Amazing Adventures #23
Published and © by Marvel, March 1974
Title: “The Legend Assassins”
Synopsis: Killraven fights to free himself from Martian overlords and mutant rat creatures while his allies plan a rescue mission.
Writer: Don McGregor
Penciler: Herb Trimpe
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Review: Killraven has settled into a regular rhythm of clashes with mutants and perpetual rescue missions. To level up, writers on this series are going to need to develop an overarching story arc. Herb Trimpe’s art is better than serviceable here, with decent power and some nice storytelling flourishes.
•••
Title: “Face of Fear!”
Synopsis: After a life spent in seclusion, a man born with grotesque features is revealed postmortem.
Writer: Uncredited
Penciler: Tom Cooke
Inker: Cooke
Review: While this twist-ending short from Marvel Tales #128 is awfully predictable, the art from Tom Cooke is a cut above.
Grade (for the entire issue): B
Second opinion: “Why are these predictable reprints taking up four pages that could have been given to Killraven? 2 1/2 out of 4 stars.” – Comics Buyer’s Guide #1655, July 2009
Cool factor: With the right inker, Herb Trimpe could have been a contender.
Collector’s note: Beware, this issue contains a Marvel Value Stamp (Series A) #13 (Doctor Strange). … According to MyComicShop.com, there is a Mark Jewelers variant of this issue.
Character quotable: “We of the fourth planet are continually amused by your laughable quotations!” – a Martian overlord, sounding a bit meta in this context
Editor’s note: This review was written July 24, 2021.
