Greetings, Groove-ophiles! I can't say that I understand how things like today's sci-fi shocker happen, but I can say that I'm sure glad they did back in the Groovy Age! In 1971, most of Marvel's color monster-mags had reverted to reprint mags, running mostly pre-Fantastic Four and Spidey Atlas yarns by Lee, Kirby, and Ditko. No problems with 'em reprinting those--good stuff! The odd thing is that, while most fans thought of those mags as all-reprint, if they'd taken the time to peruse those pulpy publications they'd have learned that many of them had brand new terror tales hidden within. Tales like today's focus from Creatures On the Loose #14 (August 1971), "Forewarned Is Four-Armed!" What a pedigree this buried gem has, seeing as how it was written by Neal Adams and Roy Thomas (who were in the midst of their mythical Kree/Skrull War over in the Avengers' mag) with art by Marie Severin with Herb Trimpe and Tom Sutton. Ol' Groove will be uncovering a pile of such hidden treasures during next month's Halloween Countdown--this is just the appetizer. Dig in!
Hey Groovster!
ReplyDeleteAnother forgotten & hidden treasure! I'll make sure to pass this on to Herb & Roy. Keep on Groovin!
Thank you, Groove. Marvel's Tower of Shadows and Chamber of Darkness titles hold a special place in my four-color affections, so I'm always grateful when you post stories from them.
ReplyDeleteThis story originally was the lead story in the second issue of Marvel's Chamber of Darkness title (and "plagiarizes" a 1950s tale by Stan Lee and Bill Everett). It was good to see it again. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWouldn't ya just know--Chamber of Darkness #2 is the one is of that mag I don't have. Shucks. Oh well, new or not, it's still a classic tale worth revisiting.
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