Marvel Two-in-One #19
Published and © by Marvel, September 1976
Title: “Claws of the Cougar!”
Synopsis: Tigra recruits the Thing’s help in her battle against a “null-band”-empowered villain known at the Cougar.
Writer: Bill Mantlo
Penciler: Sal Buscema
Inker: Don Heck
Review: This comic book is … utterly average. A generic, new villain (the Cougar) recycles some Kirby-era-FF villain’s super-powered do-dads (Tomazooma’s null-bands) with an eye on stealing the Thing’s power (haven’t read that before). Tigra’s involved. As are some generic thugs. And there’s a twist, “shock” ending. Perhaps Stan and Jack could have milked some magic from this recipe, but Bill Mantlo’s story lacks flavor. The same can be said for Sal Buscema’s art. Few artist’s work scream “mid-Bronze-Age Marvel” quite like our pal Sal, but it does little to enhance these proceedings. This one’s not awful, but also not much more.
Grade: C
Cool factor: Tigra’s always good for a little bit of cool.
Collector’s note: According to the Grand Comics Database, there is a 10p British variant of this issue. … According to MyComicShop.com, there is also a Mark Jewelers variant.
Character quotable: “This is more my way o’ doin’ things! A little method I worked up, patented – AN’ CALLED CLOBBERIN’ TIME!!” – The Thing, innovator
Editor’s note: This review was written March 16, 2022.
