Sunday, 3 May 2026

Fifty years ago today - May 1976.

Thanks to Charlie Horse 47 and Killdumpster for their sponsorship of this post, via the magic of Patreon
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A new month has begun and an appropriate post is born.

Avengers #147

The Vision, getting a bit defeatist there.

Also, he seems to be calling Captain America, "My love."

It seems a new era has begun in the life of everyone's favourite android.

But, then again, perhaps he's right to be alarmed.

After all, he and his gang have found themselves on the Squadron Supreme's world. The one that seems to be in a state of permanent existential crisis.

And the Serpent Crown seems to be involved!

Conan the Barbarian #62

Conan seems to have taken to riding around on a giant pig, which is an unlikely new look for him.

As for Dagon, I first heard of him in an HP Lovecraft tale whose title currently eludes me. I seem to recall it involving fish people and a mysterious island.

Come to think of it, that tale may have been called Dagon.

Then again, it might not have been.

Daredevil #133, Think Tank

I'm not sure I have total faith in a story guest-starring Uri Geller to be a literary masterpiece.

I'm also not sure the phrase, "Think Tank," strikes terror into my heart.

I do, however, like it when we get to see multiple Daredevils in one shot, in order to signify movement.

As regards plot, it seems the man without fear and the man without usable cutlery unite to take on the deadly scheme of Mind-Wave.

If Mind-Wave's plans depend on having straight spoons, he's in serious trouble.

Fantastic Four #170

All I know about this one is what's on the cover.

From it, I'm assuming Ben Grimm's now been given his Thing-like exoskeleton, so he can resume his crime-fighting career.

Incredible Hulk #199, Doc Samson

Doc Samson helps Clay Quartermain and Thunderbolt Ross capture the Hulk in an adventure I assume to be setting things up for the tale in which the sock-it-to-'em psychiatrist does some rummaging around in the Hulk's subconscious.

Iron Man #86

I've no knowledge at all of this one but am - based on no evidence but his powers - going to assume Blizzard is the early Iron Man villain formerly known as Jack Frost.

Amazing Spider-Man #156

It's the Wedding of the Year, as a not-overly memorable villain makes his debut and tries to rob all the guests at Betty and Ned's big bash.

I don't like to sit in judgement but I can't help feeling that, when you can be defeated by a chandelier falling on you, you're probably not a top-drawer wrong-doer.

Then again, at least you're not a villain who can be defeated by a big fan.

Thor #247

I've no information as to what happens in this one. Therefore, I'm going to assume Thor and Firelord are in one of those mythical South/Central American countries that Marvel is so fond of.

No doubt, this means some low-down dictator's going to get a good slapping and a quick overthrow.

Captain America and the Falcon #197

Jack Kirby again portraying Captain America on the brink of total hysteria.

As for what happens inside, Cap and the Falcon are victorious in the Elite's skateboarding contest from Hell but, holy smoke, the duo's refusal to accept the winners' pot of gold prompts the spectators to attack them!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

That FF story's one I recall getting, in 'The Complete Fantastic Four'. An early(ish) George Perez fest, this month (FF & Avengers.) Perez got even better, during Conway/Shooter's run. Around this time, the Vision beat Hyperion, more easily even than Thor (which seemed daft, Englehart's Thor's power exceeding all the other Avengers combined! ) Steve - the Blizzard (resembling Jack Frost) popped up again in the Michelinie era!

Phillip

Anonymous said...

I bought every single one of these back in the day, but I might as well not have, considering how little I remember about them. Even the Kirby CAPTAIN AMERICA is hazy.

AVENGERS 147: is Nelson Rockefeller President of the US in the Squadron Supreme’s world? I have an image of him putting the Serpent Crown on his head stuck in my brain.

McSCOTTY said...

I only had the Cap America and Falcon comic of the above list ( although I recently picked up Conan # 62 in a charity shop. I've never liked ole "spoon bender " Geller ever since he said he used his powers to "moved," the ball when Scotland had a penalty against England in the Euro finals in 1996. Yeah he seriously said he did that and felt so guilty that he bought an uninhabited island (Lamb Island) to apologise and "give back" to us as an apology for this act of evil