Fifty years ago today - September 1976.

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

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It seems that September 1976 was an exciting month for all lovers of talking frogs, amorous pigs and indeterminate crow-like creatures because it was the month in which The Muppet Show was broadcast for the very first time.

To be honest, I was never a fan of them. They were far too energetic and positive for my liking and kept bursting into song at every opportunity.

Fortunately, there was one group of characters in my life who could never be called a bunch of Muppets.

And those were the heroes of Marvel!

I genuinely have no idea what happens in this one, other than from the cover giving me the impression that a brand-new lineup of Avengers is being introduced - possibly to be selected by a mass punch-up!

Perhaps more importantly, the internet informs me that this tale contains the first appearance of Wonder Man since his death in the book's early days.

I believe this is the lead-up to the tale in which Conan, Red Sonja and Bêlit scrap it out for ownership of the dreaded Book of Skelos. Only for Kull to somehow get dragged into it all.

But that's for the future. I suspect that, right now, Conan and Bêlit get to fight each other. Presumably as a result of some sorcery or other.

I believe I've never read this epic and can, thus, voice no opinions upon it but I do know that Brother Wonderful is in it, even though I have no idea who that is.

Hooray! Torgo's back - and so are the Skrulls - as the Fantastic Four strive to find a planet for Galactus to eat instead of Counter-Earth.

And Psyklop is more than back in a tale that I suspect can only mean bad news for Jarella.

However, that is the total sum of my knowledge of this adventure.

And I know nothing at all about this one, other than it not only featuring the return of the Controller but, also, appearances by the Scrounger, the Blood Brothers, Harry Key and Michael O'Brien, which is more threats than you can shake a stick at!

The Tinkerer is back - and with a cover that clearly owes much to the front of Amazing Spider-Man #98, as we encounter the tragic demise of the Spider-Mobile.

Even more tragically, I do believe this issue claims the Tinkerer isn't an alien and that he was just pretending to be, during his first appearance.

Needless to say, this is a development of which I cannot approve.

I don't know what it is. The thunder god just can't stop getting into clashes with the goddess of death.

This time, it's down to him looking for the missing Odin in to a quest that leads him to the depths of Hel itself!

A threat on a much lower level is encountered by Daredevil when the Jester reappears.

However, not having read this one, I cannot say just what the villain's plan may be.

The GCD informs me that this issue features a letter from the Amazing Randi, claiming that Uri Geller doesn't have genuine magic powers!

And it also features a letter from Geller insisting that he does!

High controversy indeed!