The Marvel Lucky Bag - February 1974.

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

***

Do you love wearing terrible outfits that make your friends curl up with embarrassment?

If so, you were in paradise in February 1974. 

It was, after all, the month in which the world first met the sartorial sensation that is Zardoz.

And it wasn't the only memorable flick to grace our screens, that February.

We also found our first chance to see Blazing Saddles and Amicus' portmanteau horror From Beyond the Grave.

Granted, I'm struggling to remember just which one that latter movie was, as, for me, all Amicus portmanteaus tend to blur into one.

Adventure Into Fear gains a brand new star, as Morbius the living vampire gets his very own strip.

I can reveal little of what happens in this tale but I do know it's brought to us by Mike Friedrich and Paul Gulacy and that it features plenty of flashbacks.

But Morby isn't alone. We're also supplied with a reprint called Midnight in the Wax Museum! which sprang from the minds of Jack Oleck and Richard Doxsee.

It's bad news for Charlie 47 because Luke Cage: Hero for Hire is no more!

Instead, he's now Luke Cage: Power Man! 

Of course, that might not prove such good news for a certain super-villain who already has that name but I'm sure that's a problem which can be dealt with in a future issue.

As for what's dealt with in this issue, that is a matter I can shed no light upon.

I'm including this one purely because the front cover's painted by John Romita and it's not every day you get to see Conan painted by the Jazzy one.

Inside, there's The Lurker From the Catacombs which, as I'm sure you already know, is Part 2 of Thomas and Smith's legendary retelling of Red Nails. It's the section in which Conan and Valeria get themselves hired to defend Olmec's half of the citadel from the other half of the citadel.

We're also granted the spectacle of The Crimson Bell, The Fury of the Femizons and three pages of Margaret Brundage's Weird Tales illustrations for Red Nails.

But what is this madness? We then get Part 3 of Thomas and Smith's adaptation of the tale, in which evil's defeated, queens are slaughtered and Conan and Valeria set off to find new treasures to steal.

It does seem strange that Marvel would use up the final two parts in one sitting, rather than saving the conclusion for the next issue.

It's another Englehart/Starlin classic, as, sent by Fu Manchu to kill our hero, Midnight makes his debut and his departure all in one tale, thanks to a battle on a construction site. 

Frankly, anyone who doesn't love this issue doesn't love fights in construction sites. I would even start to suspect they probably don't even like fights in car parks.

Someone at Marvel clearly has faith in the selling power of Morbius, because, not content with dominating Adventure Into Fear, he also bags a starring role in Vampire Tales.

Or does he?

Despite him bossing the front cover, this issue's lead story's actually The Kiss of Death starring Satana, in which a preacher ungallantly tries to have our anti-heroine killed.

We also encounter such tales as The Collection, Don't Try to Outsmart the Devil!, Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Satana, Bat's Belfry and - at last - we get to Morbius' tale, a thing called Demon Fire!

It's brought to us by Don McGregor, Rich Buckler and Klaus Janson but, tragically, I can shed no light upon what actually happens in it.

It's a comic only a fool wouldn't want, as Marvel's premier sci-fi mag produces its adaptation of A E van Vogt's The Black Destroyer in which an alien gets aboard a spaceship and proceeds to bump off the crew, one by one. I can't help feeling that plot seems familiar from somewhere...

But we don't only get that. There's also They Wait in the Shadows! A tale reprinted from 1956's Journey into Unknown Worlds #47.

Now the world's greatest non-team are in trouble. That's thanks to the return of Xemnu the Titan who's inconveniently taken over a small town!

On the plus side, this would appear to be the issue in which Valkyrie first acquires her sword Dragonfang.

Fifty years ago today - February 1974.

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

***

Follow me, Reader, as I roll up my trouser legs and paddle in the shallows of history.

Everyone's favourite psychotic gunman makes his debut, as the Jackal convinces the Punisher to try and kill everyone's favourite wall-crawler.

Believing Spidey killed both Gwen Stacy and Norman Osborn, the vengeance-happy vigilante's only too willing to oblige.

Zodiac are back - and giving the Avengers far more trouble than they should be.

I do believe this is the one in which the villains have a gun designed to kill anyone of a certain star sign. Though how it knows people's star signs is anyone's guess.

Regardless, thanks to New York's polluted skies, it has to be set up on the roof of a skyscraper where everyone, including the Avengers, can see it.

And that can only lead to a scrap.

Is there any hope for our hero?

It would appear not, as he's accused of murdering the Tumbler and is then stopped by Moonstone, the real killer who's out to discredit America's idol.

I do believe Leila's also in sensational solo action, this month.

When I say, "action," I, of course, mean getting kidnapped and having to be rescued.

I know nothing of the contents of this one, other than that it takes place to the west of Khitai. So, would that be Japan?

My memories of this are vague. I'm going to guess Darkoth the death demon is in it. And, possibly, the Silver Surfer. But don't quote me on any of that.

I am, however, sure Dr Doom's in it.

Now the Hulkbuster Base is in trouble - because it has not one but two powerhouses to contend with!

It's true! The Hulk and Juggernaut have teamed up - and nothing can stop them!

Nothing, that is, except Professor X who shows up at the right time to thwart his ever-malevolent stepbrother.

I've never read this one but I really don't fancy Iron Man's chances.

Thor and his mates face overwhelming odds when it comes to thwarting the gigantic Masters of the Black Stars.

But are things as they seem?

And are the planets they rule as full of vitality as one might think?

I do believe there are just eight issues to go before the New X-Men make their debut!

But who needs that sort of rubbish when quality villains like the Blob and Vanisher are back?

Not only that but, rather oddly, there's a backup strip which has nothing to do with the X-Men at all and is, instead, a thriller called The Spirit of Swami River, as brought to us by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko.

That's Marvel's output looked at but we should never forget that, when it comes to comics, there are other fish in the sea.

And few fish come bigger than DC. Therefore, let us sample a random snatch of what that company was offering in its books which bore the cover date of February.

A moment that shall never be forgotten, for as long as humanity might survive, has reached us, as Jim Aparo and Michael Fleisher revive the company's very own dead detective when the Spectre returns from wherever he's been, to wreak havoc upon the criminals of the world.

if I remember correctly, in this tale, he melts one villain and reduces another to a skeleton. Is it any wonder I loved this strip, as a lad?

But that's not all we get. After all, we're also provided with a backup tale which asks the ever-pertinent question, "Is a Snerl Human?"

If there's anything I've never been able to say no to it's 100 pages of Batman action.

Therefore, I'm going to say nothing but yes as we get the senses-shattering return of Man-Bat in the first story I ever read that features him.

It all happens when a spate of robberies spurs the mixed-up scientist to abandon retirement and tackle the miscreants.

Following that tale, Batman and Robin must track down The Witch, a mysterious figure to blame for the murder of Erik Dorne and the theft of his manuscript.

Then, a private detective attempts to join the prestigious Bullet Hole Club - even if he has to get himself shot to do it.

After that, a new villain announces his presence by stealing the Batmobile, Bat-a-Rang and Bat-Boat. But why would anyone do such a thing?

Next, Luke Graham needs Robin to help prove his paper about the Chinese iron industry wasn't plagiarised.

Now, in an imaginary tale by Alfred, the second Batman and Robin must battle the Son of the Joker.

And, finally, a veteran of Gotham City Police Department has his day made when the caped crusader suggests he be put in charge of the Bat-Signal.

It's a vital issue for all true lovers of DC comics, as we're treated to the awesome origin of the Legion of Super-Heroes.

I don't remember too much about it but, apparently, three super-youths rescue billionaire R J Brande who promptly bankrolls them in the formation of a brand new crime-fighting team the universe will never see the likes of again.

I have even less recall of the origin of Blackhawk and, to be honest, I don't even have that much recall of the character himself.

However, if the Grand Comics Database is to be believed, it all takes place in Poland and involves Nazis.

Superboy's mag hits its 200th issue. And does so in style, as the now powerless Bouncing Boy and the distinctly under-powered Duo Damsel decide to marry.

But, before you can even utter the words, "Holy gatecrashers!" that foul fiend Starfinger appears and abducts her! 

If I remember right, it was a dispute about ownership of a splash page in this issue which led to Dave Cockrum quitting the strip and defecting to The X-Men.

Superman gets the 100 pages that such a legend deserves - and does so with a special that carries a theme of magic.

In our first tale, unalloyed annoyance erupts when Mr Mxyztplk returns. I think we can all guess just how the man of steel dispatches that particular nuisance.

Next, Supes and Jimmy Olsen must contend with The Demons from Pandora's Box!

After that, our hero attends The Magicians' Convention! where he must get to the heart of a prestidigitational crime.

Following that, we're presented with The Other Side of the World! in which Zatanna and the Green Lantern venture to the land of Ys where a warlock may hold the key to Zatara's fate!

That's followed by The Enchanted Mountain! a tale of which I can claim to possess no recollection.

And we conclude the book with a yarn the world knows as Beauty and the Super-Beast! in which Kal-El stands helpless before the sorcerous might of Circe and her ability to turn men into beasts.

Or does he? I'm fairly certain the "witch" turns out to be Saturn Girl and she's doing it all with the aid of her shape-shifting pet Proteus in a plot to fool Lois Lane.

Or, possibly, the Superman Revenge Squad.

Or perhaps someone else.

February 2nd 1974 - 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. 

***

Change was not an option atop the UK singles chart, this week in 1974.

And that's because Mud were still at Number One with their Chinnichap-penned classic Tiger Feet.

Change was, however, available on the accompanying LP chart, as The Singles 1969-1973 by the Carpenters jumped 19 places to claim the tippermost of the toppermost of the uppermost poppermost.

From his home in the future, Kang notices Steve Rogers is no longer an Avenger and takes advantage of the situation by capturing the team's three remaining members.

Needless to say, the guardian of truth, justice and the American way can't tolerate such an outrage and rushes to their rescue - but succeeds only in succumbing to defeat. What a catastrophe!

Meanwhile, in Dr Strange Land, Baron Mordo's back - and this time, he's got Dormammu on his side! How can even the mystical master of the mystical arts possibly hope to titanically triumph against such a putrid pairing?

His mind fogged by amnesia, Spider-Man helps Doc Ock steal some Top Secret government blueprints. Can the human arachnid regain his senses before he's forever branded a criminal?

More to the point, can he do it before Colonel John Jameson and the military put a bullet in his head?

But Spidey's problems are almost nothing when compared to those of Tony Stark who, in his second mission as Iron Man, must defeat a giant hypno-robo-Neanderthal from space that's taken an entire town hostage as a prelude to invasion.

Meanwhile, Thor's still in Asgard and still stood around, watching Odin thwart the attack of both the Absorbing Man and Loki.

But even Iron Man's problems are mere trifles compared to those of Bruce Banner.

That's because the Leader's got his hands on two of America's finest nukes and has launched them at one of America's finest enemies.

Bruce manages to shoot down one of those missiles but he's going to have to stop the other one the old-fashioned way, by turning into the Hulk and beating it up.

Fortunately, there's no one beats up missiles better than the Hulk does.

Next, we get the conclusion of Daredevil's origin, as brought to us by Stan Lee and Gene Colan.

And, finally, the FF must vince the Invincible Man who may or not be the father of Sue and Johnny Storm but may also have to make the greatest sacrifice of all, in order to protect our heroes from the treachery of the Skrulls.

Speak Your Brain! Part 71. Which long-gone toy, book or comic torments you?

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

***

Image by Tumisu
from Pixabay

If it's true that everyone loves a mystery, then all of us are in luck. That's because a mystery is just what we've got.

And that mystery is what on Earth are we all talking about?

That, I cannot say because it's time to be exposed, once more, to the feature in which I keep quiet and whomsoever reads this blog gets to decide today's topic for debate.

Or at least the first person to comment below does.

Therefore, don't be careless and don't be late. Get that question posted and let loose the dogs of jaw.

Where it all began! TV21 #98.

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

***

I've never had even one moment's doubt where I first encountered the magical world of DC comics.

And that was in Adam West's Batman TV show.

How I thrilled, in the late 1960s, as, each week, the cowled crusader would face a larger-than-life foe and defeat him with the aid of the boy wonder and a level of irony so overwhelming it's a miracle I never managed to notice it.

But what about my first taste of Marvel Comics?

That was always a bit vague.

I knew that, in early 1972, I'd acquired a copy of the 1969 Amazing Spider-Man Annual from the Rag and Tag market in Sheffield and that it was the first Marvel mag I'd ever owned.

But there was more to the story than that.

Because I knew for a fact that I'd encountered a Marvel super-hero even earlier.

And that hero was the Silver Surfer.

But just where had I met him? And, if not in the pages of a Marvel comic, then how?

All I knew was that, long before the launch of Marvel UK, I'd read a British comic which featured the pewter powerhouse battling the Abomination in the streets of a city.

But where could I have read it?

In my mind, it had always been in the pages of TV21.

But that made no sense. After all, everyone knew one thing. That TV21 had been created for just one purpose, to spin yarns based on the stars of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson's puppet shows and if there's one thing I've always known for sure, it's that Norrin Radd is no man's puppet. Surely, then, my memory must have been faulty.

But, no. Once I got the Internet and could do research that had formerly been beyond the realms of human capability, it quickly became clear there was indeed a time when that publication had lost its license to print Anderson-related material and had, therefore, switched to a far more random assortment of strips. 

This meant that, by August 1971, it was giving us such gems as The Tuffs of Terror Island, Forward From the Back Streets, Clancy Clott the Magician's Mate, Wheels Moran, Homer the Happy Ghost, Cap'n Stardust, The Menace of the Black Museum and Ringo Rides Again.

More than that, it was also sharing with us the adventures of Captain James T Kirk and friends in a strip dedicated to Star Trek.

But, more importantly than even that, it was proffering up reprints of the adventures of Galactus' former herald.

Gadzooks! I'd been right for all those years! My first-ever brush with Marvel Comics was indeed in a mag that had been launched to cash in on the popularity of Stingray.

But, in just which issue of that book had I encountered the Surfer and that battle?

Sadly, that wasn't an easy answer to discover.

But I persisted with the search.

And, at last, after nearly two decades of access to the internet, I can share the exciting news that I've tracked down the issue in question. And it was in TV21 #98 (August 7th, 1971) that Zenn-La's finest met the gamma-spawned gargoyle on the streets of London, got clobbered by him, recovered, had a winge about it, clobbered him back and then had a sorcerer return him to where he'd come from. All in the space of just two pages.

Such conciseness was not inherited from Marvel.

Instead, in a masterpiece of cut-and-pasted compression even Dez Skinn would have envied, the clash was condensed heavily by cramming as many panels into each page as possible and removing all superfluous images.

And so, behold, printed below, a comparison between one page of that tale as I first encountered it, and how American readers had experienced the conflict, just one a year previously.

But wait! There's more!

And a strange level of moreness it is indeed.

For, it turns out that not only does the comic feature the Silver Surfer.

It also features Spider-Man!

In this case, it focuses on a Peter Parker who's about to launch a fight with Dr Octopus that will bring the tragic demise of Captain George Stacy.

It seems odd that, although I've always remembered seeing the Surfer's yarn in this book, I've never had any recollection of Spidey's. I can only conclude the former character must have made more impact upon me than did the latter.

Regardless, here for comparison is that issue's first page of that Spider-Man tale - which was also granted just two pages per week. And, yet again, it's a masterclass in how to pack the maximum number of panels into a tight space.

Sadly, TV21 was to last for just seven more issues before merging with Valiant, and the Surfer and Spider-Man would have to wait for the launch of Marvel's very own official UK imprint, just over a year later, to once more have a British outlet that might show off their talents.

January 26th 1974 - 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. 

***

Do you know what's neat?

Tiger Feet!

How do I happen to know this?

Because Mud told me.

An introduction of such quality can only mean one thing. This was the week in 1974 when that band hit the summit of the UK singles chart with the melange of Retro and Glam which spawned the smash hit about possessing the paws of a stripey feline.

To this day, I still don't have a clue what the song's actually about but who am I to doubt the wisdom of the band that Showaddywaddy could only dream of becoming?

Over on the accompanying album chart, Perry Como was being far less cryptic as he sailed serenely to the top of the mountain with his LP And I Love You So. I must confess I've never heard that LP but, given his reputation, I'm going to assume it's a relaxing listen from start to finish.

Can it be true? Has Spider-Man become a criminal and joined forces with the most tentacular terror known to man?

Sort of, because he's lost his memory and the villain's convinced him they're partners in infamy.

Not only that. He's sent him off to steal some top-secret military blueprints.

However, even with his memory absent, our hero's starting to have doubts that he could ever be friends with such a reprobate.

Meanwhile, in his strip, Thor's as much use as a marshmallow hammer, as he stands around watching while Odin defeats the Absorbing Man by sending him and Loki flying off into space.

But the thunder god may soon be needed back on Midgard because, there, a witch doctor finds one of the Norn Stones that have been nothing but trouble lately, and promptly gains super-powers before renaming himself The Demon.

But hold on to your hats, armour lovers! A historic moment has been reached. The comic that's always only ever had two strips (unless you count Tales of Asgard) has suddenly gained a third!

That strip is Iron Man and we're about to discover just how the Avengers star came to be, when arms dealer Tony Stark gets some shrapnel in the heart and is taken prisoner by a Vietcong warlord who wants him to design weapons for him.

And, of course, there's yet another chance to design a hero or villain of our choosing in a contest that could see us nabbing one of those fancy colour TVs I oftimes hear speak of.

Disbanded by the local council, Hawkeye, Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch are out of work until they get jobs at a circus.

The Ringmaster's circus!

However, the hypnotic heel tells the police they've tried to steal from him, forcing the trio to go on the run. 

Meanwhile, Captain America's out to bring the Enchantress and Power Man to justice. 

This all leads to the defeat of the villains and the council reversing its previous decision. Thus letting the team reform.

Only for Cap to declare that he's quitting the band.

Elsewhere, judging by that cover blurb, it would seem Mordo is the hunter and Dr Strange is the hunted. Which can't be good news for either humanity or the master of the mystic arts.

But it's not just Spidey's book that's gained a strip. As that frontage makes clear, Daredevil returns to the imprint's flagship title, restoring what I suspect many will see as its classic lineup!

But will he live long enough to enjoy his resurrection?

After all, in the Hulk's strip, the Leader's just fired a nuclear missile at Russia in a bid to start World War 3.

Only the Hulk can stop it but, first, he must defeat the villain's indefatigable Super Humanoid.

Fortunately, a handy volcano offers a solution to that problem.

Next, we're re-treated to the origin of the man without fear but, this time, as told by Stan Lee and Gene Colan in the pages of Daredevil #53.

Finally, we get the arrival of a brand new super-villain when Sue and Johnny Storm's dad turns himself into the Invincible Man! A foe blessed with the powers of the Fantastic Four themselves!

Or does he?

Two of this issue's three yarns feature villains trapped in volcanoes. I can see no significance to this fact but feel I should mention it.

Speak Your Brain! Part 70. Design your super-hero costume!

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

***

Image by Tumisu
from Pixabay

As I type these words, many of us have been battered by storms with names like Isha and Jocelyn but is that what the blogosphere wishes to discuss?

That, I cannot say. As, for once, I have no say in the site's subject matter.

And that claim can only signal one thing.

That it's time to revive the feature in which you The Reader get to decide just what should and shouldn't be the day's topic for debate.

So broad is the spectrum of this site that that topic could be almost anything. From the grandiose to the trivial. The ludicrous to the sublime. Therefore, whatever it is you wish the Steve Does Comics True Believers to pontificate upon, post it in the comments section below and we shall discover just what the massed herd has to say about it.