Marvel Time Warp

DAREDEVIL, THE MAN WITHOUT FEAR — Issue no. 155, August 1978 / I write about fill-in issues fairly regularly. Even though this issue of DAREDEVIL, THE MAN WITHOUT FEAR features a guest penciler (Frank Robbins, subbing for the great Gene Colan), it isn’t a fill-in. But not much actually happens in this issue — the story here is mostly about laying the groundwork for future stroies — so maybe it’s fair to call it a setup issue. The main happening here is that Daredevil’s alter ego Matt Murdock and his law firm partner Foggy Nelson hire a new assistant, Becky Blake. I’m not yet totally clear on whether Becky’s role with the firm is secretary or paralegal or something else, so there’s still a lot to learn about Ms. Blake. As for set-up material, the book opens with Daredevil almost falling to his death after being struck by some kind of debilitating pain. Daredevil is blind, but his other senses are enhanced — that’s his super power. The implication is that his other senses have...

THE AVENGERS — Issue no. 176, January 1978 / The last few issues of THE AVENGERS have been teasing a super-powerful bad guy who, so far, we only know as “Michael.” Which, as bad guy handles go, doesn’t have the pizzazz of “Doctor Doom” or “The Kingpin.” Plus, Michael doesn’t have a metal mask or even a cape. He’s just a blond white dude. I keep thinking this Michael thing is a disguise, and we’re going to find out he’s actually an alien supergod or something. But so far, no, he’s just Michael. At least for this issue, which continues to tease Michael as an existential threat to the Avengers. And maybe all of humankind? But without any payoff. Marvel Time Warp no. 273 Book: The Avengers Title: “The Destiny Hunt” Issue No.: 176 Published: July 25, 1978 Price: 35¢ Format: Digital scan The last few issues of The Avengers have been teasing a super-powerful bad guy who, so far, we only know as “Michael.” Which, as bad guy handles go, doesn’t have the pizzazz o...