Obsessively putting our comics in chronological order since 1985.
| 1969-02-01 00:02:10 |
| Previous: Doctor Strange #175-178 | Up: Main 1969 / Box 4 / Silver Age | Next: Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD #9 |
Avengers #61
Issue(s): Avengers #61
Cover Date: Feb 69
Title: "Some say the world will end in fire ... some say in ice!"
Credits:
Roy Thomas - Writer
John Buscema - Penciler
George Klein - Inker
Review/plot:
Dr. Strange shows up at the Avengers Mansion while the Black Panther is recharging the Vision with solar rays. No one comments on Strange's new costume. Strange explains the situation (Asmodeus of the cult of Satannish has released Surtur and Ymir onto the world, Strange and the Black Knight went to rescue the Sons of Satannish hoping one of them would reverse the spell, but the one they picked, named Marduk, turned on them instead, blasting the Black Knight before Strange could stop him)...
...and after performing surgery on the wounded Black Knight (for the first time since the accident that caused Strange to give up surgery)...
...sends the Avengers off to distract them while he works up a spell. The Black Knight and Hawkeye take on Surtur in Antarctica. The Black Panther and the Vision take on Ymir in Wakanda. They aren't able to do more than distract the giants, but they do it long enough for Strange to work his magic with the Satannish's Crystal of Conquest.
I love John Buscema's art on the Avengers.
A little bit of non-linear evolution for the Black Knight, who is now using phrases like "Great Merlin!" and fighting mystical threats, whereas he used to be more of a science-based character like his uncle, despite their medieval trappings.
This issue also has the first Quinjet, created by the Black Panther.
Quality Rating: C+
Historical Significance Rating: 3 - first Quinjet
Chronological Placement Considerations: Continues directly from Dr. Strange #178.
References: N/A
Crossover: N/A
Continuity Insert? N
My Reprint: Marvel Super Action #22
Inbound References (3): showCharacters Appearing: Black Knight (Dane Whitman), Black Panther, Dr. Strange, Hawkeye, Marduk, Surtur, Vision, Ymir 1969 / Box 4 / Silver Age Previous:
Doctor Strange #175-178Up:
MainNext:
Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD #9
Comments
This is the start of a period where Buscema and Barry Smith play around with design in this title, making for weird but interesting pages. Unfortunately, this comes to a screeching halt later in 1969.
What a humongous time to be an Avengers fan! The art was stellar...And Dr. Strange went from corny Vegas strip magician to a truly ethereal dimensional being. And some people complained?
"The Snows of Kilimanjaro" is a story by Ernest Hemingway. A film version appeared in 1952.
