Such a fun title and was real bummed it only ran for 15 issues. The whole thing felt like an actual James Bond adventure
Actual Marvel’s James Bond comic book tie-in from the 1980s was kinda just there and not really trying. Such a waste of Hama/Chaykin combo. Meanwhile Dark Horse understood the assignment and just went all in - Moench’s Serpent’s Tooth is fucking ridiculous and so Steranko coded its a delight. It’s a spy fi story with License to Kill full-on psychopath Bond speaking solely in double entendres against a literal cold-blooded villain. Some good fun.
I haven’t gotten to the 1980s yet (reading all Marvel and in 1974 right now). Guess I have that to not look forward to.
Dark horse really do get fan bases it seems. They’ve carried so many good comic tie ins
Dark Horse in the 90s was ridiculously good at licensed titles. How is mid 70s Marvel through and through?
Very hit and miss as I think is typical.
The Monster stuff like Dracula and Werewolf by Night have been very meh to me. Just feels like one drawn out grudge match.
The mainline heroes like Spider-Man and Iron Man are just starting to evolve from every comic being the same “oh woe is me” to actually having some complexity. I’m excited to see the back half of the 70s where I feel they’re going to really shine.
Luke Cage and Dr Strange have been highlights for me, feels like the better stuff. I’ve always been a sucker for Dr. Strange style stories though, crazy jaunts through unimaginable worlds. Luke Cage gets some actual interpersonal drama that for the most part feels kind of real and not just forced for drama’s sake.
Oh, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the Conan and Kull stories though I’m willing to admit they’re not the best. Just a style I’ve liked. Maybe because they’re a nice change of pace from the other stories?
I don’t pay as much attention to who wrote/drew what was I maybe should so I can’t comment on particular artists and writers. I’m also skipping all the romance stuff like Chili and Millie the Model so can’t comment on them.
Edit to add: I’m using Complete Marvel Reading Order to track. If you’re ever looking for a good site.
Englehart’s Doctor Strange run is some of the top tier Marvel stuff of the era. Englehart came closest to Ditko’s bug eye panache with his take gothic cosmic horror.
Trippin’ trough time
what’s fascinating is that Steranko basically did Bande Dessinne style comic book in America and Marvel fucking blew it because greed and shit.
So true.
and still it is absolutely amazing that Steranko’s legacy more or less is based on comparably handful of issues during a very short period of time. His comic book body of work is really small compared to other prominent figures of the era and yet it has so much staying power
