August 4th, 1976 - 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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Has there ever been life on Mars?

This week in 1976 may have given people reason to ponder, as it was the week in which NASA released its now infamous Face on Mars photo, taken during the Viking 1 mission.

Rather more terrestrially, Trinidad and Tobago became a republic with President Ellis Clarke replacing Elizabeth II as its head of state.

And, in the world of sport, reigning Formula One Champion Niki Lauda suffered serious burns in the German Grand Prix, thanks to a crash that came close to killing him.

You couldn't accuse this of not being a landmark issue. Not only are Hammer and Anvil causing trouble but we're likely to see the death of Crackajack Jackson, shortly after he teaches the Hulk to read and write!

More important than even that, I'm pretty sure this is the adventure in which the Hulk first discovers he likes baked beans.

When it comes to the Avengers; Captain Marvel and Carol Danvers are captives of the Skrulls, and Goliath, the Vision, Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver are quickly totalled by those selfsame aliens disguised as the FF.

Conan, meanwhile, escorts the supposedly dead sorcerer Zoqquanor and his companion Stefanya across lands that bring them into conflict with goblins!

But feel sympathy for the Stunt-Master who's been convinced to steal a film canister - only to discover he's been framed in an insurance scam!

Fortunately for him, Daredevil's around to help clear his name.

I do suspect this is the epic in which the Human Torch goes on the rampage in the Great Refuge, in an attempt to win back Crystal.

And, whisper it loudly but I think he may encounter a talking yeti along the way!

Elsewhere, while SHIELD investigates Hydra, Nick Fury has a perilous run-in with that organisation's homicidal Dreadnought robot - on board the Helicarrier!

In the world of politics, the Sub-Mariner confronts the diabolical Destiny who's aiming to become President of the United States. Inevitably, such arrogance and delusion leads to the villain's downfall.

The Ghost Rider discovers yet more of how Linda Littletrees became the Witch-Woman

And Captain America tracks a Nazi war criminal to the Red Skull's secret island where the crimson craniumed cornball is getting ready to activate his Fourth and deadliest Sleeper!

What a striking and memorable cover by larking Bob Larkin. Anyone who doesn't want to buy the mag after seeing that must have something wrong with them or possess an unnatural aversion to apes, skulls and demons.

And you can click here to find out if it made the legendary list of my favourite Planet of the Apes covers, way back when I blogged about that very subject.

But, hold. I detect a 9p price tag, meaning The Mighty World of Marvel is now the only Marvel UK publication that's still available for 8p.

According to the Bank of England's inflation calculator, 9p in 1976 equates to 63p in current prices, while 8p equals 56p.

All that aside, I do believe that Jason and Alexander find themselves heading towards danger when they find themselves on The Way to the Psychedrome!

But in the overall scheme of things, that's small potatoes because the Son of Satan's only gone and found his way to Hell!

From wherewithin, he manages to thwart his father and run off with his trident, his flying chariot and his horsie things. Thus concludes the Marvel exorcist's second adventure and, I suspect, his final adventure within the pages of this comic.

Next, the Man-Thing's still caught up in the plans of a dead clown who insists everyone should know his life story.

In the pages of Ka-Zar, a man called Tomas gets both angry and even when his father proclaims his brother to be the new tribal leader. Thus, he kills his brother but is, in turn, bumped off by the mate of a dinosaur he slew earlier.

And we conclude the issue with Part Two of Marvel's reprint of its own adaptation of the first Planet of the Apes movie.

Spidey's still having trouble with the Molten Man.

Although, in truth, Moltie's having far more trouble than Spider-Man is, as, if untreated, his condition will lead to his death!

Thor's still having major problems with the enigmatic Infinity who's taken possession of Odin and set him on the Thunder God!

Moon Knight continues to battle the Conquer-Lord, on a giant chessboard.

But, then, hold everything - because we have what has to be the clash of the week when Dr Strange must come face to face with none other than Dracula himself!

And it's a battle the vampire somehow wins - in a drama drawn by those masters of depicting both characters; Gene Colan and Tom Palmer!