Issue(s): Fear #24
Published Date: Oct 74
Title: "Return to terror!"
Credits:
Steve Gerber - Writer
P. Craig Russell - Penciler
Jack Abel - Inker

Review/plot:
Morbius is a weird footnote of a character for Marvel, in that he was created to circumvent the CCA rules forbidding the use of vampires, but then soon after his introduction the CCA rules were relaxed, making him unnecessary. This issue, a confrontation with Blade, a hunter of 'real' vampires, addresses that to some degree.

But first we must travel to the solar system of Arcturs and see the resolution of the plot involving mutants, androids, and barbarians!

And this too, shows how Marvel tried to distinguish Morbius from other vampires; by focusing on science and science-fiction themes instead of horror. When i frst read this issue, i didn't really know what was going on here (due to my attention wandering during a full-page text recap of recent issues)...,

... but even now having read it, it is pretty out there. A far cry from what was going on in Tomb of Dracula.

One aspect of Morbius that is pretty interesting is that he sometimes can't prevent himself from killing, especially if there's a pretty lady around. He's no super-hero.

After crash-landing back on Earth, Morbius kills his mutant partner and drains his blood. He just straight up kills Lord I, the guy that he was bringing back to Earth to fight against the Caretakers. He just can't help himself!

Blade reasonably assumes the Earth is being invaded by space vampires.

Blade continually uses weapons against Morbius, like wooden weapons and the cross, that have no effect on him.

Morbius thinks Blade is crazy because he has never seen a real vampire and doesn't believe they exist.

Morbius escapes Blade and kills another innocent bystander for food. The Caretakers observe Morbius over a computer screen and decide that "he is the logical choice... to lead the Children of the Comet."

Morbius's bodycount is higher than Dracula's, and yet he's the star of this book. Madness! But nice art by P. Craig Russell.

Quality Rating: B

Historical Significance Rating: 1

Chronological Placement Considerations: A little bit of time passes between the end of last issue and the beginning of this, but Morbius shouldn't appear in any other comics in between. Morbius was also starring in a feature in the b&w Vampire Tales at this point, and although i don't have them, issues #2-8 take place between this issue and the next one.

References: N/A

Cross-over: N/A

Continuity Implant? N

Reprinted In: N/A

Morbius' solo series in Vampire Tales, written by Don McGregor, was even more violent.