January 11th, 1975 - 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. 

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No one knew it at the time but footballing history was about to be made, this week in 1975.

That's because it was the week in which, having been fired by Leeds United, Brian Clough was put in charge of Second Division strugglers Nottingham Forest. Within five years of his arrival, the club would win the English title, and twice become champions of Europe.

It's a moment humanity will never forget, as Spider-Man Comics Weekly becomes the second of Marvel UK's mags to hit the hundred issue mark.

And what a way to do it.

By battling the awesome power of...

...the Kangaroo!

That's right, the Antipodean antagonist makes his debut this very week. And I don't think anyone will ever forget it.

But that's not all. Thor and Iron Man have been dumped from this special issue, and so it is we have room for the concluding part of the thriller in which the Chameleon steals a priceless painting from an art gallery and frames George Stacy for the crime.

Can the webby wonder thwart the two-faced villain?

You bet he can.

And you can read my review of this landmark issue, right here.

Shang-Chi's up to something but I don't know what.

Meanwhile, the Collector's still out to collect the Avengers.

Needless to say, his attempt is unsuccessful. But a pleasing consequence of it all is that Hank Pym finally regains his  growing powers!

And Dr Strange is about to have an encounter with none other than Satannish himself!

An exciting new chapter begins for us all, as, Marvel's adaptation of the first movie now out of the way, the company's free to unveil the adventures of Jason and Alexander featuring fabby artwork by Mike Ploog and a whole new take on the secrets and weirdnesses of the Forbidden Zone.

After that, Rod Serling recalls highlights from his career, followed by a look at the sets used in the Ape movies.

But even that's not enough for us.

And, so, the issue closes with the latest trials and tribulations of Doctor Doom, as he must combat both the Faceless One and Doomsman, for control of Latveria. This is brought to us, of course, by Larry Lieber and Wally Wood.

The Hulk's arguing with a talking fist - and that can only mean trouble.

And it can only mean the concluding part of the tale in which our hero must fight a giant stone robot activated by aliens who double up as Egyptian gods.

Needless to say, such a foe proves no match for Marvel's mightiest mortal and it soon finds itself falling to pieces.

Elsewhere, Daredevil's strip goes distinctly atypical when, upon being invited to deliver a college lecture about aliens and the law, the man without fear must thwart an alien invasion that intends to send the whole world blind.

And what's this attacking the Baxter Building?

Is it Klaw?

Yes it is and, having survived his recent encounter with the Fantastic Four and Black Panther, he's now a creature of living sound!

Neal Adams provides a memorable cover for a tale in which Dracula and someone called Lenore return to 20th Century England, pursued by our regular set of vampire hunters.

Still, not to worry, fans of fiends, because Drac has plans for their disposal.

Sadly, for him, those plans are scuppered by the arrival of a deformed son of a nobleman.

When it comes to werewolves, Jack Rusell's captured by Mark Cephalos - a man who's out to use the energy released by his werewolf transformations for, no doubt, nefarious purposes.

And, finally, this issue, Frankenstein's Monster thinks he's found the last descendant of his creator.

Then it turns out he hasn't.