Amazing Adventures #22
Published and © by Marvel, January 1974
Title: “Washington Nightmare”
Synopsis: Killraven and his Freemen head to Washington, D.C., where they encounter mutants, slavers and a new ally.
Writer: Don McGregor
Penciler: Herb Trimpe
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Review: A third inker in three issues (see reviews of Amazing Adventures #20 and #21) reveals how much impact inking can have on Herb Trimpe’s pencils, with Frank Chiaramonte bringing the art back up to serviceable. Story wise, the slave aution at the Lincoln Memorial has power but lacks subtlety.
•••
Title: “The Man Who Went Too Far!”
Synopsis: An obsessed scientist searching for extraterrestrial life accidentally unleashes a threat of a very terrestrial origin.
Writer: Uncredited
Artist: Richard Doxsee
Review: This short reprint from 1957’s Journey into Unknown Worlds #56 is a slight story but does offer above-average art.
Grade (for the entire issue): B
Second opinion: “3 out of 4 stars.” – Comics Buyer’s Guide #1655, July 2009
Cool factor: The supporting cast is starting to round into shape.
Not-so-cool factor: The racial and sexual norms of the early 1970s can make this series a bit off-putting from today’s vantage point.
Notable: First appearance of Mint Julep. … First appearance of a villain named Sabre (a possible precursor for Don McGregor’s later character with Paul Gulacy?)
Collector’s note: According to the Grand Comics Database, there is a 6p British variant of this issue. … According to MyComicShop.com, there is also a Mark Jewelers variant.
Character quotable: “You call me woman one more time and I’ll crease your skull permanently!” – Mint Julep, calling out Killraven’s casual and recurrent sexism
Editor’s note: This review was written June 2, 2021.
