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A damn shame that Silver Surfer # 19 - To Whine No More  was not published

It's also interesting to note that on this particular month, about half of the marvel Comics look to be all reprints. Sgt Fury was reprint every other month, the monster/horror/western books look to be all reprint too. possibly the romance books as well. Martin Goodman always had a publishing philosophy of flooding the newstands with his company's titles, and the cheapest way to do so was with reprints

JULY 1970
(Cover Date: September/October 1970)

Continuing my first time ever reads from Marvel history. Here’s what I thought of these gems....

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #89. Do you know what one of the biggest indicators of how enjoyable a comic is to ME? It’s how quickly I get through it; if it’s a page-turner! That’s what ASM has been to me for the majority of its run! Growing up, I read way more MTU than ASM, but, what ASM captures that isn’t always prevalent in an MTU story is what truly makes Spider-Man a GREAT HERO!!! His heroic traits are almost countless, and a few are here on display as he battles Doc Ock high above New York with many citizens watching below. His selflessness as Doc knocks over a water tower that would kill the many onlookers blows me away. A hero is a person who puts others before themselves and, if Spider-Man isn’t the personification of the word, then, I don’t know its meaning. A fantastic issue even with that pudgy research scientist that gives our hero fits!!! 😂 Grade: The rarely given A+

DAREDEVIL #68. Daredevil returns to New York and enters the office of Foggy Nelson just as a syndicate boss named Kragg was trying to intimidate Foggy so that he would stop investigating his criminal activities. Kragg and his goons try to take down DD, but they are no match. Kragg is, also, into sports racketeering and is trying to fix a heavyweight fight. DD, also, learns that the fighter that the syndicate is backing is being trained by the man who trained his father. Knowing that the heavyweight has no intentions of throwing the fight, DD knocks him out and takes his place using makeup to disguise himself. (Again, how does DD know what color hair a person has?) DD enters the ring and uses his super senses to figure out how the fight is going to be fixed. This all sounds pretty exciting, no? Umm...no. Another “not-horrible” story, but hardly a page-turner. Grade: C-

KA-ZAR VOL 1, #2. As with the first issue, KA-ZAR #2 is just a reprint of early Ka-Zar stories from other books; particularly, DAREDEVIL, in this case. However, there is a backup feature starring the Angel. If I’m not mistaken, this is the first new story of any X-Man since their own series became a bi-monthly reprint book. The story is pretty simple. The Angel’s father is murdered by a group of henchmen loyal to the Dazzler (no, not her, but most of you knew that, lol!). Hearing the news on the radio while returning home from a date with Candy Southern, Warren, suddenly, stops his car and runs into the woods where he changes into his Angel costume. A good story with some, surprisingly, good art from George Tuska (not a fan) and Dick Ayers. Also, of note, this story was written by Superman Co-creator, Jerry Siegel. Grade: C+

INCREDIBLE HULK #132. The military, once again, has captured the Hulk and tranquilized him since he was re-merged with Bruce Banner. General Ross, Glen Talbot, and Betty Ross watch over the, supposedly, sleeping beast and are concerned that it has not yet reverted back to its alter ego. The Hulk revives when they try to administer another dose of tranquilizer and the Hulk tells them that he was feigning sleep. The Hulk, then, smashes free of his restraints and, after a brief struggle with the military, the Hulk is once more knocked out. Meanwhile, Jim Wilson informs General Ross that he is going to leave because he doesn’t feel comfortable around the soldiers. Needing Wilson because, like Rick Jones before him, he has established a friendship with the Hulk, Ross sends Glenn Talbot to tail the boy. However, Talbot betrays himself when Jim spots him and the boy makes a break for it. Turning into an alley, Jim finds a Hydra ship waiting for him and hops aboard the ship and it flies off before Talbot can arrive. Jim is taken to a Hydra base where Jim is shown videos of the Hulk being tortured at the base. This is a trick, of course, as the Supreme Hydra convinces Jim to return to the base where the Hulk is held so that he can smooth talk Gen. Ross into seeing him. Ross, with his own motivations, allows this and Jim releases the sedated Hulk only to have Hydra take him for their own purposes. Hulk plots are always a bit convoluted, lol!!! They’re always the hardest ones for me to summarize so that they won’t be so long. Anyway, more fun stuff as the relationship between the Hulk and Jim begins to grow. Grade: B+

CAPTAIN AMERICA #130. Our show begins as they always do: i.e., Cap brooding about how he’s not relevant in today’s world. This bit of melancholy is triggered by movie-goers who are watching a Captain America movie well before anyone ever decided to put the letters “MCU” together, lol!!! So, he does his usual hop-on-my-Harley-to-clear-my-head bit only to be turned back after police have blocked off the road to a sleepy college town. Naturally, he jumps into costume to investigate. After rescuing a dean from a student riot, Cap is asked to make a PSA condemning the students for rioting. Although he mentions that violence shouldn't be the answer, he mostly condemns the dean. When he goes off script, a mysterious character called the Hood hires Batroc's Brigade (Batroc, Porcupine, and Whirlwind in an unrecognizable costume) to take him out, but Cap easily defeats them. This issue isn’t bad and it continues next issue. For once in quite a while, I’m looking forward to the next issue of CAPTAIN AMERICA. Grade: B

SUB-MARINER #30. The story begins with Rick Jones, currently, staying and working in Miami. While walking along the beach, a seemingly dazed and angry Namor comes ashore and attacks Rick who quickly calls upon his alter ego, Captain Marvel. During their battle, Namor, suddenly, collapses and Mar-Vell switches back to Rick who takes care of him. Once awake, Namor freaks out again and flees only to reach the water and find that he’s afraid to go in. Rick, actually, talks Namor into going to the club where he sings to give him some time to clear his mind. While at the club, the strobing lights triggered his memory of what happened before he came ashore. Rick, once again, switches to Captain Marvel and, during the scuffle, Namor tells Captain Marvel of a molecular polluter that threatens the Earth's waters. Together, they make their way to the device and together prevent it from ever being used. While there was a criminal named Markham behind this, it was Namor’s battle with Mar-Vell that made this issue fun. Last month was Hercules, this month Captain Marvel and, next month, Triton and Stingray. I’ll say it again, I’m a sucker for superhero battles, lol!!! Grade: B

ASTONISHING TALES #2. Dr. Doom: Continued from last issue... Prince Rudolfo the disposed ruler of Latveria manages to escape from his cell. Dr. Doom confronts the "prince" and reveals that he knows that he did not capture the true prince but a robot duplicate. However, before he can learn much about Rudolfo's plans, an overprotective Doombot destroys the Rudolfo robot. In a secret cave, the real Rudolfo continues his plot to overthrow Doom and retake his kingdom and has gotten the aid of an alien creature known as the Faceless One. Meanwhile, the escaped Doom clone (now called the Doomsman) wanders the Latverian countryside and enters a neighboring nation. There the Doomsman is attacked by that country’s armies, however, the Doomsman destroys the attacking tanks with the greatest of ease. It is confronted by the Faceless One and Rudolfo who take it in and convince it to join their ranks. Grade: C+
Ka-Zar: The Ka-Zar story is pretty simple. Last month, Kraven the Hunter captured Zabu from the Savage Land and Ka-Zar has come to America to rescue him. Basically, it’s just a knock-down, drag-out fight. This story, also, features the 1st appearance of the Petrified Man. Grade: B


THOR #180. Last issue, Loki switched bodies with Thor. You know what came next. The ol’ trying to convince everyone of what happened trope. Fortunately, Balder the Brave and the Lady Sif weren’t fools. So, as Loki wreaks havoc on Earth in the guise of Thor, Odin learns that “Thor” has found “Loki” and that the two were, once again, engaged in battle. Odin transports “Loki” back to Asgard and refuses to listen to any of his pleas. He, then, banishes “Loki” to Hades, not realizing that he, actually, just banished Thor. Balder and Sif continue to fight “Thor” on Earth, but, using the OdinSword, Balder sends Sif back to Asgard to tell Odin of what’s really transpiring, but, Odin is in a period of mourning and cannot be disturbed. Sif, then, enlists the aid of the Warriors Three who travel to Hell where Thor is being tormented by Mephisto. A really cool story made doubly cool by the art of Neal Adams. I guess we’re nearing Kirby’s first departure from Marvel as he is conspicuously absent from this issue and the next, and his FF departure is either this month or next. Still, even with him gone, Stan, once again, delivers! (Stan-bashers.....?? *sigh*) Anyway, another great story. Concluding next issue. Grade: A

IRON MAN #30. Iron Man is in Japan as he demonstrates electro-magnetic power uses. He is, later, approached by Prof. Goro Watanabe, his daughter Fujiko, and his assistant Toru Tarakato, who ask if he'd like to accompany them on a trip to a nearby island that's emitting strange energy readings. When they arrive, they're attacked by a mythical dragon-like creature called Zoga. Iron Man tries to stop the monster, but, the beast is too powerful, so everyone flees. Afterward, Zoga lands and is greeted by a Chinese general and his soldiers as Zoga is revealed as a robot. Zoga's cockpit opens up and the Monster-Master emerges and begins discussing taking over Japan. Stark and Prof. Watanabe's attempts to warn the Japanese Defense Council about Zoga are dismissed, so they prepare their own plans. Soon after, the Monster-Master attacks Japan with Zoga, and, once again, Iron Man flies off into battle. Not terrible, but, not great either. Think about it, Iron Man in Japan fighting a giant monster that isn’t even a monster. Does that sound exciting? 💤Grade: D+

FANTASTIC FOUR #103. Believing that the FF has waged war against him and Atlantis, Namor mobilizes the Atlantean fleet and heads for New York. Also, aboard Namor’s flagship is the mutant Magneto, who the Sub-Mariner rescued and teamed up with in the last issue. Reed Richards believes that he can reason with Namor and end the war before it starts. He convinces President Nixon to hold the military until he speaks with Namor. After sending Sue to Whisper Hill to drop Franklin off with Agatha Harkness and instructing Crystal to stay behind “to run communications??”, the remaining three fly off to face Namor. Unknown to all, Magneto has been doing things to escalate the war and has kidnapped Sue who was en route to meet the team, plus he’s captured the Lady Dorma. The FF and Namor do their usual “king of the hill” bit until the fighting is interrupted and Magneto reveals that he is the one who is the actual winner. Great story and we now have John Romita doing his best Kirby. Continues next issue. Grade: A

AVENGERS #80. Another book that I’ve been eagerly awaiting. Some of my favorite heroes are those without superpowers or minor ones. Red Wolf is one of those characters even though I’ve read very few books with him. Now, I’ve read his first appearance and I really liked it. The book opens with him chasing a man through the streets of New York. As the man turns with a gun in his hand, Red Wolf accidentally bumps into the Vision who is wearing his human disguise. Red Wolf continues the chase, but the Vision arrives just in time to prevent Red Wolf from killing the man. He is subdued and, after a brief confrontation between the Vision and Red Wolf, the man is taken to Avengers Mansion. While telling the team this, it is revealed the man he was chasing works for Cornelius Van Lundt, who, up to this point, has yet to be revealed as the Zodiac member known as Taurus. Earlier, the Avengers were preparing to go after the Zodiac, but now, half the team has decided to help Red Wolf while the other half tracks down the Zodiac. A really good opening stanza that, also, deals with the issue of what threats warrant the attention of the team. Consistently good writing and artwork in this book. Grade: A-

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #1. A twenty-year-old barbarian from Cimmeria named Conan joins an Aesir raiding party and their invasion of Vanaheim. Conan kills a soldier named Gondur and then saves the life of an Aesir named Olav. From a high vantage point, the Vanir leader Volff the Wily watches the battle. He realizes that his men will fail to safeguard the gorge, so he instead decides to flee with his lieutenant Hothar. They travel north across the mountains until they find a cave for shelter. Inside is an aged shaman named Sharkosh, and his young maiden Tara. Sharkosh tells them that he safeguards the power of Star-Stone - a device that can project images of the past and the future. Sharkosh requires the sacrifice of a powerful fighter. Volff tells him of the dark-maned barbarian he had seen assisting the Aesir. While the villains conspire with one another, Conan and Olaf fight off a trio of winged demon fighters. The winged monsters attack both the Vanir and the Aesir. One of them kills Olav and then attacks Conan. It flies Conan high into the air and then drops him to the ground where he falls unconscious. When he awakens, he is inside Sharkosh's cavern temple. He sees fantastic images projected by the Star-Stone, including a vision of himself being crowned as a king. Conan knows that the Star-Stone is responsible for spawning the winged monsters that killed Olav. He breaks free of his cage and runs for the stone. This is another series that I’m not sure if I’ll be able to get into because I’m not really into the whole sword and sorcery thing. I’ve tried before, but, I couldn’t. I think that it’s because I knew nothing about the characters or what has happened before. Now, I’m starting from the beginning. So, we’ll see. Good start, though, as the story got better as it went along. Grade: B-

SPOOF #1. Ye Gods!!! *Sigh* It’s a shame that Marie Severin’s great artwork was wasted on this. Outside stuff like Archie and Millie the Model, this is my LEAST favorite type of comic; the so-called “humor” book. This book, CRAZY, NOT BRAND ECHH... I’m sorry, but I’d rather stare at Rob Liefeld’s art than read this stuff. For the record, though, the first story is a bore-you-to-tears “Dark Shadows” parody that’s about as funny as passing a kidney stone. I never even bothered with the rest. Grade: D (only because of the Severin art)

So, another month read and another review. More new stuff, but, only one of them will be back next week. IRON MAN #30 and SPOOF #1 were the only two books that didn’t move the needle, for me, as much as the other books did. Still, a VERY good month of comics. Hell, even CAPTAIN AMERICA earned a good mark this month. Here’s hoping that next month’s/week’s books are just as good. As always, I hope that you enjoyed my 2 cents. See ya next week, gang!!!

Top 5 Books of the Month:
1) AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #89
2) FANTASTIC FOUR #103
3) THOR #180
4) AVENGERS #80
5) INCREDIBLE HULK #132

Top 5 Covers of the Month:
1) CONAN THE BARBARIAN #1
2) OUTLAW KID #2
3) SUB-MARINER #30
4) FANTASTIC FOUR #103
5) CHAMBER OF DARKNESS #7

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