The end...or the beginning?

 Week Ending 16th June 1976

There's lots happening in this week's six super weeklies. The end of some strips, at least for a while, but also the beginning of some new adventures. It looks like the end of an X-Man, but heroes like comics never really die. It's also the end of two comics, or is it the beginning of one new one? Who's to say? What I can say is that many readers may choose to not read the letter pages in this blog, which is fair enough. But the controversial letter writer and fan Neil Fisher has not one but two letters printed this week. The first is a giant of a letter, but the second deals head on with the controversy of him copying other people's letters and passing them off as his own. Find out if his version of events makes sense by reading this week's Cryptic Correspondence. How much or how little you read of the Power of the Beesting's "Week Ending..." blog is up to you, but I hope you enjoy it. It starts here....

The Mighty World of Marvel #194

This Herb Trimpe artwork originally appeared on the front cover of the Incredible Hulk issue 179. The right and left hand edges of the British weekly have been extended by another artist. Some notable additions by the art bodger are at the top right edge, a nut and bolt dropping off the train carriage and lower down still on the right a man on his knees. The top banner mentions the Airfix competition where you could win one of 100 prizes. It's the only mention of it on any of this week's covers even though that competition appears on the back covers of all six weeklies.

The Incredible Hulk “Re-enter: The Missing Link!”

Writer: Len Wein

Artist: Herb Trimpe

Inker: Jack Abel

Originally published in The Incredible Hulk #179

Cover date September 1974

(Published in June 1974)

Following last week's adventure the Hulk finds himself returning to Earth in a rocket ship. How you might ask? Well after the  resurrection of Adam Warlock and the defeat of the Man-Beast on Counter-Earth, Memorax, the Recorder, puts the Hulk on a rocket ship to return the green behemoth back to Earth. The dim witted Hulk soon forgets why he is in the rocket and tries to break out. He does so just as the rocket enters Earth 's atmosphere, seconds before military missiles hit and destroy the ship. Knocked out, the Hulk crashes to the ground. Unconscious he reverts back into Bruce Banner. Clay Brickford and his family find the scientist and  take him to their home, where he is given clean clothes and some food. 

While eating dinner Bruce is surprised when another member of the Brickford family joins them. A creature named Lincoln. Bruce doesn't recall but as the Hulk he met this creature then known as the Missing Link, who had seemingly died when its body hit critical mass during a battle with the Hulk, as seen in MWOM #54. The fragments of his body had reconstituted and the Brickfords had taken him in, they also taught him how to speak English. Soon he was employed to work in the mines. Bruce also takes up a job in the mines working along side Lincoln. Soon they become close friends. The creature has become an important part of the Brickford family, playing with their children, but Bruce becomes concerned when Jimmy-Jack suddenly collapses from stomach contractions. After the boy is put to bed, Bruce privately comes to the conclusion that he must be suffering from radiation sickness. Banner secretly goes into town to buy a Geiger counter. That night he checks the family as they sleep. Each one is suffering from radiation poisoning. The source of the radiation is coming from Lincoln. Unknowingly the loving and peaceful creature is killing the family he loves. Meanwhile, at Hulkbuster base, Glenn Talbot returns to joyful tears from his wife Betty following his escape from captivity is Russia. More emotional events next week.

Bullpen Bulletin

Capricious commentaries, carefully cooked up to confuse and confound you!

There are six Items in this week's Bullpen bulletin, which appears in all six weeklies. The first asks do readers remember the Kangaroo? Well he's facing off against Spidey in this week's amazing issue of Super Spider-Man with the Super-Heroes. There's also mention of a Spider-Mobile. The second Item deals with where to find the first two parts of a "Quadra-Poster", in The Titans and Super Spider-man naturally. Speaking of Super Spider-man, it contains "the most talked-about saga of the season!" apparently with "The World Beyond!" It is in this week's Thor story, written by Stan Lee and drawn by John Buscema. Don't look now but the fourth Item features one of the weirdest, if not the longest, titles ever to come from the magnificent Marvel House of Ideas! "The Magick-Man's Last Gasp Purple Light Show!" The latest Planet of the Apes story by Doug Moench and Mike Ploog. The fifth Item won't let any cats out of any bags too soon, but there's gonna be a substantial change in the line-up of one, or is it two, of the most popular mags. But you have to wait till later in the blog to find out what it all means. The sixth Item simply says "So look, keep your webs untangled and your hammer polished til next time! Excelsior!"

The X-Men “The death of Professor X!”

 Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Don Heck

Inker: George Tuska

Originally published in The X-Men #42

Cover date March 1968

(Published in January 1968)

Grotesk has activated the earthquake generator called the Oscillatron. Professor X and Marvel Girl try to stop it, but find that the lever is jammed in position. As the battle rages, the Professor and Marvel Girl combine their mental powers to bombard the machine, causing its effects on the Earth to slow down. Cyclops, Beast, Angel and Iceman fight Grotesk, but even out numbering the giant they start to lose. The subterranean colossus then wants to let the Oscillatron generate more power and destroy the Earth and the teeming millions. 

The Professor and Jean's efforts fail to slow down the Oscillatron fast enough, so the Professor tells Jean to stay back so he can get closer to the machine to affect it more effectively. Meanwhile, Grotesk throws Angel into the other X-Men, allowing him a chance to speed up the process of the machine. Pushing the Professor aside, Grotesk slams his fist into the machine, causing it to explode killing Grotesk. As the smoke clears the X-Men remove the rubble to find that their victory has come at a cost. The Professor has been mortally wounded. With his dying words, the Professor explains that Grotesk was the last of his race, sworn to perish on a desecrated Earth. Radiation from underground atomic tests must have destroyed his whole race, deforming his body and his mind. The Professor sensed that and hoped to stop him before his time was up. Xavier was suffering from an illness that there was no cure and wanted to keep it secret. The Professor dies in Warren's arms. Tearfully he carries the limp form of Charles Xavier away followed sorrowful X-Men. In comics no-one dies for ever, but this ending certainly feels pretty devastating. Next week "And now...Magneto!"

The Mighty Marvel Mailbag

This week's Mighty Marvel Mailbag is very unique, first the editor decided to print a centrefold image behind the text, which was very creative but made it incredibly hard to read. The other thing was that only one letter was printed and it was massive, it had to be to fill both pages. This letter came from Neil Fisher, who had courted controversy when he had been accused of copying letters from American letter pages and even from British news papers. You can read the accuser views in Dracula Lives #71 and Dracula Lives #72. This letter went to the length of eight pages, but even so the editor felt that they would make an exception and print it. You'll find it hard to read on the original image so I'll do my best to print it in full. It's a long one and I completely understand if you want to skip it and jump onto the Origin of the X-Men story.

Dear Marvel. Before I start, I would like you to know that what I am about to tell you has not appearing in any Marvel publication what so ever (check if you like). So you can be sure that no Marvelite has seen this before. As Jack Kirby has returned to Marvel 1 thought only right to tell Marvelites about this great artist and scriptwriter. Well, here goes. In 1937 during the depression, Hollywood released a film entitled "Dead End". The stars were Joel McCrea, Sylvia Sydney and Humphrey Bogart as the tough, hard-as-nails killer "Baby-Face Martin." But the real stars at the film were a group is young actors, who had originally appeared in "Dead End" when it had played on Broadway. Their Characterisations were extremely accurate. They conveyed to the audience the lifestyle that existed at the time in the slums of Manhattan's Lower East Side so well that for the next twenty years they carried on as a gang in scores of films. Of course, I'm speaking of the "Dead End Kids" (later known as the "East Side Kids and still later , when well into middle-age, the "Bower Boys.) I'm certain, some of you have seen at one time or another on TV. But imagine it's 1937 and you happen to be a teenager living in the Lower East Side of New York City. The fantasy on the screen is your reality. While the Dead End Kids laugh, find and scramble across tenement rooftops and through the narrow garbage strewn alleyways of a Warner Brothers back lot 3,000 miles away, you and your pals are sitting in the neighbourhood movie house, cheering them on, throwing popcorn boxes at the screen and enjoying every minute of it. Yet you know all the while that after the film you aren't going to step out into the sunshine of Hollywood like Bernard Punsley, Gabe Dell and Bobby Jorden, but into the actual alleys and streets that you've seen so faithfully reconstructed on the screen by Hollywood's craftsmen. Yet they made it. Why not you too? You know as much about the East Side as Billy Halop, Hunts Hall and yes , if it came right down to it, you could probably even hold your own against that epitome of all East Side toughs, the feisty Leo Corcy. Hollywood is where it's at. All it takes is a few breaks. But you need a theatrical name. Something dynamic and easily remembered . Like "Cagney" or "Raft", Something like Jack Kirby.

As it eventually turned out, it took  Jack a little over 30 years to make it out to Hollywood. In the intervening years, though he found a career that brought him as much satisfaction and pride and to some extent, fame, as he would have found acting. For if there was one thing the youthful Jack Kirby enjoyed more than movies, it was drawing. From his family's small apartment , Jack  turned out reams of sketchbooks. Every spare moment was sent poring over the daily comic strips studying the symmetry of Raymonds's "Flash Gorden", the dynamics of Foster's "Tarzan" and the pacing of Caniff's "Terry and the Pirates". If he couldn't appear in movies, then he would create his own. Lacking expensive movie equipment, he turned to the cheapest tools at hand - paper and pencil Except he would now be in total control. He would write the stories, design the sets, move the characters through their paces. And what stories he would create! Jack had long been an avid reader. As a youngster he had read the classic available a the library Tom Sawyer, the works d Jules Verne, Robinson Crusoe, Dickens. As he grew older there were new horizons. They were the pulps. A totally new kind of experience. Adventures on other worlds, in other times. Imagination was the key-note and Kirby read and studied every issue he could find As he read he realised that there was no limits to what one could accomplish with few sheets of paper and a pencil. In his comprehensive history of the comics Jim Steranko wrote his dedication "...to Jack Kirby-without whom there may not have been and comics to write a history about." For it was comics that eventually provided the outlet for Jack's vivid imagination. I would add that if comic books hadn't been around when Jack got there, he probably would have invented them! For in the medium of the comic book he found a way to fulfil his design to tell complete stories...a total film in compact size. But to make up for the lack of actual movement required a cast of characters and events even bigger than those up on the screen. And this requires super-beings doing super-deeds sp much the better. Writing a few lines about Jack Kirby would, at first seem to be an easy assignment. However the more I thought the more I realised that trying to discuss Jack's work is like trying to tackle the history of comics. The complexities of such a highly creative and skilled individual as Jack would require more space than could be given on a British Marvel letter page. The best way to approach the subject is to give you the views of a certain fella named Steve Sherman who has worked for so many comic groups that I have totally lost count of how many! "I recall that I first became aware of Jack's work unknowingly in 1959, at the age of 10, out in the San Fernando Valley. I had gone down to the store to pick up the latest issues of Captain America, Superboy, and Cosmo the Martian my favourite three at the time. There on the stand was a new comic with the stamp of Jack Kirby on it and its appeal was somehow too attractive to pass up. I bought the mag. The art led me into the story and a personal desire to see more of this kind of work, (1 suppose I should mention that I, too. like a good percentage of readership, was a budding cartoonist, having mastered the intricacies of drawing the popular animated cartoon characters of the time.) I was too young to realise that Jack had already been tuning out books at a terrific rate for the past twenty years. it wasn't until a few years later that I among countless other fans, caught up with Jack's work, began to dig it, and stay with it. His creative endeavours had swiftly captured the enthusiasm of a new generation of fans. When it became known that Jack had picked up the family rocks to transplant them in California, I was among the first of the fans to trek to the Kirby  household in Irvine, where I found that comics involved real people, the warm kind, who work hard to raise a well-adjusted brood within normal guide-lines. 1 suppose in a way, I became one of them. At least, they've always treated me that way."

Jack himself would never catch the eye of a director casting for the lead in a super-hero movie. However the superhero is there, is his mind, leaping and flashing across his own universe in a myriad of perspectives. In the wake of Jack's pencil many people have seen an army of colossal comic characters spring to life. The evidence of the surrounds Jack in neat flashes on the walls of his studio. The many aware he's received line his shelves. Jack's collages are another facet of his penchant for comic spin-offs. If you've seen the dandies he's produced with dramatic effect for the mags you'd be overwhelmed by the biggest  he claims were inspired by the California atmosphere. He likes it. The very art which was needed to sustain his wife's health has also been beneficial to his brain cells. The expensive hills, the first-hand relationship with creatives that years in the big city would never provide have opened to him a dimension that was sorely lacking in his growing days. Yes the East Side kid who saw the world in a Hollywood frame, lives but an hour from that area, but is rarely seen there. He's more likely to be found talking to a horse when he's not at the drawing-board, or watching the broad expanse of the Conejo Valley which spreads beneath his house. Why is Jack Kirby still at it after all these years? I guess it boils down to the fact that Jack is perhaps the comic book's most ardent fan. He has a devout respect for the medium and treats it with the profound touch of a dedicated professional. If all this sounds like I'm a Kirby addict, well I am. Jack says that each man is entitled to a dream of his own. The element in a Marvel magazine demand the best of imaginative men and it within this structure I find the challenge to cope and grow. A fellow can do that with Jack Kirby and Marvel. These people live where comics are at. These people know that the reader dreams too and the best of fantasy must be realised so that reality may look a heck of a lot better than it really is. It's comics working with life. It's men like Jack Kirby working with comics. It's you reading Marvel magazines. Perhaps Jack Kirby has generated some interesting questions that may never be answered in historical terms. But there's no doubt that with Jack Kirby your fantasising will be fun. Come to think of it, that's the name of the game! That is my way of paying tribute to a fine man.  I hope you will publish this even though it is such a long letter. Thank You for your time. Excelsior! Neil Fisher.   

To sum it up Neil thinks that Jack Kirby is great! Has Neil won back some of the readers with that one? Could they be bothered to read it? Time and future letter pages will tell. 

Origins of the X-Men “The end...or the beginning?”

 Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Werner Roth

Inker: Herb Trimpe

Originally published in The X-Men #42

Cover date March 1968

(Published in January 1968)

Continuing the origins of the X-Men from two week's ago Jack Winters has succeeded in using a cyclotron to bombard himself with enough radiation to turn himself into the Living Diamond. Professor Xavier confronts the evil mutant who attacks him. Quickly Charles attempts to hold him back with a mental bolt, but it fails because they can no longer penetrate his brain. Winters has become immune to a psychic blast. Scott Summers blasts the Living Diamond with his optic blast in order to keep Winters at bay.

While the villain is stunned Scott and the Professor flee into the research building. Inside the Professor probes the ultra-sonic vibration inducer in the hope it holds the key to defeating the Living Diamond. Xavier instructs Scott on how to operate the device while the Professor acts as bait for Jack. Suddenly the Living Diamond smashes into the research building, Scott activates the ultra-sonic device bombarding him with sound. Charles orders their foe to surrender; however, the villain refuses and continues to his attack. The next fateful shattering second the Living Diamond is blasted to atoms by the vibration device, killing the evil mutant before he could ever have a chance to turn his powers against the world. Scott is horrified that he has murdered another human being. The Professor has to console the lad saying that he had acted in self-defence. Later the Professor takes Scott to his mansion to explain that he intends to form a group of mutants, each with extraordinary powers who will help mutants and defend humanity from evil mutants. He offers him an opportunity to join him. Giving him a costume and a special ruby quartz visor that allows him to use his optic blasts, Scott is rechristened Cyclops.

Daredevil “And now...the Jester!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Syd Shores

Originally published in Daredevil #61

Cover date February 1970

(Published in December 1969)

An unnamed artist created this second part opening splash page. Daredevil has been investigating theft of valuable antique toys by Mister Hyde and the Cobra. But with no clues to follow up Matt Murdock is visited at the District Attorney's office by a strange looking man called Lemuel Frye. He is the owner of an old amusement park in Jersey, or was until the day before when "three weirdos" paid him cash for the carnival. Frye took the money but something about them rubbed him up the wrong way, so early the next morning he sneaked back to spy on them.  

Unlucky for him he discovers that the three men were Mister Hyde, the Cobra and the Jester. They threatened him but let him leave. Matt then tells Frye that he will make arrangements to have Daredevil meet him and check it out. When Frye leaves Matt admits to Karen that it has all the hallmarks of a trap. That night Daredevil and Frye arrive at the fairground, but in the shadows Jester and Hyde are setting up a booby-trap on the roller-coaster, while the Cobra hides in the scaffold ready to release a parachute onto the man without fear. Daredevil senses the falling trap, but pretends to be flat-footed to make sure the villains show their hands. As Daredevil had guessed the situation turns out to be a trap, Frye was working with the three criminals who try to kill Daredevil. The carney owner brags that he deserves his bonus, but the Cobra tells him that they never intended to pay him of let him live. Daredevil manages to escape but is set on by Hyde. Evading him the Jester uses a grab machine to pick up DD and drop him in a fairground ride that speeds up. Frye is also on that ride in another car. They go so fast that they shoot off the track. With acrobatic ease Daredevil lands on his feet. He follows the villains into a house of mirrors. Unknown to the fiends his super-senses give him the advantage and in no time he defeats all the crooks just as Karen arrives with the police. Daredevil thanks Karen for her help, however she is less than pleased as she informs him that today is her birthday and she was supposed to be having a long standing date with Matt Murdock. More danger next week with "the decidedly unique menace of...Nighthawk!"

Every back page of the weeklies features an Airfix models Dogfight Doubles Competition. Marvel's Phantom Eagle hosts the contest and tells the readers "They came from the sky these flying machines, built for destruction and constructed to kill! In the battle-hazy days of the First World War we pilots received our baptism of fire in planes such as these. Do you recognise them?" All readers had to do was name the four planes from a list of seven, (A) Camel. (B) Bristol Fighter. (C) Roland C-11. (D) Fokker Triplane. (E) R.E.8. (F) Albatros. Just write the letter next to the number in the handy box on the bottom right of the page. Ten winners who do identify these planes correctly will be drawn from a hat to win Airfix "Same Day Flyer" kits, easy to assemble, rubber-powered flying aircraft, which can be built and flown on the same day! The next one hundred runners-up will each win an Airfix "Dogfight Doubles" kit. This was only the first part as next week Marvel will publish the second part of the competition in which will feature planes from the Second World War to identify.

Super Spider-man with the Super-Heroes #175

This landscape cover is listed as the work of Steve Stiles on the Grand Comics Database, but if you compare the John Romita Sr. cover from the Amazing Spider-man issue 126 you'll see that the image of the Kangaroo and Spider-man is the same as the artwork on this cover. The only difference between the two is the back ground. So I suspect that Steve Stiles had to cut and pasted the Kangaroo and Spidey image onto his own drawn background. 

Spider-man “The Kangaroo bounces back!”

Writer: Gerry Conway

Artist: Ross Andru

Inker: Jim Mooney

Originally published in the Amazing Spider-man #126

Cover date November 1973

(Published in August 1973)

The images of Spider-man and the two gentlemen on the roof look identical to Andru and Mooney's original artwork, including the shadows and line details. Although the background has been changed to fit a landscape format and Spider-man has been orientated to fit better. I suspect that the characters could have been traced and a fresh background added by another artist. 

Above the city, Spider-man is flagged down by two men representing Corona Motors, who offer him an opportunity to help them promote a new non-polluting car engine by using it in a Spider-Mobile. But as he's being demonised by the press and wanted for questioning by the police he refuses the idea. Spider-man is unaware that he's being watched by his old foe the Kangaroo, who vows revenge. The lame Australian villain appeared in SMCW #100. Coincidentally he's confronted by Jonas Harrow, (who operated on the villain Hammerhead, as seen in SSMwtSH #163,) who offers to enhance the Kangaroo's abilities. Peter Parker arrives at ESU where he's confronted by Miles Warren, who tells him that he needs to start showing up for class. Later Flash and Mary Jane ask Peter to join them for a drink, but he refuses. Later still he returns to his apartment and finds a note from Harry's landlord advising that the rent is 2 months overdue. Elsewhere at the lab of Jonas Harrow, the Kangaroo undergoes surgery that will enhance his super-human abilities. Once complete the Kangaroo finds that his strength and leaping power have been artificially boosted. Harrow has plans for Kangaroo, but the villain knocks Harrow out and decides to capitalise on his new powers alone.

Meanwhile, Peter, needing to pay his rent visits Corona Motors as Spider-man. He has changed his mind and agrees to work with them. He's told to come up with the design and build his own vehicle. Spidey seeks aid from the Human Torch. On his way, he is attacked by the Kangaroo, but the villain is forced to stop his attack by a fail-safe device implanted by Harrow, which forces him to retreat to Harrow's lair. Spider-man works with the Torch to come up with a design for the Spider-Mobile, when reports of the Kangaroo attacking a nuclear laboratory are heard on the radio. The Web-slinger leaves the Torch to continue working on the design while he goes after the Kangaroo again. While at a hospital, John Jameson's health is not doing any better since being cured of turning into the Man-Wolf. Jonah learns his son needs a total blood transfusion. At the nuclear laboratory Spider-man arrives and fights the Kangaroo. Too powerful to handle, the Kangaroo goes for the radioactive isotope Harrow sent him to collect, but foolishly neglects to wear the proper protection, exposing himself to a lethal dose of radiation that kills him almost instantly. The police arrive and chase Spider-man away. Harrow deduces that the Kangaroo failed and leaves. Later at Peter and Harry's apartment Mary Jane arrives to make amends with Harry. Harry pretends he isn't home so Mary Jane storms off, telling him it's over. Inside, Harry has in his possession the Green Goblin's costume and is determined get revenge against his father's enemies as the new Green Goblin.

The Mighty Thor “The World beyond!”

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: John Buscema

Inker: Joe Sinnott

Originally published in The Mighty Thor #184

Cover date January 1971

(Published in November 1970)

The Prince of the realm returns to Asgard at the request of his father Odin, however he finds that his fellow Asgardians turn their eyes to the skies fearfully. When he asks one soldier what dire menace hangs like a cloud over the eternal realm the man tells him his return is too late. Thor rushes into the throne room to find Odin in utter despair. When Thor inquires why he is also engulfed in despair Odin has the Grand Vizier activate the Coals of the Cosmos to show him the World Beyond, a darkness that growing rapidly, consuming the known universe.

Odin explains that he sent the Warriors Three into the World Beyond only for them to not return. Odin also shows Thor that some of their old foes: Galactus, Mangog, and Loki are not responsible for this cataclysmic event either. To make matters worse, whatever is causing the event is also causing the Odinsword to slowly unsheathed itself from its scabbard, which in legend means that it marks the end of the universe. Finally, Odin explains that his mind is plagued night and day by a word that surely holds the secret that he seeks. The word "Infinity!" It echoes in his brain, haunting, taunting, and mocking him, yet the answer eludes him. Suddenly Thor notices a stranger in the shadows, Odin identifies him as "The Silent One". He has permitted his presence for he senses that the stranger holds the key. Thor's patience is non-existent as he forcefully demands he speaks. The Thunder God is hurled away by an unseen force, unable to harm the Silent One. Finally, Odin decides he will himself venture into the World Beyond to seek answers. Odin declines Thor's offer to go himself, ordering him to remain and protect the realm from anyone who might capitalise on Odin's absence. 

This is the first part of the of the "Quad Poster", the other three parts will appear in this week's The Titans #35 and next week's issues of The Titans #36 and Super Spider-man with the Super-Heroes #176. Once you have all four of the centre-spreads you have a giant sized Quad poster. This quarter, coming out first helps to identify the artwork's illustrators, Ron Wilson, on the pencils and Dave Hunt with the inks.  

Apart from a subtle hint in the Bullpen Bulletin page not much is mentioned in any of the "super-hero" weeklies about a surprise that will happen next week to Dracula Lives and Planet of the Apes. But this quarter page teaser does appear amongst a page of paid adverts. The clues are plan to see as Dracula leans over a banner that reads "A spine-chilling surprise awaits you in Next week's..." underneath that is the logo of the Planet of the Apes. Find out what the cryptic teaser means later in this blog.

The Thing and Iron Man..together! “...Stone of power!”

Writer: Bill Mantlo

Artist: Ron Wilson

Inker: Vince Colletta

Originally published in Marvel Two-in-One #12

Cover date November 1975

(Published in August 1975)

This landscape second part is thought by Jason Schachter, a member of the Facebook group, "Art of Marshall Rogers", to be possibly Marshall Roger's work. Joe Rubinstein thought it wasMarshall's work too.

While testing out a new experimental jet for Tony Stark, The Thing accidentally unearths an ancient cavern, wherein he revives Prester John. Iron man investigates and discovers Ben Grimm under the control of Prester, who then uses the Stone of Power to take control of Iron Man's mind. With the two heroes under his thrall, he recounts his encounter with the Human Torch and Wyatt Wingfoot, as seen in MWOM #118, after which he wandered the desert where he was found by the Bedouins who worshiped him as a "being from the heavens." As tribute they gave him the Stone of Power. Once in the Knight's hands he feels a strange compulsion to rule the world as he believed he was a god that created the universe. The stone would eventually suck him into the Earth, forcing him into a state of suspended animation. Iron Man and Thing manage to shake loose of Prester John's control and race to the surface to stop him. During the fight, the two heroes manage to remove the Stone of Power, freeing the knight from its influences. With Prester John free, he thanks the two heroes for his help and agrees to join them for a meal. 

Doctor Strange “Eternity lives!”

Writer: Steve Englehart

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Frank Chiaramonte 

Originally published in Doctor Strange Vol 2 #10

Cover date October 1975

(Published in July 1975)

This second part splash page was drawn by an unnamed artist, whose art on Eternity is great, less so on Clea and Doctor Strange's profiles. Troubled at the return of the menace called Nightmare, who has entered the unhinged mind of Baron Mordo's dreams, Doctor Strange consoles his lovely disciple the beauteous Clea, when without warning the shape of Eternity appear standing against the night's sky. Quickly Strange cloaks Eternity from the eyes of mortals to avoid a panic on the streets below.

Doctor Strange travels far to the Himalayas in his astral form, to seek out the aid of the Aged Ghengis, who first met Strange when he was searching for Eternity way back in the Avengers weekly #24. When he finds him he discovers that the fail mystic has gone completely insane due to Nightmare's machinations as well. Meanwhile in the Sanctum Sanctorum Mordo awakens from another nightmare and rushes to the roof. Doctor Strange returns to his physical body still standing on the roof where he uses his Eye of Agamotto to seek answers for Eternity's appearance. Instead he is merged with the being that reveals that it has become weary of mankind's indecision about what to do and has come to usher in the end of the world. Trying to appeal Eternity's decision the cosmic being tells Strange to go and visit the many aspects of his personality on Earth, then return to him. As Strange embarks on this request, Mordo arrives on the roof top. Mindless beneath the moon he leaves his physical body to travel in his astral form into who knows what madness. Next week "Shadowplay!". 

Iron Man “The Night Phantom walks!”

Writer: Archie Goodwin

Artist: Johnny Craig

Inker: Johnny Craig

Originally published in Iron Man #14

Cover date June 1969

(Published in March 1969)

The Night Phantom walks, and in the wake of his stride, Doom and destruction follow. The Night Phantom is no myth, no false legend. He lives! In Haiti voodoo drums sound, over a small Caribbean island. They are heard in the harbour, in the homes and houses and also in Stark Industries factory named Project Caribbean. Night Phantom breaks in through the chained gates. It isn't stopped by the bullet of a guards gun. Nothing natural can stop it as it overloads the plant destroying the building in a giant explosion. 

The next day Tony Stark arrives to question the surviving guard about the sabotage. The guard, who was a university student who only took the job to pay for himself through school, can't remember much, only the terrifying unstoppable supernatural figure that had waged a destructive campaign against Tony Stark's Project Caribbean power plant. With the lad needing rest Inspector Christophe leads Stark away. Outside the hospital he is stopped by the wheel chair bound resident Travis Hoyt, a best selling writer. Hoyt is angered by Stark's plant on the island. He demands that he leave the island at once as his project and "progress" are destroying the island's natural beauty and primitive charm. The Inspector reminds Hoyt that Stark has given the locals employment and a decent living since Project Caribbean started. Hoyt warned Stark that there are older forces at work on the island. Stark had hesitated coming to the island to investigate events personally. He knew that Janice Cord was visiting the island for personal reasons as well. Inspector Christophe takes Stark to view the remains of Project Caribbean, unknown that they are being watched from afar by Hoyt. Later they leave when suddenly the voodoo drums start again. On the road ahead of their jeep the Night Phantom appears, lifting and throwing their vehicle into the jungle. The attack continues next week.

Avengers Weekly #144

Conan gets a cover to himself, more or less, on this week's Avengers weekly. I say more or less because he does have a sexy co-star in Red Sonja. Plus the right margin features the Vision, Quicksilver, Goliath and Thor, drawn by, in my opinion it looks like the work of Neal Adams. Awkwardly the thunder God doesn't appear in this comic. The Conan and Sonja image were drawn by John Buscema and had originally appeared as the cover of Conan the Barbarian issue 44. 

Conan the Barbarian “Of flame and the fiend”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: John Buscema

Inker: Crusty Bunkers

Originally published in Conan the Barbarian #44

Cover date November 1974

(Published in August 1974)

This freely adapted tale from David A English story "The tower of blood" continues, with a host of artists, collectively named the Crusty Bunkers inking John Buscema's artwork. Possibly amongst their number Neal Adams, Dick Giordano, Larry Hama and Ralph Reese. Sonja awakens in the damp dungeons beneath a dark tower, she looks around to find a weak spot to escape the cell. Finding none she tries to kick her cellmate, Conan, awake, but he grabs her boot, having been awake for some time. The boot makes contact with his head. She's sorry if she hurt him, but it was payment of sorts for the manhandling the Cimmerian had given her yesterday when he had hauled her onto his steed.

Together they plot their escape from the vampiric siblings Uathacht and Morophia. Their reviewing of events is spoiled when Morophia intervenes, takeing Conan under his mind control and leading him to the breeding pits. Sonja tries to stop him from leaving but Morophia orders the barbarian to toss her aside, so under his hypnotic thrall he does. Morophia and Uathacht introduce him to the wretched dregs of generations-inbred, pitiful, deformed females who provide sustenance for the vampires with their blood of years. Using dark magic Morophia forces Conan to mate with them, in a drug induced orgy. Whether he is pushed into their midst or whether he goes willingly Conan doesn't know, yet he descends into the yawning orgy, joining the mating dance of the pale quasi-human herd. Wow! It quite heavy going stuff for a young British super-hero comic loving readership! Their faces dissolve until much later the fair features of Red Sonja comes into focus. A short time later Uathacht, fearing that too much of such things would break Conan's mind and wanting the barbarian for herself, appears to Conan and Sonja. She agrees to cast a spell to weaken her brother in order to free Conan, so he may willingly fulfil her hedonistic fantasies. Conan agrees, but only if Sonja is set free as well. Uathacht agrees at first, but then reneges and draws a dagger to kill the redhead. Find out if the treacherous witch succeeded next week.

Avengers Mailbag

Grahame Davies RFO, KOF from Kent decided to write in to Marvel to make some points on all the weeklies. On the Avengers weekly he wrote, "Conan-fair. The Avengers -brilliant but "Come on in, the Revolution's Fine" and "The Sword and the Sorceress" were in the annual, so I had read them before. Iron Fist-Fantasmagorical. Shang-Chi-Okay, but keep Iron Fist permanently." Michael Sheriff QNS, TTB from Perth writes in reply to Mike Gibas letter printed in Avengers weekly #133 which condemned Steve Englehart's story "Sise-Neg". Mike felt that Steve has made a mockery of his religion, the story was wrong and uncalled for because he did not like the subject matter. Michael doesn't condemn his belief in God, but he feels he was very selfish about this story. If his faith was as strong he would be able to cast aside these stories as pure science fiction. These stories should be enjoyed not for their religious or philosophical meaning but for excitement and escapism. Steve Englehart wrote this story not to disprove the Bible. Mark Townsend from Herts was introduced to the Avengers weekly after friends at school told him to read it. Since he got over thinking it was rubbish very quickly he now thinks it is Marvel's best comic and has improved greatly since Conan was added to the line-up. Mark Hilton from Manchester has been really impressed with the Roy Thomas/John Buscema Avengers stories, the two most impressive being "When Dies a Legend!" and "Hostage!" He really enjoyed seeing Daredevil with the Avengers. He's afraid he wasn't totally captivated by "The Phantom Eagle.".Herb Trimpe and Co. can produce work better than that lifeless, drab creation. Brian Brown from Tyne-and-Wear writes that since you brought Conan into The Avengers it has been Ace. Especially since you took off Doctor Strange.

The Avengers “Take one giant step..backwards!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Sal Buscema

Inker: Sal Buscema

Originally published in The Avengers #91

Cover date August 1971

(Published in June 1971)

Ronan the Accuser forces Captain Marvel to witness events on a video screen of the Wasp being menaced by her devolved husband Yellowjacket while at another part of the inexplicable tropical jungle created by the Kree in the North Pole, three Avengers, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch and the Vision with Captain Marvel's sidekick Rick Jones battles the Kree Sentry and their brainwashed teammate Goliath. 

Ronan narrates as the brute who was once a man named Henry Pym lifts a club above his head to bludgeon his wife, proving in the Kree Accusers eyes proof that victory will be his as the de-evolutionary beam has the power to reduce humanity to savages, as a triumph of Kree science over the human race. But hold the brute pauses, the anger from his eyes fades to be replaced by curiosity. Does some residue of humanity remain, locked beneath his misshapen skull? The brute that was Yellowjacket gently picks up the unconscious Avenger and carries her away. Ronan considers if the fallen Avenger had been a male the deathblow would have been struck. Captain Marvel tells Ronan that the Avengers will still stop him. Ronan orders the Kree "traitor" to remain silent. Yellowjacket had succumb to the ego-ray quickly due to his size at the time, while gargantuan beings like Goliath will also soon succumb and become a blithering, mumbling man-brute. Using team work the Avengers do seem to be getting the upper hand over Goliath and the Sentry, especially when the Vision slightly solidifies inside the giant's chest causing him to fall unconscious. However the Sentry manages to captures the Scarlet Witch and the Vision. Although Quicksilver wants to help his sister, Rick persuades him that discretion is the better part of valour.

On sale in this week is not one but two Marvel Treasuries. Issue 10 of the Marvel Treasury Edition, featuring the Mighty Thor and to celebrate America's bicentennial year with a Marvel Treasury Special called CaptainAmerica's Bicentennial Battles. The Thor Treasury features stories taken from The mighty Thor issues 154 to 157, tales titled "...To Wake the Mangog!" "Now Ends the Universe" "The Hammer and the Holocaust!" and "Behind Him...Ragnarok!" Jack Kirby wrote and drew all new stories for the CaptainAmerica's Bicentennial Battles special with titles "Mister Buda" "The Lost Super-Hero!" "My Fellow Americans!" "Stop Here for Glory!" and "The Face of the Future!" A selection of pin-ups also appeared in this Treasury. 

Master of Kung Fu “Cages of Myth, Menagerie of mirrors”

Writer: Doug Moench

Artist: Keith Pollard

Inker: Sal Trapani

Originally published in Master of Kung Fu #36

Cover date January 1976

(Published in October 1975)

Shang-Chi walks through the streets of New York with Moon Sun, a character who we have yet been introduced to. Moon Sun calls Shang-Chi to make haste lest all the mysteries slowly die. The young China man wants to know why the ancient man leads him quick to a stairway on the side of a building. Moon Sun replies that they must get to a place of safety before the Warlords of the Web fine the opportunity to strike. Suddenly his old body shudders as a dagger strikes him in the back.

As Moon Sun falls to the floor Ninjas step from the shadows, gliding forth like living darkness. The lead Ninja tells Shang-Chi to step away from the stairs as they seek the death of seven! Shang-Chi has already witness the death on one, he won't stand by and watch the deaths of another seven. Shang-Chi battles the ninjas, a three pronged dagger whizzes past his head so close it pulls his headband off. The battle takes him up onto the roofs of the buildings and out onto a line. Soon Shang-Chi has defeated all the ninjas, the signs of their battle like the ninjas disappear. Shang-Chi recalls how a letter addressed to him had asked him to meet the mysterious Moon Sun at the corner of Columbus and 93rd by midnight. Suddenly a voice brings him out of his lost thoughts, he turns to find Moon Sun alive. Shang-Chi follows him into his sanctuary demanding answers. The old man instructs him to introduce himself to the canvas covered cages around the room. Next week we'll find out "what lurks behind the curtain!" 

The inside back page features a He-Man advert and two in-house adverts. The top one is for this week's Mighty World of Marvel, which you would have seen earlier in this blog. But take a quick look at the top banner line in this advert. It read "Special Bonus: Daredevil- Trapped by the trio of doom! while the printed version reads "Special Bonus: Over 100 prizes in our great Airfix competition See back page." I guess it was a last minute change. The second in-house advert promotes this week's The Titans as the Fantastic Four's most powerful member faces Torgo in the arena of death! The mag logo is an old one as a side bar features Black Bolt, which the current one does not. 

Dracula Lives #87

This cover was pencilled and inked by Tom Palmer. It originally appeared as the cover of Tomb of Dracula issue 41. Tom Palmer is a fantastic inker. His work on the likes of John Buscema and Gene Colan is exceptional, even his pencil work is detailed and attractive. My only quibble with this cover is the perspective of the green background. At first look it appears to be a wall with the two "trick or treater" being pinned against it as Dracula opens the door, but there's a pair of legs that seems to be hovering at the top. So it must be a path. But the shrub and the shadows make it look all wrong. 

Dracula “Re-birth!”

Writer: Marv Wolfman

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Tom Palmer

Originally published in Tomb of Dracula #41

Cover date February 1976

(Published in November 1975)

The vampire hunters have escaped the clutches of Doctor Sun and find themselves with no other choice but to resurrect Dracula so that he can defeat the greater threat. At the home of Harold H Harold the group trawl their way through the horror writer's extensive collection of vampire literature to try and find a way to resurrect Dracula. Their search bares no fruit, that is however until a single tear drop spread by Aurora Rabinowitz falls on the dead vampires ashes, causing him to be instantly reborn.

The vampire lord is resurrected with his full strength. Quincy Harker quickly explains why his mortal enemy has revived him. Dracula instantly comprehends fully why they have chosen him to help. The Lord of the undead thanks Aurora, as he senses that she had helped revive him and she has so earned his thanks and his protection. If he is to help defeat Sun he needs to feed. He refuses Harold's offer of the stolen blood in his fridge, instead Dracula flies off to seek out a fresh victim, mocking his foes that the cost of destroying Doctor Sun would come at the price of an innocent victim. When Dracula finds a suitable young woman he feeds upon her, until he is attacked by Blade who has also come to Boston tracking down the vampire who killed his mother. Blade is stopped by Dracula, who demands that he accompany him back to Harold's home to meet with Harker. There, Blade is brought up to speed on the situation. Harker has heard that Blade is wanted by the British authorities for murder. The vampire slayer explains to the others that he was set up by a coven of vampires, as seen in Dracula Lives #54. 

Cryptic Correspondence

Chris Lane from Stoke-on-Trent congratulates Marvel on producing this truly magnificent mag week after week at a very high standard. Dracula has reached and maintained a very high standard, both art and story-wise. However he would suggest that less time be spent on his battles and more time be devoted to his past and his diary. Werewolf by Night stories are too inconsistent, as for the Man-Thing, words can't describe how good it is and he knows the best is yet to come. Neil Fisher has another letter printed in a letter page this week. It isn't as big as the one that appeared in MWOM. Finally he replies to the accusation by Adan Cainer in Dracula Live #71 that he copied Bryan D Leys' letter from Tomb of Dracula #2 as seen in DL #61. Neil explains that Bryan is a pen-pal of his, who wrote to him asking what he thought of that TOD #2. Byran asked if he could send his views in the American Bullpen. Neil says he's got the proof and he's has five pen-pals in the US. Now let's try to straightened this out John Ellis from Warrington had a letter printed in Dracula Lives #80 saying as much. Was this all an elaborate plan by Fisher getting a friend from Merseyside to create a cover story or was it true? Well the editor writes that they have heard from Bryan D Leys and from Fisher on the subject and they are completely satisfied with Neil's explanation. They add they feel he has emerged from the whole business with his reputation enhanced rather than diminished. So they are satisfied that it was all a sorry mis-understanding. Paul Duffin KOF, FOOMer from Hants has done some chemical research that is evidence of a mistake. The Enzymes that Micheal Morbius was experimenting with proves that the Living Vampire is in fact dead. For a start. people who die of bone cancer have the marrow of their bones eaten away leaving them hollow. This kills them. As you know Morbius' bones are hollow, so why isn't he dead? Secondly, bones have to be strong. When we fall from heights of about 10 feet we break our bones. So a man with hollow bones could not survive jumping, falling, fighting. Thirdly when Micheal drinks blood it must somehow get into his own bloodstream. to replace the white anti-bodies which he is losing. When the blood types mix, if they are different. he would die. But. as before. if he were already dead this would not matter.

Man-Thing “The making of a madman!”

Writer: Steve Gerber

Artist: Val Mayerik

Inker: Jack Abel

Originally published in Man-Thing #4

Cover date April 1974

(Published in January 1974)

The Foolkiller has seemingly killed the Man-Thing by draining all the moisture out of the creature with his deadly laser pistol. The father of the family the Man-Thing saved from alligators, as seen last week and whose helicopter Foolkiller had mistakenly shot down, confronted the villain for his mindless violence. Not taking those accusations well the Foolkiller then eliminates him in front of his horrified family, before fleeing the scene. The Foolkiller believed that he had ended the lives of two more "fools" with is ray of purification, but the Man-Thing had slowly been drinking in life from the swamp and with his strength and for lack of a better word, his consciousness returns the mottled misshapen mass rises out of the murk, lumbering off into the swamp. The family plead with him to help them. Some tiny flicker of humanity causes him to pause.

Meanwhile the FoolKiller rushes to his truck which operates as a base of operations, almost drives Richard Rory and Ruth Hart off the road as he does so. The FoolKiller recognises Richard, one of his intended victims, but other matters needed to be attended to first. Inside his truck, the Foolkiller confronts the preserved corpse of Reverend Mike, his inspiration for his manic identity. The Foolkiller recounts events which led him to his destined mission. As a young boy, the Foolkiller was born fatherless, when his father dies in combat during the last days of World War Two. Much later his mother had left him in his Grandmother's care as she served the country she loved more than him to become a nurse in Korea. Only to die on his ninth birthday, cut down by a bomb. The Foolkiller had been born crippled, so his Grandmother took him to Reverend Mike's tent revival, where he was healed of his disability by the Reverend. Later he became an iconic figure of the revivals. After witnessing countless acts of what he deemed to be sinful behaviour, the young man decided to become the Foolkiller to eliminate those he saw as "foolish!" His first victim would be Reverend Mike, on the day he planned on show Mike his plan, he walked in on the Reverend to find him drunk and with a woman. Anger filled him as he beat him to death. He used the money from the revival to buy all his equipment needed to travel the country eliminating fools. Elsewhere in the swamps, the Man-Thing has led the lost family to the edge of the swamp. Travelling at speed F A Schist with Professor Wickham spots the creature. With cold hatred Schist orders his driver to run down  the Man-Thing, At speed the jeep's grill is swallowed by the swamp beast miry form. But the monster remains unmoved! More madness next week.

Son of Satan “When Satan stalked the Earth!”

Writer: Gary Friedrich

Artist: Herb Trimpe

Inker: Frank Chiaramonte

Originally published in Marvel Spotlight #13

Cover date January 1974

(Published in September 1974)

Continuing from last week the Son of Satan returns to his home at Fire Lake after aiding the Ghost Rider in opposing his father. Upon entering his home he finds that demons have crossed the portal to Hell to attack him. Fighting them off Hellstrom decides that in order to find peace he must come up with a way of defeating his evil father once and for all. So with that he reflects on his origins.

Pulling out his mother's old diary hidden from a draw, reads over the events the led him to be a master of the occult. His mother, Victoria Wingate had met a man one day who terrified her and somehow mesmerised her. With no idea of his true identity he would seduce her. Before long they were married and moved immediately into a house where Daimon and his sister Satana was born. The father would regularly be away from the home on long trips, but one day Victoria walked in on her husband who was teaching Satana how to conduct a Satanic sacrifice on their cat. Then her husband revealed his true identity, that of Satan. This would drive Victoria insane, she was sectioned and placed in an asylum, while her children were split up and placed in separate care homes. Victoria would protect herself with a mystical ankh bracelet. On Daimon's 21st birthday he would inherit his parents home on Fire Lake and would discover his mother's diary, from which he learned the truth about his parents. While reading his Mother's diary a voice called out to Daimon, commanding him to enter the mansion's cellar and travel to Hell through the doorway. Find out what is beyond "the Gateway to Hell!" next week. 

With the end of that shocking tale readers would be faced with another shocker as in the inside back page a notice appears telling readers that next week Dracula joins the Planet of the Apes in the greatest action and horror mag ever! The line up will include the simian adventures on the Planet of the Apes, jungle action with Ka-Zar, sheer horror with Dracula , Prince of darkness and shock after shock in tales of the Man-Thing! Four furious features in one magnificent mag. Now I wonder about the Son of Satan story that just ended, there should be a second part to it, but in a strange way, Daimon Hellstrom entering the gateway to hell feels an ending of sorts. So I'll guess that time will tell if the conclusion is ever printed in the UK. What is promoted as featuring next week in the newly merged mag is part two of the Airfix Dogfight Doubles competition. As for the name of the new mag, well it sums up the comic completely, "Planet of the Apes and Dracula Lives" Nuff said!

Planet of the Apes #87

The cover was commissioned for the British Planet of the Apes mag, it was pencilled by Jeff Aclin and inked by Duffy Vohland. The artwork was sold by Heritage Auctions on the 1st February 2021 for $960, which is around £718. On the reverse side of the art-board there is a pasted-up sign-off box that indicates that this cover might have been originally intended for issue #88 to by inked by Frank Giacoia instead, but the historic changes with that issue meant that a different cover was needed for that issue, as you'll see next week.

Planet of the Apes “The magic-man's last gasp purple light show”

Writer: Doug Moench

Artist: Mike Ploog

Inker: Mike Ploog

Originally published in Planet of the Apes (US) #13

Cover date October 1975

(Published in August 1975)

This Planet of the Apes story continues directly from events witnessed in POTA #80, were the return of the Lawgiver with his friends Jason, Alex and Malagueña had put a stop to the gorilla named Brutus' hateful plot to set apes against humans. The Lawgiver had ruled that Brutus should be exiled as punishment. This didn't sit at all well with Jason whose parents had been slaughtered by the hands of Brutus' hooded terrorists (as seen in POTA #12,) as well as seeing first hand that the gorilla has utter contempt for life when he gunned down the simple creature, who Jason had named Shaggy, when the human/ape half breed had taken a shot meant for his friend, as seen in POTA #19.

Jason had discovered the plot by Brutus to remove the Lawgiver from power with deadly means and the gorilla's alliance with the mutant Inheritors to gain more power, as witnessed in POTA #77. Jason argued with his friends over the Lawgiver's judgement and set out to fulfil his desire for revenge by making his way the tree top barracks where Brutus had coordinated is gorilla terrorist group. The encampment was deserted, all that was left was the nightmare memories that haunted the young man's thoughts. Looking for evidence to where Brutus and his gorillas had gone Jason finds a map that showed the location of the treehouse encampment and the ape/human city. Also marked was the location of the Forbidden Zone to the west, bordered by the great sea and an unnamed site to the east, in the centre of a ring of mountains. Maybe Brutus and his terrorists would have relocated to one of those marked locations. Surely he would not have returned to the Forbidden Zone after being deceived by the Inheritors and their mutant drones and barely escaping death at their hands. Jason heads east with the map. Meanwhile Alex and Malagueña seek an audience with the Lawgiver to get permission to go in search of their friend. The Lawgiver gives them his blessing. Already making progress Jason captures a horse like creature, that had been mutated from long forgotten nuclear war, to ease his journey. As he tames the beast he meets a human by the name of Lightsmith, who is fond of discovering the delights of knowledge and progress. He agrees to travel with Jason using his steam powered vehicle named the Wonder Wagon. Lightsmith introduces his apprentice in the search of progress, who has been out collecting wood for the Wonder Wagon's stove. In the shadows of the woods a person steps forward. 

Apes Forum

Colin Jennings from Kent is twenty-eight and asks is he too old to read comics? But answers his own question by saying "Too Bad if I am 'cos I read 'em anyway!" He congratulates the team behind the art on the new Apes story "Malagueña in the Forbidden Zone". It doesn't credit the art in the mag, but he noticed the magic word PLOOG in the bottom corner of the first panel. This art is really something! Far superior in my eyes to the harsher, more heavily-inked style. It's more like the style in Marvel's black and white mags. More subtle, conveys more atmosphere and feeling to the exciting story. Stephen Smith from Cambridgeshire ask will some of the adverts seen in the US comics be available in the British comics? Christopher Hopkins from Surrey thinks that POTA is good. The art on the ape story at the moment, 'Death on a River Called Simian', is fantastic. But he doesn't like Ka-Zar much, although Black Panther is great. James Rooney KOF from Middlesex writes that POTA is definitely your best comic as the apes are brilliant, especially the film adaptations. Tony Ing from London has noticed in Apes mail that a lot of people criticise the back-up features, well he thinks they're just great. He also mentions that he's bought Apes construction kits for £1.19p and they're just great.

Ka-Zar “Revenge of the river gods!”

Writer: Gerry Conway

Artist: John Buscema

Inker: Bob McLeod

Originally published in Ka-Zar Vol 2 #7

Cover date January 1975

(Published in October 1974)

Even though the credits for embellisher are given to Bob McLeod other inkers worked on this strip. Joe Rubinstein and Klaus Janson inked two pages and Neal Adams inked some faces and figures also. Ka-Zar has agreed to help Kem Horkus get revenge for his brother Bar Horkus's death, when Ghakar had cowardly fled with his crew from Savage Land monster the locals had called the Behemoth. Ka-Zar has tracked Ghakar and his men to the Tandoor-Kaa, a city built entirely from boats. 

Kem Horkus, his brother and Ghakar had come from that city. Once their people had numbered some twenty-thousand but their number was more than halved by an earthquake that had destroyed their land settled city, making the people of Tandoor-Kaa mistrust the land, preferring the relative safety of the vast river which they named Tabarr, meaning "Dark Water." As Ka-Zar and Kem watch from the far side river bank Ghakar and his men come out of a tavern-barge. They were the ones who left Kem's brother and his men to die at the claws of the Behemoth. Ka-Zar, Zabu and Kem dive into the river and swim at speed to act out Kem's revenge. Ka-Zar leads the fight but the larger numbers overpower him and a blow to the back of his head knocks him out cold. Zabu is injured with a spear and falls back into river. Kem is captured and taken away to the barge of Kuurak Ghodar, the chieftain lord of the Tandarr-Kaa. A girl enters to feed the prisoners. She is Kem's cousin Jira, who has come to help them escape. Ka-Zar fakes unconsciousness and with Jira help overpowers the guard to get the keys to their chains. The escape continues next week.

Captain Marvel “Goodbye to all that!”

Writer: Jim Starlin

Artist: Jim Starlin

Inker: Al Milgrom

Originally published in Captain Marvel #29

Cover date November 1973

(Published in August 1973)

Credit to this second part opening splash page is given to Jeff Aclin by Tony Ingram who posted it on the Albion British Comics Database Wiki site. Captain Marvel has been brought before Eon, who claims their life's mission is to destroy the warrior Captain Marvel. The Kree Captain has been shown the history of the civilisation that became Titan, from its founder Mentor and his evil son Thanos. He explains that Chronos had created Eon to prepare the way for the time when Thanos acquires the Cosmic Cube. 

Eon was created to give Captain Mar-Vell the gift and skill that would give him the slim chance of challenging Thanos's might. But Eon would have freely give him that power but seeds planted on barren ground are wasted! Mar-Vell has lived and accepted the ways of the warrior. The Universe now needs not a warrior, but a protector. He who seeks to protect must first love and there is no love in war. Mar-Vell is shown the horror of wars, on planets that his race has fought, sometimes in the name of the Supreme Intelligence. The Captain replies that not all wars are unnecessary, sometimes they are fought for honour and duty. When he tells Eon that he fought to protect the ones he loved the cosmic entity shows him more truths, the final resting place of Nurse Una, the only woman Mar-Vell had loved. The truth is she died in a senseless battle between the Captain and Colonel Yon-Rogg. The same Yon-Rogg who Mar-Vell battled to death in a quest to bring Una back to life. Eon shows what would have happened if he had succeeded restoring Una to life. Devoid of a soul she attacks Mar-Vell. 

Eon asks Mar-Vell was it worth it to be a warrior? Showing all he could Eon tells the Captain it is judgement time and awaits his verdict. Mar-Vell tells him that he has spent all his life fighting for what he believed in, his world, his leaders. Yet he had been wrong, terribly wrong. He wishes to change. With that Eon grants him that wish with a physical change, telling him that he will expand his awareness, to sharpen his senses. When the air clears Mar-Vall stands reborn. Eon grants him "Cosmic Awareness," The Captain questions the slightly alterations to his Kree captain's uniform, and transformation of his hair from white to blond, but that is little change. Eon tells him he sees but does not understand. How is it that he knows his hair is blonde without gazing into a mirror? The total perception of life has been enhanced, he has become aware. As he pauses to reflect on a better way, demons from his past life attack him. They are foiled for this Captain Marvel they battle knows, he knows their strengths and his, he knows their weaknesses. He has freed himself from the past. And has freed himself from his inner demons. With his new mindset the cosmic opera is completed he is transported back to Earth, changing places with Rick Jones who still lies trapped beneath the rubble in the Avengers mansion. He knows not how to answer where he had been but now understands what he must do. 

The adventures of Captain Marvel will continue as there are many evil beings in the Universe he needs to stop, but that story marks the end of his time in Planet of the Apes as the inside back page gives an insight to. Planet of the Apes readers are told to expect a spine-chilling surprise in next week's Planet of the Apes with images of Ka-Zar, the Man-Thing, Dracula and a gorilla from the Planet of the Ape series. So there's no room from the now cosmically aware Captain. But my cosmic sense tells me that British Marvel readers haven't seen the last of the Cosmic Protector or of Jim Starlin's out of this world artwork.  

The Titans #35

It's plain to see that Ron Wilson drew this landscape cover. As for the inker the Grand Comics Database thinks that the inks have possibly been applied by Bruce Patterson. 

The Fantastic Four “Ben Grimm, killer!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Joe Sinnott

Originally published in The Fantastic Four #92

Cover date November 1969

(Published in August 1969)

Jack Kirby's opening splash page has been re-drawn by another artist to fit the Landscape page. It looks to me that it might have been done by Ron Wilson. But with longer looks I'm not so sure. The Thing has been captured by a Skrull slave trader and forced to take part in an alien gladiator tournament.

While Reed is trying to determine where in the Skrull Galaxy Ben was taken, the Thing is on the Skrull planet of Kral where is forced by his trainer Napoleon G Robberson to fight various alien beings in preparation for his big fight against Torgo. As the Great Games are about to begin, Boss Barker, the Thing's owner, a Skrull who like the rest of the Skrull on this planet take the appearance of 1930's gangsters, barely escapes an assassination attempt by his rival Lippy Louie. The slaves are shipped to the Arena where they will be forced to combat each other. Ben sees the chance to resist, but all of his attempts fail. His opponent Torgo insists that Ben accept his fate. All hope seems lost when Torgo tells him about the Sonic Disrupter, which can knock any of their home planets out of orbit if they don't compete in the games. If Ben fights his masters, Earth will be destroyed as a consequence. The Great Games begin, with the Primitoid facing off against the Cat-Man. After that battle it will be the main event where Ben Grimm must face Torgo in the arena. Meanwhile on Earth, Reed, Johnny and Crystal are aboard their captured Skrull saucer when it launches from the Baxter Building into space on a mission to find and rescue their friend from the Skrulls.

Ghost Rider “The hordes of hell!”

Writer: Gary Friedrich

Artist: Mike Ploog

Inker: Jim Mooney

Originally published in Marvel Spotlight #8

Cover date February 1973

(Published in November 1972)

To save the life of Roxanne Simpson the Ghost Rider is forced by Satan to fight a duel against his adoptive father Crash Simpson, Roxanne's very own father. Ghost Rider and Crash are transported to Hell by Satan to battle one another. However, when Ghost Rider gains the upper hand over his manic opponent, Satan sends demons to help Crash win the fight. 

This gives Crash an advantage, just when it comes to delivering the killer blow, Crash cannot do it and helps the Ghost Rider free himself from the giant demon. Some part of his soul rebels against Satan, so the Lord of Hell sends another demon to kill them both. Crash sacrifices himself to kill the demon. With his dying words he makes Johnny Blaze promise him that he will continue to live and protect Roxanne. Ghost Rider leaves his body with a robed figure who calls himself the Messenger. He is apparently against Satan and promises that if he lay Crash's body on an alter his friend will finally find eternal peace. Ghost Rider suspects some trick but does as the mysterious stranger requests. With a gesture the Messenger returns the Ghost Rider back to Earth. Upon returning to the Earth dimension, he awakes in Roxanne's arms, changes back into his human form.  The two return to their troupe where Slade has begrudgingly prepared for their next gig in Arizona. Arriving there, Johnny greets his guide Sam Silvercloud, who suddenly pulls a gun on him. Although we have seen how this plays out in issues of Dracula Lives, starting with issue 81, more of it will make sense when you come back next week to find the answers to the tales that had been missed out.

The second part of the giant Quad poster features Spider-man battling the Green Goblin high above London. Like the first part seen in this week's Super Spider-man with the Super-Heroes this centre- spread was pencilled by Ron Wilson and inked by Dave Hunt. Next week see how it all fits together. 

Titans Mailbag

Ian Preece from Cheshire bought the first issue of The Titans but wasn't sure about getting it the next time it came out. By the time the next issue was due out he was thoroughly convinced. Mind you, who wouldn't be, with five great characters on 36 great pages, plus a great poster every week. Ian wasn't happy when the Inhumans were discontinued but was overjoyed when they were replaced by the incomparably exciting X-Men. Nick Fury and Captain America are excellent, together they're superb. Captain Marvel wasn't too hot to start with, but got better and now with the introduction of Rick Jones. The same for the Sub-Mariner, mediocre to start but got better. Gareth Green KOF, QNS, TTB FOOMer from Wigan thinks your that the two newest mags, The Titans and Super Spiderman with the Super-Heroes are fantabulous, but he asks please just call it Spider-man, or something shorter like that. It's worth the extra 1p to enjoy reading all the stories in the brilliant new format, he gets twice as much for his money. Keep up the centre-spreads, but leave the letters-pages or ads on the other sides so that when we take them out we don't have to take out part of a story as well. Gareth also asks when the British stories catch up with the US mags the Defenders should be used as a replacement.

The Sub-Mariner “Who strikes for Atlantis?”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: John Buscema 

Inker: Frank Giacoia

Originally published in Sub-Mariner Vol 2 #4

Cover date August 1968

(Published in May 1967)

Namor, the Sub-Mariner searches the oceans to find his loyal Atlanteans who have begun to wandering the seas in search of a new home. The Prince of Atlantis can't separate his thoughts about his beloved Lady Dorma who has left to lead his people to a new save place to live. His loneliness distracts him from his mission, he must fine the man responsible for the death of Emperor Thakorr and Namor's own mother Princess Fen. To complete that mission he seeks the aid of the Fantastic Four and their leader Reed Richards to locate the villain called Destiny. 

Elsewhere in a sub-sea fortress the Atlantean warlord called Attuma is brought news on the location of the migrating Atlanteans. He orders his men to ready themselves as he plans to attack and capture them. Attune has to prove his might to maintain the right to lead when a warrior named Gorgul questions his ability. Soon he is put back in his place as Attuma comes out the strongest. The Atlanteans, lead by Lady Dorma, Lord Vashti and Lord Seth are attacked by Attuma and his barbarian hordes who easily capture them. Barbarian scouts discover Prince Namor resting while he makes his way to New York. They demand he comes with them, as Attuma will reward them greatly for his capture. He will not go so easily and a fight breaks out. Continued next week.

 

Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD “Overkill!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby (layouts) and Jim Sternako

Inker: Jim Sternako

Originally published in Strange Tales #151

Cover date December 1966

(Published in September 1966)

This story marks Jim Sternako's first work for Marvel with a character that he will make a name for himself with. Nick Fury Agent of SHIELD is really going to get super-stylilised in an excellent way. Strap in! Nick Fury uses a high pressure air jet pack to travel to Karnopolis at the edge of the Sahara desert under the ever watching eye of the Supreme Hydra. Jack Kirby's design is right out of a James Bond movie. In truth Thunderball was released on the 22rd December 1965 a year before the cover date of this story's original appearance. In that film Sean Connery as James Bond used a jet pack, so I guess Bond beat Kirby to that idea.

The Supreme Hydra, seen as the multimillionaire Don Antonio Caballero orders that Fury is allowed to arrive safely, to lull SHIELD into a false sense of security. Fury enters the deserted ruins of the long dead city of Karnopolis, but he knows all pretence is off, as he is attacked by a Hydra squad of robots! He takes one of them down with a rocket pellet from his SHIELD gun but their greater number overpowers him and he is captured. Later Fury is stripped of his gadget-laden clothes to face the new Supreme Hydra, who tells him of his plans to use the Overkill Horn to detonate all stockpiles of nuclear weapons worldwide, while HYDRA waits in fallout shelters, to emerge as the new rulers of the planet.

Captain America “A time to die..a time to live!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Joe Sinnott

Originally published in Tales to Suspense #95

Cover date November 1967

(Published in August 1967)

"Gunner" Gates is a fugitive gang leader on the run but Captain America has discovered his hideout and burst in to take the mobster by surprise. Quickly Cap defeats Gunner's goons, Cap makes quick work on them. Before Cap opens the door to the room where Gates is hidden the story is rolled back a few hours to the Avengers mansion were Steve Rogers answers the phone. On the line is Agent-13 who has just returned from a SHIELD mission and rung to ask Rogers out on a date. Cap quickly agrees to see her.

Captain America recognises her in her civilian clothes but this is the first time she has seen him without his mask. During their date, Steve awkwardly tries to propose to Agent-13, an offer she declines because of her duty to SHIELD. After their date had ended, She tells him that her duty to SHEILD keeps her busy, even though she has similar feelings for him. Steve resolved that his next battle as Captain America would be his last. Returning to the present, Captain America rushes through the door with his shield deflecting Gunner Gates' shots, quickly he defeats the gangster and then proclaims to the mob boss that he is retiring. He even reveals his secret identity. Now these Lee and Kirby stories are a little silly at times. Not in a funny HaHa way, more funny peculiar. Why would Cap propose to a  girl who's never seen his face, doesn't know his real name, nor him hers and why does he need to reveal his identity to a gangster, who later might use it to get revenge on him? Soon the world knows Captain America's decision. Later at SHIELD headquarters, Nick Fury is sent Captain America's shield. Agent-13 is upset blaming herself for Cap's retirement. After explaining what had happened Fury, her boss allows her to go to him. Elsewhere, Tony Stark has gone with Rogers to fit Steve with some suits before bidding him farewell. Finally free of the image of Captain America Steve Rogers stops to reflect on the life he lived before one last time..."continued next issue" Oh yeah you better believe it!

And so will the Power of the Beesting blog with more stuff and nonsense from FIVE fantastic weeklies not SIX. So make sure you're here next week. Till then...

See you in seven.

Make Mine Marvel.