Fifty years ago today - January 1974.

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

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And here we go. A new year has smacked us in the face. Just as it did exactly fifty years ago. So, to learn how the world's changed in that intervening period, let's discover what the Marvel comics which flaunted that cover date were getting up to and whether we can draw any valuable life lessons from them.

The Vulture's still back - and he's still out to get Mary Jane for seeing him commit a murder!

Or is he?

I could be wrong but I think this tale's the first Whodunit The Amazing Spider-Man comic has ever attempted.

If it is, it's certainly not the last. Following on from this, there seems to be a spell where Peter Parker's alter-ego can't stop acting like an adolescent Columbo.

Then again, doesn't this issue's scripter Gerry Conway go on to write the Father Dowling Mysteries for TV? If so, it might explain a lot.

It's Halloween, and the Collector's back. This time, getting involved in that Rutland parade thing Marvel creators seem so keen on.

I don't recall what the villain's plan actually is but I do know he tries to defeat the world's mightiest super-team by firing a flock of bats at them.

The Committee to Regain America's Principles, led by Quentin Harderman, decides to discredit our hero. Thus, Harderman organises a charity fight between Cap and the Tumbler, during which the Tumbler is seemingly killed by the star-spangled shield slinger.

All I can confirm about this one is Conan spies for the Turanian army, kills Shamash the Terrible, incites civil war in the city of Wan Tengri and then frees its princess. Say what you like about him but he doesn't mess about.

Putting my critic's head on, I'd say there's far too much going on on this cover. Exactly what are we supposed to be focusing on?

As for the plot, Kerwin J Broderick merges with the monster Terrex and orders San Francisco to surrender or he'll kill everyone in it.

Captain Marvel joins the battle but success hinges on whatever's going on with Angar the Screamer.

Darkoth the death demon arrives from the very bowels of hell.

Or does he?

I've never read this one but have the idea in my head that Darkoth isn't a death demon at all and has been duped into thinking he is by the evil scheming of Dr Doom.

It's another belter, as the Rhino and Abomination take over Gamma Base - and only the Hulk can stop them.

But, given their stupidity, will he actually need to?

Thor's still battling against those aliens who are armed with giant vacuum cleaners.

Not only that but those very Hoovers are threatening to destroy all before them.

However, I'm more impressed by the fact that, for the first time ever, the thunder god's not declaring himself to be doomed, on the cover of his own book.

That's Marvel sorted out. But, as we all know, it's not the only kid on the block. That in mind, let's see what its big rival is presenting in a random smattering of comics which also bear a January 1974 cover date.

It's remarkable the memories a comic can bring back to you. I recall buying this one shortly before going into Timpson's shoe shop in Sheffield's exclusive Waingate area.

Granted, that's not what you could call an exciting anecdote but, fortunately, the contents of this book are far more exciting than even that, as a monster walks Wayne Manor.

The monster turns out to be Ubu - loyal manservant of Ra's al Ghul - who's gone a bit mad and glowing.

For some reason I can't recall, he's now blundering around in Bruce Wayne's otherwise empty former residence - and it's going to take all of Batman's sleuthing skills to thwart him.

Elsewhere, in his tale, the Atom helps Zatanna look for her father in a sub-atomic world ruled by a druid.

Then, Hawkman and Hawkgirl fight three aliens looking to dislodge Earth from its orbit

Next, Alfred's killed when rescuing Batman and Robin, thus setting into motion events that will culminate with the Outsider Saga.

Then, in a strange parallel to the opening Batman tale, the Green Lantern pursues a fleeing criminal to a deserted house that's designed to seem haunted.

And, finally, Manhunter's latest mission erupts when Interpol's Christine St Clair informs her boss that Paul Kirk still lives, is a master of Ninjutsu and has rapid healing abilities. However, after she leaves, her boss burns the file...

It's drama without equal when rebels decide to assassinate America's youngest-ever president because the commie pinko's aiming to outlaw guns.

And now it's The Witching Hour's chance to achieve the 100-page treatment.

I remember getting this one from the now-demolished indoor Sheaf Market before heading into the now-demolished indoor Castle Market. I can shed no light upon whether I went into Timpsons afterwards.

In this magnificent tome, we're offered such terrifying tales as Makers of the Mist!, 'Til Death Us Do Join!, The Ever Constant Drum!, Save the Last Dance for Me!, Eternal Hour!, The Perfect Surf or How to Make Waves Without Really Trying!, The Man with the Stolen Eyes, Brush with Death!, Dream Girl, The Demon in the Mirror!, The Phantom Ship, Round Trip to the Past! and Trail of the Lucky Coin!, mostly reprinted from a variety of 1960s and 1950s sources although two or three of them do appear to be new material.

But who needs a 100-page comic when there's a massive treasury edition of House of Mystery to wrap our peepers around?

And so it is that we get The House of Gargoyles!, The Secret of the Egyptian Cat, The Widow's Walk, His Name Is... Kane, The Devil's Doorway, The Poster Plague! and Nightmare.

Again, it's a book packed with reprints.

But there's a 3D diorama to be cut out and constructed and that has to make it worth $1 of anybody's money!

But who needs untrammelled horror when we could be encountering a shiny-nosed ungulate?

Despite, the cover's boast that these are, "New Giant Adventures," the tales within are all 1950s reprints.

And, just like with The House of Mystery, there's a 3D diorama for us to dig our scissors into!

I just hope the printers don't get the dioramas mixed up and put the wrong one in each book, or that could be highly confusing for the reader.