Week Ending 8th September 1976
An other fantastic four weeklies from British Marvel comics. No need to pause, let's get into the action and adventure with the horror and the heroes that made your childhood days buzz with excitement. The stuff and nonsense starts here.
The Mighty World of Marvel #206
This cover drawn by David Wenzel wasn't his best work for either British Marvel or America Marvel. His later work in fine art would lean heavily on the sword and sorcery tropes, but to me this looks very rushed, like they needed it over night. Frank Giacoia inked it.
The Incredible Hulk “Deathknell!”
Writer: Len Wein
Artist: Herb Trimpe
Inker: Herb Trimpe
Originally published in The Incredible Hulk #185
Cover date March 1975
(Published in December 1974)
Before I start with the story plot I want to mention Herb Trimpe's art, which in the coming months I know his name is going to come up a lot. It was this period when readers would criticise him for the heavy pencil work, sometimes suggesting that his pencil has become blunt and he should either sharpen it or get a new one. I think the dip in quality comes from him inking his own pencils and may be he has grown complacent after working on the same comic strip for so long. His depiction of Banner in chains looks laboured. I'll admit it isn't his best work, but on the whole Trimpe can still carry a story along. Banner is alive after being shot by Colonel Armbruster, thankfully it was only a tranquilliser dart. General Ross, Betty Talbot and Armbruster explain to Banner that it was necessary due to the impending visit by the President. Bruce makes no response, but when Armbruster and the General leave, Betty tries to get Bruce to talk. He lashes out at her as everyone is focused on the Hulk and no-one gives a damn about Bruce Banner. When Betty says she cares Bruce replies that he doesn't need her pity. It all gets heated when Betty tells him to stop cutting himself off from his friends. He angrily tells her he has no friends, Betty sadly leaves the scene before Bruce can take back what he said.
Bullpen Bulletin
The unique Bullpen Bulletin tag line is there to keep you at least mildly intrigued and I'll hopefully carry that intention on by splitting the six Items in this week's Bullpen Bulletin over this week's four weeklies, because three of the pages look individual. The MWOM Bulletin page takes this week's David Wenzel's Conan cover and has him fighting an attacking serpent. The first Item informs readers that there will be some special features in Planet of the Apes when it celebrates its scintillating centennial issue when issue 100 goes on sale in just one short week. They can't tell you much all about it, but they do say that it will feature the first section of the glitzy Apes glossary! "What's that?" you ask. Well this glossary is an incredible work of erudite Apes scholarship which is a list of all the awesome actors and characters from the Apes movies and mags. It tells ya just about everything ya ever wanted to know about the Planet of the Apes but were afraid to ask. More Items in Super Spider-man with the Super-Heroes Bullpen Bulletin page.
Triton re-emerges from the sewers to find himself in amongst the events seen in last week ending, as the Avengers face off against a trio of SHIELD agents equipped with Mandroid armour. Senator H Warren Craddock is please with the Mandroid's progress, but Nick Fury, who is only helping the Senator because of orders from above, warns him that the Avengers are pros and they aren't beaten yet as the Mandroid's screens begin to shut down one by one. At first, it appeared as if the Avengers are going to be defeated by the Mandroid, but after re-routing the energy from his own power pods Iron Man is able to shut down the Mandroid's battle suits. Thor praises his teammate for stopping the robots without harming the men inside but wonders how he managed it? Iron Man has no time to give the details as the arrival of the injured Inhuman gives them another more pressing matter. Triton explains that he originally intended to seek out the Fantastic Four but by chance stumbled on the Avengers. He needed aid to assist him in retrieving Black Bolt who has been exiled to San Francisco when Black Bolt's brother, the insane Maximus, took over the Hidden City of the Inhumans. As readers of the Inhuman strip in The Titans #5 to #12 would remember. Of which issue 5 to 8 was written and drawn by Roy Thomas and Neal Adams and connects perfectly with events here. Issues 9 to 12 was by Gerry Conway and Mike Seikowsky, those stories mess up the continuity, more about that discontinuity in next week's blog. The Vision is against the idea of helping the Inhumans while their fellow Avengers are being held prisoner by the Skrulls in space. Iron Man however believes it is their duty to help, so the Avengers discuss a way "to help both!" in next week's issue.
Fortunately Torkal Moh doesn't believe in passwords so the group gains entrance to the castle as the gates open widely to admit the small army. Inside the castle grimly Conan casts his gaze around, while the bored guards direct their interest towards their games of cubes. Even so only a madman would dare invade Ravengard with so few swords at his back. Even so in the cobbled courtyard as Conan swings his leg over his saddle to dismount, a pre-arranged signal for the peasants to attack, unleashing hatred from the suppressed slave's life of squalor and servitude that erupts into violence. As the Cimmerian rages through the castle in search of Stefanya he crosses paths and swords with Torkal Moh, who after falling to Conan's blade, crumbles to the floor and is forced to reveal that Stefanya is held in the dungeon and the amulet he took from the barbarian has been given to the Gifting Tree. A servant, Gwineer, leads Conan to Stefanya, then to the tree, which is deep in a magical garden next to a large pool. Around the tree gold, gems, and treasure are littered as offerings to Torkal Moh's dark god. Unfortunately, as Conan retrieves his amulet, a gigantic, octopod, monstrous god who the natives call Pthassiass rises from the water. Next week Conan must face "the dweller of the pool!"
Matthew Lopachi from Middlesex writes Hooray! Spidey's art is FAB! Gil Kane and John Romita Sr. make a great team, also Gerry Conway's scripting is terrific. Matthew is glad that the Green Goblin has departed he never did like him, but Gwen Stacy should not have died. Matthew does complain that ever since MWOM#181 Herb Trimpe's artwork has not been as good as it used to be. He remembers when he turned out brilliant work. Keith Sparrow from Surrey is disappointed and annoyed by Derek Lork's letter from MWOM #197 in which he claimed early Marvel comics were childish and villains like Scarecrow, Smasher, Jack Frost and Melter were pathetic. Keith believes that Marvel wouldn't have become the great universe it now is, if not for those early characters. He agrees that they've progressed to a more intellectual state, especially with the efforts of great writers like Gerber, McGregor and Moench to name a few. Andy Brenan KOF, RFO, QNS has been a Marvel fan even before October 1972, Marvel comics have instilled him with a warm glow of pleasure every time he reads one. He thinks British Marvelites get a good deal even though people complain about the lack of colour, as they get up to five stories a mag and weekly distribution, so colour is really a minor point of argument.
Sean O'Riordan RFO, QNS, KOF can see all the fantastic detail and thought that has gone into the magazines. But there is also a subtler side to Marvel, sometimes hidden between the lines. sometimes openly spoken. That is the moral code and ideals that Marvel represents in a world of dictatorship. totalitarianism and intolerance. Marvel speaks out against religions and racial intolerance at a time where all over the world minority groups are being blamed for the troubles in different countries. The cynical may remark that Marvel is merely mirroring the establishment line. or defending an out-dated American principle. but surely these principles should be shared by all. Marvel also speaks out against pollution in the air and sea. Captain America stands against racism and violence and for justice and equality. Marvel stands against is organisation like The Sons of the Serpent. The seeds of which can be seen in the Klu-Klux-Klan and in Hitler's persecution of the Jews. Frank Butchard RFO, QNS, TTB from Milton Keynes thinks that "The Fiend From the Forgotten
As Peter arrives in the shadows a misshapen figure watches from an abandoned house near Flash Thompson's apartment, sensing the power and strength of will radiating from the young hero, marking him out as different from the others who lack his seething emotion. It is on those emotions that the Mindworm feeds. The malformed man sits cross legged on the floor and begins to meditates, he begins to feed. Meanwhile at Flash's apartment he and Peter begin to hit it off, years of their high school relationship seem to disappear as the one time enemies strike up a respectful friendship. After several hours of conversation the two young men discover that age like distance leads double charm. As the evening grows long Peter ponders the illusions of his youth, he'd always thought that if he and Flash were ever left alone in the same room for any length of time they would start slugging it out. Instead he's found that they have much in common and their long conversation was only ended as Flash drifts off to sleep. With Flash asleep Peter takes the opportunity to introduce Spider-man to the neighbourhood. No sooner does he exit the window he sees on the streets below hundreds of people in a sleepwalking trance like zombies, heading towards the shore.
Karnilla appears before Odin and shows him the image of his son Thor as he faces Hela on Earth. Witnessing it for himself Odin refuses to allow his favoured son to die. On Earth, just before Hela can deliver her deadly touch to Thor, the Thunder God spots people on the streets vanishing. Thinking that it's Hela has violated her promise she would not take another person's life if he allows her to take his, Thor spins the mighty Mjolnir, creating a vortex that teleports the young god away escaping from Hela's reach. However no matter where Thor goes, Hela is waiting there prompting Thor to return to New York and face his fate. Suddenly the city twists and warps creating confusion that draws near to the Goddess of Death. She realises that it could only be the work of Odin who appears before them and demands that Hela not take his son's life. When she refuses to comply, Odin slays her with his Power Sceptre. Thor is horrified by what Odin has done because he has doomed everyone in the universe to live in a realm without death. He cannot accept the gift of life when the universe must pay the awful price. Soon the world would become overpopulated, chaos would spread everywhere. The young god would rather face a thousand deaths then be the cause of the calamity that would follow. Next week "the chaos begins!"
His kidnapper was a man named Colonel Krieghund who had been developing his own version of the Super-Soldier Serum in order to create a Nazi Übermensch. The Colonel had been applying a process that had been developed by someone or something called the "Brain Drain." However, his process was incomplete, some of Brain Drain's experiments had been tried out on a German soldier who had been placed in a giant transparent vat of chemicals. Although the man was the personification of the lurid nietzschean nightmare, created by a duplicate formula of Doctor Erskine it was not fully perfected. Krieghund believed that Doctor Anderson might have knowledge of Erskine's lost procedures that created Captain America. Krieghund subjected Anderson to a device he called a Psyphon. Which pulled information directly from the doctor's brain. The Colonel had acquired enough data to complete his project, transforming a Nazi agent into the Master Man.
Colonel Krieghund is furious that Master Man in a childish fit of wonder smashes up the nazi laboratory. The super-human nazi rebels against his superior officer declaring that he is but human while he has surpassed man and has become Übermensch, the Master Man. Suddenly a soldier alerts the Colonel to heat sensors that indicate two objects approaching fast from the sky. At that moment, the Human Torch and his sidekick Toro attack the silo. After taking care of some nazi soldiers Toro faces Master Man. The teenage hero is knocked towards his adult partner, forcing him to the ground. Colonel Krieghund levels a gun at the Torch but Doctor Anderson, even tied to a chair still manages to spoil his aim. The battle ended inconclusively, with both Master Man and Colonel Krieghund managing to escape. Some of the damaged equipment starts a fire which the Torch and Toro absorb so that they can rescue Doctor Anderson, who they rush to the hospital. With the tale concluded the Torch and Toro enter Anderson's room. Cap recalls meeting the fire-some two-some when they meet to rescue Bucky and Toro from the Red Skull. A story that was told in Young Allies #1, cover dated July 1941, published June 1941 by Timely Comics, the forerunner of Marvel Comics. Doctor Anderson suddenly recalls why Krieghund was in such a hurry to activate his Master Man. The answer lies at Chesapeake Bay, where next week, Cap, Bucky, the Human Torch and Toro meets the Sub-Mariner!
In Super Spider-man with the Super-Heroes only half a landscape page is given to the Bullpen Bulletin, so no image is used. The second Item goes on to mention that if any reader imagined that Planet of the Apes 101 only contains the Apes glossary, fear not. The centennial issue will also feature the same amazing Apes action and adventure readers have always demanded plus a peerless pin-up of the Son of Satan by Mike Nasser and Duffy Vohland And just to keep you interested, plus don't miss the original tale we call "Beast on the Planet of the Apes" pencilled by Happy Herby Trimpe himself! Right lets dissect this Item, there's loads of errors in it. First up it talks about the centennial issue but uses the issue number 101. It also mentions a pin-up of the Son of Satan appearing in the centennial issue, but there are no pin-ups of the Son of Satan or any one in that mag. And the third thing isn't completely correct. The story titled "Beast on the Planet of the Apes" actually appears in issue 99, as seen in this week's blog, but I suppose as the story does continue into issue 100 and through to 102 it's close enough. The next Item will appear in the POTA section of this blog.
Constantly hunted by less advanced humans the advanced race became a nomadic civilisation, travelling the globe using a powerful mobile arc to protect their people and continue their experiments. Over the countless millennia as Homo sapiens continued to overrun the surface of the planet the advanced race eventually established an isolated, high-tech refuge. They named this city Attilan, where they dedicated themselves to the purpose of pushing human knowledge further through science. One day their scientists discovered Terrigen Mists, a transformative force that could either unlock extraordinary abilities or unleash catastrophe. The council is split between caution and destiny, but the sovereign leader, Randac insisted that they must take the risk to transcend ordinary humanity. Defying opposition, he chooses himself to be the first to enter the chamber. Before everyone’s eyes, he became the first ancestor of what will be called "..the Inhumans." The origin will continue later in the pages of The Titans issue 51.
Midas fires Morgan Stark since he has a Stark impostor to further his plans to acquire Stark's wealth. Meanwhile head scientist at Cord Manufacturing, Alex Nevsky continues to pursue his romance with Janice Cord, while he secretly continues his own special project, noting that his plans are running smoothly and soon he will ready for Iron Man when the time comes. As the schemes of others are set in motion Midas offers the "fake" Tony Stark a proposal, he is to infiltrate the "real" Stark's life and when in position he is instructed to hand over all of Stark's holds to Midas. Tony Stark sees that if he plays along with Midas' scheme without revealing that he is the genuine Stark he can stop the LMD Stark without anyone knowing. Tony agrees to the plan, Midas instructs Madame Masque to prepare the "impostor Stark" to infiltrate his Stark Industries. As his training comes along at speed Madame Masque grows closer to her pupil and is pleased that with the remarkable speed that he has assumed Stark's personality. Midas warns her that she should not get to comfortable as if anything should go amiss she should kill him before he can reveal their plan. Continued next week.
A gorilla accompanies this week's Bullpen Bulletin. The third Item has some very important news that was tucked right in the middle of the bulletins. It follows on from Herb Trimpe pencilling of this week's Planet of the Apes strip by noting that he is cooking up something big this autumn, which the editor is busting with pride to announce the start of a new comic adventure, an enterprise calculated to stun the entire empire of Marveldom! A new series featuring a British superhero set in London! And when they say that this series is new, they mean NEW! It's an absolutely original, never before printed anywhere in any country! As the week go on we'll find out more. So keep reading each week. The fourth Item tells the readers that in this week's The Titans, issue 47, includes a "mind-blowing" pin-up of Super Spider-man with the Super-Heroes latest strip, the Invaders. As the fifth Item is just a "more Items next week" end note there is nothing left to talk about in The Titan's Bullpen Bulletin section which looked just like the Super Spider-man Bulletin.
Derek arrives in a world ruled by apes and has a crazy adventure in which Arthurian legends are played out. Following Derek's adventures in Camelot in which he is knighted as Sir Derek he feels that he needs to continue his search for Taylor and any of the surviving crew. So bidding goodbye to his new friends he sets off on his quest. Returning to the shore where he arrived on the island he meets a chimpanzee named Robin Hood, who challenges him for ownership of a raft, which Derek had built many months ago. The pair fight using staffs, but during the fight both man and ape ended up falling into the sea. Seeing the funny side of things they soon became friends. Robin agreed to help him search for the missing astronauts. When they get to the main land they steal a horse and Derek agreed to become Robin's slave to blend in with the ape lead culture. The saga continues next week.
With curiosity the Man-Thing makes his way towards the gate way in the walls when suddenly a man dressed in Safari gear and welding a machine gun appears in the gateway. Angered that the creature was responsible for the death of his men when they were sent out to aid him, he had hoped originally to save the creature and offered him shelter inside the Hacienda, the Captain tries to gun down the Man-Thing but the bullets have no effect on the creatures soft body as they pass through its frame. He is unable to stop the Man-Thing from entering into the village. The Captain believing that the creature may be some kind of creation by the devil orders his men to force him back with a battering ram. This just impales in the side of the monster body. Pulling it out he throws it against the men forcing them back. A young girl is paralysed in fear at the sight of the creature. Even knowing that it is a sin to spill one drop of the water from the fountain of youth in panic she douses the Man-Thing with the water. This causes the Man-Thing to burn as it slowly shambles back out into the swamp to deaden the pain. As the Man-Thing rises from the mire it spots Schist and Wickham heading towards at speed in their swamp hovercraft. the Man-Thing prepares to halt them as we'll see next week in "The gift of death!".
When all is calmed down Doctor Zaius notices some of the words left in the dirt, quickly and discreetly he rubs it out with his foot. Later Doctor Zira and Julius treat Taylor's burns. Sees an opportunity, he steals Zira's notebook and pen. The guard enters the cage and knocks Taylor down, recovering the notepad to give back to Zira. She is shocked to read the words "My name is Taylor" on it. She asks for a collar and leash so that she can take him to the infirmary. The guard is happy with that but he does anyway. Zira whispers to caged human "You wouldn't hurt me would you..Taylor?" To which Taylor smiles. Next issue "Manhunt!"
Military forces have gathered to meet the invasion. Namor tries to fly ahead to stop this senseless battle, but Reed convinces him that the only thing he can do right now is pretend that he is siding with Magneto in order to buy them time to defeat their mutual foe. Namor agrees to follow Reed's advice, despite his reservations. So he speed towards the Atlantean flagship to agree to Magneto's terms. Magneto then orders Namor to lead his armies on an assault on Manhattan, warning him not to fail as the fate of Sue Richards and Lady Dorma hang in the balance. Meanwhile the Fantastic Four return to their headquarters where they are reunited with Crystal. The US President contacts them with information that the Sub-Mariner has gathered an army on the mainland and that citizens are being taken as prisoners. Reed assures the President that he can stop the invasion before it's too late. He then sends Johnny out to call the Sub-Mariner back in. The Torch has to avoid Atlantean cannon fire before he learns from Namor that Magneto intends to set up operations in Central Park. The pair then race off to face him there.
Magneto lands the Atlantean flagship in Central Park. Sue turns invisible and breaks the metal straps that hold her with an invisible forcefield. But her escape proves to be futile as Magneto causes metal bits and pieces to float about which when strikes her body exposing her position. He tries to subdue her but her force field holds the metal at bay until the mutant master of magnetism threatens the life of Lady Dorma, then Sue surrenders. Namor then confronts Magneto in the park where he orders him to let his captives go or face his wrath. Instead Magneto orders Namor to teach Reed Richards a lesson. At the Baxter Building, Reed puts the finishing touches on his device while Johnny, Ben and Crystal keep Atlantean invaders at bay. With the weapon completed, the group flies to Central Park in the Fantasti-Car where Reed attacks Magneto with his weapon, which is powered by Crystal's elemental powers. Magneto uses his magnetic powers to destroy the weapon, but the magnetic fields are turned against him, trapping him in a magnetic force which he cannot escape. With the battle now over, Namor orders his armies to return to the sea, thus ending all hostilities. Reed offers a hand of friendship but Namor replies as long as air-breathers hate and distrust all who are different, there can never be friendship.
According to half forgotten tales his race split away from the Atlanteans and left to build an empire in the Pacific. Centuries ago the day came when Lemuria was ruled by a mad tyrant named Naga, who chose the seven headed serpent as his symbol. The greatest of alchemists from Lemuria created the Serpent crown, which gave its wear mastery over time itself as well as hypnotic powers. One day the Crown was stolen and Nega lost his powers. The thieves headed south, protecting themselves from the Crowns influence. Unfortunately a mammoth land-mass now known as Antarctica broke away destroying a decadent civilisation who had built their home on the landmass. All was buried beneath a cataclysm of nature together with the indestructible Crown, its shape changed by the thieves and the ravages of time to form the Helmet of Power. With Namor seeing that the crown is dangerous he becomes distracted as a steel net falls over both him and Karthon, dropped from an ominously-shaped vessel directly above them. An electrical field is discharged through the netting rendering both Atlantean and Lemurian unconscious. Find out who captains the ship next week.
Nick Fury has finally come face to face with the Supreme Hydra, who turns out to be his diabolical arch-enemy from World War Two, the merciless Baron Strucker. Fury has been captured by the hordes of Hydra after he had stowed away on a craft piloted by SHIELD agent John Bronson, who Fury has suspected of being a Hydra agent. The fake Bronson was really the Strucker in disguise. He had posed as Bronson to kidnap Laura Brown, the daughter of the original Supreme Hydra. The vengeful Strucker releases the deadly Alpha Rays to destroy his captive who lies strapped in the killer machine.
Writer: Stan Lee
The Avengers “Something Inhuman this way comes..!”
Writer: Roy Thomas
Artist: Neal Adams
Inker: Tom Palmer
Originally published in The Avengers #95
Cover date January 1972
(Published in October 1971)
I started off the Hulk strip this week by talking about Herb Trimpe's artwork, so I feel it's a good time to talk about Neal Adams' art. It is totally stunning, gripping and even though an Inhuman amphibian rising from the water isn't a normal Adams makes it look super normal. Neal has put it all on this page yet he's still has loads more to show off, like the following page with its twelve panels that traces Triton's hazardous journey through New York from the docks on the Hudson River and through to where he is accosted by a mob of angry citizens as well as hostile police officers who hunt him in the street, then it ends in his escape to the sewers via a man-hole cover.
Conan the Barbarian “The warrior and the wolf-woman”
Writer: Roy Thomas
Artist: John Buscema
Inker: Dick Giordano
Originally published in Conan the Barbarian #49
Cover date April 1975
(Published in January 1975)
This five panel page was drawn by an unnamed artist and was used to re-cap events in the last two week's Conan adventure. Conan had escaped from death by rats to be hunted down by a pack of wolves only to have a woman intervene. Her name was Lupalina, the wolf mistress. Lupalina offers to help Conan for her own reasons, she seems to be familiar with Stefanya. Conan and Lupalina reach Torkal Moh's castle and wait to ambush a small raiding party carrying defeated slaves. With the help of Lupalina and her wolves Conan liberates the slaves, who after a little persuading they join Conan, disguised themselves as soldiers.
The Mighty Marvel Mailbag
City" is your best Conan story to date. "The Last Ballard of Laza-lanti" is a very close contender indeed. Dave Crowden from Liverpool gives quotes of the prices of some comics he saw at a recent comic mart in Liverpool. Michael Hanna RFO, KOF from Belfast wonders why in the quadra-poster the Hulk has four toes on each foot while the Thing has three.
Daredevil “Who killed Brother Brimstone?”
Writer: Roy Thomas
Artist: Gene Colan
Inker: Syd Shores
Originally published in Daredevil #66
Cover date May 1970
(Published in July 1970)
The artist for this second part opening splash page is unnamed. Karen Page has moved to Los Angeles to take up a career as an actress in the soap opera called "Strange Secrets." But the shows star Brother Brimstone, played by the actor Ross Archer, has been murdered by the hands of his fictional alter-ego in real life. But which of the cast and crew are the real murderer? Daredevil needs to find out. Lester Leroy, the show's technical effects designer shows Karen a set of impressive blueprints, which later Daredevil discovers are for a powerful Exo-Skeleton that would increase a man's strength by tenfold. Later Daredevil finds that Karen has gone after reading a note from Lester, asking her to meet him at the Labrea Tar Pits. Suspecting Lester of using the Exo-Skeleton to pose as Brother Brimstone Daredevil swings away to reach her before "Terror at the tar pits" does next week.
One more triumph from Marvel with issue 47 of The Titans. This in-house advert looks a little lost just floating in space by itself. I wonder why one or two of the other weeklies weren't added to it?
Super Spider-man with the Super-Heroes #187
Dave Hurt totally re-designs Gil Kane's original cover from the Amazing Spider-man issue 138, almost neglecting the main villain, Mindworm and concentrating on the mind controlled humans who wanted to see Spider-man dead. But that works better in a British comic. The perceived violence on this cover to me feels similar to the classic "Kids Rule OK" cover of the 18th September 1976 edition of Action, which saw the comic banned for a while. Strange how both nearly came out in the same week, one hit the headlines because of a supposedly violent attack of a police officer and got the comic banned, while the other showed a violent attack on a super-hero and never got mentioned. I guess that violence in fantasy rules OK. Dave Hunt thinks that he inked this cover, however Nick Caputo from the Grand Comics Database thinks that Hunt was in error and that Frank Giacoia provided the inks. The original artwork was sold by Heritage Auctions on the 7th March 2020 from the princely sum of $3000, which is just over £2207. Oh by the way I remember getting this second hand and reading it while I should have been studying for my GCSE's and O Levels. Happy days although I wouldn't have said so at the time. Anyway it's my Cover of the Week.
Spider-man “Madness means...the Mindworm!”
Writer: Gerry Conway
Artist: Ross Andru
Inker: Frank Giacoia and Dave Hunt
Originally published in the Amazing Spider-man #138
Cover date November 1974
(Published in August 1974)
Sometimes it's really hard being a hero. Peter Parker laments in the ruins of his apartment, caused by the bomb planted by Harry Osborn when he was the Green Goblin, which nearly killed Mary Jane. Suddenly there's a knock on the door, it's the landlord who has no sympathy for Peter and just tears up the lease agreement, demanding that he leaves by the end of the day. Not wishing to worry his Aunt May, Peter rings various friends but eventually Flash Thompson offers him a temporary place to stay in the suburb of Far Rockaway, which is far from Manhattan.
Among their number is Flash. Spider-man follows them to a derelict house. Inside the house is the Mindworm who recalls his life. He was born with an incredibly large head. The doctors said that he was lucky to be alive as following a rash of abnormal births since the government had opened up an experimental compound outside of town, all the other children were stillborn. As the child grew his mutant abilities events lead to the death of his mother as he over time drained her life force. His father witnessed his son taking the last drop of her life and fled in fear, only to be struck by a car and died himself. The boy was sent to an orphanage where he begun to use his powers to ward off attacks from bullies. Over time he used his mind powers to become very intelligent and would later relocate to the abandoned house to feed off the emotions of others, not repeating the same mistake with his mother, the number of people allowed for him to feed but not kill. In the present Spider-man investigates and the Mindworm orders his mind controlled army to kill the web-slinger. As Spidey fights off the hordes of the Mindworm, the police learn of the situation and send in a riot squad, but once they enter the range of the Mindworm's powers they too fall under his influence. Spiey has to taking his fight to the Mindworm directly. The fiends strength and his mind power make him an ample foe, that is until the wall-crawler claps both of his hands on either side of the head of the Mindworm, resulting shock from the blow causes the mutant to lose his hold over the masses which in turn weakens his powers. Peter changes back to his civilian guise and rejoins the others as the police arrive to arrest the Mindworm, who falls to the floor emotionally after draining himself, becoming a victims too his own loneliness. Next week we'll see Peter's new apartment in the "Day of the Grizzly!
This half landscape page promotion piece asks readers "could the super Spider-man Roadshow be coming your way?" Find out next week when all the details will be fully revealed.
The Mighty Thor “And so to die!”
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: John Buscema
Inker: Joe Sinnott
Originally published in The Mighty Thor #190
Cover date July 1971
(Published in May 1971)
Thor has been forced to accept Hela's fatal touch rather than allow other mortals to die. He prepares to receive her gift of death. Meanwhile in the Golden Realm of Asgard, the brave Balder recovers from his recent battle with Loki. His troubled sleep is overloaded with anxious thoughts over the oath of loyalty he has sworn to Karnilla. The Norn Queen herself has appeared before him to warn him that Thor's end is near. Rousing from his bed Balder rushes to Odin to inform him of what transpires. The All-Father is already sick and pale with grief. He knows that Hela is not evil, she must do what she must do. He must not slay the immortal Goddess of death.
Airfix Dogfight Winners
This page lists the ten winners of the Airfix Dogfight competition which appeared in the Marvel British weeklies from the week ending 16th June and 23rd June 1976. The first ten all-correct forms out of the postbag each win an Airfix
"Same-Day Flyer" Kit. Underneath these ten are the names of the hundred runners-up who've each won an Airfix "Dogfight Doubles" kit. There's no room for the hundred so you'll have to click on the page to see the winners but I'll list the first prize winners. Daniel Cooper from Shropshire
Tudor Llewellyn from Hereford, Andrew Egan from Tyne & Wear, Ian Davis from Twickenham, Richard Squire from Cambridgeshire, Christopher Williams from North Wales, Mark McCann from Middlesex, Gary Solan from Dublin, NRJ Abbott from Bury and Stephen McKeen from Merseyside.
This week's centre spread pin up of the mighty Thor battling Loki, the evil god of mischief, was drawn by David Hunt.
The Invaders “Enter: the Human Torch!”
Writer: Roy Thomas
Artist: Frank Robbins
Inker: Vance Colletta
Originally published in Giant-size Invaders #1
Cover date June 1976
(Published in March 1976)
Captain America and Bucky arrive at the hospital where in a heavily guarded top security ward they find Doctor Anderson seriously ill in bed. Anderson explains to them how he came to be in that predicament. Two weeks ago on a quiet Sunday morning in Hawaii the Japanese Air force streaked down and bombed Pearl Harbour as well as the Hickam Field, where the US Air Force was caught flat footed on the ground. This lead to President Roosevelt a day later declaring war on the Japanese Empire. Soon there was no doubt from the Axis allies as Hitler clarified his position by claiming that Roosevelt, backed by the millionaires and the Jews are responsible for the Second World War. Doctor Anderson continues telling Cap that two nights ago while at his research centre he was attacked by Nazi agents and taken to an abandoned silo being used as a secret Nazi stronghold.
Bullpen Bulletin
The Inhumans “The Origin of...the incomparable Inhumans!”
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Jack Kirby
Inker: Joe Sinnott
Originally published in The Mighty Thor #146
Cover date November 1967
(Published in August 1967)
This five page origin of the Inhumans fits in the two and a half landscape pages that are free this issue. Although the first splash page starts off with the current Inhuman Royal Family this tale presents the mythic origin of the hidden branch of humanity who advanced in secret while humans were still in their primitive stages. The race that became known as the Inhumans developed astonishing technology, weapons, and scientific knowledge far beyond the prehistoric human tribes who grew to fear them.
This in-house advert shows readers that "on a planet perilous... deadly is the quest!" The cover artwork for this week's Planet of the Apes looks fantastic in black and white. The price on this proof image of eight pence is wrong and has been for sometime. That just shows you how far advanced these in-house promotions are made.
The Thing and the Scarecrow..together! “Dark, dark Demon-night!”
Writer: Bill Mantlo
Artist: Herb Trimpe
Inker: Moore and Dan Adkins
Originally published in Marvel Two-in-One #18
Cover date August 1976
(Published in May 1976)
The Thing team strips jumps an issue and uses the adventure printed in Marvel Two-In-One issue 18 as issue 17 featured a team-up with Spider-man that continued into Marvel Team-Up issue 47. It was a shame that those stories never got printed in the UK. The only reason why I can imagine is that they would have messed with the current British Spider-man continuity.
In a late night gallery opening in the Soho area of New York City the Thing and his girl friend Alicia Masters are introduced to the host of an occult-themed art exhibition, Jess Duncan, who has allowed the exhibition to take place in his Soho loft and the art critic Harmony Maxwell. Harmony tells Ben that Jess Duncan had bought the main piece of the exhibition, a painting titled "The Scarecrow." He had won it in an auction, thanks to a well timed elbow blow from his brother, Dave, to had put off the conpeating bidder a man named Rovik. As seen in the Super-Heroes #41. The painting was supposed to possess supernatural powers as Jess, Dave and Harmony discovered when Rovik kidnapped Harmony to use her as a sacrifice to some God called Kalumai. Harmony was rescued by the living embodiment of the painting. After the exhibition begins to wind down Dave Duncan takes a long solo look at the painting one more time. when a stealthy figure knocks him out and enters the painting. Suddenly as Jess sees Ben and Alicia off a screen is heard in another room. Find out who its from next week.
Iron Man “Even heroes die!”
Writer: Archie Goodwin
Artist: George Tuska
Inker: Johnny Craig
Originally published in Iron Man #18
Cover date October 1969
(Published in July 1969)
The Tony Stark LMD, as Iron Man, helps Nick Fury and Captain America battle a group of Hydra agents. The imposter is satisfied that he has managed to fool the two men who would most likely to see through his lie. He returns to Stark Industries, deciding that he must kill the real Tony Stark. Meanwhile at Midas' Aegean compound, Morgan Stark is convince that the "Stark look-a-like" is indistinguishable from his cousin. Unknown to all, the man who Madame Masque captured while he escaped the police is the genuine multi-millionaire who had been replaced by the newly activated Life Model Decoy.
Planet of the Apes and Dracula Lives #99
I have to again thank Nick Caputo and the Grand Comics Database for the possible name of this cover's artist. He suspects that it was Marie Severin which I can see in the detail, especially in the black and white version seen in the in-house advert printed in this week's Super Spider-man with the Super-Heroes.
Bullpen Bulletin
Planet of the Apes “Beast on the Planet of the Apes!”
Writer: Doug Moench
Artist: Herb Trimpe
Inker: Dan Adkins
Originally published in Planet of the Apes (US) #21
Cover date June 1976
(Published in April 1976)
A new Planet of the Apes adventures starts this week, except it doesn't. It's not new! This story had already been printed in the UK in POTA #85 and #86, which was only fourteen weeks ago. Surely most readers would have remembered it clearly. I know the Ape series were catching up very quickly with the US editions but couldn't they repeat something from much longer ago? It was a follow up to "Kingdom on an Island of the Apes" which ran from POTA #31 to #34, in which Derek Zane created a time machine and went looking for the missing astronauts lead by Captain Taylor.
Ka-Zar “The serpent and the savage!”
Writer: Gerry Conway
Artist: Don Heck
Inker: Frank Springer
Originally published in Ka-Zar Vol 2 #11
Cover date October 1975
(Published in July 1975)
This second part opening page was drawn by an unnamed artist. Ka-Zar and Zabu have escaped from the Temple of Ilak-Aron with Illyana through an underground river after the priest Sylitha as manipulated the rules Tordon-Na to call for the death of Durnon for allowing Ka-Zar to see inside the temple. The High Priest Sanda has been forced to prepare the sacrifice his own son to their God Ilak-Aron. As Dusk settles Ka-Zar, Illyana and Zabu return to the city to stage a rescue. In the Temple a crestfallen Sanda raises a dagger above his son who has been tied to the sacrificial alter. Find out nest week if he can go through with "the Sacrifice."
Apes Fang-Mail
George Henderson from Banffshire must get the winner of the longest letter in this week's various mailbags, but I'll do my best to sum it up. He likes glossy covers as he finds plain paper gets damaged more easily. He likes both landscape and traditional formats but he has to say that the artwork in the landscape mags is not up to the mark. He makes various suggestions to the back-up features in each of the weeklies and he enjoys the letter pages in all the weeklies so much that he'd like to see the two letter pages in every issue. Solomon Hughes gives his opinions on Kevin Hopgood's letter from Dracula Lives #85, in which the universe could do without Genesis. For I interpret his words to mean he would lie dormant. For what relevance has great power got if it recreated a universe "...that everything is as it should be, if one can only see it" from Avengers weekly #123. Christopher Jenkins from Shrewsbury writes that Mike Ploog is easily Marvel's best artist, his drawings of the Inheritors and the Drones make Planet of the Apes the best Marvel mag of the moment for art.
Man-Thing “...Fountain of fear!”
Writer: Steve Gerber
Artist: Mike Ploog
Inker: Mike Ploog
Originally published in Man-Thing #7
Cover date July 1974
(Published in April 1974)
This third part opening splash page was drawn by an unnamed artist. Over the past few weeks the man-Thing has witnessed his long time nuisances, the workmen from the F A Schist construction company leaving the swamp. No sooner have they gone that a new enemy enters his life, strangely clothed soldiers dressed like Conquistadores from another century. As the Conquistadores try to escape from the swamp creature they suddenly age and wither before they can return to the Hacienda.
Dracula Presents “I met a thing on Midnight Island!”
Writer: Larry Lieber and Stan Lee (plot)
Artist: Don Heck
Inker: Don Heck
Originally published in Tales of Suspense #12
Cover date November 1960
(Published in June 1960)
It's another tale of suspense introduced by Count Dracula. A sailor discovers a message in a bottle out at sea. The hastily written scrawl was from a person trapped on Midnight Island. He heads to the legendary island but as he starts to explore, finding that the only trace of life is a hut, but before he can get near he is chased away by a hideous ape/cat-like creature. After trying different ways to get on the island he returns to the shore. Suddenly in the night sky he spies a flash of light which like a thunderbolt hits the island. An instant later the Ape Man lumbers towards what looks like an alien space ship and enters it via a shimmering ramp. The space ship takes off, returning to the stars. The sailer then heads to the hut and finds it empty. Then the realisation dawns on the sailer, the creature was no beast but an alien from another civilisation more advanced than the human race. It must have been the castaway who wrote the note in the bottle.
Planet of the Apes “Where's there's life!”
Writer: Doug Moench
Artist: George Tuska
Inker: Mike Esposito
Originally published in Planet of the Apes (US) #2
Cover date October 1974
(Published in August 1974)
An unnamed artist drew this third part opening page using panels from last week's episode to show the temporary muted Taylor writing words in the dust to prove to Doctor Zira that he was intelligent. His caged female companion rubs it out. Angrily Taylor pushes her aside which results in a fight with the lost astronaut and the other savage humans in the cage. The gorilla guards break up the fight by burning Taylor with the flames from a torch. Zira demands that they stop and that he is taken to an isolated pen.
When all is calmed down Doctor Zaius notices some of the words left in the dirt, quickly and discreetly he rubs it out with his foot. Later Doctor Zira and Julius treat Taylor's burns. Sees an opportunity, he steals Zira's notebook and pen. The guard enters the cage and knocks Taylor down, recovering the notepad to give back to Zira. She is shocked to read the words "My name is Taylor" on it. She asks for a collar and leash so that she can take him to the infirmary. The guard is happy with that but he does anyway. Zira whispers to caged human "You wouldn't hurt me would you..Taylor?" To which Taylor smiles. Next issue "Manhunt!"
The Titans #47
This interpretation of John Romita Sr.'s cover from the Fantastic Four issue 104 was pencilled by Steve Stiles. I think he does a really great job using all of the landscape cover to show the scene while giving all the characters space to breathe.
The Fantastic Four “Our world enslaved!”
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: John Romita Sr.
Inker: John Verpoorten
Originally published in The Fantastic Four #104
Cover date November 1970
(Published in August 1970)
This landscape splash page was drawn by an unnamed artist who has based it on John Romita Sr.'s original splash page. The Fantastic Four and the Sub-Mariner return to New York City to witness the Atlantean army, under the command of Magneto, as they attack the city
The Sub-Mariner “Never bother a barracuda!”
Writer: Roy Thomas
Artist: Gene Colan
Inker: Dan Adkins
Originally published in Sub-Mariner Vol 2 #10
Cover date February 1969
(Published in November 1968)
After his people has been enthralled by the Helmet of Power that has been transformed into the Serpent Crown, Namor has tried to throw it into the deepest undersea trench, only to have second thoughts. As he dives down to retrieve it the monstrous hands of Karthon the Questor reach out for it. Karthon is the leader of an undersea race from Lemuria in the Pacific, who are distant cousins to Namor's own race. Namor and Karthon battle until the Sub-Mariner subdues his opponent and makes him reveal his origin.
This week's centre spread was drawn by David Wenzel and inked by Duffy Vohland. Might it have been better suited to Super Spider-man with the Super-Heroes? Possibly as the Invaders feature in that mag.
Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD “Crisis!”
Writer: Jim Steranko
Artist: Jim Steranko
Inker: Jim Steranko
Originally published in Strange Tales #157
Cover date June 1967
(Published in March 1967)
After minutes of bombardment Strucker orders the Alpha rays to cease, only to find Nick Fury gone! Meanwhile on board the SHIELD Helicarrier Agent Sitwell searches for a bomb that has been hidden on board by Strucker. Once exploded it will release "Death Spores" into the atmosphere killing the majority of the world's population, with only Hydra supreme command safe within Hydra Island beneath an impregnable dome. Even using the powerful minds of the ESP Division to search for the bomb Sitwell orders the Helicarrier to head towards the Antarctic to minimise the loss of life, hoping that the extreme cold destroys the bacteria. Meanwhile on Hydra Island a pair of Hydra goons search for Nick Fury when one of them suddenly keels over, the second checks up on his partner when he too gets knocked out just as Fury becomes visible after the effects of his SHIELD invisibility pill wears off. He had swallowed it just as they switched on the Alpha-ray machine, allowing him the time to make his escape. The valiant agent isn't out of the woods yet, he's suddenly caught in the middle of a gun fight with a horde of Hydra agents. Next week if he gets pass them he'll have to face "the Satan Claw!"
Captain America “Escape!”
Artist: Jack Kirby
Inker: Syd Shores
Originally published in Captain America #103
Cover date July 1968
(Published in April 1968)
This second part opening splash page was drawn by an unnamed artist. Captain America has commandeered an attack craft from the Red Skull's guards as he heads to Exile Island to rescue Sharon Carter.
He rides the craft on to the island's shore, smashing it into the battlements set up to defend the island as he leaps away just as it explodes destroying the cannons. The Red Skull soldiers swarm Captain America, but he refuses to go down without a fight. When the Skull turns up he is caught from behind with the butt of a gun and knocked out. While unconscious the Red Skull places a strip of nuclear tape on the back of Cap's neck. The Red Skull hopes to make Captain America do his bidding and tosses the Star-Spangled Avenger into a holding cell next to Agent 13. The Skull returns to his fellow Exiles to monitor the cell. General Ching attempts to usurp the Red Skull's leadership of the Exiles from the Skull but is stopped by Gruning. When Cap revives Sharon tells him that she has been waiting for his arrival before attempting to escape. Using a special SHIELD glass cutter hidden under her fingernail she slices through the plexi-glass between their cells, uses a micro-blow torch to melt through the door so they can escape from their cell. The pair make a break for the Island's runway, where they have to fight off a group of soldiers. The nazi troops call their leader and the Skull rushes to engage in combat with Cap. The star-spangled Avenger easily bests the Red Skull and with Sharon they escape in an aircraft. Unknown to Cap this was all part of the Red Skull's plan to let Captain America defeat him in combat so as to make a convincing show of their escaping. Gruning lifts the Red Skull to his feet, who begins to laugh. Thanks to the nuclear tape and his detonator he can reach Captain America anywhere in the world. Find out "the way it ends!" next week.
A reminder that the Spider-man Roadshow could be coming your way, plus a short advertisement for a mail order service from Fantasy Unlimited, offering thousands of DC and Marvel imported comics for sale. It would be ten pence or a stamp for a large list. Or for 75 pence you could get the Comic Collector's companion and price guide, which is a 100 page listing of comics from the 1960's to the present day. 25 pence gets you the Comics Unlimited monthly magazine. In another mail ordered offer 0n the right the S F and Comics Shop which lists a lengthy list of all the Marvel Treasury Editions.
Ghost Rider “And Vegas writhes in flame!”
Writer: Gary Friedrich
Artist: Jim Mooney
Inker: John Tartaglione
Originally published in Ghost Rider #5
Cover date April 1974
(Published in January 1974)
Dude Jensen holds Roxanne Simpson at gun point when one of his men bursts in warning his boss that the Attorney General has alerted the police to Jenson's criminal operation and the building is swarming with cops. Jensen tells his underling that he is no way finished as suddenly he transforms into a demon called Roulette. The demon is unable to destroy Roxanne because of her purity and so is forced to leave her. Johnny races to find Roxanne as night falls he transforms into Ghost Rider. Roulette taunts the Ghost Rider by showing him the area where Roxanne is held prisoner in flames. The Ghost Rider has to smash his way into the burning trailer before he can save her from the raging flames. Once she's safe the Ghost Rider races away to stop Roulette "while Las Vegas burns!"
See the flames next week when the Power of the Beesting blog will return with more action, adventure, horror and heroics from the best British Marvel mags from 50 years ago. Till then...
See you in seven.
Make Mine Marvel.8
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