Greetings, Groove-ophiles! Whilst digging around in the Repository of Rarities, Ol' Groove lucked upon
Bizarre Adventures #27 (May 1981) featuring "Secret Lives of the X-Men"! Now, I know that's a waaaaaaaay post-Groovy Age, but I'm pretty sure at least two of the three tales published in
B.A. #27 (featuring
Phoenix, Iceman, and
Nightcrawler) were done in the late 70s for
Marvel Spotlight and/or
Marvel Premiere. Why thinkest Groove this? 'Cause I know fer sure the
Iceman tale was scheduled for
Marvel Spotlight--the Bob Layton penciled cover for it made the fanzine rounds in 79/80.
Nightcrawler was rumored to be in the pipline for one of those Marvelous mags, as well. Add to that the fact that the stories ran 18 pages (while Marvel was running 22 pagers by this time)--yeah, yers trooly is pret-ty sure they were intended for Marvel's color line. (Not sure about the
Phoenix tale...).
I said all'a that to say this: "Check out this freakin' cool
Nightcrawler story co-plotted by Bob Layton and Jo Duffy, scripted by Duffy, and featuring art by Dave Cockrum and Ricardo Villamonte!" Not only is this story a hoot in both the story and art departments, but it ties up loose ends from the final ish of
The Champions and sets up
Nightcrawler's 1985 mini-series. It's easy to forget just how awesome
Nightcrawler was back in the good ol' days...let "Show Me the Way to Go Home..." show ya just how much fun
Kurt Wagner truly was...
