Issue(s): Power Man #35
Cover Date: Sep 76
Title: "Of memories, both vicious and haunting"
Credits:
Don McGregor - Script
Marv Wolfman - Plot
Marie Severin - Penciler
Frank Giacoia & Joe Giella - Inker

Review/plot:
The regular team of McGregor and Robbins is not on this issue, with McGregor only providing script while Robbins is not here at all. I actually prefer Severin's pencils to Robbins so i'm OK with that.

This issue is the conclusion of the Spear/Mangler story.

It turns out that their brother was dying and Dr. Burstein attempted to save his life with an experimental process that killed him...

...but Spear and Mangler blame Noah for the death. Considering this was McGregor's plot up until this issue, i am suspicious that this simple misunderstanding was McGregor's original idea. Noah does display an almost irrational amount of guilt for his actions at the time as if he was ready to believe the worst about himself.

The Vending Machine travails continue.

This is the last appearance of Quentin Chase, the policeman that was friendly towards Cage but suspicious of his past. With McGregor's departure that is dropped along with the subplot of the chemical company exec that was pursuing criminal charges against Cage for roughing him up.

Quality Rating: C

Historical Significance Rating: 1

Chronological Placement Considerations: Cage starts this issue racing to the docks where Noah has been injured by Spear. Next issue is a reprint. Luke Cage appears in Power Man annual #1 and then some Defenders issues before next appearing in issue #37.

References: N/A

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: N/A

FOOM#16 stated that McGregor wanted to end the Spear story with a big fight at Rockefeller Center on Xmas Eve atop the giant Xmas tree there.