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What was afoot upon the UK singles chart, this week in 1975?
This was afoot. The top spot was being held by the Stylistics and their song I Can't Give You Anything (But My Love) but, for the first time in several weeks, that band didn't also wear the crown on the accompanying album chart. That crown was now being worn by Roderick Stewart, thanks to his latest LP Atlantic Crossing.
Speaking of transatlantic ventures, what news was there of Marvel UK?
They'd better be Choppers. It's 1975 and I won't accept any bike that's not got impractically high handlebars, a banana-shaped seat and a gear lever that'll destroy your chances of ever having children if you brake too suddenly.
But I suspect Spider-Man doesn't care about any of that, because he's got his hands full with the return of the Green Goblin and with his flatmate's lapse into drug addiction.
And that means Peter Parker decides to take it out on Harry's drug dealer who looks strangely like Stan Lee.
Iron Man's got problems too. His amour's been turned to stone by the Grey Gargoyle, rendering him completely immobile. And, now, Tony Stark's ne'er-do-well cousin Morgan is about to deliver him into the hands of the Maggia and their assassin Whiplash.
And I do believe Thor's about to have an encounter with the forces of Pluto. One that'll lead to the thunder god's first encounter with Adam Warlock who's still going by the name of Him!
Elsewhen, Sal Buscema takes over the art chores, as the Avengers continue their seemingly hopeless battle with a now-indestructible Ultron who's now planning an attack on the United Nations!
And Shang-Chi's still having trouble with the Snowbuster in what'll be his last appearance for a while.
I can say, from personal experience, that it's never a good sign when a floating, glowing, bright red skull-head-thing appears in your life.
I can say, from personal experience, that it's never a good sign when a floating, glowing, bright red skull-head-thing appears in your life.
And so it proves not to be for our heroes, as the apes invade the mutant city, and Nova gets shot dead.
I think Captain Marvel may still be fighting the Kree Sentry at that military base that's become his adopted home.
And there are Slow Glass shenanigans underway with the Robert Shaw inspired tale Light of Other Days. A story I couldn't really understand at the age of eleven and might not be able to understand now.
What's this nonsense on the cover? I've now checked the dictionary and it tells me that, "Dracula," doesn't spell, "Death," at all. It spells, "Dracula." Imagine the fool I'd have made of myself if I'd believed them.
As for that foul fiend, I do believe he's fighting Lucas Brand who's working for Dr Sun - and Dr Sun's genius plan goes so well that his entire secret base blows up!
Then, Jack Russell's in a life-or-death scrap with his next door neighbour, allowing the villainous Ma Mayhem to kidnap his sister!
Next, the Living Mummy's getting grief from the police on the streets of New York.
And there's a brief look at the life and works of Ray Harryhausen.
My eyes detect that we've reached the epic in which the paralysed Leader takes over the mind of the Rhino, in yet another revenge bid against the Hulk.
And, despite having super-strength and a super-intellect, he still manages to lose.
Otherwhere, Benjamin J Grimm is still evil, thanks to the Machiavellian machinations of the malevolently murderous Mad Thinker and is still in chaotic conflict with his troubled teammates.
And the crisis deepens for Daredevil, as his latest punch-up with the Jester leads to the Man Without Fear being captured by the police and incarcerated under suspicion of homicide!
Look out, London, because a bunch of witches have brought the Abomination back to this world and have unleashed him upon the streets of London. There'll barely be a red phone box, post box, double-decker bus, cobblestone, bowler hat or gas lamp still standing by the time he's finished
That's assuming, of course, that the Silver Surfer can't stop him.
And the X-Men are continuing their first battle with the Sentinels.
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4 comments:
At least the gorilla on the POTA cover doesn't have shark teeth this time!
I had Rod Stewart's Atlantic Crossing on CD about 30 years ago. It has a fantastic cover which shows a gigantic cartoon Rod stepping across the Atlantic and on the back cover the British Houses of Parliament has Scotland's Saint Andrew's flag flying over them! What would the current "raise the colours" mob make of that??
Steve, I didn't understand that slow glass stuff either!
FUN FACT: One of the tracks on Atlantic Crossing is I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT which reached #1 when it was released in 1977 but it was only released at all because Rod Stewart discovered it was popular with his fans so he thought it could be a possible hit single.
Here's a weird fact I discovered the other day....
Britain's first exhibition of surrealism was held on June 11th 1936 - the same day that Robert E Howard shot himself!
Just fetching me coat...
Steve, I’m pleased to report that this week 50 years ago, there was a new #1 on the Hot 100, “Get Down Tonight” by KC and the Sunshine Band. “Sky High” by Jigsaw debuted on the chart at #88.
According to the GCD, Alan Kupperberg and Frank Giacoia drew that bizarre POTA cover with the glowy floating red skull. Unlike Ron Wilson, Alan K. seems to have at least seen one of the “Apes” movies — the gorilla’s uniforms and facial features are kinda/sorta “on model”. I’m not saying that makes it a “good” cover….
b.t.
Were Hulk’s fist to collide with Rhino’s unprotected face does anyone have a doubt his head would explode? CH
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