April 23rd, 1980 - Marvel UK, 40 years ago this week.

Other than Zimbabwe gaining independence, this week in 1980 was one of limited eventfulness.

Come to think of it, I'm sure this is the 20th time I've reported on the independence of Zimbabwe. Just how many times did it gain independence?

Not that I care. Political reality's nothing to me, not compared to the jostlings and battlings of the UK singles chart.

And so it is that I can report that, in this week of that year, Blondie hit the top of that chart, thanks to the song Call Me.

I do believe it was a Blondie single in name only and that, of the group, Debbie Harry was the only one on it, with the rest of the contribution coming from the magic production fingers of Giorgio Moroder.

As if that weren't excitement enough, a remarkable feat was afoot, for, at that very moment, The Jam had no less than 7 singles in the Top 75, leaving no one in any doubt as to their rise to commercial dominance.

Over on the album chart, the roost was still being ruled by Rose Royce's Greatest Hits, which was a serious achievement, bearing in mind they didn't really have that many hits.

As the comic nears its doom, the Hulk's still at Hulkbuster Base and trying to retrieve Jarella's body, despite the best attempts of Glenn Talbot to stop him.

But who is the mystery man who has the power to judge the world's mightiest mortal?

It's Captain Marvel.

My knowledge of the rest of this issue is limited but I assume Captain Britain and the Black Knight are still on their quest for something or other and that Valkyrie's probably having her first encounter with the ever-annoying Lunatik.

Now it's trouble! The Punisher's in Peter Parker's flat and confronting him about his, "Secret."

But what secret?

I don't know. I don't remember.

And that's where my knowledge of this week's contents begins and ends, as I don't remember anything else about it.

But, from that cover, I do believe this is the issue in which Jonah has the mental breakdown which ultimately leads to him losing his memory.

Luke and friends find themselves in an abandoned underground city - with a terrifying, pink monster!

Monark Starstalker's still doing whatever it is he does in his debut appearance.

Simon Ryker's mind somehow ends up in Deathlok's body.

I've no idea where Deathlok's mind ends up being.

Perhaps both minds are in the same body and fighting for supremacy?

And, in this week's Tales of the Watcher, an alien crash-lands on Earth and offers knowledge in exchange for assistance.

But will mankind's greed scupper the deal?

Knowing Tales of the Watcher, I think it's a safe bet it will.

Is it my imagination or is the cover date on this comic the 23th of April?

Regardless, the Doctor's still having trouble with The Dogs of Doom.

Then again, they're called, "The Dogs of Doom." From a name like that, you'd expect to have trouble with them.

We get a two-page text article about the mighty Movellans.

We get yet more of Marvel's adaptation of First Men in the Moon.

And we get a text story titled Evil Egg. Don't ask me.

Lastly, we finish off with yet more from the Abslom Daak tale Star Tigers.