September 13th, 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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Do you know where I wish I was?

I wish I was here.

Which is good news  - and an incredible coincidence - because I am here.

And you know who else wishes I was here?

Pink Floyd. 

I know that because they said so, on September 12th, 1975, when they released their new LP of a similar name which was, I'm sure, destined to sell a billion-and-onety copies.

And that sounds like a good cue for me to talk about the charts.

And more specifically, the UK singles chart.

In fact, it was a week of little change because not only was Rod Stewart's Sailing still top of the main mast on that Hit Parade, he was also king of the waves on the accompanying album rankings, thanks to his latest vibrant vinyl Atlantic Crossing.

Sailing is, of course, a beautiful song beautifully sung but there other tracks I also approved of on that week's UK singles chart. Among them were:

Moonlighting - Leo Sayer

That's the Way (I Like It) - KC and the Sunshine Band

Pandora's Box - Procol Harum

Fame - David Bowie

If You Think You Know How To Love Me - Smokie

Do It Again - Steely Dan

and

Hold Me Close - David Essex.

Should one wish to investigate the matter further, that week's British singles chart can be found here.

While its parallel album listings dwell within.

Spidey must wish he was somewhere else, as a prison riot breaks out and it's Gil Kane up-the-nose-action-a-go-go.

The good news is it all gets him on television where he can tell the nation about the plight of prisoners and the urgent need for penal reform.

In other matters, Iron Man's trapped on a Maggia casino ship and having to survive an assault by the villain they call Whiplash.

And I do suspect Thor's still having far-flung-future fisticuffs with the fiendish forces of Pluto and is unknowingly heading towards an encounter with Him that'll go on to become Adam Warlock!

Despite that cover, the Avengers do not yet face the Squadron Sinister.

Instead, they're in hospital, visiting Tony Stark after another of his famous heart attacks, when they're accosted by Kang's Growing Man who's out to abduct the helpless arms dealer.

Needless to say, our idols are not going to let that sort of thing happen.

And, so, they all get abducted by the Growing Man!

But, before we reach that story, Conan experiences the second part of The Song of Red Sonja and gets to climb a big tower containing a sinister diadem.

Dr Strange, meanwhile, manages to see off the challenge of the Lovecraftian N'Gabthoth, and it's next stop Stonehenge!

As for the blurb at the top of the front cover, I'm not sure what the Hoardes of Hell are but I can only assume they do a Hell of a lot of hoarding.

It's all high-drama in Draculaville when the lord of the vampires encounters a vampire he can't control.

That vampire being the mysterious Gorna.

I do believe Jack Russell's alter-ego is still at Mallet Studios and combating two horror actors turned vampire.

But, this time, he has the aid of his next-door neighbour!

And the Living Mummy comes under the influence of evil Elementals.

Unless I miss my guess, it's the start of that Tom Sutton drawn tale where there's a bunch of apes living on a gigantic ship. I seem to recall it with fondness though my memories of it are vague.

However, it would appear that an orangutan's killed by a gorilla, causing everything to kick off.

Following that, Captain Marvel must fight the Super-Skrull whose plans are not at all clear to me. I do believe it's in this tale that we first discover the Kree and Skrulls are ancient and bitter enemies. I predict the phrase "Uni-Ray" will feature in this tale.

And, following that, after several weeks' absence, Adam Warlock is back to team up with Counter-Earth's Dr Doom when he encounters The Day of the Death Birds!

There's something very odd about this week's cover, and a great big Steve Does Comics No-Prize goes to the first person who points out what it is.

Admittedly, I'm about to give 50% of the answer away by saying that, within this issue, the Hulk and Rhino inadvertently travel to Counter-Earth where our hero encounters the High Evolutionary's New-Men.

Elsewhere, strangely mirroring our Spider-Man tale, Daredevil breaks out of prison and goes on national TV. In his case, however, he's disguised as the Jester, in order to lure the real villain out into the open.

And the FF are still having trouble with a rampaging Thing.

I can sensationally reveal that, no matter the impression given by this cover, the Silver Surfer is not teaming up with the X-Men to fight the Sentinels and Human Torch.

In fact, it would seem the Surfer's up against the diabolical peril of the Doomsday Man.

Elsewhere, the Brothers Link find themselves by This Badge Bedevilled!

It all happens when Damian Link tries to foil a robbery but he and his twin Joshua become linked by experimental rays which cause Damian to gain super-powers whenever Joshua's energy enters his body. This all sounds suspiciously like it involves that astrological terror the world knows as Gemini.

And, of course, the X-Men are still gamely battling the Sentinels.