From here to Eternity!

 Week Ending 16th March 1974

The Mighty World of Marvel #76

In all honesty this week's covers aren't very good. Picking a Cover of the Week will be a problem because of that. This one is by Ron Wilson and Mike Esposito. It's a bit bland but one feature that I do like, or at least it makes me smile, is the way Wilson has drawn the Hulk holding Maximus by the seat of his pants, like an impetuous child.  

The Incredible Hulk "The deadliest robot of all!"

Writer: Stan Lee and Roy Thomas

Artist: Herb Trimpe

Inker: Herb Trimpe

Originally published in The Incredible Hulk #120

Cover date October 1969

(Published in July 1969)

This week's episode starts off with the fourth, fifth and sixth panels reused from the last page of last week's Hulk story, with some re-cap re-lettered text boxes added. Don't worry Betty, General Ross, Major Talbot and the pilot escape the crash thanks to their trusty US army parachutes. Right out of the frying pan and into the fire as Maximus orders their deaths. Hulk hates to be hounded by the army but he's no killer and he tells the evil Inhumans as much. Forced to take action against the green friendly giant, Maximus introduces his latest creation "the most deadly robot of all!" You can see where the title has come from. It's a prototype version of the statue whose will sapping ray held the locals under his will, not quite as big but still a handful. The Hulk basically throws a fortress at it, burying it under the rubble. Now faced with the angered Hulk and the awaking US troops Maximus and his fellow evil Inhumans flee in an escape rocket. The Hulk follows suit and leaps off into next week's adventure to discover "What lurks...within the swamp!"

The strip has found a nice vain of form, with Roy Thomas as new writer finding new interesting ways to tell fairly typical Hulk stories and Trimpe growing more comfortable with each issue as the Hulk artist. Can't wait to read more of these classics. 

Daredevil "The Fury of the Sub-Mariner!"

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Wally Wood 

Inker: Wally Wood

Originally published in Daredevil #7

Cover date April 1965

(Published in February 1965)

Daredevil's re-cap opener uses the fourth panel from page 20 of last week's issue, which does cause a little jarring as it goes from DD leaping off a shop awning striking the Sub-Mariner with both feet, to the next page that sees a civilian clothed Matt Murdock unable to persuade Namor from fleeing jail. It's a fairly reasonable action filled story, even with DD being completely mismatched against the superior opponent. In a futile attempt to subdue the Atlantean prince DD uses an electrical power cable from a broken street lamp to shock him.  It's fair to say that the blind hero never read the Fantastic Four story seen in MWOM #13, in which Namor absorbed the electric shock given off by Doctor Doom's booby trapped door, acting like an electric eel. Daredevil takes the brunt of the feed back and lies weak and exhausted, but noting Daredevils courageousness Namor leaves without anymore conflict, flying above the awaiting armed troops to return to his own people and crush the rebellion lead by the Warlord Krang. 

I have to say that even with the simpleness of the plot that doesn't take the lead or guest character anywhere it still produces a pleasant read. 

The Mighty Marvel Mailbag

Trevor Main RFO, from Morayshire is another reader who wants to see the Silver Surfer in one of the mags, or in a new mag with Daredevil and the X-Men. Derek Beech from London got his wish of seeing Daredevil back in MWOM before his letter got printed. John Allen RFO, KOF, from Staffordshire points out some discrepancies between the stories featuring the Thing and some of the replies given to readers letters about him and the Hulk. John is pleased with the new Avengers weekly though. He hopes both the Earth mightiest heroes and Doctor Strange will be around for sometime. John Taylor from Kent has some quick questions, 1) Where does Spidey put Peter's clothes when he's Spider-man? 2) How come Mr. Fantastic never gets electrocuted when working on his electrical equipment? 3) Does the Hulk get tired? 4) How strong is the Thing's muscles? The editor answers are 1) in his bedroom or a handle spot, 2) He's too smart to touch a live wire, 3) Hulk never gets tired, 4) No real answer to this one, other than on a bad day he might take two attempts at punching a hole in four-foot thick wall. Stephen Cantley RFO, KOF, from the Wirral has just bought a US edition of the Ghost Rider and wants to see him in MWOM. Chris Sutor from Birmingham asks if members of the FF or the X-Men get jealous of their individual powers? The editor answers "No!"

Carl Prime from Hertfordshire wants to know how Marvel manages to fill their comics with great stories and great art for 52 weeks of the year? Charles S. Trott also from Hertfordshire writes to answer Peter Crawfords letter in MWOM #39 in which he criticised the way different artist drew the Hulk. Charles make a point that the effect of the gamma rays could have different reactions to his metamorphism each time they occur. Peter Robinson from Surrey criticised the lack of action in the "posters"seen in the weeklies. Ian Jarvis thinks that Marvel mags are marvellous and anyone who tries to spot mistakes isn't a true Marvelyte. At the bottom of this week's mailbag is a teaser for a fistful of posters on offer next week as week a reserve form for "Marvel" I'm sure that next week the advert for those posters doesn't appear.

The Fantastic Four "Dragon Man lives!"

     
Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Chic Stone 

Originally published in The Fantastic Four #35

Cover date February 1965

(Published in November 1964)

 

Another enlarged panel makes the opening re-cap page for this story, this time it's taken from the final panel for last week's FF story. The title is a nice play on the US Marvel/Curtis magazine Dracula Lives, which was originally published from February 1973. A title that British Marvel fans will get their own version of the Lord of Darkness's mag just before Halloween in 1974. Diablo has used one of his potions as the catalyst to animate Professor Gilbert's creation, the Dragon Man. Kirby has a lots of fun crowbarring the artificial monster into the story. He absolutely loves drawing monsters. 

Ultimately Diablo loses control as the monster turns on him after the alchemist attack Sue Storm. Diablo and the Dragon Man fall through a frozen lake and are pulled away by the strong undercurrents. Dragon Man isn't the only one to take a shine to Miss Storm, Reed finally follows through on his lovesick emotions and proposes to his sweetheart in front of the University's Lover's Lane tree that has been cut into a heart shape. According to tradition any couple who hold hands and kiss in front of it will be married within a year. Best get a new suit then Marvel fans. 

It's been a great story over the last two week's,  that connects different parts of the Marvel universe together and plants seeds for the future too. 

All three weeklies have a teaser advert for a special competition coming up next week. Your chance to win a "Gladding inflatable boat", or dingy as I would call it, or five mask, snorkel and flipper sets, or even twenty mask and snorkel sets. More details next week. 

  Two more Marvel triumphs, in the Avengers Goliath takes on the "Terrible Trio", while in Spider-man Comics Weekly Spider-man finds out what is "the Brand of the Brainwasher!" Coming up next!

Spider-man Comics Weekly #57

This week's cover is a re-coloured John Romita Sr piece of art, originally from the Amazing Spider-man #59. It's not one that I can rave about, but it does have the gorgeous Mary Jane dancing in a 60's fashionable short sequin mini dress and knee high boots, which does pique my interest. Well I'm only human.

Spider-man "Who is the Brainwasher?"

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: John Romita Sr and Don Heck

Inker: Mike Esposito

Originally published in the Amazing Spider-man #59

Cover date April 1968

(Published in January 1968)

It's a cut and paste splash page that asks the question "Who is the Brainwasher!" which does sort of feel a little strange as the page made up of an illustration of Spider-Man swinging on his web surrounded by floating heads of Doctor Winkler, (never named in this story,) Mary Jane Watson, Captain Stacy, Gwen Stacy and the Brainwasher himself, only slightly silhouetted out with grey tone and a question mark on the side of his face, but it clearly is the Kingpin, thus spoiling the surprise and rendering the question pointless. 

Mary Jane is payed to dance and take pictures of VIP guests at the Gloom Room A-Go-Go club, who unknown to her are mesmerised by the special camera she uses and then lead of to a back room where a special machine completes their brainwashing. At one point she takes Captain Stacy's picture before he informs her he "enjoyed her dancing", now-now Captain, she's old enough to be your daughter! The old dog, sorry I mean the old police captain is escorted away, causing Gwen to worry. Peter investigates as Spider-man, but finds instead a group o armed gun men, who use Mary Jane as a hostage. Spidey "webs" up the thugs gun and swings to MJ's rescue. This is the first time she's been rescued like that, it's an iconic scene that gets reused again and again in both the comic and on film. MJ certainly has more fun swinging with Spidey, more so than Gwen does. I guess one is date material the other is wife material.

This story hasn't really thrilled me much. A brainwashing plot doesn't feel very Spider-man(y), but add the Kingpin and suddenly I'm interested. What trouble will Spider-man have to face when the mass of muscle that is the Kingpin of crime, exerts his operation on New York we'll have to wait till next week to find out. 

This special Spidey Pin-up was taken from the Amazing Spider-man Annual #5, cover dated November 1968, published in August 1968. Drawn by John Romita Sr over Larry Lieber's layouts, as Romita once indicated he worked very closely with Lieber on this annual, page by page, including this pin-up feature. Stan Lee added the dialogue to the piece. The right hand edge to the pin-up has been extended slightly to fit the UK dimensions. 

The page top headlines have returned for this page with another small plug for the Master of Kung-Fu, starting in the pages of the Avengers #28. We'll be hearing more on that later.

The Web and the Hammer

Nigel Edwards from Stoke-on-Trent thinks that SMCW #44 was an accolade of Marvel's remarkable talents but also a revolution in the world of Peter Parker. He love's seeing Peter and Gwen together as part of something new maybe? And the inclusion of the Kingpin. Well I guess he'll like this week's story. He does criticise the need to edit out American grammar, adding it isn't necessary. George Kourtellaris from London thinks it's unfair that Thor only gets four or five pages. Alan Tilmonth from Northumberland has made up a new foe called the Defeater and wants to see Doctor Octopus and the Sandman's return. Paul Bailey from Birmingham asks some weird questions like "Does the Earth's atmosphere affect Thor?", "Does Thor get his hair cut, or wear a wig?", "Are the Wasp wings real?" and "What would happen if you fell off the Rainbow Bridge?" Answers in the letter page. Christopher Taylor from Yorkshire has some questions about Spidey's webbing, what's it made of and how many shots does each web shooter have. Well it's a special formula and how long is a piece of string? Well that's answered that.

Jack Lacordes from London says it's crazy how much skill and detail is put into each comic. David Thomas from London has never missed a copy of SMCW and MWOM but wonders why the Tales of Asgard story that was promised for SMCW #36 never appeared. The answer from the editor is they boobed. D.R.C. from Preston wants to know how far Spidey can jump? No straight answer other than he would break all known records. Mark Archer from Birmingham is a fan of Spider-man and Thor and gets all three weeklies. Nicholas Marchmont from Leicester asks whose idea was it to put two pin-up pages back to back? Well if you cut it out at least it wouldn't ruin a story. Paul Monaghan from Wigan can't wait till next week to find out what happens to Spider-man or Thor and asks do the writers not know themselves? His Dad can't wait too. 

Iron Man "the Netherworld doom!"

Writer: Stan Lee and Robert Bernstein

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Don Heck

Originally published in Tales of Suspense #43

Cover date July 1963

(Published in April 1963)

   

It's a nice use of the cover from Tales of Suspense #43 by Jack Kirby as the opening splash page to this week's half of the Iron Man adventure. Tony Stark agrees to help Kala in her plans to invade the surface world, by inventing something that will get her forces to the surface, but he needs a workshop. In that workshop he builds a replica Iron Man suit and sets about beating her troops and their futuristic weapons. Iron Man takes Kala to the surface with his "nuclear-powered"/"transistor powered" "clippers" slicing through the earths core, where on reaching the surface air Kala ages into "an hideous old hag!" Returning to the Netherworld her good looks return, I guess it's true the sun can age you but still that's a little far fetched. She agrees to rule with her General, Baxu and release her prisoners. Until next time that is.

This story stretches credibility, especially scientifically, but if you can live with the 60's style of storytelling you can get something out of this story.

The Thing asks fans do they want a fistful of posters of their favourite heroes in full colour? It says more news next week on the big poster promotion, but in this ad we get a teaser of which heroes will feature with the mighty Thor, Daredevil and the amazing Spider-man posters partly shown. They've been promising this offer for quite a bit so will we finally see the offer? As a teaser I'll tell you that these beauties are by Spanish artist LOPEZ ESPI.  

 

    The Mighty Thor "When titans clash...one must fall!"

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Vince Colletta

Originally published in The Mighty Thor #126

Cover date March 1966

(Published in January 1966)

Well this is the "battle-fest" you've been waiting for. Opening with the impressive clash of titans that originally was the cover of the Mighty Thor #126 by Jack Kirby. One must fall for one to win but these Gods are so evenly matched no ground is given and none can be taken. So how does Stan and Jack get out of this plot cul-de-sac? Well as the plot also contains a very seething father who has the power to half his son's strength but cannot bring himself to do so.

 Odin's advisor, Seidring the merciless, cajoles the All Father into carrying out Asgard justice and smite his son for his disobedience in informing Jane Foster of his human identity. Still unwilling to carry out the punishment Odin gifts Seidring his power so that he can carry out the punishment in his name. I bet that won't end well. Seidring sends a bolt of energy that saps the Thunder gods strength by half, giving Hercules an advantage. As the battle continues Thor grows weaker, tiring to a point that a single punch floors him. 

Hercules is greeted by a crowd of people including a movie producer who offers him the chance to star in his own movie.  Jane Foster rushes to tell Thor that she only wanted to make him jealous, but Thor feeling that he has lost honour in the face of this defeat leaves, telling her he will not return until he has restored it in his eyes. Odin contacts Jane telepathically, telling her that his son has fought like a true Asgardian. Feeling remorseful towards his son he commands Jane to go to him. Heeding the request Jane follows after the Thunder God. What happens next will have to wait till next week.

These two pages came from the same Amazing Spider-man Annual as the "A day at the Daily Bugle!" pin-up. Larry Lieber drew these two pages that featured versions of Spider-man as drawn by other artists for other publications. If you can't guess who they are here's a quick run down, Dick Tracy, Li'l Abner (a satirical newspaper strip drawn by Al Capp), Mickey Mouse, Superman, Archie or Reggie from Archie Comics and Charlie Brown. 

If you zoom in on the top of both of these pages you get the headlines "Shang-Chi is coming to make Britain's greatest even better!" and "Fist of fury! Heart of steel!"Shang-Chi in Avengers #28", subliminal lines used to promote the Master of Kung Fu. As I said before I'll get to that later in this blog.

Spider-man Comic Weekly's back page features an in-house advert for the Avengers and the  Mighty World of Marvel. Both on sale in this week 50 years ago. Let's take a look at "Britain's Greatest" weekly next!

The Avengers #26

This cover, originally from the Avengers issue 29 (US edition), is a Don Heck (pencils) and Frank Giacoia (inks) creation. With only slight colour variations to Power Man and the Black Widow's costumes. It has a fair shout at being this week's Cover of the Week, but I'll still give it to Romita's Spider-man cover with the hot dancing Mary Jane. In saying that the Black Widow looks smoking too. May be a little too much Golden Age hero look but still. You decide, there's no wrong or right answer.

The Avengers "This power unleashed!"

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Don Heck

Inker: Frank Giacoia

Originally published in The Avengers #29

Cover date June 1966

(Published in April 1966)

  

I'm not sure what "power" is being "unleashed" but Stan Lee wouldn't have let any logic or connection get in the way of an impressive title. Continued from last week Quicksilver manipulates a "Thermo-reviver disc", what ever that is, to revive the fallen Goliath, now stuck at 10 feet tall. Cap calls an old army doctor friend who manages to stabilise Hank Pym, but also delivers bad news, Pym must stay ten foot tall forever. Meanwhile in the far east General Hu Chen orders the now fully brainwashed Madam Natasha, also know as the Black Widow to destroy the Avengers. 

For many British readers this was the Widows first appearance as her first true appearance would be in an Iron Man story from Tales of Suspense #52, cover dated April 1964, published January 1964, called "The Crimson Dynamo Strikes Again!" that would see print in Spider-man Comics Weekly #71, the week ending 22rd June 1974. No explanation of who this character was or what her connection to Hawkeye was given leaving the reader to connect the pieces. The Widow enlist the services of the Swords Man and Power Man to accomplish her task. 

By attacking each Avenger one by one with carefully planned traps the trio of villains capture all the Avengers except for the newly returned Goliath and the Wasp. Goliath had been sulking but when the chips are down the big man steps up. The Wasp frees the captive Avengers and the tables are quickly turned leaving the villains no option but to flee.

The artwork in these current stories has been improving, Don Heck's pencils have been sharpened up and much of that must be credited to the ink pen or brush of Frank Giacoia, a much under rated inker. You might not jump for joy when you read his name in the credits but he's a steady pair of hands, who leaves the art in a better place.

Avengers Mailbag

William Stone from Worcestershire makes a few points about continuity errors between the Radioactive Man's appearance the Avengers #3 and his first appearance in SMCW #11, the missing Tales of Asgard story that should have been printed in SMCW #36 and how SMCW has been "spoilt" by the drop in page count and the removal of the black and white with red tint pages. William does add that he thinks the Avengers are fantastic and Marvel should print some Captain America stories. E. Burke RFO, KOF, FFF, from Edinburgh has gotten all the Avengers issues but his favourite one was the Avengers #6 which featured the debut of Wonder Man adding its a pity that he didn't become a proper Avenger. Don't worry Mister Burke Wonder Man will get his chance.

Andrew McIvor from Belfast had just bought Daredevil issue 24 (US edition) and noticed that there were offers of eight Marvel super-hero posters for one dollar and you could also get Aurora kits of "Spider-man tracing Kraven", "the incredible Hulk" and "Captain America" for the price of 98 cents each. He asks why can't these offers be available in the UK. The editor hints that those posters will be coming our way shortly. Shad(rack) Mehmet RFO, KOF, QNS, enjoys reading Marvel mags but also thinks the shading in the comics is terrible. He says he's a comic art scratcher and is looking for a book on comic art or anatomy, could Marvel suggest any? The editor takes his early criticism to heart suggesting that may be as a "budding art genius" could it be that his eye is a slightly over-critical one. He isn't, the shading had been terrible but it did improve. They couldn't recommend any particular art book, but did give him some good advice about how to start in the art industry, such as becoming an "art bodger" in a magazine art studio. They go on to explain that an "art bodger" is a junior jack-of-all-art-trades who copes with such tasks as re-lettering speech balloons, re-sizing pictures, adding to the size of a picture that's too small, making minor corrections to correct any boob before it goes to the printer and possibly inserting the "hated shading." Shad(rack) had also suggested that the US versions of Spider-man, the Hulk and maybe in the future the Avengers are being held back from the British public. The editor takes umbrage with that suggestion. 

Doctor Strange "If Eternity should fail!"

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: Steve Ditko

Inker: Steve Ditko 

Originally published in Strange Tales #138

Cover date November 1965

(Published in August 1965)

 

Finally Doctor Strange has learned the secret of Eternity from his mentor's mind, granting the knowledge to open a doorway that allows him to travel to Eternity's realm. It does feel like meeting Eternity has been a long time coming but Steve Ditko's art makes the wait worth it as he really pulls it out of the bag with the psychedelic trippy backgrounds of this strange realm. I love these black and white mags, the artwork gets to breathe and we get a mass of comic stories at a reasonable price. But it's artwork like this that I really wish British Marvel mags were in colour. I wish they made a giant sized Marvel Treasury Edition that featured this saga. I know that Marvel Treasury Edition issue 6 does feature the last story in this saga "The end..at last!" but the whole saga is worthy of it. I might later dig my copy of that Treasury out for a re-read.

The master of the mystic arts walks through the weird landscape as his attention is drawn to a shimmering light, that turns out to be no mere light, but an actual universe, a microcosm, a galaxy  within a world that expands and assumes the form in the image of a man cut from the silhouette of a cosmic universe. The living embodiment of Eternity. Doctor Strange asks to be granted with the power to defeat Dormammu and save his master. Eternity bathes Strange in a mystic glow, a power beyond human measure that reveals the very fibre of his soul. After much deep consideration Eternity decrees that Strange needs no additional power to complete that task, as he has the means to defeat Dormammu on his own. That may seem like a cop out but there's lots of profound inner contemplation during these scenes that gifts Strange the motivation and wisdom he needs. 

Returning to Earth's dimension the Doctor finds the Ancient One gone. Taken by Baron Mordo. The Baron's phantom-like spirits followers escort Strange to the shadowy sanctuary of the sinister Baron Mordo. Dormammu holds all the cards as Strange must face overwhelming odds, making next issue a must read.

The final text box on this end page reads "Don't miss our next issue, packed with more amazing adventures of the FF, Cap, Shellhead and the Master of magic! Till then..Shalom!" I wonder if readers of this weekly expect the FF, Captain America and Iron Man to turn up in next week's mag or even to help Doctor Strange against the forces of evil? They would be disappointed next week when neither Iron Man or the FF appear. This version of the Doctor Strange strip was taken from its US reprint in Marvel's Greatest Comics #27, cover dated June 1970, which had featured reprints of stories about those heroes. That issue also coincidentally featured the reprint of this week's FF story "Calamity on the Campus!"

A teaser that would anger many Power of the Beesting followers, but may have at the time intrigued many Avengers weekly readers is the news that "coming to the Avengers" was a new character titled Master of Kung Fu. The early to mid 70's was certainly a period of hot interest in Kung Fu action. Movies like Bruce Lee's "Enter the  Dragon"(1973) , the "Kung Fu" TV series which ran from 1972 to 1975, James Bond's "The man with the Golden Gun" (1974) which featured scenes in Hong Kong played on the martial arts boom, even Hammer films used this trope in their 1974 film "The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires", granted "Golden Gun" was released in December of 74 and "7 Golden Vampires" in August of 74 but there definitely was a cultural swing towards that genre. Marvel jumped on the bandwagon but not to everyone's delight. 

I want to thank those who have given their well thought out reasons why they disliked Shang Chi's inclusion in the Avengers. If you've got good or bad memories of it from that time I'll like to hear more. I must be in the minority of one, who actually likes the strip, if not it's placement or the cover hogging, I'll give my reason's when it debuts, but I can't be the only one. Does anyone have any positivity towards the Master of Kung Fu?

The colour in-house advert for Spider-man Comics Weekly and the Mighty World of Marvel on the Avengers back page actually shows what should have been last week's cover and preview. I've only just noticed that last week's ad shows this week's SMCW cover and previews this week's Hulk strip. I think the editor or may be the printer mixed the two house ads up. I should have spotted that earlier but I'm only human, not an  abstract entity which embodies the Universe like say... Eternity. I have to go and start my research now, so I won't miss anything. So in the words that end this week's Doctor Strange tale...Shalom! And oh yeah...

See you in seven.

Make Mine Marvel.

Walking with Goliaths!

 Week Ending 9th March 1974

The Mighty World of Marvel #75

British comic readers would possibly think that this was created for the British market with the UK comic shelves crammed with war and boy action comics that sported similar covers. But this cover is from the Incredible Hulk #120 in which this week's Hulk story was taken from, drawn by regular Hulk artist Herb Trimpe. The UK version is far superior to the US version simply because it's been re-coloured with more earthy colours. The US version has an all-white tank, why you would ask, I have no idea. May be it was a rush job and the colourist had no time to finish it off. Whatever the reason I prefer the British version. It's got planes, tanks, soldiers and a raging emerald monster, what's not to love, so I'm making it my Cover of the Week.

 

The Incredible Hulk "On the side of...the Inhumans!"

Writer: Stan Lee and Roy Thomas

Artist: Herb Trimpe

Inker: Herb Trimpe

Originally published in The Incredible Hulk #120

Cover date October 1969

(Published in July 1969)

This story would mark the return of Roy Thomas as co-writer, one could say that by 1969 Thomas was a well established writer for Marvel with good strong runs on Nick Fury, Doctor Strange, the Sub-Mariner, the Avengers and the X-Men. He had co-written the Hulk strip before with Bill Everett and Archie Goodwin, (seen in  MWOM #53 and #54,) but in two week's time he would be solo at the typewriter for a good run. At this period in Marvel history Thomas, in my opinion, would be the best comic book writer. He would help lift the Hulk up to better heights. 

This week's title wouldn't reflect the Hulk position as he, under the persuasion of Maximus, takes on the newly arrived US army, with the Evil Inhumans letting the Hulk do all the heavy hitting. Next week's second half may show more of them. It's quite common for showdowns between the army and the Hulk, this one doesn't tire. There is a point in which Timberius wishes to finish off the Hulk as he seems to have beaten the American troops, but Maximus hold them back, ordering the Hulk to smash the command plane. Inside the plane General Ross, Major Talbot and a stow-away -Betty Ross are in danger, but does the Hulk sense Betty's presence? Only winging the aircraft. The outcome will have to wait till next week, as the story stops without any "Next week" text just before Daredevil's adventure starts on the very next page.

Daredevil "In mortal combat with...Sub-Mariner!"

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Wally Wood 

Inker: Wally Wood

Originally published in Daredevil #7

Cover date April 1965

(Published in February 1965)

 The chronological order of these Daredevil stories should have had this tale appear before Daredevil's return in MWOM #69, instead a retelling of DD's origin story was used, that continued into issue 70, which ended with Daredevil in his new red suit. (Daredevil appeared on the cover of #69 in the red uniform even though in that issue he wore the red and yellow original one. I should have mention that in that blog, I've since corrected it.) In this story Daredevil dons his new red togs (chronologically, well at least to US readers,) for the first time. There's even a mention that DD has redesigned his fighting costume to make it more comfortable and distinctive. It must have been a little strange for British fans reading that, as they had already seen it in issues 71 to 74. What is also slightly strange is that the captain of a USAF spotter plane knows it's Daredevil in the new costume. Wally Wood must get the credit for the quintessential red Daredevil costume, It's iconic and by far the best. 

This story is mostly about the Sub-Mariner, which is probably why it was held back as the Atlantean Prince would appear fighting the Hulk in MWOM #71 and #72 , then opposing Attuma in the Fantastic Four story from MWOM #73 and #74. The Sub-Mariner could have appeared in all three stories of issues 71 and 72 if British Marvel had printed them in order. Too much Namor? Possibly. The Prince of Atlantis wants to find a peaceful way to reclaim his people's place on the surface legally by engaging the services of a lawyer. So by sheer random coincidence, he chooses the law firm of Nelson and Murdock. As you can imagine things don't go to plan. Which ultimately means let's start the action. 

The Mighty Marvel Mailbag   

Frank Murphy from Glasgow writes suggesting that if all the readers who wrote into Marvel complaining about the lack of Marvel heroes on television wrote to their local programme controller they might get somewhere with it. Gail Rees from Watford didn't like the old black and white with tinted green pages as they used to stain her fingers. Robin Schafer RFO, KOF, FFF and FOOMer wants to make four points, the first (and most important to him,) is remove the stupid writing off the top of the page. I have to agree it was pointless. His second point is he wants to see model-kits for Marvel characters. His third point bring back mini posters and his final point is have offers for back issues. The next writer, simply known as Eugene, thinks that British Marvel only prints the old boring (his words not mine,) American editions and wants to see Conan, Kull, Dracula, SHIELD, the X-Men and the Silver Surfer. He also thinks British Marvel should start doing British Heroes in their comics like Michael Moorcock's Dorian Hawkmoon or John Norman's Earl Cabot. The editor thinks that it would be a great idea but give them time. Will they, well the future will tell. Simon Cockett from Buckinghamshire thinks that "WANTED" posters for Marvel Super-villains, like Doctor Doom would be cool. Marc Waller wants to know what words like "BDAMMBDOOMPROOMM!",  "WHAM!" and "SPTOK!" mean? Oh them crazy Marvel Letterers! 

John Keable from Suffolk doesn't want the Hulk to have all the comic so that the Fantastic Four only get "squashed" into four pages. Waynne Ellis from Plymouth asks will the Hulk appear on TV? How long before Daredevil returns? And when will the Silver Surfer appear? I'll answer with future vision and hindsight, in the late 70's, he's here right now and lastly, later this year in the Fantastic Four, early next year in his own comic strip in the Super-heroes comic. Paul Haigh from Lincolnshire who's not a Hulk fan, praises the FF, the X-Men and Daredevil. Ross Daniels all the way from Australia thinks that MWOM is the best comic in the world. It's strange that I always considered that Australia would get US editions and not British Marvels. British Marvel would regularly receive letters from Australia, New Zealand and parts of Africa. Did they not get US editions, or was it cheaper to send mail to the UK?

Fantastic Four "Calamity on the campus!"

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Chic Stone 

Originally published in The Fantastic Four #35

Cover date February 1965

(Published in November 1964)

     

 British continuity is back on track with US continuity as the Fantastic Four take a trip to the State University where Reed Richards first meet Ben Grimm, and also Victor Von Doom. It's quite a playful issue with the Uni-kids enjoying meeting the celebrity super-heroes as Reed is to deliver a lecture.  Also in attendance is Professor Charles Xavier and Scott Summer, who at this time haven't received their secret identities to the FF since they last saw them in MWOM #57 and #58. Another Professor at the University is Professor Gilbert who is performing some extra curricular experiments with an artificial construct he calls the Dragon Man. 

Also visiting the campus is Peter Parker, there to look around and see if he might like to join after leaving high school. As regular Spider-man readers would have already seen, he attends the Empire State University instead way back in SMCW #25. Johnny is a little frosty towards Peter, remembering the time Johnny's girlfriend tried to get a little too friendly with him in SMCW #15. 

Making his way into the story is the alchemist Diablo who frees himself from the tomb where the FF imprisoned him in, as seen in MWOM #62. Seeking revenge on the foursome Diablo enlists Professor Gilbert and his creation, breathing life into it with one of his potions. Much like Baron Von Frankenstein and his creation. Ben bored of listening to Reed giving a lecture to the gathered campus, wonders down the corridor near Gilbert's lab and hears a disturbance. Investigating it he discovers Diablo and the now animated Dragon Man. Find out what happens next, next week!

All three mags get a competition teaser promising prizes that are "Adventure making things", "exciting things" and "make life worth living things!" What they are will have to wait till next week for all to be revealed.

Comicdom's newest sensations Giant Man and go-go dancers, what's not to love.

Spider-man Comic Weekly #56

It's not the most inspiring cover by Ron Wilson and Mike Esposito showing the police shooting at Spider-Man as he webs up a group of criminals. Only thing of notice is one of the police bullets graces Spidey's back. which doesn't happen in this story. Oh and the Brainwasher's "Army of Crime" gets a mention on the cover, but nowhere else. 

Spider-man "The brand of the Brainwasher!"

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: John Romita Sr and Don Heck

Inker: Mike Esposito

Originally published in the Amazing Spider-man #59

Cover date April 1968

(Published in January 1968)

This weeks story starts off with what might look like a continuation of the events from the cover as Spider-man is cornered by the police, which might have been the inspiration for the cover design, with the criminals added to make a parent friendly "shop window" version. Editors wouldn't want to show our hero in a bad light.How many parents get past the covers before they let their kids read it? In saying that I bet some kids had to prise it from their hands because they hadn't finished reading it first. Peter visits Aunt May in hospital and has to come up with a convincing story about his disappear over the last couple of days. Using a story crafted by a certain editor of the Daily Bugle, Peter convinces the authorities that Spider-man had kidnapped him while he was taking picture of him for a photo assignment for the Bugle, adding that Spidey had claimed to have lost his memory and was persuaded by Doctor Octopus into becoming his partner. Peter's story finishes with the web-slinger freeing him after he had recovered his memory, matching up with Captain Stacy's own theories. 

Captain Stacy wants to gather more information from Peter's first hand observations so he shows him  film evidence that leads to the Captain's theory that our hero is driven by some inner compulsion to do good. Gwen arrives home to show Peter just how much she's missed him. Gwen and Peter head off to the legendary Coffee Bean Bar to meet up with Harry Osborn, whose persona has changed since last time we saw him from mad at Peter to glad to see Peter. Is this a sign of Harry's future problems and personality changes fuel by substance abuse?

When Peter asks about Mary Jane, Harry tells them that she's got a job at the Gloom Room A-Go-Go as a dancer and photographer. That club is just a cover for an unseen crime boss, simply known as the Brainwasher, who's employed a scientist to create a machine that can control the minds of others to doing his bidding. Mary Jane is instructed to in-between dancing, take photos of the clubs clients sitting at certain tables with a special camera. This must have something to do with the Brainwasher's machine but if it is we'll have to find out how next week, when we'll also find out "the secret identity of the baneful Brainwasher!"

A full page teaser for the second half of this week's Spider-man adventure in which we're asked "is Spidey out of action?", "What is the Brainwasher's fiendish plot?" and "How does Captain Stacy fit in to it all?" Next week reveals all as we also find out "Who the Brainwasher really is!"

Jonah Jameson's deadly Spider-slayer, not the John Romita Sr re-designed one but the Steve Ditko version. This page was originally published as part of the "A gallery of Spider-man's most famous foes!" feature from the Amazing Spider-man Annual #2, cover dated October 1965, published June 1965. Written by Stan Lee, drawn by Steve Ditko. 

The Web and the Hammer

James Lillington has a brainwave that both MWOM and SMCW should only be 28 pages each and feature 20 pages of the Hulk in one and 20 pages of Spider-man in the other. Two pages of letters in each. Two new comics could then be created with Thor headlining one and the Fantastic Four the other. He goes on to mention colour in the mags and if black and white pages had to be used the shading shouldn't be over done. Michael Stanworth from Cheshire enjoyed the Lizards appearance in the pages of SMCW #38 and also liked the reptile's appearance on TV. Michael must have seen the Spider-man cartoon that was broadcast in some regions of the UK. Dean Morris from Kent lives his life the Marvel style with his room plastered with Marvel posters and is a member of FOOM. David Fanning also from Kent, who's also a FOOM member is eagerly awaiting his third FOOM magazine. 

Simon Marks prefers Spider-man's fights over the Hulk, as the green goliath's battles go on too long while Spider-man's are spread out but also more interesting. Paul Johnson FOOM, RFO, KOF, FFF from Hertfordshire is an old Marvelyte who used to collect the Fantastic and Terrific mags from the late 60's. David Robinson from Salford gets all three weekly mags but Spider-man is his favourite. He searched all over Manchester to get a copy of the Spider-man LP without any success. That's hard as outside of London, I think Manchester be the best place to pick up that rare gem. John Thirkettle from Ipswich also gets all three weekly mags with SMCW being his favourite too, although the Avengers is catching up to it. He thinks Spidey should make himself a light-weight bullet-proof jacket. But where would the thrill of his acrobatic bullet dodging come from? 

Iron Man "Iron Man versus Kala,Queen of the Netherworld!"   

Writer: Stan Lee and Robert Bernstein

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Don Heck

Originally published in Tales of Suspense #43

Cover date July 1963

(Published in April 1963)

   

After some very forgettable enemies over the weeks, Gargantus, Doctor Wierd , the Mad Barbarian and the Actor anyone, Iron Man takes on a villainess you might remember in years to come, mainly because she would return in other stories, but also because she was pretty hot! While testing a new aircraft in a wind tunnel at one of Starks labs the controls malfunction causing the turbine to generate a "tornado force" winds. Iron Man arrives and stops it by smashing it, as you do. Changing into his civilian identity, Stark inspects the damage. Just as a Guard and a technician disappear before his eyes, quickly followed by the playboy/inventor. 

The two men had been kidnapped by mistake as Kala, Queen of the Netherworld, had intended to only kidnap Stark. Kala tells him that her descendants had come from the legendary city of Atlantis, that aeons ago had sunk into the ocean by a gigantic tidal wave and would have been destroyed but for a protective dome created by their scientists. The city had tumbled to the bottom of the sea but the city and its people survived. Over the years it sank through the ocean floor until it reached the core of the planet, resting in a Netherworld. Over time its civilisation became more barbaric I guess as even those advance scientist never passed on their knowledge because Kala wants Stark to find a way to gain enough power to send her forces to the surface so she might conquer the world. It's quite a typical Lee/Kirby story from that period, better than the other Iron Man tales, (apart from the first one that is,) I kind of like the way this one is going. Will he agree to her demands, will I like the second half? Find out next week.

Very soon controversy will play out among fans of British Marvel from the 70's. Possibly as big as dropping Daredevil from Mighty World of Marvel and giving Hulk two stories per week. As big as smaller page counts or glossy covers. It could be up there with the divisive format changes like "landscape" weeklies or even Dez Skinn's Marvel Revolution take-over. Coming soon to the Avengers weekly a new hero disrupts the balance of content in "Britain's greatest" weekly! It will kick up a storm, some will like, others won't. 

Coming soon: Shang-Chi Master of Kung Fu!

Notice that the advert is here and not in the Avengers mag. Was it the editors way to break it to them gently?

The Mighty Thor "Whom the gods would destroy!"

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Vince Colletta

Originally published in The Mighty Thor #126

Cover date March 1966

(Published in January 1966)

 

This is what you want to see from a Thor adventure, a long awaited clash of titans between Thor, the God of Thunder and Hercules, the Prince of Power, drawn by the King of comics Kirby. In Asgard the All Father Odin is still not pleased with his son. What better way to release that suppressed pressure than watch a battle of the century between his son and the Greek god.   

Its panel after panel, on page after page of hammer on mace action. Hercules gives as much as he gets from Thor. Is it intellectually stimulating? Well may be not, but it is exciting and a kid from the 70's would just love it as much as this middle-aged man(some would say old man,) does. But who walks away the victor? Next week has the answer.

Two more triumphs from Marvel on sale this week, the Mighty World of Marvel that we've already seen. And the latest issue of the Avengers featuring the return of the new look Giant Man in "Among us walks a Goliath". Let's take a closer look at the new look outfit now.

The Avengers #25

This cover is pretty much unchanged from its first appearance  as the cover of the Avengers #28, US edition, by Jack Kirby with Frank Giacoia adding the inks. Solo images taken from this cover have been used various times in posters and features. Most noticeable of them is of Hawkeye. Can you remember where? This cover is a good shout for Cover of the Week. It was a close one but the MWOM just pips it. Was I wrong with that decision? 

The Avengers "Among us walks a Goliath!"

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Don Heck

Inker: Frank Giacoia

Originally published in The Avengers #28

Cover date May 1966

(Published in March 1966)

The Avengers return to their mansion to find a message from Henry Pym regarding the missing Wasp and requesting picking up quickly in a "Rocket-jet air car". To press the need for urgency Pym confides in the Avengers that he is really their former teammate Giant Man. Cap sends Hawkeye to pick him up, which he does with slightly less kick back than normal. Could the archer be getting more comfortable with his standing in the Avengers ranks? 

Another radio message alerts the Avengers that the Wasp has been captured by the Collector and if they want to see her again they must all come to an address he gives them. Pym wants to go with them, as none of the Avenger knew Giant Man's true identity Pym is asked to prove he is who he says he is. The reason why Pym retired from the Avengers was the constant changing in size started to put a strain on his body. But as long as he remains under 25 foot for only fifteen minutes and doesn't change any sooner or later his body would be able to cope with the strain. The Scarlet Witch just so happens to have made a costume out of special stretch fabric just for Giant Man if he ever returned, which is a bit weird, does she have outfits for the other Avengers too? All made to their sizes and styles? Well I suppose it's good to have a hobby. Donning his new costume and displaying his size changing ability the Avengers set off to fine the Wasp. After waiting the fifteen minutes needed for the newly named Goliath to resume his normal size and fit in their "Rocket-jet air car"

The Collector looks like a strange old man, in much later stories we'll learn that he's much more than that, as one of the oldest living beings in the Universe the Collector is a member of the Elders of the Universe, immortals from the dawn of time, one of the first to evolve after the Big Bang. We've already seen his "Brother" the Stranger, fighting the Hulk in MWOM #37, but we wouldn't know about their connection till many years later. The Collector's passion in life is collecting the rarest things. In this story he want's to add the Avengers to his collection, so he employs a mind controlled Beetle to help him "collect" them. The Avengers are easily captured but the Collector doesn't recognise Giant Man in his new identity. Quickly growing Goliath frees himself and the other Avengers. The Collector must use weapons and two giants from his collection to battle the freed Assemblers. Cornered and admitting defeat the Collector and the Beetle escape using a Time Machine, again part of his collection of prize objects. 

The Scarlet Witch frees the remaining Avenger and over-joyed to see the Wasp again Goliath shrinks down to normal size. Remaining giant-sized for too long followed by the strain of sudden shrinking causes Goliath to collapse. From now on the giant Avenger is stuck at ten feet tall.

It feels good to have both the Wasp and Giant Man/Goliath back in the Avengers. "Cap’s Kooky Quartet" was fine but never felt powerful enough to have held the title of "Earth's Mightiest Heroes!" This version of the group feels more rounded. I can't wait to read next week's adventure where the new Avengers must face the return of Power Man, the Swordsman and a new "villainess", the Black Widow.

Avengers Mailbag

Stewart Cunningham from Berkshire wants to see some more of the Black Knight and his winged horse, want's Rick Jones to become an Avenger and wants more mags from Marvel Comics Limited. Philip Hopkins from Oldham, it says in Lancashire, but nowadays it's in Greater Manchester, is another reader who doesn't like the text used at the top of every page. He also doesn't like Doctor Strange and wants the Silver Surfer to replace him. I agree with the editor that the Surfer does have a growing fan club but the Doctor has an impressive following too, of which I'm one. Glyn Jones RFO from Wigan, a writer that will pen many a letter to British Marvel, writes acclaiming that the Avengers in MWOM issue 46 to 48 was first class. He also asks will the Sub-Mariner, Warlock, the Black Panther, the Defenders, Marvel Team-up, Iron Man, Captain America, Ant-Man and the Wasp or the X-men feature? That's a lot of heroes, but strangely enough they will make appearances in these weeklies with in a year, so I guess it's good to keep asking. G. Snape from Lancashire thinks the Avengers is great.

Pete Taylor RFO, KOF from Wiltshire has been a Marvel fan for over three and a half years and wants to discuss three counts of discrimination. The first is Racial Discrimination, in this case to us Brits. Pete admits that British Marvel has only just got off the ground but in FOOM very little is mentioned about British Marvel, there's no mention in the check list and an offer for 12 colour posters isn't available to overseas fans, with the words "AMERICA ONLY" in big letters seen in the ad. His second point is Age Discrimination, Examples of this is that age is always asked in competition forms and why are all the prizes aimed at younger readers? He adds that book or record tokens would please any winners. His third example is of Size Discrimination, suggesting that offers for T-shirts in the British mag stop at 32". I understand his logic but are his points all fair? Like the editor replies FOOM is mainly from the American side of the partnership, later it does include stuff about the UK. The competition's in these weeklies have also given away a Spider-man LP, a television and one pound a week money. As for size the cost of stocking every size would be colossal, more kids would want to wear a Hulk T-shirt than adults. Of course kids from the 70's nowadays wear all kinds of Marvel T-shirts in their senior years. Paul Jordan from Birmingham asks if you was to kill a spider would Spider-man mind? As a bit of a hippy I have to say why kill anything? Apart from flys and wasps, they're a real pain in the arse. 

Doctor Strange "When meet the mystic minds!"  

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: Steve Ditko

Inker: Steve Ditko 

Originally published in Strange Tales #137

Cover date October 1965

(Published in July 1965)

Unable to learn the secret of Eternity, the only thing that can save the life of his mentor, Doctor Strange must probe the mind of the Ancient One. But to do that he must combat his own master's mystic defences, which have been set up to bar those who seek to probe his mind. Getting through walls of defence after defence the Doctor, with some effort, finally meets mind with the Ancient One, who now believing that Strange is truly his trusted disciple reveals the secret of how to contact Eternity. 

Traveling to a lone peak in the mountains, Doctor Strange repeats the mystic incantation that accesses a doorway inside his Eye of Agamotto. Before it fades Strange swiftly passes through it. Baron Mordo arrives on the location just seconds after the portal disappears, vowing that he will find him and destroy him forever! This saga may well be long, some might say drawn out, but I have to say I'm enjoying it with every passing week. 

I love these "next week" teasers, I'd come back for more after seeing them. In next week's issue we are promised "Danger" as the deadly Black Widow plots against the Avengers, "Action" as Captain America must take on the Swordsman in a no holds barred rematch and "the stunning fate of Goliath!" Marvel weeklies you got me at "action"! I really do love them!

The final page of these Marvel triumphs goes to an in-house advert for this week's Spider-man Comics Weekly and the Mighty World of Marvel. Offering a preview of this week's Hulk strip, in colour. It looks great but isn't it a little tormenting too as British readers would be slightly disappointed when they open up the mag to find it in black and white? Colour or black and white these mags are cracking good reads, imbedded in the minds of a generation for decades to come. They were the best of times. Till next week then...

See you in seven.

Make Mine Marvel.