Forty years ago today - October 1986.

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

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Let us see what is underway in a world in which all disputes can be settled via the medium of fisticuffs.

I know little of the contents of this one but I do know that Christopher Priest, John Buscema and Ernie Chan give us a story titled Resurrection.

One that manages to cram in the Council of the Seven, the Legion of Assassins and the Devourer of Souls.

It's a miracle Marvel didn't decide to make us pay double for all that lot.

As that cover makes clear, the Living Laser's back.

And now he's a creature of living energy!

And he blames Iron Man for it!

It's another issue I have little knowledge of.

However, I do know that's quite a boring cover.

I also know the tale inside is called Welcome to the Future! and sees our heroes restore Central City!

It all kicks off underwater when the Avengers and Alpha Flight join forces to attack Atlantis, in a bid to rescue Marrina from the clutches of Attuma!

Cap's not a happy man.

But then why should he be? He still feels bad about having killed a member of Ultimatum.

And there's also bad news for Flag-Smasher. Which is that Cap's decided to bring him in.

The good news for the un-American activities committer is the hero wants to bring him in alive.

Thinking about it, isn't it quite difficult to smash a flag? Wouldn't it make more sense to try to shred or burn it?

Trying to outdo the Fantastic Four in the boring covers stakes is this month's X-Men whose interior pages see the Marauders begin their Mutant Massacre.

While all this is going on, Malice possesses Dazzler, Nightcrawler's attacked by an angry mob and Magneto's offered membership of the Hellfire Club's Inner Circle.

Thor and Judge Dredd Justice Peace try to save Jane Foster and the world by stopping Zaniac.

Rather more sedately, this issue sees Volstagg adopt two orphaned boys.

Plus, for people who like that kind of thing, there's even an appearance by Jack the Ripper - although only in flashback.

Sabretooth is gunning for revenge against Spider-Man for his last battering at the wall-crawler's hands.

However, it may all be about to go wrong for him because he's unaware that he's being stalked by the all-improved Black Cat.

What's this?

The Sandman?

Helping Spider-Man?

It's true. The granular grapplemonger assists the hero and Silver Sable in their struggle with the Sinister Syndicate.

But elsewhere, assuming him to be the Hobgoblin, Jack O' Lantern tries to bust Flash Thompson out of prison.

But the real Hobgoblin shows up and the inevitable fight breaks out!

A monochrome new era begins in the life of Marvel's best-selling monster when Bruce Banner's accidentally knocked into a nutrient bath and emerges from it as the Hulk.

But restored to his original grey colour!

What a clueless klutz the Man Without Fear is, as he accidentally prevents Mr Hyde from taking a formula designed to permanently transform him back into Calvin Zabo!

I suspect Daredevil will live to regret such an act.

And, probably, the Cobra will too.