Issue(s): Astonishing Tales #16
Cover Date: Feb 73
Title: "To stalk a city!"
Credits:
Mike Friedrich - Writer
Rich Buckler - Penciler
Rich Buckler - Inker

Review/plot:
This story concludes the drug-crime story from last issue. While i appreciate the intention behind the more grounded, realistic, theme, it's ruined a bit when your drug pusher has the super-villainish name of The Pusher, and has an exoskeleton that makes him super-strong.

Probably the most interesting thing about the story to me is the existence of that exo-skeleton and how similar it is in design to the one from Amazing Spider-Man #112-114, in the sense that it's just like a harness and not a full Iron Man style suit. The Pusher is working for a "solo AIM agent" so i assume that's where he got it, but i wonder if the two harnesses have similar origins.

The story is really about Wilma Calvin's grandson Vinnie turning out to be a good egg in the end, but obviously i'd rather talk about super-strength exo-skeletons. Sorry.

In other news, Ka-Zar tries to set some boundaries in his relationship with Bobbi Morse.

Letters to this series complain about the reprints from the black & white mags disguised as new story, the constant changes in creative teams, and the fact that Ka-Zar has been taken out of his jungle environment. People want to see some dinosaurs!

Quality Rating: C

Historical Significance Rating: 1

Chronological Placement Considerations: This doesn't take place immediately after last issue; it begins with Ka-Zar and Zabu going out on the city for a stroll.

References:

• The super-soldier formula plot has been going on since Astonishing Tales #12.

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: N/A

This artwork looks like Sal Buscema not Rich Buckler.

I can see why you say that, but the credits do say Buckler, and i haven't found any corrections or additions online (both UHBMCC and GCD list Buckler). Buckler is known to have been a bit of a chameleon, and most of the art really does look like it's his.

If Marvel were to do a "Ka-Zar in the Big Apple" story today, the creators could have him in Times Square in his classic barefoot-and-loincloth "costume" encountering the infamous street musician and part-time politician Robert "The Naked Cowboy" Burck, who would likely accuse the jungle lord of infringing on his gimmick. A one-panel, one-paw swipe knockdown by Zabu would ensue, therefore granting wish fulfillment to more than a few readers.