The Incredible Hulk #182: "Between Hammer and Anvil!"

The Incredible Hulk, Issue #182! Coming right after issue 181's famous debut of Canada's Wild n Wool Wolverine,  this one also featured Wolverine briefly at the beginning of the issue where he is being called back by his government. Because he was in it, issue #182 is a pricey comic to own, and so very few people have actually read it. 

That’s a shame because this issue’s story “Between Hammer and Anvil!”, where Hulk meets the kindly traveller Crackajack Jackson, is one of the sweetest and most touching stories EVER.

Crackajack Jackson is on his way to the state Penitentiary to meet his incarcerated son “Hammer” Jackson. Along the way he befriends the Hulk, and during their travels, he teaches Hulk the alphabet and shows him how to write his name, saying “A man ain’t nothin’ if he ain’t got his name!”

What they don’t know is that Hammer and his partner Johnny Anvil have escaped the prison and have crossed paths with a VERY bizarre-looking alien, who gives them the power of  a cosmic chain…and when Crackajack and Hulk show up, there’s gonna be a battle ahead!

A very touching and bittersweet ending, Crackajack Jackson became a person that Hulk would reflect on in later issues as a true friend of his.
Posted by zinkognito @ zdorama.blogspot.com

Favorite Comics: Amazing Spider-Man #196-200

"The Spider and The Burglar"

Marvel Comics’ Flagship Hero, The Amazing Spider-Man has had many, many prolific stories attached to his incredible canon, such as Issue #50 (where Peter Parker gives up being Spider-Man), Issue #129 (which introduced the Punisher), Issues #96-99 (the infamous “drug” issues) and of course the tragic “Death Of Gwen Stacy” storyline told in issues #121-122.  There is ONE storyline that seems to always be overlooked though, and I think it is a shame as it is MY FAVORITE SPIDER-MAN STORY ARC of THEM ALL!

   I’ve always felt very strongly that The Amazing Spider-Man has been the most linear of all the Silver-Age Marvel titles in that there is no other comic out there that felt so much like ONE CONTINUOUS STORY.  From his debut in Amazing Fantasy #15 to Amazing Spider-Man #1 and beyond, each issue felt like it was written as a DIRECT continuation and every issue of Amazing Spider-Man that came out seemed to be adding to the first chapter introduced in Amazing Fantasy #15. 

When we first meet Peter Parker, he is a thin, shy wallflower type, but as each issue moved along, we saw him get more and more confidence. We saw him lose the glasses. We saw him “fill out” into his muscles. He graduated from High School and went to College. He moved into his own place- got girlfriends, got roommates! We are with Peter Parker every step that he’s taken!

   In fact, out of all Marvel Comics Titles, The AMAZING SPIDER-MAN is the one that most closely relates to its own history. People Pete has met, things he's discovered and lessons he's learned are always reflected back upon, and they are the primary reason for Peter Parker’s beliefs and motivations.

  It's hard to actually pin down exactly where my favorite storyline arc begins. Strictly speaking, the story is focused in issues #196-200, but actually begins around issue #194-195, which in turn sort of begins around #191-193. There are even elements in issues #189 and 190 that are relevant.

  Whenever I feel like reading this storyline, I myself always start from issue #191, because this is really where events start happening until they grow and snowball into the epic 200th issue. However, for this article, I'll stick to only scenes that are relevant to the 200th issue.

****AS ALWAYS,SPOILERS ABOUND!!!****

The Amazing Spider-Man #193

While May Parker is residing at the Nursing Home, they are renting out the house to make ends meet. But there is more to the current tenant than meets the eye, and when we first meet him, he is obviously up to no good. He is tearing up the Parker house looking for…something, and when he cannot find it, he decides to get the information from Aunt May herself.

 He crashes in on the Nursing home and introduces himself to the caregiver: He is the BURGLAR WHO KILLED UNCLE BEN!

The Amazing Spider-Man 194-195

The unscrupulous criminal we know only as “That Burglar” wants to interrogate Aunt May about a mysterious "package", but, hoping to deter the thief, Dr. Ludwig points out that her nephew comes every day to visit her, and so he should just leave her alone.

  The Burglar realizes this is true, and devises a cruel way to stop Peter from ever having to come to the Home again.

After a long, horrendous day, Peter slinks home, depressed over his apparent failure to rescue the villainess Black Cat from her death. But nothing can prepare him for the telegram that waits for him when he gets home…

 The ending that sent chills down my spine! Of course, part of me was immediately saying “Ahh, there’s NO WAY she’s really dead...is there…?” but I couldn’t deny the impact that cliffhanger had for me...

The Amazing Spider-Man #196

Peter immediately makes his way to the nursing home, where he is greeted with the sight of Aunt May in a open casket. Peter is shell-shocked.

 Peter’s grief really hits home.  Even now, after knowing the entire story, this scene still tears me apart! But there are more sinister things going on that Pete realizes…Upon returning to their old home, Peter finds that the last tenant has TORN UP the entire house! With his mind wildly thinking, he suddenly realizes something about the Nursing Home caretaker that he'd forgotten! He races back to confront the Caretaker, but is nabbed- by none other than...The Kingpin!

The Amazing Spider-Man #197-198

The Kingpin’s wife Vanessa (introduced way back in 174) has given him an ultimatum- leave crime behind him or lose HER!  The Kingpin has been given 24 hours to tidy up his criminal affairs, and of course he uses this time to eliminate the one thorn in his side, Spider-Man!

They begin a terrific battle together-each one taking his turn attacking each other as they hurl threats (and physical objects) at each other. I remember really digging the pacing of this fight, and there’s even this great page where there’s no dialog at ALL except for the sound effects of their punches! The editors noted “Sometimes we know when to keep our mouths shut!”

The Kingpin is about to deliver the killing blow to Spidey just as midnight strikes- suddenly Vanessa reappears, ready to have The Kingpin do good on his promise to leave crime. He knows it would take just one second to kill Spider-Man and have his record clean, but his love and respect of Vanessa is far greater than his criminal career.

  Spidey has barely recovered from the Kingpin's assault, when another villain from his past re-emerges- the master of illusions, MYSTERIO! It seems the caretaker of the Nursing home has been the old foe eking out a life bilking old folks out of their estates. After hearing of the supposed treasure the Burglar has been trying to get, Mysterio's curiousity piqued him enough to come out of retirement, but after several struggles, Mysterio has had enough, and opts to quit the battle while he is still ahead. He draws out a tranquilizer gun and shoots Spider- Man in the chest.

As Mysterio leaves, he laughs at Peter's attempts to detain him.Quickly batting away his hands, Mysterio declares:“Don’t you realize the basic truth? Spider-Man is DEAD!”

As Spider-Man falls to the ground,the blurb announces in big letters:

NEXT ISSUE: SPIDER-MAN #200!

What A cliffhanger! I was BESIDE myself with anticipation for the next issue!

The Amazing Spider-Man  #200

“ The Spider and The Burglar”

Well, this is it! The story that I consider the final chapter that began all the way in Amazing Fantasy #15. This story is that finally brings closure to all the trails and tribulations of Peter Parker that IS “The Amazing Spider-Man”.

The story begins with Peter realizing that the drug-dart Mysterio used to kill him has instead taken away his Spider-powers. But he cannot stop to be concerned about that because he has a lot of work to do- he has to find out who his last tenant was, and why the house was torn up. Using detective work, he is shocked to find the last tenant was the last person he thought he would hear about again- the burglar who killed his Uncle Ben!

Peter arrives home with new knowledge of the person who has re-entered his life. And who should be WAITING at home for him? The BURGLAR himself! Hoping to terrorize Peter, he confronts him face to face, but is unprepared for the explosive assault by him. Years of hatred has been building up inside of Peter and without a thought, he lets the burglar have it! But his anger blinds him, and without his Spider-strength, the crook knocks Pete out with the butt of his gun.

 The Burglar tries to get Peter to give him the information he had previously been trying to get out of Aunt May, but after repeatedly beating Peter, realizes he won’t get anything out of him.

200d

 He then realizes he has SOMETHING that might persuade him to talk.

  He leaves to get it, and in the interim, Peter finally breaks out of his prison. Peter has had enough-Spider-Man is out for the Burglar's BLOOD!

 While Spider-man is off trying to find the burglar, He has returned with the “persuasion” he needed to get Pete to talk-and it is none other than AUNT MAY, frightened but very much ALIVE! I have to say that when I read this, it blew me away! Aunt May alive was the last thing I expected to see, even with my earlier doubts about her “death”!

 But if the burglar is surprised that Peter has escaped, he doesn't have time to think about it as his worst nightmare appears on the scene- SPIDER-MAN has arrived-just like he did way back in AMAZING FANTASY #15!

The Burglar is flabbergasted! The spectre of Spider-Man has haunted him his whole life - He cannot see why Spider-Man would hound him forever for the death of one old man.

Then Peter drops the bomb on the criminal: Why does Spider- Man care so much about Peter's old Uncle's murder?

BECAUSE PETER PARKER IS SPIDER-MAN!!!

The  points of this scene cannot be underplayed- here we have the burglar realizing that the unimportant old man he killed years ago is the Uncle of his biggest nightmare. And of course, we as readers know that if not for this act, Spider-Man might never have become the amazing hero he is. This confrontation is one of the most significant moments in the Spider-Man 200 issue run!

 The burglar’s shock turns to panic and wide eyed fear- he believes Spider Man will kill him for what he has done, because it’s what HE would have done. But of course, Spider-Man won’t sink to the burglar’s level- because Peter IS a true Hero. But the burglar cannot see this, and as insane panic overtakes him, his heart gives out, and he dies.

Epilogue:

Aunt May finally remembers what the burglar must have been looking for- it was an old box hidden between some floorboards. But whatever had been stashed in the box had long ago been eaten away-by silverfish!

  The two have a good laugh, and Peter says “So all that heartache was for nothing!” But Aunt may points out that there was purpose in it, because it made them stronger. And Pete realizes she is right.

 The story ends with Peter swinging about town with a new resolution- during the time when He didn’t have his powers, he realized how much he needed them. And he know how much good he can do with them. He resolves that never again will he ever take them for granted, and makes a promise to be grateful every day for the gift that has been given to him.

  

He has made peace with Uncle Ben’s death, his identity as Spider-Man, and himself.

'Nuff Said!

Favorite Comics: Avengers #53

I began reading Marvel Comics’ X-MEN series during the highly acclaimed Byrne/Claremont run featuring the “All-New, All-Different” team, and so had no real knowledge of the original 1960’s team. But as my love of the “Uncanny” X-men grew, my curiosity of the Lee and Kirby team grew too, til I HAD to know more about them!

This was back in the pre-internet days when access to information of most comics was almost nil. The only real way to get info on any comic you liked was to talk to the local comic shop dealer or other collectors, and in that I was lucky because I had a couple of friends who were BIG collectors of Marvel Comics, and were always ready to educate me about any Marvel History I needed to know.

So one day after telling my friend I wanted to see what the “old” X-Men looked like, he came to class and handed me a comic. It was issue #46 of a Marvel reprint title called Marvel Triple Action, and it was here I got my very first glimpse of the original X-Men: Cyclops. Marvel Girl, Beast, Angel and Iceman, and right off the bat I was blown away- WOW! How colorful, dynamic and totally COOL they looked!

The comic also introduced me to the Avengers for the first time, and I IMMEDIATELY dived into the story, relishing the interesting dialog and powerful artwork, not knowing at the time that the tale was concocted by two GREATS of the Silver Age  (Writer Roy Thomas and Artists Big John Buscema), only knowing that the story “In Battle Joined!” was the most KICK-ASS story I’d read in awhile! Begun in the pages of X-Men #45, this was a story of the Avengers and the X-Men united against mutual baddie Magneto. The X-Men have been captured by Magneto, and the Angel has escaped to get aid from the Avengers- but they arrive just in time to see Cyclops knocking out former Avenger Quicksilver…

“In Battle Joined!"

Hawkeye, Goliath, Wasp and the Black Panther have come upon X-Man Cyclops standing over the fallen figure of Quicksilver. Not sure of the situation, they tell the youth to freeze. Cyclops, however, suspects they’re only robots created by Magneto, and isn’t taking any chances. He fires at Hawkeye, and when Black Panther jumps down to subdue him, a couple of blasts from his optic visor give Cyclops enough time to get away!

It seems that when the Angel escaped Magneto’s prison back in X-Men #45, he went directly to the Avengers mansion for assistance in rescuing his fellow X-Men. Since Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch were last seem leaving with Magneto back in Avengers #49, the Avengers are happy to team up tackling the master of Magnetism.

On the Atlantic flight over to Magneto’s island, Janet discovers a miniature bugging device hidden among Angel’s wings. The Avengers now believe he’s in cahoots with Magneto, and is setting them up. While he swears he ‘s innocent, they tie him up and leave him behind when they investigate the fortress. Thus we return to our opening scene where the Avengers have just arrived to see Cyclops flee!

 Magneto is watching the entire drama play out, delighted that his plans are coming to fruition. Of course, it was all part of his plans for Angel to escape and get caught with the monitor on his wings. “ Now they and the X-Men, who might otherwise been allies- will be at each other’s throats!”

  Toad doesn’t like the idea of bringing in the Avengers…they should have been satisfied capturing the X-Men- their REAL enemies! Magneto electrocutes Toad for his doubt, and Toad questions why Magneto always abuses him when he alone out of ALL the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants has been loyal. “Because I don’t NEED your Loyalty!” snaps Magneto. He explains that he’s only kept Toad around because it amused him, and now Toad is just angering him. Wanda steps in and begs Magneto to leave Toad alone, and Toad says “One day soon, Magneto shall know who his true friends are.”

  Meanwhile, The Avengers have become antsy sneaking around the hidden fortress, and as usual, Hawkeye and Goliath start to bicker and fight. Soon the Black Panther, who initially tries to STOP the fight, is involved, and it is up to Jan to step in and remind them that there is a task at hand.

This moment of discourse is just what Magneto has been hoping to hear, and he releases a machine that unleashes crackling electronic commands upon the unsuspecting X-Men.  When the sensations vanish, we realize just what the machine has done to their minds when Cyclops states, “There was something we were going to do! Yes- We were going to find the Avengers…and DESTROY THEM!”

  Any doubt that the X-Men are on the wrong side of the good guys is gone when the Avengers confront the angry teen mob and Cyclops orders: “Kill Them! Kill The Avengers!”

  Beast strikes the first blow at Black Panther, and the others follow his lead. After fighting for a while, the Avengers they find they are having a hard time beating them. Then Black Panther realizes it is because they subconsciously think of the X-Men as heroes, not villains. With this change in attitude, the Avengers make quick work of the youths, much to the confusion of Magneto, who thought the X-Men would be the victors!

  His confusion only increases when he turns and finds The Angel has infiltrated the control room! Soon, the Avengers smash in, as well! Goliath knows Magneto must be dying of curiosity to find out what went wrong with his plans, and elucidates. “We guessed the bug on Angel was a plant, and tied his hands loosely! Wasp whispered in his ear our plans, then pretended to quarrel to lure you into an ill-timed attack!”

  Magneto knows the only option is escape, and brings down a wall of metal parts onto the Avengers, giving himself enough time to get away! He orders Toad to get the escape ship, hitting him to get a move on. “He orders me to save him - and strikes me as he does so! Thus has he EVER rewarded my unwavering Loyalty!” thinks the Toad.

  With a quick move, the Toad sets the machine generators to overload- soon the entire island will be decimated by the huge explosion!  He leads the Scarlet Witch and a still dazed Quicksilver to a waiting escape ship. As the ship takes off, Magneto reaches out with his magnetic powers to lift him to the jet, but finds that his powers have no effect! Toad reminds him that he once built an entire ship out of non-metals, just to prove he could do it. As Magneto tries to hold onto the ship, He says, “Toad…Stop!! I am Your Master!” to which the Toad solemnly replies, “No Magneto. The Toad calls no man master- ever again!!”  He steps on Magneto’s fingers and sends him hurtling to the jagged rocks below!

  Meanwhile the Avengers and X-Men (who seem to have recovered from the hypno-ray) have made it back to their ship in time to witness the Toad and his crew leaving.  They quickly shove off themselves, and a few minutes later, the very horizon rocks as the entire island goes up in a fiery explosion! Soon, the ocean is littered with smoking debris and machinery from the fortress, and among the bits of twisted metal floats the remains of Magneto’s once mighty metal helmet!

*    *    *    *    *

What a STORY!! I loved and re-read this issue so darn much that not only did I eventually collect all the back-issues of Marvel Triple Action featuring The Avengers (as well as Triple Action successor Marvel Super Action) but immediately began subscribing to the current issues as well -and what do you know- John Byrne was the artist HERE, too When I got older, I made it a priority to get my hands on all the ORIGINAL Avengers issues, and I was simply beside myself the day I got my very own copy of AVENGERS #53, the issue where that X-Men/Avengers story originally ran and the very issue you see scanned here!

Besides the overwhelming “pride of ownership” that came with obtaining this piece of Marvel history, there are several other good reasons to own the actual copy, and not just that they got the COLORS of Beast, Angel and Goliath right(!) in the original comic-I was ECSTATIC when I read the original issue and found there were TWO EXTRA PAGES that Marvel Triple Action had cut out! HOLY TOLEDO! This was like the Modern-Day equivalent of a DVD bonus! If I thought I loved that story BEFORE…MAN! Now it was BEYOND LOVE!!! Ahahahaha!

To this day, those Avengers issues from around issue #46-60 are still some of my favorite stories ever; Roy Thomas is still one of my favorite writers, and John Buscema one of my very favorite artists… When you consider that back then I was simultaneously reading both Thomas/Buscema stories AND Byrne/Claremont stories, there’s no wonder I call this my own personal “Golden Age” of comic reading in my life! 

Favorite Comics: Captain America #253-254

“Should Old Acquaintance be Forgot…"

Roger Stern and John Byrne pay respect to the Legacy of Marvel Comics' Golden Age featuring Captain America and the Invaders in this awesome story that appeared in the pages of Captain America 253 and 254.

In England, a series of terrible slasher murders are being committed. People are being killed and having the blood drained out of them. Everyone believes it to be the work of some insane serial killer, but elderly Lord Crichton of Falsworth Manor suspects something a bit more sinister. He believes the culprit to be a VAMPIRE named Baron Blood, and he has good reason to suspect it, because Lord Crichton was once UNION JACK, the heroic leader of the Invaders, who battled Baron Blood countless times during the war.

   His accusations fall upon deaf ears, however, because he is old and unwell, and everyone believes him to be getting senile. But Lord Crichton feels in his heart that he is correct, and calls upon the only person whom he knows will believe him: Captain America.

  

 I love this scene where Captain America reunites with his former team mate Spitfire, Miss Jacqueline Crichton. During the war, she was the teenage girl who had a crush on Cap, but to her sad realization, she sees that because of his years in suspended animation, he has remained young, while she has aged many years.

   I love this passage because the story reflects so much about time, how it steals strength and energy from people who were larger than life in their youth. More than this, though is the story’s underlying message of respect and friendship. It’s never clearer that when Cap has a chance to talk to Lord Crichton alone..…

Unlike everyone else in the house, Captain America is the only one who still gives  Lord Crichton the respect and dignity the former leader of The Invaders deserves. Both men are true heroes here.

Lord Crichton tells Cap that his half brother is back from he dead and will be coming to take his life. He states that his brother will continue to return from the grave until he is killed the only way to properly kill a vampire: beheading.

All suspicions are laid to rest that night, however, when Baron Blood descends upon Falsworth Manor to take out meddling Captain America.

But The Vampire is in for a surprise, when he finds Captain America wide awake and waiting! Ouch! That’s gotta hurt!

The Vampire flees as morning breaks, and thus the manhunt begins to locate the body of Baron Blood before he can strike again. All paths come up dry, however, and the group is forced to change their tactics. They must bait Baron Blood and draw him to THEM!

   They use the bait they know Baron Blood cannot resist: Having old Lord Crichton dress up again as his old foe Union Jack will be too much for the vampire to take.

  When the Baron arrives as expected at sunset, however, it is Lord Crichton’s nephew’s friend who is waiting in the suit. Together with Captain America  the two battle Baron Blood to a standstill! Time is running short for them though, because as the sun goes down, the Baron gets stronger. Quick action MUST be taken while they have the vampire against the ropes, and Cap remembers the advice Lord Crichton gave him a few days ago:

The story ends with the group destroying all the remains of Baron Blood. After the ceremony, they find that Lord Crichton has also passed on. They are satisfied though, knowing that Lord Crichton died with the knowledge that his evil half brother’s reign was over.

A terrific story full of history and respect for the legacy of the Golden Age of Marvel Comics.

Favorite Comics: Thor #305

"Hark The Herald Angel Lives!"

I am part of the John Byrne / Chris Claremont era of the Uncanny X-Men, and so by 1980, I was collecting a whole smorgasboard of titles in the Marvel and DC canon. One of the titles I collected was THOR, and this issue really blew me away as a kid.

Really Nice story written by Mark Gruenwald and Ralph Maccchio, with art by Keith Pollard (whatever happened to this guy? His Fantastic Four stuff was terrific!) and Chic Stone.

 Former Herald to Galactus Gabriel the Air-Walker awakens in a farm out in the country, where the Machinesmith’s secret lab has once been hidden. Bursting out of the Barn, He is approached by a small boy named Kevin who thinks Gabriel is the coolest thing since Darth Vader. We find out Kevin has recently lost his father, and the lonely boy immediately identifies with Gabriel. The boy wants to tag along, and Gabriel, needing someone to help him along the way to find out what has happened since he last walked, allows him to.

 They first go to the Fantastic Four, where Gabriel finds that Galactus has been defeated and is gone. Gabriel creates a blizzard that covers the city which alerts Thor and prompts him to take action. Thor manages to get the boy away from Gabriel, and is a little confused that the boy doesn’t seem to realize the danger Gabriel is- Everyone believes the boy to be Gabriel’s hostage, not knowing he is there on his own free will!

 The two powerhouses battle, until Gabriel gets the upper hand and knocks Thor out cold.

  Gabriel is ready to destroy Thor, But Kevin pleads for Gabriel not to kill him. “Only Bad Aliens kill people!” he reasons. A soft spot is touched in Gabriel, and he relents. “Very Well, Kevin…He shall Live”. He levitates Kevin back up to him and the two go off to further explore the city.

  Meanwhile, Thor has regained consciousness, and is determined once and for all to stop Gabriel. Now realizing Gabriel is only a robot, he doesn’t hold back and slams his hammer right through the Herald’s chest, destroying him at once. The Robot and the child both plummet to earth, where Thor catches Kevin. He is quite surprised when the boy runs to the fallen Gabriel and bursts into tears. His newfound friend has been taken from him, just like his father. Thor realizes now that Gabriel had no intent to harm the boy, and quietly bows out.

 I cannot tell you how much this story affected me. In fact,  for a while there, Thor stories were quite humanitarian in nature. Issue #303 deals with a priest who is losing his faith, and #304 shows Thor saving an elderly woman from being struck by a car, only to see her get struck down later in a battle with The Wrecker and his Wrecking Crew.

  All of these stories to this day remain close to my heart!