The Marvel Lucky Bag - July 1980.

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If I were to say the words, "Don't call me Shirley," you'd know exactly what I was referring to.

That's right. I'd be referencing the alarming tendency for people to mix me up with James Bond theme singing legend Dame Shirley Bassey.

But there'd be something else.

And that's the movie Airplane.

And how apt, because this month sees the fortieth anniversary of the release of the movie that transformed Leslie Nielsen, from the man who played criminal henchmen, into a comedy legend. 

But it wasn't the only memorable film out that month because July 1980 also saw releases for Alligator, Caddyshack and Dressed to Kill.

I could be wrong but, famous though they are, I do believe I've never seen any of that trio.

I do, however, suspect Alligator is the one from which I'd gain most pleasure.

I don't have a clue what's going on on that cover by John Pound but it seems that, inside, the feathery fighter returns to his homeworld where it turns out he's viewed as a messiah. I can only put this down to his victory over the Circus of Crime.

We also get his origin.

Whether Howard's origin and his being viewed as a messiah are connected, I could not say.

Here it is - as mentioned by Sean in this site's comments section, just the other day - Marvel's adaptation of the musical that shook the world.

But how does the story stand up, without the music to support it?

I dread to think.

Hold on a minute, it's another comic based on something we were discussing in the comments section the other day! Has 1980 Marvel been reading my blog again?

This time, it's the adventures of Merlin, courtesy of Doug Moench and John Buscema. I don't know what happens in it - although I suspect King Arthur may be involved - but I do know the main story's 55 pages long.

I'm also not sure just what Merlin's up to on that cover but I suspect it's not something they teach you in Wizard School.

Hooray! They've got the whole Harpy/Modok/Bi-Beast storyline and given it its own Treasury Edition. At last, we can relive Betty Ross's descent into madness.

It would appear Iron Man travels to Los Angeles to investigate the death of a Tony Stark employee - only to discover She-Hulk is Prime Suspect Number One.

I've not one scrap of doubt this'll lead to a punch-up between them before they unite to tackle the real killer.

I know nothing of this book, other than that it's drawn by Dave Cockrum and written by Marv Wolfman. However, that is a very appealing cover.

It's another one whose contents I know nothing of and have picked purely for the cover which, in this case, is, I believe, by Frank Miller.

It seems Johnny Blaze loses his stunt-cycle title to Flagg Fargo. Will he ever get over the ignominy of it all?

And will he be able to convince the world that Fargo cheated?

Aw, who cares? Just look at that cover by Bob Budiansky. If that doesn't make you buy this comic, what would?