PART TWO Of The EXPLOITS Of SPIDER-MAN COVER & IMAGE GALLERY...

Images copyright MARVEL COMICS

As mentioned in part one, The EXPLOITS Of SPIDER-MAN lasted for forty 100-page monthly issues.  I've got the first twenty-nine, plus the last one, so should I ever decide to complete the set, I only need ten to do so.  Don't think I'll ever bother to be honest, as I only bought it for the LEE/DITKO tales and the free posters of classic MARVEL #1s.  Once they stopped, so did I, as strips like SPIDER-MAN 2099 didn't really ring my bell, and I'd previously bought a good number of the original U.S. editions of the other strips featured in the mag.

In fact, I didn't even need to buy it for the '60s stories, because I already had them all in issues of MARVEL TALES and volumes of MARVEL MASTERWORKS, so I guess I was merely buying them out of habit and as a throwback to my early teenage years when I used to faithfully purchase SPIDER-MAN COMICS WEEKLY in the early '70s.  You see, even then I was trying to re-live my past, as I've done from about the age of 5 up to the present day.  Now, you may think that's kind of sad, but actually everybody indulges in the same thing to a greater or lesser degree, and let me explain just what I mean.

Ever seen those guys old enough to know better (adults I'm talking about) who hang about underpasses in groups drinking their carry-outs?  They're trying to re-create that moment when they had their first alcoholic drink in the company of their pals, many moons before.  Even many of those who regularly frequent pubs are, without ever realizing it, trying to recapture the heady feeling they first had when they managed to pass themselves off as old enough to buy a pint in their local.  Or someone else's local, in fact, where there was less chance of being spotted by someone who knew that they weren't of legal age to be served.

Many of our pursuits are attempts at re-experiencing earlier moments in our lives - usually in conjunction with other factors, admittedly, and perhaps even subconsciously.  However, most of us are trying to re-live the past to some extent, the only real difference being that I'm aware of it and others might not be.  If you like something, it's entirely natural to want to perpetuate it, not only for its own sake, but also because of the echo of a half-forgotten memory of pleasant times from so very long ago.

However, that's enough of my philosophical ramblings - I now unleash upon you some sensational Spidey shenanigans for your leisurely reading pleasure.  'Nuff said!

BABE Of The DAY - DALIAH LAVI...

DALIAH LAVI appeared in DEAN

MARTIN's first of four MATT HELM

films, The SILENCERS in 1965.  Doubtless

she's appeared in a good deal more than that,

but you'll have to look up the info for your-

 selves 'cos I'm too busy swoonin'.

The COMPLETE FANTASTIC FOUR COVER & IMAGE GALLERY - PART FIVE...

Images copyright MARVEL COMICS

Y'know, I almost feel envious of those of you who haven't seen these captivating covers and pulsating pages before.  For you, the thrill of being presented with some iconic images for the first time; for me, the pleasant sensation of having some magical memories stirred, like ripples in a stream when a pebble is tossed in.  As to which is the greater experience is open to question I suppose, but first impressions are usually the most vivid.  

Anyway, that's enough of my philosophical speculations, let's turn our attention to the fifth instalment in this series of The COMPLETE FANTASTIC FOUR, one of MARVEL U.K.'s better weekly comics from the 1970s.  The main attraction for me was the reprints of LEE & KIRBY's classic tales from the '60s, but I also enjoyed the later stories, some of which I'd read before in their full-colour American mags.

If you have any recollections of these particular issues, you can reminisce to your heart's content in our Crivens comments section.  Go on, jump right in - it's good to share!  And remember to return for part six in this super series of pulse-pounding picture-presentations.

When this page appeared in MWOM in 1972, it was renamed "Attack of the Deadly Duo!"

This has got to be one of my all-time fave FF stories - love it!

When I first read this part of the tale in Wham! back in 1967, I used to place the comic (open
at this page) on the floor next to my chair as I sat and had my dinner, totally transfixed by the
stunning Sue Storm.  Yes, you're right - what a furtive little perv was I!