October 26th, 1974 - Marvel UK forty years ago this week.

 Holy Tunbridge Wells, Spider-Man! Inspired by my post the other day about it being the fortieth anniversary of Marvel UK's Planet of the Apes and Dracula Lives comics, I've been motivated to launch a brand new feature.

Admittedly, I'm not sure how long this feature will last, as it partly replicates a certain feature where I look at what the American Marvels were doing exactly forty years and fifty years ago but I shall give it a go and see how it turns out.

Late October 1974 was a time when Marvel UK was only a couple of years old and still expanding - though it still only had five titles to its name.

But what titles they were.

The comic might be called The Avengers but it's obvious who the editor thought was the star attraction, as Iron Fist meets a man with nunchucks.

Even more excitingly, it claims that Ant-Man is back!

And it's because I demanded it!

I assume this is the Avengers tale where the Whirlwind shrinks Hank Pym down and traps him in a deadly ants' nest without his ant-controlling helmet?

We also get a re-telling of Dr Strange's origin.

Truly this was an issue to treasure.

The Hulk's up against Leader-created replicas of his deadliest foes.

And it looks like the FF have hit the Galactus Trilogy.

As to what Daredevil is up to, the cover furnishes us with no clues.

Silvermane learns that it's not always a good idea to keep taking the tablets, as he seeks the key to eternal youth.

I've no idea what the Thor and Iron Man stories were.

It's the launch of Dracula Lives, as documented right here.

And it's the launch of Planet of the Apes, as also documented right here.

I don't like to drag the tone down but that is the Joy of Sex Man, isn't it?

I mean, that is what strikes me every single time I see that cover.

It's not just me, is it?