CAPTAIN AMERICA #183
(Cover by Gil Kane)
Published and © by Marvel , Mar. 1975

Synopsis: In his Nomad identity, Steve Roger sets out to find the Falcon — and ends up on a journey of self-discovery.

Writer: Steven Englehart
Penciler: Frank Robbins
Inker: Frank Giacoia

Review: While many Bronze Age Marvel comics featured done-in-one stories, writer Steve Englehart’s mid-’70s Captain America run was thick with continuity. It was also a cut above Marvel’s usual fare. Englehart’s dialogue hasn’t aged particularly well, but his politically charged scripts still feel relevant today. Using the lens of Captain America, the writer explores the incongruity between American reality and the American dream. With the right artist, this run would have been legendary. Instead, this Englehart story is illustrated by Frank Robbins, an artist’s whose work is a lot like Cap — a not-quite-comfortable holdout from another era.

Grade: B+

Second opinions: “Captain America #183 is a great comic book … But when it was first published, it was one of a couple of comics that completely put me off Marvel as a company.” — Tom Breevort, Marvel.com. … Recommended by The Slings & Arrows Comic Guide (second edition).

Cool factor: Steve Englehart’s politically ponderous script makes this one, but that crucifiction cover by Gil Kane is poignant.

Not-so-cool factor: Gotta go with Gamecock, a lame, racially stereotyped villain with a bad costume and an unfortunate name.

Notable: Steve Rogers gives up his Nomad identity to became Cap.

Character quotable: “Whatever the threat — wherever it originates — I won’t be blind again!” — Steve Rogers, the once-and-future Cap.

Collected in:

ATARI FORCE #2
(Cover by José Luis García-López)
Published and © by DC, Feb. 1984

Synopsis: The future members of the next-generation Atari Force continue their separate adventures, including a battle between Dart and a warbeast.

Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciler: José Luis García-López
Inker: Ricardo Villagrán

Review: Gerry Conway’s Atari Force characters start coming into focus with this second issue. There are strong character moments all around, with Dart taking the lead as the series’ most interesting character. The story is built around multiple plot threads, rolling along at a measured pace; there’s plenty going on, but this one has the decompressed feel of a more modern book. The art, by José Luis García-López, is timeless: dynamic figure work and strong storytelling translate well to any era. Atari Force is on its way to being an underrated classic of the late Bronze Age.

Grade: A-

Second opinion: Recommended by The Slings & Arrows Comic Guide (second edition).

Cool factor: José Luis García-López’s work on this series is pretty amazing. He deserved to be a much bigger star.

Not-so-cool factor: Licensing issues keep this series from being collected. That just ain’t right.

Notable: This issue also contains three “Fact File” character pinups and an introductory essay from writer/co-creator Gerry Conway.

Character quotable: “Hey, lover – if it were easy, would it be worth doing?” — Dart, mercenary (and poor-man’s wise woman).

THE AVENGERS #109
(Cover by John Buscema and John Verpoorten)
Published and © by Marvel, Mar. 1973

Synopsis: Spurned by the Scarlet Witch, Hawkeye takes a gig teaching archery to a secret villain who want to sink California.

Writer: Steve Englehart
Penciler: Don Heck
Inker: Frank McLaughlin

Review: Steve Englehart’s work on The Avengers is beloved by many Bronze Age aficionados. Sadly, your Comics Bronze Age editor is not among that group. This issue kicks off with two pages of strong character development – then quickly goes downhill. A ludicrous plot, an underdeveloped villain, and awkward, dated dialogue: This one’s a primer in how not to write a good Bronze Age comic. The art – featuring pencils by journeyman Don Heck – are adequate at best. The Avengers have seen better days.

Grade: C

Second opinions: “Hawkeye vs. the dumbest plan of all time.” – Jon, Face Down in the Gutters! … “Stiff, sketchy art from Don Heck weighs down this very strange issue. Quality Rating: C.” — SuperMegaMonkey, SuperMegaMonkey.net.

Notable: Hawkeye quits the Avengers.

Character quotable: “Witchie won’t give me a tumble … I mean what’s wrong with me? I’ve got looks, I’m fun to talk to … why can’t I get it on??” — Hawkeye (file under: If you need to ask … )

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SUPERMAN #276
(Cover by Nick Cardy)
Published and © by DC, Jun. 1974

Synopsis: Superman finds himself going toe to toe with Captain Thunder, a Captain Marvel analogue turned inexplicably evil.

Writer: Elliot S. Maggin
Penciler: Curt Swan
Inker: Bob Oksner

Review: Wow, this is an odd one. Hitting the stands after DC was already publishing Shazam!, Superman’s first throw down with the Big Red Cheese is actually with a thinly veiled analogue named Captain Thunder. Though a hero in his own dimension (thanks to a native medicine man!), the good Captain has gone evil here due to a conniving trick by a team of classic movie monsters. Elliot S. Maggin’s script builds a little momentum during the super showdown, but the story can’t escape its overall oddness and overly quick conclusion. Think decent Silver Age silliness wrapped in a Bronze veneer.

Grade: C

Second opinion: “This is one of the stories that makes collecting comics fun … 5 out of 5 star.” — Matthew Peterson, “Retro Review” (at Major Spoilers)

Cool factor: The Nick Cardy cover brings the cool.

Not-so-cool factor: The whole “rub your belt and say a magic word” thing is more creepy than cool.

Notable: First appearance of Captain Thunder. … Brian Cronin’s excellent Comic Book Urban Legends Revealed explains why this issue featured Captain Thunder and not Captain Marvel.

Character quotable: “CREEPIES!” — Willie “I’m not Billy Batson” Fawcett, because, apparently, “Jeepers!” just wasn’t creepy enough.

Collected in:

MARVEL AND DC PRESENT FEATURING THE UNCANNY X-MEN AND THE NEW TEEN TITANS #1
(Cover by Walter Simonson and Terry Austin)
Published and © by Marvel and DC, 1982

Synopsis: When Darkseid resurrects Dark Phoenix, the X-Men and Teen Titans must join forces in an effort to save the universe.

Writer: Chris Claremont
Penciler: Walter Simonson
Inker: Terry Austin

Review: If there was a knock against the Big Two’s earlier crossovers, it was that they felt more like events than stories. This X-Men/Titans team-up is the first one that feels “real,” with a story that could easily weave into either franchise’s continuity. Kudos to longtime X-scribe Chris Claremont, who crafts a strong story built on rich characterization. His command over X-lore is no surprise, but his character work on the Titans is almost as strong. The art, by Walter Simonson and Terry Austin, is also very good, but this book practically begs for John Byrne or George Pérez on pencils.

Grade: A

Second opinion: “… I loved this title when I first read it (30 years ago), but it hasn’t held up.” – Eric P. I., Long Box Review. …“This company crossover is an entertaining, fast paced little romp … . More pulp than profound; fairly fun while you read, but not much lingers afterward. … 3 out of 5.” – The Masked Bookwyrm, Pulp and Dagger. … “It’s one of the rare crossovers that end up being more than the sum of the parts involved … 4 out of 5.” — Matthew Peterson, “Retro Review” (at Major Spoilers). … Recommended by The Slings & Arrows Comic Guide (second edition).

Cool factor: The Bronze Age’s premier superteams vs. two of comics’ biggest bads. ’Nuff said.

Not-so-cool factor: The cover price. Sure, $2.00 doesn’t sound like much now, but that was more than three times the price of a regular comic circa 1982. The collector’s market was beginning to take hold.

Character quotable: “Can the philosophy, Elf, an’ let’s scrounge some brew. Savin’ the universe is thirsty work.” — Wolverine, a not-so-teen among X-Titans.

Collected in:

X-MEN #122 (Cover by Dave Cockrum and Terry Austin)

A Claremont Postulate (Danger Room = Fill-in Issue) is in effect, but, unlike before, there’s real meat here, with Austin’s art the treat. Dishes include Colossus’ issues, Lilandra’s coronation and rounds of romance. The main course is Storm crashing a smack den, i.e., her childhood home.

Perplexities: Jean is a hyper-powerful telepath, yet can’t sense an iota that Jason Wyngarde is trouble. Colleen falls for Scott, despite the cold fish’s creepy failure to mourn his girlfriend’s recent “death.” Xavier is mysteriously super-rich (e.g., has a Rolls Royce) – this dough can’t all come from students’ tuition … .

Grade: A-

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Iron Man #127

IRON MAN #127
(Cover by Bob Layton)
Published and © by Marvel, Oct. 1979

Synopsis: Iron Man fights Justin Hammer’s army of super thugs – but the real fight is with a bottle of Jack.

Writer: David Michelinie
Penciler: John Romita Jr.
Inker: Bob Layton

Review: Tony Stark finally unleashes the power of Iron Man on Justin Hammer’s army of C-list super goons. While well choreographed, this anticlimactic resolution to the Hammer story arc suggests a serious lack of villainous gravitas. Of course, Iron Man’s real battle is with the bottle, and writer David Michelinie’s story actually gets stronger once the superheroics are over. Stark’s world is in free fall here, from a post-murder-wrap PR muddle to rifts with longtime butler Jarvis and current love-interest Bethany Cabe. All told, this is one heck of a penultimate issue to one of the Bronze Age’s classic storylines.

Grade: A-

Second opinion: Recommended by The Slings & Arrows Comic Guide (second edition).

Cool factor: Big punching! Strong characterization!

Not-so-cool factor: Drunk Tony can be a real dick!

Notable: According to Comic Book Urban Legends Revealed #46, Jarvis’ resignation letter in this issue actually contains the text from Dave Cockrum’s resignation from Marvel.

Character quotable: “Haven’t you ever wondered where some of your foes get the money to develop their weapons, pay their bail, replace broken equipment?” — Justin Hammer, criminal financier.

Collected in:

IRON MAN #126
(Cover by John Romita Jr. and Bob Layton)
Published and © by Marvel, Sept. 1979

Synopsis: Alone and unarmored, Tony Stark must escape the clutches of fellow industrialist Justin Hammer and assorted mercenary forces.

Writer: David Michelinie
Penciler: John Romita Jr.
Inker: Bob Layton

Review: During his long run, writer David Michelinie slowly transformed Iron Man into a different kind of book – one about big business, international intrigue and, most importantly, Tony Stark. Iron Man’s alter ego, who carries the book this issue, became a much more complex character under Michelinie’s guidance. Not everything works: The dialogue often falls flat and the parade of B-list villains doesn’t provide Stark an adequate foil. But improved characterization – and an improved supporting cast – make Iron Man a consistently good Bronze Age read. Recommended!

Grade: B+

Second opinion: “Tony embodies that late 70’s Marlboro Man swinger vibe that might seem cheesy and vaguely creepy to us now that we have a couple of decades of pop culture between us and Iron Man #126 … .” – David Campbell, Dave’s Long Box. … Recommended by The Slings & Arrows Comic Guide (second edition).

Cool factor: Tony Stark is becoming an A-list hero …

Not-so-cool factor: … with an alcohol problem. And a C-list rogues gallery.

Notable: The cover is an homage of Tales of Suspense #39, which featured the first appearance of Iron Man.

Character quotable: “American peeg!” — Random beach dweller in Monaco.

Collected in:

X-MEN #121 (Cover by Dave Cockrum and Terry Austin)

Alpha Flight lure the X-Men to the empty Calgary Stampede (an amusement park), with Nightcrawler and Wolverine as bait. Why, I’m not sure, since the Canadians just wanted Wolvie, whom they captured last ish with a Sasquatch fist. An insecure Colossus starts the skillfully drawn brawl, which introduces Alpha Flight’s panoply of powers. Meanwhile, the snowstorm from #120 has spun out of control, threatening even a dining John Byrne. Storm tames it, taking most of the night to do so, but returns only to be clobbered by Northstar, who, along with everyone else, must’ve been standing around that whole time.

Grade: B+

Collected in: