January 18th, 1975 - Marvel UK, 50years 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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We may not have been rocking all over the world, this week in 1975 but we were, at least, rocking all over our living rooms, as unstoppable three-chord wonders Status Quo hit the top spot on the UK singles chart with their latest smash Down Down. I would tell you how that song goes but, if you're at all familiar with the Quo, I'm sure you can guess exactly how it goes.

Over on the UK album chart, there was no change at the summit, with Elton John's Greatest Hits still ruling supreme over all other LPs.

I have no great objection to that Status Quo single but there are tracks in this world that I like more, and among the songs I approved of on that week's UK Hit Parade were:

Streets of London - Ralph McTell

The Bump - Kenny

Stardust - David Essex

Juke Box Jive - the Rubettes

January - Pilot

Gonna Make You a Star - David Essex

Hey Mister Christmas - Showaddywaddy

and

Angie Baby - Helen Reddy.

Should one feel the need to explore such matters in greater depth, that week's UK singles chart can be found here.

While the corresponding LP rankings may be uncovered herewithin.

When it came to TV on January 18th, the two standouts for me are that, in the morning, BBC One was showing The Flashing Blade, that French serial about the War of the Mantuan Succession. Who would have thought that, in 1975, British children would be watching a drama about the War of the Mantuan Succession? Not me. Mostly because I don't even know what that was.

And, yet, still I watched it.

And BBC Two was, late that night, beaming Frankenstein Created Woman into our homes. A film I rewatched just the other day, thanks to the miracle of digital broadcasting.

Can it be? Must the Hulk combat the Sandman after the silicate psychopath has been transformed into some sort of pointy-eared pixie fiend?

No, it can't be.

From what I can recall, nothing at all resembling the events of this cover take place in this issue.

Instead, our hero's hanging around in a desert while, back in civilisation, Jim Wilson stumbles across a plot to replace major figures in the US military with robot duplicates.

But who could be behind that plot?

And why?

Meanwhile, round the back of a university and unknown to mankind, Daredevil's busy thwarting aliens who want to conquer this planet by using their blinding ray on us all.

Little do they suspect they've managed to come up against the one opponent their weapon can't harm.

And, inside the Baxter Building, the Fantastic Four bring Klaw's assault on their HQ to a haymaking halt when Reed gets his hands on a pair of vibranium knuckledusters sent to him, post haste, by the Black Panther.

Iron Fist is back - and with a cover drawn by Jim Starlin, no less.

Before we get to see just what he and his fist are up to, we must first survive a Dr Strange drama in which the Sorcerer Supreme must tackle the Sons of Satannish who look like they're going to succeed in kidnapping the hapless Clea.

And what's this? The Avengers are about to get a new member?

Or at least they will if the Black Panther can convince the police he's not the one who's just murdered them.

That was of course, a crime committed by the Grim Reaper, out to avenge the death of his brother Wonder Man.

Iron Fist, meanwhile, brings this issue to a close by surviving an assassination attempt and then landing a job as bodyguard to Professor Lee Wing and his daughter Colleen.

The action levels ramp up for Jason and Alexander when Brutus seizes power in the village and orders all humans be killed.

It seems our heroes are going to have to flee the scene.

And quickly.

Following that, we're treated to a two-page article which takes a look at the making of the Planet of the Apes TV show.

And, with the departure of Dr Doom's strip, a brand new series begins, as The Wonder of the Watcher! smashes its way into our unsuspecting brains.

Yes, it's the one in which that selfsame character stands around telling us all just what dread series of events led to his people's vow to never again interfere in the affairs of other worlds.

A vow that, as we know, he refuses to ever break, under any circumstances.

Ever.

Those cobbles. That fog. Those medieval buildings. It can only be one place.

1970s London.

And just how is Dracula coping with such untrammelled modernity?

The same way he copes with any kind of thing. by throwing evil at it. 

In this thrilling instalment Frank Drake's introduced to the Harkers while Dracula's on the roam, hypnotising children and ordering them to attack his persecutors.

Elsewhere, Jack Russell's still being captured by Mark Cephalos who still wants to make use of the energy released by his werewolf transformations.

And Frankenstein's Monster still believes he's found the last descendant of Frankenstein.

And is still wrong about that.

I do detect that Electro's back.

And that means this must be the one in which Spidey agrees to appear on a TV chat show but it only goes and turns out it's at a studio where the voltage-packed villain just happens to be working as an electrician!

Elsewhere, evil communist Boris Bullski wants to take on Iron Man. And, so, is Titanium Man born!

Now the hero of the West must combat the hero of the East in a battle broadcast live across the world.

Even though his opponent keeps cheating with hidden weapons.

And things seem to be looking up for Thor. He's been arrested for helping the Circus of Crime get up to their usual mischief but why should he care?

After all, some mysterious stranger has posted his bail for him and he can walk straight out of that police cell.

But hold on. Who is that stranger and why does Thor feel he's met him somewhere before?

You know? That mysterious stranger who looks and acts and speaks exactly like his evil brother?