Amazing Adventures #19
Published and © by Marvel, July 1973
Title: “The Sirens of 7th Ave”
Synopsis: Armed with the truth, Killraven escapes sirens and mutants as he prepares to lead a rebellion against Earth’s Martian overlords.
Writer (plot): Roy Thomas
Writer (script): Gerry Conway
Penciler: Howard Chaykin
Inker: Frank McLaughlin
Review: Seen through an early-21st century lens, Killraven is an apocalyptic mix of Red State nightmares: Threatening alien invaders! Arrogant scientists! Sexually empowered women! And, of course, there’s our hero: a thigh-boot-wearing, long-haired, homoerotic leatherboy! But Killraven is clearly a relic of its own time, when science-fiction and sword-and-sorcery tropes were kitbashed with manic glee. There’s nothing shockingly original here, but the pacing is brisk and the story fun. On the art side, Howard Chaykin’s work is more recognizable than last issue (see review), but still not as strong as his early indie work.
Grade: B+
Second opinion: “Howard Chaykin has settled comfortably into his penciling work here. 3 out of 4 stars.” – Comics Buyer’s Guide #1655, July 2009
Cool factor: Did you read that review? How can Killraven not be cool?
Notable: First appearance of M’Shulla and Hawk.
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: “We’ll give them a struggle so great they’ll be glad to leave our lands … but we won’t let them. They began – but man will end – THE WAR OF THE WORLDS!” – Killraven, declaring war
Editor’s note: This review was written circa 2014.
