Thursday 7 April 2022

April 7th 1982 - Marvel UK, 40 years ago this week.

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

Rock operas. I'm not a big fan. All that singing without speaking tends to wear me down.

Nevertheless, on this evening in 1982, I girded up my loins and sat down to watch Jesus Christ Superstar which was being shown on BBC One.

I think I lasted fifteen minutes.

In fairness, that's about as far as I've ever made it into any rock opera.

Well, Jesus may have been ruling supreme on television but, over on the UK album chart, it was a whole other kettle of fish.

And that fish was Satan.

It's true. By a coincidence surely too chilling to be coincidence, crashing straight in at Number One on that week's chart was Iron Maiden's The Number of The Beast which dethroned Barbra Streisand's Love Songs to prove it's far better to reign in the Hit Parade than it is to serve in Heaven.

There was no change, meanwhile, on the British singles chart, with the Goombay Dance Band's Seven Tears retaining the crown it had now held for several weeks. However, it was facing a strong challenge from that week's Number Two, Bucks Fizz's latest smash
My Camera Never Lies.

Could the Fizz do it? Could they, in the next few weeks, make the final push to achieve their third Number One in the space of a year?

Marvel Superheroes #384, Hawkeye

Information about this one's hard to unearth but it's clear Hawkeye features in some way.

I would assume it's in his capacity as an Avenger and I'm going to make a guess that this is that one in which the team finds itself battling a rock monster that's rampaging through New York.

A rock monster that turns out to be the Grey Gargoyle, encased in stone after his latest jaunt into space.

Not only do we get that, we also get more from Captain Britain and Night Raven.

But hold your horses. What's this? It seems we also get a mystery strip.

But what can it be?

I don't know. That's probably why it's described as a mystery.

Doctor Who Magazine #63, Peter Davison

The magazine dedicated to the most rebellious Time Lord of them all takes a look at the brand new serials Black Orchid, Earthshock and Time-Flight. Two of which are classics. The third of which definitely isn't.

But hold your space horses. We're also presented with a look at the Target Books that kept us entertained in the days long before home video was invented.

Strangely, the feature's billed as an interview with Target Books. I'm not totally sure how you interview a bunch of books but there you go. It's Doctor Who and, in Doctor Who, all kinds of strange things can happen.

Chiller Pocket Book #25, Man-Thing

Deep in the swamps of the Everglades, the Man-Thing encounters the Mad Viking.

It's a summary that vaguely rings a bell for me, leading me to conclude it's a tale that's previously appeared in Marvel UK's Planet of the Apes comic.

Blake's 7 magazine #7

Is that Del Tarrant on the cover?

If so, things aren't looking too good for him,

Hopefully, things are looking better for Blake actor Gareth Thomas who's interviewed inside.

We're also supplied with a comic strip called The Flying Bomb, as drawn by Ian Kennedy.


Super Spider-Man TV Comic #474

Looking at that cover, I think I actually owned a copy of this one. In which case, it was the first British Spider-Man weekly I'd read since about 1980.

So, obviously, I remember exactly what's in it.

Well, not really but I do know it features eight pages of glorious colour and we can win five Spidey View Masters! At last, we can see our hero in the stereoscopic vision he deserves!

Also, there's action with the Black Cat.

The Incredible Hulk #2

The Hulk's second issue hits a newsagents near you and it would appear its star's still battling the Evil Inhumans in that Central American country that's being mind-controlled by a giant hypno-robot.

But, just as the battle reaches its zenith, Thunderbolt Ross and his men show up.

Whose side will the Hulk take? Whose?

Elsewhere, we have the chance to become a Marvel artist, to meet Lou Ferrigno and to get our hands on a free poster of the Hulk attacking the good Inhumans.

Judging by the cover blurb, I suspect we're also getting part 2 of the tale which details what would have happened had Wolverine killed the Hulk during their first encounter.

Fantastic Four Pocket Book #25, Monster from the Lost Lagoon

It's bad news for the FF. Barely have they started their latest holiday than they find themselves up against the Creature from the Black Lagoon Monster from the Lost Lagoon. Although, as far as I can remember, the story doesn't feature an actual lost lagoon.

Happily, it all turns out to be a misunderstanding and they and the monster - and his wife - part on good terms.

Savage Sword of Conan #54, Marvel UK

I'm not too sure what occurs in this month's issue but I do know we get a tale called The Cobra Crown and another titled The Wizard and Red Sonja Show.

Either that or we get a tale called The Cobra Crown and the Wizard and a tale called Red Sonja Show.

I'm not sure either of those options makes any great sense.

But I'm sure it's all great.

We're also treated to more of Robert E Howard's poetry.

And the back cover is once again offering bullets for sale as lucky pendants.

Marvel Madhouse #11, Howard the Duck

Marvel Madhouse continues in its marvellously mirthful manner. This time, with help from Howard the Duck.

The Empire Strikes Back Monthly #155, Darth Vader

It's good news for all fans of Alan Moore. For we get a new tale from him that goes by the name The Dark Lord's Conscience.

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that tale's about Darth Vader.

Other than that, I can reveal little of what transpires within it but I do know it features characters called Lady Dhol and Clat.

Because even that couldn't possibly satisfy us, we also have the chance to win a Star Wars watch.

I wouldn't have thought a Star Wars watch would be much use, as it would always insist it's a long long time ago.

Spider-Man Pocket Book #25, the Lizard is back

The Lizard is back!

And the whole world had better watch out!

I do believe this tale features the first appearance of Curt Connors' alter-ego since his debut, back in the very earliest days of Spider-Man's career.

In retrospect, it does seem baffling that it took almost forty issues for such a classic villain to return.

Monster Monthly #1, Marvel UK

What's this? A brand new mag? And one that actually looks intriguing? If not very Marvelly?

Once inside, we encounter the adventures of Tigra and Frankenstein and, it would appear, a poster of An American Werewolf in London.

We also discover an article dedicated to the work of Willis O'Brien, reviews of the latest monster movies, and a retrospective upon the career of Peter Cushing.

Captain America #59, Thor

As far as I can make out, this is the last-ever issue of Cap's mag which has managed a creditable 59 issues before biting the bullet.

Does it go out in style?

I couldn't possibly say but I do know Cap's elderly neighbour is still out to kill an old Nazi acquaintance and that Iron Man's in the process of re-encountering Madam Masque, following a lengthy separation.

I can cast little light on what Thor's up to. I think it might involve a priest who's suffering a loss of religious faith until an actual god - in the form of Thor - shows up.

This book, too, gives us the chance to win five Spidey View Masters.

Rampage Monthly #46, the X-Men

It looks to me like the X-Men are still battling Moira McTaggart's out-of-control son Proteus who, I think, is out to kill his politician father.

Sadly, I know nothing of what else happens in this issue.

X-Men Pocket Book #25, Cobalt Man

In this exciting issue, Jean's hanging around with two men called Ralph and Ted. Presumably, not the Ralph and Ted from The Fast Show.

Tragically, Ralph, who used to work for Tony Stark, puts on his newly-built Cobalt Man armour and then goes completely mad.

He then wrecks his lab and heads off to kill Tony Stark.

This sounds like a job for the X-Men.

Worzel Gummidge #7, Marvel UK

Worzel's back.

And the cover promises us lots of fun.

I've no doubts at all that it will keep that promise.

Starburst Magazine #44

Britain's favourite sci-fi mag is back for its 44th issue.

Of course, some of us can remember when it was called Opal Fruits Magazine

And it returns in style with a look at Halloween II - in colour!

Also, we get coverage of Creepshow and Suspiria.

Plus, there's an interview with Wes Craven of Scream, Nightmare on Elm Street and The Hills Have Eyes fame, even though, at the time of this magazine coming out, he's only famous for one of those, as he hasn't yet made the other two.

This issue, it appears, also tells us that Ghost Story is high on stars and low on suspense.

Not that I know what Ghost Story is.

I'm guessing it involves ghosts.

And a story.

Scooby-Doo and his TV Friends #7, Marvel UK

In a shocking development, I've managed to find a copy of the cover to an issue of Scooby-Doo and his TV friends! I feel like I deserve an award.

On top of the usual features, we also get the chance to build ourselves a haunted house by cutting various pieces out of the comic and glueing them together.

32 comments:

Anonymous said...

CHILLER # 25

Inside cover - Pocket Book Back Issues - Dangerous Visions

Man-Thing - 'DECAY MEETS THE MAD VIKING!' p.3-p.22 (p.10/11 ads for Monster Monthly & Escape To New York). Gerber / J Buscema / T Palmer

TOMB OF DRACULA - 'DEATH RIDES THE RAILS!' p.23-p.43 (p.30-p.31 Marvel Classifieds). Wolfman / Colan / Palmer

p.44 - ad for the 2 Dragonslayer mags

p.45 - Rampage & Marvel Superheroes Monthly back issues - Dangerous Visions

"Mr.Flubb's Flashlight" p.46-p.50 - 'Twilight Zone'-type tale - Stan Lee / Sol Brodsky / S. Rosen

Back inside cover - Star Wars / Empire Strikes Back back issues - Dangerous Visions

Back cover - the ubiquitous Star Wars digital watch

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I've been absent from the blog recently, because at the moment I'm a 24/7 carer. I'm looking forward to upcoming DD issues on 50 years ago, soon - and hope to participate then - if my other responsibilities let me. The golden age of DD should not go unmarked!

Phillip

dangermash aka The Artistic Actuary said...

How creepy is that Worzel Gummidge cover. Who would let their kids near anyone like that?

"But Dad he's a scarecrow!"

"I don't give a shit. You stay well away from him and if he says anything to you, run home as fast as you can and tell me."

Steve W. said...

It's nice to know you're still with us, Phillip. I hope things work out for you. Thanks for the Chiller info.

It's true, Dangermash. It's very hard to make scarecrows seem unscary, and they definitely failed in that instance. Then again, the current version of Worzel is even more disturbing.

Charlie Horse 47 said...

Was Worzel Ever caught humming, “if I only had a brain! “?

Charlie Horse 47 said...

Phillip! Glad to hear you are alive and well! Just curious what you were doing that is 24 x 7?

Charlie Horse 47 said...

Phillip, I thought you meant 24 x 7 career. Good luck to you and your endeavors taking care of another. Sorry for misreading it

Anonymous said...

Good to see Phillip is still around.
And dangermash, who also seems to have been keeping a bit of a low profile recently.

Will Bucks Fizz displace the Goombay Dance Band, like Iron Maiden did Barbara Streisand, Steve? I've no idea, because with hit records like that I'd certainly have been avoiding the radio back then.
Musically, the only redeeming feature of this post is the mention of Suspiria, which of course had a great theme and soundtrack by hairy Italian geezers Goblin -

www.youtube.com/watch?v=pins1y0XAa0
You're welcome.

On Marvel Super-Heroes #384 -

Not to be critical, but I'm pretty sure the Avengers story was the one about Hawkeye getting a security gig at some lab, warehouse or whatever it was, and going up against Deathbird. The Grey Gargoyle stuff should be coming up soon though, probably next time.
The mystery strip is, somewhat bafflingly, a reprint of 'Evolution's Nightmare' from Planet of the Apes.
And as for this month's Captain Brexit episode, in which writer Dave Thorpe gives us the first part of his take on "the Irish problem" (yeah - thats actually what he called it in an interview later)... the best thing you can say about it is that it made no sense at the time, as all the references to the Belfast setting and other details were removed after Alan Davis apparently refused to draw it otherwise.

Well done Alan Davis.

-sean

Colin Jones said...

Welcome back, Phil, but why are you a 24/7 carer? I assume you are caring for your mum but didn't you say she was going into a care home?

Colin Jones said...

Sean, I can reveal that Bucks Fizz's 'My Camera Never Lies' did indeed reach #1.

Does 'Evita' count as a rock opera because I've seen the film version starring Madonna.

Anonymous said...

Steve, I looked up Marvel Madhouse #11 to check that it definitely did reprint Howard the Duck #1 inside, because I recall reading it in the Frantic Winter Special.
Seems a bit odd to reprint the same story in mags with more or less the same target audience only a couple of years apart.

Is 'The Wizard and Red Sonja Show' the 'story' that Frank Thorne drew, featuring himself with Wendi Pini and assorted cos-players? Because that does seem like a peculiar thing for Marvel to have commissioned in the first place.
Although fair play to Thorne - getting someone to pay you for hanging around comic conventions with a group of women dressed up as Red Sonja does seem like nice work if you can get it.

Btw, well done on not only finally finding the Scooby Doo cover, but also noting Alan Moore wrote the original strip in Star The Empire Strikes Back Wars (yes it was about Darth Vader) and Ian Kennedy drew Blakes 7.
I shall expect you to keep this up!

-sean

McSCOTTY said...

I think the Conan story may have come from issue 41 of the US Savage Sword of Conan magazine that had the story "Quest for the Cobra Crown". I wonder why Marvel UK used the ( wonderful) cover of issue 16 of the US Savage Sword magazine ( one of the best issues of that mag) for issue 46.

Hope things get better Phillip I've been there, it's not easy. Take care.
wn"

Anonymous said...

Phil, as you no doubt know by now, I paid your ransom.
But I wouldn't show my face again in Sheffield for at least a couple years if I were you.

M.P.

Anonymous said...

The Halloween 2 from '81? (I dunno how many versions there are anymore. I feel so old and in the way)
That movie was scary because hospitals at night are creepy. Ever wake up from surgery at 2 AM? It ain't fun.
Those dark rooms, the long, empty hallways...
No nurses around...

M.P.

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Steve.

It's okay, Charlie!

Colin - She was very distressed being in the care home, and wasn't eating & drinking - so I got her out. The eating situation isn't improving, unfortunately.

Paul & Sean - Thanks for the good wishes.

M.P. - I had plenty of Sheffield when I was younger!

Phillip

Charlie Horse 47 said...

Does The Hulk get the "Best Cover" award?

B.t.w. did any comic fall in value so fast as HOWARD THE DUCK? I remember being glued to the "The Buyers Guide for Comic Fandom" watching the price escalate with each bi-weekly issue! And then "poof" it seemed to fall of the charts!

I have to wonder what may happen to The Walking Dead #1 issues I've seen out there looking all slabbed and purty going for $5,000 to $15,000. As the General McAuliffe said when surrounded in 1944, "Nuts!"

Charlie Horse 47 said...

I think Charlie may have asked this before, but I can't recall and he won't tell me.

Did Man Thing ever duke it out with the Glob?

Anonymous said...

The Cult of Entropists used the Golden Brain to summon the Glob to fight Man-Thing in Giant-size Man-Thing #1 Charlie.

Wasn't the back issue price of Howard #1 in its heyday supposedly due to a speculators' bubble?
I know, speculating on the value of comics - woulda thought it?

-sean

Charlie Horse 47 said...

SEAN - I think Conan might have been part of that bubble as well. As my industrious uncle always said, "Son, only by 'blue chippers!'"

Well I didn't heed his word and bought stuff like DD and Sun Mariner vs. Spidey. Can't give away DD, Hulk, Subby, Cap... Even Xmen is dodgy though they were certainly leading the 1990s bubble.

dangermash aka The Artistic Actuary said...

Yes - been off the grid for a while following a family bereavement but I'm back now.

McSCOTTY said...

Charlie: Man-Thing and the Glob battled it out in Giant size Man-Thing issue 1 back in 1974. A great issue with some lovely Mike Plogg art

Anonymous said...

McScotty, I'll read any comic with a swamp monster in it!

...that's a lotta comics, now that I think about it.

M.P.

McSCOTTY said...

Argh sorry Ididn't see that Sean had already replied on the Man-Thing v Glob thingy.

On the Howard the Duck and the "bubble" I was offered £4 for my copy by a Glasgow comic shop around 1978 which I took ( along with some other comics I sold him which I got a better price on) he had it for sale the next day at £30, a lot of money back in 1978. And he sold it at that price. I bought another copy around 1982 for £1 so made £3 on the deal so fair to say the bubble bust in lest 4 years - still HtD is imo a great wee comic.

Charlie Horse 47 said...

McScott- In percentage terms you cleaned up!!!

Anonymous said...

I hope he invested his £3 wisely and didn't just blow it all at once, Charlie.

-sean

Anonymous said...

I think a guy could probably buy a pretty big candy bar with that.
I'm not talkin' about a Snickers. I'm thinking maybe a Toblerone.

M.P.

onboarder said...

Just to say hello. The way I looked at it was that the days in 1982 correspond exactly to the days in 2021 and the days in 1983 correspond to 2022 so I look at things 39 years ago. So for Scooby Doo I have been looking at the issue 61 20th April 1983. Although thats one of the issues I don't have lol. I think I remember buying issue 60 from a newsagent in Windsor as it was Easter time. BTW the Scoony Doo dates are the date the comic comes off the shelves. I don't know if Marvel did that with the other comics. The local newsagent used to sell me old Spiderman comics at half price so I was always a number of weeks behind with my Spiderman compared to others. lol

onboarder said...

For the Scooby-Doo I am happy to tell you the contents if it is an issue I have in my collection.

Steve W. said...

Hi, onboarder. Nice to have you along with us. Any help you can give us with the contents of Scooby-Doo will be much appreciated. :)

It was indeed standard practice for cover dates to reflect the day on which comics hit their "expiry" date, rather than their date of publication. That's why, when I do the news and current affairs items for these posts, I count the week as being the week leading up to the cover date, rather than the week following it.

onboarder said...

cool. whats the next issue you need info on? I started compiling a list but need to complete. One sneaky thing I realised is that the "T.V. Friends" annual had the same stories as the final summer special. (The annual had one or two extra stories).

I have uploaded issue 25 to internet archive. but its hard to search if you trying to find it:

https://archive.org/details/scooby-dooandhis-tvfriends-issue-25-1982

Steve W. said...

I think the next issue I'll be posting about'll be #9, cover-dated April 21st, 1982.

onboarder said...

Steve,

I just checked by collection. I am missing issues 4,7,8,9,10,11,13,16...

I have done some scans of Issue 12.

How shall I send the scans to you? I will also send a list of contents of all the issues I have (although it is not yet finished)

Mark

Steve W. said...

Hi, Mark, you can email things to me at stevedoesthings (at) gmail dot com.

Really, the covers are all I need. Anything else would be appreciated but isn't strictly necessary.

Basically, don't put any more work into it than you're willing to do. I wouldn't want it to become a chore for you.

Thanks for any help you can give. :)