VARIATIONS ON A COVER - X-MEN...

Copyright MARVEL COMICS

Yes, you're right - well-spotted!  I've shown the first four of these covers before, but just arrived at Castel Crivens is a fifth version, adorning the very last issue of MARVEL COMIC in 1979.  As most of you will know, Marvel Comic was the revamped incarnation of The MIGHTY WORLD Of MARVEL, and seeing as how it lasted for only six months, can hardly be considered a howling success.

Now here's where it might get slightly confusing.  Marvel Comic became 'schizo-phrenic' in that it was split into two.  The name and some of the content was merged into SPIDER-MAN COMIC (which had originally been SPIDER-MAN COMICS WEEKLY, revamped at the same time as MWOM), becoming The SPEC-TACULAR SPIDER-MAN WEEKLY And MARVEL COMIC.

With me so far, Crivvies?  Then, in August (cover-dated September), MARVEL SUPERHEROES appeared in the shops, a monthly mag which continued the numbering from Marvel Comic, being identified as issue 353 in the indicia.  This wasn't an afterthought though, as it had all been heralded in Marvel Comic's final issue.  The new monthly continued the adventures of The Original X-MEN and MISS MARVEL, while adding The AVENGERS to the roster of contents.

It was called 'The Marvel Revolution' at the time, and things certainly 'revolved' in that they went round in circles, but the experiment seemed to lose more readers than it gained.  Was it really a good idea to make Marvel UK comics more like their British rivals in appearance, thereby compromising their unique identity?  What's your view if you read these titles at the time?

Anyway, while you're contemplating your response, enjoy the same cover artwork five times over - I like to give all you Crivs a choice.   

Posted in: Cartoons