive shared the same fate as the tree, devoured by the flames. All through the night the fire burns, sending smoke reaching upwards to the heavens from where the tree's spore had once fallen. When Conan's senses come too he spies only one spark of life, one of the pods remains unharmed. The husk opens up revealing a perfect replica of Zhadorr, she call's Conan's name. Horrified the Cimmerian hacks away relentlessly at the extraneous vegetable/human until his sword arm grows weak. With the last horse to survive the night he rides away. Perhaps to face more dangers next week in "the City of thieves!"

The Avengers “Baptism of fire!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Sal Buscema

Inker: Frank Giacoia

Originally published in The Avengers #87

Cover date April 1971

(Published in February 1971)

An unnamed artist created this second part opening splash page. The Black Panther recounts to his fellow Avengers how he first became the man he is after taking a quest to find a sacred herb in an isolated section of the kingdom of Wakanda, when he was attacked by agents of the criminal organisation known as AIM, who had sort out the land's valuable vibranium ore. T'Challa is taken captured by the interlopers and is held prisoner. 

When T'Challa is escorted at gun point to their ship some of his questions are answered, they had hoped to have been gone before he had arrived. The Panther asks who had warned them of his coming? Was N'Baza the traitor as he had suspected? T'Challa attempts to trick them into believing Wakandan troops are following him and will soon be there. They know he lies, but any way even a small amount of Vibranium is worth the risk. The superiors at AIM plan to steel all they can to build a rocket that would beat both America and Russia to the moon, then construct a formidable space station made from Vibranium that would resist conventional attack to rule the Earth from space. The Black Panther learns that one of the AIM members is B'Tumba, son of N'Baza and his best friend, who was sick of being T'Challa's lackey had been recruited By AIM while in college. Ordered to execute T'Challa, B'Tumba finds that he cannot do it, instead he frees the Black Panther and joins him in battling the AIM soldiers. During the combat, B'Tumba is fatally wounded. As AIM retreats, B'Tumba apologises to his friend before dying. Finishing his story T'Challa explains the reason his mind was on the past was that he had just received word that N'Baza had died, and that he must choose to return to Wakanda to rule, or renounce his title forever. The Avengers understand and he leaves with their blessing as once an Avenger, always an Avenger!

Avengers Mailbag

Linda Parke writes that Conan the Cimmerian is my hero, and I don't feel I'm seeing enough of him. She accepts that a whole Conan comic-book can't be published in the UK, so as it fits in well with the Avengers why not kill off that moronic Oriental bloke and the equally-boring Iron-Fist and just have double-length Conan, plus the Avengers, alternating with Doctor Strange? Personally I can't imagine the Avengers alternating with anyone in their own mag. DA Bourne from Essex wants to know who publishes the novel "Flame winds" by Norvell W Page that the Conan story was based on. Martin Tudor RFO, QNS from Birmingham writes that the Avengers weekly has improved although he would never condone the linking of Conan's own mag to The Avengers, still he is forced to say that the treatment of Conan has gradually improved. The Avengers latest adventure is, without doubt, a classic, on par with Englehart's latest epics in their US mag. The conclusion: "City of Death" was one of the best he's ever read. He especially liked Daredevil's parting words about the three blind men. Brilliant! This adventure is important in the Avengers history as it is where the Scarlet Witch/ Vision relationship begins.

Vincent McKernan from Liverpool writes that "Finally Shuma-Gorath" in Avengers #116 to #117 was a classic. He can honestly say it's the second best story he's ever read. Vincent knew that someday the Ancient One would be killed off, but never expected it to turn out like that! What really grabbed him was the fact that the good doctor killed his master himself. The way in which Shuma Gorath was portrayed as the opposite of the Sorcerer Supreme of the realm was a fine idea. Steve also added some really neat touches to the yarn, such as Strange shrinking down into the Ancient One's mind, the appearance of Dormammu and the idea that it might have all been Nightmare's work. Mike doesn't give a surname of address, but he writes that regarding the series Thonger of Lemuria that appeared way back in Savage Sword of Conan #13. At that time there are six books on him, written by Lin Carter, with a seventh, "Thar, Song of Thongar", is currently being written. Plus plans for a film by Milton-Subotsky, based on "Thongar in the Valley of Demons" from the fantasy novel by Lin Carter. Milton-Subotsky has gone into business with Frank Duggan, calling themselves "Sword and Sorcery Productions". More film details in Mike's letter.

Master of Kung Fu “Code of doom!”

Writer: Doug Moench

Artist: Paul Gulacy

Inker: Paul Gulacy

Originally published in Master of Kung Fu #33

Cover date October 1975

(Published in July 1975)

This second part opening splash page was created by an unnamed artist. Shang-Chi has been taken to Scotland Yard to listen to a briefing by Nayland-Smith, who has learn that the bullets fired at Reston all have the same inscription on the base: "MY FAIR LADY." Previously Mordillo had shot other British agents with cryptic riddles "THREE BIND MICE", "SEE HOW THEY RUN" and "THE CLOCK STRUCK ONE" inscribed on the bullets that killed them. Fellow agent Norris Putnam had recently been killed by bullets similarly inscribed with  letters "DED CBCD ABC BCD." Putnam's contact, Simon Bretnor, has been missing since he had volunteered to meet him on Tower Bridge. The code breakers deduced that the random letters on the bullet that killed Putman were actually musical notes  to the nursery rhyme "London Bridge is falling down." which connects to the fact that Putnam was shot on Tower Bridge!

When Leiko hears this, she slips out of the meeting. Putnam's last assignment was to protect a report from Project: Ultra-Violet, a scheme to open holes in the ozone layer at specific locations; unfiltered sunlight could kill anyone outdoors at such a location.

Shang-Chi and Tarr go to Tower Bridge, to look for any important clues. They find a construction van parked on the bridge. Suddenly goons from inside the van attack. Shang-Chi and Tarr defeat them. Finding a bomb attached to the bridge the Chinaman throws it into the Thames, where it explodes. Reston and Smith arrive, having found a note at Leiko's place that reads "If you love me at all, meet me at the usual place." signed Simon. The research notes for Project: Ultra-Violet had been shredded, but a copy was hypnotically placed in Leiko's mind, along with a command to forget that she had it. Only Putnam had the code word to unlock the hypnosis. Reston finds a note between two bricks on the bridge where Putnam was shot. It reads "Bretnor is Mordillo," along with the latitude and longitude of his base in the East China Sea. At that moment, Bretnor/Mordillo and his captive, Leiko, are landing on his small island in the East China Sea. Next week "Cyclone at the centre of a Madman's crown!"

Dracula Lives #82

This split cover featuring the Ghost Rider racing away from Satan on the left and Dracula on the right was drawn by Ron Wilson with inks from Frank Giacoia.

Dracula “Here comes Dr. Sun!”

Writer: Marv Wolfman

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Tom Palmer

Originally published in Tomb of Dracula #38

Cover date November 1975

(Published in August 1975)

This symbolic second part opening splash page was drawn by an unnamed artist. Quincy, Rachel and Frank have been lured to a dark cult-de-sacs where they are captured by Doctor Sun's henchman Juno and taken to his master lair. Doctor Sun explains his plans to the three vampire hunters. He re-explains how he ended up becoming a disembodied brain in a glass tank and how his previous plot to transfer Dracula's memories into the mind of his own vampire had failed. But that failure had lead to him seeking a way to transfer Dracula's powers into Sun's own form to take over the world. Quincy explains that Dracula had abandoned that idea long ago. A world of vampire slaves would leave him with nothing to consume.

Quincy fires darts at Doctor Sun from his wheelchair, but his action only succeeds in destroying the machine that had been siphoning Dracula's powers. Juno quickly subdues Quincy and the others. Sun orders Juno to go and destroy Dracula. Meanwhile at the home of Harold H Harold  Dracula finds himself revitalised having fed on enough blood and without Sun's machine siphoning his powers. Thanking Harold and Aurora for their aid he repays their kindness by sparing their lives. Harold requests an interview with the vampire lord to save his job. Although Dracula cares little for Harold he finds the concept amusing and agrees to do so. However, before it can start Juno bursts through the door. Dracula agrees to go peacefully to deal with Doctor Sun. As the two depart Aurora convinces Harold that they should follow. Shortly, Dracula is brought before Doctor Sun, and his imprisoned foes Harker, Drake and van Helsing. Doctor Sun welcomes Dracula to his home and vows to destroy him. Find out if it be "the death of Dracula!" next week.

Cryptic Correspondence

Igor, no surname or address given, writes with his admiration for Steve Englehart and Marv Wolfman. The former's work on the Doctor Strange stories in Avengers #114 to #123, can only be described as literary masterpieces. As for Marv Wolfman who he describes as the genius behind the current Quincy Harker/ Dracula confrontation. His characterisation of Dracula and the supporting cast from the melancholic Taj to the stubborn, gritty character of Blade is great! He puts the characters in just the right context with the story. One is never saturated with too much of any characters, just enough to leave us on the threshold of wanting more, Franco Tizzano from London is angry, because every-time he reads the letter pages of Dracula Lives there's always some criticism on

Dracula or the Werewolf. Those critics couldn't do any better. Finally Neil Fisher replies to the criticism he received in Dracula Live #72 from Mark Shaw about Neil's letter in Dracula Lives #64  which heavily resembled an article in the Daily Mirror. Neil writes 

 "Who's he trying to kid? That story is my OWN." The editor points out that Neil has finally broken his long silence on that subject, but only by answering half  of Mark Shaw accusations as he's still not replied to his copying of letters that originally saw print in the US letter pages.

Ghost Rider “Fear on wheels!”

Writer: Gary Friedrich

Artist: Tom Sutton

Inker: Syd Shores

Originally published in Ghost Rider Vol 2 #1

Cover date September 1973

(Published in June 1973)

Another second part opening splash page from another unnamed artist. Johnny Blaze has been injured after running a police blockade and taken to the same hospital where his girlfriend Roxanne is being treated. Miles away Linda Littletree lies tied to her bed as her family looks for ways to free her from being possessed by the devil. They have called the exorcist Daimon Hellstrom for his paranormal expertise. Linda is visited by Satan who bewitching her once more to becomes the Witch-Woman.

Meanwhile at the hospital Johnny Blaze wakes up just as night begins to fall. Suddenly he transforms once more into the Ghost Rider. In the body of Lynda Littletree Satan arrives at the hospital in search of Johnny. Roxanne has already left the hospital and gone with Bart who is determined to make the Copperhead Canyon jump, instead of Johnny. While Bart prepares for the jump. Roxanne tries to persuade him not to attempt it, but he's adamant he can make it. Bart speeds up the ramp to making the jump, however a gust of wind hits him just before he lands, he doesn't make it and is killed in the crash. The Ghost Rider arrives to see the crash. Roxanne is hysterical and when Blaze in his demonic form tries to calm her she faints. The police spot him, so he leaves with her in a stolen truck. Elsewhere at the Indian shack of Littletree a stranger knocks on the door. It is answered by Linda's father, the stranger tells him his name Daimon Hellstrom and he has come to help his daughter. Snake Dancer informs him that he is too late, she has broken her bonds and fled like a wild animal, she now belongs to the Devil. Hellstom won't give up that easy as he still might be able to help.

An in-house advert tells you that "Comin' your way..." in this week's Planet of the Apes is "Graveyard of lost cities!" Plus more savage action from Ka-Zar and the Black Panther. 

Man-Thing “A universe awry”

Writer: Steve Gerber

Artist: Val Mayerik

Inker: Sal Trapani 

Originally published in Man-Thing #1

Cover date January 1974

(Published in October 1973)

Yet another second part opening splash page from another unnamed artist. Dakimh explains to Jennifer Kale, Korrek the warrior and the macabre Man-Thing that they need to continue their journey to realign the Nexus of All Realities, even after losing their weird comrade, a duck named Howard, who had tripped and fallen into the dimensional void. When the trio arrive at the centre of the nexus, they are beaten when the fabric of reality is rent asunder by the Congress of Realities, warriors and beings from different time, different places and different realities. Dakimh uses his magic to give his comrades wings so that they may fly over the Congress and beat them to their destination, a verdant paradise called Therea. Dakimh tells Jennifer that for now at least the danger doesn't exist, as she will find out in good time. But they must stop Overmaster before he learns the truth.

Dakimh and the others stop the Overmaster's armies progression to the palace of Therea. There the Overmaster unmasks himself, revealing him to be the Nether Spawn known as Thog. The Man-Thing battles Thog and his minions, burning those who fear him. The Man-Thing attack brings both him and the deamon closer to the moat that surrounds the palace, a moat filled with pure Therean water. The swamp creature has no concept of why his adversary's fear of plunging into the moat and its water, only does he sense the Nether Spawn's terrible fear! The Man-Thing grabs his arms, burning, melting and setting on fire the demon. Thog tries to break free, but ends up falling in the moat of pure water, which seemingly kills him. With their master defeated, the Congress and its armies retreat back from whence they came. With the battle over Jennifer and Korrek wonder why the gods of Therea didn't help in the fighting the Congress. Dakimh shows that the Gods never lived in the castle at all, but in a humble cottage in the village below and that the God's of this realm are two dogs under the care of two farmers. He goes on to say think of the earthly folklore, where man's best friend, the ever loyal dog watches over the family home. Zokk and Maftra exclaims Korrek, perhaps they are their names, but names have no meaning to the Man-Thing, who touches one of the dogs and in a single dazzling instant the foursome see and hear all of reality before being sent to their respective homes. In his swamp the omnipresent haze obscures any thoughts of his experience with the friendly D-O..., or was it G-O... He knowns not. But next week I do know that there will be a "Death-trap for a Man-Thing!" 

Bullpen Bulletins

For this Dracula Lives only Bella Lugosi replaces Stan Lee above the Bulletin that had appeared in Super Spider-man, the Avengers weekly and The Titans. The third Item in this week's Bullpen Bulletin reminds readers in case they had forgotten all about the ol' web-slinger, to feast their eyes on the current Spider-man super-spectacular this week. It's one of the greatest, most important stories ever, spotlighting perhaps the most momentous turning point yet in the career of our wondrous wall-crawler! Take it from me this is the one! The last two Items are mail order memos, the first a reminder that Marvel are busy packing up and mailing out the Super Spidey T-shirts and Mighty Marvel Colouring Books and Comic Albums! They'll get to you as soon as they can. While the second mail-order memo promises more Mighty Marvel Magnificent mail order offers to temp you with later in 1976. Such as a stupendous selection of Marvel Super-Hero action figures! So the Bullpen advises you to start saving up your pennies.

Planet of the Apes #82

The cover for the Planet of the Apes have by and large been poor, with the exception of the odd painted cover that originally adorned the front covers of the American Marvel/Curtis Planet of the Apes magazine, painted usually by a talented artist like Bob Larkin. This is one of those and I have to say my favourite Bob Larkin's Planet of the Apes cover. It's full of fantasy action, the scene may not be an accurate reproduction of events in this week's story, no beautiful and scantly clad woman was rescued by a gorilla from a giant squid, but that doesn't matter as this cover blows the mind of potential readers who just want to snatch up this mag. I wish all Planet of the Apes covers could be like this one. It's my Cover of the Week. I know so was this week's Super Spider-man with the Super-Heroes, but it's my blog and my rules that can be broken. Anyway I have to say it's my Cover of the Month and possibly my Cover of the Year.    

Planet of the Apes “Within the living ship”

Writer: Doug Moench

Artist: Tom Sutton

Inker: Tom Sutton

Originally published in Planet of the Apes (US) #15

Cover date December 1975

(Published in October 1975)

This second part opening splash page was commissioned especially for this British Marvel weekly, the original artwork has David Wenzel and Duffy Volhand's signatures on the top of the artboard, with a date that reads 2/5/76 (February 5th 1976) next to them. The top catch up box, story title and credits have already been lettered on the original, but the speech balloon must have been added later. Heritage Auctions sold it for $143.40 on the 5th September 2010, which would be around £105. 

Alaric leads a group of human who with a band of stranded apes and formed an uneasy alliance built on mutual needs. The apes, under the guidance of a gorilla named Graymaklin, built a ship for the humans called the "Freedom Reaver." The humans gave passage to the apes before they would set out on a voyage to attack other city-ships. Graymalkyn put aside his hatred of humans for the sake of the project. A human, Starkor, distrusted apes, as did most humans, but Alaric knew their future depended on the apes' knowledge. Once at sea, they spied a giant city-ship, with Starker keen to attack it, before the humans had completed their end of the bargain and take the apes back to their home. A fight broke out between Graymalkyn and Starkor, but while Alaric tried to be the peacemaker all three fell into the sea and were swallowed by a giant sea-creature. Alaric, Graymalkyn and Starkor, found themselves taken to an undersea palace called "Dwelleron," ruled by a benevolent orangutang named Ambrosia who built Dwelleron intending to destroy all the city-ships. Alaric, Graymalkyn and Starkor spent time with Ambrosia, who after many undersea adventures grew touched by Alaric's nobility. As the"Freedom Reaver" readied itself to attack a city-ship that unknown to the crew so did Ambrosia and his Dwelleron, with an explosive. Suddenly a sea-monster much like the one that took Alaric, Graymalkyn and Starkor  rose to the surface. Reena and the crew welcomed them back. From the depths below an explosion shuck the sea. Alaric questioned Starkor, did plant the bomb, but neither he nor Graymalkyn did. Ambrosia must have set it off to find peace for himself and the Dwelleron beneath his beloved sea. And so ends another very fine alternative Planet of the Apes tale from the master of the genre Doug Moench and Tom Sutton.

Black Panther “Epilogue!”

Writer: Don McGregor

Artist: Billy Graham

Inker: Bob McLeod

Originally published in Jungle Action Vol 2 #18

Cover date November 1975

(Published in August 1975)

In the aftermath of the Panthers Rage T'Challa surveys the wreckage of his kingdom. He makes peace with some of his enemies, freeing Horartio Venomm and the two comic foot-soldiers Tayete and Kazibe. W'Kabi and his wife Chandra return home after his arm had been replace with a bionic prosthetic. Their children fear a return to the family fights, but the final battle has ended the final battle in their family war as their parents agree that it would be easier on both of them to keep things less personal. Chandra leaves with the children. 

The next morning two Wakandan warriors are hunted down by a pack of leopards, lead by a woman and her mute bodyguard. Their bodies were found by a Shepherd and soon the Black Panther and W'Kabi investigate. When they find the bodies, the Panther lifts them into a tree to keep them from the reach of a pack of hyena's, while W'Kabi gets to try out his bionic arm and it's built in laser to keeping the pack at bay. As he looks at the tracks left by the leopards and two humans an impossibly large hand grabs him round his neck, then throws him to one side as the silent attacker turns his attention to the raging Panther. Next week "the final chapter!" 

Apes Mail

Gary Jones from Shrewsbury writes a letter that's so good it gets printed twice in the same letter page. In it he is offering Planet of the Apes mags for sale. Rajko Smiljanic RFO, KOF, FOOMer from Birmingham gets five mags a week, POTA, Dracula Lives, Avengers and The Titans, of which POTA is his favourite because of the excellent film adaptations. He completely agrees with Mark Farrel's letter in POTA #68, the Apes stories should get more pages, 10 pages out of 36 is just not good enough. Richard Wilby from Wakefield gets POTA every week and has two Apes hardbacks, two paper-backs, a scrap book and two POTA action figures. He's interested in buying any Ape cards and some posters.  Sue Gilpin from Oxfordshire says her Friends say she is too old to be reading the POTA mag. She replies "You don't know what you're missing". At the time she would be 16 years old and is quite a big Roddy McDowall fanatic. At the bottom of the Ape mail page is a coded message from the Planet of the Apes Fan Club, that also appeared in last week's mag where you could win a prize for the correct answers. I still haven't had time to crack the code.

Ka-Zar “Escape!”

Writer: Mike Friedrich

Artist: Don Heck

Inker: Mike Royer

Originally published in Ka-Zar Vol 2 #4

Cover date July 1974

(Published in April 1974)

This second part opening splash page is by an unnamed artist. Ka-Zar, Tongah and Bobbi Morse have been captured by El Tigre and the maniacal Man-God, with the men crucified as punishment. El Tigre follows the Man-Gods orders with the promise of that he will be rewarded with untold riches from the oil and mineral wealth that the Man-God's machine will bring. With his powerful mental powers the Man-God plans on bring the world down on its knees with an extortion threat that he beams to the radios and televisions of the world. 

Ka-Zar provokes El Tigre to distract him, even though the villain thought that he still had control over Zabu the sabre-toothed tiger had returned to his true master's command and attacks El Tigre. Ka-Zar breaks free and prevents the wild tiger from killing El Tigre. After free Tongah Ka-Zar races to the jungle to save Bobbi Morse, when he gets there he has to face Maa-Gor's own Man-Ape tribe, reanimated by the evolved Man Ape. Next week "a Man-God unleashed!"  

The Titans #30

This cover was by Keith Pollard as per his signature under theThing's right foot. It's not the greatest piece of art but if you only glance at it, it's very effective. Those Doombots can't shoot straight though, a bit like Stormtroopers. 

The Fantastic Four “The power and the pride!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Joe Sinnott

Originally published in The Fantastic Four #87

Cover date June 1969

(Published in March 1969)

This landscape opening splash page is based on the original Jack Kirby splash page, but unlike Jack's version, here the unnamed artist draws more details in the background. With the Invisible Girl returned to their ranks the Fantastic Four prepare to storm Doctor Doom's castle.

The Fantastic Four are forced to split up when crossing over a moat bridge Crystal and Sue fall through a trapdoor, leaving the boys to fight an assault from Doom's Doombots. Meanwhile the girls fight their way out of the room that they have been trapped in, making their way to Doctor Doom's banquet hall. Doom invites them in and be seated as his guests to dine with him at a feast all the while Reed, Johnny and Ben smash their ways through Doom's defences. Doom charms Susan, asking her if they have chosen a name for their baby boy. While playing a piano Doom watches the ensuing battle proceed. Witnessing Doom's assistant Hauptman, who in Doom's private art gallery confront Doom's man servant who he suspected of being the SHIELD agent sent to spy on them. Reed, Johnny and Ben enter and so he turns and tries to burn them and the artwork with a flame-thrower. At this point seeing Hauptmann almost destroying his valuable art, Doom plays a special key on his piano that kills Hauptmann on the spot. Growing weary of this "game," Doom tells Sue and Crystal that the battle is over and the Fantastic Four are free to leave Latveria. I suspect that this plot ending was conceived by Kirby, who would have felt the protection of art a worthy point to make. Next week "Mystery on the moor!"

Captain America “...And men shall call him traitor!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Gil Kane

Inker: Joe Sinnott

Originally published in Tales to Astonish #90

Cover date June 1967

(Published in March 1967)

The Red Skull has lured Captain America into a trap on Sea Gull Isle with a robotic replica of Bucky Barnes his deceased partner from World War Two in order to destroy his nemesis. The walls of the room Cap was trapped in close in with the Skull above gloating of how he will be powerless to stop his giant plastic bubble from destroying every city in America an during the nation does on its knees. With laser beams cutting off any escape from above the Red Skull leaves not wishing to witness the final moments as he abhors the sight of bloodshed. 

Throwing his shield towards the out of reach control panel, the smashed mechanism stops the closing wall and switches off the lasers, loosening wires that Cap can climb out with. Captain America races after the Skull who has escaped in a ship that has  become airborne. With some cable and his shield Cap lassos the fin on one of the ship's engines and is pulled into the air. From a rear view monitor the Red Skull spots Cap hanging on, he tries to drown him in the sea by flying low, but still the star spangled Avenger holds on, even climbing up towards the craft and aboard. He has to fight the ship's many defences to find that the Red Skull, who is using the ship's advanced technology to trap all of New York City in a giant indestructible bubble and ransom it off. When Cap confronts the Red Skull, the Skull offers him only one way to save New York from utter destruction, he must serve him for 24 hours. Reluctantly Cap agrees only to realises that as he made that pledge, he was broadcast to every television set all over the United States, the entire country now brands Captain America a traitor. Who will meet their "Last defeat" in next issue's strip? Find out in seven days.

After that spectacular strip we get a super centre spread of Captain America versus the Red Skull, drawn by David Hunt as per his signature on a missile behind Cap. This artwork was sold on Heritage Auctions on the 7th March 2020 for $2,160, which is about £1,583.87 at the current exchange rate. It was rendered in ink over graphite on two pieces of conjoined Bristol board they formed a combined image area of 22" x 7.5". On the back David Hunt is listed as penciler and inker as you can see on the auction listing.

The Sub-Mariner “If this be Destiny!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: John Buscema

Inker: Frank Giacoia

Originally published in Sub-Mariner Vol 2 #1

Cover date May 1968

(Published in February 1968)

An unnamed artist created this landscape second part opening splash page. While lying helpless after seemingly being defeated by Destiny in the wastelands of the Arctic, the villain forces Namor to vividly recall hidden memories of his past life.

After his first defeat by Destiny, who blighted him with a memory loss, the Sub-Mariner wandered the world with no identity, while Destiny would go into suspended animation for five years. Eventually Namor ending up in New York City and was attacked by people who recognised him. Gaining a disguise he disappeared into obscurity, becoming a homeless derelict. In more recent years he stayed at a half-way house, where he would be recognised by the Human Torch, who had briefly quit the Fantastic Four. His interaction would revive the Sub-Mariner's memory, as seen in MWOM #7. Namor finding Atlantis in ruins waged war against the surface world, leading to his first clash with the Fantastic Four. With his recollections over, the Sub-Mariner summoned all his strength to break free, revived by some water from the melting ice. With Destiny long gone, the Sub-Mariner vows to track him down and stop him once and for all. But till then "somewhere along the way...Triton!" in next week's issue. 

Titanic Transcripts

Tim O'Conner from Middlesex writes as The Titans reaches it's twelve issue it goes from strength to strength, its a real knock out.  Nicholas Bowler RFO, KOF, QNS and FOOMer from Southhampton writes that The Titans is a fabulous mag with an excellent line-up, but the amount of pages given to each story should be more even. Nick is a proud owner of both Stan Lee

"Origins" books, which are well-worth the money. He has also recently acquired the Superman/Spider-man team-up mag, which is a true masterpiece, worthy of both comics groups. I hope DC and Marvel make many more of such books. Colin Willey from Exeter thinks that The Titans is the best of the weeklies. The artwork is good, especially Captain America. He's glad you've swapped The Inhumans for the X-Men, as it was becoming very boring after a while. The artwork wasn't up to standard, Nick Fury and The Sub-Mariner are excellent, but Captain Marvel is becoming worse every week. Colin would like to change him for someone such as Ghost Rider. Well who knows keep reading.

Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD “Battle Royale!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Don Heck

Originally published in Strange Tales #148

Cover date September 1966

(Published in June 1966)

This splash page was drawn by an unnamed artist. Jasper Sitwell breaks into Nick Fury's quarters to prove to the Colonel that there is a weakness in security that AIM might discover. Fury dismisses the agent but has plans to entrap Count Royale and AIM, he agrees to appear before a hearing. Later at the hearing Count Royale testifies that Fury is a hinderance to the advancement of America. A General tells the court that Fury has put his men through the wringer many times, but that's because he's a top notch fighting man who doesn't worry about his executive image.

Meanwhile a squad of AIM soldiers break into SHIELD's underground base to steal a Life Model Decoy. At the same time Jasper Sitwell is also questioned over Colonel Fury's ability to lead SHIELD. Royale is sure that he'll testify against his boss after seeing him, via secret surveillance,  getting a dressing down for breaking into Fury's quarters. But Sitwell praises Fury making Royale realises that Fury knew about the surveillance cameras all along. Suddenly Fury can't listen to all that praise, he stuns the crowd by shattering a Hellicarrier porthole and leaping thru it to his apparent death. Only to parachute down to the ground safely to meet up with Dum Dum. Fury expected AIM to try something so the duo head to put into operation that will see "the end of AIM!" In next week may.

Captain Marvel “War on the world called Titan!”

Writer: Mike Friedrich and Jim Starlin (plot)

Artist: Jim Starlin

Inker: Pablo Marcos

Originally published in Captain Marvel #27

Cover date July 1973

(Published in April 1973)

An unnamed artist drew this landscape splash page. At the Avengers Mansion Captain America, Iron Man, Scarlet Witch, Vision, and Black Panther are warned by Lou-Ann about Thanos and the danger that Rick Jones is in.

On Titan Captain Marvel, Mentor, and Eros fight their way through the Hall of Science to the planet wide super-computer named ISAAC. Mentor and Eros remain outside to fight off any of Thanos' troops while Captain Marvel enters the Hall, where he comes face to face with the Super-Skrull and the two battle it out while a screen reveals that the knowledge of the Cosmic Cube's location had been implanted in Rick's unconscious mind by the Supreme Intelligence. Outside Mentor and Eros face all sorts of aliens, even one who resembles one fought by Spider-man way back in MWOM #6, even though it was later proven to be not an alien but a fake in later stories. Maybe the Tinkerer modelled the design of that mask on the real thing! Mar-Vell is victorious over the Super-Skrull, beating him within an inch of his life. In a desperate measure the Skrull tries to use the Unisphere. However it either doesn't work or was never meant to work to begin with, leaving the Super-Skrull to seemingly die. Of course like all good villains he would return alive, but that's another story.

Mar-Vell rejoins with Mentor and Eros, erasing the memory tapes of Rick Jones that Thanos made from ISAAC's memory banks. With a gesture Mentor teleports Captain Marvel to Earth, while he and Eros remain behind to fight off Thanos' army and possibly retake Titan. Mar-Vell arrives at the Avengers Mansion where he finds the Earth mightiest with Lou-Ann who is in pretty bad shape. Next week he must "Save a life". Again the final page is stretched to fit three-quarters of a landscape page with extra art added by an art bodger to various panels like in the Thor strip seen earlier. The ending text is removed from the bottom and fitted into a panel block on the right. And so ends a fantastic week full of incredible stories and amazing adventure, with more than its fair share of shock endings. The drama doesn't end there's loads more next week, so till then... 

See you in seven.

Make Mine Marvel.