This is another big month for Marvel. There are three new series. Yes, three! Okay, one of the series is actually a reboot of a comic that was cancelled five years ago, but as far as I'm concerned it's new.
The first new comic is Ghost Rider, given his own comic book after he was premiered in seven issues of Marvel Spotlight. The story continues directly from Marvel Spotlight #11.
Ghost Rider #1
Title: A Woman Possessed!
Writer: Gary Friedrich
Artist: Tom Sutton
Villain: Satan, Witch-Woman
Regulars: Daimon Hellstrom, Roxanne Simpson
Johnny Blaze is speeding towards the town where Roxanne Simpson is in hospital. The police set up a roadblock to stop him. He smashes through the roadblock, but he falls off his bike and he's badly injured. Roxanne is released from the hospital just before Johnny is admitted.
Linda Littletree (or Littletrees) died last issue, but Satan still has a use for her. Her father finds her raving as if possessed. Satan takes complete control of Linda's body, speaking through her with his own voice. Her fiancé Sam Silvercloud rings up an exorcist in Boston called Daimon Hellstrom.
At nightfall Johnny Blaze becomes Ghost Rider, and his injuries disappear. He drives to Copperhead Canyon to make his jump, but he's too late. Bart Slade attempts the jump across Copperhead Canyon in his place. He misses the jump and smashes into the canyon wall. Roxanne faints. Ghost Rider drives her away in a truck, heading back towards the hospital, because he expects his injuries to return at dawn.
The second new comic this month is Jungle Action. In case you're wondering why it starts with number 6, the reason is that the first five issues were reprints of silver age stories.
I have a confession to make. Not only didn't I read any of the Jungle Action comics when they were first published, I didn't even know that this series existed.
The writer for the whole series is Don McGregor, a new writer at Marvel who has previously only written short stories for Marvel's anthology comics. Jungle Action establishes him as one of Marvel's best writers.
Jungle Action #6
Title: Panther's Rage!
Writer: Don McGregor
Artist: Rich Buckler
Villain: Killmonger
Regulars: Monica Lynne
The Black Panther is back in Wakanda. He faces criticism from his own people who think he's been away for too long. He's taken his American lover Monica Lynne back with him.
Wakanda's peace is being threatened by Killmonger, a warrior from the mountain tribes. After a hard battle, Killmonger throws the Black Panther over a waterfall to his death.
The third new comic this month isn't so new. Strange Tales was first published in 1951 as a horror anthology comic. Starting in Strange Tales #101, half of the comic was devoted to solo adventures of the Human Torch. Doctor Strange was added to the comic as a regular feature in Strange Tales #110, and after a few issues the anthology stories stopped altogether. Beginning in Strange Tales #135, the adventures of Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD, replaced the Human Torch solo stories. This continued until Strange Tales #168 in May 1968. The following month Strange Tales was split into two comics, Doctor Strange #169 (retaining the numbering of Strange Tales) and Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD #1. It was assumed that Doctor Strange's solo comic had replaced Strange Tales, but now Strange Tales returns, continuing with the old numbering as if it had never stopped.
In line with Marvel's 1970's drive to become more of a horror and supernatural company, Strange Tales now contains stories about Brother Voodoo, a character based in Haiti.
Strange Tales #169
Title: Brother Voodoo!
Writer: Len Wein
Artist: Gene Colan
Villain: Damballah
Jericho Drumm returns to Haiti after spending almost 20 years in America. He left Haiti to pursue his education, and now he's become a respected psychologist. He's a man of science. He finds his brother Daniel dying. He was the island's voodoo priest, but he's been attacked by a stronger practitioner of voodoo, the serpent God Damballah. With his dying breath Daniel tells his brother to go to the forest and bring back the old man Papa Jambo, the only one strong enough to stand up to Damballah.
Papa Jambo says he's too old to fight. Jericho Drumm should become the new voodoo priest.
Marvel Premiere #10
Title: Finally Shuma-Gorath!
Writer: Steve Englehart
Artist: Frank Brunner
Villain: Shuma-Gorath
Regulars: Ancient One
Cameos: Baron Mordo, Victoria Bentley, Clea, Wong
This isn't just the comic of the month, it's one of the best Marvel comics ever. This seven-part epic started shakily, and in the hands of a lesser writer the whole story would have come crashing down into the dirt. Only a writer of Steve Englehart's brilliance could wind the story up on such a mind-numbing level. The artwork by Frank Brunner also adds to this masterpiece. I use the word masterpiece too often. This comic deserves a better word.
Shuma-Gorath emerges from the Ancient One's body. He has used the Ancient One's mystic power as a portal to re-enter our universe after thousands of years of banishment. Doctor Strange enters the Ancient One's mind, and Shuma-Gorath follows him. Doctor Strange realises that the only way he can stop Shuma-Gorath is by killing the Ancient One. This casts Shuma-Gorath out of our universe.
This is the second time the Ancient One has died. The first time was in Strange Tales #157. However, Doctor Strange can still speak with him, because the Ancient One has become one with everything. He now gives Doctor Strange the title of Sorcerer Supreme.
Avengers #115
Title: Below us the battle!
Writer: Steve Englehart
Artist: Bob Brown
Avengers: Vision, Scarlet Witch, Black Panther, Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Swordsman
Villain: Troglodytes
Regulars: Mantis
This issue continues two stories. The second story is the prologue to a multi-issue crossover story that begins in this month's issue of the Defenders. This was a revolutionary idea at the time, but it's since become commonplace.
The Avengers fly to England to see why the Black Knight isn't responding to their messages. We know the answer, don't we? He was turned to stone by the Enchantress's kiss in Defenders #4. SHIELD attempts to turn them away, because their new member, the Swordsman, is a wanted criminal. The other Avengers vouch for him and promise to leave soon.
The castle has been sealed by a spell cast by Doctor Strange. The Avengers are attacked by subterranean dwellers called Troglodytes, who used to steal food from the castle, but now blame the Avengers for sealing it.
Title: Alliance most foul!
Writer: Steve Englehart
Artist: Bob Brown
Villain: Dormammu, Loki
This is the prologue of the multi-issue crossover event usually called the Avengers/Defenders War.
Loki was saved by Dormammu, when he fell from a cliff in Thor #207. Dormammu has promised never to enter Earth's dimension, but he knows of a device called the Evil Eye, which is strong enough to such the Earth into his own dimension. The Evil Eye was seeming destroyed in Fantastic Four #54, but Dormammu reveals that it's been broken into six pieces and scattered around the Earth. With Loki's help he wants to trick the Defenders into gathering the six pieces.
Defenders #8
Title: If Atlantis should fall!
Writer: Steve Englehart
Artist: Sal Buscema
Defenders: Sub-Mariner, Valkyrie, Hawkeye, Doctor Strange, Silver Surfer, Hulk
Villain: Attuma, Red Ghost
The Sub-Mariner, controlled by the Red Ghost, defeats Hawkeye and Valkyrie. They're also put under the Red Ghost's control. They lead Attuma's forces in a war against Atlantis.
The Red Ghost's power comes from the cosmic rays that continually bombard the Earth, so Doctor Strange and the Silver Surfer put a shield around the Earth and block the cosmic rays. The mind control is broken, Sub-Mariner defeats Attuma, and the other Defenders easily defeat the powerless Red Ghost.
Title: Deception!
Writer: Steve Englehart
Artist: Sal Buscema
Defenders: Sub-Mariner, Valkyrie, Hawkeye, Doctor Strange, Silver Surfer, Hulk
Villain: Dormammu, Loki
Guests: Black Knight
This is the first chapter of the multi-issue crossover event usually called the Avengers/Defenders War.
Doctor Strange wants to free the Black Knight from his stone form. He casts a spell to locate the Black Knight's soul, which is floating in the far reaches of space.
The Black Knight says he isn't suffering. That's understandable. His last physical sensation was the Enchantress's kiss, so he must be thinking about her constantly.
The reply is distorted by Dormammu. The Black Knight seems to say that he needs the Evil Eye to be cured.
The letters page of this issue contains a very insightful letter from a reader called Robert Lowerey. He writes about the problems of Doctor Strange being the member of a team.
The reply, probably written by Roy Thomas, even though he refers to himself in the third person, is even more interesting.
Steve Englehart saw the problems of featuring Doctor Strange as a team member as early as July 1973, which is when he began to write Doctor Strange's stories in Marvel Premiere. He wants to remove Doctor Strange from the Defenders, but Roy Thomas is hesitant. Maybe he thinks that having Doctor Strange in the Defenders will increase sales. Whatever reason it was, it was a mistake to leave Doctor Strange in the Defenders. As long as Steve Englehart is writing both comics, he can keep control of the stories. When he departs as the regular writer of the Defenders, only three months from now, things will fall apart and there will be two Doctor Stranges; one is the Sorcerer Supreme, while the other is a flying super-hero who fires power blasts from his hands. Roy Thomas should have listened to Steve Englehart before it was too late.
Captain America and the Falcon #165
Title: The Yellow Claw strikes
Writer: Steve Englehart
Artist: Sal Buscema
Villain: Yellow Claw
Regulars: Nick Fury, Sharon Carter, Peggy Carter, Leila Taylor
Nick Fury is angry with Captain America and the Falcon for getting in the way of a SHIELD operation. He tries to give Captain America orders, but he says he doesn't work for SHIELD any more. He'll carry on looking for the Yellow Claw with or without permission.
Have you noticed that Nick Fury has changed back into his usual blue uniform since last issue? I'm not surprised. It was the only way to stop Captain America laughing at him.
There are advertisements on the radio telling people that Captain America is a menace. These are ads recorded by the Viper in his civilian identity as an advertising executive.
The Falcon goes back to see Leila Taylor. In New York City giant spiders attack from the sewers. Captain America kills most of them with the help of the police. Then he goes into the sewers and finds the Yellow Claw. He beats up the Yellow Claw and knocks him unconscious, possibly killing him. Then we see that it was an illusion. He was really fighting with Nick Fury.
The Incredible Hulk #167
Title: To Destroy the Monster!
Writer: Steve Englehart
Artist: Herb Trimpe
Villain: Modok
Regulars: General Ross, Betty Ross, Jim Wilson
General Ross returns to America without Major Talbot, who's assumed to be dead. When Betty Ross (or is it Betty Talbot?) hears the news she hates her father and she hates Bruce Banner.
Modok, who we last saw in Sub-Mariner #49, isn't satisfied with his enormous intellect, he also wants a body. AIM designs giant robot limbs for him. He still wants to defeat the Hulk, but he fears that even his new body won't be enough. He wants to create another gamma ray powered being with even more strength. He picks Betty Ross, because she's already been exposed to gamma rays after living on the military base for eleven years. In addition, she now hates the Hulk, so she won't hesitate to attack him.
Modok is defeated by the Hulk when he tries to kidnap Betty while she's sleeping. He has to flee, but he vows to return.
Incidentally, what do you think of this full page picture by Herb Trimpe? I remember a few years ago that readers were complaining about his artwork. We don't hear any more complaints now.
Hero For Hire #13
Title: Where there's life!
Writer: Steve Englehart
Artist: Billy Graham
Villain: Lionfang
Regulars: Noah Burstein, Claire Temple, Phil Fox
A seemingly intelligent tiger kills a city employee. The mayor hires Luke Cage to search for the animals.
A man called Lionfang has invented a device to partially exchange the qualities of a person with animals. He has exchanged his intelligence with three large cats, a tiger a lion and a leopard, and he's gained their ferocity in return. The animals can now talk.
In the first fight Luke Cage is almost killed. He has to go to Doctor Burstein to be cured. He finds Lionfang and his animals hiding in a circus. While Lionfang is performing acrobatic leaps to escape, Luke Cage breaks a pole and Lionfang falls to his death. Seemingly? The future will tell.
Amazing Spider-Man #124
Title: The Mark of the Man-Wolf
Writer: Gerry Conway
Artist: Gil Kane
Villain: Man-Wolf (John Jameson)
Regulars: J. Jonah Jameson, Joe Robertson, Mary Jane Watson, Flash Thompson
I hope Spider-Man paid for the newspapers he took from the newsstand. Otherwise he's really the menace that J. Jonah Jameson calls him!
All the news is about the deaths of Norman Osborn and Gwen Stacy, mostly about Osborn as a prominent businessman. Some newspapers give unbiased reports, while the Daily Bugle blames Spider-Man for their deaths. Spider-Man changed Norman Osborn into his civilian clothes after his death to hide the fact that he was the Green Goblin, but he's still surprised that no reporters have found out the truth.
Mary Jane Watson and even Flash Thompson offer their sympathies at college, but he sends them away.
JJJ's son, John Robertson, who's been a supporting character ever since Amazing Spider-Man #1, has turned into a werewolf. He breaks into his father's office and attacks him. Spider-Man witnesses this and saves JJJ's life, but he's knocked unconscious. When the werewolf and JJJ stare at one another, JJJ recognises from the distinctive necklace that it's his son. The werewolf leaves. When Spider-Man regains consciousness, JJJ threatens him not to fight with the werewolf again.
While Spider-Man is swinging through the city, the werewolf attacks him.
The name Man-Wolf is only used in the title, not in the story.
Fantastic Four #138
Title: Madness is the Miracle Man!
Writer: Gerry Conway
Artist: John Buscema
Fantastic Four: Reed Richards, Ben Grimm, Johnny Storm, Medusa
Villain: Miracle Man
Regulars: Wyatt Wingfoot, Alicia Masters
Wyatt Wingfoot invites the Fantastic Four to his graduation ceremony from Metro University. Johnny Storm regrets dropping out. As he should!
A message comes about problems in Wyatt's tribal reservation. He asks the Fantastic Four to accompany him back home. Reed Richards remains in New York, but the other three accompany him.
The Keewazi tribe is being attacked by a rock monster that's being commanded by the Miracle Man. We last saw him way back in Fantastic Four #3. At that time he was a master hypnotist and used illusions. He lost these powers after being temporarily blinded by the Human Torch. After being released from prison he trekked to an ancient Indian tribe, the Cheemuzwa, where he learnt the secrets of mind over matter.
After telling his tale, he throws the Fantastic Four (or Three) and the Indians with them into a deep pit.
Thor #215
Title: The God in the Jewel
Writer: Gerry Conway
Artist: John Buscema
Villain: God-Jewel, Mercurio
Regulars: Fandral, Hogun, Tana Nile, Silas Grant, Hildegarde, Odin, Heimdal, Sif, Karnilla
The jewel speaks with a voice. It's the remains of a planet that was cast out of its orbit by a supernova millions of years ago. Its inhabitants are still enclosed in a collective consciousness, but they want to emerge as Gods. For this they need the life forces of Sif and Karnilla, though it's not clear why. The Asgardians, aided by Mercurio, face and defeat the miners. Thor challenges the jewel, which has taken on a giant human-shaped form, calling itself the God-Jewel. Thor is told that if he attacks it, Sif and Karnilla will die.
The story is still a mess. I'll be glad when it's over. It's an unsuccessful attempt at telling an epic tale.
Daredevil and the Black Widow #103
Title: Then came Ramrod!
Writer: Steve Gerber
Artist: Don Heck
Villain: Ramrod
Regulars: Ivan
Guests: Spider-Man
This story is full of errors. Steve Gerber should have done more research into the characters.
J. Jonah Jameson has sent Peter Parker to San Francisco to interview Daredevil and the Black Widow. That's error number one. Peter Parker is a photographer, not a reporter.
While the interview is taking place, a villain called Ramrod breaks into the mansion. He's been given super-strength by an unidentified villain in a wheelchair. He's been instructed to steal documents from their house and kill Daredevil.
Peter Parker changes into his Spider-Man costume and assists in defeating Ramrod. Then he changes back into his civilian clothing to continue the interview.
That's the second big error. Daredevil should have known that Peter Parker is Spider-Man straight away, because he can recognise heartbeats.
Let's hope Steve Gerber doesn't slip up like this again.
Sub-Mariner #65
Title: The Cry of the She-Beast!
Writer: Steve Gerber
Artist: Don Heck
Villain: Virago
Prince Namor battles Virago in the arena. She reverts to her true form, a giant monster. She defeats him, but instead of killing him she travels to Atlantis. Namor wakes up as she's leaving and hitches a ride on her inter-dimensional submarine.
Iron Man #62
Title: Whiplash returns!
Writer: Mike Friedrich
Artist: Craig Russell
Villain: Whiplash (Mark Scott)
Regulars: Pepper Hogan
Tony Stark is visiting his factory in Cincinnati. Mark Scott, the head of research, is the villain called Whiplash. We last saw him briefly in Iron Man #1, but his last battle with Iron Man was in Tales Of Suspense #99. He steals a new power cell that he needs to improve his powers.
Whiplash is stronger and more skilled than in his last battle, but Iron Man defeats him. Whiplash manages to flee.
Adventure Into Fear #16
Title: Cry of the Native!
Writer: Steve Gerber
Artist: Val Mayerik
Regulars: Jennifer Kale, Andy Kale, Joshua Kale
Here's another excellent comic from Steve Gerber and Val Mayerik! It's about the protection of the environment, but told in a typical Gerberesque fashion.
A building company wants to drain the swamp to build an airport. The Native Americans (called Indians in those days) protest. The older Indians seek legal injunctions, while the younger Indians are hot-headed and resort to violence.
When Indians destroy construction equipment, a young Indian is shot. Man-Thing carries him to a doctor. A peaceful protest on the following day turns into a riot.
The building commences. Indians block the work. Man-Thing finally gets involved. The builders think they can kill him, but he fights back and scares the builders away.
Tomb of Dracula #12
Title: Night of the Screaming House
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Artist: Gene Colan
Regulars: Quincy Harker, Edith Harker, Frank Drake, Rachel Van Helsing, Taj, Blade
Kills: None (total 18)
Embraces: One woman (total 7)
Dracula captures Edith Harker and dares the others to come to his house to rescue her. Quincy Harker goes to Dracula's house accompanied by Frank Drake, Rachel Van Helsing and Taj. Dracula is so confident of his victory that he also invites Blade, who lives nearby. After a long fight, Dracula changes to a bat and flees. Edith Harker has been made a vampire, so Quincy has to stake his granddaughter.
Werewolf by Night #9
Title: Terror beneath the Earth!
Writer: Gerry Conway
Artist: Tom Sutton
Villain: Sarnak
Regulars: Lissa Russell, Philip Russell, Lou Hackett
Special Guests: Len Wein, Glynis Wein
The Werewolf is running through the streets of Los Angeles on the first night of the full moon, trying to find his way to the forest. He's being hunted by a deformed creature who says he serves Sarnak. There's a screaming sound and the creature withdraws. The Werewolf passes out, and he wakes up in prison. Lou Hackett wants information about mysterious deaths that have been taking place around him, but Jack Russell doesn't answer.Phillip and Lissa Russell take him home.
In the second night more deformed creatures break into Phillip Russell's house, led by Sarnak himself. They capture the Werewolf. When Sarnak plays a magic flute, the Werewolf obeys him. On the street they capture Lissa Russell.
The Monster of Frankenstein #5
Title: The Monster walks among us!
Writer: Gary Friedrich
Artist: Mike Ploog
This is a powerful, decidedly gothic tragedy written by Gary Friedrich.
The Monster is sailing back towards civilisation. He sees a burning ship ahead of him. A woman is tied to a cross. He rescues her, but she's barely alive, so he carries her to the nearest village to receive treatment. On arrival he realises that it was the villagers who had wanted to kill her. He takes her to her father, but even he wants her dead, so the Monster carries her into the mountains where she can rest.
Over the following weeks the Monster begins to fall in love with her. One morning she's gone. He goes into the village and sees a wolf-like creature attacking the villagers. He kills it in a hard battle. Then he sees that it was the woman. She was a werewolf.
The monster sadly leaves the village, continuing his journey southwards.
Captain Marvel #28
Title(s): When Titans Collide!
A Clash of Titans!
Mind-Slave
Writer: Jim Starlin
Artist: Jim Starlin
Villain: Thanos, Death, Controller
Regulars: Rick Jones, Lou-Ann Savannah, Drax
Guests: Avengers (Captain America, Iron Man, Black Panther, Vision, Scarlet Witch)
This is a single story split into three parts that have been given individual titles.
The Avengers are attacked and defeated by an unseen assailant. It's the Controller, who was last seen in Iron Man #28.
Thanos defeats Drax in a battle fought on a different plane of reality. He takes the Cosmic Cube.
Look at this incredible artwork by Jim Starlin. I told you he's a brilliant artist. Do you believe me now?
Captain Marvel's battle against the Controller is going badly. Then he's changed back to Rick Jones against his will. Captain Marvel finds himself in the presence of a cosmic being called Eon.
Marvel Feature #11
Title: Cry Monster!
Writer: Len Wein
Artist: Jim Starlin
Villain: Leader, Kurrgo
Guests: Hulk, Reed Richards. Johnny Storm, Susan Richards (flashback)
The Thing is in a bad mood, refusing to try out Reed Richards' latest means of making him normal again. After so many failures, can you blame him?
The Thing is being observed by Kurrgo, who we last saw in Fantastic Four #7. Of course I remember him! Why shouldn't I? That's the easiest No Prize I've ever won. I'll add it to my collection.
Kurrgo wants to recruit the strongest being on Earth to help him conquer his home planet, which is the Hulk. He recognises that the Leader, who we last saw in Incredible Hulk #159, has the first rights to him, so he's challenged him to a fight by proxy. If the Thing can defeat the Hulk, Kurrgo will win the ownership of both of them. The two combatants are sent to a ghost town in Nevada. I know what you're thinking: the Hulk always defeats the Thing when they fight. Kurrgo is using radiation rays to make the Thing stronger.
The Thing yells his magnificent battle cry: It's clobbering time!
But the Hulk isn't impressed. He thinks it's stupid. Personally, I think he's just jealous because he doesn't have his own battle cry. How about "It's smashing time"? That sounds good. Or just "Hulk smash". His enemies will get the idea.
The Thing and the Hulk return to Kurrgo's spaceship. They smash it and jump out. I hope it wasn't too high.
Non-canon comics published this month:
Monsters Unleashed #2 (Gary Friedrich, John Buscema)
Marvel Team-Up #13 (Len Wein, Gil Kane)
Conan the Barbarian #30 (Roy Thomas, John Buscema)
Kull the Conqueror #10 (Gerry Conway, Marie Severin)
Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos #114 (Gary Friedrich, Dick Ayers)
Red Wolf #9 (Mike Friedrich, Dick Ayers)
Creatures on the Loose #25 (George Effinger, Val Mayerik)
Chamber of Chills #6 (John Albano, Paul Reinman)
Worlds Unknown #3 (Roy Thomas, Ross Andru)
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