Week Ending April 21, 1973

Reading through these old issues in the order they came out, it seems to me that by choosing to start all their stories from the beginning, Marvel UK had given themselves something of a handicap. While they can be viewed as important classics now, back in the early 70s these early tales were probably at best described as 'uneven'. That said, the payoff of improving quality is now really starting to take hold and this week's issues are a good example of that phenomenon.

Mighty World of Marvel #29

Cover art by  Dick Ayers.

 

MWOM kicks off with the Hulk trapped in the future but somewhat boosted by the arrival of Gil Kane on pencils. While his work might not be instantly recognisable here, it definitely adds some much needed class to the proceedings. Within moments of his arrival in the future (which is probably last week for us) Hulk finds himself captured by the local warlord and his army. Though there is yet another, greater threat awaiting him in the surprising form of the Executioner, who quite literally pops up in the last panel.

Daredevil is still up against the underwhelming challenge of the Masked Matador. A villain I feel who would not have looked out of place in the camp 1960s Batman TV show. Despite the silly premise, the recent addition of Wally Wood delivers some surprisingly moody art. Stan's painful exposition thankfully starts to take more of a backseat as well.

More mini-poster goodness and FOOM still being promoted hard.

The FF continue their tussle with the mind-controlled Namor. Apart from a baffling array of fish-based weaponry, there isn't much to recommend this story. Something that Stan and Jack possibly felt themselves as they wrap it up quickly, returning us to the status quo of a grumpy Sub-Mariner and a dead Puppet Master.

Marvel UK spoil us this week with a bonus story from the pages of Journey into Mystery I believe. A short tale from Lee and Ditko featuring an astronaut marooned on the 'most dangerous planet in the galaxy'. This one presses my nostalgia button a bit, as I read this several years later, probably in Star Wars Weekly.

Spider-Man Comics Weekly #10

Blimey, now there is a cover. If only for Spidey's unlikely choice of pose, a position that I would guess is unique for any cover, even in a career that spans as long as Spider-Man's. I obviously stand to be corrected if it has been used elsewhere, in this case it is the work of Dick Ayers on pencils and the inks of Mike Esposito.

Continuing the exploits of the Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1, as Spider-Man battles the remaining members of the Sinister Six. Now I realise this was originally a double-size special, the glut of guest stars and opulent splash pages for each fight, starts to make sense. Stan and Steve had 72 pages to fill and only a very slight plot to do it with. After another pointless interlude with the Human Torch, the web-spinner is back on the trail of his next challenger. Who turns out to be Mysterio and his phalanx of deadly X-Men robots. Or it would be if the X-Men had been invented at this point in Marvel UK continuity, so instead we get crudely disguised figures whose powers and body shapes are identical to the X-Men, while at all times avoiding any mention of Marvel's mutant superheroes. I have to almost admire the dedication to setting up a unique timeline for these early Marvel UK reprints, especially as a notation in a box (look out for these whacky new Marvel heroes soon) would have been perfectly sufficient. Anyway, R-Men and Mysterio defeated, Spidey is on route to his next enemy, and although I have only just read it, I cannot remember if it is the Vulture or the Sandman. Not that it matters as he batters both in double quick time. How they strung there individual appearances out to whole issues in the past is beyond me. The Fairly Rubbish Five beaten, leaves only Doc Ock as the end of level boss before Spider-Man can rescue Betty and Aunt May. I can't help feeling that the good Doctor's decision to face his nemesis in the manner of a real octopus and have their showdown in a giant fish bowl, really backfires for him. Girlfriend and Aunt May saved, there is just time for an American sitcom style corny joke and smile to camera moment.

Last week I was fortunate enough to have someone reveal to me the nature of the promised photo-poster that SMCW has been touting these last few weeks. It actually does live up to the hype, if only by being so cheesy that it goes all the way around and back into brilliance. It is now my mission to own a copy.

I have previously postulated on this very blog that there may have been a tension between Stan and Jack regarding the direction of Thor as a character. My assumption was that Kirby wanted to explore his mythological nature, while the god of thunder stuff was just a gag for Stan to create a new superhero. This week's episode gives me reason to question that theory. Jack is off the credits, but there is a very Asgardian vibe to the story, and a lot of Norse goings on. That said, we still get Thor threatened by gangsters and appearing in his own Hollywood movie. It would seem that Stan is more than capable of bringing contradictory characterisation and plotting all on his own.