Thanks to Charlie Horse 47 and Killdumpster for their sponsorship of this post, via the magic of Patreon.
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Is there anything in the realm of 1972 that's mightier than The Mighty World of Marvel?
No, there isn't.
Therefore, let's find out just how mighty it is!
Here's one that brings back memories.
For instance, I remember acquiring it from a newsagent in Pond Street bus station and then merrily singing ELO's Roll Over Beethoven as I made my way up a nearby escalator.
Clearly, this is a false memory, as it turns out that particular single didn't come out until the following year and, therefore, unless I'm clairvoyant, I couldn't possibly have heard it.
Still, it's a memory, and that's what matters.
What also matters is that, this issue, we discover the Hulk's been Banished to Outer Space!
I do believe this is the beginning of that short-lived spell in which he has no mind of his own and is now under the mental control of Rick Jones; thus having the dubious privilege of becoming Rick Jones' sidekick.
Next, Spider-Man has his first-ever encounter with the Vulture. The one foe he cannot hope to defeat.
And the Fantastic Four get costumes, a new HQ and encounter the terrifying menace of the Miracle Man.
I also see the cover boasts that this issue contains, "More colouring pages!"
I suspect that's a fancy way of saying, "More black and white pages..."
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25 comments:
Is it fair to say that the UK comics were targeted at a much younger audience, like around 8 years old or something?
Or were they targeting grandma and grandpa with colouring pages, toys, posters, etc. figuring that the old folks would buy the comics for their youngins?
We just didn't have that type of promo in the USA and my general understanding was that Marvel's target age was like 10 -12 years old? (Until they went and hired Conway exactly 50 years ago and he goes on a murder spree and I guess started targeting teens?)
Charlie, I was 8 years old when I started reading the Marvel UK weeklies in 1974 and I'd guess they were aimed at the 7-12 age group.
In answer to your previous question: no, I haven't read "The Plague" by Camus.
Charlie - I was also 8 when I started reading Marvel UK comics, but felt they were very "grown up", featuring adults like J.Jonah Jameson, when - prior to that - I'd been reading Mickey Mouse & Goofy! I think Stan Lee understood Marvel's dual audience - young kids & older ones - so didn't include certain topics. Later writers, I think, decided their target audience was solely the older kids.
Phillip
Earlier today I received my 4th Covid vaccine injection (and my upper arm feels like it's been punched). I had to go to a different place from where I'd received the other injections and this time the vaccine centre was at the top of a very steep hill. While up there I noticed three wind turbines on the distant horizon and I thought they looked rather pleasant, slowly spinning in the wind. It made me wonder why wind turbines cause such objections.
Good questions being asked about the age range these comics were targeted at. I was reading and enjoying stuff like this aged about eight. Wasn't bothered by free gifts though. Eight year olds are much more grown up than people think.
Every year on The Apprentice (UK), Alan Sugar sets two teams a task to develop a comic targeted at 8-10 year olds, run off a first issue and pitch it to publishers. And every year they screw up. Instead of coming up with grown up superheroes or war comics or football comics they’ll come up with crap like Little Bobby And His Magic Armchair, where every week he goes out studying animals in the wild or back in time to study history or whatever. Something all kids would hate.
Me, I'd come up with someone who had to juggle life as a professional footballer and a superhero. No problem to fill up 20 pages with superhero fights, football matches, training ground banter (with teammates as supporting cast) and all the stress of juggling his two lives. Very much like Ditko's Spider-Man but with football thrown in too.
Hey, it looks like another terrible Judo Jim Starlin cover, Steve. Although at least that Hulk is better than the Thing last week, and I guess he had to learn the ropes somewhere.
On the age thing, I think thats fair about the weeklies being aimed at around 8 or 9 years old. By 10 it was really just the imports for me, and sometimes - once they started coming out - the British monthlies.
Thats exactly right about Gerry Conway, Charlie - I recall reading that around 1970 he went to the DC offices and Julius Schwarz passed on giving him a job because it became apparent from talking to him that he was thinking in terms of a teenage audience which wasn't their main target. So he ended up at Marvel instead...
I think arguably the story of American comics in the 70s is one of fans entering the field as pros, and boosting the average age of the general readership by a few years.
That carried on into the 80s, with 'graphic novels' for 'mature readers' ruining comics for good...
-sean
Speaking of which, Fantastic Four #3 was Alan Moore first Marvel comic. What a coincidence that it should feature a character called Miracle Man.
-sean
DANGERMASH - I like the idea of the combo of the UK pro footballer and superhero. As culturally embedded as the sport is in the UK and Europe, it seems like a perfect combo to reel in the typical kid.
We really don't have a dominant sport in the USA. And geographically professional sports had been the domain of the northern big cities until about 1960 (Brooklyn Dodgers moved to LA). Thus I am not sure the concept would work here in the US.
Hey! What about the UK runner Alf Tupper (I remember him from Victor or Hotspur Annuals?) doubling as the Flash, lol?
A superhero who is also a footballer? NO THANKS!!
Comics got me a bit earlier, and in the U.K. they were weekly so you got a fix more frequently.
I started on Action (violent U.K. predecessor to 2000AD) at age 5. I was drawn to it because the incredible saturation marketing of Jaws meant I was obsessed with sharks at the time, and it featured Hook Jaw prominently.
There were other random UK Marvel reprints here and there but nothing that stuck.
I got a picture of mine on the letters page of Action.
Its been a while since I've heard anyone mention Alf Tupper, the Tough of the Track. He ran 'em all (in the Victor, Charlie).
-sean
I suppose by definition superhero football would be about Arsenal...?
-sean
The athlete with superhuman speed wouldn’t work for me Charlie - the sport element comic would be too boring with lots of easy wins. I'd,stick with the football instead and go for superpowers that would help with football and not. E enough on their own to make someone the perfect footballer. Maybe a goalkeeper with cat-like superpowers,
What would happen if Alf went up against Wilson, the athlete? Does the specialist always beat the generalist?
Phillip
If we're talking Arsenal, Sean, I could probably come up with a whole team. I'd need a couple of musclemen but to make them different, let's say one is a normal guy in most respects but with one super powered arm. And the other one loses his ability if he shaves off his beard, and let's have a shrinking AntMan style guy. And someone like Sandman but who instead turns himself into hard, starchy grass seeds. And what about a super healer?
That's that sorted then. Armstrong, Samson, Petit, Rice and Jesus. As a team name, the Gunners.
DANGERMASH - I see your point that a super-speed "Flash" sidelining as a professional long distance runner would be rather repetitive b/c he would win each race in a "nano-second" should he desire.
BUT...
Think about this in the capable hands of Gerry "Killer" Conway! Alf Tucker always has to think of ways to kill off his competition so he serendipitously wins!
On the last leg:
- Alf runs super fast around his competition thereby sucking all the air out of their lungs and they suffocate!
- Alf runs in a certain manner around his competition thereby giving them vertigo and they run off a cliff!
- Alf runs around his competition giving them a million light jabs in the lower abdomen thereby triggering a "blowout" (like one gets from eating too much salad!) Not deadly but certainly distracting!
SEAN - I rather like the name of a character playing for Arsenal... The Human Arsenal? Or simply "Arsenal!" Or such... I think the name alone would create interest!
I've always wanted to say this here!
"Remember Remember the 5th of November!"
If Talksport is to believed you gent are in a heat wave of sorts? Should provide a nice setting for outdoor (!) bonfires?
Here in the USA it is not uncommon to roast weenies over the fires for the kids. Likewise by you lot?
Charlie - Parkin (a treacly/gingery type of cake) & baked potatoes (to warm cold hands) are typical Nov 5th fare!
Phillip
Oh - and maybe a toffee apple!
Phillip
My mother died on November 5th 2009 so Guy Fawkes Night means more than just fireworks and bonfires nowadays.
Is Bonfire Night popular round your way Philip? Wasn't Guy Fawkes a Yorkie...?
They do seem to go for it more in the south of England -
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/gallery/2019/nov/05/lewes-bonfire-night-parade-in-pictures
www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/nov/02/effigy-liz-truss-lettuce-burned-edenbridge-bonfire-night
-sean
Sean - Yes, Guy Fawkes grew up opposite York Minster, according to Look North (or was it Calendar?) Seems as popular up here - probably as no-one knows (or cares) where Fawkes comes from. With Truss being a Yorkshire woman(to some extent), maybe Kent is continuing the tradition.
Phillip
Colin - I hope November 5th goes okay. People say you miss loved ones more, as time passes. My father talked about his parents all the time. At the time, I thought he was trying to pass on family stories/traditions to the next generation. Now I realize he just missed his parents very much. I know on November 5th, you'll be missing your mother very much too. As will I.
Phillip
Thanks, Phillip, and I hope November 5th goes okay for you too.
Thanks for all your comments, everyone. And best wishes to you tonight, Colin.
For any who may wish to look further into the topics, the latest post on (Paul) McScotty's blog takes a look at old British comics that featured a Guy Fawkes Night theme: https://twthen.blogspot.com/2022/11/best-of-british-manic-and-funny-side-of.html
And old friend of this site, Cerebus660 reviews Jodie Whittaker's last-ever episode of Doctor Who, on his blog: https://glasswalking-stick.blogspot.com/2022/11/doctor-who-power-of-doctor-mini-review.html
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