The Yin and the Yang!

 Week Ending 30th March 1974

This week sees the introduction of a new star to British Marvel's line-up that really kicked up a storm back in 1974. Those feelings toward Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu are still felt by some readers of those mags today. I completely understand the negativity felt towards his inclusion. A new kid on the block who kicks the stars off the cover, chops their page count down by half, pushing them into second spot and at the same time squeezing his own logo onto the cover every week under the title header. Marvel had to do something other wise their weeklies would follow the same fate as Power Comics with their Marvel themed mags from the late 60's did when they caught up with their America suppliers. So halving the number of pages per story would slow down the main features from four to five UK stories a month to two or two and a half stories a month, while the US carried on with one story a month. It was a stop gap that the Mighty World of Marvel and Spider-man Comics Weekly took, now it was time for the Avengers to follow. It probably would have made more sense to have included Captain America or the X-Men, perfectly matching the super-hero theme of the comic and also matching what many letter writers wanted. The Avengers/X-Men combo would have been my choice. One of my favourite titles was Marvel Super-heroes from the 1979-1983, in which early and later issues featured both groups. How that was a fantastic magazine! But instead of starting with those 60's tales British Marvel took the giant step of introducing a very sophisticated 70's action adventure. Which had it own problems as the first strip had only just been published in September 1973, the fourth instalment was published at the end of March 1974, making it very fresh but only giving four months of story head start that would be printed in the UK in eight weeks. The fifth Master of Kung-Fu story, "Retreat!" gots printed in the same month in the UK as it was in the US! So may be this choice of strip wasn't thought through, but that's a problem for another blog.

I was always a Spider-man fan and had his comic delivered regularly from the Super Spider-man days, but when the Incredible Hulk Weekly merged with it in May 1980 I felt similar emotions to those Avengers fans. Even cancelling the comic in disgust as I felt the Hulk was taking over and bought Marvel Team-up instead. Week's later Marvel Team-up merged with Spider-man and Hulk Weekly making the gesture futile. I do look at this period of the Avengers weekly differently, my big brother wasn't a fan of the kung-fu master's take over so he never got the comic, which meant I never got the chance to "look over his shoulder" to read it. In the spring of 1983 I got the opportunity to pick up some classic weeklies through the "Dangerous Visions" mail order service seen in the Marvel UK Spider-man comic. I chose the earliest Avengers weeklies they had on offer to start with. So from issue 28 to I think 38 I got a pile of mags that matched the type of stories my thirteen year old self liked. With kung fu action, spy thrillers and super-hero adventure, with a little magic mayhem thrown in. I didn't feel the weekly grind of a character taking over my favourite comic, it was all there from the start and I could binge read the next issue right away. I loved it. It's a really classy strip, mature and sophisticated. I'll explain later why I like it so much and may be you'll give it a second chance. It's fine if you don't, Marvel is a broad church with different styles and genres allowing fans to have their difference of opinion. Wether you favour a web-slinger or a talking duck,  a living legend or a master of kung fu, a man without fear or a count from Transylvania, a raging green giant or a swamp monster, a noble God or a savage from a forgotten age it's all good. Feel free to disagree with me, or even if you are so inclined agree with my opinions, through the usual ways. I look forward to your fair and friendly opinions. But before we get to the fuss that Shang-Chi kicks up let's take a look at this week's fantastic feasts first.   

The Mighty World of Marvel #78

I really love this Ron Wilson cover, it's kind of got a classic Conan vibe to it, with the Hulk protecting an unconscious damsel in a bikini from a marauding monster. It's not accurate to the story which at no point features a blonde girl in a bikini or her underwear. Yeah it does feature an unconscious Betty Ross  but she has brown hair and is always completely fully dressed. The inker could have been Frank Giacoia or Mike Esposito, the Grand Comic Database isn't sure which. 

The Incredible Hulk "A tale of two monsters!"

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Herb Trimpe

Inker: Herb Trimpe

Originally published in The Incredible Hulk #121

Cover date November 1969

(Published in August 1969)

It's a nice re-purposing of a classic Dickens title and the reuse of panel from last week's strip also looks smart as a story re-cap. The US army surrounds a weakened Hulk who hasn't recovered from an injury to his legs, but he still sends them packing. Meanwhile the Glob kidnaps Betty Ross as its foggy mind assumes that she is a girl from its previous life. Elsewhere General Ross being an alert military mind decides to dump barrels of a new and untested "anti-radiation fluid" into the putrid waters of the Everglade swamp, with little care for the environment, hoping that it will have an effect on the radiation spawned Hulk. 

The Hulk hears the muffed whimpering voice of Betty as the other radiation created monster the Glob crosses his path. Once alerted to the Hulk shouts the muck monster gently lays down the now unconscious girl to battle, with some kind of primeval honour for the girl. This is what we want, a proper clash of monsters.

But what we want isn't always what's best, it's two pages of fighting in which the Blob bests the green beast as his injured leg gives way. The Glob leaves with the girl through the murky waters of the swamp that start to glow as the "anti-radiation fluid" mixes with the boggy waters and the Globs muddy form, causing its body to dissolve as if in acidic quicksand. Sensing the danger the swamp monster lifts the limp girl above its head preventing the girl from drowning. With some level of intelligence the Hulk helps his opponent by inching along an overhanging branch to reach the girl. 

The final page frames beautifully the incredible partnership of Roy Thomas and Herb Trimpe, ending with the Globs out reached hand dissolving into the toxic waters. Betty is returned to her distressed father and a sombre Hulk lamenting the lost possibility of finding a kindred soul only to lose the chance to call someone friend. The dawn breaks with departing tanks rumbling on like spectres in some already forgotten dream. Trimpe frames the moment perfectly as Thomas rounds off the tale of two monsters with some of the smartest dialogue and text that a super-hero comic had seen. With most of British Marvel's strips coming from the 60's Thomas was taking the Hulk into the 70's. What a journey it will be.

 

 

Daredevil "Against the Organzation!"

Writer: Wally Wood

Artist: Bob Powell and Wally Wood 

Inker: Wally Wood

Originally published in Daredevil #10

Cover date October 1965

(Published in August 1965)

Oops, even with the American spelling the bodger of this opening splash page has made a boob. The "i" is missing from "Organization" in the title. May be they couldn't fit that letter in but even I spotted that one. The Organizer hatch is a plan to incriminate Daredevil, which too easily succeeds. The next part of the plan is to kidnap Deborah Harris, the daughter of Bernard Harris a member of the "Reform Party" and also a potential real identity of the Organizer. The plan works but Cat-Man is captured by DD in the process. Ape-Man is sent to silence Cat-Man but Daredevil stops him first. Later following the fiend back to their headquarters he over hears Deborah tell the gang that "the fool Nelson will do anything for the Boss if he thinks my safety depends on it!" Revealing that she was the inside man on her own kidnapping and her relationship with Foggy was nothing but a ruse to make him a pawn in their game. The strip ends with Daredevil thinking it over as the Bird-Man sneaks up on the spying hero. The plot thickens next week. 

The Mighty Marvel Mailbag

D.R. Chew from Preston thinks that MWOM is fab, but is puzzled by the length of time that the Hulk can stay under water for. Well D. that's super-powerful lungs for you. Mrs E. Benson is a lady of a certain age who asks if she is too old for Marvel and too old to join FOOM. Well you're never too old to read Marvel comics but she was too late to join FOOM no matter how old she was. Siobhan Allman (Miss) from Flints complains about the person who complains about the people who complained about the comic, well I hope that makes sense. Her letter is directed at Brian Mathews whose letter was printed in MWOM #57 in which he writes that people who complain about Marvel are "stupid" and "how can anybody improve something that is completely perfect in every respect." Siobhan voices her opinion that the American spelling could ruin the results of children's spelling tests, she suggests that there is a "sameness" about some of the stories and adds that the complaints aren't about "little petty things" as Brian mentioned in his letter. Steven Jones from Essex makes an observation about the artist inconsistencies when it comes to the number of toes on the Hulk's feet!

The Fantastic Four "The war of the super-teams!"

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Chic Stone 

Originally published in The Fantastic Four #36

Cover date March 1965

(Published in December 1964)

First it was a play on a Dickens title and now the very literate editor uses a H.G. Wells title for this week's half of the Fantastic Four story. The cut and paste job features Reed, Sue and Ben taken from page one of the Fantastic Four #52, US edition cover dated July 1966, published April 1966, Johnny was taken from page 15 of the Fantastic Four #54 US edition cover dated September 1966, published June 1966 and the Frightful Four are cut from last week's strip. The Frightful Four plan to eliminate Ben, Reed, Sue and Alicia Masters by attaching the Wizards powerful anti-grav discs to them and have them float into the thin outer atmosphere. Luckily the Torch arrives just in time to mount a rescue. Once the FF are reunited things take a turn for the worse for the frightful fiends as they are left with no other option but to flee. 

Spider-man Comics Weekly #59

This week's cover for Spider-man Comics Weekly by Ron Wilson isn't that good. It tells the story well but there isn't much to thrill a young reader. The inker could be either Mike Esposito or John Tagtarlione, again the Grand Comic Database isn't sure. 

Spider-man "O'bitter victory!"

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: John Romita Sr and Don Heck

Inker: Mike Esposito

Originally published in the Amazing Spider-man #60

Cover date May 1968

(Published in February 1968)

The opening splash page uses the John Romita Sr.'s cover from the Amazing Spider-man #112 with the original story title used. "O'bitter victory!" should have been seen on last week's opening page instead of "Slaves of the Kingpin!" title. Peter confronts the brainwashed Captain Stacy but the confused gentleman hits out at the teenager creating a scene that leaves Gwen in a difficult position with a decision to make, but of course she sticks up for her elderly father and says she doesn't want to see Peter again. The Captain informs the Kingpin that the teenager is suspicious, so the crime overlord orders his men to lean on him. Changing into Spider-man Peter follows the elderly Captain to witness him leading the Kingpin's men into the Police headquarters records vault. Unwilling to stop another assault from Stacy, the brainwashed Captain throttles Spider-Man from behind. But at least Peter had got a photo of the ex-police official robbing the department files making the Daily Bugle headline. Next week the web tightens!

The Web and the Hammer

Philips Scott from Belfast points out some errors regarding Iron Man, he was supposed to have appeared in issue 48 of SMCW but only appeared in issue 50 and on that cover of that issue he appeared in his red and gold armour, but inside he would don his old armour. Yusuf Patel from Yorkshire wants to know why SMCW #48 came late, usually it arrives on a Saturday but it came on a Wednesday. Glyn Hayes from Newport wants a Spider-man costume to fit his 8 year old self. Mark Thornton from Essex gets a pretty good supply of US comics in his home town of Colchester, but thinks that Spider-man and Hulk US comics have been removed from sale so that they won't effect the sales of SMCW and MWOM. William Overton also from Essex wants to see a super-team built up from the strongest characters from Marvel. 

Brian Lynch from Glasgow gives his theory on how Spider-man's web-shooters works. His point is that the webbing is released as a liquid (possible a gas in my point of view,) that turns solid after it exits the nozzile. Brian doesn't want to see panels edited out of stories in the future. He also wants to see more US Marvel comics on the newsstands and his third request is to stop those ridiculous headlines on the top of the pages. B. Curzon thinks that Spider-man Comics Weekly is almost faultless, but is slightly disappointed with having the Web-slingers page count cut.  
  

Iron Man "For the life of Cleopatra!"

Writer: Stan Lee and Robert Bernstein

Artist: Don Heck

Inker: Don Heck

Originally published in Tales of Suspense #44

Cover date August 1963

(Published in May 1963)

Great use of Jack Kirby and Dick Ayer's cover from Tales of Suspense #44 as the opening splash page for this second half of Iron Man's time travel story. Tony Stark stuck in the past but luckily he's brought his suit of armour with him in his briefcase when Hatap, the Mad Pharaoh takes him to ancient times. The armour is put to good use as Iron Man defends an Egyptian palace from a Legion of Roman soldiers and later takes out a Roman Galley that was about to run down Queen Cleopatra's barge. Iron Man meets the Queen in an Anthony and Cleopatra tale that doesn't match up with written history. Hatap amasses his forces against the Queen but Iron Man charmed by her majesty and the desire to capture the Mad Pharaoh's magical charm that will return the Golden Avenger back to his time, leads her troops against their enemy. Extremely quickly Hatap is defeated but slips, dropping the Golden Charm and falls onto an upturned sword. The messy ending is conveniently not shown in panel. I guess that's the 60's Comics Code Authority for you. Iron Man is embraced by Cleopatra but our hero vanishes before her eyes thanks to the Golden Charm he holds in his hand. Strangely Hatap used the Charm to summon his "Chariot of Time" whereas the Chariot shaped Charm just teleports Iron Man back to 1974. The year was a UK edit as the original US version had his own time as 1963. So a weird point is the Charm was never used or mentioned again.

The Mighty Thor "If Asgard should fall!"

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Vince Colletta

Originally published in The Mighty Thor #127

Cover date April 1966

(Published in February 1966)

Again artwork from another cover is used to start the second half of this story, this time Vince Colletta inks Jack Kirby's cover from the Mighty Thor #127, but even though it's a great cover it doesn't match with the story direction as Odin only carries his son at the very end of the strip. On Earth an actress auditions for a roll in Pluto's master plan to trick Hercules into signing an Olympian pact to become the new ruler of Hades. There's more to that actress in later tales. 

On Asgard Thor wages battle against the power crazed Seidring the Merciless but to little effect as the Norse God has usurped the omnipotent power of Odin and the Thunder Gods still has half his godly powers after displeasing his father. Desperate Thor grabs the hilt of the Odin Sword, threatening to bring about Ragnarok if Seidring refuses to yield his stolen powers to Odin. The gamble pays off, once again the Odin force returns to the rightful God. Seidring is banished from Asgard. As Thor falls into unconscious Odin carries the his son who showed the bravest of actions when faced with over whelming odds.

Spider-man Comics Weekly has a reminder that starting in this week's Avengers is the Master of Kung Fu. The text that says "Iron-fisted first issue!" does sound like this in-house advert is for a brand new comic, which might infuriate regular Avengers fans. But we have one more strip to look at before we get to that Iron-fisted issue.
  

"Six strange words"

Writer: Unknown

Artist: Sid Shores

Originally published in Worlds of Suspense #6

Cover date February 1957

(Published in November 1956)

This three page tale of suspense was first printed in Marvel comics forerunner Atlas Comics, Worlds of Suspense issue 6. I guess the strip must have been hanging around the Marvel US offices as it would also see reprint in Frankenstein Monster issue 13, cover dated November 1974, published August 1974, as a back up strip. A driver, whose car has broken down, seeks refuge from the elements in a weird house, where inside he finds a strange little man. The driver falls asleep after drinking his coffee but wakes to find the little man possesses magical powers. So powerful that if he utters six little words that can send anyone into limbo. The driver threatens him to reveal those words. The thug uses them against the strange man, sending him into limbo. Then he breaks the fourth wall, addressing the reader directly telling them they "know too much". He speaks the incantation once again, but this time he is the one to disappear into limbo, where he finds the sorcerer laughing at him. It's a nice page filler the kind of tale British readers would appreciate in the future when they read similar stories in 2000AD.

Another in-house advert for Marvel's other weekly triumphs. Notice how the damsel in the Mighty World of Marvel cover seems to be wearing a dress and not a bikini like on the actual cover. Was this an other version where they felt they couldn't risk a semi-naked woman on the front cover of a "kids" comic? Who knows?

Any how now it's time to embrace the controversy and take a look at that Master of Kung Fu character that angered many, to see was it really that bad?

The Avengers #28

Of this week's three Ron Wilson covers this one is by far the best. It's dynamic, eye-catching and even though its design is purely symbolic it does capture the direction the mag was taking. Some may have thought that Shang-Chi was either attacking the Avengers or joining them as a new member, but when I first cast eyes on it I just thought "Wow! How cool is that!" There's plenty of text letting the reader know that this "Great new feature!" would make "Britain's greatest--better than ever!" And that this "Iron-fisted origin issue" would showcase "Martial arts action--in the magnificent Marvel manner!" But that text doesn't spoil the over-all look of the cover, it's design frames it by also informing readers that "the fury of Fu Manchu" was inside and Doctor Strange hadn't been left out. It is cool and it did make me want to take up karate, which I did for a short while, As for the Cover of the Week, "fists"-up this has got to be it!

Shang-Chi Master of Kung Fu "Shang-Chi Master of Kung Fu!"  

  

Writer: Steve Englehart 

Artist: Jim Starlin

Inker: Al Milgrom

Originally published in Special Marvel Edition #15

Cover date December 1973

(Published in September 1973)

This story is really, really good. No, it's better than that, it's really, really great. No, even better it's absolutely fantastic for so many reasons and if you don't believe me read it for yourself and I'm willing to bet you might just agree with me. First up is the writer, Steve Englehart who was creative and talented. Roy Thomas as editor took him on to fill a gap in the writing team when Gary Friedrich wanted a break. Englehart was given a handful of stories like Sgt. Fury, Monster on the Prowl, Two Gun-Kid, My Love and Our Love Story before Thomas as editor handed him Amazing Adventure volume 2 issue 12, cover dated May 1972, published February 1972, taking over from Gerry Conway as writer as a try out. Later Thomas said in an interview for Alter Ego #70 in July 2007, "that worked out pretty well." Englehart was one of a growing group of creators at Marvel in the 70's who lived a maverick lifestyle. In an interview for Dark Horse Comics "Between the panel" in 1998 Englehart said of his time "We'd rampage around New York City. There was one night when a bunch of us, including Jim Starlin, went out on the town. We partied all day, then did some more acid, then roamed around town until dawn and saw all sorts of amazing things (most of which ended up in Master of Kung Fu, which Jim and I were doing at that time)." OK don't do drugs kids, but believe me this run of stories are going to be quite a ride.

Next up is legendary artist Jim Starlin who had grown up loving the silver age of comics. Starlin had sold two stories to DC comics and then drew for some fanzines before being offered regular work at Marvel in 1972. DC's loss was Marvel's gain, he would produce some of the greatest and best loved comic book runs in the 70's. Warlock and Captain Marvel anyone? His friend and long time collaborator Al Milgrom finishes off his artwork with very workman like inks. I don't always mention the letterers but Tom Orzechowshi deserves a mention, his lettering is most definitely  without any doubt the best in all of "comicdom". Also Mike Esposito as tone artist for this UK version renders perfect tones. They enhance the artwork beautifully without the need for colour, giving shadow and lighting effects that are superior to any others. Just take a look at the tones used in the Avengers and Doctor Strange stories to see how too much shading can spoil good artwork. 

But what about the actual story, it starts at the end (like a Quentin Tarantino film,) as we find out that the main character of this strip, Shang-Chi is the son of the most infamous villain of all time, Fu Manchu, the antagonist of British novelist Sax Rohmer's series of novels about Doctor Fu Manchu. Shang-Chi fights his way through a group of deadly guards to reach his father to find out the truth behind the lies he told his son and the events that we'll soon see unfold. Starlin is the master at drawing panel layouts that look cinematic and really cool.  

The flashback shows Fu Manchu telling his son that he has been trained to become a living weapon to safeguard the fruits of his father's genius against those who would thwart him. Men like Doctor Petrie "the most evil man alive." Shang-Chi's first mission is to assassinate Petrie. That act goes against Shang-Chi's studies in philosophies that showed him that killing was an abhorrent act, but his father's indoctrinate has coloured is view of the world, painting himself as a honourable and truthful man. Even when faced with the old and feeble Petrie, Fu Manchu's training in obedience takes over and Shang-Chi delivers the fatal blow. 

Confronted by Sir Denis Nayland Smith, like Doctor Petrie another Sax Rohmer character from the Fu Manchu novels, Shang-Chi disarms him but is surprised at the tearful affection to the loss of his friend, even though Fu Manchu had told him that his friend had murdered his dreams of a better life, his act was sad but just, as he was told Petrie was a foe of world peace.

 Nayland Smith's reply makes Shang-chi question his father's truths. Telling the young China man that his father's goal was to dominate the world through sinister means. Leading a group of evil dacoits, phansigars, thugs and assassins known as the Si-Fan. Fu Manchu's methods were cruel and barbaric.

Shang-Chi flees in anger at the injustice he has delivered, seeking answers he visits his American mother. Who knew that the time would one day  come when her son would search for the truth. A truth that would hurt his very soul. 

The artwork and story telling mimic the Chinese philosophy of Yin and Yang, a concept that describes the opposite but interconnected, self-perpetuating cycle. Yin and yang can be thought of as complementary (rather than opposing) forces that interact to form a dynamic system in which the whole is greater than the assembled parts. Both creators play with good versus evil, chaos and calm, light against darkness. Starlin would draw groups of panels that slowly went from Shang-Chi's angry face to Fu Manchu's calm features, or panels showing Nayland Smith's sadness then anger or the naivety of youth as Shang-Chi discovers the truth from his Mother who kept these secrets because of vanity's pride. There's more emotions here in such a short space than your usual comic strip. Marvel was growing up and facing the harsh truths of life. I always considered that the Avengers weekly, now and right through to its final issue, was a mature mag, read by readers whose age group would go right up into their late teens.

Sax Rohmer's novels may have come from a time when there was a form of careless and casual racism towards foreigners, creating a false image of China and London's Chinese immigrants as a crime-ridden community. Englehart and Starlin tried to redress that balance by having the hero of the strip as a Chinese /American. This strip may not be as politically correct as something that is created in 2024, but it's heart meant well and if you take a hard look at it today it's message, to be careful of those in powerful places, their truths may well be lies created to manipulate, is as relevant today as it was in 1974. This is only the start of Master of Kung Fu, there's more to come. 

The Avengers "Never Bug a giant!"

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Don Heck

Inker: Frank Giacoia

Originally published in The Avengers #31

Cover date August 1966

(Published in June 1966)

The Wasp having learned of the possible location of the missing Avenger Goliath, asks the sadden Hawkeye, who is still pining for the Black Widow, to join them in their search. He agrees to go with them as they set off to South America without Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch who are in Europe attempting to find a way to recover their weakening powers.  

Meanwhile in a vast cavern deep within the untamed mountainous region in South America, Goliath question Prince Rey, his rescuer, about the Keeper of the Flame and the great power source itself. The Flame is feed cobalt, that if use for insidious reasons can be capable of destroying the world. Goliath realises the Prince Rey is no better than the Keeper, as he too wants the flame for his own purposes. 

I know that some of this story takes place in dark caverns but some of the tones used on this strip obliterates the artwork. Which is a shame as I truly think that this story has some of Don Heck's best art. This homage to Sir Henry Rider Haggard's She novel is really hotting up as all the pieces are moved into place for next week's conclusion. 

It's mail opening time.

I really do wish they'd get a better mailbag title. Anyway first up is Alan Finchee from Surrey who doesn't understand why MWOM and SMCW have three stories in each mag but the Avengers have only two. His choice would be the X-Men. I wonder was he disappointed to see Shang-Chi join the weekly instead of the young mutants? Mark Wade RFO, KOF, points out in Avengers #14 that the action took place at the same time as the Hulk story in MWOM #22 but the Avengers only formed in MWOM #46 and he asks for a No-Prize. Well no-deal Mark, that's British Marvel continuity for you, as some stories race along others come from later times. Ian Ashworth from Greenwouth who agrees with A.J. Coleman's letter from MWOM #69, that the next comic brought out should be a monthly as he too buys all three weeklies and can't afford to buy another mag every week. G. Megson from Bradford missed Issue 18 of the Avengers because his newsagents had a power cut. Was this Electro's doing or the 70's energy crisis? Kevin Malsbury spotted a boob in the Doctor Strange story from Avengers #11 the page topper headline read "Enter the Gurgol" instead of "Gulgol", now that could have been messy. 
 

Paul Donnachie QNS, RFO, KOF, comments on the different artists for various strips and adds that the artist who draws the panels on the letter pages would be better on the Avengers than Don Heck. The majority of them would have been drawn by John Buscema, or his brother Sal or even Neal Adams. I agree they are better artists than Heck, the good news is if we wait Paul will get to see those strips in all their glory. Jed Barton from London has made his own super-hero kit for his Action Man to wear. Paul B. Caldwell also from London likes that Daredevil and Iron Man are really great but there is hardly any room left for the Hulk and Spider-man. I wonder what he thinks of Shang-Chi squeezing the Avengers page count in this mag? John McNulty from Foleshill complains that in the letter page in Avengers #19 his name was spelt "McNutty" and not "McNulty". He wants the Avengers letter page to have a title like "Avengers Assemble" or "Readers Assemble". Hear, hear! I say. Finally the last letter comes from Bradley Robertson from Glasgow who has noticed that most of the mail in the letter pages are about complaints, but Bradley just want's to compliment Marvel, because he thinks their comics are superb!

Doctor Strange "The pincers of power!"

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: Steve Ditko

Inker: Steve Ditko 

Originally published in Strange Tales #140

Cover date January 1966

(Published in October1965)

 

Only Stan Lee and Steve Ditko would title a story "The pincers of power!" It's a crazy title but I weirdly love it. What on Earth, or any other dimension are the pincers of power? You really want to read this story for the fun of finding out. Baron Mordo has battled Doctor Strange to a standstill over many weeks which has frustrated the Dread Dormammu (and possibly some readers as Mordo isn't the greatest of villains and his inept super-villainy does get tiresome if not for Ditko's compelling art,) so the dark lord takes steps to finish it with cataclysmic impact.  

Dormammu pulls Doctor Strange, the Ancient One and Baron Mordo into a distant neutral dimension to challenge Strange to a duel in front of various lords of other mystical realms invited by Dormammu himself. Ditko creates a legion of despots to witness the fight but like the Avengers story the toner is very heavy handed with his shading. In places tones obliterate Ditko's beautiful art. Less of it would definitely been more pleasing.

The duellers are armed with the bizarre "Pincers of Power", they are basically charms that fit to the back of the duellers hands that emit energy pincers that can lock around an opponents wrist or deflect an opponent's challenge. No magical spells or incantations can be used during the fight as it would be impossible to wield the pincers and form the hand gestures needed to cast a spell. Only the mind of Steve Ditko could think of them. It's brilliant!

Doctor Strange uses all his skill, strength and martial arts training to match his opponent. After a hard fight he does pin down Dormammu in what looks like victory. But the evil Baron Mordo who sees a chance to redeem his standing in the eyes of his master casts a spell that cowardly strikes down Strange from behind, leaving Dormammu to stand victorious! More magical action next week!

The heavy toner strikes again with this in-house advert. The Mighty World of Marvel cleverly gets cut in two to fit into the upper half of the page, while a simpler image of Spider-man promotes the Web-slingers mag. The "On sale now!" headline is nearly blanked out with unnecessary shading. It doesn't look good and it definitely isn't clever. It might have looked better on the colour back page but...

...that page was reserved for the Marvel's boat competition on this comic and the other two mags. A reminder of the question and also the second coupon needed to enter the contest. 

Well it's been a big one this week, with more stories than ever to reminisce over. Some I've only briefly covered and some I've taken a deeper dive. That's how it has to be if I want to get this blog done weekly. I hope I've covered the good and the bad. That I've been firm, but fair to all the strips. I get that many will disagree with some of my views and may well agree with other parts. That's fine, it makes for an interesting world. As always I enjoy hearing other people's opinions and memories about this period of British Marvel comics. 

So I'm off to study the Yin and Yang of life. The Chinese thought of them as the two great opposite but complementary forces at work in the cosmos. Apparently Yin is feminine, dark, negative, and passive power, Yang is masculine, bright, positive, and warmth. Earth, rain, soft, evil, black, small, even numbers, are seen as yin, while heaven, sunshine, hard, good, white, large, and odd numbers are yang. Their interaction is thought to maintain the harmony in the universe and to influence everything within it, as two forces interplay to make up chi, or the material principle governing the universe. Well you learn something new everyday. I can see where George Lucas got his ideas from. Think I might read a Star Wars comic too before I start next week's blog. 

 

See you in seven.

Make Mine Marvel.

The Frightful and the Frenzy.

 Week Ending 23rd March 1974

Through the winter months of 1973/74 the Mighty World of Marvel, Spider-man Comics Weekly and the Avengers weekly were using four or five Hulk, Spider-man and Avengers stories to every one US comic story. That kind of consumption couldn't be sustained. The editors knew it, the readers knew it, especially those who remembered the rise and fall of Power Comics in the late 60's that eat up Marvel's stories like a hungry pig. Yeah British Marvel started 10 years after their US parent publisher. Something had to be done about it. The simplest way was to only use half a US story every week, thus halving the speed that British Marvel caught up with the US. So in late January MWOM and SMCW both featured three half length stories each week, with Daredevil rejoining MWOM and Iron Man stepping into SMCW, making what some have called the "Golden age of UK Marvel!" But what about the Avengers? Well that will have to wait till next week, while we take a nostalgic look at this week's iconic mags.

The Mighty World of Marvel #77

Has the green goliath meet his match in this week's Hulk strip? It certainly looks that way on Herb Trimpe's cover, that was originally used for the cover of The Incredible Hulk issue 121. I'm going to make this cover my Cover of the Week, purely because there's real jeopardy for the Hulk. You just want to buy this comic to find out what on earth is the Glob and is he more powerful than the Hulk? Let's find out.

The Incredible Hulk "Within the swamp there stirs a Glob!"

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: Herb Trimpe

Inker: Herb Trimpe

Originally published in The Incredible Hulk #121

Cover date November 1969

(Published in August 1969)

I'll make no secret out of the fact that I believe Roy Thomas to be a far better writer than Stan Lee. Yes, Lee was a great innovator, a showman and did know how to tell a tale, either in a comic book or to the general comic reading public. But Thomas is a complete writer and his body of work from the late 60's and into the 70's still carries the same gravitas today as it did then. Thomas had been constantly producing compelling stories for the X-Men, Sgt. Fury, the Sub-Mariner and the Avengers for a while before he was handed the writing duties on the Hulk. What he did with the comic was carry on the the heavy hitting action of old green-skins battling super strong opponents on a monthly basis but add to it a little heart to it and some intelligence the stories about a simple minded monster who had to fight against the problems of the world. Whether it was the environment or social issues there was always something extra in his tales.

Thomas has always been great at tapping into classical fandom's most iconic characters and making something new and interesting from those ideas. As a devoted comic book fan himself, he knew what was cool and what would sell. As a child Thomas was known to be a huge fan of the original Heap, a swamp monster that first appeared in Hillman Periodicals' Air Fighters Comics #3 (cover dated December 1942). Creating his own version in 1971, with considerable help from co-writer gerry Conway, editor Stan Lee and artist Gray Morrow, Man-Thing was born, first appearing in Savage Tales #1, cover dated May 1971, published January 1971, only just beating DC's "muck monster" Swamp-Thing, a creation of writer and Gerry Conway's roommate, Len Wein and artist Bernie Wrightson, who made it's debut in House of Secrets #92 cover dated July 1971. Both Man-Thing and Swamp-Thing have become highly acclaimed characters for both Marvel and DC, but the Glob was created years before both, oozing out of the quagmire in August 1969.
 

The Glob's creation played with comic book tropes,  a criminal escaped from prison only to find a sticky end in quicksand, in which the Hulk had earlier smashed the contents of a Government toxic waste dump in to. The sickly, tepid waters mixed with the environmental mess, and the desperate soul of a dying human mixed to create something that science could not explain. Like many early UK Marvel strips I read this story first elsewhere, in this case on the 14th April 1982 in Marvel UK's The Incredible Hulk #3. I then thought the Glob was a Man-Thing rip-off, but no it was a homage to the Heap and a Man-Thing dry-run or should that be "wet-run?" A very good one at that, which gets better with every reading.   

A promotional ad for Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu, who will make his UK debut appearance in next week's The Avengers., much to many readers disapproval. However the artwork used in this ad might have intrigued many as Shang-Chi kung fu kicks his sumotori opponent in the face, beautifully illustrated by Jim Starlin and Al Milgrom from the cover of Special Marvel Edition #15, cover dated December 1973, published September 1973. British Marvel fans would soon be getting artwork from the team who crafted some of the greatest early Mighty World of Marvel covers and that, no matter what some would say, would be a treat, although sadly at the expense of Avengers. 

Daredevil "While the city sleeps!"

Writer: Wally Wood

Artist: Bob Powell and Wally Wood 

Inker: Wally Wood

Originally published in Daredevil #10

Cover date October 1965

(Published in August 1965)

Daredevil's US continuity gets back on track with this mystery thriller that artist Wally Wood pens, as noted in the opening text box "Wally Wood always wanted to try his hand at writing a story as well as drawing it and big hearted Stan(who wanted a rest anyway,) said okay!" Wood actually does a really good job of it, creating a gripping mystery story within the super-hero/super-villain tale. The Organizer and his Organization, a group of specialist criminals whose skills and equipment gained them animal-like abilities, lead Daredevil a merry dance.

One critical issue I have with his style is that the story features a lot of text and dialogue, something that artists who first start writing a comic strip tend to do. It's as if they're overcompensating for not having a script and feel the need to write more just to prove they can, Todd McFarlane anyone? Sometimes less is more. But this adventure is really quite good, you get shown who the potential true identities of the Organizer could be. I can't recall from last time I read this story who it is, which gives me something to look forward to when I do find out. Also it refreshed my memory that the members of the Organization needed headsets and body-cams so that their boss could relay orders directly to them. In later appearances, when they were known as the Unholy Three and even later the Ani-men I always thought that equipment looked really strange. Now it makes more sense.

The Mighty Marvel Mailbag

Brett Jolly from London was really glad to see the FF story in which the Puppet Master pitted the X-Men against them. Mark Elmworthy from Kent is tired of people complaining about the Hulk so he turns it around by saying he's sick of the "yellow-hair-yahoo" Thor boasting about his strength. Tommy Getgood from Ayr writes to complain about the repeats in last Christmas's Marvel Annual. As for MWOM he thinks that "the baby faced Hulk" wastes the whole mag. S. Goudge from Sussex want's to know is it possible to get a subscription for Marvel mags? Duncan McLeod from Middlesex asks would the Human Torch be hurt by any flame other than the flame he produces? The editor says yes but only momentarily as he would instinctively flame on and his sensitivity would vanish. Personally I've always considered that Johnny Storm is immune to fire of any kind. Dennis Bartholomew from London asks for three things, Daredevil's return, at least two pin-ups per issue and all Marvel's inventions to be printed in thicker writing. Neither the editor or myself have a clue what Dennis means by the last one.

The Fantastic Four "The Frightful Four!"

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Chic Stone 

Originally published in The Fantastic Four #36

Cover date March 1965

(Published in December 1964)

After last week's marriage proposal comes the public announcement of Reed and Sue engagement. Stan and Jack have some fun with it, treating the couple like Hollywood celebrities, which if super-heroes did live in the real world they would be. Of course things aren't going to go swimmingly for the group, Stan and Jack have plans for them. Those plans involve a simple idea, gather four super-powered villains to match the FF in battle. Rather than a group of villains who had been beaten by the whole FF, Stan and Jack decided to use "third rate fiends" who had individually taken on the Torch in his solo adventures.

So the Sandman, the Wizard and Paste-Pot Pete were all previously defeated at the hands of the Human Torch in Strange Tales #115, Strange Tales #118 and Strange Tales #124 respectively. Individually, they were third rate villains, OK the Sandman could easily be seen as a heavy hitter after the number of times he clashed with Spider-man and the Hulk. Although UK readers might recall his last appearance against the Hulk in MWOM #65 and MWOM #66 would have been set  in the future of this story, in which he wore a costume that the Wizard had designed even though he says in this story he doesn't need one.

The fourth member is a new character called Madame Medusa, who the Wizard discovered on a mediterranean island. We would later discover that she had been suffering from a bout of amnesia and was a member of the Inhuman Royal family, although no mention of that was made in this story. British readers had already meet Black Bolt and Gorgon from the Inhuman Royal family, plus Maximus and his Evil Inhumans before in MWOM #58 but in US Marvel continuity Medusa was the first Inhuman to be seen. 

The happy couples engagement party guests included the Avengers, Rick Jones, the X-Men and Professor X, who at this time no-one knew he was the young mutants leader. It's a shame that more of this super-hero interaction wasn't shown, but future stories would show more of those cross-overs. After the super-hero guests had left the fiendish foursome set about trapping the FF. First to fall was the Thing, setting up nicely next week's War of the Super-teams.

Spider-man Comics Weekly #58

This John Romita Sr cover, originally used for the cover of the Amazing Spider-man #60, won't be getting my vote for the Cover of the Week. Yes it's bright and satisfactorily drawn but there's no jeopardy. It looks to me like the Kingpin and Spider-man are enjoying a game of windmills, you know when a father holds their child by the arms or legs and spins them round and round? Yeah it was a 70's thing and I wouldn't recommend doing it these days. The background is more colourful than the US version that had a black backdrop.

Spider-man "Slaves of the Kingpin!"

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: John Romita Sr and Don Heck

Inker: Mike Esposito

Originally published in the Amazing Spider-man #60

Cover date May 1968

(Published in February 1968)

While trying to stop the brainwashing of Captain Stacy, Spider-Man is suddenly attacked by the Kingpin, who through sheer strength and the fact that he hurls the web-slinger at an electrical power source control panel that shocks Spidey into a weaken state, leaving him with no other course of action but to get out while he can. The Kingpin's lackey makes repairs to the brainwashing machine so that they can continue with Captain Stacy's treatment. Peter still shaky, goes home to sleep it off, while Captain Stacy returns to his daughter, Harry and a confused Mary Jane to explain there is nothing to worry about.

 

But you can see the problems building up for Peter next week when this story starts to really kick in. As you can see in this teaser for next week's second half of the Spider-man adventure. Peter has to deal with Captain Stacy's brainwashing. Let's just say that doesn't look like it's going to go well. Also the Kingpin wants Peter Parker. Is the whole world against him? All that and more dilemma's for Peter. 
 

  

Like in this weeks Mighty World of Marvel Shang-Chi gets a full page teaser promoting that the Master of Kung Fu is coming your way in issue 28 of the Avengers, whether you like it or not, making "Britain's Greatest--now better than ever!" The cover artwork from that issue by Ron Wilson and Frank Giacoia make an impressive scene, but I wonder how many young readers thought that Shang-Chi was actually joining the Avengers and not becoming the third strip in that weekly? 

Iron Man "Faces the menace of the Mad Pharaoh!"

Writer: Stan Lee and Robert Bernstein

Artist: Don Heck

Inker: Don Heck

Originally published in Tales of Suspense #44

Cover date August 1963

(Published in May 1963)

This week's Iron Man strip promises Cleopatra and the Mad Pharaoh and that's just what it delivers. Some British Marvel fans may have thought that the Mad Pharaoh was originally called the Red Pharaoh, as it was practice to change communist villains names from "Red" to "Mad", like the Red Ghost to Mad Ghost, but this Pharaoh is just mad and in no way a communist. The whole story is more than just a little mad. It's plum crazy! An archaeological friend of Tony Stark opens an ancient tomb that contains the sarcophagus of Hatap the Mad Pharaoh, who once awakens from his sleep kidnaps Stark and takes him to ancient times via a "Chariot of Time" to defeat Hatap's mortal enemy Cleopatra! Yeah it's one of those stories that fills pages until the better stuff arrives.

The Web and the Hammer  

Mark Hutchinson from Lancashire thinks that a crossword puzzle in each comic might help sell some more mags. Andrew Fitzmaurice RFO, KOF from Wolverhampton thinks the Iron Man origin story was super. An anonymous letter writer wants SMCW to have 50 pages for just 8 pence, well that's asking a lot. They're are also disappointed to have not received a Marvel Annual for Christmas. May be "anonymous was on the naught list. Paul Murphy from Somerset is concerned that back ground characters like MJ, Gwen, Betty Ross, Betty Brant, Ned Leeds, JJJ, Karen Page, General Ross, Mrs Watson, Harry and Flash are always put in danger. He doesn't mention Aunt May though. Paul also picks out his "Best and Worst" from Marvel and points out a couple of error from the mags. 

Bruce Levitan from Sussex writes that changing American spelling isn't necessary. Finding American Marvel editions has become harder. He asks is there any change to "re-enlist" with FOOM? Bruce is happy to see the return of Daredevil and the introduction of Iron Man, but still wants the X-Men, Captain America, the Silver Surfer and the Sub-Mariner. Another anonymous letter writer pens that even with only a dozen pages of Spider-man a week he is still the greatest. They do like Iron Man and think Thor is steadily improving. M.J. Fieldhouse RFO, TTB, QNS, KOF, PMM, FFF, from Yorkshire says they have written to Swap Shop many times but have never seen their offer printed in the column.They ask is there a steady supply of US comics in the UK? Can old US back issues be bought? Well the editor replies that they don't always have room for every swap shop request, then they dodge the US back issues request by saying write to the US office to find out if they do.

  A map of Manhattan, showing you "Where it's at!" including Peter Parker and Harry Osborn's apartment, The Daily Bugle, Aunt May's house, Empire State University, and the Coffee Bean. It's not very accurate as the text box says "a slightly garbled guide to help you locate some of Spidey's most familiar havens and haunts!" This feature page first appeared in the Amazing Spider-man Annual #5. Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, Mike Esposito and John Romita Sr worked together on this feature.

  

The Mighty Thor "The hammer and the holocaust!"

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inker: Vince Colletta

Originally published in The Mighty Thor #127

Cover date April 1966

(Published in February 1966)

Stan and Jack opens up this week's tale with a very miserable Thor as he wallows in his own self pity with Jane Foster unable to break him out of his dark place. In Hollywood a film studio is preparing for its latest blockbuster movie about Hercules, its producer Pluto seems a frightening boss to technicians of Stardust Studios. They may have reasons to be afraid of him as later, once alone he conjures up a flaming image from the airs molecules to communicate with a demon in his underworld domain of the Netherworld. 

There's no doubt that this Pluto is the ruler of the Olympian version of Hell. Whose plan is to find a replacement, so that he can be free of his odious destiny. That pawn in his game will be the unsuspecting Hercules. 

Pluto isn't the only God whose political machinations are integral to the plot, now that Seidring the Merciless has been granted the Odin-Power by the All-Father himself, he casts his name into infamy by attacking the weakened Odin, dethroning the Norse God and declaring the Reign of Seidring the All-Powerful has now begun!

With no knowledge of the events that have occurred the forlorn Thor returns to Asgard to acquit himself with honour. On the Rainbow Bridge he finds Heimdall imprisoned in a block of ethereal force, who warns the noble Thor to turn back. Inside the golden walls of the celestial city more warriors of the realm are held in bondage by bands of ethereal energy. Moving deeper into the heart of the city he sees a frozen Balder the brave! Finally in the very throne room of Asgard the culprit is revealed. Seidring demands that the Thunder God swears his allegiance to him, as Odin did not deserve his loyalty having humbled Thor in the battle with Hercules by stripping half his power. But Thor remains loyal to his father, thus sealing his doom as Seidring tells him he is no match for the Odin-power and so he will die! This saga is really shaping up. This Easter I might just dig out my copy of Marvel Treasury Edition #3 to read it in all of its giant sized glory.

"The secret of the Universe!"

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Steve Ditko

Inker: Steve Ditko

Originally published in Amazing Adult Fantasy #11

Cover date April 1962

(Published in January 1962)

This is a sweet three page filler. Scientists build a rocket which can travel faster than light in order to probe the edge of the visible universe. Set to be piloted by a volunteer who's willing to take the risk for mankind as he is suffering from an incurable disease. The twist in the tale isn't what he discovers as when the ship returns he's unable to relate any of that as the process of travelling faster than light has de-aged him to infancy. Curing him of his terminal disease. Giving him a second chance of life and may be revealing that the secret of the universe is "where there is life, there is always hope!'

The inside back page features an in-house advert for this week's other two triumphs from Marvel with cover shots and added open pages that give the impression that these mags are chocked full of contents. In reality 36 pages of great comic action so I'll buy the intent.

Marvel's Boat Competition starts this week in all the weeklies. The readers have a chance to win a Gladding dingy with accessories including a foot pump, oars, flippers, mask and a snorkel as the first. Five runners ups each win a snorkel and mask set with flippers and the next twenty correct entries win consolation prizes of a mask and snorkel sets. You need to just answer five questions correctly and collect the two coupons from this and next week's comic. Closing date will be the 16th April 1974, so that rules my chances out. I'm not sure why the Hulk was use in the promotional artwork, Namor the Sub-Mariner would have been more appropriate. Not sure of the artist but I do think the use of water colours suits the feature. Here's the questions if you want to have a go.

1) Which of these famous knights sailed single-handed around the world?

a) Sir Francis Chichester

b) Sir Francis Drake

c) Sir Edmund Hilary

2) Which of these creatures has it's name given to a swimming style?

a) The spider

b) The butterfly

c) The snail

3) Which of these is a fish well-known to deep-sea anglers? 

a) Yeti

b) Koala

c) Merlin

4) Dr Strange's most formidable enemy is?

a) Loki

b) Mordo

c) The Ancient One

5) Iron Man suffers from...

a) A weakened heart

b) Mental black-outs

c) A rare blood disease

The Avengers  #27

Now this cover originally was used for The Avengers #30 US edition, drawn by Jack Kirby and inked by Don Heck if you believe the Marvel.Fandom.com page. However the Grand Comics Database website says that Frank Giacoia was responsible for the inks and John Romita Sr made alterations to the pencil and ink work. The cover was later re-jigged for Marvel Triple Action #24 cover dated March 1975, published December 1974, so maybe those alterations relate to that cover. Handy text "arrows" inform British readers just who the floating heads belong to.

The Avengers "Frenzy in a far-off land!"

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Don Heck

Inker: Frank Giacoia

Originally published in The Avengers #30

Cover date July 1966

(Published in May 1966)

This story from the start lays out the direction that the team members are going. Wanda is concerned about her hex power, gradually becoming weaker, as have Pietro's speed powers. Cap grants the two mutants a leave of absence so that they can return to Europe to find answers, now that the Wasp and Goliath have rejoined the team. Although the giant Avenger is wallowing in self pity, which leads the Wasp Hawkeye and Captain America, to continue the search for the Black Widow, Swordsman and Power Man. Goliath readers about his old collage professor, Doctor Anton, who has been researching the artificial growth of body cells. Pym sets of to South America to see if his friend can help him recover from his ten foot tall predicament. 

After finding information on the Black Widows whereabouts Hawkeye requests permission to tackle the villains alone. It's great seeing the archer in action, he's one of my favourite Avengers, I guess he's more relatable. What doesn't make this story relatable it that fact that the Printer or something in the production of this comic has slipped the 12th page of this story into the 5th page of the comic, revealing Hawkeye's encounter with the Black Widow and the Swordsman before they should have.

Meanwhile in South America Goliath finds Doctor Anton's home empty with valuable equipment smashed. As he ventures outside a group of strangely dressed men jump on the Avenger. He quickly overcomes them and forces one of them to take him to the captured Doctor Anton. 

Elsewhere Hawkeye makes a good fist of beating the Swordsman but he's then attacked from behind by Power Man. Unable to break the string man's grip things look bleak until the Black Widow shocks the villain with her "Widow bite." Declaring  her brainwashing has finally worn off. Much to Hawkeye's relief and pleasure.

Events in South America unfold revealing that Doctor Anton as been kidnapped because he was an intruder who discovered the forbidden land of the people who guarded the secret of the Flame of Life. His equipment had detected a source of great power that might aid his reach into body cell research. The Keeper of the Flame declares all intruders dangerous and when news of a giant in their lands reaches him it throws the over zealous suspicious nature of the Keeper into over drive. When Goliath finally arrives he even calls the temple a scene right out of a H. Rider Haggard novel. An English novelist well know for "King Solomon's Mines" and "She" novels, this Avengers tale does bear similarities with the later novel. Well that's Stan Lee for you, If you're going to steal plots, steal from the best. Facing over the odds Goliath is rescued by Prince Rey, the rightful ruler of the forbidden land.

 

It's actually a smashing little adventure that's building nicely, can't wait for next week's episode. I bet lots of Avengers fans will too, but as shown in both this week's the Mighty World of Marvel and Spider-man Comics Weekly the Avengers get another strip. Which might take some of the shine away from the Avengers strip itself. The fall out from that I'll deal with next week. As well as what I think of the new line-up and my thoughts on the strip itself. But I haven't finished with this week's Avengers weekly just yet.

It's mail opening Time

I do wish they would stick to just one title for the Avengers letter page. Any way first up is Philip Rathe from Longview who was under the impression that British Marvel comics where British versions written by British writers, until he spotted an Avengers comic called "Vengeance is ours" which was the same story as the one from the Avengers weekly #17 but in colour. Paula Loveday from Knaresborough is a big fan of the Avengers and thinks that the Swordsman is a "very nice person" and why did Wonder-man have to die? The editor says that Wonder Man didn't die he was just stunned. That wasn't true at the time but may be the editor could see into the future. Andrew Whitfield thinks that Doctor Strange is OK but would rather see a story with Giant Man starring in it. Stephen Old from Walsall has spotted a boob where Doctor Strange is called Doctor Doom in Avengers #10. Stephen also wants to see Peta Skingley's name printed correctly other wise readers might think she's a man. The female editor doesn't comment on that. How come Stephen knew that?

Hemant Mistry from Dudley pens a long letter mentioning the difference in price and page count between the three weeklies, wanting the X-Men instead of Doctor Strange, suggesting that at the current rate of Hulk stories per week they would run out by issue 130 and preferring that if a new comic was to come out, it should not be called X-Men comics Weekly or Daredevil Comics Weekly but it should be titled Superheroes Comic Weekly. There's more in the letter, it's worth a read. Charles Lowe from Buckinghamshire makes a few suggests too, first is to make a super sized comic that features the Hulk, the FF, Spider-man, Doctor Strange, Daredevil and the X-Men in it. The second is have books with superheroes origins in them. Peter Barrett RFO, KOF from Sussex is a fifteen year old who has collected Marvel comics for four years and is still very thrilled and excited when he buys them today as he was when he purchased his first. 

Doctor Strange "Beware...! Dormammu is watching!"

Writer: Stan Lee 

Artist: Steve Ditko

Inker: Steve Ditko 

Originally published in Strange Tales #139

Cover date December 1965

(Published in September1965)

 

Doctor Strange has to confront Baron Mordo who is backed with the might of the Dreaded Dormammu to save the imprisoned Ancient One. A daunting threat, but not as daunting as trying to read with any pleasure this story as the toner has laid on the tones heavily, spoiling Steve Ditko's detailed artwork. Doctor Strange does match Mordo's attack well but one episode won't be enough to satisfy this Ditko fan. If anything I'm a little board with Baron Mordo and Strange humbles the sorcerer, it's the confrontation with Dormammu that I want to see. And for that I'll have to wait till next week.

The tones on the in-house ad is also very heavy but it still showcases the treats that the Mighty World of Marvel and Spider-man Comics Weekly have in store for happy readers this week. It was a nice idea to show the opening splash pages for Spider-man and Thor rather than just the cover. 

There's a lot to like about this period of British Marvel. It truly is the "Golden Age of UK Marvel!" But will it continue to be held in such high esteem? Tune in next week and find out.

See you in seven.

Make Mine Marvel.