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| Copyright MARVEL COMICS |
Yes, I know - I've shown these covers before, but it was over several posts and I thought it would be handy to have them all in one place for all you pantin' panelologists to slobber over. The first seven issues were double-sized, 25 cents publications, and #8 was prepared that way as well. However, it was split over two issues when it was decided to make the mag a regular-sized, 15 cents monthly. The series lasted for only 18 issues, so assuming the change was made because it was thought the pricier format was scaring off readers, it wasn't soon enough to make a difference in sales, alas.
JACK KIRBY drew what became the last issue, but the mag's cancellation proved not even the 'King' could save it. Sure, it was cancelled before the sales figures came in, but they must've been pretty underwhelming, as the mag would've been revived PDQ had it seemed to MARVEL they suddenly had a surefire runaway hit on their hands. In fact, it has to be said Jack's issue is the weakest of the run and confirms STAN LEE was right in having big JOHN BUSCEMA illustrate the previous 17 tales. I doubt the magazine would've lasted as long as it did had Jack drawn it from the very start , as his art had taken a decidedly cartoonish turn.
Got a favourite? What memories are stirred in the cavernous confines of your mind as you peruse these powerful images from yesteryear? Take a moment to savour those recollections, and then share them with the rest of us in the comments section.
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Believe it or not, I bought pristine copies of #s 10-14 from a spinner-rack
in a shop in Blackpool in 1973 or '74 - for the cover price of 5 pence each |
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| I hadn't noticed before that #18 came out a whole 3 months after #17 |
