The TERRIFIC ORIGIN Of THOR...

Copyright MARVEL COMICS

For any readers who may've thought that certain aspects of the origin of THOR The MIGHTY were a tad too SF orientated, this was rectified by TERRIFIC excising any reference to The STONE MEN From SATURN from its two-page recounting of the tale.  Only the bare essentials were required to bring new readers up to speed on the history of big daddy ODIN's hammer-hurling, blond-haired lad from across the Rainbow Bridge.

"But ours is a drama decreed by the fates to be acted out!  Nothing can stop it!  Nothing can change it!  Watch and see..."  And acted out it was, filling us in on how DON BLAKE's Asgardian alter-ego came to be.  Having satiated our appetite for Norse Thunder-gods with long hair, we were next made acquainted with the size-changing contingent of the team - but that's a titanic tale for another time.  Be sure not to miss it!

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COMING SOON: The Terrific origin of GIANT-MAN & The WASP!

The TERRIFIC ORIGIN Of IRON MAN...

Copyright MARVEL COMICS

When ODHAMS PRESS realeased the first issue of their new weekly comic, TERRIFIC, back in April 1967, they realised that perhaps not everyone would be familiar with the pantheon of MARVEL superheroes featured in one of the strips contained therein.  Although previous adventures of the group had already been published in other POWER COMICS, there was no guarantee that buyers picking up the new paper would've read them.

The group's first story to be presented in the new title was a reprint of the first half of #6 of their U.S. mag, The MIGHTY AVENGERS Meet The "MASTERS Of EVIL!", so condensed origins of the individual members prefaced the actual tale itself.  Culled mainly from the heroes' introductory issues, the mini-recaps more than adequately filled in new readers with the backgrounds of those who comprised Earth's mightiest super-team.  They even threw in the origin of RICK JONES' TEEN BRIGADE for good measure.

So, let's start with THE INVINCIBLE IRON MAN!  "Watch his awesome approach!  Listen to his ponderous footsteps as he lumber closer... closer..." 

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COMING SOON: The Terrific origin of THOR The MIGHTY!   

KID ROBSON ON SPIDER-MAN...

Images copyright MARVEL COMICS

Okay - so who just said "Well, get off him you dirty buggah!"?  Hah!  I knew that title would grab ya!  Too many years ago than is good for me, I lettered a SPIDER-MAN strip for some promotional purpose or other.  I also did a HULK one, but never received a copy of the finished result.  In fact, I never received a copy of the Spidey one either, and the only reason I'm able to show it to you here is because it was reprinted in The MARVEL BUMPER COMIC Holiday Special.

Incidentally, I have to make one thing crystal clear - it wasn't me who lettered the rather bland "MEETS DOC OCK!" title next to the logo.  I refuse to take the blame for it.  (I'd have done something much more fancy.)

Characters copyright relevant owners

The comic's indicia has a few different copyright dates, ranging from 1983 to '88, but those years represent when the strips were originally published, and - as far as 1988 goes - not necessarily when they were reprinted.  I have the impression the mag came out around 1989-'91, but I couldn't swear to it.

If anyone knows where the two-page Hulk strip appeared or whether it was ever reprinted, feel free to let me know.

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