Redartz: Hi gang; ready for another survey of the best that comics have to offer? For today's installment, we go back to 1973, a very impressive comics year indeed. One I missed out on originally, as I was still reading exclusively Archies until 1974. But once I got the collecting bug, I picked up many of these and other gems from '73.
As always, we make our selections based on books on sale between January and December 1973, cover dated Apr.73 to Mar.74. And now, in no specific order, here are my picks for the year's best:
The Shadow 1- "The Doom Puzzle" by Denny O'Neil and Micheal Kaluta. O'Neil and Kaluta revive the classic pulp character with this striking debut issue.
Marvel Premiere 14- "Sise-Neg Genesis" by Steve Englehart, Frank Brunner and Dick Giordano. The climax to an epic Dr. Strange story, to creation and back. And who knew that it would only get better, soon, in Doc's own title?
Savage Tales 2- "Red Nails" by Roy Thomas and Barry Windsor- Smith. The first half of perhaps the greatest Conan tale of all; a masterpiece. Windsor-Smith's art is a museum piece.
Avengers 117- "Holocaust" by Steve Englehart, Bob Brown and Mike Esposito. Marvel's first big crossover event, and it was a doozy. The first battle between Captain America and Sub-Mariner since the Golden Age, and that's only part of the book.
Plop! 1- Various content by Sergio Aragones, Steve Skeates, George Evans, Sheldon Mayer, Bernie Wrightson, Frank Robbins and Alfredo Alcala. This wonderfully twisted humor book gets off to a great start with a fine lineup of top creators. Wonder if this book is collected anywhere...
Amazing Spider-man 122- "The Goblin's Last Stand" by Gerry Conway, Gil Kane and John Romita Sr. So much has been written about this monumental issue, nothing I can say is very novel. But it turned the comics world upside down, and still packs a staggering punch all these years later. Plus, one of Mary Jane Watson's most powerful scenes ever.
Batman 251- "The Joker's Five-Way Revenge" by Denny O'Neil and Neil Adams. An instant classic; one of the best Joker stories in the long history of the Dark Knight.
Defenders 10- "Breakthrough" by Steve Englehart, Sal Buscema and Frank Bolle. Okay, I know it's part of the Avengers/Defenders war already represented above. But hey, it's a different title, it's Hulk vs. Thor, it's a gargantuan tale, and it's my choice anyway...
Fantastic Four 141- "The End of the Fantastic Four" by Gerry Conway, John Buscema and Joe Sinnott. Man, it was a tough year in Gerry Conway's titles. Nevertheless, this story has enough action and drama for a year's worth of books. Annhilus is always cool, and that ending left me stunned the first time I read it.
Swamp Thing 7- "Night of the Bat" by Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson. Many issues of this run could have been chosen for this list, but this one is a favorite. Batman by Wrightson is certainly a perk, great story and beautifully moody art. But why did they have to kill the dog?
Whew, as always, it's a tough call. There was a ton of great material that year; so you probably have some other suggestions to consider. Fair enough, let's hear from you!
14 comments:
Given that it would only be 2 years later that I first got my grubby little hands on a comic book, I'm surprised by how many of these stories I've read thanks to reprints and such.
Can't argue with most of your choices: the Goblin/Gwen story, Red Nails, and Joker's Five-way Revenge are classics, and the Avengers-Defenders War is so much fun.
I'd add two more, even though they only started in 1973 and concluded in the next year (or two): Panther's Rage in the pages of Jungle Action, and the Captain Marvel v. Thanos story.
"Red Nails" was reprinted in the 1975 Conan Treasury Edition which is where I first read this classic Conan tale.
In my posts for next week, I pick my favorite five stand-alone issues from each year of the 1970s. 1973 was absolutely the hardest year to narrow down because there was so much magnificence released that fateful year. A few I would add to everyone's exceptional lists are Detective Comics #437, Archie Goodwin's debut as Batman editor, as well as the introduction of Manhunter with that awesome Walt Simonson art; E-Man #1; Special Marvel Edition #15 (the first Master of Kung Fu); and Superboy #200 with the Dave Cockrum illoed wedding of Duo Damsel and Bouncing Boy.
Holy cow, Groove! Can't believe I forgot the introduction of Goodwin & Simonson's Manhunter - one of the best done comic book stories of all time.
I've read a couple of these thru reprints. Good choices!
I was still a couple years from my first comic but I did get a bunch of back issues from an older neighbor boy in the mid 70's. Lots of good issues. One of those was
Marvel's Supernatural Thrillers #3. I had to look up the date and it just makes your cut off, Apr. '73.
It's stuck with me all these years, "Valley of the Worm" adapted from a Robert E. Howard story, written by Thomas & Conway, and drawn by Kane $ Chan. So well done.
Thanks for the other choices, time to get my hands on them!
Oh boy! 1973 was my jumping in point at age 11 on all things Marvel. By about April/May of that year I had more or less figured out the distribution schedule at my local convenience store that I could ride my bike to, Tuesdays as I recall. Seeing all of the new comics on that spinner rack I was like a kid in a candy store (uh, I guess it was a candy store huh). But a lot of the times, I would get there and all of the weeks books would still be bundled up in a basket or on the floor and I'd go beg the store clerk to unbundle them and take inventory or whatever he had to do because I HAD TO HAVE ALL OF THEM RIGHT NOW!
Some great choices already mentioned and I could go on for hours about issues from that year (I really could), but I'll add a few faves:
Daredevil #99 - Between leaving the Avengers (over Wanda jilting him for the Vision) and joining the Defenders, Hawkeye shows up in SF to try to win back the Black Widow. Of course, DD is having none of this. Largely played to comic effect and a lot of fun.
The regular Avengers book brings the Swordsman (and Mantis) into the Avengers while the Triple Action kooky quartet reprints introduce him as a villain. Young me surmises - hmmm, so these are OLD stories. The being sucked into the Marvel universe is beginning.
Some great annuals (more OLD stuff) like the wedding of Reed and Sue, Spidey vs. Goblin, again, juxtaposed to the 121-122 death issues.
Subby #67 - Reed makes him the new suit that saves his life even though they are enemies. They are enemies, right?
ASM #129 - introducing the Punisher. I liked his character...at first.
The Thing's solo debut in Marvel Feature leading to 2 in 1. I loved MF 11 and 12 with Hulk and Iron Man, respectively.
Some great Cap stories - first against Yellow Claw, then the beginning of the Secret Empire storyline.
I could go on and on...but I won't. Thanks for the memories Red.
Tom
That's synchronicity for you. I was just reading FF #147 this morning which references Reed shooting Franklin in #141. (I'm digging the stories with Medusa in the background and the suggestions that she feels an attraction to Reed. Kinda makes sense that Namor pines for Susan, Thundra for the Thing, and Medusa for Reed. Johnny got and gets all the girls, natch, though.)
Having gone on record as not being a big Defenders guy, it's probably no surprise that I wasn't over the moon with their fight with the Avengers. And while I wasn't collecting at this point, man, I sure have a good chunk of '73 now!
Cheers!
Hi All!
Before I reply... can someone tell me again the www site that shows what comics were published in a given month historically? After 15 minutes of googling and binging I can't find it.
Charlie is angry and frustrated.
(And yes Red, it was a "great" year for Conway, lol, blowing up my two fav titles.)
GOOOOOOD year for The Incredible Hulk-! Even as he still was kinda flying under the high-visibility radar. . .
We continued to see a more compassionate Hulk overall, which made for some sterling moments throughout. Highlights would be:
#162-- Introducing the Wendigo, and the story was told VERY much as a Canadian wilderness horror story (Steve Englehart, I believe?), to GREAT effect. "We woke up, and Paul. . . Paul was. . . eating. . ." Brrrrrrr-- my buddy and I would read it out loud, just to git those chills!
#167-#169 is the arc with Modok, Bi-Beast, and Betty/Harpy-- but the MOST notable aspect of this was the years-long letters page controversy that began when Bruce and an obviously-nude Betty fall off a sky ship in the final panel of #169. . . and then the opening splash of #170 has them still falling, but with Betty wrapped in an inexplicable piece of scrap fabric. This started a nudity/no-nudity-in-comics debate that went on forEVER.
#170- Hulk & Betty on an island of marooned ancient giant space aliens-- some of Hulk's most endearing moments, and some beautiful sequences from Herb T.
#171- Another personal nostalgic favorite. Extremely well-paced story at Gamma Base (wait-- Hulkbuster Base? I forget which one was when--), where Rhino and the Abomination team up, and it culminates in a grand slug-fest which resolves in a manner as hilarious as it was unexpected. . . (Ooo! I'm writin' like Chris Claremont, all of a sudden!)
And hey, hey, hey Teammates-- 1973 ALSO gave us that HUGE all-hands-on-deck Monster Craze, remember? The black & white magazines in particular? VAMPIRE TALES, DRACULA LIVES, MONSTERS UNLEASHED, TALES OF THE ZOMBIE. . . ? Those titles? For the most part, there was a LOT of A-list talent being assigned to those titles, doing some commendable work. And I believe that was the year that Mike Ploog was pouring his heart into WEREWOLF BY NIGHT-- when it was still a pretty darned good read.
HB
Ahh, 1973; so much good reading then. Even for an Archie reader (I recall getting the first Archie Comics Digest in '73, and it was full).
Colin J- Nice mention of that Conan Treasury Edition. One of the best of that format. I have both the original Savage Tales issues, and the Treasury (with color added by Barry himself). I prefer reading the Treasury...
Groove- you mentioned several books that were seriously considered for today's post. Particularly that Detective with Manhunter; a great series indeed.
Killraven- thanks for giving us the lowdown on that Supernatural Thrillers issue! Sounds very cool. I've recently become interested in pursuing those old 'horror' and suspense books, and that one might be a good one to find.
Tom- yes! Love your tale of anticipation, waiting for the new books to be unwrapped. I'd bet many of us went through that too. I sure did; our small town comic shop would get their books in and we'd be standing around impatiently waiting for the proprietor to unpack them.
Charlie- check out "Mike's Amazing World of Comics". Especially the "newsstand" tab. This site is invaluable as a resource...
HB- Glad to get some Hulk input! And excellent point about the monster books. That era was positively pregnant with potential (gotta love alliteration), with new genres and new formats. It was leading full speed towards the further experiments in 74, with the Giants, Treasuries, Origins books, and so much more. I truly think the period from 1973 to 75 was an absolute Renaissance in comics...
Well, I was only a year old at this point, so I wasn't exactly buying off the rack. But I've read some of these since then (mostly the Marvels), so I'm somewhat familiar with the era. I can't really quibble with your choices, so I'll just add a few honourable mentions:
Groovy Agent mentioned Superboy 200, but the issues before and after were all pretty good ... great Cockrum art.
Len Wein's entire run on JLA was pretty good; 105 and 106 (with Red Tornado and Elongated Man joining) stand out in my mind.
I haven't read them, but those early Tomb of Dracula issues are supposed to be great ... especially the early appearances of Blade.
I agree with Tom on Amazing 129 with Punisher and Jackal; I'd also add 130, the beginning of the Hammerhead/Doc Ock fight (and precursor to Ock almost marrying Aunt May in 131!)
I personally have a soft spot for FF 133, since I've always liked Thundra.
BTW, folks---- HOW GREAT is that Wrightson cover for Swamp Thing #7, there??
Geeze, I don't think I've ever seen it before, 'cause it would have jumped right onto my "favorite covers ever" list if I had. . .
From an academic perspective, it's interesting to be reminded what was contemporaneous with what, here. Sometimes you see ASM 121 & 122 as being a late but final line in the sand, indicating "Here's where the Silver Age ends, and the Bronze Age begins". I was always skeptical of that one, and this confirms those doubts in my mind. There are few things as quintessentially Bronze Age as the Avengers/Defenders War, for instance-- and to have that represent one "age" when Gwen & The Goblin's deaths about 3 months prior supposedly suggests the end of the previous one seems awfully. . . arbitrary, y'know? (Although I always enjoy a good re-hashing of the Bronze-to-Silver-to-Modern discussion--!)
HB
To the ones listed above, I'd also add that, throughout the year, Marvel's Worlds Unknown was giving us adaptations of classic sci-fi tales like Farewell to the Master, Arena and Killdozer.
Marvel Spotlight #12 gave us the debut of the Son of Satan in an issue that's still one of my favorite comics from the 1970s.
For DC, the Black Orchid made her debut in Adventure Comics #428.
The Phantom Stranger met Frankenstein's Monster in the Jim Aparo drawn Phantom Stranger #26.
Prez #1 hit the news stands. A comic that can only be called unique.
The Spectre was revived in Adventure Comics #431.
Batman met a Neal Adams drawn werewolf in Batman #255.
Meanwhile, Charlton was giving us Midnight Tales, my favourite of their, "horror," titles.
Shadow 1 and 2 - Yep! Still THE benchmark for the Shadow 45 years later
Spidey and FF - Yep! Conway decided comics weren't for kids anymore.
Adventure Spectre - Yep! Still the benchmark for Spectre.
I would generically add the DC 100-page Super Spectaculars... Granted they started in 1972 or so but this whole 100-page thing for $.25 really dominated much of my comic purchasing b/c it introduced me to the Golden Age and was one heck of a deal and had great covers.
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