Marvel continues its foray into the horror market by launching another black and white magazine this month, "Vampire Tales". The main character in this comic series is Morbius, the pseudo-vampire that we last saw in Amazing Spider-Man #102. Starting in the second issue there will be regular stories about Satana, the daughter of Satan. The rest of the magazine is filled with horror anthology stories, some of them new, some reprints of older stories.
"Vampire Tales" has created the biggest dilemma for me since I began to write reviews of Marvel comics. Should I add the tales of Morbius and Satana to the Marvel canon or not? It's a difficult choice. For now, I'll arbitrarily say that all the Curtis Magazines b/w comics of the 1970's are non-canon. I can justify this simply by saying that they aren't Marvel comics, they're Curtis comics. If anyone wants to argue with me, you know where the comments box is.
Amazing Spider-Man #121
Title: The Night Gwen Stacy Died!
Writer: Gerry Conway
Artist: Gil Kane
Villain: Green Goblin
Regulars: J. Jonah Jameson, Joe Robertson, Harry Osborn, Gwen Stacy, Mary Jane Watson
This is one of the most famous Marvel comics ever.
Harry Osborn is sick after taking LSD again. The last time he took drugs was in the non-CCA issue Amazing Spider-Man #98. The stress makes Harry's father, Norman Osborn, become the Green Goblin again, which last happened in Spectacular Spider-Man #2, one of the best Spider-Man adventures ever written.
The Green Goblin captures Gwen Stacy to lure Spider-Man to the top of the George Washington Bridge. He throws her from the bridge. Spider-Man catches her, but her neck snaps in the fall.
This picture, including the spoken text, is the most iconic Spider-Man picture ever. My friend Neil Townsend repainted this picture on canvas almost identically. Other artists have interpreted the scene, but Neil's picture was the best because of its closeness to the original, carefully imitating Gil Kane's artwork.
Fantastic Four #135
Title: The Eternity Machine
Writer: Gerry Conway
Artist: John Buscema
Fantastic Four: Reed Richards, Ben Grimm, Johnny Storm, Medusa
Villain: Gregory Gideon, Dragon Man
Regulars: Susan Richards, Franklin Richards, Wyatt Wingfoot, Willie Lumpkin, Alicia Masters
Dragon Man knocks the Human Torch out. Gregory Gideon's men carry him away, so now he's captured all of the Fantastic Four, plus Susan and Franklin Richards.
Gregory Gideon reveals that he's suffering from cancer after being caught in the blast of an atomic bomb test. He wants to drain the cosmic energy from the Fantastic Four's bodies to cure himself.
Meanwhile, how many of you recognise the tall, silent man at the Baxter Building. It's obvious who he is, isn't it? Everyone can also recognise the wonderful Willie Lumpkin.
Alicia Masters says that she's loved Ben Grimm for the last few years. That's an understatement. She met him in Fantastic Four #8, twelve years ago, and they've been dating since the following issue. I've heard of taking things slowly, but this is ridiculous.
The Fantastic Four (three of them, anyway) break out of their cells. This is the first time I've heard anyone encourage the Thing to use his battle cry: It's clobbering time!
Dragon Man is being controlled by an electronic implant. Medusa removes the implant, and he turns against Gregory Gideon, motivated by his love for Susan Richards.
Thor #212
Title: Journey to the Golden Star!
Writer: Gerry Conway
Artist: John Buscema
Villain: Sssthgar
Regulars: Fandral, Hogun, Volstagg, Tana Nile, Silas Grant, Hildegarde, Balder, Odin, Heimdall
Balder has gone mad. Thor blames Odin, so he travels to Asgard, accompanied by Fandral, Hogun, Hildegarde, Tana Nile and Silas Grant.
What on Earth is Gerry Conway thinking?
Thor has been exiled from Asgard for disobedience, so when he returns he takes uninvited mortals with him? He might just get away with an alien Coloniser like Tana Nile, but a human sailor like Silas Grant? Apart from being unwelcome in Asgard, he's so weak that he would be of no assistance in battle.
When they arrive, Asgard is being occupied by lizard-like creatures. They say they were the slaves of another race that conquered Asgard and kidnapped the whole population, including Odin.
The lizards take Thor and his friends to the planet where the alien race, the Vrellnexians, have taken the Asgardians. Thor defeats the Vrellnexians swiftly, and then the lizard men led by Sssthgar turn against them.
Gerry Conway has evidently forgotten how strong Odin is. This whole story is ridiculous. It's a shameful mess. Gerry Conway has to go!
Daredevil and the Black Widow #100
Title: Mind Storm!
Writer: Steve Gerber
Artist: Gene Colan
Villain: Angar the Screamer
The Black Widow's name is still in the title, but she doesn't appear in this comic. In Avengers #111 she joined the Avengers, which means that she's remained in New York, allowing Daredevil to live alone in her San Francisco mansion.
Daredevil is interviewed by Jann Wenner of Rolling Stone. The interview doesn't go well, because Daredevil has too many secrets to answer the questions. There's a mass illusion – or is it reality? – of the world dissolving into chaos. Everyone in the streets experiences it as well. When the illusion ends, everyone quickly forgets it except for Daredevil.
A few minutes later it happens again. Daredevil goes into the street and meets someone called Angar the Screamer.
Sub-Mariner #62
Beginning this month, the Sub-Mariner comic is split into two stories each month: 14 pages for the regular Sub-Mariner story, and 6 pages for Tales Of Atlantis. The latter story is set at the time when Atlantis sank into the sea, "500 years after the reign of Kull, 8000 years before the coming of Conan". It's obvious from these points of reference that it's a swords and sorcery tale, which I can verify after reading the whole Tales Of Atlantis series. I have decided to designate it non-canon.
Title: A Realm Besieged!
Writer: Steve Gerber
Artist: Sam Kweskin
Regulars: Vashti, Tamara, Namorita
Villain: Dr. Hydro
Dr. Hydro's army of genetically altered humans attacks Atlantis. The Atlantean warriors are overpowered and about to surrender, but Tamara encourages them and leads Atlantis into battle.
Namorita fights with Dr. Hydro's guards. "No one touches Nita's little body". I'm glad for the warning. I'd definitely want to touch her, but now it looks too dangerous.
She manages to free Prince Namor, and they return to Atlantis. They take up the battle and defeat Dr. Hydro's army, killing Dr. Hydro himself. Seemingly?
The genetically altered humans can't be cured. Should they be allowed to live in Atlantis?
According to the Crazy Credits, Irving Forbush is responsible for the catering. It's a tough job, but someone has to do it.
Avengers #112
Title: The Lion God Lives!
Writer: Steve Englehart
Artist: Don Heck
Avengers: Vision, Scarlet Witch, Black Panther, Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Black Widow
Villain: Lion God
Regulars: Mantis, Swordsman
The Black Panther is attacked by the African Lion God. He's jealous that the Panther God is being worshipped the most.
The Avengers barely defeat him. The Black Widow says that even though she wants to remain an Avenger, her place is in San Francisco with Daredevil.
More important than the story itself, this comic features the first appearance of Mantis, who will become an important character in Steve Englehart's writings. She's accompanied by a yet unnamed lover.
Captain America and the Falcon #162
Title: This way lies madness!
Writer: Steve Englehart
Artist: Sal Buscema
Villain: Dr. Faustus
Regulars: Sharon Carter, Peggy Carter
Dr. Faustus fights against Captain America with a mixture of illusions and costumed henchmen, intending to drive him crazy.
The mystery woman that we saw last issue is Sharon's older sister Peggy Carter, who was briefly Captain America's lover in World War Two. When she heard about his death in 1945 (or was it 1944?) she went mad, and since then she's been living in the past. Meeting Captain America again brings her back to sanity.
The Incredible Hulk #164
Title: The Phantom from 5000 Fathoms!
Writer: Steve Englehart
Artist: Herb Trimpe
Villain: Captain Omen
Regulars: Major Talbot, Betty Ross
Guests: Nick Fury
The Hulk is still in the Arctic and misses the sunny climate of the New Mexico desert. He begins to leap southwards from iceberg to iceberg. When he runs out of ice he starts swimming. He smashes an American submarine that's observing him. The submarine crew are saved by the inhabitants of an undersea kingdom, the Infraworld. The Hulk is also taken into Infraworld. It's led by a man called Captain Omen, who founded Infraworld 48 years ago. His goal is to colonise the sea bed and then claim it as his territory at the United Nations. Hasn't he come into contact with Atlantis or Lemuria yet? And what about Dr. Hydro and his cronies in the current Sub-Mariner comics?
Captain Omen wants to force the Hulk to work for him. The Hulk can't swim to the surface because of the Bends. Captain Omen gives him an oxygen helmet and makes him work on the sea bed.
Hero For Hire #10
Title: The Lucky and the Dead
Writer: Steve Englehart
Artist: George Tuska
Villain: Senor Muerte
Regulars: David Griffith, Claire Temple, Phil Fox
Luke Cage talks to Mimi Jenks, the widow of Frank Jenks, who was murdered in Hero For Hire #5. He suspects his murder has something to do with the men who have been attacking him in the last few issues. He's right. Frank Jenks lost money at an illegal casino run by Senor Muerte. He thinks that Luke Cage might discover the location of his casinos.
Luke Cage's skin can't be penetrated, but he's knocked out by a powerful shotgun. When he wakes up he's been chained in a waterfront tunnel waiting for the tide to rise.
That Mimi Jenks is one foxy lady. I don't know how Luke Cage can remain calm when she's strutting around in front of him.
Iron Man #59
Title: A Madness in Motown!
Writer: Mike Friedrich
Artist: George Tuska
Villain: Firebrand
Regulars: Pepper Hogan, Happy Hogan, Marianne Rodgers, Roxanne Gilbert
Marianne Rodgers is in a mental asylum, driven insane by her ESP powers, and it looks like she will never be cured. Tony Stark blames himself for her condition.
Tony Stark drives to Detroit with Happy and Pepper Hogan to meet Roxanne Gilbert, who has inherited a large number of shares in Stark Industries from her father Simon Gilbert, who died in Iron Man #48. She is waiting with her brother Gary Gilbert aka Firebrand. She wants to peacefully complain about Tony Stark's involvement in manufacturing weapons, but her brother wants revenge on Iron Man for his defeat. They're both pacifists, but Gary thinks he can defeat violence with violence.
Iron Man defeats Firebrand and flies away with Roxanne.
Tomb of Dracula #9
Title: Death from the Sea!
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Artist: Gene Colan
Regulars: Frank Drake, Rachel Van Helsing, Taj, Quincy Harker, Edith Harker
Kills: None (total 12)
Embraces: One man, one woman (total 5)
Dracula, still weakened by Quincy Harker's poison darts, can hardly defend himself against an attack by motorcyclists. He falls into the sea unconscious. He's pulled out of the water by a fisherman in the small seaside village of Littlepool. The fisherman thinks that Dracula is dead, so he gathers a few friends to carry his body into the village church. When Dracula wakes up, he rushes out in panic.
A young man called David offers Dracula a bed in his house. At night he goes out and embraces a young woman, who embraces a man in turn. The two attack David's girlfriend, but Dracula orders them to stay away from her.
The village priest recognises that Dracula is a vampire and summons the villagers to hunt him. David knows where Dracula is, so he sends the villagers in the wrong direction. Dracula offers David his lasting gratitude before he leaves.
This is an excellent story, full of suspense. I was sitting on the edge of my chair from the first page to the last.
Werewolf by Night #6
Title: Carnival of Fear!
Writer: Len Wein
Artist: Mike Ploog
Villain: Swami Rihva and circus
Regulars: Lou Hackett, Buck Cowan, Lissa Russell
Jack Russell is captured by the fortune teller Swami Rihva who runs a travelling circus. He's caged and put on display on the first night of the full moon. The lion tamer is jealous of him and releases him, but the Werewolf remains and fights with the circus people, until he accidentally runs into another cage.
A police detective called Lou Hackett examines the deaths of the Kane brothers in the last two issues. He comes to the conclusion that there's a werewolf in Los Angeles.
Defenders #6
Title: The Dreams of Death!
Writer: Steve Englehart
Artist: Sal Buscema
Defenders: Doctor Strange, Sub-Mariner, Valkyrie, Silver Surfer
Villain: Cyrus Black
The Silver Surfer returns to Doctor Strange to apologise for his lack of gratitude in Defenders #3. He helps Doctor Strange, Sub-Mariner and Valkyrie defend themselves against an attack by Cyrus Black.
Doctor Strange says that he met Cyrus Black in his early days as a sorcerer. I really can't remember him. The costume he's wearing is typical for the old Steve Ditko magicians. He looks similar to The Demon in Strange Tales #128, so this is a possibility. In this issue he seemed powerful, but this was in comparison with Doctor Strange's relative weakness in his early days. When The Demon returned in Strange Tales #142 he was much weaker, relative to Doctor Strange, so this might be Cyrus Black. The only thing that speaks against this theory is that there's no reference to these issues in an editorial text box. Unless, of course, Roy Thomas and Steve Englehart were withholding the information so that readers could write in to apply for a No Prize!
Cyrus Black withdraws from his direct attack, but in the following night he attacks using dream powers.
Warlock #6
Title: The Brute!
Writer: Ron Goulart
Artist: Bob Brown
Villain: Rex Carpenter, Brute (Reed Richards)
Warlock is hunted on the orders of the American President, Rex Carpenter. He escapes while doing a minimum of damage to the soldiers pursuing him.
We read that Counter-Earth's Reed Richards also made an attempt to travel into space on 15th March 1961, but the Man-Beast prevented them changing into the Fantastic Four. Is that right? I thought it was the High Evolutionary who prevented super-heroes on Counter-Earth. I need to check the old issues. However, Reed Richards has mutated into a monster called the Brute. He can change backwards and forwards at will.
The Brute is hypnotised by someone, possibly Rex Carpenter, to attack Warlock. After a hard battle, Warlock's soul gem changes the Brute back into Reed Richards.
Warlock meets Victor Von Doom in a remote cabin, but they're warned by Jason Grey that it's a trap.
The Cat #4
Title: Stampede!
Writer: Linda Fite
Artist: Jim Starlin
Villain: Man-Bull
Despite being only 15 pages long, this is the best story of the Cat so far. The last five pages are used for the reprint of a Marvel Girl featurette, also written by Linda Fite.
Greer Grant is enjoying a quiet drink with a female friend, when an obnoxious man tries to chat them up. Both of them. Don't men know that a tactic like that is never successful? Greer humiliates him by knocking him over, making it look like his own clumsiness.
The man is actually the Man-Bull, who we last saw in Daredevil #96. He changes to his bovine form and comes back to attack the women. Does he have no feeling of chivalry? Greer changes into her Cat costume to fight him more effectively.
This is typical for men in general, not just super-villains. He turns women's words against them, using women's liberation to justify male violence.
And who will the Cat meet next issue? Nobody. This is the last issue, as must have been decided at short notice. We'll shan't see her in Marvel comics again until next year, when she will meet the Werewolf, Jack Russell.
Shanna the She-Devil #4
Title: Cry Mandrill!
Writer: Carole Seuling, Steve Gerber
Artist: Ross Andru
Villain: Mandrill
Shanna is invited to the mansion of a wealthy man, together with other rich and powerful figures. The host is a man-monkey hybrid called Mandrill. He wants to conquer three African kingdoms – he doesn't say which ones – and unite them under his rule. Despite the offer of a large payment, nobody agrees. Sheena runs away.
That would be the end of it, but Agent Jakuna Singh of SHIELD tells her that the Mandrill has taken her father prisoner. She returns and defeats the Mandrill. He's captured by SHIELD, but he refuses to give information about Sheena's father.
I like this small scene. Mandrill is shocked when Sheena is strong enough to rip open the ropes binding her. Sheena replies that any woman can do it if she wants to. I like Sheena.
Marvel Spotlight #10
Title: The Coming of Witch-Woman!
Writer: Gary Friedrich
Artist: Tom Sutton
Villain: Snake Dance, Witch-Woman (Linda Littletree)
Regulars: Roxanne Simpson
Ghost Rider delivers Roxanne Simpson to the nearest hospital for treatment for her snake bites. Sam Silvercloud wants to hang Snake Dance as an outdated phoney, but he's saved by his daughter, Linda Littletree.
Linda knows that only a serum carried by her father can cure the snake bites, so she drives it to the hospital. She remembers that as a child her life was saved by Crash Simpson. She is also a servant of Satan and has been given the job to deliver Ghost Rider's soul to Satan.
Adventure Into Fear #14
Title: The Demon Plague!
Writer: Steve Gerber
Artist: Val Mayerik
Villain: Dakimh
Regulars: Jennifer Kale, Andy Kale, Joshua Kale
Yesterday I read an article in which it was claimed that the Man-Thing is too difficult to write stories about. He's silent, he lumbers around, and if he has any intelligence he doesn't show it. I agree, but I'll add one thing: Steve Gerber was able to write the Man-Thing stories. He didn't invent the character – Man-Thing was a co-creation of Roy Thomas and Stan Lee – but he adopted Man-Thing and made him his own. The only way to make the dark, plodding character interesting was to surround him with images of bright, dazzling madness.
Random acts of violence are breaking out across America. Only Joshua Kale understands what's happening. Netherworld demons are attempting to take over human minds and souls. He gathers his cult in the swamp to ask for help. Man-Thing also stands watching. The ritual seems to fail, but then Man-Think and Joshua's daughter Jennifer are transported to another world "a million universes away". They're in chains in the room of Dakimh the Enchanter. He wants the Tome of Zhered-Na, which was in the care of Joshua Kale's cult, but has now been stolen.
Unable to get what he wants, Dakimh decides to kill Man-Thing and Jennifer. Man-Thing has to fight in the arena. He defeats the champion, so Man-Thing and Jennifer are spared and sent back to the swamp.
Astonishing Tales #18
Title: Gog Cometh!
Writer: Mike Friedrich
Artist: Dan Adkins
Villain: Gemini, Plunderer, Gog, Professor Conrad
Regulars: Barbara Morse
Guests: Nick Fury
Ka-Zar fights against Gemini and the Plunderer. Eventually he's defeated by Gog's strength. The Plunderer reveals that he was observing the fight in Amazing Spider-Man #104 and saved Gog's life.
Bobbi Morse offers to buy the super-soldier serum from the Plunderer. He refuses. The history of the serum is beautifully summed up in this collage.
Gog transports everyone to New York. When he arrives his size has doubled, and he's acting erratically. He pulls the torch off the Statue of Liberty. It seems like he's trying to escape from the Earth and return to whatever planet he came from. First he teleports to the top of the World Trade Center. We saw the World Trade Center while it was still being constructed in Daredevil #82, but this is the first time that it's shown as being completed. Then Gog slams his wrists together again and teleports to unknown places.
Ka-Zar continues to fight with Gemini and the Plunderer. They defeat him and run away, but Bobbi Morse has stolen the super-soldier serum.
In England an AIM scientist called Professor Conrad is examining a vial of the super-soldier serum. His laboratory is destroyed when an unnamed SHIELD agent attacks, but he imbibes the serum before he dies.
Non-Canon comics published this month:
Vampire Tales #1 (Steve Gerber, Pablo Marcos)
Marvel Team-Up #10 (Gerry Conway, Jim Mooney)
Doc Savage #5 (Steve Englehart, Ross Andru)
Conan the Barbarian #27 (Roy Thomas, John Buscema)
Combat Kelly and his Deadly Dozen #7 (Gary Friedrich, Dick Ayers)
Outlaw Kid #16 (Gary Friedrich, Dick Ayers)
Gunhawks #5 (Gary Friedrich, Syd Shores)
Journey Into Mystery #5 (Ron Goulart, Rich Buckler)
Supernatural Thrillers #4 (Ron Goulart, Win Mortimer)
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