Continuing the EIC upheaval period, the July bullpen hints at "big news next ish about Gerry Conway and Marv Wolfman". However, the September issue just says that Marv Wolfman is stepping down but doesn't say who his replacement will be. The October bullpen announces that Archie Goodwin will be taking over, and mentions Gerry Conway as someone who held the position after Wolfman! The October issue of the Fantastic Four (#175) mentions that Roy Thomas was going to take over the EIC role again when Marv left, but then Roy decided to move to California.

The lack of consistent management is reflective of the quality, with X-Men, Master of Kung Fu, and the Defenders balancing out a lot of mediocrity. The Claremont/Byrne Iron Fist is also above average. George Perez is getting more work, but unfortunately his writing partners don't match his level of quality for the most part. Jack Kirby returns to mainstream Marvel with Captain America, but it isn't very good.

The July bullpen mentions the Chris Claremont is stepping out of an editorial capacity and is being replaced by two new hires: Jim Shooter and Roger Stern. Ralph Macchio, a long time letter writer to Marvel, is announced in the October bullpen as a new hire, taking over Goodwin's responsibilities managing the B&W Magazine line.

SHAZAM awards:

Best Writer: Archie Goodwin
Best Penciler: John Buscema
Best Inker: Dick Giordano
Superior Achievement by an Individual: Roy Thomas
Best Continuing Feature: Conan
Best Individual Story: "Gotterdammerung"
Hall of Fame Award: Jack Kirby

Marvel also wins a lot of awards in Britain's "first annual, nationally organized awards polls" for Howard the Duck, Conan, Captain Britain, and the X-Men.

The price of comics rises to 30 cents. Inflation especially in printing, engraving, and paper costs, is blamed. Marvel claims to have held out longer than their competition in raising prices.

The June issue Bullpens has a note explaining what those strange new UPC boxes in the corner of the comic covers are for.

The July bullpen indicates that Marvel's subscriptions departments have started mailing issues flat instead of folded. And it puts up clarified rules for No-Prizes, saying that they will only be available to readers who spot major mistakes.

Significant events this year:

• First Shi'ar (in the form of Eric the Red and some off-panel appearances by others)
• Marriage of Betty Brant and Ned Leeds
• Two crossovers, Dr. Strange/Dracula and Super-Villain Team-Up/Avengers
• Formation of the Champions
• Return of Wonder-Man, not seen alive since 1964
• Death of Jarella
• Jean Grey 'becomes' the Phoenix

Marvel Preview Magazine #3  
Master of Kung Fu #36  
Marvel Team-Up #43-44  
Super-Villain Team-Up #5-7  
Marvel Team-Up #45  
Fantastic Four #166-167  
Defenders #31  
Captain America #193-200  
Howard the Duck #1-3  
Marvel Two-In-One #13  
Ka-Zar #14  
Master of Kung Fu #37  
Defenders #32-33  
Amazing Spider-Man #153  
Power Man #29  
Uncanny X-Men #97  
Marvel Premiere #28  
Marvel Tales #100 (Hawkeye)  
Master of Kung Fu #38-39  
Fantastic Four #168-170  
Amazing Spider-Man #154  
Black Goliath #2-3  
Defenders #34  
Thor #246  
Amazing Spider-Man #155  
Daredevil #132 1st Bullseye 
Master of Kung Fu #40  
Defenders #35  
Omega The Unknown #1-10  
Amazing Spider-Man #156  
Power Man #32  
Tomb of Dracula #44  
Dr. Strange #14  
Tomb of Dracula #45-46  
Defenders #36-38  
Hulk annual #5  
Master of Kung Fu #41  
Champions #1-10 1st Champions, 1st Darkstar 
Avengers #150-151 New Avengers lineup 
Avengers #152  
Hulk #200  
Fantastic Four #171-175  
Thor #248-249  
Master of Kung Fu #42  
Daredevil #134  
Master of Kung Fu annual #1  
Amazing Spider-Man #157-159  
Iron Fist #5-7  
Defenders #39  
Power Man #33  
Rampaging Hulk #1  
Howard the Duck #4  
Black Goliath #4-5  
Ka-Zar #17-18  
Master of Kung Fu #43  
Power Man #34  
Hulk annual #6 1st Kismet 
Master of Kung Fu #44-45  
Marvel Premiere #31 1st Woodgod 
Power Man #35  
Nova #1 1st Nova 
Amazing Spider-Man #160  
Hulk #204-205  
Defenders #40  
Amazing Spider-Man #161-162  
Iron Fist #8-10  
Nova #2  
Hulk #206-207  
Captain Britain #1  
Marvel Preview Magazine #8  
Marvel Premiere #32 1st Monark Starstalker 
Master of Kung Fu #46  
Hulk #208  
Fantastic Four #176-178  
Defenders annual #1  
Nova #3  
Defenders #41  
Avengers #153  
Avengers annual #6  
Captain America #203  
Captain Marvel #47  
Power Man #37-40  
Nova #4  
Howard the Duck #5-7 / Marvel Treasury Edition #12  
Howard the Duck #8 Howard the Duck runs for President 
Master of Kung Fu #47  
Marvel Spotlight #31  
Defenders #42-43  
Super-Villain Team-Up #8  
Avengers #154  
Super-Villain Team-Up #9  
Avengers #155-156  
Uncanny X-Men #98-101 1st Phoenix, 1st Black Tom 
Marvel Team-Up annual #1  
Marvel Team-Up #53-54  
Uncanny X-Men #102-103  
Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #31-32