Ms. MARVEL MINI-COVER & SPLASH PAGE GALLERY...

Images copyright MARVEL COMICS

One look at the costume and it's obvious that, back in the '70s, comics were still aimed mainly at teenage boys (of which I was one).  There's no way in real-life an actual superheroine would ever wear a costume that revealing to fight criminals and superpowered robots and the like.  That said, the scanty costume fulfilled its purpose because that was the only reason I bought the mag - for the 'good girl art'.  The first ish is the one I bought way back then, the subsequent three I acquired many years later (early to mid-'90s maybe)  just because they came my way at a very reasonable price.  These are the only four I have.

Ms. MARVEL, eh?  It's obvious that feminism still extended its influence into mainstream culture at the time, otherwise it would simply have been 'Miss' Marvel.  Ironic how feminism is the very thing that caused women to lose (or discard) their femininity and embrace the 'ladette' lifestyle which pervades society today.  Is there such a thing as an elegant, sophisticated, softly-spoken, well-mannered, lady-like woman anymore?  If so, someone found and married her before I got the chance.  All I see are hordes of screaming, shouting, itching, scratching, alcohol-swigging, belching, farting, swearing harpies (some nice-looking ones admittedly) wherever I go - and those I can well live without.  (Though, to be fair, they'd feel the same about me.)

Okay, rant over.  No doubt I'll be accused of being a male chauvinist pig, but as I always say, it's better than being a woman who won't do as she's told.  Who's with me lads?  Shout "Aye!"

H'mm.  Kinda quiet around here, isn't it?  You guys must be married.

KIRBY'S CAPTAIN AMERICA - SUPER SOLDIER AT WAR...

Copyright MARVEL COMICS

Here's a limited-edition print that JACK KIRBY did for MARVEL COMICS to celebrate the 50th Birthday of CAPTAIN AMERICA in 1990.  I have to be honest and say that it's not quite JK at his best, but he was near the end of his life at this point, and age and illness had doubtless taken their toll on his artistic talents.  At least the much-maligned Marvel were still trying to put a bit of work Jack's way, though no doubt their critics will claim they were merely trying to exploit him.  Can't win, eh? 

PART FOUR Of The THING COVER & SPLASH PAGE GALLERY...

Images copyright MARVEL COMICS

Bashful BENJAMIN J. GRIMM is back to share with us another six covers and splash pages from his own mag published back in the early and mid-1980s.  The THING lasted for three dozen issues before being discontinued, but it was an entertaining enough mag while it lasted, though certainly not the earth-shattering experience I would've hoped for.  The first few stand-alone issues were probably the best, but once the stories became continued, they kind of slipped down the pole a little.  However, there are plenty of nice images to drool over, so I'll cut my prattling short and let you do just that.  Enjoy, true believer!