Marvel Team-Up #41
Published and © by Marvel, January 1976
Title: “A Witch in Time!”
Synopsis: Cotton Mather uses Doctor Doom’s time machine to bring the Scarlet Witch to Salem of 1692 – for a burning!
Writer: Bill Mantlo
Penciler: Sal Buscema
Inker: Mike Esposito
Review: Multipart epics were still pretty new during the Bronze Age, especially stories that lasted six issues. But this tale – hailed on its opening page as “one of the weirdest adventures ever” – is unquestionably a product of its era. When else could Cotton Mather – yes, that Cotton Mather – use Doom’s time machine to capture the Scarlet Witch, and somehow drag Spider-Man and the Vision back to 1692, as well? The opening salvo to this Bill Mantlo epic has logic flaws and plot problems galore, but the fast pace and crazy fun make it a worthwhile ride. Looking forward to part two!
Grade: B
Second opinion: “An interesting tale.” – The Slings & Arrows Comic Guide (second edition), 2003Cool factor: Cotton Mather’s flame-shooting cross!
Not-so-cool factor: Mather slapping Wanda around (he’s lucky she didn’t whisper “No more Mathers”).
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. … Beware, this issue contains Marvel Value Stamp (Series B) #14.
Character quotable: “That cross-wielding fanatic almost killed me– and he’s gonna pay for it!” – Spider-Man (Mather’s flame-shooting cross is likely to make anyone a little intolerant!)
Editor’s note: This review was originally published by Comics Bronze Age on Nov. 9, 2009.
