Written by Chris Claremont
Art by John Byrne; Dave Hunt; & John Costanza
Cover Art by (Uncredited)
SUMMARY:
Reprinting Marvel Team-Up # 62 (October 1977), Marvel Comics released this issue for January 1987. It continues the storyline from the previous Marvel Tales issue.
Entitled “All This and the QE2,” Spider-Man, urged on by police Captain Jean DeWolff, continues his pursuit of a fugitive Super-Skrull. Considering the steep odds, he desperately needs someone to tag in for a still-incapacitated Human Torch. Aboard a cruise liner near Liberty Island, Carol Danvers transforms into Ms. Marvel to face Super-Skrull. Seeking possession of a cosmic crystal, Super-Skrull battles Spider-Man and Ms. Marvel in turn, as they’ve now met for the first time.
While Spider-Man acts as evasive bait, Ms. Marvel gambles that she can muster a trap to nullify their foe’s access to powers replicating the Fantastic Four. Yet, even their potential victory may have unexpected repercussions.
Note: This issue sports original cover art, but the artist is unidentifiable. Frankly, the cover for Marvel Team-Up # 62 is much better. One wonders if this blah Marvel Tales cover was an unused Marvel Team-Up draft cover for the original story back in 1977.
REVIEW:
Well-played! Not yet quite as powerful as she later becomes, Ms. Marvel’s future as a Marvel headliner is readily apparent. As still a rookie super-hero, she enjoys solid team-up chemistry with Spider-Man. Writer Chris Claremont is very much on his game, even if the storyline itself is standard super-hero fare. Claremont isn’t shouldering the burden alone, as he gets more than sufficient help from the art squad (among them, a reliable John Byrne). Hence, this issue’s visuals consistently hit the target.
For an energetic and kid-friendly Marvel read, Marvel Tales # 196 is evidence why old school comics make a terrific stress-reliever.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
There’s a ‘Bullpen Bulletins/Checklist’ column (which is where this issue’s source material is revealed). Also, there’s a four-page, 60’s Spider-Villains pin-up gallery consisting of: Beetle (check out his original costume!), Chameleon, the Circus of Crime, and Jonah’s Robot (Spider-Slayer). No information is provided re: this gallery’s original source, but, based upon the visual style, the artist is evidently Steve Ditko. The gallery’s writer might be Stan Lee.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
