MARVEL SPECTACULAR RANDOM COVER & SPLASH PAGE GALLERY...

Images copyright MARVEL COMICS

Whilst Jolly JACK KIRBY was beavering away at DC COMICS during the first half of the '70s, casual observers could be forgiven for thinking he'd never really left MARVEL.  After all, there was a number of reprint mags churning out Jack's back catalogue from the '60s, and no doubt some newer readers thought, at first glance, that they were contemporary tales - at least until they spotted that little box that said "Originally presented in..."

MARVEL SPECTACULAR was one such reprint mag, which came out in 1973 and reprinted Jack's THOR work, inked (mostly) by VINCE COLLETTA.  The quality of reproduction is a bit hit-and-miss (no doubt not doing Vince's reputation as an inker any favours), but it was great to see these stories again, along with TALES Of ASGARD as back-up in the book.  The TOA episodes didn't appear alongside the same main strips as they had in their original printings, but it hardly mattered as I don't recall them ever being connected story-wise anyway.

Unfortunately, I only have four issues (must dig up some more one day), but that gives us a dozen spectacular images to salivate over, which is more than enough for one sitting don't you think?

******

(Incidentally, issue #2 was slightly water-damaged when I got it, revealing signs of newsprint on the cover from the mag above it in the bundle.  Likewise, the splash page shows newsprint from the inside cover ad, but I've tried to reduce the effects in order to increase your enjoyment.  Who else spoils you like this, eh?  If you feel like leaving a comment telling me how wonderful I am, I won't object.  Hey, where'd everybody go?!)

  

COMIC COVERS 'SNAP'! - PART THIRTEEN...

Copyright relevant owner

Once upon a time I owned a complete set of VULCAN.  Now all I have is one issue, a Holiday Special and an Annual.  However, look at the cover of that one weekly issue and compare it with that of the Annual - pretty similar, eh?  Same scene, different point of view, but obviously based on the same idea.  It's possible that both pictures may perhaps be enlargements of two panels from the same adventure involving two different riders, but if anyone knows for sure, please let me know.  Don't worry, I'll share the info with you Crivs 'cos I'm not a meanie that way. 

In the meantime, enjoy DON LAWRENCE's wonderful art.