70 Years of Comics - 1988

Excalibur had been devised in 1987, in the aftermath of the two X-Events: the Morlock Massacre, which had seen Kitty Pryde and Nightcrawler injured and forced to retire from the team; and The Fall Of The Mutants, in which the rest of the X-Men had been apparently killed (in fact, they hadn't died, they'd just gone to Australia, but that's another story). For no particularly good reason, Kitty and Nightcrawler, along with Cyclops' daughter from a possible future, Rachel, teamed up with Marvel UK's Captain Britain, and his girlfriend, Meggan, moved to London and embarked on a series of trans-dimensional adventures. The best of these adventures were written and drawn by Chris Claremont and Alan Davis, and no-one else really seemed to have a feel for how to write this book, which mostly turned into just another X-Book, except for a brief stint where Warren Ellis tried out some of the superhero noir stuff which would make him a name on Image's Stormwatch a few years later.

Elsewhere, in '88, Speedball the Masked Marvel was making his debut, courtesy of Tom DeFalco and Marvel legend, Steve Ditko.

In the real world, 1988 saw the Lockerbie Disaster, and George Bush Sr winning the US Presidential Election. On TV, tiresome sci-fi show, Red Dwarf, was using up money which might have been better spent elsewhere, and Roseanne Barr was making a star out of John Goodman, whilst Roger Rabbit was the talk of Hollywood.

70 Years of Marvel - 1965

By 1965, Stan Lee and Steve Ditko were collaborating (the depth of that collaboaration depends on whom you believe) on what is arguably the strongest run anyone's ever managed on any Marvel book. The issue above is one of many high points, with the Green Goblin (before he become obsessed with destroying Spider-Man, dead, reborn, or head of Homeland Security) falling out with the Crime-Master over who will rule New York's criminal gangs.

1965 saw the first appearance of Tarzan-knock-off, Ka-Zar, and the Swordsman, who, like Namor and the Hulk, would spend most of his career chopping and changing between heroism and villainy. Hercules would make his debut, taking on Thor, not for the last time. The Inhumans would make their entrance into the pages of Fantastic Four, another title which was setting a standard which later writers would struggle to even approach. Romance fans might like to note that this year also saw the introduction of Gwen Stacy, who would play something of an important part in the next few decades of Spider-Man.

Elsewhere in 1965, the Civil Rights movement was in full swing in America, with the events of Bloody Sunday heightening tension somewhat. In Britain, the Moors Murderers were arrested, and England's finest, Winston Churchill, was dead.

At the movies, the hills were alive with The Sound of Music. Omar Shariff was portraying Dr Zhivago, while Christopher Lee was camping it up in The Face of Fu Manchu. On the tv, Dr Smith was also camping it up in Lost In Space, while Larry Hagman was becoming a star in I Dream of Jeannie. Meanwhile, bookish types could thrill to the first of many Dune novels.

The Coming Of The Scorpion!

Amazing Spider-Man #20, January 1965.
(By Lee, Ditko, and Sam Rosen)

Thanks to the wonders of Marvel Tales reprints, this was one of the earliest Spider-Man books that I read, back when I was a nipper. And what a book it is! This book represents Stan and Steve at the height of their combined power, and is as close to perfection as you'll read in a Marvel comic. But don't take my word for it. See for yourself.

Our tale picks up with Peter Parker being stalked by a mysterious stranger, who hasn't reckoned on Pete's Spider-Sense...


I can't get enough of Kirby's "spooky" art. Look at those bags under Peter's eyes; too many late nights?

Meanwhile, whilst Peter Parker's being followed all over town, let's see what's happening at the Daily Bugle, shall we?


Say, that gives JJJ an idea, and before you can say "I have a bad feeling about this", he's got another wacky scheme to bring down Spider-Man.

Our mystery man goes to see his equally mysterious employer, and, hey, whaddaya know?


Yeah, it's a bit of a con, but hey, as reasons for having Peter Parker go, at least it makes sense, reminds us that JJ is a piece of work, and shows us that Mac Gargan is a man who doesn't ask questions. Or an idiot. Possibly both.


Doc Stillwell has some interesting ideas about scientific progress. I'm sure what farmers and botanists are crying out for is fish that can climb trees. Fortunately for Stillwell's bank balance, Jameson has money to burn, and a burning urge to create animal-themed super-powered vigilantes.


I'm not sure what's more odd, that the test subject has to have his head shaved before he can get super-powers, or that neither he nor the mad doctor give any thought at all to the "powers affecting your brain" thing. Actually, the thought that I'm not sure what's more odd, is itself more odd than either of these two things.


Yes, folks, you read that correctly. J. Jonah Jameson, the man who thinks that a brillo-pad haircut and the Hitler moustache is a sensible look, is going into costume design. Stand by...


Well, let's face it, we've seen worse. Although since JJJ intends the Scorpion to be a hero, it's a bit worrying that he's chosen to use a secondary, rather than a primary, colour.

Meantime, what's our hero up to?


He's busy bird-dogging a potential rival for Betty Brant's affections. Ned Leeds, eh? Something tells me we'll be hearing more about that young man later.

Anyway, finally getting into his Spider-suit, our hero goes to confront Jameson, and the Scorpion takes his chance. Soon, our protagonists are beating seven bells out of each other, whilst JJJ watches and gloats.


Meanwhile, in the land of mad science...


I'm oddly reminded of an episode of The simpsons where Dr Hibbert makes reference to being able to detect an "evil gene". Presumably, Dr Stillwell has access to the same evil detection device? Or all scorpions are evil? Or Stillwell's lost the plot? Or all of the above?

Anyway, while Stillwell sets off to undo his mad plan, the Scorpion has made short work of our hero. Time for the old evil gene to kick in.


The Scorpion sets off on a one-man crime spree, whilst Jameson gnashes his teeth in impotent fury. But wait, here comes Doc Stillwell, to save the day.


RIP Dr Farley Stillwell: a surprisingly good climber, but a disappointingly bad aim.

Meantime, Spidey has picked himself up off the floor, and is back for a second go at getting himself killed by the newest supervillain in town. And speaking of the Scorpion, Lee and Ditko give us a neat insight into his mind.


As if these three panels weren't enough to make this the best comic we've looked at so far, we follow up with the very next three panels, which take us into the mind of J. Jonah Jameson.


I mean, this isn't like 90% of the comics of the time. Lee and Ditko aren't just going through the motions here, they are really going for it. Comic creators of today should be made to study this issue, and at least some of them should be beaten to death with a rolled-up copy of it.

Enough of my gushing. After taking another beating from the Scorpion, Spider-Man is pretty much down and out, but his attempt to get his breath back is interrupted, as the Scorpion, realising that JJJ can tell the cops his secret identity, decides to go confront his former sponsor.


That's a boy, Jonah, do the right thing for all the wrong reasons. So, things are looking bad for JJJ - until Spider-Man shows up to save the day.


Spidey takes down the Scorpion, and leaves him for the cops, leaving Jameson to ponder on the irony of the situation. I bet JJ'll be changing his mind about Spider-Man from now on.


Oh well, maybe not. Anyway, the book ends, as all Spider-Man books should end, with our hero getting no credit for the situation, and his Aunt May fussing over his unexplained (to her anyway) bruising. Folks, if this isn't the perfect Spider-Man issue, then I'd like to know what is.

Special Cheap Reprint Edition: Spidey Battles Daredevil

Amazing Spider-Man #16, September 1964
(By Lee and Ditko)

Two years after their triumphant debut in the pages of Incredible Hulk #3, Stan Lee and Steve Ditko were scrabbling around for ideas for the next issue of Amazing Spider-Man. In the past three months, they'd brought us Mysterio! The Green Goblin! and Kraven the Goddam Hunter! How could they top that? How indeed...

Our tale begins with Peter Parker, the spectacular Spider-Man, rescuing a helpless blind man from a gang of robbers. This being the Marvel Universe, though, it's not just any blind man. Oh no.


With deductive skills like this, our blind man could work as some sort of stage mesmerist, amazing the crowds with his apparent clairvoyance. As you doubtless know, his interests lie elsewhere.


Yes, folks, it's Daredevil, in his crappy black and yellow outfit, the one which Demolition Man would one day adopt. Now, did you see there, how Stan The Man effortlessly tells his audience all they need to know about the guest star in just two panels? The art of introducing guest stars is a lost one, judging by current issues of many titles.

Anyway, at the office...


Nice of Foggy and Karen to invite him, but you have to wonder why they bothered. They have, I assume, noticed his blindness, which presumably reduces the effectiveness of visual-based entertainment.

Now, did someone say 'circus'..?


Well, lookee, lookee, that green coat looks mighty familiar...


Yep, it's him, Maynard himself, back out of the slammer and, in contravention of many parole requirements, reunited with his criminal cohorts. What's your nefarious scheme this time, Mayny?


Ah, there we go Pretend that Spider-Man's going to appear at your circus, attract a sell-out crowd, then fleece them. Ingenious! What can possibly go wrong?


Uh-oh...!

Now, then. Imagine you're the Ringmaster, you're halfway through your show, just ready to pull out the ol' hypno-hat and mesmerise your audience, when Spider-Man shows up. Do you (a) look on as Spider performs some neat acrobatic twists and turns, send in the clowns, do a few card tricks, and hot-foot it out of town, counting your lucky stars that he hasn't recognised you and hauled you back to jail, or (b) press on with your scheme anyway?

Go on, guess...


And with that, the Ringmaster does his thing, and the audience, Spidey included, are under his influence. Unbeknownst to the Ringmaster, however, one man in the audience is not under his spell. Yes, you've guessed it, Matt Murdock has changed his mind, and decided to play gooseberry on Foggy and Karen's date, and, being blind, the hypno-hat has no effect on him. Whatcha gonna do now, Maynard?


Now, this might, on the face of it, seem like a pretty good tactic on the Ringmaster's part. Hypnotise one foe into attacking the other, and escape in the confusion. However, I think the next three panels show quite eloquently why hypnotism is actually a bit shit.


When giving orders to your hypnotised slave, it's very important to consider your words carefully. The use of the phrase "Kill Daredevil!" might have been wiser than Maynard's choice of words.

From here on in, it's downhill for the Circus. Daredevil grabs the Ringmaster's hat, releases Spider-Man from his trance, and the two of them pummel the Circus into unconsciousness. In fact, such is the level to which the Circus is outmatched, that Daredevil abandons Spidey halfway through the fight, and goes back to join his friends. It was perhaps at this point that the reader should realise that the Circus may never make it into the big supervillain team league...

This, inventory post, originally presented in my other blog, back in 2005.

It's Not Only Marvel Who Can Do Cheap Reprints...

Before...


...and after...


Might want to reconsider that whole "no fatal errors" claim before you market that glider, Norman...

From Amazing Spider-Man #14, July 1964
(By Lee & Ditko)
And Amazing Spider-Man #122, July 1973
(By Gerry Conway, Gil Kane, John Romita & Tony Mortellaro)

This cheap gag originally presented in my other blog, February 2006.

Spider-Man: Before They Were Cliches!

Peter Parker, welcome to the rest of your life...

From Amazing Spider-Man #9, February 1964.
(By Lee & Ditko)

Out With The Old...

Tales Of Suspense #48, December 1963.
(By Lee, Ditko, and Ayers)

Hard to believe, it was only 9 months from the introduction of Iron Man, to the arrival of the red and gold armour. After debuting in his awful grey outfit, Iron Man took out a tin of yellow paint and gave himself a new look, but it was only with this issue, that Shellhead started to look like a modern invention, rather than an escapee from King Of The Rocketmen. And for all that Tony Stark has modified and upgraded his armour over the last 35 years, it's not really all that different after all this time...

Master Of Black Magic!

Strange Tales #110, July 1963
(By Lee and Ditko, or Ditko and Lee, if you prefer.)

Today we look at the first appearance of Dr Stephen Strange, from when he was merely the star of a backup strip in Strange Tales, the Human Torch's feature-title.

As you see from the picture above, this is an unusual origin, in that it's not being drawn by Jack Kirby. Instead, the quiet man of Marvel Comics, Steve Ditko, who would conjure up some of his (and Marvel's as whole) weirdest stuff for this title, once Dr Strange gained co-star status. But for now, this is a simple five page strip, in which the good Doctor helps a man get over some bad dreams.

There's some lovely noir art going on here:


Yes, kids, that man there is smoking. Were this the eighties, that would indicate this man is a wrong'un. Were it being published today, the cigarette would have been clumsily whited out, cos Joe Quesada hates smoking. But, this being the sixties, there is no hidden message, no subtext, nothing.

Anyway, Dr Strange decides to pop into his client's dream and check out what's what. To achieve this, though, the Doctor must first pay a visit to his master, the (currently unnamed) Ancient One. It's astral time!


Bit of foreshadowing then from the old boy, you see? Also, a subtle hint for how this adventure will wrap up.

Dropping into a trance, Dr Strange enters the mind of his client, where he meets a sinister chained man...


But wait, that's not all! Not only does this tale see the first appearance of the master of the mystic arts, but it also features the premiere appearance of the master of evil dreams, Nightmare! Here he is, folks!


Believe it or not, Nightmare will never again be so scary as he is now. And over the years, he'll put in a lot of appearances, most of them lame.

So, whilst Dr Strange is astrally arguing with Nightmare, his client wakes up, realises that the Doc has learned his dark secret, and decides to kill him. God bless America and its easily obtained handguns..!

Facing certain death, and unable to dodge past the oh-so-scary Nightmare, Dr Strange cries like a girl to his master, who decides to intervene.


Returning to his body (leaving Nightmare cursing him in true Scooby-Doo fashion), the Doctor has a quiet word with his somewhat ungrateful client.


And there you have it. No origin story yet, that wouldn't come along until 1968, when Roy Thomas would deliver Strange's origin, but in five pages, Stan and Steve pretty much tell us everything we need to know about our hero.

The Origin Of Doctor Octopus, In Six Panels

Amazing Spider-Man #3, July 1963
(by Lee and Ditko)






This can't end well...


Cue 40 years of getting beaten on by Spider-Man...