Thanks to Charlie Horse 47 and Killdumpster for their sponsorship of this post, via the magic of Patreon.
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In the absence of anything too thrilling having happened in the real world, this week in 1973, let's dive straight in to investigating just what Marvel UK was up to at the time.
If the Avengers thought they had problems before, now - judging by that cover - they're going to have to endure the full horror of a Rick Wakeman concert!
It's not one I've read but I do know Maggia boss Count Nefaria moves his castle to New Jersey and invites our heroes to attend its grand opening.
He then goes and ruins the big day by creating duplicates of them in an attempt to take over the country!
As for the whereabouts of Dr Strange, I can cast little light upon what he's up to but I do know he's in a tale they call Witchcraft in the Wax Museum and that, whatever that witchcraft may be, it's all caused by the sinister spell-slinging of Baron Mordo.
But what's this on the cover? The boast that I'll gasp in amazement at the most unexpected final panel I've ever seen?
If it doesn't involve the Statue of Liberty protruding from a beach, I'll be highly disappointed.
Happily, Spidey's on hand to put a quick halt to such party-pooping anarchy.
And I do believe that, this week, Thor's still battling against the Destroyer. And, with Odin experiencing one of his heroic power naps, it appears there's no one who can help the thunder god.
Well, apart from Loki who, I seem to recall, decides it might be best to assist him before Odin wakes up and realises the trouble his less-favoured son's been causing.
Thanks to the plotting and scheming of Maximus, Hulky-Baby finds himself in the Great Refuge and confronting the power and majesty of Black Bolt.
Despite the fisticuffs, it all ends with everyone as friends and the monarch offering to let the purple-panted powerhouse remain in his hidden kingdom. However, the Hulk rejects the offer because that's the kind of monster he is,
Meanwhile, on the moon, the Fantastic Four conclude their latest tussle with the Mad Ghost and his super-apes.
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53 comments:
You're right about the Spider-Man story Steve.
As for the final Avengers panel, the Wasp has been shot and will die without urgent medical attention. The bigger shock is next week when we find out there's only one doctor in the world who can save her and it's not Don Blake.
Oh my word! Kraven has nipple lasers??? The comments section will be a treat this weekend!
Kraven fires stuff out of his open jacket's lion eyes, on either side. Any firing system contained behind a flimsy jacket's pictured "eyes", must be built with nano technology! Maybe Charlie's suggestion is no less implausible!
Phillip
Presumably any firing system would be held in place by nano-clamps.
Oh those Russians...
-sean
The Avengers has "Britain's Greatest" underneath the masthead which means Britain's greatest comic I assume but why is The Avengers greater than MWOM or SMCW? Who decides these things? And isn't The Beano Britain's greatest comic anyway?
Sean, can we assume your bank account is now unfrozen? You're doing a terrible job updating us!
I thought I'd probably tried everyone's patience enough, Colin.
Anyway, yes - it took til Wednesday morning, but I got it sorted out. Finally I can get back to my international money laundering business.
-sean
Everyone! This is important! The BEATLES first album - MEET THE BEATLES - was released 60 year ago - 11/22/63!
Whilst riding back home from
THANKSGIVING DINNER with family, 93.9 FM played EARTHA KITTS’ Santa Baby. Whilst humming along, Missus Charlie said, “You know… she was my favorite CAT WOMAN!”
Wow! Life is good!
Charlie, MEET THE BEATLES wasn't a proper album - it was created exclusively for the American market and contained tracks from the Beatles' first two UK albums plus a couple of singles/B-sides. Anyway according to Wikipedia MEET THE BEATLES was released in January 1964 so it's not the 60th anniversary!
Congratulations, Sean - like Nigel Farage you faced down your bank ;)
Perhaps I too could get some publicity in the press, Colin, so MPs like Jacob Rees-Mogg will speak up in the Westminster parliament and push for the chief executive of the bank to be sacked.
But somehow I don't see that happening.
-sean
I get that 'Meet the Beatles' was made up of material repackaged by the label, but don't understand why that means it isn't a 'proper' Beatles album. You might as well say MWOM isn't a proper Marvel comic, Colin.
Not that I particularly care. But its obviously an important record because it led to 'Meet the Residents', the first album by America's phenomenal pop combo.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsGRasyHEEg
-sean
My apologies…. Too much tryptamine from theThanksgiving turkey (and single malt scotch)… With the Beatles was released 11/22/63 their 2nd UK album! What an iconic cover, though!
Sean, I suppose the original version is considered the authentic one whether it's a Beatles album or a Marvel comic. Most serious comics collectors nowadays would probably ignore Marvel UK's comics.
Charlie, I'm glad to hear you had a nice Thanksgiving! That Beatles cover is indeed iconic. I remember being in school aged about 9 and a girl in my class called Donna brought a poster of the Beatles to school - it was a poster of the WITH THE BEATLES cover but without the words.
Talking Pictures is showing 'The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires'. It was introduced by Caroline Munroe's 'Cellar Club'. So far, I've given it the benefit of the doubt.
Phillip
Every UK show, from the 60s/70s & 80s, involving a Chinese theme, has one thing in common. Namely, they include the concept of Chinese characters - often a villain - hating to "lose face". It's as if it's the only thing UK writers think they knew about Chinese culture (it probably isn't even true!) The Legend of the 7 Golden Vamps is no exception!
Phillip
The 7 vamps all have very long hair - they're like vampires wearing drag!
Phillip
Well, Van Helsing (Cushing) killed Drac, once & for all. Just as well, it being Hammer's last Drac film. The good count was played by some actor I've never seen before, at the start & the finish. (Maybe Christopher Lee was too expensive, by 1974.) In between, Drac took on the form of a Chinese minion, for most of the film. Maybe the English actor playing Drac didn't want to film on location in Hong Kong. Who knows? Anyway, you didn't miss much!
Phillip
Phillip, I've never seen 'The Legend Of The 7 Golden Vampires' but back in the '70s my friend Carl Coffey used to mention that film, which I'd never even heard of at the time, and I wondered if he was making it up as the title sounded rather silly and unlikely. It was only years later that I discovered the film really existed!
Good news for Charlie as 'It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year' by Andy Williams enters the UK singles chart at #57 but so far the only festive songs in the Top 30 are Mariah Carey at #16 and Wham! at #14 - why are those two always the most popular? Slade's and Wizzard's festive classics have yet to enter the Top 100 in their 50th anniversary year but Elton John's 'Step Into Christmas' (also from 1973) has made it.
I turned the car radio to our local “Xmas Station” this morning and heard “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” and the Jackson 5’s version of “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”. I’m sure Andy, Wham, Mariah, Nat, Eartha, Dean, Perry, Sirs Paul and Elton and all the other Usual Suspects will be along sooner than later.
Sadly, Whizzard and Slade’s Xmas singles didn’t chart on this side of the pond, so they never get played on US radio this time of the year (or ANY time of the year). Hell, I’d never even HEARD of those songs until I started hanging out with you lot.
b.t.
Gents! Today was Thanksgiving Act II at Charlie’s family. The timing was perfect! On the way down to Hooterville I heard So This is Xmas and on the way back Simply Having a Wonderful Xmas Time! Family, friends, food, and a few Beatles! Lovely!
I feel sorry for the digital / Spotify folks hearing what they want, when they want. The extra joy of the station playing your fav is something special
COLIN-Thanks for the pop chart updates! IIRC didn’t Mariah Carey try to Trademark “Queen of Xmas?” .
It goes both ways, b.t. - the radio here never plays the Residents' 'Santa Dog' at Christmas!
Phillip, you could have saved yourself the bother of watching 'Legend of the Seven Golden Vampires' and read the House of Hammer comic strip adaptation instead. Its still a rubbish story but at least it's compressed into around a dozen pages, and you get some nice Brian Lewis artwork -
https://petercushingblog.blogspot.com/2013/09/house-of-hammer-magazine-legendof-seven.html
-sean
Colin, Sean ad Phillip, I've always had a soft spot for Legend of the Seven Golden Vampires, even though it's not very good. I always find Hammer films that break from the normal style endearing.
Well, apart from On the Buses.
Philip, as far as I'm aware, a dread of losing face is a big traditional Japanese thing. I don't have a clue if the Chinese also have it. I suspect it may be Western writers conflating Japanese and Chinese culture and assuming they're both the same. Then again, I could be completely wrong.
Sean, congratulations on regaining control of your bank account.
Sean - Interesting link! Apart from Castle Dracula, those scenes look taken straight from the film. Plus, the serious artwork makes the story and characters - particularly Van Helsing's son - less unintentionally comical, in certain scenes.
Steve - According to Caroline Munroe's intro, the film was in response to Enter the Dragon's success. I don't know if combining the horror & martial arts genres, to win both audiences, is novel, in film. In comics, I suppose Chris Claremont did it a bit, with Misty & Colleen vs the Vampires. Blade does a bit of martial arts, sometimes - but maybe he's more combining horror, & 70s blaxploitation.
Phillip
UK Gents! “Tunes of Glory” worth watching? Was going to get it from the library…
Not idea, Charlie.
Phillip, House of Hammer was a curious magazine in retrospect. I suppose it was a pre-video world back then, but the short film adaptations - and related stories - do seem quaint these days. Especially as they were drawn by people who later became quite well known, like Brian Bolland, Dave Gibbons, and John Bolton.
A shame Brian Lewis passed away in the late 70s, just as he was starting to do stuff for 2000AD. Not to mention the 1978 Van der Valk annual.
-sean
Steve, On The Buses may well be the most terrifying Hammer film.
-sean
Sean - Stan & Jack referred to Blakey as "Dracula" !
Phillip
Charlie - I don't know what you are referencing.
Phillip
Its a british or Scottish movie Phillip from like 1949. Seemed to be compelling?
HELP!!! I went down a 80s music rabbit hole on FB. The guy writes, “Help! I’m playing scrabble with Midge Ure and I only have 4 letters.. O, V, N, R… but they mean nothing to me!” Charlie don’t get it.
Sean:
I loved Brian Lewis’ art in the HOUSE OF HAMMER mag, both covers and interiors. He did a few stand-alone “Van Helsing’s Terror Tales” that I thought were especially nice.
Incidentally, his cover for the June 1961 issue of SCIENCE FANTASY was probably the very first image of Elric that the public ever laid their eyes on. Doesn’t look much like the broody albino weakling we all know, more like your typical devil-may-care swashbuckler, but hey, first is First.
b.t.
You'll find the answer here in the lyrics, Charlie
https://genius.com/Ultravox-vienna-lyrics
I guess it's not as well known a song over the pond.
That joke reminds me something in the Metro from about 20 years ago when they used to have a very weird puzzle every day.
Rearrange these four letters to come up with a character from Eastenders
N E L B
Charlie - I haven't watched that film. "but they mean nothing to me" is paraphrasing 'Vienna', by Ultravox (Midge's band).
Phillip
b.t. - What a rubbish Elric picture:
https://archive.org/details/Science_Fantasy_47v16_1961-06-07
The hair looks like that of David Soul's character, Makora, on Star Trek!
Phillip
Well, it was 1961, Phillip. Not Lewis's best work (by quite a way) but as b.t. says, first is first.
I mean, to be fair, artists do build on earlier interpretations, which is probably why the best version is the most recent, the French one from Glenat. Titan have a boxed set of the four books in English out at the moment.
You can see some of the artwork here, if you're interested -
https://www.blackgate.com/2022/12/17/michael-moorcocks-emelricem-from-titan-comics/
And a bit more here -
https://downthetubes.net/titan-comics-to-re-publish-glenats-elric-series/
-sean
Sean - I don't like that cover art, at all - apart from Brunner, which was okay - the interior art, however, is better.
Surely, Michael Whelan (a good Irish surname) provided the classic rendition of Elric!
Phillip
I've been watching a bit of the CH5 Dr.Who show. Unfortunately, I thought it started at 9pm, but actually it was 8.30! Still, it seems better than the BBC's offerings.
Phillip
Me too, Phillip... and I also started half an hour in! Although admittedly I didn't actually know about it before hand, and ended up watching by accident.
What a lucky accident though - some of its hilarious. The fans, eh?
Loved the clip from some old 80s tv show where fans got to 'discuss' Dr Who with a couple of the writers. Some kid was having a right go at them, saying how bad the writing had got... and it was a young Chris Chibnall. Oh the irony.
-sean
Yes - great stuff ! Interesting about Peter Capaldi being a superfan, who was the leader of the rival to the mainstream Dr.Who fan club! Oh - you mean that ginger-haired kid, with glasses, who ended as the writer of Broadchurch!
Phillip
Sean — Re: “artists building on earlier interpretations”…
When Barry Smith illustrated the Conan /Elric crossover story in CTB 14 and 15, he derived his Elric design from Jack Gaughan’s cover art for the first two Lancer paperbacks — which Moorcock HATED :) — said the tall pointy hat reminded him of a “dunce cap”!
I actually quite like the two Gaughan Elric covers myself (but have to admit the tall pointy hat IS kinda silly looking).
b.t.
The bit about 'Doctor In Distress' was amusing, Phillip. They interviewed Ian Levine - he was one of the leading 'Northern Soul' DJs in the 70s... and made a post-Band Aid celebrity 'charity' record to save Dr Who from being cancelled. With Hans Zimmer, and er... Bucks Fizz.
Good to see he was appropriately embarassed (;
-sean
Sean, yes - and somebody from the Moody Blues was singing on it, too! Strange, I have no recollection of that song, at all (perhaps a blessing) - maybe it didn't chart!
Phillip
The Lancet 'hat' covers don't do a whole lot for me, b.t. They look like fairly standard paperback covers of the period, but without the flair of someone like Michael Whelan. (Yeah, sorry Phillip - Whelan is a really good painter, but his Elric covers feel like fairly generic fantasy art).
For all his flaws as an artist, I like Druillet's version.
And P. Craig Russell did some good stuff in his Elric comics, especially by the time he got to 'Stormbringer'.
-sean
Sean - One or two of Whelan's covers were generic barbarians - but Stormbringer's cover was surely a masterpiece:
google.com/search?q=Grafton+Books+%2B+Stormbringer&rlz=1C1TEUA_enGB467GB467&oq=Grafton+Books+%2B+Stormbringer&aqs=chrome..69i57j33i160l2.12022j0j15&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#vhid=FUrwhENEP2qY4M&vssid=l&ip=1
Phillip
'Stormbringer' was the Whelan cover I was thinking of, Phillip. Don't misunderstand, its very accomplished - I'm not knocking him as a painter at all - but its also very standard sword & sorcery.
When I was reading a lot of Michael Moorcock it was in the era of Bob Haberfield covers - in the UK anyway - which had a distinctive feel that set them aside from most fantasy novels. Him and Patrick Woodroffe, who's work was equally individual (and better).
https://activemaas.wordpress.com/2021/02/10/my-30-favorite-michael-moorcock-covers/
Although er... most of those aren't Elrics. Although that 'Sailor On The Seas Of Fate' at the end there is one of the better Whelan ones (but I prefer the more unusual Woodroffe cover).
-sean
I've been watching Top Of The Pops on BBC iplayer, the edition first broadcast on November 24th 1977 which featured ABBA's 'The Name Of The Game' at #1 and 'Mull Of Kintyre' by Wings at #5 (according to presenter David Kid Jensen "it stands a good chance of being the Christmas No.1" - little did he know that 'Mull Of Kintyre' would be #1 for 9 weeks and would become the best-selling single of the '70s in the UK). But the best part of the show had to be Legs & Co dancing to 'Egyptian Reggae' - they did a full-on Egyptian-themed dance routine which included a sarcophagus and a pantomime camel :D
A couple of days ago I watched the 1974 and 1975 Christmas episodes of Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em on iplayer and by a weird coincidence Radio 4-Extra had a documentary about Some Mothers... on Saturday afternoon but I only caught the last 15 minutes. I assume the documentary mentioned the fact that Norman Wisdom was originally offered the role of Frank Spencer but he turned it down and later regretted doing so.
When I was 10 I shoplifted a book of Patrick Woodroffe art from a remainder bookshop. It freaked me out a bit. I’m not sure if I’ve still have it in the loft.
If it’s the one with Alec Guinness in, then yes it absolutely is.
I only watched it a couple of years ago and it’s excellent.
Sean - did you see Dodgy Dez Skinn reprinted all the Hammer comic strips a few years back - in quite luxurious hardcovers that weren’t that pricey? Lovely early Bolland / Gibbons etc and Lewis strips intact.
Sean - Thanks for the link. Michael Whelan's still looks better, to me! Art's a very subjective thing, I suppose.
Matthew - After 40+ years, the statute of limitations on that Woodroffe art has probably expired! Last night, I caught up on this week's Family Guy new episodes. Lois nicked an air B&B shampoo bottle, resulting in all kinds of dark twists & turns!
Phillip
Ah, teenage delinquency and petty crime - I remember it well. And remaindered copies of books like 'Mythopoeiken', even if I did pay for mine (pro-tip: if you're gonna take the chance nick the more expensive ones!)
I was not aware of Dodgy Dez' Hammer book, Matthew, so thanks for the pointer.
Now we just need someone to sort out an anthology of licenced annual strips from the 70s/early 80s, with Brian Lewis' Van der Valk, John Bolton's New Avengers, and Alan Moore's BJ & the Bear.
Or,er... perhaps not.
-sean
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