I'm just a Jeepster for these four mags!

 Week Ending 21st July 1976

And then there was four! This is only the middle part of the "Great British Marvel Merger", somewhere between humble beginnings, then the expansion to seven super mags and then back to a dynamic double weeklies of the Mighty World of Marvel and the Super Spider-man. I do kind of like this concise collection of four, it would have been easier on the pocket money and 50 years later easier to blog about. Except it still meant at least eighteen strips per week. Did four strips in the standard mags mean that some strips that were cut into three lost a lot of momentum? Possibly, I think that Marvel fan's might start to favour the colour imported monthlies, but was that the main idea? 

On to other things, Paul Lynch in the Facebook group UK Marvel in the Seventies spotted that the image of the Human Torch on the cover of the last Avenger's weekly was by John Romita Sr. and originally came the Marvel Treasury Edition issue 2 featuring the fabulous Fantastic Four. I really should have spotted that, as I love that Treasury, so a giant sized treasury Power of the Beesting No-Prize goes to Paul with thanks. Someone unnamed in the comments also gets a PotBNoP for pointing out the same fact. It might have been Paul again I suppose. A second unnamed commenter in last week's blog noticed that the logo on the front of last week's Planet of the Apes and Dracula Lives features the full size POTA logo, all the others on the merged mag have the smaller one. Clever spotting earns them another PotBNoP. Thanks for all your comments. Now on with this week's nostalgia, with all the usual stuff and nonsense.

The Mighty World of Marvel #199

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This is a cover that has everything, monster against monster, a fallen damsel, a fist full of super-heroes and a barbarian with a savage sword. It's a cover that lets you know what this comic is about, action and loads of it. The floating heads come from various artists but the main piece was pencilled by Jeff Aclin with Duffy Vohland applying the inks. The original art was sold by Heritage Auctions on the 20th February 2016 for $1,314.50. Which is around £970. When you look at the original art-board you can make out that the image of Hulk and Marie Cartier seems to have been copied, shrunk and then the stat pasted back on. The Hulk's face on the mag look's different to the original art, obviously it was re-drawn possibly by Marie Severin. 

The Incredible Hulk “When walks the Wendigo!”

Writer: Len Wein

Artist: Herb Trimpe

Inker: Jack Abel

Originally published in The Incredible Hulk #181

Cover date November 1974

(Published in July 1974)

Now this second part opening splash page has a very historical story behind it. On the back of the original art board the artist of this piece wrote "One of my first, if not the first, piece for Marvel" with his initials and a number "14", presumably to mean 2014 when he was asked to verify it. The initials were JR JR and that artist was John Romita Jr.! Which gives an added value to this weekly. Heritage Auctions sold this artwork in 15th January 2021 for $18,000, which is about £13,389, click on the link to find out more. On the top text box Marie's surname is given incorrectly as Baptiste. Marie Cartier has lured the Hulk to Quebec in the hopes of transforming the tragic Wendigo back into her brother Paul Cartier. But she got two super beings for the price of one when Wolverine has been sent out by the Canadian Government to capture the Hulk. 

After a furious fight between the mutant and the monster, Marie Cartier and Georges Baptiste, use chemicals to knock them both out. Marie Cartier prepares to conduct an occult ritual to remove the spirit of the Wendigo from her brother's body and transpose it onto the Hulk. The unconscious Hulk slowly changes back into Bruce Banner. Georges refuses to take part in Marie's plan any longer, arguing that she had intended on placing the curse on a mindless monster, not an innocent human. She reminds Georges of his debt to her brother, but the price of his own mortal soul for the atrocities she wishes to commit are too much and he angrily storms off. Georges Baptiste steels himself away to think on events. The image of Marie's lovely face, scarred with lines of torment dances madly before his eyes. A single anguished sob escapes his lips, he now knows what he must do. Marie will never rest while her brother suffers the curse of Wendigo. Stiffly Georges returns to the cave with a melancholy glance over his shoulder at the sun-lit serenity behind him he then steps inside. Meanwhile Marie tries to drag Banner's body towards the cave where the unconscious Wendigo lay. Banner awakens and just as quickly turns back into the Hulk. The chained up Wolverine revives as well. The two begin fighting once more. Marie flees from the battle and races back into the cave, where inside the newly awakened Wendigo stands in front of her. A scream momentarily stops the violent battle outside, as the Hulk swings a mighty punch, that although only glancing still manages to knock Wolverine out. Inside the cave, Marie discovers that Georges has completed her occult ritual, by transferring the power of the Wendigo out of her brother's body and into his own. With the last remnant of Georges' intellect he manages to profess his love for Marie, before the last vestiges of humanity fade. The Wendigo turns, smashing a section of cavern wall to escape into the forest. The Hulk see the white hairy monster run off, but the sound of someone crying causes him to pause. Marie Cartier stands almost motionless, her thoughts whirling aimlessly thru raging pools of deep chaotic black as her mind retreats into the shelter of tender madness as she stares blankly at her reviving brother. The Hulk is a simple creature with so much he doesn't understand, but grief and despair are emotions he can recognise. the monster and the girl stand together, both victims of circumstances they could not hope to control. Both terribly alone. Next week the Hulk is caught "between Hammer and Anvil!"    

Bullpen Special Marc Bolan FFF

To the general public Neil Tennant is synonymous with pop music as one half of the Pet Shop Boy, some will know him as editor on the teen pop magazine Smash Hits, not many would know that his first job was editor on the British Marvel group of weeklies. But even in that capacity he completed not one but two "pop star" interviews, the first being with pop legend Marc Bolan the lead singer of T.Rex. Although Tenant has listed David Bowie as an inspiration, I can't help but think that Bolan might have inspired the young editor to consider a career in the music business. In the 70's the world of pop music seemed to be comic-conscious. Paul McCartney and Wings released a single entitled "Magneto and Titanium Man" and many album covers are sometimes designed in the style of a Marvel Comic. Alex Harvey from the Alex Harvey Band described his band as "the World's only Rock and Roll Marvel Comic!" So the young Neil spoke to the T.Rex leader singer about being a fan of comics. Marc tells Neil that he's been into Marvel since 1967 when he particularly liked the Silver Surfer and Doctor Strange. At that time they were very weird compared to the other comics on the market, he says that Stan Lee was a great writer. Marc actually meet and interviewed Stan, who he described the comic creator as a lovely man, a solid gold easy hustler! That's just the way Comic guys should be, full of energy. Bolan and Lee talked about creating a super-hero for Marvel. Something along the lines of Electric Warrior, a twenty-first century Conan. Although Marc doesn't like Robert E Howards' hero, he thinks he should be something less of a barbarian, more like one of Michael Moorcock's characters. His choice would be a composite character using Moorcock's Elric, with a bit of the Silver Surfer, a bit of Thor, a far more involved character, more in touch with the 70's. When asked Marc admits he buys and reads comics still, like Marvel's composite comics. He asks about how The Titans were doing? He loves the idea of sticking all those characters together. He also loves Son of Satan and "the idea that downstairs in his house was Hell. He could open a trap door and go down it to try to find his dad!" Bolan fancies writing for Marvel, he says he's actually got a book of Science Fiction stories, there's a couple of super-heroes in it and one's a God from another planet. His interest in comics extends a little to his songwriting with the Silver surfer appearing in "Teenage Dream" and Doctor Strange has been in one. The album "Futuristic Dragon", has a spoken introduction which sounds very much like the intro to a Doctor Strange story. Marc thinks that the album cover is like a comic cover. Marc had interview Stan Lee on the Thames TV "Today" program, after that Bolan had been offered a late night talk show for London Weekend TV, something for science fiction fans. He was also interested in making films, he and David Bowie have written a science fiction film script together. It's like a futuristic Knights of the Round Table. They also created eight songs together, just for pleasure as he and Bowie are old friends.

The Avengers “What makes an android run?”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Neal Adams

Inker: Tom Palmer

Originally published in The Avengers #93

Cover date November 1971

(Published in August 1971)

This second part opening splash page was drawn by an unnamed artist. Last issue the Vision suddenly collapsed at upon entering the meeting room the Avengers Mansion, in front of his fellow Avengers, Thor, Iron Man and Captain America, for no physically-apparent reason. In order to find the cause Hank Pym, in his identity of the Ant Man entered the Android's body in search of answers. Searching the far-out science underneath the android's inner workings he heads towards the Vision's brain, but on the way a bubble from a vat burst on his hand, causing it to become intangible. Pym's scientific mind is filled with the wonders of the working behind the Vision's ability to control his own density. But there are unknown dangers that have been silently activated by his presence. 

Outside the Avengers monitor Ant Man's progress via a display when Cap points out that their teammate is no longer alone. Inside Ant Man's hand becomes solid once more, but before he can move on, plates of glowing metal adhering to him like living magnets, to Pym's mind they are the equivalent of anti-bodies or even white corpuscles. Before they can cover him he runs, but they fly after him in growing numbers. Looping back he runs through the intangible bubbles and thanks to their effects into a tube that leads to the brain. The plates crash into the tube unable to pass through it. Pym leaps into an impulse stream that carries him upwards to the brain, where he finds the problem. He fixes it but notices something strange, but before he can investigate the plates have taken the long way round and chase him out of the Vision's nasal cavity. With his job done Ant-Man departs. Seconds later the Vision is revived and he asks why the remaining three Avengers so callously dismissed him and the others earlier. The Avengers are shocked at the accusation, but Iron Man pieces it together. He had called a meeting with Thor and Cap, after Tony Stark had received a letter of resignation from Jarvis. The Vision explains events that lead to the alien hysteria that H Warren Craddock's government hearings had created and how returning to the Mansion to find Captain America, Iron Man, and Thor who had ordered the Avengers to disband. Find out more about this hoax next week.

Conan the Barbarian “...The warrior and the wizard-spawn!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: John Buscema

Inker: Ernie Chan

Originally published in Conan the Barbarian #46

Cover date January 1975

(Published in October 1974)

This second part opening splash page was drawn by an unnamed artist. Last week on the way to the land of Phalkar Conan meet Merdoramon the magician to requested that the Cimmerian deliver a mystical amulet. Conan agreed for a price. With a purse of gold handed over Conan sets out on his way. On route the barbarian entered a village of Sfanol where a girl named Stefanya was about to be burnt at the stake for witch craft. Not one to let a pretty damsel in distress suffer Conan promptly rescues her.

Stefanya tells Conan that the villagers had wanted her dead because she had served the sorcerer Zoqquanor. The villagers had cornered her master and set fire to his roundhouse, taking Stefanya way. The girl explains that Zoqquanor could not have died because at her birth a spell was placed on her, as long as he lives, she lives and if he dies that moment she dies too. he had placed the spell on her so to ensure her good behaviour and to prevent her sticking a dagger between his ribs while he slept. When they arrive at Zoqquanor's keep, they find the smoking burnt out building had been abandoned. Stefanya mistakes Conan's hand of comfort to be an unwanted advance which she rebuffs with a slap to the face. Conan explains that he meant nothing by it and the two continue their search for the sorcerer. As Stefanya makes her way up the stairs to Zoqquanor's bed chambers while Conan stays at the foot, contemplating that the girl is a temptation for any man and a fine companion on the lonely road to Phalkar. Suddenly he hears heavier footsteps that don't belong to Stefanya followed by the girl's scream. Racing up the steps Conan finds the keeps' protector, the living statue Shokkoth of the Many stones! The danger continues next week.  

Daredevil “Suddenly...the Stunt-Master”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Syd Shores

Originally published in Daredevil #64

Cover date May 1970

(Published in March 1970)

Matt Murdock has travelled to Hollywood, California in order to try and track down Karen Page, after he gained access to Karen's old apartment, thank's to her old landlady. There he found the faint impressions on a memo pad with information that she had gone out to the west coast to visit friends. Will he find her? Find out next week.

Super Spider-man with the Super-Heroes #180

Nice day for a white wedding! But not for Spider-man! This cover by Steve Stiles has elements modelled very closely on Gil Kane's original cover from the Amazing Spider-man issue 131 especially the bride, groom and the priest. Spider-man's pose is completely different to original cover with his position also moved more to the left to fit the landscape format. Mike Esposito inked the piece. Wedding day photos are there to be treasured for years to come, this wedding cover has to be treasured and it makes a memorable Cover of the Week.

Spider-man “My Uncle...my Enemy?”

Writer: Gerry Conway

Artist: Ross Andru

Inker: Frank Giacoia and Dave Hunt

Originally published in the Amazing Spider-man #131

Cover date April 1974

(Published in January 1974)

This landscape splash page was pencilled by Steve Stiles and inked by Mike Esposito and based on Ross Andru's opening page. Spider-man had rushed to the Westchester County mansion of Doctor Octopus in time to see that his arch-nemesis is getting married to his Aunt May.

Before Spider-man can react, Hammerhead and his goons crash the wedding as uninvited guests with guns blazing. Octopus fights off Hammerhead's men and manages to make an escape with Aunt May through a secret exit. Still outside Spider-man intercepts them and tries to stop Octopus from getting away, but the villain knocks him out, allowing Doc Ock to make his escape with Aunt May in a helicopter. 

Hammerhead and his men witness the escape and follow after Octopus in their own helicopter, just as Spidey comes to and secretly hitches a ride aboard gangster's helicopter. Back at Ned and Betty's Christmas party, Mary Jane realises that Peter has ditched her. Ned and Betty Brant console her, but add that Peter needs time adjusting to her attention especially with the fact that Gwen recently died. Mary Jane feigns any desire to be in a relationship, leaves. Ned hates that Peter seems hung up on a girl as flighty as Mary Jane, but Joe Robertson puts in his two cents worth saying that Peter is a stable young man who can make his own decisions adding that people usually find their own way without eager friend's help.

Meanwhile Hammerhead's helicopter follows Doc Ock into Canadian air space to an island off the coast of Canada. It has one of the richest supplies of uranium and one of the world's sophisticated nuclear breeding reactors, which Aunt May had inherited following the death of a little known relative, which was the reason why Octopus was interested in marrying her. A fight between Doctor Octopus and Hammerhead and their men when the two helicopters land. As bullets fly, the shock is too much for Aunt May, who passes out. After a brief fight with Doctor Octopus, the web-slinger grabs his unconscious Aunt May and to a nearby hangar. Doctor Octopus is mortified when he learns the facility's primary function is a nuclear breeder and that the slightest vibration can cause a violent explosion. Hammerhead does not heed this warning and charges at Doctor Octopus. When the Doctor dodges the attack, Hammerhead rams into the control panel of the breeder setting off an explosion. Spider-man pilots a plane out of the hanger and manages to out run the explosion's reach just in time. When Aunt May come too, Spider-man tries to explain everything to her, however she pass out again. In New York, because Peter is not coming back Mary Jane decides to leave the party. Betty tries to talk to her about her feelings about Peter. She says that she cannot bring herself to love him, as she cares about him too much.

Moon Knight “Kill cried the Conquer-Lord!”

Writer: Doug Moench

Artist: Don Perlin

Inker: Don Perlin

Originally published in Marvel Spotlight #28

Cover date June 1976

(Published in March 1976)

This second part comes after a one week break with the splash page pencilled by Jeff Aclin and inked by Duffy Vohland. Moon Knight a man of many identities with many friends and just as many enemies, has entered a war against the would be crime lord known as the Conquer-Lord.

The Conquer-Lord is angered at the failure of his men to carry out a burglary intention to blame the current Mayor, who would then be run out of office so that his own chosen lackey could take over. Later that evening, Moon Knight returns home to lavish Spector Mansion, entering it via a secret tunnel that leads from his outdoor swimming pool to a sunken bath in the master bedroom, where his lover Marlene Fontaine waits. Marlene reminds him of a society function that he is to attend in the guise of millionaire Steven Grant, however as Moon Knight he has more pressing concerns. Taking up the guise of taxicab driver Jake Lockley he leaves, driving to a diner called "The Other Place", where he confers with a waitress named Gena, and a homeless man named Crawley. Crawley offers useful information on the Conquer-Lord and his plans to fix the election for a new major. Realising that the current Mayor's life may be in danger, he calls up Marlene to meet at the Mayor's estate where he is hosting a dinner party. Marlene and Steven turn up in dinner attire only to find the Conquer-Lord preparing to attack. Grant changes into the Moon Knight and takes on the Conquer-Lord who kidnaps Marlene to use as a hostage. Before Moon Knight can make another move, the Mayor's butler screams from the balcony window that the Mayor has been shot.

This Punisher centre spread is Marshall Roger's last centre spread to be featured in Super Spider-man with the Super-Heroes. It's quite brilliant, superbly drawn and smartly designed with Frank Castle pictured in the cross-hairs of a rifle. It's very violent with the two victims having their brains and chest blown out. I'm surprised it was shown in what is a just kids comic, but I'm thankful it was, because it looks brilliant. 

The Web and the Hammer

William Rockett from Huntingdon sets out to earn a FFF by listing places to pick up Origins of Marvel Comics for three pound, and other merch like Palitoy Spider-man action figures, Spider-man kites, Spider-man and Captain America shirts, super-hero posters and next years Annuals. Obviously it's not enough to earn him a FFF. Alan Craddock from Northumberland is really sad that Gwen Stacy is dead after she had started to become a real living person to him. He has come to expect good stories from Gerry Conway, but SSMwtSH #170 was a masterpiece! Conway's Magnum Opus! That story makes Marvel Comics what they are today, the best comic magazines in the world. He demands that they don't invent some way of bringing Gwen Stacy back. If Marvel did she would be different person, without character and like a robot. It would make her and the whole Marvel universe unreal. The future might not please Alan.

Andrew Jones from London was at first unhappy with the change of format and the merging of SMCW with the Super-Heroes. However, after finishing reading #169 he had to admit that he was glad it was changed because it's the best thing to happen since SMCW #48 when the glossy style covers arrived. Andrew writes that over the last eleven issues the Spider-man strip has really been hitting the heights with villains like the Gibbon, Kraven the Hunter, Doctor Octopus, Hammerhead and the Smasher, not to mention the team-up with the X-Men against Morbius. Johnny Romita's artwork is as splendid as ever, and another factor that, in my opinion, has greatly improved the stories. Gerry Conway is a worthy successor to Stan Lee and John Romita Sr's artwork is as splendid as ever. David Ellis writes that in SSMwtSH #168 Barry Millard suggests that the mailbag be scrapped, but David disagrees with him as without it how would readers express and share their feelings on the mags? Barry Millard also said that the "The Golden Age of Marvel has passed". but what with the Titans and the new Super Spiderman, what more could he ask for?

The Mighty Thor “...To destroy the universe!”

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: John Buscema

Inker: Joe Sinnott

Originally published in The Mighty Thor #186

Cover date March 1971

(Published in January 1971)

This two panel opening page was drawn by an unnamed artist. Thor having defeated the deadly Guardian in the World Beyond, under the command of Odin himself the God of Thunder follows the Silent One to find out the sinister secret of the dreaded Infinity, whose goal is to destroy the universe! Meanwhile back on Earth untold damage and chaos reigns around the planet, as the entire population flees for their lives from relentless floods or the ravaging of earthquakes. 

In Asgard, the Warriors Three, still under Infinity's thrall, break free from their cells and make their way to the chamber that holds the Odinsword. There they attempt to pull the giant sword out from its scabbard, only to be stopped by the combined efforts of the Lady Sif and Balder. Yet their efforts may be for naught, as the chaos caused by Infinity's wake is also starting to create environmental chaos in the Golden realm. Back in the World Beyond, the Silent One has led Thor to the Goddess of death, Hela, who tells Thor that he is part of a mystical master plan in which he must feel the touch of Hela, meaning his death. When Thor refuses to accept his destiny Hela uses her entropy powers to make Thor wither into old age. She departs, leaving the Thunder God to die. However, shedding a tear the Silent One reaches and touches the fallen god. As their hands touch a miracle takes place as the Silent One gives up its own life force to revive Thor's full strength and vitality. With the peak of his powers, Thor ventures toward Infinity but is horrified when he finds Odin processed by Infinity and ready to fight his own son. 

This in-house advert for The Titans promotes next week's issue not this weeks, with the Fantastic Four fighting a foe on the moon. Also next week's mag offers action abound when Nick Fury and SHIELD defy the deadly Dreadnought, plus the Sub-Mariner and all the regular Titans features. Find out all about the finer details in next week's Power of the Beesting Blog.

Iron Man “The Red Ghost lives again!”

Writer: Archie Goodwin

Artist: George Tuska

Inker: Johnny Craig

Originally published in Iron Man #15

Cover date July 1969

(Published in April 1969)

 

An unnamed artist created this third part landscape splash page. In order to regain his lost powers the Red Ghost has tricked the Unicorn into stealing one of Tony Starks inventions which he hopes will restore them.

After the Unicorn attacked the aircraft carrying Tony Stark, Jasper Sitwell and Stark's Cosmic Ray Intensifier by blowing a hole in the aircraft's fuselage Sitwell had forced Stark to jump from the craft with a parachute. Sitwell didn't make out as the craft explodes. Seeing the smoke from the crashed craft Stark changes into Iron Man. While searching for his enemy, two apes controlled by the Ghost attack him. Meanwhile, the Red Ghost uses the intensifier on himself, which results in the Communist villain regaining his full powers. The Unicorn battles with Iron Man. This distraction allows the Ghost the time needed to turn the Cosmic Ray Intensifier on the apes, empowers them with new sets of powers. These two apes are not the apes that the Fantastic Four encountered when they first fought the Red Ghost way back in MWOM #26.  While Iron Man continues his fight with the Unicorn the Red Ghost escapes, later radioing the Unicorn to tell him that the need for an injection to save his life was only a lie to make him work for him and that he plans to kill them both as he detonates hidden explosives inside his lab. Next week the "Day of the Superapes!"

An In-house advert for this week's Planet of the Apes and Dracula Lives. More details on that mag coming soon in the blog.

Doctor Strange “Planet Earth is no more!”

Writer: Steve Englehart

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Tom Palmer

Originally published in Doctor Strange Vol 2 #13

Cover date April 1976

(Published in January 1976)

The planet Earth is no more and Doctor Strange finds himself the sole survivor of its destruction, floating in a void. Around him hangs the shards that were once his home planet. As the Sorcerer Supreme he had vowed it would not die, yet it did when the enigmatic manifestation known as Eternity had fulfilled his threat that Earth had been driven to the brink of its own destruction. Eternity had chose not to it if Strange would overcome the factors that were leading Earth to the brink. The mystic accepted the challenge, but now four billion lives lie heavy on his conscience, dead in a catastrophe caused by the all-consuming madness of Baron Mordo! 

Despair fills Doctor Strange as he thinks of Clea, Wong and all his friends gone! He ponders if only he had died with them, instead of being allowed the power to prolong his own life, free from the destruction, but be condemned to live out his life in the awful emptiness, with only the screaming memories of a once full life. After the despair a sense of duty returns, he would not accept defeat. There must be a way to change things. Remembering that Nightmare had appeared in Baron Mordo's dream, as seen in SSMwtSH #174, but Strange was not under the demon's spell, maybe that was the anomaly that can help. With Mordo dead and Eternity vanished the Doctor searches for a way to appeal to Eternity to undo the destruction of the planet. He enters a deep trance and enters the arcane beam created by the Eye of Agamotto with his astral form free and fully aware he slides into the Dimension of Dreams. There he finds and battles Nightmare to a standstill, but he is the Sorcerer Supreme and with his full commitment he triumphs over the demon. With that victory Strange turns his head and sees a silvery sphere that fills half the horizon, hidden from his sight until Nightmare fell. Find out next week what lies within!

This inside back page features this landscape in-house advert for Marvel's latest merger mag, the Mighty World of Marvel starring the Incredible Hulk and the Avengers. That would make it tMWOMstiHatA for short, I think I'll just stick to MWOM if you don't mind, it's so much simpler. Marvel's greatest team-up of all time with the Hulk, the Avengers, Conan and Daredevil packed into one mag. Magnificent!

Planet of the Apes and Dracula Lives #92

As associate editor of the British weeklies from the American side of the Atlantic Larry Lieber would keep his finger prints on the UK comics, especially as artist for the cover when needed and on this one he does a really great job. I Love Ron Wilson, but as regular artist on the POTA cover his work was becoming predictable. Here Lieber pencils a functional apes cover that isn't at all bland! The Apes may star on the cover, but still the Lord of the Undead features on it and the top banner tells the readers that the macabre Man-Thing is starring in "Night of the laughing dead!' Frank Giacoia inks Lieber's pencils. 

Planet of the Apes “...Escape from Mt. Rushmore!”

Writer: Doug Moench

Artist: Mike Ploog

Inker: Mike Ploog

Originally published in Planet of the Apes (US) #14

Cover date November 1975

(Published in September 1975)

Jason Schachter from the Facebook group "The Art of Marshall Rogers" and also contributor to the Grand Comics Database says, although not 100% certain, believes that this second part opening page was drawn by Marshall Rogers. He asked inker Joe Rubinstein what he thought of that suggestion and he agreed with. It really does look like his style at the time. Trapped in Lightsmith's Mount Rushmore home Jason, Alex and Malagueña face death from the attacking band of gorillas called the Assisimian, lead by their leader Maguanus.

The mute gibbon called Gilbert races to the Wonder Waggon while Lightsmith instructs Alex in the proper use of "berry bombs," hand-grenades that they throw down on the gorillas scattering them in explosive chaos. With need to get down to the ground quickly from their high point Lightsmith makes Jason and Alex put on parachutes, instructs them to pull the cord hard, them pushes them out of Lincoln's nose, with bags of "berry bombs"! Lightsmith follows them but with only one parachute left he has to carry Malagueña in one arm and a machine gun in his other hand, laying down covering fire. Gibert stokes the fire of the Wonder Wagon in readiness for their escape. The friends reach the wagon and make their escape with Jason following close behind on his mutated steed. When they have time to pause Jason notices a cloud of dust in the distance, using Lightsmith's "long distance viewer" the lad spies Brutus leading a convoy of war machines and a troop of mutant drones. The future looks bleak, the future looks grim and the Terror on the Planet of the Apes continues next week with the "Demons of the Psychedrone!"

Dracula “...Deadline Dracula!”

Writer: Marv Wolfman

Artist: Gene Colan

Inker: Tom Palmer

Originally published in Tomb of Dracula #43

Cover date April 1976

(Published in January 1976)

This is another second part opening splash page that looks very much like Marshall Rogers drew it, although mainly in black it is filled with fine line detail in Roger's style. While driving to Blade's house, to investigate the phenomenon of the vampire called Dracula, Boston journalist Paul Butterworth is sidetracked when he hears a police call about Dracula attacking some police officers. Rushing to the scene himself ends up in the action when he attempts to take Dracula's photograph, prompting the angry vampire to attack him. Slipping on the ice and snow and falling to the floor Paul's crucifix slips out of his shirt which causes Dracula to flee.

Unfazed Paul continues to the address that Harold gave him to find Blade, Rachel van Helsing, Frank Drake and Quincy Harker. Blade gives Paul a more accurate depiction of their last encounter with Dracula, one where Blade's struggle with Dracula ended in Rachel firing an arrow at the vampire forcing him to flee. As the story is told Dracula suddenly bursts in, catching them off guard. As Dracula battles on Paul pulls out a crucifix and trains it on Dracula, who is outraged that this man stands once more in his way. Dracula uses his hypnotic powers to force Butterworth to drop the crucifix. Frank jumps at Dracula, but is tossed out of the window. At this point the vampire lord flees vowing to get revenge. Much later Paul finishes typing up his story, when Dracula bursts in. This time Paul is prepared with a gun armed with silver bullets and a crucifix. The reporter wastes his bullets and Lord of Darkness crushes the crucifix. Then Paul pulls open the curtains to reveal the coming dawn causing Dracula to flee again before the Sun can rise. When the editor arrives demanding to know why the office is a wreck Paul rushes to the dark room to show him the photos of Dracula he was developing, only to find out that vampires cannot be photographed. Without any credible evidence to prove his story, Paul is demoted to answering the "Ask Miss Annie" section of the paper.

Apes Forum

Tommy McDermid RFO, KOF from Greenock was prompted to write in after recent events in Planet of the Apes and Dracula Lives, in the main DL has a consistent standard of excellence with only a few covers not quite up to standard, but that is to be expected in a weekly mag. The peerless pages of the Man-Thing strip are a joy to read. Tommy believes that the Jason/Alexander story far and away makes up for the previous story, Apeslayer, from a while back. Graham Tarver QNS from Warwickshire gets both POTA and Dracula Lives and he agrees with Stephen Moore when he wrote in POTA #78, that he would love to see 2001 and/or Roller-Ball as a back-up feature in on of the mags. Graham Sykes from Glasgow is nuts on Science Fiction, especially on TV, he enjoyed "Kick the Can." It was a clever piece of writing from Bruce Jones. Graham agrees with the idea that about 20 pages should be given to Ape stories. Malcom Pearce from Kent thinks that say that you have made POTA the best mag in Britain. Neil Fisher from St. Helens writes again, but this time he hasn't controversially copied someone's letter from an American comic, instead he fills his letter up with offers the US mags which are kind of useless to British readers.

Man-Thing “After the final curtain!”

Writer: Steve Gerber

Artist: Mike Ploog

Inker: Frank Chiaramonte

Originally published in Man-Thing #5

Cover date May 1974

(Published in February 1974)

This third part two panel page was created by an unnamed artist. Darrel the clown with sad eyes became suicidal and shot himself in the face, falling face down in the swamp where the bright grease paint mingled with the swamp's green goo. Now inexplicably Darrel's back from the dead and is pursued by his former carnival mate, Tragg, the strongman. Unknown to him he doesn't know about the clown's death and is now threatening to kill him. Darrel just laughs and skips away into the swamp wanting Tragg to follow him.

Tragg is too incensed to notice the pain he is in from the crash and so screams and curses the dancing wag. Those curses are heard by Richard, Ruth and Ayla, but soon they end up finding the real Darrel, who is being carried by the Man-Thing, into the swamp to bury. Ayla rushes toward him and is shocked to find him dead when not long ago they saw him larking about. Believing that the Man-Thing killed Darrel, Richard shouts at the swamp creature who shuffles away. On closer inspection of the body Richards realises that Darrel had been shot, but what did they see minutes earlier? Richard orders was it an hallucination and Ruth adds or maybe a ghost! Just then Tragg arrives with intention of roughing up the clown. Richard demands he stop as he can't kill a corpse, but the strongman takes his aggression out on the hippy. This makes the Man-Thing put himself between the two men. Tragg attempts to fight the swamp he finds the Man-Thing more than a match for him. Suddenly they all turn and witness Darrel's spirit floating above his corpse. The night of bizarre events continue next week.

Ka-Zar “The man who hunted dinosaur!”

Writer: Gerry Conway

Artist: John Buscema and Sonny Trinidad

Inker: Sonny Trinidad

Originally published in Ka-Zar Vol 2 #9

Cover date June 1975

(Published in February 1975)

Ka-Zar and Zabu find the corpse of an Ankylosaur killed by a hunter's single arrow. He was not slain for food or in defence against the Herbivore dinosaur, but for sport. This wasteful act angers the jungle lord who vows to get revenge for the beast. Elsewhere the hunter is tracking his next prey, a pterodactyl. He kills it and only takes the beast horn as a trophy. Back with Ka-Zar the mate of the Ankylosaur arrives assuming that Ka-Zar was responsible and attacks him. The Jungle action continues next week.

The Titans #40

Larry Lieber (pencils,) and Frank Giacoia (inks,) team-up for this Fantastic Four cover for The Titans. It deviates from Jack Kirby's original cover from the Fantastic Four issue 97, the FF are seen in a different direction and order, plus on the UK version the Monster from the Lost Lagoon is red in colour, while on the US version he is green!

The Fantastic Four “The monster from the Lost Lagoon!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Joe Sinnott

Originally published in The Fantastic Four #97

Cover date April 1970

(Published in January 1970)

This opening splash page was a re-creation of Jack Kirby's original splash page art, but in a landscape frame by an unnamed artist. Reed, Ben and Johnny are investigating number of ships that have gone missing in the sea, when a school of dolphins thinks they want to play.

The Fantastic Four had been on holiday in Florida, when Reed was asked by the navy to investigate using the navy's new Air-Sea Cruiser search for the so-called Lost Lagoon. During their investigation, Reed, Ben and Johnny spot a strange humanoid fish-man swimming with a Hugh killer whale. But when they move in to get a closer look, it manages to get away. Johnny flys back to shore, still brooding over the disappearance of his girlfriend Crystal. Landing on the beach, he is swarmed by fans, his mind is detracted when he catches up with Sue and his nephew Franklin on the beach.   Reed and Ben also arrive but unknown to them, their happy reunion is observed by the strange humanoid. The creature returns to an undersea cavern, where he worries that before he can finish his work he will be discovered. Taking a serum the creature transforms into human form and swims to a nearby oceanarium, where he puts on a performance with the dolphins. His show is watched by Reed, Ben and Johnny. Impressed by his skills in the water, Reed then asks the man to as a marine expert with knowledge of the underwater cave to act as a guide in the Lost Lagoon.

The man agrees, joining them as they explore the underwater caves in the Air-Sea Cruiser. When they arrive at the deepest part of the cave network their guide suddenly smashes his way through the bulkhead of their submarine, flooding it with water. With nowhere to go Ben pulls Reed and Johnny along, following after the man in the hope that  he will lead them to an air-filled cavern. There, they find that their "guide" has reverted back to his natural form. A fight briefly breaks out between the Thing and him. Reed recovers and tells the Torch to heat up the air, making the amphibian flee deeper into the caves. When the three follow him Reed makes them stop all aggression when he notices that the creature poses no threat to them at all. the creature loads plastic bags of water into a giant shell-ship. Reed reduces that the ship must've crashed and the being was from a water tank world that needed the fluid to obtain him on his return voyage, he wasn't hostile and only attacked others for protection. Johnny wonders what was he protecting? He gets an answer when they spy within the ship a female. With a gesture the creature asks them to move back as his ship moves into position to blast off into the sky.

This is the one you've been waiting for, if you wanted an invite to the wedding of Doctor Octavius and May Parker. I know you won't believe it, until you see it, so you had to pick up the latest copy of Super Spider-man with the Super-Heroes to read all about it.

Captain America “This monster unmasked!”

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Syd Shores

Originally published in Captain America #100

Cover date April 1968

(Published in January 1968)

As last week's Captain America strip ended on a cliff hanger this week's following strip starts with a flashback to when Steve Rogers was found in the Arctic wastes by a tribe of Eskimos, who worshipped him as a god in a block of ice. The reason from this diversion from the regular story was that last week's strip had come from Tales of Suspense issue 99, which Captain America shared with Iron Man. 

Both heroes where set to get their own comics, with Iron Man briefly teaming up with the Sub-Mariner in Iron Man and Sub-Mariner issue 1, before getting his own comic simply called Iron Man and numbered issue 1. Captain America continued in his own title that continued the Tales of Suspense numbering with issue 100. Cap now had a full monthly to fill so this three page flashback was added that recount the Sub-Mariner's discovery and him angrily throwing the block of ice into the ocean to be found by the Avengers, as seen in Avengers weekly #1. Baron Zemo has ordered the female spy, Irma Kruhl, who was in fact Agent 13 in disguise to execute Captain America and Black Panther. She fires her first shot above the heroes heads and convinces Baron Zemo that they can execute the heroes after they use the solar ray against the United States. Last week's conclusion that nazis are stupid continues here as Zemo agrees with her. She is taken to the control room, with Cap and the Panther still their prisoners. When the time is right Agent 13 activates a hidden weapon that destroys the solar ray's controls. She, Cap and the Panther attack and fight their way out of the control room. In the hallway surrounded by guards. The action continues next week. 

There is no signature on this centre spread and I can't find out who might have drawn it. In all honesty it's not an inspiring pin-up, not like the Punisher one in this week's Super Spider-man. 

Titanic Transcripts

Steve Beard from Reading comments on Mike Mittelstadt's preferring the older Marvel's style from bygone days was the early to mid-sixties over the  1968 to our early 70's style. Mike wrote that today comics are "drowned in an overflow of titles and staffers" as he mentioned in The Titans #27. Even though some of the enthusiasm and fun of the earlier days may have been lost, Steve doesn't think so as it has been more than compensated for by the greater skill acquired at Marvel more recently that has resulted from a blending of the old hands and the new. As for "The overflow of titles and staffers" it has resulted in greater experimentation, some of which, like Conan and The Defenders, have been great successes, and some of which, like the Surfer, Man-Thing and Unknown Worlds, although now discontinued where "fun" while they lasted as part of the "pioneer spirit." The products of Marvel, have greatly increased since the early 1960's yet no quality has been lost, as each artist is firmly and enthusiastically devoted to each strip. David Lunn from Tyne-Wear writes that out of the 31 issues of The Titans published, he has found that the Inhumans, the X-Men, the Fantastic Four have been good, however the Sub-Mariner has not been a strong although the artwork over the last few issues have been the best. His two favourite strips have been the excellent Captain Marvel and his top story Captain America. The final letter printed misses out the name of the writer, but it appears to have been written by Ben Grimm from the Baxter Building, New York. He writes that he was content guest-starring in other strips but when in 1975 he got his own strip in the Super-Heroes he had to tell "It's Clobberin' time" at so many bad guys it give him a hoarse throat. That strip moved into Super Spider-man and joined up with a nice crowd. Now with the Fantastic Four strip is full length in The Titans.

Following the success of Spider-man's personal appearances at the ABC Cinema in Brighton, he has agreed to do more at different cinemas in Seaside towns, starting at the end of July. This page listed the full details! There were to be three appearances at ABC Minors Matinees at 10 am with the doors opening at 9.30 am, with competitions, prizes, comics, as well as your chance to meet Spidey! They were Regent Cinema in Great Yarmouth on the 24th July, the ABC Cinema in Bournemouth on the 31st July and the ABC Cinema in Plymouth on the 7th August. Did you go to the events? There was a promise that an Autumn tour would take place at another fifteen ABC Minors Matinees all over the country!

The Sub-Mariner “To the death!”

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: John Buscema 

Inker: Dan Adkins

Originally published in Sub-Mariner Vol 2 #6

Cover date October 1968

(Published in July 1968)

This landscape second part opening splash page was drawn by an unnamed artist. Tiger Shark has forced Lady Dorma to take him to the Atlanteans to claim the throne of Atlantis. One noble man stands ready to challenge the hideous threat, the Noble Lord Seth, chief warlord of Atlantis. 

The villain and Lord Seth battle in an uneven contest as the superior strength of the Tiger Shark makes him the winner. With victory the villain takes the Trident of Neptune to deliver the killing blow. However the Council of Elders of the Atlantean Empire all call out to stay his hand. Since time immemorial it is they who have decided who must live and die. Unanimously they vote that Lord Seth's life be spared. Seth is wrecked with guilt and dishonour. The Tiger Shark is happy to be named the new ruler of Atlantis. Meanwhile Namor makes his way to the Atlantean encampment, although his mind wonders about the villain named Destiny, who had been his quest to find before, he was side tracked with other matters. That same fiend also thinks about Namor, as the villain monitor's the Sub-Mariner's travels. Soon Namor makes it to the encampment and challenges Tiger Shark to battle to retake the throne. Seeing how the villain treats his people brings renewed purpose and after a hard thought battle Namor emerges triumphant, once more regaining his throne and the crown imperial. Imperius Rex!

Ghost Rider “...Death cries the Witch Woman!”

Writer: Gary Friedrich

Artist: Tom Sutton

Inker: Jim Mooney

Originally published in Marvel Spotlight #10

Cover date June 1973

(Published in March 1973)

This landscape two panel page that opens the second part of this story was drawn by an unnamed artist. Roxanne Simpson lies in a critical condition as a strange Indian girl known as Linda Littletrees rides desperately to bring her the snake venom antidote that she needs.

Without the serum the only thing that the doctors can do is give Roxanne a complete blood transfusion. The Ghost Rider agrees to have them carry out the procedure and leaves them to it. On his way out his path unknowingly cross Linds Littletrees as she arrives with the serum. The doctor administers it and barring any complications she should regain consciousness soon. The Ghost Rider is spotted by the police who give chase. Linda hears the name Simpson and recalls as a child she was rescued by a police offer named Simpson when she nearly as killed walking infant of a lorry. She returns to the hospital to confirm it was Roxanne's father who saved her. Strange how her master had ordered her to destroy the man who had a connection to the man who had saved her. Linda set out to catch up with Ghost Rider, when she does she is transformed in to the Witch-Woman, who helps the Ghost Rider to escape from the police, but only so he can die at her hands. Next week its the "Season of the Witch!" I'm not a Gary Friedrich fan, his work can be jumpy when the plot changes from one direction to another, just like here when Linda and earlier her father, goes from hero to villain or villain to hero for no logical reason. Especially when he wrote the X-Men tales, they just don't stand up to any scrutiny. It's a shame a same because the potential is there and I really like the X-Men and Ghost Rider strips. The thing is both strips do improve. Pop back next week to see if this one gets better, so as I like to say...

See you in seven.

Make Mine Marvel.