THE MIGHTY WORLD OF MARVEL ANNUAL 1977...

Copyright MARVEL COMICS

The Mighty World Of Marvel Annual 1977 was significant in that, although it was the fifth in the series, it was the first to have the full name of the weekly comic it represented on the cover and spine.  The first four Annuals were simply called 'Marvel Annual' (though 3 & 4 sported the full title on their contents page), so it was good to see the connection with the comic more prominently acknowledged.

Strangely, I find myself unable to recall whether or not I actually had this book at the time - despite the cover seeming familiar to me - but I've got it now as it arrived at Castel Crivens this morning.  Originally, it would've gone on sale around August/September of 1976 (at which time I was working in the warehouse of my local Boots The Chemists) so I feel like I've returned 45 years into the past - even if only in my mind.

There are four pages of pin-ups at the expense of one of the strips being abridged, which strikes me as an odd thing to do as I'd rather have had the full story, but it's a nice little Annual despite that and I'm glad to finally have it in my collection (if I didn't back in 1976/'77).  As far as I know, there were only two more in the series (for '78/'79), making a total of seven Annuals in all.  I've yet to complete the set, but once I do, prepare yourself for a cover gallery of all seven.

Any thoughts, memories, or observations, faithful Crivvies?  Did you have this book when you were a lot younger than you are now, and what do you think of the cover by Ron Wilson and Mike Esposito?  Let rip in the comments section. 

Posted in: Cartoons