Fifty years ago this day – February 1974.
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Follow me, Reader, as I roll up my trouser legs and dash in the shallows of historical past.

Amazing Spider-Man #129, the Punisher


Everyone’s current psychotic gunman makes his debut, because the Jackal convinces the Punisher to rob a glimpse at and kill each person’s current wall-crawler.


Believing Spidey killed both Gwen Stacy and Norman Osborn, the vengeance-gay vigilante’s excellent too provocative to oblige.

Avengers #120, Zodiac


Zodiac are wait on – and giving the Avengers a ways more danger than they need to be.

I attain imagine right here’s the one by which the villains bear a gun designed to kill any individual of a particular celebrity signal. Though the top seemingly contrivance it knows of us’s celebrity signs is any individual’s bet.


Regardless, ensuing from Unusual York’s polluted skies, it need to be keep aside up on the roof of a skyscraper where each person, alongside with the Avengers, can search for it.

And that can excellent end result in a scrap.

Captain The US and the Falcon #170


Is there any hope for our hero?

It can perhaps seem now no longer, as he is accused of murdering the Tumbler and is then stopped by Moonstone, the exact killer who’s out to discredit The US’s idol.

I attain imagine Leila’s also in sensational solo action, this month.

After I squawk, “action,” I, pointless to assert, imply getting kidnapped and having to be rescued.


Conan the Barbarian #35, Kara-Shera


I know nothing of the contents of this one, rather than that it takes pickle to the west of Khitai. So, would that be Japan?


Not seemingly Four #143, Dr Doom


My recollections of this are vague. I’m going to bet Darkoth the death demon is in it. And, presumably, the Silver Surfer. But don’t quote me on any of that.


I am, on the opposite hand, certain Dr Doom’s in it.

Amazing Hulk #172, the Juggernaut


Now the Hulkbuster Inappropriate is in danger – on story of it has now no longer one but two powerhouses to contend with!


It is correct! The Hulk and Juggernaut bear teamed up – and nothing can discontinue them!

Nothing, that is, with the exception of Professor X who shows up at the comely time to thwart his ever-malevolent stepbrother.

Iron Man #66, Thor


I’ve by no contrivance read this one but I genuinely don’t handle Iron Man‘s probabilities.


Thor #220, Avalon


Thor and his mates face overwhelming odds in phrases of thwarting the extensive Masters of the Sunless Stars.


But are things as they look?

And are the planets they rule as stuffed with vitality as one may moreover judge?

X-Males #86, the Blob and the Vanisher


I attain imagine there are appropriate eight points to lag earlier than the Unusual X-Males produce their debut!

But who needs that fabricate of rubbish when quality villains like the Blob and Vanisher are wait on?


Now not excellent that but, rather oddly, there’s a backup strip which has nothing to attain with the X-Males at all and is, as a alternative, a thriller known as The Spirit of Swami River, as introduced to us by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko.

Budge Comics #431, the Spectre returns

That’s Shock’s output seemed at but we need to composed by no contrivance put out of your mind that, in phrases of comics, there are other fish in the ocean.


And few fish approach bigger than DC. Therefore, let us pattern a random snatch of what that company was once providing in its books which bore the quilt date of February.

A moment that shall by no contrivance be forgotten, for therefore long as humanity may moreover continue to exist, has reached us, as Jim Aparo and Michael Fleisher revive the corporate’s very bear unimaginative detective when the Spectre returns from wherever he is been, to wreak havoc upon the criminals of the area.

if I endure in thoughts accurately, in this tale, he melts one villain and reduces one other to a skeleton. Is it any wonder I beloved this strip, as a lad?

But that’s now no longer all we salvage. Finally, we’re also offered with a backup tale which asks the ever-pertinent ask, “Is a Snerl Human?

Batman #254, Man-Bat is wait on

If there’s anything I’ve by no contrivance been ready to assert no to it be 100 pages of Batman action.


Therefore, I’m going to assert nothing but yes as we salvage the senses-shattering return of Man-Bat in the first chronicle I ever read that aspects him.

It all happens when a spate of robberies spurs the mixed-up scientist to desert retirement and kind out the miscreants.

Following that tale, Batman and Robin need to note down The Witch, a mysterious figure guilty for the kill of Erik Dorne and the theft of his manuscript.

Then, a non-public detective makes an attempt to be half of the prestigious Bullet Hole Membership – even when he has to salvage himself shot to attain it.

After that, a contemporary villain broadcasts his presence by stealing the Batmobile, Bat-a-Rang and Bat-Boat. But why would any individual attain this form of thing?

Next, Luke Graham needs Robin to abet trace his paper about the Chinese language iron industry wasn’t plagiarised.

Now, in an imaginary tale by Alfred, the second Batman and Robin need to fight the Son of the Joker.

And, finally, a damaged-down of Gotham City Police Division has his day made when the caped crusader suggests he be put to blame of the Bat-Designate.

Secret Origins #6, Legion of Gargantuan-Heroes, Blackhawk

It is fundamental subject for all correct lovers of DC comics, as we’re treated to the superior foundation of the Legion of Gargantuan-Heroes.

I don’t endure in thoughts too noteworthy about it but, it appears to be like, three enormous-youths rescue billionaire R J Brande who promptly bankrolls them in the formation of a new crime-combating crew the universe may moreover now no longer ever search for the likes of again.


I genuinely bear even less recall of the muse of Blackhawk and, to be appropriate, I don’t even bear that noteworthy recall of the character himself.

Nonetheless, if the Big Comics Database is to be believed, all of it takes pickle in Poland and comprises Nazis.

Superboy #200, The Legionnaire Bride of Starfinger

Superboy’s mag hits its 2 hundredth subject. And does so current, because the now powerless Bouncing Boy and the distinctly beneath-powered Duo Damsel resolve to marry.


But, earlier than you shall be ready to even convey the words, “Holy gatecrashers!” that contemptible fiend Starfinger appears to be like and abducts her! 

If I endure in thoughts comely, it was once a dispute about possession of a splash internet page in this subject which resulted in Dave Cockrum quitting the strip and defecting to The X-Males.

Superman #272, 100 pages, Circe


Superman gets the 100 pages that this form of tale deserves – and does so with a clear that carries a theme of magic.


In our first tale, unalloyed annoyance erupts when Mr Mxyztplk returns. I judge we are able to all bet appropriate how the man of steel dispatches that exact nuisance.


Next, Supes and Jimmy Olsen need to contend with The Demons from Pandora’s Box!

After that, our hero attends The Magicians’ Convention! where he need to salvage to the coronary heart of a prestidigitational crime.


Following that, we’re introduced with The Varied Side of the World! by which Zatanna and the Inexperienced Lantern enterprise to the land of Ys where a warlock may moreover hold the first to Zatara’s destiny!

That is followed by The Enchanted Mountain! a tale of which I will claim to bear no recollection.

And we produce the e book with a yarn the area knows as Elegance and the Gargantuan-Beast! by which Kal-El stands helpless earlier than the sorcerous may moreover of Circe and her ability to expose males into beasts.

Or does he? I’m pretty particular the “witch” appears to be like to be Saturn Lady and she’s doing all of it with the abet of her form-shifting pet Proteus in a pickle to fool Lois Lane.

Or, presumably, the Superman Revenge Squad.

Or perhaps any individual else.