TWO books reviewed so far this month!
STRANGE TALES 155
cover by JIM STERANKO
Synopsis:
The Heli-Carrier takes on a number of VIP's, as well as Prof. Trojak and his "Q-Ray" for a demonstration. But Trojak is really a HYDRA agent, and his oversized machine has been used to smuggle several HYDRA thugs aboard! In addition to these dangers, Fury must also cope with his 3 best friends, who've been hypnotized to kill him. Fury manages to save the day, and an injured, unconscious Laura is found hidden in the computer room, wearing a HYDRA outfit. "LBJ" appears to blame Fury for the security screw-up, and orders him confined to quarters...
Indexer notes:
Part 6 of 9. Fury comments that no amount of attempted brainwashing could ever force Sitwell to turn bad as "it's against his principles". Last episode of this storyline reprinted in the 1970's; fans would have to wait until 2000 to read a reprint of the rest of the story!
(8-15-07)
"THE FEARFUL FINISH--!"
Synopsis:
Strange races the bolt of death and barely manages to save Clea's life. Together they race thru one dimension after another, until The Ancient One answers Strange's call for help and guides them to Earth. Feeling there is no other way to protect her, Strange's mentor uses the "Spell of Vanishment" to sent Clea to a unknown place of safety. But then, he also sends Strange to another dimension, as he declares "Umar walks the Earth!"
Indexer notes:
Part 9 of 22; part 5 of Umar sequence. Clea's 1st appearance on Earth (if only briefly).
(8-15-07)
FANTASTIC FOUR 61
cover by Jack Kirby & Joe Sinnott
TALES TO ASTONISH 90
cover by Jack Kirby & Vince Colletta
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 47
cover by JOHN ROMITA
TALES OF SUSPENSE 88
cover by GIL KANE
THOR 139
cover by Jack Kirby & Vince Colletta
THE AVENGERS 39
cover by Don Heck & George Roussos
SGT. FURY & HIS HOWLING COMMANDOS 41
cover by DICK AYERS
DAREDEVIL 27
cover by Gene Colan & Frank Giacoia
X-MEN 31
cover by DAN ADKINS
GHOST RIDER 2
cover by DICK AYERS
cover by Gil Kane & Tom Palmer
"Synopsis:
The Ghost Rider drives off Bart and his gang when they try to rustle some cattle. As they are preparing to leave, the Tarantula inspires them to work for him. Carter shows Jamie how he does many of his tricks as the Night Rider. The Tarantula and his gang try to force the people of Bison Bend to pay protection money, but Benjamin Brooks refuses. The Night Rider prevents the Tarantula and his gang from leaving with the rest of the townspeople's money, finally driving off the Tarantula with a little help from Jamie using the lantern-projector. The townspeople ask Benjamin Brooks to be their sheriff."
No matter how I look at it, these stories border on UNREADABLE.
It's telling that Gardner Fox, who wrote so many GHOST RIDER stories in the early 50's, was never really able to fit in at Marvel. Was he kicked out from DC at the same time as Arnold Drake and several others, or did he drift away later?
It bugs me that the GCD, on those occasions when they list "plot" (STORY, dammit, STORY!!!) they usually do it afterward, as if it's less important than filling in the word balloons after someone else has already worked out al the hard stuff.
(3-15-2014)
(Continued in May 1967)
All Text (C) Henry R. Kujawa
Artwork (C) Marvel Comics
Restorations by Henry R. Kujawa
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