The Marvel Lucky Bag - January 1972.

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

***

January 1972!

Where would Oasis have been without it?

Without one of their biggest hits. That's where.

It's true. The month kicked off with the New Seekers' I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing hogging the top of the UK singles chart.

Oasis were, of course, famously, sued for stealing that song's tune for their single Shakermaker.

However, mighty as they were, even the New Seekers couldn't own the top spot forever and, as January came to an end, they had to make way for T. Rex's Telegram Sam.

Come to think of it, didn't Oasis once borrow the riff from Telegram Sam, as well?

Over on the British album chart, there was also good news for Marc Bolan's band, as the month began with their Electric Warrior LP ruling the roost.

Admittedly, a couple of weeks later, it lost that crown to George Harrison and Friends' Concert for Bangladesh, before once more reclaiming the throne, as January faded.

The world's mightiest super-team's handed its fifth annual.

And does so with the help of Spider-Man.

Two tales are contained within, reprinted from Avengers #8 and #11.

In the first, Kang shows up and demands to be made ruler of Earth. The Avengers also show up but need the Wasp and Teen Brigade to delay him until they can put an end to his evil plans.

In the second, Kang creates a robotic Spider-Man and sends him back in time to battle the gang.

Who wouldn't want to own this one, as Cap comes up against the latest of the Red Skull's interminable parade of buried robots?

This time, it's the one that's made up of separate machines that combine to create a flying bomber with a big metal head sat on top of it.

We also get a Not Brand Echh tale called The Revengers Vs. Charlie America.

Spider-Man's busy this month. Not only is he guesting in the Avengers' latest annual, he's also co-starring in Daredevil's.

That can only mean the duo must put aside their conflicts, to unite against the insufferable menace of the Masked Marauder. Otherwise known as Foggy Nelson's landlord.

There's plenty of Hulk action in this one.

Which is a good thing, as it's a Hulk annual.

The Leader's dead and our hero's zapped into the future. There, he fights King Arrkam's forces before Arrkam convinces him to, instead, fight the Executioner.

But what's this? Back in our own time, thinking the Hulk dead, Rick Jones tells Glenn Talbot he was actually Bruce Banner?

Oh, Rick, you wally.

After all that drama, Marvel clearly feels we need something a little lighter, because we're then handed a Not Brand Echh reprint that goes by the name of The Ever-lovin' Thung vs. The Inedible Bulk!

Hooray! I had this one when I was a youth!

As far as I can recall, Subby's gone in search of his dad but he's not the only one on such a mission.

For Llyra and Tiger Shark have now found the missing man and have abducted him.

As if that wasn't enough for The Avenging Son to deal with, he also has to contend with the Human Torch's interference.

And I owned this one too!

Subby battles to save Lady Dorma from the Faceless Ones before returning to Atlantis to battle Warlord Krang who's, once again, seized the throne.

Not to be left out when it comes to all this annual action, Chamber of Darkness gets its one and only special.

And I don't think anyone'll be amazed to discover it consists entirely of reprints. 

All of which come from issues #1 and #2 of the regular monthly.

Thus it is we get It's Only Magic!, Mr. Craven Buys His Scream House!, Always Leave 'Em Laughing!, The Face of Fear! and The Day of the Red Death! as produced by the hearts and minds of Stan Lee, John Buscema, Dennis O'Neil, Tom Sutton, Gary Friedrich, Archie Goodwin, Syd Shores, Roy Thomas and Don Heck.

Fifty years ago today - January 1972.

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

***

There are times in this life when things just don't seem to add up.

And January 1972 wasn't one of them.

You guessed it. It was the month which saw the introduction of the first scientific hand-held calculator - the HP-35 - which could be yours for a knockdown price of just $395.

"$395," you say? I'll take ten of them!

But that wasn't the only high-tech event going on at the time, because January also saw American President Richard Nixon order the development of a Space Shuttle.

Also jumping aboard the technology bandwagon was President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto who announced Pakistan would immediately begin a nuclear weapons programme.

With all that going on, it must have seemed like everything was so modern in 1972.

But no it wasn't. One man was stuck firmly in the past.

He was Japanese soldier Shoichi Yokoi who turned up in Guam, still fighting World War II, having spent 28 years in a jungle, failing to notice the fighting was over.

Spider-Man's still reenacting the plot of King Kong, as he and  Ka-Zar must tangle with Kraven the Hunter and Gog the giant space monster.

The Fantastic Four find themselves up against not only Diablo but, also, their former team-mate Crystal who's been hypnotised into thinking she's an Aztec goddess.

On top of that, in the back-up strip, the Thing gets to visit another version of Earth, where he finds revoltin' developments haven't gone quite the same way there as they have here.

The Kree/Skrull War rumbles on, as Neal Adams and Roy Thomas drag the Inhumans into it.

I think this is the one where we get to see how Maximus first went mad.

And I do believe Rick Jones gets kidnapped by the Kree, proving there is at least someone who wants him.

It doesn't look like good news for Cap.

And it looks like even worse news for Sharon Carter.

As far as I can make out, this issue, Hydra attacks a plane containing both Captain America and the Femme Force, which seems like the kind of plan you quickly find yourself regretting.

Issue #13, and it's unlucky for some, as the Cimmerian Clobberer must confront a Spider-God.

Daredevil captures the Black Widow who's suspected of killing the Scorpion.

But, when our hero tries to examine the Scorpion's body, he's attacked by Mr. Hyde who blows the place up, destroying vital evidence and ensuring the Widow goes free.

The Hulk thwarts the Leader's plot to replace America's leaders with robots.

But, perhaps more memorably, I do believe this is the issue whose second tale has our hero blunder into a town that's just a mirage. One that proves a Hulk story can be great without him doing any smashing.

This one sees the first-ever appearance of the Night Phantom - and the first-ever appearance of Mr Kline.

That's all I know about it.

My razor-sharp senses tell me Thor's about to launch into an epic quest to find the Well at the Edge of the World.

In other news, Mangog is back - and causing trouble for Loki.

That's Marvel out of the way but what about its Distinguished Competition? Let's take a fairly random look at what it's been up to while all this has been going on.

I've no idea what happens in this book but that's a dramatic cover by Neal Adams. So, I've included it.

It's big news in the world of Green Lanterns everywhere, as John Stewart makes his debut in the role.

Hal Jordan's training him as back-up but John has his own ideas on how to do the job and, when an attempt's made on the life of a racist politician, he quickly concludes the attack was faked as part of a plot to get the man elected president.

That's a quite atypical cover from Nick Cardy.

This month, we get tales that bear such mighty titles as Creature..., And Things That Go Bump in the Night!, The Last Sorcerer, The Phantom of the Flames!, and The Bride of Death.

This feature continues to give far too much space to DC's romance comics purely on the grounds that I like their covers.

And, so, here we are with Girls' Love Stories #165.

In our first offering, overweight Julie lacks self-confidence. With the help of Earl, she manages to shed the pounds. However, when she starts to gain attention from other boys, she decides to get back at the people who've previously shunned her.

In our second tale, Tina's so shy she can't talk to boys. Thus, she thinks she'll be alone forever - until she meets a boy who's as shy as she is.

In our third tale, Marcy's keen to join an exclusive high school club. But, to pass the initiation, she must date a handsome senior - and then dump him.

And, finally, Arlene's happy with David but she's tempted to stray when she remeets Nicky, years after he and she broke up.

And it's even more romance for us.

I really can't be bothered to go through the plot summaries for this one. So, I'll merely say that, this month, we get stories with the following titles: Stranger in My Arms!, The Perfect Gift, I Was a Cheat!, Glamor Girl and I Don't Love You Anymore.

It all sounds guaranteed to send any woman weak at the knees.

And, now, we get Don't Make Me Over!, How to Get a Man!, Love Potion, Winter of Love and Man on My Mind!

We also get a one-page feature titled Important Announcement from Lynn Farrell.

I don't have a clue who Lynn Farrell is but it certainly sounds like something we all need to read, right now!

December 30th 1981 - Marvel UK, 40 years ago this week.

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

***

This week in 1981 was quiet in the fields of current affairs, music and television. Therefore, I shall plunge straight into my look at what Marvel UK was doing at the time.

It's a thrill on every page, this issue!

At least, I think it is, as I've not been able to discover what happens in it, other than it guest stars the Invisible Girl.

From this, I'm assuming it's another Marvel Team-Up tale.

I note that Marvel Team-Up #88 contains a story - featuring the villains Spencer Jarret, Jomo, Daisy, Morgan and the Maggia - that guest-stars the Invisible Girl.

I shall, therefore, assume it's the adventure we're getting here.

However, the plot details are a mystery to me.

Meanwhile, there's good news for all cowards because, this issue, we can win a pair of running shoes.

If I'm vague about the contents of this week's Spider-Man book, it's nothing compared to my cluelessness about the activities of Captain America.

But it does look obvious we're getting the Thor tale in which the prediction of Ragnarok seems to be coming true!

Because of this, the new Thor's convinced by Sif to team up with the real one to protect Asgard.

And readers will not be surprised to discover the neophyte Norseman pays for it with his life.

Let that be a valuable lesson to us all.

As if that's not enough, there's a full-colour poster for us, as well.

Speak Your Brain! Part XVIII. When the Christmas songs stop.

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

***

Image by Tumisu
from Pixabay

The year is fast approaching its end but this post hasn't even begun.

And that's because it can't.

For it has no subject matter.

And that's where you The Reader come in.

For, verily, 'tis the return of the feature that's set the internet alight. It's the one where the first person to comment gets to decide what we get to talk about.

It could cover virtually any subject: sport, art, films, books, music, mucous, fairy tales, fairy lights, fairy cakes, myth, moths, magic, murder, mystery, mayhem, sofas, sausages, eggs, whisky, broth, Garth Marenghi, Garth Brooks, Bruno Brookes, Bruno Mars, Mars Bars, wine bars, flip-flops, flim-flam, flapjacks, see-saws, flowers, flours, bread bins, bin bags, body bags, bean bags, cola, pancakes, pizzas, sci-fi, Wi-Fi, Hi-Fi, horror, sewage, saunas, suet, Silurians, Sontarans, sins, suns or sandcastles.

Only you can decide.

The 1982 UK Marvel annuals for 1981.

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

***

Ho ho ho, little children! Santa Steve's smashed his way out of your fireplace and he's about to fling a whole heap of annuals at the foot of your Christmas tree!

But, first, he needs to find out what's on TV, today, December the 25th of December, 1981.

In all honesty, there's nothing that could be called outstanding. It's the usual mix of sitcoms, family entertainment, and much-loved presenters who'll later turn out to be psychopaths, sociopaths and malignant narcissists.

However, should you wish to investigate the topic further, this is the 1981 Christmas Day schedule for BBC One.

This is the accompanying schedule for BBC Two.

And, for the ITV Christmas schedules, you can click right here.

This seems a familiar sight. Mostly because I've already covered it in a long-ago post.

It seems that, despite being labelled a Collector's Edition, Marvel UK is marketing it as an annual.

It features the whole of Jim Steranko's run on the Captain America strip, as Cap gets nagged into hiring Rick Jones as the new Bucky. An experience Cap enjoys so much, the saga culminates in him deciding to fake his own death.

In between those two events, of course, there's an epoch-making battle to be had with the forces of Hydra and their whip-wielding female boss who'll wear any colour, so long as it's green.

Meanwhile, the above book's sibling gives us a whole heap of Neal Adams goodness.

In its first tale, the titanic teens must deal with the Living Pharaoh becoming the Living Monolith.

Then they must needs stop the Sentinels from merrily rounding up the world's mutants and bumping them all off.

It's clearly not going to be a merry Christmas for that particular super-team.

There's no controversy over whether this one's an annual or not. It even says it is on the Paul Neary drawn cover.

The book's dominated by The Wings of the Vulture! in which Blackie Drago takes over from Adrian Toomes as the Vulture and decides to prove himself by beating-up Spider-Man.

And, just to make matters worse, Kraven the Hunter shows up, as well.

We also get a ten-page text story called The Electric Sting. I don't know anything about it but, given its title, I'm going to assume the villain of the piece is either Electro or the Scorpion.

Despite no longer having a weekly comic, the Hulk gets his own annual - and it sees him join forces with the mighty Mogol, as the pair assist Tyrannus in his struggle with the Mole Man.

It's all going swimmingly until the Hulk discovers his new friend's a robot and decides to murder him.

After that, we get a five-page text story called A Hostage for the Hulk.

Next up, the Leader resurrects the Glob and sends him off to pick a fight with our hero.

That's followed by another five-page text story, this time called Caged.

And, finally, Jade Jaws must tangle with Warlord Kaa the living shadow in a tale reprinted from Incredible Hulk #184.

But it's not only Marvel's comic book heroes who get special treatment this year. So do its stars of stage and screen.

And so it is that we get the book we've all been dreaming of, in The Worzel Gummidge Annual.

I could tell you what happens in it but I really can't be bothered.

Plus, I don't actually know what happens in it.

Probably, Galactus shows up and Worzel has to become his herald.

Star The Empire Strikes Back Wars gets its second annual and does so with an Archie Goodwin, Al Williamson, Tom Palmer and Walt Simonson tale called The Crimson Forever which is followed by a Chewbacca-centered adventure called Rage in the Red Nebula.

Holy shaken-and-not-stirred, Batman! Even James Bond is granted a Marvel hardback!

And I'm going to make an inspired guess that it adapts that classic film For Your 007 Eyes Only.

It also gives us a feature on the many foes of James Bond, and one about the stunts that have made his films the legends they are.

It's not an obvious publication to be granted an annual but so annual-happy is Marvel UK, right now, that we get one anyway.

In its 64 pages, Starburst supplies us with features about Saturday morning movie serials, famous robots, famous aliens, famous spaceships, fantasy females and famous monsters.

And, yes, it does feature Caroline Munro, because Starburst always features Caroline Munro.

And, just to make sure Indiana Jones doesn't feel overshadowed by James Bond, he too gets his own book, which I have it on good authority adapts the movie of the same name.

So, with all that wrapped up, all that's left is for me to wish you a happy Christmas and that all your wishes come true.

Especially if you're wishing that I was a billionaire.

Merry Christmas to you all. :)

December 23rd 1981 - Marvel UK, 40 years ago this week.

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

***

It was a surprisingly quiet build-up to Christmas, forty years ago this week and, thus, the only news I have to impart is it was the week in which the Human League's Don't You Want Me? was confirmed as that year's Christmas Number One, to the surprise of no one who reads this blog, as I must have mentioned it on at least ten previous occasions.

ABBA, meanwhile, still topped the British album chart, with The Visitors.

So, in the absence of any other news, what was Marvel UK dishing up when it came to weeklies?

Not a lot, as the company gives us just two books.

In a shocking development, Captain America celebrates Christmas by making the front of his own comic.

And, in fairness to him, he does it appropriately, by having a snowbound adventure.

If I remember rightly, this is the one in which he single-handedly lays siege to a castle, on top of a mountain, in which a young girl's being held captive, and things get more and more surreal as it goes along.

Tragically, I can say nothing of the latest adventures of Thor and Daredevil but it does seem we get a free Christmas poster this week.

By the looks of it, we're in for an epic encounter because, according to the cover, this issue features Spider-Man vs the Black Panther.

Come to think of it, off the top of my head, I don't recall ever reading a story in which Spidey meets Panthey.

I can only assume it's a Marvel Team-Up reprint. No doubt, the pair of them have to slug it out for a few pages before realising they're fighting the wrong man and then uniting to tackle their true foe who's probably Klaw because it always is when T'Challa's around.

As with Captain America's book, we get a free poster.

I wouldn't get excited, though, as it's just a still from the TV show and isn't even an action shot. And, despite the claim that it's a Christmas poster, there's nothing remotely Christmassy about it.

More excitingly, this issue, grants us the chance to win five Raiders of the Lost Ark annuals.

Speak Your Brain! Part XVII. Why are we here? Why???

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

***

Image by Tumisu
from Pixabay

Wait!

What's that?

Upon the roof of my house?

It can only be the sound of Noddy Holder's reindeer. And I've already left mince pies out for Roy Wood - and for Cliff, his little helper.

It's true. The most magical time of the year shall soon be upon us.

But it is not yet that date.

Thus it is that today's topic of conversation could be about Christmas or it could be about anything.

That anything might be sport, art, films, books, music, fairy tales, fairy lights, fairy cakes, myth, moths, magic, murder, mystery, mayhem, sofas, sausages, eggs, whisky, broth, Garth Marenghi, Garth Brooks, Bruno Brookes, Bruno Mars, Mars Bars, flip-flops, flim-flam, see-saws, flowers, flours, bread bins, bin bags, body bags, bean bags, cola, pancakes, pizzas, sci-fi, Wi-Fi, Hi-Fi, horror, sewage, saunas, suet, Silurians, Sontarans, sins or sandcastles.

It can only mean one thing.

That it's time, once more, for the return of the internet's most talked-about feature.

The one in which I invite you the reader to decide upon the subject of the day.

Feel free to do so.

In the comments section below.