Marvel Team-Up #42
Published and © by Marvel, February 1976
Title: “Visions of Hate!”
Synopsis: Trapped in 1692 Salem, the Scarlet Witch, Vision and Spider-Man battle crazed mobs, Cotton Mather and the mysterious Dark-Rider.
Writer: Bill Mantlo
Penciler: Sal Buscema
Inker: Mike Esposito
Review: Bill Mantlo’s romp through time continues with all the historical accuracy you’d expect from a Marvel comic circa 1976. But if you can’t get behind a Cotton Mather with a flame-shooting cross, you’re probably not a big Bronze Age fan to begin with. The underlying silliness of this story is masked by a fun, frenetic pace, as Mantlo keeps tossing on characters and plot devices. His story is ably assisted by the prolific pencil of Sal Buscema. While big brother John gets more acclaim, one can argue it was Sal who provided the quintessential house look during Marvel’s Bronze Age.
Grade: B
Cool factor: It’s hard to top Cotton Mather and his flame-shooting cross, but the last-page reveal certainly ups the ante for next issue.
Not-so-cool factor: Plot holes. But let’s not dwell on those.
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) #34.
Character quotable: “You’ll pay as if all the devils in your close-minded hell really were after you!” – The Scarlet Witch. (Note to Wanda: The plague of locusts? Not helping your cause!)
Editor’s note: This review was originally published by Comics Bronze Age on Nov. 10, 2009.
