December 9th, 1972 - Marvel UK, 50 years ago this week.

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

***

Here in the present, the World Cup is on and many triumphant players will, no doubt, claim to be over the moon.

However, this week in 1972, a trio of men were soon to be literally over that object.

Those men were the crew of Apollo 17, destined to be the last manned moon mission for many a decade.

But they weren't alone because the mission also included five mice. I'm not sure what those were there for but I fear they were doomed to be disappointed when they reached their destination and discovered it isn't made of cheese.

Also disappointed, that week, was Imelda Marcos who was stabbed and seriously wounded by an assailant.

On the UK singles chart, there was no change, as Chuck Berry retained his Number One spot, thanks to the awesome power of his Ding-A-Ling.

While, over on the British album chart, there was also no change, with its summit retained by Various Artists' 25 Rockin' and Rollin' Greats.

I may not be a huge fan of that Chuck Berry single but these are the tracks of which I did approve, from that week's singles chart:

Crazy Horses - the Osmonds

Gudbuy T'Jane - Slade

Crocodile Rock - Elton John

Leader of the Pack {1972} - the Shangri-Las

Nights in White Satin - the Moody Blues

Happy Xmas (War Is Over) - John and Yoko and the Plastic Ono Band with the Harlem Community Choir

In a Broken Dream - Python Lee Jackson

and

C Moon - Wings.

For those who wish to research the subject in greater depth, that week's UK singles chart can be found here.

While the corresponding album chart resides right here.

Despite the cover's proud boast that the Hulk finds himself up against the might of Tyrannus and his subterranean hordes, he, in fact, finds himself up against General Fang and his Himalayan hordes.

Fortunately, being smarter than anyone else in the story, the Hulk soon defeats them by dressing up as the Abominable Snowman.

In the middle of the comic, Spider-Man's still waging his first-ever battle against the Sandman - and only Henry the Hoover can save him!

And, thanks to Dr Doom's quest for treasure, the Fantastic Four have been sent back to the days of Blackbeard.

They can easily deal with pirates but can they prevent the Thing from turning against them?

And, yes, ten issues into its run, the book is still going on about the poster it's been going on about since issue #1. I'm starting to wonder if the current issue of Mighty World of Marvel is still going on about it in 2022.