NO, HE DOESN'T MEAN MEXICANS, MELVIN!

Copyright MARVEL COMICS

I can't remember whether or not I've referred to this before, but I've intended to for a while now, so here it is.  It's the very first time the FF's flare gun signal has been used, and the cops in the 2nd last panel are seeing it as it happens, just like everyone else.  It's only been in the sky for mere seconds, perhaps a minute or two at most, but one of the cops states "Rumours are flyin' about an alien invasion!".  Come again?  There hasn't been time for any rumours to get started (much less for the cop to hear about them), and what's so alien about three English words in the sky?  H'm, methinks Stan boobed with this bit of dialogue, what say the rest of you?*

(*Obviously not much, going by the distinct lack of comments.)

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One more thing: Look at the 'splash' panel, in particular the person standing between the woman and man both pointing at the flare.  The left shoulder of the 'in-betweener' appears to be in front of the woman, despite her being larger, which suggests this panel is a 'composite' of two different panels less than competently merged together.

******

Update: Just noticed I had indeed already referred to the flare gun and cops in an earlier post, but it was worth repeating in case anyone missed it.  

Post From The Past: Ah, But Is It An ORIGINAL...?

Images copyright MARVEL COMICS

MARVEL had been publishing their weekly periodicals in Britain for a while, when, perhaps responding to some readers' requests, they asked the rest of us if we'd like to see more original covers.  To my mind, 'original' covers meant the original covers which had first appeared on the U.S. mags, not newly-originated ones for the U.K. comics, which seemed to be what Marvel had in mind.  I responded, saying "Yes, more original covers please!" - as, no doubt, did quite a few other Marvelites, because, before too long, the weeklies sported brand-new (and, a few exceptions apart, mostly inferior) cover art all across the board.

I eventually twigged to what had happened regarding the differing interpretations of what was meant by 'original', but, going by the poor reception of many of the 'new' covers featured on this blog, I had the right idea and Marvel had the wrong one.  (I exclude JIM STARLIN's covers on early issues of MWOM because they were well-drawn and I actually like them.)  Perhaps, had Marvel stuck with more 'classic' covers from the original U.S. issues, their titles may have enjoyed a greater success.

So what say you readers?  Did you care much for the specially-produced, newly-drawn cover art on the Marvel weeklies of your youth, or, like me, did you prefer to see the classic covers that had first graced the initial printings of these early titanic tales?  Make your valued views known in the comments section - the fate of the free world hangs in the balance!  (Well, if I'm gonna lie, I like to make it a big one.)

This cover illo was also pressed into service as a splash page in the very next
issue.  Not quite in the same league as the SURFER cover above, eh?

FAMOUS (?) FIRST ISSUES - PLUG #1...

Copyright D.C. THOMSON & Co., Ltd

Do you think ugly people are aware they're ugly?  I mean genuinely hideous people, not ordinary folk who just lack confidence and self-esteem.  The reason I ask is because, when I came to do this post about Plug's (from The Bash Street Kids) own 1977 comic, I wondered if it would be allowed today as Plug's whole 'schtick' was being ugly (though, in seeming answer to my opening question, he didn't consider himself to be anything but handsome).  A strip devoted to essentially making fun of an ugly buggah flies in the face of the whole 'woke' ethos that permeates far too many things in our modern age.

Anyway, I suppose that's by-the-by.  A few months back I bought two copies of Plug #1 via eBay and have been planning on doing a post about it for some time.  I bought my original copy in 1977, but I don't think I kept it, though it could be lingering forgotten in a cupboard somewhere, in which case I now have three copies.  As I leafed through its pages, I realised there was nothing in it which really appealed to me, so I can't be bothered scanning anything from it apart from the front and back covers.  Anyone remember this DCT weekly comic and, more relevant, did anyone actually buy it?  (Apart from me, obviously.)

The other strips were Hugh's Zoo, Tony Jackpot, First Ada, Digby The Human Mole, Eebagoom, Sea Urchin, Ava Banana, The Games Gang, Antchester United, The Bandshees, Supporting Life, Lumpy Gibbon, and Gnoo Faces.  The art was nice for the most part, but I found the characters uninspiring.  In fact, I haven't even bothered to read them.

As for yours truly, do I consider myself ugly or good-looking?  Well, given that another of my nicknames is Mr. Handsome, I think that's all I need to say on the matter.

What's that?  You don't believe my other nickname?  Well, here's proof, written by one of my biggest fans.  (That'll be me then.)

                                     I am the handsomest of men,
                                                     the ladies look, then look again;
                                                     I'm toned and fit, and tall and dark,
                                                     in my blue eyes resides a spark
                                                     which makes them tremble deep within
                                                     and lets me turn their hearts to 'sin'.
                                                     If truth be told, I'm quite a tease,
                                                     but women's eagerness to please -
                                                     to play the game of 'birds and bees'
                                                     and do their utmost to appease
                                                     my appetite for pleasures rare -
                                                     lets me perform with style to spare.

                                                     I am Adonis come to life,
                                                     all women wish to be my wife.
                                                     I conquer hearts with languid ease
                                                     and watch them buckle at the knees.
                                                     I laugh as their chins hit the floor
                                                     whenever I pass through a door.
                                                     E'en Sapphic slaves can't help but 'turn'
                                                     so filled with lust for me they burn,
                                                     their 'lady love' they all do spurn
                                                     and nevermore will they return
                                                     to their past wicked wanton ways,
                                                     such is the power of my gaze.

                                                     My skin is firm and tanned and smooth,
                                                     my honeyed words do serve to soothe
                                                     the fever in their lustful hearts,
                                                     pierced by cherubic Cupid's darts.
                                                     I cannot fail, I am God's gift
                                                     to women who require a 'lift'
                                                     to make them feel desired and young
                                                     by one so manly and well-hung,
                                                     who charms them with a silver tongue,
                                                     whose name and fame are so far-flung -
                                                     for me they'd all lay down and die...
                                                     and do so with a grateful sigh.

                                                     Who am I?  Why...

                                                     I'm Mr. Handsome.