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Wayne Markley

by Wayne Markley

Marvel Firsts: The 1970s Vol. 3

This is my penultimate blog taking a look at marvel Firsts: The 1970s trade collections. This third volume features stories and characters from the late 70s and the creativity has started to slip from the earlier years as were seen in the 70s volume 1 and 2. There are some good stories here and some of the characters have gone on to make an influence on the marvel Universe, but alas not as numerous as the earlier volumes.

Skull the Slayer #1

This third volume leads off with the first issue of Skull the Slayer. Skull was written by Marv Wolfman with art by Steve Gan initially, but as with a large number of these Seventies titles, the creative teams would change rapidly and continuously which may have been a reason so numerous of them had such short runs. Skull is about a former military man who lands up in an alternative world with a female companion and a few others after going through the Bermuda Triangle. This first issue is OK, and there is enough to make you want to read issue two, but having read the complete series (that is available in a trade collection) it is not the greatest book ever done. It is interesting though reading the trade how typically the book would change directions with the constant creative changes. even characters killed off one issue are brought back with the next with the most absurd reason why they are all of a sudden back.

Champions #1 was Marvel’s first attempt at a West coast superhero team. The first issue discusses why this odd batch of heroes – Iceman, Black Widow, Hercules, Ghost Rider, and Angel – all come together and sets a path for the stories that come after it. It is a fairly good team book but it felt like it was made of b-level characters with nowhere else to go. writer Tony Isabella does a good job with the limited idea and the art by Don Heck and Mike Esposito is not bad but looks very common for the late Seventies. The entire run of the Champions is also available in a trade collection.

Marvel presents #1 featuring Bloodstone was written by John Warner and art by Mike Vosberg, Pat Boyette and Bob McLeod. Ulysses Bloodstone was a monster hunter who appeared in the first two issues of marvel Presents. The character has an outstanding bio that covered over 10,000 years but is never that clearly spelled out in this first issue. It is clear he hunts monsters and has a powerful red gem on his chest and that there was a lot much more to the character that was planned but never got developed. It is noteworthy though that in the modern marvel universe he has a daughter, Elsa Bloodstone, who is also a monster hunter. For the most part this story can be skipped and not missed.

Black Goliath #1

Black Goliath #1 features a character, bill Foster, who had been knocking around the marvel universe for numerous years as a supporting character. His earliest appearances were in the Avengers where he was an assistant to Hank Pym. Tony Isabella and artists George Tuska and Vince Colletta moved bill Foster out west in his own series where he had a short run combating crime. With the Pym particals bill Foster became a huge at will and called himself Black Goliath, I think because the character spun out of the pages of Luke Cage, Power man which was filled with 70’s racial stereotypes. So instead of being the new Goliath, he had to be the Black Goliath. (It was a Seventies thing). A so so instruction story and a so so series.

Marvel preview #4

Marvel preview #4 presents Starlord which was written by the highly underrated Steve Englehart and had good art by Steve Gan. This story would have terrific influence in the future as it introduced the character of Starlord, who now hangs with the Guardians of the Galaxy. This Starlord is still Peter Quill, but the story is a bit different than the version we have come to know, but he is just as interesting. An intergalactic space romp with tons of action and distinct characters make this one of the best stories in this volume. It ought to be noted that the whole Starlord saga is collected into a good trade paperback with all of his various stories from this time period and the stories all weave together for some outstanding reading. This is not the suave (dorky?) hero dating Kitty Pride, but a man in search of implying along with his talking ship who is in love with him. (Note that this story is in black and white).

Marvel presents #3

Marvel presents #3 is reprinted next and it re-introduces the Guardians of the Galaxy, this time by Steve Gerber with art by Al Milgrim and Pablo Marcus. This first issue is practically all set up and it features the Guardians from the 1960s and not the version you see in modern comics and film. The whole Gerber run was really good (and thankfully also has been collected) and thisfirst issue really does not do the series justice. We are introduced to Vance Astro, Charlie 27, Yondo Undota, Martinex T’Naga and the odd and very Gerberesque Starhawk. as with Starlord, this first story really does not do the series justice. It is worth seeking out the collection to read the complete saga.

Omega the unknown #1 was written by Steve Gerber and Mary Skrenes with art by Jim Mooney. This is a book I have never really gotten into. I read the complete collection, and I re-read this first issue, and I am a big Gerber fan, but this book just misses the mark for me. The basic story is about a teen who, when he is in trouble, is saved by Omega the Unknown. This book has a strong cult following and marvel has tried a number of time to bring the character back, but without Gerber it never worked. I am not sure it worked with Gerber. It is worth reading just because it has such a small, but devoted following.

The Eternals #1

Eternals #1 was part of Jack Kirby’s return to marvel after his 4th world run at DC. He was joined by inker John Verpoorten in what was a fairly basic Kirby story about a battle between various gods with the humans caught in the middle. The first issue is solid and one of the better stories in this collection. It is also noteworthy for the history it would set in motion in the marvel Universe. While the Eternals series overall is fairly common Kirby for the time, the impact the series has is monumental. In addition to the Eternals, the background characters such as the Celestials have became a major part of the Marvel’s Cosmic Mythology and even appeared in the Guardians of the Galaxy movie. It is interesting to read this solid but not exceptional story and then look how much influence it has had because then. possibly the most influential book in the modern age, not that you would know it from this first issue. (Or from reading the whole series to be honest, which is short and available in trade form.)

Next week I’ll be back with a look at the rest of the issues collected in this volume.

Iron Fist epic Collection: The Fury of Iron Fist

Since I am talking about the 70 this blog I want to take a moment and plug the new epic Collection that came out this week, Iron Fist epic Collection Vol. 1: The Fury of Iron Fist. It is over 500 pages of kung-fu action and the entire run is very good. It reprints marvel Premier #15-25, Iron Fist #1-15, and marvel Team-Up #63 & 64. You get the entire saga of Danny Rand from his parent’s death to his final revenge and redemption. The overall story is very well told, with a variety of creators, but the bulk of the stories (well over half) are by the creative team of Chris Claremont and John Byrne. as with their work on the X-Men, these were well told stories with terrific art and feature the first appearances of Sabretooth and the Daughters of the Dragon, as well as guest stars the X-Men. There are also a ton of other good little things that would later have impact on the marvel Universe. For example, did you know Misty Knight was once roommates with Jean Grey? overall this is a very good read and the reproduction and colors are great. Well worth reading.

Everything written here is my opinion and in no way reflects the thoughts or opinions of Westfield Comics or their employees. have you read any of these stories? any fond memories? Am I wrong about something I did not care for? I would like to hear your thoughts at MFBWAY@AOL.COM. Till next time.

Thank you.

Classic covers from the Grand Comics Database.