The Marvel Lucky Bag - February 1972.

Thanks to Charlie Horse 47 and Killdumpster for their sponsorship of this post, via the magic of Patreon. 

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February 1972 didn't see the release of many famous films but it did, at least, see the unleashing of Cabaret upon the world. I would say the movie totally blew my mind when I saw it but I don't think I've seen it. I, therefore, have no strong opinions on it.

I do, of course, have far more opinions about the contents of that month's UK singles chart but, for now, I'll stick to merely saying the month saw just two 45s claim the Number One slot. The first was T. Rex's Telegram Sam, while the second was Chicory Tip's Son of My Father.

Over on the British album chart, it was also a good start for T. Rex, as their Electric Warrior LP initially claimed the summit. However, that was soon despatched by Neil Reid's Neil Reid which held the pole position for the month's final three weeks.

I was going to announce I've never heard of Neil Reid but a quick Google tells me he was the child responsible for the mega-creepy song Mother of Mine which was bothering the higher reaches of the singles chart at the time, and that still has the power to inflict nightmares upon those of a nervous disposition.

It's a Roy Thomas/Gerry Conway/Barry Smith classic, as Ka-Zar tries to bring an end to World War II which is still being fought in one small part of the Savage Land.

It's time to venture once more into a whole world of fear, as the mag of that name brings us no less than seven tales of terror and horror.

Thus it is that we get yarns with such titles as The Midnight Monster, There Is a Brain Behind the Fangs!, I Took a Journey Into Fear!, Wings of the Butterfly!, The Last Laugh!, The Black Ray and The Voice of Fate!

Highlight of this issue sounds to be There is a Brain Behind the Fangs! in which a man believes dogs are planning to take over the world. His friend, though, convinces him they're not, by proving his dog can't understand complex questions, even under hypnosis. But, oh my God, neither man realises the dog's already been hypnotized by the cat!

A whole new era starts for Marvel, as one of its main horror stars of the 1970s makes his senses-shredding debut.

It's true. Marvel's second-most popular werewolf is launched upon the world, with this issue, and things will never be the same again.

But that's not all, because we also get a back-up tale reprinted from 1951's Venus #18.

That story's called Where Gargoyles Dwell! and the character known as Venus visits the Graycar building where she finds a 13th floor populated by gargoyles. Needless to say, a fight with the gargoyle queen soon puts an end to that malarkey.

It's time for a whole load of Lee/Kirby Asgardianness, as Thor and Hercules fight over Jane Foster.

And it's at that exact moment Odin decides to act like the jerk he is and removes half of Thor's strength while also giving his own Odin Power to Seidring.

Defeated by Hercules, Thor then returns to Asgard where, to no one's surprise but Odin's, he finds Seidring's taken over!

We're also served up with A Viper In Our Midst! in which Loki helps a giant to escape from the Asgardians.

Poor old Subby, he just can't get a break. First, Lady Dorma gets killed and, now, thanks to Llyra and Tiger Shark, his dad bites the dust.

Can things get worse for the Avenging son?

I've seen the next issue and, yes, they can.

The comic that refuses to die gives us three tales.

It gives us The Thing Called...It!, The Man from Mars!, and Terror of the Pterodactyl!

But shouldn't that be Pteror of the Pterodactyl?

Obviously, for all fans of swamp monsters, the main source of interest will be the first story, reprinted from 1961, in which a bitter scientist builds a swamp monster to destroy his rival.

But the creature refuses to murder and its consciousness is accidentally transferred into its creator's body, freeing it to live a noble life.

And freeing the scientist to be dead.

I don't know what happens in this one and I don't really care but just look at that cover. Look at the drama! It's almost enough to make me hand over my 20 cents.