MAN IN A SUITCASE...

One of my favourite programmes as a kid was

MAN IN A SUITCASE, so I thought I'd give you the

opporchancity to hear the theme tune.  I think the show

was retitled Man With A Suitcase for American TV -

can anybody confirm whether this was so or not?

BABE Of The DAY - ELIZABETH TAYLOR...

A few years ago, I'd arranged to

meet a young lady named Elizabeth in

a Glasgow cafe one afternoon.  We were

getting on fine until I called her 'Liz' (as I do

another lass of the same name whom I know).

"My name is Elizabeth!" she scolded in a frosty

tone.  "And my name's outta here, along with the

rest of me!" I replied, heading for the door.  So,

ladies, "Know your place!"  ELIZABETH

TAYLOR would never have spoken to me

like that - if only 'cos she'd never have

 spoken to me.  That's life, alas.

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! 

"BLISTERIN' BARNACLES!" HURRICANES, MAGGOTS & MARINES...

Copyright relevant owner

CAPTAIN HERCULES HURRICANE was a Royal Marines Commando who debuted in VALIANT #1 in 1962 and appeared right through to the last issue in 1976.  Accompanied by his batman MAGGOT MALONE, he was almost the British equivalent of the United State's 'super soldier' CAPTAIN AMERICA - but without the colourful costume and written in a more humorous vein.  Whenever he lost his temper in a "ragin' fury", he became imbued with an almost superhuman strength - much like POPEYE when he downed his spinach.

This particular full-colour tale comes from the Valiant Annual for 1974 (issued near the end of '73) and is typical of the type of World War II adventures in which Herc and Maggot became embroiled.  CHARLES ROYLANCE was the regular artist in the weekly comic and these pages certainly look like his work, though I'm unsure if he also provided the colour or it was done 'in-house'.

I should point out that, in the following strip, the Captain indulges in a few racial insults that would be considered unacceptable nowadays.  However, without endorsing such language, the tale appears as originally published and reflects not only the time in which it was written, but also the period in which it was set, and shouldn't be regarded as representing the general attitude of most Britons today.

Anyway, for all those who thrilled to his adventures as boys, here's another chance to enjoy Captain Hurricane at his rip-snortin' best.

BABE Of The DAY - SALMA HAYEK...

Thought you might like to see a

photo of one of my girlfriends - but

I've only got a pic of SALMA HAYEK

so she'll just have to do.  Sorry for the

 disappointment.  (Yeah, right.)

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

Images copyright MARVEL COMICS

Back when MARVEL U.K. was still Marvel U.K. and not PANINI, they produced a pretty nifty monthly mag called The EXPLOITS Of SPIDER-MAN.  I faithfully bought it from the first issue 'til the LEE/DITKO Spidey stories were discontinued, though I returned in time to purchase the final ish.  One number eluded me, however, that being #5, which left a gap in my collection for a whopping 21 and a half years - until today, that is.

To celebrate finally filling that empty space, I've decided to do a cover and image gallery so that you can re-experience this comic from the '90s, or see for the first time what you missed if you weren't around back then.  Spidey, of course, still appears in his own British mag today (as well as various U.S. ones) so do yourself a favour and pick up a copy for yourself the next time you're in WHS.

As for issue #5 (which you'll see in the third instalment), it's strange to think of all that's changed in the intervening years, and how many friends and family have died since that comic first went on sale.  And now it's part of my collection at last, rolling back Time's cascading curtain to an earlier moment in history - when I was almost half the age I am now, yet seemed to have at least ten times as many years ahead of me than the entire population of planet GALLIFREY in its bustling heyday.  Just where does the time go?

Oops, I'm rambling again.  Never mind - just enjoy the pulse-pounding piccies in all their glory!

DOCTOR WHO - BEHIND The SCENES (1974)...

Copyright BBC TV, the Estate of TERRY NATION and relevant and respective owners

Having dug out my 1974 VALIANT Annual to scan KELLY'S EYE for a previous post, I thought I'd see what else it contained before I tucked it away again.  And you're in luck - if you happen to be a DOCTOR WHO fan, that is.  What follows is a six page feature on JON PERTWEE's incarnation of the TARDIS-travelling Time Lord - so hang on to your hats - we're about to jump back forty years into the past.

Incidentally, TERRY NATION later confessed that his account of how he thought up the DALEKS' name was a 'creative fib'.  Which should've been obvious right from the start, really, as no encyclopaedia covers the letters DAL to LEK - they're not even in proper alphabetical sequence.  See, you learn something new on this entertaining and educational blog every day (unless you knew it already, of course).

BABE Of The DAY - MARILYN MONROE...

Here she is, Crivs - the babe

you've surely all been waiting for...

MARILYN MONROE!