This month a new comic called Marvel Spotlight begins, which will showcase new super-heroes, sometimes for a single issue, sometimes for a few issues in a row. The first issue of this series features the original Red Wolf from the 19th Century. We met his modern day counterpart in Avengers #80.
The story is remarkable for having been written by Gardner Fox. It's the first story that he wrote for Marvel Comics after working exclusively for DC Comics since 1937. From what I understand he left DC on bad terms. His work for Marvel is sporadic in the 1970's, so I assume that he was working on a free-lance basis.
Since this is a western tale, I consider it to be non-canon.
Amazing Spider-Man #102
Note the banner across the top of the cover with the words "Marvel Comics Group". This replaces the more discreet naming of the company beneath the logo box and the price in the top left corner. This will be the usual layout for the next 12 years. The transition takes place this month. The cover of this month's Marvel Spotlight #1 still uses the old format. I don't understand the need for the new large banner. I find it ugly!
Title(s): Vampire at large!
The way it began
The curse and the cure!
Writer: Roy Thomas
Artist: Gil Kane
Villain: Morbius, Lizard
Regulars: Aunt May, Gwen Stacy, J. Jonah Jameson, Joe Robertson
This is a single story split into three parts that have been given individual titles. It's the first double-length comic in the regular Amazing Spider-Man series. Almost double-length, that is. It has 35 pages instead of the usual 19 or 20 pages. Judging by remarks on the bullpen bulletin page, the larger size for various Marvel comics should have become standard, but it only lasted one month. Next month's issue of Amazing Spider-Man will be 24 pages long, and after that 21 pages will be the standard length.
Morbius and the Lizard fight while Spider-Man watches. Eventually Morbius succeeds, when the Lizard is knocked into an electrical panel and the shock knocks him unconscious. Morbius wants to drink the Lizard's blood, but as soon as he bites him Spider-Man pulls him away. Dr. Curt Connors is Spider-Man's friend. Instead of fighting with Spider-Man, Morbius flies away to find easier victims. When the Lizard wakes up he has Curt Connors' brain. They think that this was caused by an enzyme injected by Morbius' fangs. This could possibly help to cure Spider-Man of his six arms condition.
The second part recounts Morbius' origin. He was a man called Michael Morbius, suffering from a fatal blood disease. He attempted to cure himself by injecting himself with the blood of a vampire bat. This turned Morbius into a kind of vampire.
In the third part Spider-Man and the Lizard unite to battle Morbius. They knock him unconscious and extract a small amount of blood. They make a serum with the blood. It's a success. The Lizard reverts to his human form, but before Spider-Man can use it Morbius attacks again. Spider-Man knocks Morbius into the sea, and he sinks to his death. Seemingly. Then Spider-Man uses the serum, and he loses his four new arms.
Captain America and the Falcon #143
Title(s): Power to the People
Burn, Whitey, Burn!
Red Skull in the morning, Cap take warning!
Writer: Gary Friedrich
Artist: John Romita
Villain: Red Skull
Regulars: Sharon Carter, Leila Taylor, Sgt. Muldoon
Guests: Nick Fury, Dum Dum Dugan
This is a single story split into three parts that have been given individual titles. It's a 34 page story this month, but from next month onwards the stories will be 20 or 21 pages long.
SHIELD has an access tunnel underneath the Hudson River. That's cool.
Gary Friedrich has outdone himself in this excellent story. A radical black group wants to riot and burn down all the buildings in Harlem. Their leader is a masked figure, who's eventually revealed to be the Red Skull. He's creating race riots with the sole purpose of luring Captain America to his death.
Avengers #93
Title(s): This Beachhead Earth!
A Journey to the Center of the Android!
War of the Weirds!
Writer: Roy Thomas
Artist: Neil Adams
Avengers: Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, Vision, Ant-Man, Goliath, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch
Villain: Skrulls, Super-Skrull
Guests: Captain Marvel, Rick Jones, Carol Danvers
This is a single story split into three parts that have been given individual titles. It's a 34 page story this month, but it will revert to the standard length of 20 pages next month.
After the Avengers were disbanded last issue, Goliath, Vision, Quicksilver and the Wasp drove to the farm where Carol Danvers had taken Captain Marvel to hide. Once there they're ambushed by Skrulls. They include the three Skrulls stranded on Earth since Fantastic Four #2 and the Super-Skrull, who we last saw in Captain Marvel #3.
Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch are captured by the Skrulls. Vision is badly injured and floats back to Avengers Mansion with his last strength. Waiting in the mansion are Captain America, Iron Man and Thor. Hank Pym arrives as Ant-Man. In an extended sequence, Ant-Man travels into Vision's body, fighting against his automated defence mechanisms, until he finally reaches his brain and finds that a wire has been disconnected. This reminds me of the story in Strange Tales #137, when Doctor Strange entered the Ancient One's mind by mystical means.
These are interesting thoughts from Hank Pym. Remember them next time you step on an ant.
Yet again a reference is made to DC Comics, this time Super-Man's alter ego Clark Kent.
Vision is told that the Avengers were never disbanded. In the last issue Captain America, Iron man and Thor were impersonated by Skrulls.
Goliath, who wasn't captured by the Skrulls because he was separated from his fellow Avengers, is warned to stay in hiding by Rick Jones. He's attacked by Skrulls disguised as the Fantastic Four. The other Avengers arrive and join in the fight, but they can't prevail. The Skrull space ship leaves, taking with it Captain Marvel, Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch.
The war between the Kree and the Skulls was first mentioned in Avengers #91. The events in this issue are connected with the war.
This story can easily be synced with the current solo comics of Captain America and Iron Man. It takes place after this month's Captain America #143 and before last month's Iron Man #42. The syncing with Thor's solo comic is more of a problem, because of the lengthy story line. It can only have taken place before Thor #182 (November 1970).
Fantastic Four #116
Title(s): The Alien, the Ally and Armageddon
Now falls the final hour!
Writer: Archie Goodwin
Artist: John Buscema
Fantastic Four: Reed Richards, Susan Richards, Ben Grimm, Johnny Storm
Villain: Over-Mind, Stranger
Regulars: Agatha Harkness, Franklin Richards
Guests: Watcher, Jarvis, Doctor Doom
This is a single story split into two parts that have been given individual titles. Stan Lee isn't credited with this story's plot, but I strongly suspect that he was responsible. It's a 34 page story this month, but it will revert to the standard length of 20 pages next month.
The Thing and the Human Torch go to attack the Over-Mind, while Susan Richards has the task of recruiting other super-heroes. The Avengers have left the Earth, leaving only Jarvis in the Avengers Mansion. She can't find any of the other heroes. None of them are in the phone book. She's about to give up, when Agatha Harkness appears and tells her to ask Doctor Doom for help.
It doesn't surprise me that Doctor Doom is willing to help save the planet he lives on. What does surprise me is that he smokes. Yuck! He should know better.
Doctor Doom leads the attack against the Over-Mind, who is being aided by Reed Richards. Eventually the Over-Mind wins. Then the Stranger appears, who we last saw in Thor #178. He reveals that he has the collective power of the planet called Gargantus that was destroyed by the Eternals. The Stranger exiles the Over-Mind to a tiny universe inside a speck of dust.
The Incredible Hulk #145
Title: Godspawn
Writer: Roy Thomas, Len Wein
Artist: Herb Trimpe
Villain: Horusians, Colossus
Regulars: General Ross, Major Talbot, Betty Ross
This is a single story split into two parts that have been given individual titles. It's a 33 page story this month, but from next month onwards the stories will be 21 pages long
Thousands of years ago visitors from the planet Horus came to Earth and planted seeds in Egypt. They were probably seen by people locally, because their image inspired the appearance of the Egyptian Gods.
In the modern day the Hulk is jumping around, and he comes to Egypt. He rescues a woman being chased by warriors in a chariot. It was a film shoot. After the initial anger, the director decides to shoot a new film with the Hulk in the leading role. This doesn't last long, because he turns back into Bruce Banner.
Bruce wanders off, and he's captured by beings that look like Egyptian Gods. Yes, it's the aliens from the planet Horus who've come back to check on what they planted. First they read Bruce Banner's thoughts to find out what's been happening in the world since they left, but all he thinks about is the way he became the Hulk. The origin story from Incredible Hulk #1 is retold. The aliens are unable to make any sense of it, so they give up, and continue with their plans. They use primitive planets as gladiatorial arenas, and they planted two warriors on Earth who have now matured. One is buried underground, a Colossus made out of stone. The other is the Sphinx.
Bruce Banner uses a Destruct Helmet (TM) to remove the Sphinx's life force and turn it into mere stone. Before he can do the same with the Colossus the Horusians interrupt him and he turns into the Hulk. He battles and defeats the Colossus, watched by the confused film crew who were too stupid to film the fight.
General Ross has plans for a new military base specially designed to deal with the Hulk. Silly man. Does he really think it'll work? Here are the plans as detailed on unlucky page 13.
Thor #193
Title: What power unleashed?
Writer: Gerry Conway
Artist: John Buscema
Villain: Karnilla, Loki, Durok
Regulars: Sif, Balder, Heimdall
Guests: Silver Surfer
This is a 34 page story this month, but from next month onwards the stories will be shorter, varying in length, but close to 20 pages.
Balder has summoned the Silver Surfer, who grudgingly agrees to aid Thor against Durok the Destroyer. Strangely, Balder tells the Silver Surfer that Thor is in Washington D.C. although we read last issue that he was sent to threaten the United Nations Building, which is in New York. There are two possible explanations:
1. Durok and Thor swapped cities between issues.
2. Gerry Conway slipped up and forgot what was written last issue.
I'll let my readers decide for themselves what happened.
The Silver Surfer doesn't recognise Balder, even though they met in Silver Surfer #4. Once more, I can offer two explanations:
1. The Silver Surfer didn't stop to look at the warriors attacking him in Asgard.
2. Gerry Conway slipped up and forgot to read the old issues.
Which do you think it is?
Thor is on the verge of defeat. He falls unconscious, but the Silver Surfer revives him. The Silver Surfer tells Thor he'll fight Durok while Thor goes to Asgard to battle Loki.
The Silver Surfer cannot outfight Durok, so he flies into the distant future while Durok is clutching his board. He abandons Durok and flies back to our present day.
Thor fights his way through three Storm Giants into the palace, just in time to stop Sif marrying Loki. This angers Loki, so he removes Thor's hammer with the power of the Odinring. The Storm Giants return to battle Thor again.
Gerry Conway seems to be improving as time goes on. This is a well written story, spoilt only by his mixed up facts.
The Crazy Credits call the writer superb and the artists admirable, but all they have to say about Artie Simek is that he's legible. Isn't that enough for a man in his important position?
Sub-Mariner #43
Title(s): Mindquake!
And the Power of the Mind!
The Changeling War
Writer: Gerry Conway
Artist: Gene Colan
Villain: Tuval, Llyra, Tiger Shark
Regulars: Diane Arliss
This is a single story split into three parts that have been given individual titles. It's a 34 page story this month, but from next month onwards the stories will be 20 or 21 pages long.
Prince Namor fights with sailors who are dumping atomic waste in the sea. When he comes back to land, the lighthouse keeper tells Namor that he's dying, and he commends himself to Tuval. His body crumbles into dust.
Namor seeks the man called Tuval. We're told that his full name is Stephen Tuval, and he's the brother of the former king of the people of the Black Sea. Tuval saved Namor's life in Sub-Mariner #40, and appeared briefly in the last two issues. Now we see that his motives are negative. He persuades elderly people to follow him, and by the force of their dedication he makes himself young again.
He sees young people as his enemies. He attacks an open air concert with psychic blasts, making the young music fans become old. Namor fights with Tuval, and when he wins he persuades Tuval's followers to leave him. This makes the formerly young people become young again.
One of Tuval's servants is called Captain McKenzie. Could that possibly be Namor's father?
This is a very strange story. Old versus young? It's trite and uninteresting.
Meanwhile, Tiger Shark and Llyra are teaming up to battle Namor.
Iron Man #43
Title: Doomprayer!
Writer: Gerry Conway
Artist: George Tuska
Villain: Soulfather (Mikas), Mr. Kline
Regulars: Marianne Rodgers, Kevin O'Brian (Guardsman)
Iron Man is put in chains while he's unconscious. He frees himself when he wakes up, but Soulfather knocks him unconscious again. Soulfather throws Iron Man into a pit to kill him. Then an image of Mr. Kline appears, chiding Soulfather for killing Iron Man without permission. Mr. Kline reveals that he's not human, he's an android. Iron Man escapes from the pit and battles Soulfather with his last strength. Iron Man is knocked out yet again, but Marianne Rodgers breaks Soulfather's control over her and revives him. Iron Man defeats Soulfather in the final battle.
Kevin O'Brian flies to rescue Iron Man wearing a costume that he's been developing together with Tony Stark. He now calls himself the Guardsman.
It's a messy story.
Daredevil #81
Title: And Death is a Woman called Widow
Writer: Gerry Conway
Artist: Gene Colan
Villain: Owl, Mr.Kline
Regulars: Karen Page, Foggy Nelson, Black Widow, Ivan
Daredevil falls into the Hudson River and loses consciousness as he sinks. The Black Widow is passing by, sees him and rescues him.
Mr. Kline criticises the Owl for almost killing Daredevil when he wanted him alive. He says that he arranged for the Black Widow to rescue him, and he's planning for a romantic attachment to develop between them. What! Mr. Kline, who we found out is an android in this month's Iron Man comic, can play God with people's emotions? This story is annoying me. The Owl is dismissed and told that he can now work for himself.
Karen Page begins to have feelings for Phil, her booking agent.
The Owl attempts to rob the treasury. The Black Widow fights with the Owl and his henchmen. Daredevil hears the police sirens and rushes to help her. Together they defeat the Owl, and then Daredevil passes out.
The Black Widow will soon become a regular character in the Daredevil comics. Bill Everett celebrates her appearance with this sexy pin-up.
Amazing Adventures #9
Title: The Madness of Magneto!
Writer: Gerry Conway
Artist: Mike Sekowsky
Inhumans: Black Bolt, Medusa, Gorgon, Karnak
Villain: Magneto
Until last issue the Inhumans shared Amazing Adventures with the Black Widow. Beginning in this issue they have a 20 page story each month.
Welcome back to Mike Sekowsky. This is the first comic that he's drawn for Marvel since 1956. He was one of Marvel's most prolific artists from 1942 to 1956, which is when he changed to DC. After leaving DC he drew a few sporadic comics for Marvel, but most of his work was for animated television series.
Medusa, Gorgon and Karnak are still in San Francisco searching for Black Bolt. Strange, deformed creatures ambush them, but they defeat them all. Black Bolt, still suffering from amnesia, is captured by similar creatures and taken to their leader: Magneto. The other three Inhumans arrive to free him, but Magneto defeats them after a short battle.
Stan Lee's editorial footnote says that Magneto was captured in Fantastic Four #101. That's not correct. It was Fantastic Four #104.
Mike Sekowsky should have checked what Magneto looks like under his helmet. Here's a reminder of his real appearance from X-Men #63:
He's older, grey-haired and not as gaunt.
Other comics published this month:
Conan the Barbarian #11 (Roy Thomas, Barry Smith)
My Love #14 (Gary Friedrich, Gray Morrow)
Rawhide Kid #93 (Larry Lieber, Larry Lieber)
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