The Marvel Lucky Bag - October 1973.

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

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Let's take a look at what was hitting the screens of our cinemas in October 1973.

It turns out they were being hit by many films. Amongst the most famous were Mean Streets, Don't Look Now, Charley Varrick, The Way We Were, The Iceman Cometh and That'll Be the Day.

Of those offerings, the ones I've seen are Don't Look Now, The Iceman Cometh and That'll Be the Day. None of which can be said to have truly floated my boat but I am aware they each have their admirers.

Tragically, The Iceman Cometh turned out to have nothing at all to do with the X-Men. People, in their millions, must've been demanding their money back. I'm demanding my money back and I didn't even pay to see it.

For you, Combat Kelly, the war is over.

It's true, the mag that could never match the fame of Sgt Fury's Howlin' Commandos hits its last appearance, after just seven issues, and does so with a story in which Jay Little Bear leads Kelly's men to rescue both he and Laurie from Doctor Sweikert. As a result, Kelly loses his entire squad and then quits the Army to look after the crippled Laurie.

Well, that didn't end on a downer.

Neal Adams gives us a striking cover, as the Prince of Darkness hits his third monochrome issue.

Inside, Dracula's brought before Nimrod, the king of vampires but refuses to swear allegiance. So, Nimrod challenges him to a duel of wooden poles. The most hardcore form of battle ever.

Needless to say, Dracula kills Nimrod - presumably with a wooden pole - and takes over as king.

The next story portrays Jack the Ripper as a hate-filled hunchback who wants to become a vampire but is repulsed by the sight of blood. It all sounds like it's in the best possible taste.

Next, we get a text article about Bela Lugosi.

Then, Solomon Kane's looking for someone called Rosella Carson, in Transylvania but bumps into Dracula. During a night at Drac's castle, he's attacked by Rosella who's now a vampire!

Next, there's a text story illustrated with photos from Hammer films.

Then, when Scottish nobleman Macbeth is told by three witches he'll, one day, be king, his ambition takes him down the path of murder and tyranny. I can't help feeling that plot sounds familiar from somewhere.

Finally, Dracula arrives in Paris - only to be attacked by someone called Helene DuBois who seeks revenge for the death of her ancestor Jacques DuBois! The thoughts of Blanche DuBois are not recorded.

It's not just Combat Kelly's book that's kicking the bucket, this month. So does Reno Jones, Gunhawk. And it too has only managed to survive for a mere seven issues.

I would say it goes out in style but, in truth, I don't have a clue what happens in it, other than its villain is called Durango.

But what foolishness was I spouting earlier? It turns out that any failure Combat Kelly can manage, Nick Fury can outdo.

And thus it is that his book is cancelled after just five issues!

Granted, his book is just made up of reprints. So, at least it has an excuse for being unpopular.

Inside, while the AUTOFAC computer works out the true identity of the Supreme Hydra, our hero plans to have someone called Bronson transport someone called Laura to SHIELD's West Coast HQ.

But, first, he has to survive an attack by Hydra's giant killer robot the Dreadnought!

And yet another Marvel mag hits its Waterloo, as Adam Warlock reaches his last issue too.

Sadly, I've no recollection at all of what happens in this one but I'm sure the Man-Beast and Counter-Earth will be involved.

A new humour mag hits our shops, as Crazy makes its, no doubt, side-splitting debut.

In it, we get yarns with such titles as Kung Fooey, The Lighter Side Of Racial Violence, Evolution and History Of Moosekind and many others, created by such talents as Vaughn Bodé, Bob Foster, Len Wein, Marv Wolfman and that renowned master of comedy Harlan Ellison.

Intriguingly, in one of the tales, Don McGregor gets an art credit.

It's here. The most important moment in the history of Western culture, as the Son of Satan makes his Diabolical debut and the world will never be the same again!

Inside, spinning-off from this month's issue of Ghost Rider, exorcist Daimon Hellstrom transforms into the titular terror, has a scrap with a motorbike gang, threatens various people then travels to Hell to free Johnny Blaze and Linda Littletrees from Satan. If this isn't the single greatest issue of a 1970s comic, I don't know what is.

Subby thinks he's got problems when Virago the She-Beast, newly arrived from Zephyrland, decides to invade Atlantis, with her bare fists.

But then, things get even worse when she bumps into Orka the Human Killer Whale and the pair decide to team up to destroy our hero!

There's also a Tales of Atlantis back-up story called The Sword in the Throne, of which I know little.