Forty years ago today - August 1986.

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

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Here we go.

There's mixed news for our battling barbarian, this month.

The possibly bad news is that the demon inhabiting the body of Tetra is out to win the heart of our hero.

The good - presumably - is that Keiv is restored to his human form, after having been in monstrous guise since the days of Conan the Barbarian #173.

Come to think of it, that was only twelve issues ago. Why does it feel like an eternity?

Hard as it may be to believe, Subby isn't the American public's favourite Avenger and, so, protests break out over his membership of the team.

Protests that Moonstone decides turn into riots!

On top of that, Subby's sued for billions by a group of insurance investors.

But isn't he supposed to be infinitely rich because all the gold, diamonds and treasure from all the shipwrecks in the world are his to claim?

It's grave news for New York City, with Spider-Man having gone missing.

That sounds like the cue for Silver Sable to step in and replace him.

But, surely, that can only lead to a clash with one of his numerous foes?

It does.

And, in this instance, that foe would be Jack O' Lantern!

Conflict hits the X-Men when they're not pleased with Wolverine for using his claws on Rachel just as she was trying to kill Selene.

Still, Rachel knows how to deal with that - because, when he gets in her way again, she throws him in front of a subway train!

When Captain America intervenes in Daredevil's battle with nut-job nationalist Nuke, America's greatest hero discovers his government's still been conducting its Super Soldier Program!

The Black Cat's not in a good mood.

She heads for Dr Strange's house to confront him over the loss of her powers.

But, first, she has to work out how to get into it, given that it's magically protected.

But there's more everyday drama to be dealt with too, as Robbie tries to come to terms with the fact that his son Randy's suddenly got a white wife!

To be honest, Robbie's never struck me as being the kind of man who'd have a problem with that.

It's bad news for greengrocers everywhere because Loki's stolen the Apples of Idunn and hidden them in the Old West!

I am assuming that means Thor's now going to visit the Old West.

And I can only assume that means he's going to be meeting up with at least one of Marvel's cowboy heroes.

Inside this thrill-packed book, when Tony Stark and Clytemnestra visit a fair, they run into Jack and Lissa Russell.

And, needless to say, things quickly head south, with Lissa becoming possessed by Morgan Le Fay, and Jack transforming into the Werewolf!

Can it be?

The end for both Bruce Banner and the Hulk?

It's starting to look that way because, physically separated from his green alter-ego, the scientist continues to weaken and his doctors announce he must again merge with the Hulk if he's to survive.

Still, with the Hulk also weakening, the Avengers finally manage to defeat the brute.

But what's this?

The Hulk may not live long enough to reintegrate with Banner, because Hercules is all set to kill his fallen opponent?

It looks like we're in for a trip on the Nostalgia Train, as the Fantastic Four are back in Central City where, unless I'm totally misremembering, is where it all began for them,

And they're there to investigate a black dome that's surrounding the town.

Apparently, Central City's in California, which is a bit odd, as I'd always assumed it to be more... ...you know... ...central.

With a bar full of villains dead - and all other minor bad guys in a panic - Cap disguises himself as Mirage, in a bid to lure Scourge into his trap.

But, just as it seems he's about to acquire the answers he seeks, a mystery character appears and kills Cap's foe!