Two films the world will never forget came out in November 1980.
One was Raging Bull, the story of middleweight boxer Jake LaMotta, and the other was Heaven's Gate, the story of... ...well, I'm not sure what it's the story of but it infamously bankrupted the studio that made it, so I assume it must have been quite ambitious.
This post, however, is not ambitious.
I don't think it's one I've ever read but it appears Bushman's returned and Moon Knight sets off to look for him.
Tragically, I don't have a clue who Bushman is. His name gives the impression he's an Australian gentleman with corks hanging from his hat but I suspect he's not, because that would make him an even worse villain than the Kangaroo.
I'm now just hoping there's a comic where the Kangaroo, Boomerang and Bushman team-up. What a thrillingly cliched collection of Antipodean antagonists that'd be.
Marvel Team-Up gets its third annual - but one that doesn't appear to star Spider-Man.
Never mind. We've got Machine Man, Luke Cage, Iron Fist and the Hulk, which does feel like over-egging your pudding somewhat.
I'm not sure what happens in this one but it all looks lively enough.
Having made his debut in The Micronauts, Captain Universe gets his own strip in Marvel Spotlight.
I'm not really familiar with the character but I am getting a very 1950s Charlton comics vibe from him, especially the vibe of Captain Atom.
Ghost Rider celebrates his 50th issue by teaming up with Night Rider.
I'm really only posting this one because the cover reminds me of that scene in the Nicolas Cage Ghost Rider movie where Johnny and the original Ghost Rider race at full pelt, for hundreds of miles, to intercept the latest supernatural threat to mankind and, when they finally get there, the original Ghost Rider promptly leaves, making you wonder just why he bothered to make the journey.
Anyway, in this one, Johnny's trapped in the Wild West and teams up with Night Rider to tackle some bandits before returning to the present to prevent an exploding dam from flooding a native American burial ground.
I don't know if the comic's any good but that's a cover that'd make me buy any book.
Our heroine encounters Marvel's werewolf in a tale written by Michael Fleisher.
I know not whether Michael's beloved trope of cannibalism makes an appearance but I would have thought a werewolf tale would give him plenty of opportunity to use it.
Not only do we get the X-Men teaming up with Dr Strange, we also have the origin of Nightcrawler, as his teammates try to rescue him from his foster mother's hell.
Unless I'm mistaken, Mystique makes no appearance in this tale. Clearly, it was too early for the truth to be told.
Marvel's attempts to make Jack of Hearts a thing now leads to him appearing in the pages of ROM.
This is all I know.
I am, however, confident that, by the end of this tale, Jack has still not become a thing.
It's bad news all round, as Hellcat's mother dies and Nighthawk's assets are frozen by the IRS.
This leads to the gang moving into a house in the suburbs where they experience a taste of suburban life.
We get a quick look at Hellcat's past in the fashion industry but the highlight of this issue is, of course, a brief appearance from Millie the Model.
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28 comments:
Steve - Moon Knight # 1 is an outstanding comic. Bushman's a truly disturbing villain. He externally represents Moon Knight's darkest fears about himself - a Jungian shadow, in human form, whom Marc Spector must defeat, in order to become Moon Knight. Everything about this comic is quality. As part of Bushman's gang, as a mercenary, Marc Spector turned a blind eye (the reader senses) to Bushman's activities, and this haunts him. When Bushman murders Marlene's father (an Egyptologist), in cold blood, Spector knows it's paramount he gets her away, before Bushman returns, and she, too, dies. Despite this attempt by Marc Spector at redemption, Marlene believes it was him who murdered her father, not Bushman. Spector lets her believe it, perhaps to punish himself, to get her away, in time. Unfortunately, Bushman catches him, and Spector 'dies' (seemingly), a villain, in Marlene's eyes, only to be reborn, with the help of the Egyptian god, Khonshu, as Moon Knight. Moon Knight was Marvel's most psychological comic, with Moon Knight's dissociative personality disorder - and Doug Moench gets a lot of Jung in this, too! A brilliant comic!
Phillip
Unfortunately, after after his appearances in Werewolf By Night and his 1st solo issues in a Marvel pilot book (Spotlight? Premier?), kind of lost interest in him.
Didn't know anything thing about his Egyptian God ties till a few stray issues of West Coast Avengers. Personally I thought that was ridiculous. The split-personality thing was understandable.
Only had one book from this post. See if you can guess which one, oh my brothers! Lol.
Killdumpster - Knowing your (werewolf)interests, obviously Spider-woman! (With Spider-woman plots, it can't be the story!) Incidentally, 'The Spy Who Came in From the Cold', with Richard Burton, was on a few nights ago - and werewolves & lycanthropy were referenced in the library scene! Killdumpster, as regards Moon Knight, with your interest in werewolf-related stuff, you must have loved Moon Knight vs Lupinar!
Phillip
I'd have thought that Kd would be conflicted about buying a comic with Spider-Woman and Werewolf By Night on the cover...
If I hadn't already been familiar with the character, I'd have double checked the cover of Moon Knight #1 to see if it really was from Marvel, Steve - it has a very DC vibe.
Perhaps because the character had some things in common with the Batman, and young Sienkiewicz's stuff strongly recalled the work of Neal Adams, Doug Moench seemed determined to do his best Denny O'Neil impersonation.
Nothing wrong with that of course, and it was a pretty good comic.
Not sure I entirely agree with Phillip on the "most psychological" angle; while that was obviously the intention, I don't think Moon Knight really went into personality disorders - you could easily read his different identities as simply distancing himself from his mercenary past, or adopting an undercover persona.
I do wonder if that was a result of putting Moon Knight in a regular comic after he'd been developed for the magazines (Hulk, Preview) - like, presumably there was a reason for naming his girlfriend after a novel, but not one that leant itself to being explored with comic code approval.
https://en.wikipedia.org/Alruane
-sean
You win the No-Prize, Phillip!
* Oops, correction -
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alraune
-sean
Steve, Heaven's Gate was a big-budget western/pioneer opus by Francis Ford Coppolla. It was a huge box office dud.
A pedant writes -
Back then, Copolla generally made pretty good films; Heaven's Gate was by Michael Cimino.
-sean
Thanks for the correction, Sean. For years I thought it was Capolla's.
By the way, my favorite Capolla film is Dementia 13. Lol.
I guess the studio threw a load of money at Cimino for Heaven's Gate because his previous film won a load of oscars, but when I saw the Deer Hunter I couldn't understand how anyone would think it was any good.
-sean
That Spider-Woman cover looks to be another Frank Miller job. He did a nice job on the Peter Parker cover featured in the prior post, as well as the usual Daredevil. Busy boy.
I also struggled with The Deer Hunter, probably due to being a bit young when it was released on VHS. Vietnam movies always seemed more 'authentic' with the critics.
DW
Sean - To me, your comment about Moon Knight "distancing himself from his mercenary past" is spot on. I'd also perhaps speculate that Marc Spector's guilt, over his involvement with Bushman's gang, could have caused his self-image (as a "good man") to disintegrate - kind of - fragmenting into Grant, Lockley, &, of course, Moon Knight. But, that being the case, why not get rid of his "Spector" identity altogether?
Is it a psychological disorder, or a ploy? Well, at one point, Moon Knight starts talking contemptuously to Marlene about Steven Grant, as if Grant's a "real" person, separate from himself, whereupon Marlene is disturbed/shocked, telling Moon Knight (or was it Spector?), that Grant is just an adopted undercover identity, not a "real" person. Marlene's reaction shows, to her, Moon Knight's psyche isn't fully normal.
Doppelgangers are common in Marvel - in Captain America it was always about the flip-side of the American Dream, etc. But, in Moon Knight, Lupinar sent a doppelganger version of Moon Knight against Spector, and the psychological aspect was emphasized. Spector wondered if he was cracking up (suggesting he isn't?), when he faced off against the fake "Moon Knight" - before eventually defeated him, saying "Never mess with the original, pal!"
I know comparing Moon Knight to Batman is popular, but, to me, the two weren't that similar - totally different vibe. Yes, the art was like Neal Adams, etc - but Moon Knight was a very different character.
However, when Doug Moench went to D.C. and did Batman, to me, he recycled Moon Knight characters. Nocturna, in Batman, is like Stained Glass Scarlet, in Moon Knight - and didn't she have a flunky who was very much like the Moon Knight art thief, Midnight Man? I forget. I'm not really a D.C. guy, but seeing Gene Colan (with his penchant for shadows) draw Batman intrigued me.
Sean - I never knew Marlene's name was taken from a novel! Paul Gulacy was always drawing Marlene Dietrich, in Shang Chi, but that's neither here nor there - I'm just free associating!
Phillip
SDC - yes that Captain Universe has a Charlton feel with that bow-legged Ditko-esque pose. Not to mention the character bears a fair resemblance to DC's Star Spangled Kid (Seven Soldiers of Victory).
Moon Knight - I finally bought that thing as a "True Believer" reprint for $1 at the local comic shop this past year. I'll be dog-goned if I can remember much about it other than thinking it was a good read. Geeze... where is my memory? (Note: There is a ton of Black Widow $1 reprints out there right now!)
Yes... the US went through this whole "vietnam thing" in the movies in 70s/80s: Deer Hunter, Rambo, Apocalypse Now. Others?
I dare say that scene in Apocalypse Now, with the air assault by the hueys and "ride of the valkyrie" playing over the speakers, motivated me in some measure to become an army pilot a few years later.
And of course Rambo motivated many a boy to sign up for a weight lifting program out of the back of a comic! (As did Rocky!)
I've never read anywhere that thats where Moench got Marlene's surname from Phillip... but it does seem unlikely he just made it up coincidentally. Its not like Alraune is a common name.
You're right that occasionally in Moon Knight there'd be a scene where "Steven Grant" would be a bit forgetful about which name he was using, but thats a long way from exploring multiple personality disorder as a theme through the series imo. Its a bit like the Khonshu thing - obviously intended to be part of the character, but not really dealt with consistently or in any depth.
Mainly because as a writer Moench was rooted in the 70s so there was only so far he could go, which is why his Moon Knight run with Sienkiewicz isn't remembered as well as, say, Miller's Daredevil.
I'd agree that comparisons with the Batman are often over stated, but "some things in common" seemed reasonable. It definitely made sense that DC put Moench on Batman, even if it wasn't quite as much as a no brainer for a Bat-editor as giving Gene Colan a call when he left Marvel.
(Gene Colan with Alfredo Alcala - nice.)
-sean
Hmm, that sounded like I was being a bit down on Moon Knight. So I should stress I thought it was one of Marvels better comics and liked it well enough at the time.
Charlie, Oliver Stone made the best Vietnam flicks, probably because he knew what he was going on about and had a definite point of view - Born on the 4th of July, and (a film actually about *gasp* someone Vietnamese) Heaven and Earth.
-sean
Charlie, its nice you were inspired by the thought of bombing east Asian villages to the sound of Wagner (;
-sean
Er... it wasn't intended seriously, but perhaps that last comment was a bit uncalled for Charlie.
Ok, I'll stop now.
-sean
Sean - I agree with you that Moench didn't explore Moon Knight's multiple personality disorder (now called dissociative personality disorder) in depth, but, nevertheless, at times, it went beyond him forgetting whether he was "Grant" or "Spector." Morever, the condition wasn't known in the media, in the late 70s/80, as it became known in the 90s, so the readership may have been unaware of it. Thus Moench perhaps decided not to take it any further.
I'd also agree with you that Moench was rooted in the 70s, but, to me, this is a good thing. In comics, over-characterization (if there is such a word) & misguided attempts by writers at psychological depth, have resulted in well known disasters. Strong characterization works well only if it doesn't ruin all the other things a good story needs.
I'd agree "some things in common" is just about right.
Sean - you and I will have to agree to disagree about Miller on Daredevil - I think Miller spoiled Daredevil whilst, I know, you don't.
On to Ghost Rider, this double-sized issue's cover isn't as good as usual. I think Bob Budiansky did some outstanding Ghost Rider covers. To me, Budiansky was a bit like Cockrum. An outstanding cover artist; but when bi-monthly titles became monthly, he found it hard to churn interior comic art out fast enough, meaning his interiors didn't quite live up to the expectation from his cover art - if that makes sense. One forgets that a Marvel artist must also be fast/prolific to survive the course (e.g. Sal & Byrne.) But not too fast!
Phillip
I think the reason Captain Universe has a Charlton vibe is the Steve Ditko artwork.
And yeah, Jack of Hearts, still not a thing.
Isn't the Defenders moving into the 'burbs when we found out about the Hulk's love for baked beans? I remember one amusing issue where they went grocery shopping and came back with bags full of canned baked beans.
OK...
I went to the comic book shop and popped another $1 to get Moon Night #1 again! Maybe this time I'll remember it! B.t.w there is just a butt load of $1 reprints out now.
I think "black" is the theme at Marvel for the rerpints now, so:
- All the Black Widow one-off appearances like Avengers 196 (I have NO idea what that has to do with BW).
- Avenger 46 with Black Knight.
- FF 52 with Black Panther.
Hey - for $1, it beats the heck out of digging through long boxes and damaging a book!
Charlie went to the library to check out Apocalypse Now to get into the Vietnam mode.
Sean - no offence taken. Charlie actually chuckled. Charlie used to be "patriotic" but the scales fell from his eyes after 9/11. Charlie joined the army reserves as a pilot in a fit of patriotism. Charlie's boss got her legs and arm blown off. She is now our Federal Senator: Tammy Duckworth. Charlie started thinking, "Where are those WMDs Pres Bush?"
https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20141112/news/141119529/ (You can hit the refresh circle to get rid of the ad.)
dbutler, there is indeed a scene where Valkyrie and the Hulk go to the supermarket, and all the Hulk wants to buy is beans.
Phillip, thanks for the info on Moon Knight #1.
KD, thanks for the Heaven's Gate info.
Charlie - Hope you enjoy Moon Knight # 1 - I think you will!
dbutler - The Hulk's liking for beans goes right back to Hulk # 194 - in the Sal Buscema & Joe Staton era. Fantastic Four Follower knows that era well!
Phillip
Phillip! I know I will like Moon Knight 1! I bought it for $1 about 6 months ago and loved it! I just can't remember why, so I bought it again for $1! LOL and Ouch!
I just noticed that the Team Up cover is also a Frank Miller job.
Phillip, why don't you like Miller's Daredevil? I know everything is subjective, but once he started writing and illustrating (which we'll get to next month with #168) I thought he really breathed new life into it.
DW
I agree DW, except I'd leave out the "new" and just go with Miller breathing life into Daredevil...
-sean
DW - originally, Daredevil fought using acrobatics, informed by his radar-sense/enhanced senses. For Miller to reinvent him as a martial arts fighter (something he never was), trained by some guy named "Stick", to me, spoiled the character. Plus, I started reading Daredevil when I was 8. The stupid Miller cover, with Electra being impaled (with Miller thinking he's being clever), isn't age appropriate. I liked Colan's Daredevil, followed by Steve Gerber's take on him - to me, new life wasn't necessary. Daredevil needed more of the "old life" returned to the character! Miller was okay to start with - the beginning with Deathstalker, etc - the stuff I don't like started later. But, each to his own - Sean likes it, and so do many other people.
Phillip
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