This issue concluded the PHANTOM FORCE series published by first Image and then Genesis West in that year. They’d pretty much used up the actual Kirby artwork at this point, so all the art is by Michael Thibodeaux, with Kirby just having a plotting credit. Bit of a light story, with just a big final battle of the Phantom Force against Darkfyre. Seemed mostly anti-climactic, with most of the earlier more interesting plot bits dropped. A few good bits, though. There were some other books planned at the time, with an ad for the 4-issue “Kublak Origin” series advertised for 1995, but those never came out.

Also in this issue is a copy of Kirby’s Hulk piece that appeared in HEROES AND VILLAINS, in pencils in black and white and a colour version inked by Michael Thibodeaux.

Also in this issue, an ad for Phantom Force Pogs!

Published 1994

The old “Dreaded Deadline Doom” caught up with Marvel this month, and they responded by putting in an edited reprint of THOR #159 (1968). I know the feeling. Anyway, this is the story which finally settles the issue of who Don Blake really is, with the revelation of a scheme from Odin that I still don’t understand.

I mean, not to belabour the point, but Odin preaching the importance of humility? That just makes no sense. Still a nice story, with a lot of powerful panels and a great look at a younger Thor with one of the classic Asgardian barroom brawls.

Colletta inks the now 18-page story.

Published 1976

T’Challa continues to get roped into quests on behalf of the Collectors and their desire for the secret of immortality, now with Princess Zanda threatening Wakanda with a missile attack if he doesn’t search for the hidden Samurai City and its mythic Sacred Water-Skin. T’Challa goes on the quest with Abner Little, and of course the first thing they get attacked by a Yeti.

Which looks a lot like someone you’d have seen in a Marvel comic about 20 years earlier. It’s a long, well-drawn battle, ending with the words of wisdom “Sane or not… when all else fails — Throw Rocks!”. Of course that’s just the beginning of their troubles, as they face a swordsman ready for battle.

Mike Royer inks the cover and 17-page story.

Published 1977

As you’d expect after he saved the world from the invasion of Ten-For last issue, this issue starts with Machine Man hauled in front of a Congressional committee, which now has to decide what to do about the federal order to destroy all of the X-Series robots. In the meantime, MM is released in the custody of Dr. Spaulding, and wins over a hostile crowd by stopping a pickpocket. Oh, fickle humanity. Out in the open, Machine Man is attacked by a larger clumsy robot sent by an inventor out for publicity.

Later, Spaulding is kidnapped, and Machine Man surrenders to a waiting helicopter in exchange, ending the issue prisoner of a criminal organization that wants to copy his design. In the meantime, various political maneuvering goes around thanks to his disappearance, with his longtime nemesis Colonel Kragg surprisingly speaking in his defense.

A very nice issue with a lot of plot. Some interesting storytelling bits, including a page with vignettes in odd shaped panels of people reacting to MM vanishing and a very nice sequence of MM leaping into a missile silo.

Mike Royer handles the embellishment on the 17-page story and Terry Austin inks the cover.

Published 1978