August 1985 - Marvel UK monthlies, 40 years ago this month.

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

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August 1985 was a bad time for all lovers of electric tricycles, because the Sinclair C5 - which had been intended to revolutionise motor transport on the planet Earth - ceased production, after just seven months, with fewer than 17,000 sold.

In fairness, 17,000 in seven months sounds like quite a lot to me but I'm no expert in tricycles.

Sadly, there was far more tragic news when it came to transport, as that August was oddly stricken by air disasters. It saw Delta Air Lines Flight 191 crash near Dallas, killing 137 people, Japan Air Lines Flight 123 crash in Japan, killing 520 people - including Japanese singer Kyu Sakamoto,  55 people killed while trying to evacuate British Airtours Flight 28M at Manchester Airport, and Bar Harbor Airlines Flight 1808 crash in the United States, killing all 8 passengers including high-profile thirteen-year-old peace campaigner Samantha Smith.

On the UK singles chart, the month began with Madonna's Into the Groove at Number One before that was dislodged by I Got You Babe by UB40 and Chrissie Hynde.

While, on the associated album chart, August kicked off with Dire Straits' Brothers in Arms on top before that had to make way for Now That's What I Call Music 5.

As we can tell from that cover, the Stephen King based film Cat's Eye is going to get a reviewing.

But there's more because Tom Selleck talks about his new film Hit and Run in which he must battle out-of-control robots.

Elsewhere, Ursula K Le Guin and David Bedford talk about what seems to be an opera they've written.

I'm assuming that's not David Bedford the long-distance runner but I'm hoping it is because I'd like to see Frank Herbert write an opera with Brendan Foster.

Also, Linda Hamilton talks about Terminator, Jon Abbott takes a look back at Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea and there's a discussion on whether music videos are art or not which seems a strange topic to discuss in Starburst.

Not only that but there's a chance to win preview tickets to Ridley Scott's Legend!

Of course, I remember Starburst when it was called Opal Fruits Magazine.

This, no doubt, tumultuous issue presents us with the Captain Britain tale Childhoods End which, judging by that cover, is the one in which they make the mistake of having Meggan lose her monstrous appearance and become a hot babe.

Then, there's a four-page story called The Eye Witness, brought to us by R. Hunter and John Stokes

Then, Night Raven's involved in a case of Secret Identity.

Next, Abslom Daak occupies a tale called Farewell to Draconia.

And we finish the issue with a yarn that goes by the unlikely name of PARTS vs. Zarts, GIA, HF, the Mob, Etc, Etc, and is the creation of Dave Harper and Barry Kitson.

Can it be true?

Yes, it can!

Such is the madness of the world that we get an issue dedicated to The Mark of the Rani!

I think it's what we've all been praying for.

This means there are interviews with the serial's director, writers and designers.

And there's a full-colour poster of Kate O'Mara!

Beyond that epic adventure, we find a conclusion to the comic strip Funhouse, a story-writing competition and a selection of reader's artwork.