Marvel 1975.08 - Strange Tales #181

Strange Tales #181

Title: 1000 Clowns!

Writer: Jim Starlin

Artist: Jim Starlin

Villain: Magus, Matriarch, Lens Teans

Regulars: Pip the Troll, Gamora

Note: This is the last Warlock story published in Strange Tales. It will be continued in Warlock #9.

This story is dedicated to Steve Ditko. There are several panels which could have been drawn by him. The artwork on the splash page is one of them.

In the credits box Jim Starlin says that he's responsible for the insanity. It's good that he says this, because later in the comic he indirectly attributes insanity to others at Marvel Comics.

Warlock is being brainwashed to become a loyal follower of the Universal Church of Truth. He's unknowingly strapped into a virtual reality helmet, conceived by Jim Starlin years before they were actually invented. Jim isn't insane, he's a genius, but as is often said, there's a thin line between genius and insanity.

Does the character on the right, speaking to the Matriarch, look familiar? Of course! It's Stan The Man with alien antennas on his head.

Inside the virtual reality, the character looks like a clown. Unfortunately, there's some confusion about his name. Jim Starlin was responsible for most of the work on this issue, but not the lettering, so it's possible that Tom Orzechowski made a mistake. Maybe. It could also be the result of the distortion.

The clown introduces himself as Lentean. A few minutes later Warlock addresses him as Lens. In the real world the Matriarch addresses him as Professor Teans. So what's his real name? Unless Jim Starlin has answered this question in a subsequent interview, I prefer to call him Lens Teans. It's possible that the name of the real world character's jacket is Lens.

The virtual world in which Warlock is trapped is obviously a parody of Marvel Comics. Those who don't conform to what's expected of them are crucified. The main purpose of the clown-world is to build an ever higher tower of garbage. Occasionally a diamond is found in the trash, but it's quickly thrown away. This is a cruel way of judging Marvel, but I can see what he means. In the 1960's Marvel was perfect. In the 1970's the company grew, and the overall quality deteriorated. Some comics were better than others. Jim Starlin evidently thinks that most were bad. He's being too harsh in his judgement. I'd say half and half.

Out of curiosity, are these two assistants supposed to represent anybody at Marvel?

Warlock fights his way through one scene of madness after another. Finally he short circuits the virtual reality helmet and breaks free at the same time that Gamora and Pip arrive to free him. They finally see the Magus' true form. And he's wearing a soul gem!