Marvel Spotlight #33
Published and © by Marvel, April 1977
Title: “(Don’t Fear) the Reaper!”
Synopsis: When Godwulf transports Deathlok back in time, the cyborg soldier finds himself clashing with Devil-Slayer and battling demons.
Writer: David Anthony Kraft
Artists: Rich Buckler, Klaus Janson, Arvell Jones and Micheal Netzer (as Michael Nasser)
Review: For young readers picking this issue up off the stands, Marvel Spotlight #33 must’ve been one of the most confusing comics of the Bronze Age. This issue is the continuation of two other comic-book titles, and newcomers join the story in medias res with little effort to bring new readers up to speed. The first antecedent is Astonishing Tales, where Deathlok’s convoluted serial (see reviews) had been running. The other isn’t even a Marvel comic. Instead, Rich Buckler put a fresh coat of paint on his short-lived Demon-Hunter concept (see review) from Atlas (Seaboard). This issue is a confounding-but-interesting mash-up.
Grade: C+
Cool factor: Rich Buckler’s never-say-die effort to keep concepts alive.
Not-so-cool factor: Much like his visage, Deathlok’s story is a sown-together mess.
Notable: Buckler reboots Demon-Hunter/Devil-Slayer one more time as Bloodwing in Galaxia Magazine #1.
Collector’s note: According to MyComicShop.com, there is a Mark Jewelers variant of this issue.
Character quotable: “You’re messin’ with a death-machine – understand? Now BACK OFF before I blow you away!” – Deathlok, clear on concept
Editor’s note: This review was written June 19, 2024.
