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Post by chaykinstevens on Jul 26, 2022 15:42:58 GMT -5
CAPTAIN AMERICA #125. After a session of pining over Sharon Carter, Cap goes to Vietnam to rescue a missing peacemaker named, Dr. Robert Hoskins. Once there, he finds both sides using the disappearance of the beloved peacemaker as propaganda to ramp up the conflict. He also discovers that the Mandarin is the real big bad here and attempts to force him to tell where the doctor is being held. Let the battle begin. The Mandarin is, actually, tolerable this issue since he doesn’t do anything goofy like he’s always done in the past. Grade: C An early role for Bob Hoskins. Marie Severin and Frank Giacoia drew another cover, which was rejected. I think I prefer it to the published one.  THOR #175. Prior to Walt Simonson’s run on this book, I was NOT a fan of Thor outside of the Avengers. All of the Shakespearean dialogue just wasn’t for me. Yet, since I started this journey (no pun intended), Thor has been a HUGE surprise!!! I’ll admit that, in the beginning, I was ready to drop this title. Those stories by Robert Bernstein were horrible!! Then Stan took over the writing (yeah, THAT Stan who “never wrote anything” 🙄🙄🙄) and it has just gotten better and better. Stan credited the plots for R Berns' issues of Journey Into Mystery to himself. |
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Post by kirby101 on Jul 26, 2022 17:40:30 GMT -5
THOR #175. Prior to Walt Simonson’s run on this book, I was NOT a fan of Thor outside of the Avengers. All of the Shakespearean dialogue just wasn’t for me. Yet, since I started this journey (no pun intended), Thor has been a HUGE surprise!!! I’ll admit that, in the beginning, I was ready to drop this title. Those stories by Robert Bernstein were horrible!! Then Stan took over the writing (yeah, THAT Stan who “never wrote anything” 🙄🙄🙄) and it has just gotten better and better. This issue, Odin begins the Odinsleep, and Loki uses this opportunity to bring together the enemies of Asgard and attack. Looks like the beginning of another epic and magnificent storyline. Grade: A
What happened was Bernstein actually wrote full scripts, many illustrated by Joe Sinnott. They weren't very good and Sinnott was a much better inker than penciller. Stan started writing the dialog, which he was very good at, and Kirby started plotting. That is when Thor got better. |
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Post by Ish Kabbible on Jul 26, 2022 19:48:05 GMT -5
THOR #175. Prior to Walt Simonson’s run on this book, I was NOT a fan of Thor outside of the Avengers. All of the Shakespearean dialogue just wasn’t for me. Yet, since I started this journey (no pun intended), Thor has been a HUGE surprise!!! I’ll admit that, in the beginning, I was ready to drop this title. Those stories by Robert Bernstein were horrible!! Then Stan took over the writing (yeah, THAT Stan who “never wrote anything” 🙄🙄🙄) and it has just gotten better and better. This issue, Odin begins the Odinsleep, and Loki uses this opportunity to bring together the enemies of Asgard and attack. Looks like the beginning of another epic and magnificent storyline. Grade: A
What happened was Bernstein actually wrote full scripts, many illustrated by Joe Sinnott. They weren't very good and Sinnott was a much better inker than penciller. Stan started writing the dialog, which he was very good at, and Kirby started plotting. That is when Thor got better. Robert Bernstein was among the regular writers on Superman comics during the 1950's. This could explain why those early Thor issues seemed like re-jiggered Supes stories |
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Post by Myke Gee on Jul 30, 2022 14:53:09 GMT -5
AVENGERS #75. Before I get into the story, is there any question as to what this month’s top cover will be? One of THE most iconic covers in Avengers history and, maybe, Quicksilver’s coolest moment, lol! Now, to this issue. One thing that I’ve really been curious about was.... when did the Scarlet Witch and the Black Widow become redheads? 😂 Well, she shows up here sporting auburn locks, and nothing is mentioned as to why. Same with Quicksilver in his new colors. Not that either moves the story along, it just seems odd that nothing was said. Amidst all of this, is Arkon the Magnificent (just ask him). This is the first appearance of one of my favorite characters. As always, he shows up because his world is dying and, instead of asking nicely for help, he demands it. Oh, and he also has the hots for Wanda. 😏 Great story, as the Avengers seems to be really heating up, lately. Grade: A
FANTASTIC FOUR #98. In this issue, it’s July 1969 and Apollo 11 is about to head to the moon. But, not before Reed Richards learns of a Kree plot to destroy Apollo 11 before it can reach it. The team, minus Sue, heads to the moon where they encounter a Kree Sentry (colored more like a Sentinel in this issue, for whatever reason). The team must battle the Sentry and defeat it before the lunar landing. Honestly, I’ve never found the Kree Sentries particularly interesting. They’re just more RBRs (Really Big Robots), in my opinion. (Although, I do like the Sentinels. Hmmm....) An enjoyable issue, but, not much more than that. Grade: C+SILVER SURFER #15. I swear, I think that the writers of the 70’s sitcom, “Three’s Company”, must have grown up reading SILVER SURFER. Every episode was based on some type of misunderstanding. How it lasted 9 seasons baffles me. Anyway, for the 2nd issue in a row, the Surfer finds himself in conflict with fellow heroes over a misunderstanding. Last month, it was Spider-Man. This month, the FF; particularly, the Human Torch. However, this time, there’s something of a twist to the misunderstanding angle. Grade: B Sorry Mike, the FF don't go to the moon, they go to an island that the Sentry creates somewhere in the Pacific. Why would it be an issue though, the FF went to the moon in issue # 13 where they met the Watcher. The artwork in this issue pops and many iconic reprinted panels come from this issue. You're right. They don't. Keep in mind that I wrote these 3 years ago and I have no idea why I said that they went to the moon, lol!! Also, keep in mind that my reviews of FF #97 - 100 were less than stellar, to say the least. So, there's a clue in that comment. Don't look for a good review of FF #99 & 100, since I have yet to post those here. |
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Post by Icctrombone on Jul 30, 2022 15:57:34 GMT -5
To be fair, if you read the book it gives the impression that they are going to the moon to fight the Sentry.
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Post by Myke Gee on Aug 1, 2022 18:42:35 GMT -5
*ORIGINALLY POSTED ON FACEBOOK JULY 13, 2019*
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MARCH 1970
(Cover Date: May/June 1970)
Here’s what I thought about the March 1970 books after reading them for the very first time…. AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #85. The conclusion to the Schemer trilogy. This issue, we learn the identity of the Schemer and we, also, learn that Captain Stacy is one sharp cookie. He confronts Peter to ask about his “connection” to Spider-Man. That brief moment was far more compelling than the drama surrounding Spider-Man, the Schemer, and the Kingpin. A really good story, but it was starting to feel like it was “overstaying its welcome” a little bit. Grade: B-AVENGERS #76. As it says at the beginning of the story, “the Scarlet Witch and some of Earth’s top nuclear physicists have been captured by Arkon, ruler of a far-flung dimension! And, if the mighty Avengers do not act swiftly... AND surely...our very planet stands in imminent peril of its existence!!” So begins a battle for two worlds. Great conclusion to a great story. I love that the Big Three are here for this story. I say again, the Avengers work best when they are on the team. Also, a cool moment for me: The first-ever meeting between the Vision and the Scarlet Witch. I never even thought about it until it happened. Very cool. Another pivotal moment: the “breakup of Goliath and the Black Widow. I believe that this is where the Widow’s transformation starts. Loving the Marvel Universe, right now! Grade: ACAPTAIN AMERICA #126. Captain America pays a visit to Harlem to help the Falcon who has been framed for a crime by a group called the Diamond Heads. Their agenda is the opposite of the KKK. This one is not so great, but not so bad either. The identity of the gang’s leader is the key to clearing the Falcon and you should be able to do that fairly easily. Grade: CCAPTAIN MARVEL #20. Captain Marvel returns this month and not much has really changed. He and Rick Jones are still adapting to their shared coexistence and, quite frankly, the two are already getting a little tired of it. After calling on Mar-Vell for the first time in weeks to stop a couple of burglars, Rick has the idea to find someone brilliant that might be able to do something to separate the two; namely, Bruce Banner. Along the way, Mar-Vell comes across a town that’s being terrorized by a group called the Rat Pack. Mar-Vell makes short work of them and continues on his way to find Banner. Once he’s close, he inexplicably reverts to Rick while in mid-flight. Fortunately, Rick lands in the water. Half conscious, he stumbles to Banner’s doorstep, but the reunion doesn’t go quite the way he imagined. Continued next issue. A pedestrian tale, at best. Grade: CDAREDEVIL #64. The Stuntmaster is back because....um.... someone demanded it, I guess. DD has followed Karen to Los Angeles in hopes of changing her mind about leaving. 10 pages of this 20-page story is DD commiserating and searching for her. Then, comes Stunty (they, actually, call him that in the book 🙄😏) in plain clothes looking to go straight and earn an honest living. A group of robbers who know his identity throws a monkey wrench into those plans just as DD throws one in theirs. This one really feels rushed or, even better, condensed. It feels like a story that was meant to be fleshed out a bit but was condensed to a one-n-done. Grade: CFANTASTIC FOUR #99. Ya know, I’m so tempted to sum this issue up with one sentence: “This issue, Johnny throws a tantrum”. Honestly, so little is mentioned of his education, but, he’s acting like a kid who hasn’t made it to high school, let alone, graduated from one. The story is that a few issues ago, Crystal was ordered to return to Attilan by Black Bolt. Johnny moped a bit over it, but, this issue he goes full-blown nut-job because she left him. So much so, he’s pretty reckless; endangering Inhuman lives and even fighting the Royal Family. Up to this point, Johnny has certainly shown that he’s still got some growing up to do, but this felt completely out of character; which took away from the story, in my opinion. Grade: C-IRON MAN #26. Our story begins with an argument between Tony Stark and Happy Hogan. Pepper Hogan has been kidnapped by a mystery man who, later, turns out to be the Collector. Happy is ticked because Tony intends to rescue her as Iron Man, but, Happy wants to free her by agreeing to the Collector’s conditions; namely, turn over the Freak and she’s free. Since Happy has no memory of being the Freak, Tony intends to keep it that way. After a brief confrontation with the Collector, the Collector sends Iron Man to the Dark Dimension to collect the Solar Sword from a Thor-lite/He-Man knockoff named Val-Larr. (How many of you are thinking that, on Marvel Earth, he would be Captain Valor? 😂) Anyway, like He-Man, Val-Larr is at war with a Skeletor-like villain named Shar-Khan. Iron Man hears Val-Larr’s story and now must choose between helping Val-Larr fight his war or saving the lives of his friends. Nothing special, but an entertaining one-n-done story. Grade: C+INCREDIBLE HULK #128. Fresh off his battle with Tyrannus, the Mole Man, and Mogol, the Hulk is still underground trying to find a way to return to the surface. Hopelessly lost, he decides to do what he does best: smash his way to the surface. Unfortunately, his aimless subterranean destruction is heading for the San Andreas Fault. Gen.Ross falls in the Avengers to lure him to the surface so that he can use a device called a Gammatron Bombarder. (Don’t worry about what it does. It gets destroyed before the reader can find out) Naturally, they find him and, of course, a battle ensues. Now, this particular team of Avengers is without their Big Three. Still, this gave us an opportunity to further see how powerful the Vision is, as he fought the Hulk and escaped with nary a circuit damaged. Grade: B+SILVER SURFER #16. Mephisto returns to launch a scheme similar to the 1982 one-shot. The Lord of Evil has freed the Surfer from Galactus’ to be with his beloved Shalla Bal on Zenn-La. What he doesn’t tell the Surfer is that she is no longer on Zenn-La. She’s definitely racking up the “frequent flyer miles” as she was just on Earth in issues 10 & 11. This time, she’s brought here just to break the Surfer’s spirit. Of course, the Surfer tries to battle Mephisto to force him to disclose her location, but, for all his power, Mephisto out-classes him. (Which is why comic book villains are the dumbest people ever, lol!) After humbling the Surfer in physical combat, the Surfer agrees to do his bidding if it gets him to Shalla Bal. Mephisto’s first command has me a bit puzzled. Can’t wait until next month to find out why he made such a request. Excellent story and it lends to my theory that the Surfer works best when he faces adversaries that equal or surpass his abilities. Grade: ASUB-MARINER #26. The Sub-Mariner arrives in New York to find Diane Arliss who, along with Dr. Walter Newell aka Stingray, is working to revive the Red Raven who was found at sea unconscious and floating in a capsule. Upon his arrival, Namor explains that the Raven is the reason why he’s come to her. He wants to help revive the Raven so that he and his winged people would be future allies should the surface world attack Atlantis. The Raven is awakened, however, the Raven recalls how he was taught that the winged people and Atlanteans were enemies. So, of course, the two start fighting; this time, the Red Raven being the hothead. A pretty good story with a not-so-good ending for the Red Raven. Grade B-THOR #176. This issue is not THOR #176 as much as it is THE WARRIORS THREE #1. Loki has seized control of Asgard while Odin is in his Odin-Sleep. Taken from Odin as he slept is the Odin-Ring; which means that, whoever wears it, is lord of Asgard and all must obey him. (Odin-Sleep, Odin-Ring. Next, there’ll be the Odin-Cave, the Odin-mobile, and, of course, an Odirang, but I digress 🤪) Of course, Thor is imprisoned, but taking up the initial battle is the Warriors Three and, later, Balder the Brave and Lady Sif. Did I mention that Surtur has awakened? The epic builds in this outstanding chapter. Grade: ASo, another month has gone by, and there were some great books this month! SILVER SURFER was the cream of the crop this month and, probably for the first time since I started this, the FF was the worst. Issue #100 is next, so, I’m sure that Stan and Jack will bounce back with a vengeance. Until then, take care, everyone. Top Books of the Month:
1) SILVER SURFER #16
2) AVENGERS #76 3) THOR #176 4) INCREDIBLE HULK #128 5) SUB-MARINER #26 Top Covers of the Month:
1) SUB-MARINER #26 2) DAREDEVIL #64 3) SUB-MARINER #26 4) RAWHIDE KID #77 5) CAPTAIN AMERICA #126
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Post by Myke Gee on Aug 7, 2022 16:40:49 GMT -5
When I originally posted this on Facebook, I posted a separate thread for FF #100 as I was anticipating some serious backlash, lol!!! Turns out, no one was surprised. 
*ORIGINALLY POSTED ON FACEBOOK ON JULY 20, 2019*
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APRIL 1970
(Cover Date: June/July 1970)
Let’s jump right into my thoughts on these first-time reads.AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #86. This issue features the debut of the new and improved Black Widow. Like the Scarlet Witch back in January, Madam Natasha shows up with red hair and it’s never explained. Even in her flashback, she has red hair when recalls her first battle with Iron Man and her days as an Avenger. So, we have two characters that originally had dark hair aaannnndd nothing is said about it? 😏 I’m sorry, but it bothers me. 😂 Anyway, the story, basically, served two purposes: 1) to debut and showcase her new costume and powers (which are, essentially, the same) and 2) to plug the new book that she’ll be co-starring in, AMAZING ADVENTURES Vol. 2. Oh yeah, Spider-Man was in the book, too. 😜 Grade: B-DAREDEVIL #65. This issue’s story should be titled “Stalker”. Matt Murdock is still in Los Angeles searching for Karen Page. Last issue, he spoke to a woman that, unknown to him, was Karen’s roommate. Now, he enters her house (Unlawful Entry) and obtains information about Karen’s whereabouts. He shows up at a television studio where she has a small part in a show. His actions were downright creepy. There’s, also, this creepy co-worker who plays the part of “Brother Brimstone” on the show. Already a bit unhinged, he’s informed that they are writing him off the show. So, naturally, he now becomes the villain called (yep) Brother Brimstone....or is he? Gotta admit the last panel threw me. Can’t wait for the next issue. A lot of tedium leading up to that last panel, though. Grade: CINCREDIBLE HULK #129. After the Hulk’s battle with the Avengers last issue, Bruce Banner finds himself, once again, lost and with no memory of how he got to wherever he is. He decides to head to the main road to hitch a ride and meets Samuel Sterns aka the Leader (*snore*). In his Sterns identity, he learns of a battle between the Hulk and the Glob from Banner (although, how Banner remembers so much detail is beyond me). Learning what he needed, Sterns abruptly left Banner in the diner where they stopped to eat. After changing back to the Leader, he resurrects the Glob and mentally steers him in Banner’s direction. The Glob attacks Banner, Banner changes into the Hulk and it’s on. The Hulk, reluctantly, fights the Glob because he remembers their last encounter ended with the two potentially becoming friends. An average one-n-done with some good action scenes. Grade: C+CAPTAIN AMERICA #127. Cap and Nick Fury test a new SHIELD protecto-suit created by Dr. Ralph Ryder. After deeming the suit a success, Cap leaves SHIELD HQ and Fury decides that it’s, now, time for a field test. When agents of AIM show up with a way to counter the suit’s protective abilities, a traitor is suspected of leaking the information. Guess which star-spangled Avenger is the #1 suspect? Yet, another fair-to-middling story that does just enough to keep you there til the end. Frankly, the most interesting part of the story, for me, is learning that Nick Fury and Robbie Robertson have been friends “for years”. I would love to know the story behind that friendship. Grade: C+SILVER SURFER #17. Last issue, Mephisto kidnapped Shalla-Bal and ordered the Surfer to destroy SHIELD, of all things, or she will die. Mephisto, being the devious devil that he is, places Shalla-Bal inside of the SHIELD HQ so that she will die anyway once the Surfer attacks. Mephisto becomes infuriated when the Surfer decided to destroy SHIELD without taking any lives; he is only attacking empty buildings. Nick Fury and SHIELD manage to overpower the Surfer with Z-Guns that were developed by Tony Stark. While imprisoned in SHIELD HQ, the Surfer sees Shalla-Bal and realizes what Mephisto’s plan was; therefore, Mephisto dishonored the deal. Next, comes the big battle between the two while Fury and company watch (although, Mephisto isn’t visible). Fairly good story, but what still escapes me (since it was never explained) is why on Earth would Mephisto care about SHIELD?? Grade: B-SUB-MARINER #27. A cruise ship is attacked by a creature believed to be the legendary Kraken, and Namor and Atlantis are accused of sending it. To keep the tenuous peace between Atlantis and the surface world, Namor looks for the creature and is quickly beaten by it. However, all isn’t quite what it seems as Namor is taken prisoner by Commander Kraken. Namor quickly deduces the creature’s secret as he escapes and takes on Cdr. Kraken and his crew. While Cdr. Kraken is a joke, the creature is pretty formidable and, like the Silver Surfer, Namor stories work best, for me, when he faces a comparable opponent. Grade: C+THOR #177. The epic melee continues as Thor and the warriors of Asgard battle the living conflagration known as Surtur. This story, and Thor stories like it, demonstrate why this is a long-running series, and THE SILVER SURFER VOL. 1 lasted only 18 issues. Gone are the days of Thor battling the likes of Cobra and Mr. Hyde. The villains and stories are bigger, as they should be. I imagine that, with the Surfer being trapped on Earth, it was difficult to consistently find opponents that could rival him in power, but, they should have found a way. Like the Surfer should have been, Thor is a great example of a God facing god-like beings and situations. I am truly loving this series and I’ve NEVER been a huge fan of solo Thor stories. Grade: AIRON MAN #27. Let me start by saying that I have never read a story featuring Firebrand, but I’ve always been curious about the character because I love his look. I’ve, also, been curious as to why he has that “Soul Brother” fist on his costume, lol!!! Well, lo and behold, on page 2, Black people!!! 😂😂😂 Now, I have no idea of Firebrand’s ethnicity, but, the story would have you believe that he’s Black and very anti-establishment. While he didn’t live up to the cover’s hyperbolic “...most controversial villain in the history of comic-mags!!” tag, he did prove to be interesting enough that I can’t wait for his next appearance. One other thing: I’ve noticed that Iron Man isn’t as formidable these days as he’s portrayed in later issues. Firebrand, and most others, made him work for his victory in this issue. I guess that was the difference between MARVEL and DC back then. Anyway, I liked the story, loved seeing Eddie March again and I’m happy that Firebrand didn’t disappoint. Grade: B+FANTASTIC FOUR #100. Okay, what the heck did I just read? THAT is what was released as the landmark 100th issue?!! Did anyone in the Bullpen think this one through or did anyone, at least, proofread this story? First, they promise “Villains, villains, villains!!” Okay, so, I’m not so pissed that they turn out to be androids. That makes a bit more “sense” 🙄 than all of their enemies getting together to destroy the team and failing. I mean, it took the entire team to beat them individually. Beating cheap facsimiles is easier to swallow. What I had trouble swallowing was Reed Richards deducing that since it was androids, they must be facing.... the Puppet Master?!?!! Since when did the Puppet Master become known for using androids?!! It makes no sense, especially since the Mad Thinker, who IS known for using androids, is IN this issue!!! They even saw the Thinker, yet, *sssiighhhhhh* they called him the Red Ghost!!! Just after defeating the “Ghost”, they show the Thinker on the next page wearing the same outfit! Again, did ANYONE proofread this issue?? At this point, I’m thinking that this MUST be one of those “It was all a dream” issues, but, unfortunately, it wasn’t. I had to read it a second time just to make sure that I wasn’t crazy. Wow!!! Issue #99 Johnny throws a tantrum and ruins the book for me and, now, the 100th issue lays a serious egg!!! If I’m not mistaken, there are only a couple of Lee/Kirby issues left. I know that’s true for Kirby, but, if Lee remains after the departure of his superstar artist (a la ASM), then, I hope this isn’t a sign of what’s to come because it seems like he’s running out of ideas for this book. That would be SO unfortunate because his post-Ditko tenure on AMAZING SPIDER-MAN is nothing short of SPECTACULAR!!! (No pun intended) So disappointing!!! Grade: (and I NEVER thought I’d give an early FF issue this, but....) F!!!AVENGERS #77. This story starts out with the team destroying a building for reasons yet to be revealed. As the police arrive, so does a limousine containing Cornelius van Lunt who, at the time, (I believe) no one knew was the villain called Taurus. It turns out that the Avengers were in Van Lunt’s employ to earn money to help Tony Stark who fighting off a financial power play by, none other than, Van Lunt. In the meantime, there’s another villain by the name of Kronus that’s gathered a group of crooks to teach them how to be better bank robbers; a task that the Avengers have stopped a few times in the past. As the story progresses, the identity of Kronus is what links the two events. After the impressive roll Roy Thomas has been on with this book, this story is rather pedestrian in comparison. Grade: CThe entire group of books this month feels like a C to C+ average. Not bad stories, but, no great ones either. Aside from THOR, SILVER SURFER, and IRON MAN, this month had some very mediocre stories, and don’t EVEN start me again on FF #100. Well, the first 100+ months of Marvel’s superhero age is done. It’s been an incredible ride and I’m looking forward to the next 100; although, by the time FF #200 came around, I was already a card-carrying True Believer!!Until next month, take care, everyone.TOP BOOKS OF THE MONTH:1) THOR #1772) IRON MAN #273) SILVER SURFER #17 4) AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #865) SUB-MARINER #27Even the covers were underwhelming this month.TOP COVERS OF THE MONTH:1) TOWER OF SHADOWS #62) AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #863) THOR #1774) SILVER SURFER #175) WHERE MONSTERS DWELL #4
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Post by Icctrombone on Aug 12, 2022 7:38:35 GMT -5
When I originally posted this on Facebook, I posted a separate thread for FF #100 as I was anticipating some serious backlash, lol!!! Turns out, no one was surprised.
*ORIGINALLY POSTED ON FACEBOOK ON JULY 20, 2019*
APRIL 1970 (COVER DATE: JULY 1970) Until next month, take care, everyone.TOP BOOKS OF THE MONTH:1) THOR #1772) IRON MAN #273) SILVER SURFER #17 4) AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #865) SUB-MARINER #27Even the covers were underwhelming this month.TOP COVERS OF THE MONTH:1) TOWER OF SHADOWS #62) AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #863) THOR #1774) SILVER SURFER #175) WHERE MONSTERS DWELL #4 You didn't like FF #100  lol. This issue and the previous one showed that both Lee and Kirby were phoning it in at that point. 100 issues of anything is too long in most books. You need new fresh ideas which people like Thomas, Conway and Wolfman did when lee and Kirby left. That Silver Surfer 18 issue series was really meh. The only 2 issues that were good was # 1 and 4. The origin issue was amazing and surprising that it gave an origin without Kirby's input. The issue starring Thor was an ordinary story but with amazing artwork and maybe one of the best comic covers of all time. |
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Post by MWGallaher on Aug 12, 2022 9:11:14 GMT -5
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #86. This issue features the debut of the new and improved Black Widow. Like the Scarlet Witch back in January, Madam Natasha shows up with red hair and it’s never explained. Even in her flashback, she has red hair when recalls her first battle with Iron Man and her days as an Avenger. So, we have two characters that originally had dark hair aaannnndd nothing is said about it? 😏 I’m sorry, but it bothers me. 😂 Anyway, the story, basically, served two purposes: 1) to debut and showcase her new costume and powers (which are, essentially, the same) and 2) to plug the new book that she’ll be co-starring in, AMAZING ADVENTURES Vol. 2. Oh yeah, Spider-Man was in the book, too. 😜 Grade: B-
They called it "AMAZING TALES" in the blurb--I guess Stan got a little mixed up with AMAZING ADVENTURES and ASTONISHING TALES both making their debut. This era of Marvel's is a bit of a blind spot for me. I started reading the following year, and in the 70's, plenty of the earlier Marvels were available in reprint, but I suppose the 1970 vintage issues were considered too recent. Consequently, I never realized that the "new" Black Widow look had been established here immediately before her own solo feature began. It looks like both Stan and Jack botched their duties on this one. Kirby drew the Thinker where he was supposed to be drawing the Red Ghost, leading to the mix-up you noted. Stan should have had Sinnott change the character's face and costume, but apparently none of them noticed. I guess it helps a bit that the Red Ghost/Thinker is drawn in transparent "phantom" form, so the coloring makes it easier to just trust the dialog and ignore the character's incorrect hair style. Stan's scripting--especially with the inexplicable early deduction that Puppet Master is behind this--obscures the key concept behind the plot (presumably Kirby's): that by combining forces, the Puppet Master and the Thinker are able to create an army of androids (Thinker's contribution) with the powers and personalities of the actual villains (Puppet Master's contribution). I think that with more careful scripting and some art corrections, this could have been saved. The idea was a good one for their first milestone 100; given that it was a regular size comic, that was a convenient method to at least show the FF going against many of their most prominent opponents. This appears to have been in that stretch of months when Marvel was trying to make every issue a standalone story, which didn't end up playing to the line's strengths. Introducing two new split-feature books, as they were about to do, would have made that policy difficult to maintain line-wide. |
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Post by Farrar on Aug 12, 2022 14:07:07 GMT -5
*ORIGINALLY POSTED ON FACEBOOK ON JULY 20, 2019*
APRIL 1970 (COVER DATE: JULY 1970) AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #86. This issue features the debut of the new and improved Black Widow. Like the Scarlet Witch back in January, Madam Natasha shows up with red hair and it’s never explained. Even in her flashback, she has red hair when recalls her first battle with Iron Man and her days as an Avenger. So, we have two characters that originally had dark hair aaannnndd nothing is said about it? 😏 I’m sorry, but it bothers me. 😂 ...I posted about the reasons behind the Scarlet Witch's hair color a couple of pages ago. As for the Black Widow, I assume that with her new costume (which Romita's said he based on the older character Miss Fury), perhaps it was felt that black hair wouldn't have provided any contrast with the new black bodysuit. Or maybe Marvel was inspired by the Barbara Gordon Batgirl hair/costume combo! And if makes you feel any better, Hawkeye remarks on Natasha's changed look--but not until a few years later, in Daredevil #99. Well, better late than never...  Other hair color changers from this era: Hank Pym (yellow/blond to orange), Alex Summers (brown to yellow/blond--and in the middle of a story arc no less!), and Alicia Masters (light orange to medium brown). Readers did notice such changes and wrote in questioning these unheralded changes. And speaking of Alicia, wait'll you see her in the next issue of Fantastic Four, #101. |
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Post by Farrar on Aug 12, 2022 14:15:53 GMT -5
The many errors in Fantastic Four #100 didn't go unnoticed by readers and were commented upon in the letter columns. FF #100 was supposed to be a double-sized issue but then that plan was scrapped, so Kirby had to cram everything into 9-panel pages to get it all to fit. As someone who read the comic at the time it was published, personally I liked the 9-panel look, as it harkened back to the early FF and the FF reprints I was reading in Marvel Collectors' Item Classics.
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Post by kirby101 on Aug 12, 2022 17:37:07 GMT -5
What seems dreadful to a 40 or 50 year old in 2022 was great fun to a 17 year old in 1973.
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Post by Myke Gee on Aug 20, 2022 10:15:07 GMT -5
*ORIGINALLY POSTED ON FACEBOOK ON JULY 27, 2019* MAY 1970
(Cover Date: July/August 1970)
First time reads for these Marvel comics. Here’s what I thought:
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #87. This issue features another iconic cover and what happens on the cover is NOT a dream or a hoax. Peter, actually, tells his closest friends that he is Spider-Man! It all continues from the last issue as Spider-Man is feeling very weak as if he is losing his powers. So sick is he, he’s convinced that that’s what is happening. As a result, in a state of near delirium, he makes the confession. After leaving his friends, he decides to see a doctor despite the risk. Once he finds out that all he had was just the flu 😂, he now has to find a way to put his secret identity genie back in the bottle. Don’t ask me how, but I, actually, deduced how he would do it. Really fun story. Grade: A
DAREDEVIL #66. Last week, I said that a lot of tedium led up to a pretty interesting ending. Well, it seems that that ending was about as interesting as this story gets. Last issue, Karen Page took a small part in a TV horror soap opera in which one of the main characters, Brother Brimstone, was going to be written off the show. The actor who played Brimstone was an ill-tempered person who was killed by.... Brother Brimstone. The story finds DD trying to solve the mystery of the 2nd Brimstone’s identity. Roy Thomas throws in an OBVIOUS red herring a la the Death’s Head story, but you’ll see right through it when it happens. While there is enough to keep you interested in finding out the killer’s identity, *sigh* alas, this story is just an exercise in tedium. Grade: C-
KA-ZAR #1. The first half of this is a reprint of Ka-Zar’s first appearance in the X-Men. The only reason I’m including this issue is that the second feature is a solo story starring Hercules. A teaser of a story, really, we find Hercules (seen for the first time since AVENGERS #50) fleeing from an Olympian known as the Huntsman. After evading his pursuer, Hercules, literally, bumps into Goliath who offers to help him. Hercules, initially, refuses but agrees to meet at Avengers Mansion later. We, then, flashback to find out that the Huntsman was sent by Zeus to hunt down Hercules who openly defied his father. Once at the Mansion, Hercules and the Avengers briefly fight the Huntsman until Herc, once again, flees. An odd little story that was written by someone named Allyn Brodsky with art by Frank Springer and Dick Ayers. It was no way near concluded, but it did seem like it was going to be continued next issue. We’ll see, I guess. The next story is a reprint of Ka-Zar’s last meeting with Daredevil. Grade: C
INCREDIBLE HULK #130. This issue REALLY made me question the Hulk’s status as a “hero” or even an “anti-hero”. This issue, Bruce Banner seeks out an old colleague, Dr. Raoul Stoddard, in hopes that the two of them will find a way to end the Hulk. They come up with a device called the Gammatron. As Stoddard uses the device, it, unexpectedly, causes Banner to separate from the Hulk. Hearing Banner’s name, the Hulk sets out to “smash” Banner. Banner flees in Stoddard’s vehicle with the Hulk right behind him. Banner narrowly escapes the Hulk only because of Gen. Ross and the Military’s arrival. Although Banner is taken away, the Hulk can still sense his location. The Hulk, then, goes on a rampage; causing mass destruction wherever he goes in search of his former alter ego. There’s NO WAY that no one was killed during his fit of rage. He even used the words “kill Banner” when he finally caught up to him again. It’s, probably, the one time since I started reading these books that the Hulk was truly in a murderous mind state. Let’s face it, intentionally or not, the Hulk has killed. Continued next issue. Grade: B+
CAPTAIN AMERICA #128. See, this is what I was talking about with this book. It seems like, if Cap’s not fighting AIM, MODOK, or the Red Skull, he’s up against some fourth-rater like this generic biker gang this issue. This issue starts with Cap in brooding mode, yet again. Of course, it’s the “What am I doing with my life...Sharon, Sharon, Sharon...” session #332; not to mention the obligatory “Death of Bucky” flashback. So, as Steve Rogers, he takes a walk and sees some people gathered around a window. Pictures of old movie stars were on display and then, came a picture of him. Much to his surprise, the people weren’t exactly praising him. Words like “washed up” and “has-been” put him in an even worse mood. So, he does what anyone who’s down would do...buy a motorcycle!!! 😏 He rides off to some small town and gets arrested for not wearing a helmet. (Tough town 😄) Said generic biker gang, Satan’s Angels 🙄, hears about the arrest and thinks that it’s one of their own. The bikers go to break him out, Steve switches to Cap, and so on and so forth. Then, in the next issue box, “The Vengeance of...the Red Skull!!” *ssiiiiggghhh*🙄🙄 Grade: C-
SUB-MARINER #28. Namor is taking a walk in New York with Diane Arliss when they come upon a peaceful environmental protection demonstration. The leader of the protest, Jerry Westman, is the son of the owner of the company (Sam Westman) that the group is protesting. As Jerry is about to address his fellow protesters, Sam Westman’s hired goons attempt to stop him. Namor intervenes and makes short work of the thugs. A grateful Jerry invites Namor to another protest later that day and he accepts. At the second protest, Namor arrives and so does Sam with a monstrous earth-mover that he calls....*sigh* Brutivac (and I thought “Killdozer” was corny 😏). At this point, Weston Sr has, pretty much, lost it and uses Brutivac to attack Namor and the protesters. Kind of a fun story with a message. Still, it’s another done-in-one that feels like an inventory story. Grade: C+
AMAZING ADVENTURES VOL. 2, #1. The return of the “split book” this month “because YOU demanded it!!!”. I guess that demand was for the featured characters, the Inhumans and the Black Widow. The Inhumans start with a regiment of military men (presumably Tibetan. I have no clue) getting a wee bit too close to the Great Refuge. They are turned back by the Royal Family, minus Triton and Crystal. No sooner than the Royal Family returns home, the exiled Maximus sends two missiles toward Attilan. The first is repelled by Black Bolt, but the second is stopped by him and the fragments reveal that they were sent by an unexpected foe. A decent start to the series (despite depicting Black Bolt’s thoughts in a thought bubble) as Jack Kirby is drawing AND writing this series. Curious to see where it goes. The Black Widow starts off by helping her maid’s son who is being threatened by a loan shark’s goons. Nothing special here as the Widow is making her 1st solo appearance since she revamped her whole look in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #86. Also, the 1st appearance of Ivan Petrovich. Hmm...do I grade the stories individually or the entire book? Let me know. For now, I’m giving the entire book a C+.
ASTONISHING TALES #1. The second split book to debut this month. Dr. Doom and Ka-Zar are the stars of this series as Doom is first up. The story is secondary to the great art by Wally Wood. The story features the 1st appearance of Prince Rudolfo who is leading an underground rebellion to the throne of Latveria. He plants a little spy named Ramona who Doom purposely discovers. Meanwhile, Doom has created a “clone” of sorts to stop the rebellion. A much better story than I anticipated, I’ll admit. Looking forward to seeing where this goes as I’m not sure how I feel about the villain being the star. The Lee/Kirby Ka-Zar story was a pleasant surprise as Ka-Zar has always been a hit-or-miss character for me, especially in those early days. Kraven the Hunter has his sights set on Zabu, but surely, he doesn’t think that the Lord of the Hidden Jungle will sit idly by and allow this to happen, does he? A more natural adversary I can’t think of for Ka-Zar. Overall grade for the book: B+
THOR #178. John Buscema steps in for Kirby his month as the Asgardians are celebrating the latest victory of Surtur and Loki. During the celebration, the scene shifts to the Stranger’s prison planet where the Abomination is just returning after the events in SILVER SURFER #12. No longer a prisoner on the planet, he looks around to see if he can find a way off it. Keeping out of sight, he finds the Stranger preparing to capture another victim. After the Stranger leaves, the Abomination sees that the Stranger’s latest intended victim is Thor. Inadvertently, he touches a lever that transports Thor to the Stranger’s world (the Stranger could’ve done that, but he wanted to do it up close and personal, lol). The Abomination, then, tricks Thor into believing that he is a helpless victim as are all on the planet. As Thor attempts to free them all, an alarm sounds, and the Stranger returns. Thor has his hands full in the ensuing battle and flees to learn more. He decides to revert to Don Blake which does NOT go well. There’s a bit more to it, but, as you can see, a LOT happens in this one issue and it’s so action-packed. Really good story, but a little bit of a step down from previous issues. Grade: B+
IRON MAN #28. The Controller returns in Mad Super-Villain Scheme #472. Tony Stark, along with Jasper Sitwell, travel to the sanitarium where the Controller is supposed to be helpless and sedated. An old flame of Stark’s, Meredith McCall, is the reason for this trip because she told them that the Controller is on the loose again. Once there, they meet Dr. Thome and his hulking assistant, Hugo. The doctor takes them to Basil Sandhurst (the Controller’s real name) who is in his bed sleeping and, apparently, an invalid. He, also, tells Stark that Meredith is a patient, as well. When Stark asked to see her medical file, the doctor states that it violates patient privacy. It is “Hugo” who “suggests” to the doctor that Stark should see the file. When the file reveals that Meredith is an employee and not a patient, “Hugo” reveals himself to be the Controller. After making short work of Sitwell and knocking Stark’s briefcase away, he forces Stark to help him improve his control helmet. Stark, of course, finds a way to double cross him and switch to Iron Man. Some superhero stories just feel so generic, and this is one of them. Grade: C
CAPTAIN MARVEL #21. Last issue, Rick Jones and Mar-Vell sought out Bruce Banner in hopes that he would be able to separate the two. Of course, Banner changes to the Hulk and Rick switches to Captain Marvel and a brief fight ensues. After the Hulk calms down and reverts back to Banner, Rick explains why he’s there. Banner thinks that he can help, but wants to consult an old teacher of his, Dr. Weller. However, Weller and his work are, currently, being protested by students who believe that he is developing weapons for the Vietnam War on a college campus. Banner calls Weller just as a rock is thrown through his window. Weller explains to Banner his situation, which ticks Banner off. Banner, then, turns into the Hulk and is off to his alter mater to smash the students. Now, once again, Captain Marvel has to fight the Hulk to save the students. The conclusion to this two-parter is only slightly better than the first part. This is the last issue for 3 years until Jim Starlin revives the book. Grade: C+.
FANTASTIC FOUR #101. Whew!!! Okay! That’s more like it. After the rapid decline of the last four issues, I was starting to think that this book had completely lost its appeal. Now, don’t get me wrong. This was hardly “The Coming of Galactus”, but it was a big step up from the debacle that was issue #100. This issue, the Maggia legally buys the Baxter Building and is evicting the FF. While Ben and Johnny want to bust Maggia heads to solve this, Reed advises letting their attorneys handle it. While out enjoying a day in the park, the team notices a helicopter landing on the roof of the Baxter Building. Of course, Johnny takes off half-cocked and is, actually, captured by Maggia men with specially equipped weapons. The rest of the team (minus Sue) goes to rescue him and fall victim to those weapons, as well. Thankfully, the FF vs Maggia thugs wasn’t more than one issue. The thought of the team facing common gangsters and losing, even just temporarily, is a bit hard for me to swallow, but Lee and Kirby managed to pull it off decently enough. Grade: C+
AVENGERS #78. I never found the Man-Ape particularly appealing, nor did I dislike him either. He’s the definition of a generic super-villain; one designed to be the exact opposite of the hero. With that said, I didn’t mind him as the villain of the month in this issue. “Generic” is, actually, a good word to describe this issue as the Man-Ape seems to just be out for revenge against T’Challa....again. However, there are hints that someone else is behind this attack or that he’s not acting alone, and, at the end of the book, we find out who. Pretty standard issue, but a great payoff at the end. Grade: B- (I wish there was a grade between C+ and B-, lol!!!)
Note: Two Annuals were published this month: IRON MAN ANNUAL #1 and SGT. FURY ANNUAL #6. The Iron Man Annual features reprints and I’m sorry, but the war genre does nothing for me. Believe me, I tried.
So, we got a couple of new titles this month and we said, not goodbye, but see you later to Captain Marvel for a while. Even with the new titles, this month still felt like a C+ overall. I may even go so far as a B-. Thankfully, I know that a return to greatness is coming. Will it be next month/week? We’ll see. Until then, take care, everyone.
Top Books of the Month:
1) AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #87
2) ASTONISHING TALES #1
3) THOR #178
4) INCREDIBLE HULK #130
5) AVENGERS #78
Top Covers of the Month:
1) AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #87
2) CAPTAIN MARVEL #21
3) IRON MAN ANNUAL #1
4) KA-ZAR #1
5) OUTLAW KID #1
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Post by chaykinstevens on Aug 20, 2022 16:00:16 GMT -5
KA-ZAR #1. The first half of this is a reprint of Ka-Zar’s first appearance in the X-Men. The only reason I’m including this issue is that the second feature is a solo story starring Hercules. A teaser of a story, really, we find Hercules (seen for the first time since AVENGERS #50) fleeing from an Olympian known as the Huntsman. After evading his pursuer, Hercules, literally, bumps into Goliath who offers to help him. Hercules, initially, refuses but agrees to meet at Avengers Mansion later. We, then, flashback to find out that the Huntsman was sent by Zeus to hunt down Hercules who openly defied his father. Once at the Mansion, Hercules and the Avengers briefly fight the Huntsman until Herc, once again, flees. An odd little story that was written by someone named Allyn Brodsky with art by Frank Springer and Dick Ayers. It was no way near concluded, but it did seem like it was going to be continued next issue. We’ll see, I guess. The next story is a reprint of Ka-Zar’s last meeting with Daredevil. Grade: C This issue was nototious for someone, possibly the inker John Verpoorten, seemingly having hidden an expletive in the vegetation near Zabu's back.  According to Wikipedia, Allyn Brodsky had been Stan Lee's assistant since September 1969. Surprisingly, he's said to have been no relation to Sol Brodsky. I woder if it's possible that the Hercules story had been produced for Astonishing Tales and Kirby's new Ka-Zar feature had been intended for the Ka-Zar giant, with the two stories being switched at the last minute. CAPTAIN MARVEL #21. Last issue, Rick Jones and Mar-Vell sought out Bruce Banner in hopes that he would be able to separate the two. Of course, Banner changes to the Hulk and Rick switches to Captain Marvel and a brief fight ensues. After the Hulk calms down and reverts back to Banner, Rick explains why he’s there. Banner thinks that he can help, but wants to consult an old teacher of his, Dr. Weller. However, Weller and his work are, currently, being protested by students who believe that he is developing weapons for the Vietnam War on a college campus. Banner calls Weller just as a rock is thrown through his window. Weller explains to Banner his situation, which ticks Banner off. Banner, then, turns into the Hulk and is off to his alter mater to smash the students. Now, once again, Captain Marvel has to fight the Hulk to save the students. The conclusion to this two-parter is only slightly better than the first part. This is the last issue for 3 years until Jim Starlin revives the book. Grade: C+.
Tony Isabella and Al Milgrom modified this story for publication in the UK as a Hulk story in Mighty World of Marvel #44, expunging all references to Captain Marvel, who had not been introduced in any UK reprints by that point. linkAs you'll know by now, Captain Marvel returned after two years for three issues drawn by the former Superman artist Wayne Boring before Starlin's arrival. AVENGERS #78. I never found the Man-Ape particularly appealing, nor did I dislike him either. He’s the definition of a generic super-villain; one designed to be the exact opposite of the hero. With that said, I didn’t mind him as the villain of the month in this issue. “Generic” is, actually, a good word to describe this issue as the Man-Ape seems to just be out for revenge against T’Challa....again. However, there are hints that someone else is behind this attack or that he’s not acting alone, and, at the end of the book, we find out who. Pretty standard issue, but a great payoff at the end. Grade: B- (I wish there was a grade between C+ and B-, lol!!!) According to Roy Thomas, this issue incorporated some try-out pages that Sal Buscema had pencilled the previous year. |
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Post by Myke Gee on Aug 24, 2022 17:00:03 GMT -5
I just noticed that none of the photos that I included with my reviews are showing now. Does anyone have any idea why this is happening?
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lol. This issue and the previous one showed that both Lee and Kirby were phoning it in at that point. 100 issues of anything is too long in most books. You need new fresh ideas which people like Thomas, Conway and Wolfman did when lee and Kirby left.
