Thanks to Charlie Horse 47 and Killdumpster for their sponsorship of this post, via the magic of Patreon.
***
There are times in this life when things just don't seem to add up.
And January 1972 wasn't one of them.
You guessed it. It was the month which saw the introduction of the first scientific hand-held calculator - the HP-35 - which could be yours for a knockdown price of just $395.
"$395," you say? I'll take ten of them!
But that wasn't the only high-tech event going on at the time, because January also saw American President Richard Nixon order the development of a Space Shuttle.
Also jumping aboard the technology bandwagon was President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto who announced Pakistan would immediately begin a nuclear weapons programme.
With all that going on, it must have seemed like everything was so modern in 1972.
But no it wasn't. One man was stuck firmly in the past.
He was Japanese soldier Shoichi Yokoi who turned up in Guam, still fighting World War II, having spent 28 years in a jungle, failing to notice the fighting was over.
Spider-Man's still reenacting the plot of King Kong, as he and Ka-Zar must tangle with Kraven the Hunter and Gog the giant space monster.
The Fantastic Four find themselves up against not only Diablo but, also, their former team-mate Crystal who's been hypnotised into thinking she's an Aztec goddess.
On top of that, in the back-up strip, the Thing gets to visit another version of Earth, where he finds revoltin' developments haven't gone quite the same way there as they have here.
The Kree/Skrull War rumbles on, as Neal Adams and Roy Thomas drag the Inhumans into it.
I think this is the one where we get to see how Maximus first went mad.
And I do believe Rick Jones gets kidnapped by the Kree, proving there is at least someone who wants him.
It doesn't look like good news for Cap.
It doesn't look like good news for Cap.
And it looks like even worse news for Sharon Carter.
As far as I can make out, this issue, Hydra attacks a plane containing both Captain America and the Femme Force, which seems like the kind of plan you quickly find yourself regretting.
As far as I can make out, this issue, Hydra attacks a plane containing both Captain America and the Femme Force, which seems like the kind of plan you quickly find yourself regretting.
Issue #13, and it's unlucky for some, as the Cimmerian Clobberer must confront a Spider-God.
Daredevil captures the Black Widow who's suspected of killing the Scorpion.
But, when our hero tries to examine the Scorpion's body, he's attacked by Mr. Hyde who blows the place up, destroying vital evidence and ensuring the Widow goes free.
The Hulk thwarts the Leader's plot to replace America's leaders with robots.
But, perhaps more memorably, I do believe this is the issue whose second tale has our hero blunder into a town that's just a mirage. One that proves a Hulk story can be great without him doing any smashing.
This one sees the first-ever appearance of the Night Phantom - and the first-ever appearance of Mr Kline.
That's all I know about it.
In other news, Mangog is back - and causing trouble for Loki.
I've no idea what happens in this book but that's a dramatic cover by Neal Adams. So, I've included it.
Hal Jordan's training him as back-up but John has his own ideas on how to do the job and, when an attempt's made on the life of a racist politician, he quickly concludes the attack was faked as part of a plot to get the man elected president.
And, so, here we are with Girls' Love Stories #165.
In our second tale, Tina's so shy she can't talk to boys. Thus, she thinks she'll be alone forever - until she meets a boy who's as shy as she is.
In our third tale, Marcy's keen to join an exclusive high school club. But, to pass the initiation, she must date a handsome senior - and then dump him.
And, finally, Arlene's happy with David but she's tempted to stray when she remeets Nicky, years after he and she broke up.
It all sounds guaranteed to send any woman weak at the knees.
And, now, we get Don't Make Me Over!, How to Get a Man!, Love Potion, Winter of Love and Man on My Mind!We also get a one-page feature titled Important Announcement from Lynn Farrell.
I don't have a clue who Lynn Farrell is but it certainly sounds like something we all need to read, right now!
Hope you had a good start to the year, and enjoyed Dr Who yesterday Steve.
ReplyDeleteBut onto more important matters - old comics. Sorry, but if Iron Man #44 was "the first ever appearance of Mr. Kline" how come he's been mentioned in the last two posts of this very feature?
On the plus side, at least knowing he was in Daredevil #81 and #82 shows I'm paying attention to what you write, because otherwise I'd have had no idea.
A quick look online shows he was also in a few earlier issues of Iron Man.
Seems Mr Kline - MK-9 - was a robot from the 50th century involved in some Terminator style crossover storyline that ran through a few comics written by Gerry Conway (no clones involved though) in late '71 and early '72.
Quite why a robot from the 50th century needed to employ the Owl or use Foggy Nelson to change the future was apparently never made clear. It all sounds a bit sh*t really.
www.marvunapp/Appendix/mrkline.htm
However, two footnotes: DD #83 was drawn (badly) by Barry Smith and Alan Weiss, and the main story in Iron Man #44 (there was a short back up) was written by Robert Kanigher.
That suggests a bit of turmoil behind the scenes still, but even so... Kanigher?
-sean
I did have a good start to the New Year, Sean, and I did enjoy Doctor Who which was good fun.
ReplyDeleteMr Kline had indeed made earlier appearances. All I can do is blame the internet for lying to me. I'd assumed he'd not shown his face before this month's Iron Man but it turns out he had.
That Conan comic is notable just because a giant spider EATS a guy.
ReplyDeleteSwallows him whole. That's not what spiders actually do, but who am I to argue with Omm, the spider god?
I guess he can eat people anyway he wants to. Who would say him nay?
And this is weird: according to the Marvel Database, Omm is one of the more primitive offspring of the elder goddess Gaea, no doubt spawned in the primal chaos of early Earth.
The Database doesn't name a father. Chthon, maybe? Who knows!
Gaea (or Jord, as Odin called her) is also the birth-mother of Thor. This would make Thor and Omm half-brothers. Yikes.
Imagine that family get-together. That's even worse than the kids' tables I used to have to sit at on the holidays.
M.P.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSo far so good for 2022, at least from my house! New Year's greetings to you all.
ReplyDeleteSteve, do you remember your first encounter with a calculator? Mine was probably about 1974, when prices had dropped a bit. My folks gave me one for Christmas- basically added, subtracted, multiplied and divided. But it was mighty impressive at the time, and it was fun trying to make words out of numeric combinations. For instance, 77345 made "Shell", if you turned it upside down. And of course, they were verboten in school...
Sean- A Marvel story by Robert Kanigher?!? Amazing; is that the only one he did for the "House of Ideas"? He always seemed a DC mainstay...
That Kraven/ Ka-Zar/ Gog tale in Amazing Spider-Man was pretty good; Gil Kane did a fine job on the Savage Land. I missed it at the time, but caught up within a few years. Of course by the time I read it Gwen was gone (condolences, Charlie).
Let's not forget that 2022 is the 50th anniversary of Marvel UK!
ReplyDeleteOn September 30th it'll be exactly 50 years since Mighty World Of Marvel No.1 was launched.
Greetings All for Chicago!
ReplyDeleteOle Charlie is really perplexed... He only bought Spidey, FF, and Iron Man off the spinner it seems?
Maybe Steve's 2nd-half of 50 years ago this month will reveal what else might have tempted young Charlie?
Young Charlie's habit was a good half dozen per month so there is potential for another 3.
RED - you are spot on about Spidey! That romp in the Savage Land was top notch! Dinosaurs (seemingly), Kazar, the Savage Land / Tropics, Gwen in cheese cake... Kane's are was really appealing though SEAN (?) was correct last month saying his art seemed really like "lines." Charlie imagines this was due to the inker?
STEVE - I must commend you for the DCs, especially for the Love Stories! There is something strangely artistic and pleasurable about them... perhaps due to the contrast with men in tights?
ReplyDeleteHope to see more Brave and the Bold! Aparo covers?
JLA is always a nice flash back too. Perhaps Young Charlie fulfilled the other half of his monthly quota with DC 50 years ago?
Weren't there several Japanese soldiers who surrendered in the 1970s? IIRC it became somewhat of an embarrassment for them?
ReplyDeleteThe thinking was that 1 or 2 was "sincerely cute" in that the soldiers were that patriotic but as more emerged it seemed that "cute" was no longer the adjective of choice?
And what about that Pakistan? STEVE - Charlie doesn't recall you mentioning that 50 years ago last month East Pakistan split from West Pakistan to become Bangladesh? Young Charlie was totally perplexed how a country could fight a civil war and not be contiguous.
Ahhh... the challenges a 10 year old faces trying to understand the world!
Sean —
ReplyDeleteI had to dig out that Daredevil, to see if I agree with your assessment. Well, it ain’t great, that’s for sure, but parts of it aren’t bad. The first five or six pages are actually pretty good. Except for some of the background figures, it doesn’t look at all like Alan Weiss — it’s almost as if Bill Everett deliberately obliterated any trace of Weiss’ pencils while he was inking. I think DD and the Widow look pretty good in the first half of the book. About halfway thru, you start seeing more of Weiss’ pencils poking thru (about the time Mr. Hyde shows up) — and oof, yeah, the guy still had a lot to learn. Weird thing is, I don’t detect any Barry Smith in it, ANYWHERE, not an iota. Not the compositions, not the poses, nuthin’. But the GCD says it’s so, and Alan Weiss apparently confirmed it, so I suppose it must be true. His layouts must have been REALLY basic, I’m guessing.
I forgot that Kanigher scripted that one Iron Man. Yeah, I wonder what the story is behind that one. I’m kinda curious to go dig it up, just to see how strangely it reads, but I can’t be arsed.
Steve, your capsule synopses of those DC romance stories don’t sound all that terrible. In fact, it’s been my experience that DC’s romance comics in the late 60s/early 70s are generally better than Marvel’s of the same vintage. Well — they at least have a bit more variety. The Marvel Romance comics often have the benefit of stunning art by Gene Colan, Johns Buscema and Romita, and Stan’s scripting is so Over-the-top and corny that they read like parody. But the DC’s are usually just good, solid comics.
b.t.
I quite like Kane's figure work on the Iron Man cover. Not exactly a heroic pose , however I'm sure getting the perspective correct on a twisting figure is probably pretty tricky. I read this FF story in Captain Britain and the post over-mind stories seemed to tread water until Stan bowed out with the return of Galactus.
ReplyDeleteDW
Red, I do remember my first calculator. It cost £8.50, could never be fitted into a pocket and was made by Texas Instruments. I'd guess this was around 1976. We were allowed to use them in class but not in exams.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great selection of Marvel comics this month. I think I have read them all if not in the original US format (I still have the Hulk, Captain America and Flacon and Avenger issues noted here in my collection) then reprinted in the UK Marvel weeklies. The DC comics are also crackers as well although I don’t have any of the originals (just GL/GA in a collection) – I have been after that “Brave and Bold” ( issue 99 ) for some time as I remember it advertised in DC comics back in the day and loved that Adams cover.
ReplyDeleteSadly I don’t have any of those love story comics but when I see them (at a reasonable price) I pick them up as b.t. says they have some great artists in them like Romita, Kirby, Buscema, Colan etc. Of the few issue I have, I found Marvels love stories were very “soap opera/ drama queen” orientated comparted to DCs more grounder versions.
Red/Sean: According to the Marvel fanbase Kanigher wrote two stories for Marvel, the Iron Man one noted here and "Running for Love" in Our Love Story issue 19 .
Colin: I remember Jackie magazine very , it was a massive success in the 1970s . Boys back then used to read the “Cathy and Claire” problems page to try to figure out these strange creature called "girls".
If one gets a chance to read the “Marvel Bullpeb /Soapbox”. Commentary inside these issues Stan tries to explain the $.15 to $.25 to $.20 transition of the past few months by simply saying multiple times it is “to boring and complicated “ for us mere readers to understand.
ReplyDeleteBut at least we get the Bullpen, Checklist, and Letters Pages back which were missing the previous month! Cant wait to see if any Letters take Marvel to task over this pricing debacle (?) in the coming months.
b.t., admittedly "badly" is subjective, but I reckon its fair to say anyone going to Daredevil #83 because they enjoyed Gene Colan's work in previous issues, or for Barry Smith - or even Alan Weiss - would be disappointed.
ReplyDeleteNo doubt there were deadline issues involved.
Not only do I agree that DCs romance comics were better than Marvel's, I'd say - controversy alert! - their comics generally were better at this point in the early 70s. Not saying that would necessarily be true of a few years earlier or later - or even that "better" equals more appealing to kids at the time - but its very striking that since Steve started including them in this feature the DCs are of a higher standard.
Case in point - Green Lantern #87. Kinda surprising no-one's mentioned it yet, but I guess the series isn't as highly regarded as it once was. Ok, its "relevance" may seem a bit heavy handed to a modern reader, but come on - just compare its take on post-68 black "militancy" to, say, the Captain America of this period.
-sean
Charlie, I don't think this blog is really the place to come to for analyses of civil wars in non-continguous states during this era.
ReplyDeleteNever mind Pakistan, Steve hasn't even mentioned the one going on in the UK (especially in January '72).
The bad news for you is that this will seriously limit discussion of Sir Paul McCartney's (then) new band and record next month...
-sean
SEAN - Pretty funny… pretty funny
DeleteImagine being able to use the word noncontiguos though! Must take advantage of every opportunity!
I remember my first calculator. It only had addition, subtraction, multiplication, division.
ReplyDeleteI remember learning a trick for long multiplication without a calculator. You'd dig out the book of tables, take the log of each number, add the logs together, then look up the antilog. It seemed a bit of a long way round, to be honest, when we were using a calculator to add the logs together.
I've been trying to identify (on the internet) my first calculator, to no avail. I remember it was white, and very basic.
ReplyDeleteMichigan is a (virtually?) non-contiguous state! (A bit of humour!)
Dangermash - Some years ago, I learned a strange multiplication method, via repeatedly halving & doubling, in 2 columns of numbers, adding the odds, & crossing out certain other numbers. I can't remember it all offhand, but I wrote it down in an old notebook, and can maybe locate it, sometime!
Phillip