Forty years ago today - August 1985.

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

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What magnificent and life-changing wonders await us in the following publications?

Schemes are both afoot and ahead, as the Enchantress' sister bewitches Thor with her magic - and then decides to turn her charms on Loki as well!

Meanwhile, on Earth, Beta Ray Bill and Sif tackle a gang of criminals whose mysterious leader is none other than Titanium Man!

Fortunately, when his gang discover he's a communist - and not a good old-fashioned all-American patriotic capitalist thief like they are - they turn on him!

And it's a living nightmare for the Fantastic Four who must contend with the awesome menace of Psycho-Man's new sidekick Malice.

Only to discover she's actually a cunningly disguised Sue Richards, out to get revenge for every slight the rest of the team have ever committed against her.

And, as you can imagine, that's quite a few slights.

Especially in Reed's case.

All those years of haughtily declaring, "Silence, Sue!" had to come back to punish him at some point.

I'm struggling to recall just what happens in this one but I do know the X-Men are growing resentful at having Magneto as their new ally; and that the Beyonder's hanging around, for reasons that aren't altogether clear.

Can it be?

Can Spider-Man be coming into conflict with the Wasp over a labour dispute?

It sort of can when he investigates a brownstone that's been firebombed and it seems a business she's a director of is to blame.

Not only that but our hero comes to blows with Paladin over it, not knowing he's the Wasp's boyfriend.

On an alien world, the Hulk and his strange little companions decide to rescue a mysterious alien woman who's being abducted by space ruffians. 

But are they right in assuming she's the innocent party?

A brand new villain called the Armadillo attacks the Avengers Mansion, in a bid to steal the body of giant-sized super-villain Goliath.

However, Cap's there to stop him.

And it turns out hes not a villain at all. He's been strong-armed into doing it by Dr Malus who's treating his sick wife and will cease that treatment if the Armadillo doesn't do what he wants him to.

Needless to say, the star-spangled sentimentalist isn't going to put up with that sort of unethical behaviour from a member of the medical profession and he marks Dr Malus' cards for him.

But, then, the Beyonder decides Captain America is so great that he's going to become him!

It's a bit of a rest and recuperation issue, with everyone feeling down about the state of the Savage Land, following Terminus' attack on it, and then heading off to watch Spider-Man beat up Firelord.

Apart from that, Captain Marvel's still in a far-flung galaxy and attempting to escape Nebula's space pirates who want her to attack a planet occupied by the Skrulls.

Daredevil takes an excursion to the city of canals to deal with the mob who robbed Heather Glenn's apartment and did it straight after she committed suicide.

Needless to say, despite various death traps, and Italian cliches, our hero is ultimately triumphant.

In a story some of us find confusing, Conan, Tetra and her father seek the other half of a treasure map held by a man called Keiv, deep in Pictish territory.

Only for them to discover the other half of that map has been carved on the chest of a man called Delmurio.

Who're the good guys in this story, who're the bad guys and who's on whose side, are all things I'd struggle to tell you.

As far as I can remember, Spider-Man spends the entire issue chasing a minor offender all around the streets of New York, with, no doubt, hilarious consequences.

That's a very generic cover by John Byrne. I'm going to assume it was drawn before anyone knew what was going to be in the issue.

Regardless, this book contains major trouble for both Shellheads.

Not only does Rhodey have to battle the Beyonder-created Thundersword, Tony Stark has a new crisis on his hands when Bethany Cabe reappears - only to be kidnapped while she's on the phone to him!

Maybe it's me but I'm convinced this is the 85th time she's been kidnapped while on the phone to him. Why they let her anywhere near phones is beyond me.