Written by Chris Claremont & John Byrne. Art by John Byrne; Terry Austin; Tom Orzechowski; & Andy Yanchus.
Back-Up Tale Written by Steve Mellor. Back-Up Art by Joe ALbelo; Pierre Fournier; Rick Parker; & Andy Yanchus.
Cover Art by John Byrne & Terry Austin.
SUMMARY:
Released by Marvel Comics for February 1988, “Sword of the She-Devil” (including the cover image) is a reprint of 1979’s Marvel Team-Up # 79. It’s Friday, December 22, 1978, as New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art is the site of the nefarious Kulan Gath’s resurrection.
As the High Priest of the ancient N’Garai, Gath doesn’t realize the technological advances of the 20th Century existing outside his new ‘temple.’ Departing The Daily Bugle’s Christmas party, Peter Parker and reporter Charley Snow find that thrill-seeking Mary Jane Watson is a stowaway on their ride over to the Museum.
With the Museum engulfed by ominous crimson energy, a wary Spider-Man is unaware that Mary Jane has followed him inside the building. Against Gath’s demonic forces, an outmatched Spidey’s only hope is a blade-wielding legend from the distant past: Red Sonja – She-Devil of the Hyrkanian Steppes. Spider-Man finds himself caught in the middle of a blood feud between these eternal arch-foes. Even if this unlikely duo can thwart Gath’s scheme, Spider-Man will be stunned at the secret of Red Sonja’s summoning.
Notes: Marvel goofs on the first page by stating the story is from Marvel Team-Up # 80. Clark Kent’s single-panel cameo is deliberately muted by inking his hair brown this time rather than black (as seen in the original issue). Still, Spider-Man briefly offers a homage to one of the Man of Steel’s favorite catchphrases.
REVIEW:
Considering how formulaic Marvel Team-Up so often was, Issue # 79’s inspired storytelling delivers one of its best-ever adventures. Not only is Chris Claremont & John Byrne’s co-writing polished, the art team’s visuals are high-caliber for 1979. This coherent Claremont/Byrne collaboration shines even more once it’s compared to the 2007-2008 Spider-Man/Red Sonja ‘sequel’ mini-series. Make no mistake: Claremont & Byrne’s team conjures up a far more impressive read than the superfluous, five-part reboot project it inspired almost thirty years later.
The sole downside to Marvel Tales # 208 is Spider-Ham’s eye-rolling back-up tale. Otherwise, if a good copy of Marvel Team-Up # 79 isn’t readily available, finding this reprint might be the next best option.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
The five-page Spider-Ham groaner is entitled “Your Chitlin’ Heart” or “Bacon Up is Hard to Do,” Part 2. It parodies the Spidey-Mary Jane-Black Cat love triangle, with Black Catfish and Mary Jane Water-Buffalo as Spider-Ham’s rival girlfriends. Suffice to say, one should read this dubious comedy relief at his/her own risk. The single-page “Bullpen Bulletins” column includes a brief profile on Marvel editor Bob Budiansky.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8½ Stars
Note: Marvel Team-Up # 79 is also included in Marvel/Dynamite’s Spider-Man/Red Sonja trade paperback.
