tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post3668887582274794574..comments2024-03-19T10:41:35.976-05:00Comments on Bronze Age Babies: Legion of Mediocrity: Marvel Premiere 28Doughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04248324005584963229noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-90449051140895841372020-04-01T05:19:26.940-05:002020-04-01T05:19:26.940-05:00OK, five years since the last comment, but I’m goi...OK, five years since the last comment, but I’m going to strike a contrary note by coming out as a Frank Robbins fan. When I first saw his work back in the Seventies on Captain America and Power Man, when I was a kid, I hated it because he made heroes and villains alike look slapdash and goofy. It was impossible to take any story seriously drawn by him. <br /><br />But Robbins’s style kind of grew on me with the Invaders and I came to enjoy his crazy figures and exaggerated expressions. Now I see his work as an irreverent, fun take on superheroes. He was more of a cartoonist than a realistic comics artist, and yes, he worked in the tradition of Milton Caniff. Robbins’s own Scorchy Smith is a classic of that newspaper adventure strips genre and probably his best work.<br /><br />Legion of Monsters is a story with an interesting idea of the ancient mountain returning from space and landing in LA, but the concept isn’t developed at all and doesn’t make the most of bringing Man Thing, Morbius, Werewolf and Ghost Rider together. They just don’t gel at all. Still, great artwork.Johnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-63221086491977334732015-01-26T20:41:44.631-06:002015-01-26T20:41:44.631-06:00That's all right Matthew, I've become accu...That's all right Matthew, I've become accustomed to you as my own personal "corrector." I just assume that whatever mistakes I've made (and continue to make) on the blog, you'll diligently root out over time for the benefit of our readers. I'm sure as I enter my golden years my mental abilities will decline even more and your services will become invaluable.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17032477453891087135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-61496344970255267972015-01-26T20:21:02.001-06:002015-01-26T20:21:02.001-06:00Karen, sorry to contradict you, but although Stars...Karen, sorry to contradict you, but although Starseed reminded me a lot of Glorian as well, Glorian came first. Thomas Gideon debuted in his Glorian identity in INCREDIBLE HULK #190 (August 1975), six months BEFORE this issue.Matthew Bradleyhttp://marveluniversity.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-6033601082769495542012-10-29T15:53:12.220-05:002012-10-29T15:53:12.220-05:00I never liked Frank Robbins art...that is until I ...I never liked Frank Robbins art...that is until I saw the artist he was paying tribute to...Milton Caniff of Steve Canyon.<br /><br />If you look at Steve Canyon, it's almost if...no exactly like Milton's style. Now I see that Roy Thomas was attempting to capture the 40's with the Milton Caniff (if I spelled his name right)style. <br /><br />If you look at the art of the 40's, especially Steve Canyon, you can see what look Roy Thomas was going for when he created "The Invaders". <br /><br />With the perspective of time and age, I don't think his art is so bad today. His figures look like they are cartoony and made of rubber. However if you can get past that....and it's difficult to in a super hero magazine....it's more of a quirky art style than bad art...Fantastic Four Fan 4evernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-18475892490697104312012-04-15T20:21:26.655-05:002012-04-15T20:21:26.655-05:00I also never liked Frank Robbins art. I always wan...I also never liked Frank Robbins art. I always wanted to buy the Invaders but after looking at his art. I always put it back.Storminhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08946820708334033770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-81001316186091541652011-10-13T09:16:27.658-05:002011-10-13T09:16:27.658-05:00The Marvel Comics Database notes that in the 1970s...The Marvel Comics Database notes that in the 1970s and '80s (BAB prime time), Mantlo wrote for almost every hero in the Marvel Universe, which is no guarantee of quality but pretty impressive nonetheless. I loved his work on IRON MAN (e.g., the multi-part Midas/Madame Masque/Jack of Hearts epic), SVTU, THE CHAMPIONS, and MTU (especially the time-travel saga). As for Robbins, an earlier comment reminded me of his other claim to shame, that stint on CA&F.Matthew Bradleyhttp://bradleyonfilm.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-80080901867441102932011-10-08T17:42:35.134-05:002011-10-08T17:42:35.134-05:00I've always loathed Frank Robbins' art. I ...I've always loathed Frank Robbins' art. I mean outright hated it to the point of revulsion. He is among my Top 5 Worst Artists of All Time (along with Mike Sekowsky, Jerry Grandenetti, Rik Estrada, and Al Milgrom). <br /><br />The fact that I enjoyed Invaders as much as I did speaks to the great writing, because it was VERY difficult to stomach that hideous art!<br /><br />I think if Invaders had featured a better artist, it would have ranked overall as one of my top ten titles of all time. <br /><br />This issue was indeed a Legion of Mediocrity issue, and that's being generous. Love the comment about the horse having a heart attack! LOL!Vintage Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02321484054456742601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-46351203255671130912011-10-07T05:28:10.792-05:002011-10-07T05:28:10.792-05:00I have to agree with the general consensus here......I have to agree with the general consensus here...never liked Robbins work, always looked too scrappy andhurried to me. Read the Invaders purely for Roy Thomas, endured the art...never read this particular issue , though I have a 100 issue run from this title. Cover is excellent, but story and art seems to leave a lot to be desired...I'd still pick it up for nostalgia though.Dinohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11518319296047751842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-4510036089937395202011-10-06T15:42:49.241-05:002011-10-06T15:42:49.241-05:00I had a long comment written last night and then d...I had a long comment written last night and then discovered I was locked out of my gmail account. But I'm back!<br /><br />There are a lot of things wrong with this book (IMO) but what really stands out to me is the feeling that the Starseed character was something Mantlo came up with independently of this story but shoe-horned into it. This character also reminded me of Glorian from Hulk, but Glorian actually first appeared 6 months after this book. So maybe Starseed as goofy as he is had some effect on that?<br /><br />I suppose what I would have enjoyed more is a story that forced these chaotic, undisciplined monsters to work together -maybe they were captured by Hydra and had to escape. Something where Ghost Rider and Morbius have to get the Werewolf and Ma-Thing to stop attacking them and help them get away. I don't know. That's just an idea. <br /><br />KarenKarenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17032477453891087135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-51920810806109107722011-10-06T01:59:51.853-05:002011-10-06T01:59:51.853-05:00William, with reference to Mantlo, thanks for ment...William, with reference to Mantlo, thanks for mentioning something I can't believe I forgot: his run on Spectacular Spider-man. Great stuff as well - esp. the Carrion story (which I recall was pretty creepy and Halloweenish).Edo Bosnarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-60498171074095188992011-10-05T22:52:10.841-05:002011-10-05T22:52:10.841-05:00Looking at that cover, the first thing that popped...Looking at that cover, the first thing that popped into my mind was, "that must be Forbush Man ambling towards them." Anyhow, like you, Karen, this was a comic I knew about but never read and sounded neat to my adolescent self but strikes my jaded adult self as rather silly. Also, despite the supernatural trappings and blazing skull, Ghost Rider was mostly more of a superhero comic than a genuine horror comic, like Tomb of Dracula, Man-Thing or Werewolf By Night. At least, towards the end of the original series, as Johnny Blaze & G.R. behaved more like a demon who would seriously mess up anyone who ticked him off, the horror aspect came far more to the fore.Fred W. Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07602124919964053532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-80079482329960861582011-10-05T17:43:42.588-05:002011-10-05T17:43:42.588-05:00I just saw a "Super-hero Squad" cartoon ...I just saw a "Super-hero Squad" cartoon featuring Iron man, Werewolf by Night, and Man-Thing. I lovedit! It really captured the vibe I got from Marvel's horror comics, kind of corny/scary.<br /><br />"Super-Hero Squad" is pretty cool...I can watch it with my nephew, and it's chock full o' Marvel tidbits and trivia. It really captures the "fun" Marvel I grew up with as a kid, with a tongue-in cheek self-awareness. Not as good as Avengers Assemble, but definitely FUN.starfoxxxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12408060307155903293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-69559322742546908202011-10-05T16:31:23.071-05:002011-10-05T16:31:23.071-05:00My Gosh, Karen, not only does this ish make "...My Gosh, Karen, not only does this ish make "KISS meets the Phantom" look cerebral, but you may have just unleased the latest of BAB columns...:<br /><br />"Best Potential Ideas for Books that Failed Miserably in Execution"<br /><br />Sorry, any Robbins fans, but nearly anything he touched in the 70s qualifies.. I remember trying to handle him on CA&F after the Nomad saga was like a bad hangover.david_bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00218727673816200051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-27605524089629825852011-10-05T15:52:01.203-05:002011-10-05T15:52:01.203-05:00Just FYI, Marvel reprinted this story in 2006 in a...Just FYI, Marvel reprinted this story in 2006 in a deluxe "Marvel Milestone" edition that also featured a reprint of Marvel Team-Up #24 (Spider-Man and Brother Voodoo) and a b&w Dracula story by Marv Wolfman and John Buscema. So, if anyone is looking for this Legion of Monsters tale, I'd suggest picking up the Milestone edition. All-in-all, it was a pretty cool book. <br /><br />Now, I am certainly no fan of Frank Robbins but I think his weird art-style kind of works on this story. I rather like his loose renderings of Morbius and Werewolf BN.<br /><br />As for Bill Mantlo, I've long been a fan of his writing. I mean, he's not the world's most innovative writer, but he has a fun imagination and he had a pretty long run on Peter Parker The Spectacular Spider-Man that I very much enjoyed.<br /><br />On a related note, in case anyone cares, I am currently working on a Marvel Legends Halloween comic that stars Spider-Man and The Legion of Monsters. And coincidently, (as Inkstained Wretch said) in my story, it is Dr. Strange that brings the Legion of M back together and teams them up with Spider-Man to battle a menace that only they can deal with. I should have it finished and posted on my site at BillsComics.com in a couple of weeks… just in time for Halloween.Williamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16988016825582035390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-10359319822226075192011-10-05T14:35:39.916-05:002011-10-05T14:35:39.916-05:00This is one of those ideas that should have been g...This is one of those ideas that should have been given a second chance ... with the Living Mummy, the Frankenstein Monster, the Son of Satan and Dr. Strange thrown in.<br /><br />I imagine the first issue starting with Dr. Strange announcing that he just had a vision of an evil that the Defenders cannot defeat but these misfits can. <br /><br />Roy Thomas scripts and Mike Ploog provides the art.<br /><br />... I can dream, can't I?Inkstained Wretchnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-60601926235751598152011-10-05T12:18:02.555-05:002011-10-05T12:18:02.555-05:00Since we love corner boxes around here, did you no...Since we love corner boxes around here, did you notice that they just cropped the images from the Ed Hannigan cover (http://www.comicbookdb.com/issue.php?ID=33375)? <br /><br />Of course that's not important -- just popped out at me while I was looking at it.<br /><br />DougDoughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04248324005584963229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-18153042061542346842011-10-05T12:05:44.722-05:002011-10-05T12:05:44.722-05:00Love Haney. LOVE Robbins.Love Haney. LOVE Robbins.Dougiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03965448821892833703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-21773222466446237702011-10-05T11:58:58.143-05:002011-10-05T11:58:58.143-05:00And Edo, I think therein lies my problem (note - M...And Edo, I think therein lies my problem (note - MY problem) with Bill Mantlo -- I don't know that I've read a long run of his writing. Coming to him in a hit-and-miss fashion, perhaps I haven't appreciated him. Haney was on B&B (and other titles) for some time. While there's an overall charm to his I-could-care-less-about-continuity-or-even-practicality style, reading him here and there is a bit of a head scratcher.<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />DougDoughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04248324005584963229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-13962387948409424202011-10-05T11:24:23.406-05:002011-10-05T11:24:23.406-05:00Hope this doesn't derail the thread, since I&#...Hope this doesn't derail the thread, since I've never read the issue in question, but re: Bill Mantlo as a writer, I wouldn't put him in the same category as Haney (regardless of whether you think Haney is a good or bad writer). True, Mantlo was all over the board in the mid to late '70s, esp. doing a lot of filler stories, but he really came into his own as a top-notch writer with Micronauts and Rom. I also think his rather lengthy run on Incredible Hulk is underrated.Edo Bosnarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-54309646309847317532011-10-05T10:24:53.457-05:002011-10-05T10:24:53.457-05:00A little quick research yielded this: http://www....A little quick research yielded this: http://www.alanguilan.com/museum/stevegan.html<br /><br />Brought to us by Tony DeZuniga!<br /><br />And in regard to today's fare, count me among those who have always wondered just how cool this comic would be. I am not a fan necessarily of Bill Mantlo's writing (he can be akin to DC's Bob Haney -- I have to put on my extra-strong suspension of disbelief hat for these two guys), and coupled with Robbins' art I would have to agree with my partner's assessment. A pity, as this should have had some real potential, either as a team-up (as the cover advertises) or as a slugfest.<br /><br />DougDoughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04248324005584963229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-65334274670808713212011-10-05T10:20:43.824-05:002011-10-05T10:20:43.824-05:00Not that inks matter to me when Robbins is the pen...Not that inks matter to me when Robbins is the penciller, but I've not ever seen the name "Steve Gan" before.<br /><br />DougDoughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04248324005584963229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-74087504306881240792011-10-05T09:30:21.646-05:002011-10-05T09:30:21.646-05:00Haven't re-read THAT one too many times (if ev...Haven't re-read THAT one too many times (if ever) since I picked it up optimistically back in '75. I'm an unabashed Mantlo fan but, like Karen, found Robbins the biggest possible debit for the otherwise awesome INVADERS. And this legion-that-wasn't-a-legion did nothing to change my mind about him. Well, you can't win 'em all...Matthew Bradleyhttp://bradleyonfilm.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5293155946761960913.post-67647489011765773072011-10-05T08:03:01.365-05:002011-10-05T08:03:01.365-05:00Hey Karen, Come on... this book is a classic! Wel...Hey Karen, Come on... this book is a classic! Well, at least... it wasn't THAT bad! Actually, it might have helped to read this one when you were a youngster and when you weren't so worried about details (details, shme-tails...). <br /> <br />I remember picking this up on the newstand with anticipation for the same reasons you were excited... how could this book not be great?? I remember being put off by the Robbins art, too. Heck, I like his art more now (with my rose colored rear view glasses) than I ever liked him then. (I've been reading early-70s Batmans and Detectives lately... and you thought his ART was tough to get through??). <br /><br />But the story is okay... a quick done-in-one, with typical Mantlo imagination. It was offbeat, oddball and unique. Well worth the... what? 35 cents?... we spent on it! <br /><br />I certainly can relate to the feeling of a book you saw advertised or on the stands that you wanted desperately but passed over or couldn't find... that feeling of desperation dims but never goes away!<br /><br />RicRicnoreply@blogger.com