Astonishing Tales #31
Published and © by Marvel, August 1975
Title: “Twice Removed From Yesterday”
Synopsis: Deathlok is confronted by former friend Mike Travers, then the cyborg antihero resumes his quest to regain his lost humanity.
Writer: Doug Moench
Penciler: Rich Buckler and Keith Pollard
Inker: Klaus Janson
Review: Scheduling woes continue to undermine Rich Buckler’s most-promising creation. Despite its bimonthly schedule, Buckler requires the help of other creators and still only delivers a 10-page installment for this issue. The addition of inker Klaus Janson offers much-needed consistency, but his inks make for a rough finished look.
•••
Title: “Why Won’t They Believe Me?”
Synopsis: A frantic man tries to convince people that an alien invader has landed – but not all is as it seems.
Writer: Stan Lee
Penciler: Gene Colan
Inker: Paul Reinman
Review: This “Tales of the Watcher!” reprint from Silver Surfer #3 offers moody Gene Colon art and a fun twist ending.
Grade: B
Second opinion: “One thing the series suffered from was the far-famed Dreaded Deadline Doom.” – Ruan Lanihorne, Bemusing Magazine #13, May 1977 … “No tale in April, only half one in August – that’s no way to run a comic book!” – Martin Lock, Fantasy Unlimited #28, July 1975
Cool factor: Deathlok’s story is an interesting one …
Not-so-cool factor: … but the momentum is faltering.
Collector’s note: According to the Grand Comics Database, there is a 9p British variant of this issue. … According to MyComicShop.com, there is also a Mark Jewelers variant.
Character quotable: “The Death-Machine is dead! Long live the Death Machine!!” – Deathlok the Demolisher (and, apparently, Death Machine)
Editor’s note: This review was written April 29, 2023.
