A reprint of “The Startling Saga of the Silver Surfer” from FF #50 [1966] here, the conclusion of the Galactus trilogy. Lots of fun and grand cosmic adventure in the first half, as the Torch returns with the Ultimate Nullifier, allowing the FF to get Galactus to leave.

The second half of the issue sets up some of the future stories and effects of the events of this story, including Ben’s melancholy and the Torch starting college.

Joe Sinnott inked the 20-page story. The cover is a non-Kirby new cover.

Published 1972

“The People-Breeders” is reprinted from THOR #134 (1966), leading off with the wrap-up of the Ego/Rigel storyline, as Thor has fulfilled his mission and sends Tana Nile packing (and narrowly missing a meeting with Galactus, making a pulse-pounding cameo a few months after his first story in FF). Thor then goes to find Jane Foster, which leads him to the High Evolutionary and his New-Men.

Lots of neat stuff in here. The New-Men obviously kind of remind you of the later creatures of Kamandi’s world, and frequent other uses of accelerated evolution in Kirby’s work.

One page is edited out of here, mostly the page with Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch, between stories in AVENGERS, so it’s a 15-page story here.

Meanwhile, from JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #120 (1965) comes “Set Sail”, the departure of the heroes of Asgard on their grand quest in the 5-page “Tales of Asgard” story. As usual, lots of grandeur in the form of Odin’s send-off and intrigue in the form of Loki’s plots (foiled by Hogun), with some comic relief provided by Volstagg (including a cameo by the rarely seen but often mentioned bride of Volstagg).

Colletta inks throughout, including the cover reprint from THOR #134.

Published 1974

Big time cosmic goings-on up in Olympia, home of the Eternals, as Thena returns with the Deviants Karkas and the Reject. The Reject attracts the attention of some of the female Eternals, but that’s interrupted when Zuras summons his people for the Uni-Mind ritual.

After a brief catch-up with Ajax in the Andes, we return to Olympia and the Eternals joining to form the Uni-Mind, a massive group-mind, to study the return of the Celestials to Earth. Very weird, in a trippy cosmic way, not something that makes a lot of sense, but certainly pretty to look at and think about.

Mike Royer inked the cover and 17-page story.

Published 1977

As usual, Jack Kirby does the cover for this issue, inked by Greg Theakston. Nice overall, but a bit of weird anatomy around Superman’s legs.

Kirby also plots the issue, which has an attack on Brainiac’s ship, finally bringing the heroes to Apokolips and face to face with Darkseid, who has been using the time the heroes have been distracted by the villains to prepare an invasion of Earth, setting up the Kirby written and drawn final issue.

Published 1984

No, I’m not entirely sure what the deal with the Black Racer is either. I’m sure Kirby had something unrealized planned for the character/concept, but we’ll never know. Anyway, in this story the Racer, an envoy of death, pursues Lightray, but is redirected to Earth by Metron, where he’s drawn to paralyzed Vietnam vet Willie Walker, who takes his role as an aspect of the Black Racer.

I may not understand it, but that’s some pretty art. Elsewhere on Earth, Orion and Dave Lincoln pursue the local gangs that have been recruited into the plots of Apokolips.

Colletta inks the 23-page story and cover (which features a photo background of a cityscape).

Published 1971