December 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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I think we all get excited to discover what's on the Hit Parade in any December, as we home in on Christmas and that coveted Yuletide Number One spot.

If so, I think we'll all be thrilled to learn that December 1985 kicked off with Wham's I'm Your Man atop the UK singles chart. But the duo soon had to make way for Whitney Houston's Saving All My Love For You.

"That's all great," I hear you cry, "But no one came here for that. We all want to know what Britain's Christmas Number One was!"

And I can sensationally reveal it was none other than Merry Christmas Everyone by the Welsh Elvis himself Shakin' Stevens!

Sadly, things were not exactly unpredictable on the neighbouring album chart, with the month arriving with Now That's What I Call Music! 6 hogging the pinnacle before that was replaced by Now - The Christmas Album which was then replaced by Now That's What I Call Music! 6.

Should the intrigued reader wish to explore, further, the matters raised in this post, that year's UK Christmas singles chart can be found here.

While its associated album listings dwell within.

But what of Marvel UK? With the sale of Starburst to Visual Imagination, the imprint was now down to just two monthlies!

And for how much longer could they hold out?

I suspect the good Doctor's periodical can hold out for a substantial amount of time - especially as this month's offering bills itself as a Christmas Merchandise Special!

There's nothing I want more in my life than a merchandise special.

Within, we get an interview with Adric actor Matthew Waterhouse and with Doctor Who artist Andrew Skilleter, as well as the show's Production Secretary Sarah Lee.

We also find a review of Slipback. In all honesty, I have no idea what that is and, so, in the absence of any other evidence, I shall assume it's a novel.

Meanwhile, this month's comic strip is the final part of Frobisher's Tale.

I fear Captain Britain's mag may not prove to be as resilient as that of the good Doctor but only time will tell.

For now, I can tell you our hero's involved in a tale called Alarms and Excursions in which it seems he and Meggan visit ancient Peru to help Gatecrasher escape a predicament.

Next, the Black Knight has a three-page story reprinted from the days of 1979's Hulk Comic #1.

Then, Night-Raven's involved in Big Shot, also reprinted from 1979.

And, following that, he's involved in Midsummer Madness: Episode 3 which appears to be a new story.

But we finish the issue with the five-page offering Playgrounds and Parasites! Part 2 which, we'll all be delighted to know, stars the ever-popular Cherubim.