September 1983 - Marvel UK monthlies, 40 years ago this month.

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

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September 1983 was the month you almost died.

Granted, it was also the month I almost died, which is even worse.

That's because it produced the most alarming incident in human history, as the Soviet Union's defenses detected a whole bucketload of American nuclear missiles headed straight for it.

Fortunately, military officer Stanislav Petrov averted a worldwide catastrophe by recognising it as a false alarm and not pressing the button that was, no doubt, labelled, "Retaliate."

Thanks to that man, we could still continue to enjoy the latest platters that mattered. And that was good news for UB40, as they kicked off the month atop the UK singles chart, thanks to their cover of Red Red Wine. However, that was soon deposed by Culture Club's Karma Chameleon.

I have heard a theory that the latter single reaching the peak of the charts was a watershed moment in music history, as it was, allegedly, the last time the UK had a Number One that everyone in the family, from the youngest toddler to the oldest granny, could enjoy.

Whether that claim is true or not, I couldn't say. Mostly because, to confirm or deny it, I'd have to listen to every UK Number One that's existed since then, and that's taking in-depth research a bit too far.

Over on the British album chart, the roost, that September, was initially ruled by The Very Best of the Beach Boys before Paul Young's No Parlez took over. That was then supplanted by UB40's Labour of Love, making it a good month for Birmingham's Snooze Reggae specialists.

Ooh! I had this issue! I remember the printing not being lined up properly on several pages.

That aside, it supplies interviews with Carrie Fisher, Stephen King, Dario Argento and Lou Ferrigno.

And, because we demand even more than that from our magazines, this issue takes a look at the making of the helicopter thrill-fest that is Blue Thunder.

I don't know anything about the contents of this issue, other than it features tales of savagery from the Hyborean Age, and sword and sorcery at its greatest. I know that because the cover tells me so.

I do know that's a strangely relaxed-looking fight Conan's having with that snake.

Mighty World of Marvel is practically an X-Men enclave, these days. This issue's lead tale features the main team when D'Spayre starts to mess about with Cyclops' mind.

While, in the backup strip, the Vision and Scarlet Witch are visiting the Inhumans, in order to meet Pietro's new daughter. And who should show up?

Only Magneto!

And he's claiming to be Wanda and Pietro's father!

It's exciting news for us all, as the mag dedicated to the universe's most popular Time Lord previews The Five Doctors, the movie-length masterpiece constructed to celebrate his show's upcoming 20th anniversary. We can console ourselves that, while that special may not turn out to be perfect, at least it's not a crossover with Eastenders.

It may be called The Daredevis but the comic leads off with Captain Britain, as Merlyn and Roma watch with concern while Jim Jaspers begins his campaign to eradicate all superheroes.

Meanwhile, our protagonist tries to convince Captain UK to resume the super-doing duties she's currently too scared to undertake.

And that's when the Fury shows up.

Elsewhere, Pete Scott discusses the pulp roots of Night Raven, Frank Plowright produces an article on Knockabout Comics's legal problems, and Alan Moore reviews the fanzines Energy #1 and Cygnus Alpha #8.

Back in the hot world of crime fighting, Night Raven finds himself in Episode 3 of an adventure called The Snow Queen.

And we complete the issue with Matt Murdock about to encounter a woman called Elektra.