Marvel by the Month

For 40+ minutes of extra content,  including our discussions of Astonishing Tales #12 -13 (the second Man-Thing story) and Marvel Team-Up #3 (the return of Morbius), support us at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth. Subscribers at the $4/month level get instant access to our bonus feed of content that contains more than 60 extended and exclusive episodes! This is the last episode appearing in the public feed until January 2023, but the Patreon feed will continue to be updated regularly with exclusive bonus episodes and extended re-edits of old episodes from the pre-Patreon days.

Deep Dives in this Episode: 

"Island of the Damned!" - Marvel Spotlight #4, written by Gerry Conway, art by Mike Ploog, ©1972 Marvel Comics

"Who Stalks the Vampire?" - Tomb of Dracula #3, written by Archie Goodwin, art by Gene Colan and Tom Palmer, ©1972 Marvel Comics

"Ghost Rider" - Marvel Spotlight #5, written by Gary Friedrich, art by Mike Ploog, ©1972 Marvel Comics

"Marvel by the Month" theme v. 3.0 by Robb Milne, sung by Barb Allen. All incidental music by Robb Milne.

"Ghostrider" by Alan Vega and Martin Rev, performed by Rollins Band.

Visit us on internet at marvelbythemonth.com, follow us on Instagram at @marvelbythemonthand Twitter at @MarvelBTM, and support us on Patreon at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth.

Much of our historical context information comes from Wikipedia. Please join us in supporting them at wikimediafoundation.org. And many thanks to Mike's Amazing World of Comics, an invaluable resource for release dates and issue information.

No writer had a greater impact on 1970s Marvel than "Stainless" Steve Englehart. From a four-year stint on the Avengers that included the Avengers/Defenders War, to the redefinition of Captain America and the original Secret Empire storyline, to a Doctor Strange run that is still considered among the character's best, Englehart entered just as Marvel pulled ahead of DC Comics in sales and helped to ensure they wouldn't look back for decades.

For MORE THAN AN HOUR of extra content,  including our discussions of Fantastic Four #125 (Stan Lee's last until 1986) and Avengers #102, as well as our rundown of every other superhero comic that Marvel published in May 1972, support us at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth. Subscribers at the $4/month level get instant access to our bonus feed of content that contains nearly 60 extended and exclusive episodes — with more being added every week!

Deep Dives in this Episode: 

"I Slay By the Stars!" - Defenders #1, written by Steve Englehart, art by Sal Buscema and Frank Giacoia, ©1972 Marvel Comics

"Marvel by the Month" theme v. 3.0 by Robb Milne, sung by Barb Allen. All incidental music by Robb Milne.

Visit us on internet at marvelbythemonth.com, follow us on Instagram at @marvelbythemonthand Twitter at @MarvelBTM, and support us on Patreon at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth.

Much of our historical context information comes from Wikipedia. Please join us in supporting them at wikimediafoundation.org. And many thanks to Mike's Amazing World of Comics, an invaluable resource for release dates and issue information.

For 30 more minutes of this episode, which includes our discussions of Marvel's early attempts to tackle racial issues in their stories, as well as Bryan's book report on David F. Walker's BadAzz MoFo, support us at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth. Subscribers at the $4/month level get instant access to our bonus feed of content that contains over 60 extended and exclusive episodes — with more being added every week!

Stories Covered in this Episode: 

"Out of Hell -- A Hero!" - Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #1, written by Archie Goodwin and Roy Thomas, art by George Tuska, Billy Graham, and John Romita, ©1972 Marvel Comics

"Marvel by the Month" theme v. 3.0 by Robb Milne, sung by Barb Allen. All incidental music by Robb Milne.

Visit us on internet at marvelbythemonth.com, follow us on Instagram at @marvelbythemonthand Twitter at @MarvelBTM, and support us on Patreon at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth.

Much of our historical context information comes from Wikipedia. Please join us in supporting them at wikimediafoundation.org. And many thanks to Mike's Amazing World of Comics, an invaluable resource for release dates and issue information.

For 55 more minutes of this episode, which includes our discussion of Avengers #101 and Amazing Adventures #13, as well as our HOT TAKES about Jonathan Hickman and Mike Huddleston's Decorum, support us at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth. Subscribers at the $4/month level get instant access to our bonus feed of content that contains nearly 60 extended and exclusive episodes — with more being added every week!

Deep Dives in this Episode: 

"The Birth of... the Gibbon!" - Amazing Spider-Man #110, written by Stan Lee, art by John Romita, ©1972 Marvel Comics

Quick Summaries in this Episode: 

"Panic on Park Avenue" - Captain America #151, written by Gerry Conway, art by Sal Buscema and Vince Colletta, ©1972 Marvel Comics

"Crisis!" - Daredevil #89, written by Gerry Conway, art by Gene Colan and Tom Palmer, ©1972 Marvel Comics

"The Return of the Monster!" - Fantastic Four #124, written by Stan Lee, art by John Buscema and Joe Sinnott, ©1972 Marvel Comics

"The World, My Jury!" - Incredible Hulk #153, written by Gary Friedrich and Roy Thomas, art by Dick Ayers, Herb Trimpe, and John Severin, ©1972 Marvel Comics

"The Fury and the Inferno!" - Iron Man #48, written by Mike Friedrich, art by George Tuska and Vince Colletta, ©1972 Marvel Comics

"The Incredible Shrinking Doom!" - Marvel Feature #4, written by Mike Friedrich, art by Herb Trimpe, ©1972 Marvel Comics

"While the World Spins Mad!" - Marvel Premiere #3, written by Stan Lee and Barry Smith, art by Barry Smith and Dan Adkins, ©1972 Marvel Comics

"Armageddon -- At Fifty Fathoms Full!" - Sub-Mariner #51, written by Bill Everett and Mike Friedrich, art by Bill Everett, ©1972 Marvel Comics

"Resurrection!" - Thor #201, written by Gerry Conway, art by John Buscema and Jim Mooney, ©1972 Marvel Comics

"Marvel by the Month" theme v. 3.0 by Robb Milne, sung by Barb Allen. All incidental music by Robb Milne.

Visit us on internet at marvelbythemonth.com, follow us on Instagram at @marvelbythemonthand Twitter at @MarvelBTM, and support us on Patreon at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth.

Much of our historical context information comes from Wikipedia. Please join us in supporting them at wikimediafoundation.org. And many thanks to Mike's Amazing World of Comics, an invaluable resource for release dates and issue information.

Jennifer aka Comics Will Break Your Heart not only saved our butts at the last minute when this show almost fell apart, she also talks comics on the internet every weekend on the Casually Comics Sunday Chat. She's a certified punk rock comics genius who's way too good at what she does to waste her time on our nonsense — and yet she does, and we're very grateful. Follow her on Instagram!

There's no extended version of this episode, but you can support us at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth at the $4/month level to get instant access to our bonus feed of content that contains 60 extended and exclusive episodes — with more being added every week! Except this week. And that week that Bryan had covid. But seriously, like every other week except those.

Issues Discussed in this Episode: 

"Let the Game Begin" - Avengers #69, written by Roy Thomas, art by Sal Buscema and Sam Grainger, ©1969 Marvel Comics

"When Strikes the Squadron Sinister!" - Avengers #70, written by Roy Thomas, art by Sal Buscema and Sam Grainger, ©1969 Marvel Comics

"Endgame!" - Avengers #71, written by Roy Thomas, art by Sal Buscema and Sam Grainger, ©1969 Marvel Comics

"Marvel by the Month" theme v. 1.0 by Robb Milne, sung by Barb Allen. Outro theme by Robb Milne.

Visit us on internet at marvelbythemonth.com, follow us on Instagram at @marvelbythemonth and Twitter at @MarvelBTM, and support us on Patreon at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth.

Much of our historical context information comes from Wikipedia. Please join us in supporting them at wikimediafoundation.org. And many thanks to Mike's Amazing World of Comics, an invaluable resource for release dates and issue information.

For 25 more minutes of this episode, which includes our discussion of Iron Man #47 and Fantastic Four #123, support us at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth. Subscribers at the $4/month level get instant access to our bonus feed of content that contains nearly 60 extended and exclusive episodes — with more being added every week!

Issues Discussed in this Episode: 

"Enter: Dr. Strange!" - Amazing Spider-Man #109, written by Stan Lee, art by John Romita, ©1972 Marvel Comics

"Call Him Killgrave!" - Daredevil #88, written by Gerry Conway, art by Gene Colan and Tom Palmer, ©1972 Marvel Comics

"But Who Will Judge the Hulk?" - Incredible Hulk #152, written by Gary Friedrich and Steve Englehart, art by Dick Ayers, Herb Trimpe, and Frank Giacoia, ©1972 Marvel Comics

"Marvel by the Month" theme v. 3.0 by Robb Milne, sung by Barb Allen. All incidental music by Robb Milne.

Visit us on internet at marvelbythemonth.com, follow us on Instagram at @marvelbythemonthand Twitter at @MarvelBTM, and support us on Patreon at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth.

Much of our historical context information comes from Wikipedia. Please join us in supporting them at wikimediafoundation.org. And many thanks to Mike's Amazing World of Comics, an invaluable resource for release dates and issue information.

The Comics Canon is the podcast that rates, reviews, and renders judgment on the greatest comic book stories of yesterday and today. If you like what we do, treat yourself to a podcast where two extremely knowledgable hosts usually only talk about comics that they stand a good chance of either liking or loving!

For 45 more minutes of this episode, which includes our discussion of Sub-Mariner #50 and Thor #200, support us at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth. Subscribers at the $4/month level get instant access to our bonus feed of content that contains nearly 60 extended and exclusive episodes — with more being added every week!

Issues Discussed in this Episode: 

"Whatever Gods There Be!" - Avengers #100, written by Roy Thomas, art by Barry Smith, Joe Sinnott, Syd Shores, and Barry Smith, ©1972 Marvel Comics

"Mirror, Mirror...!" - Captain America #150, written by Gerry Conway, art by Sal Buscema and John Verpoorten, ©1972 Marvel Comics

"Marvel by the Month" theme v. 3.0 by Robb Milne, sung by Barb Allen. All incidental music by Robb Milne.

Visit us on internet at marvelbythemonth.com, follow us on Instagram at @marvelbythemonthand Twitter at @MarvelBTM, and support us on Patreon at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth.

Much of our historical context information comes from Wikipedia. Please join us in supporting them at wikimediafoundation.org. And many thanks to Mike's Amazing World of Comics, an invaluable resource for release dates and issue information.

Stephen Bissette is a legend of comics and horror and horror comics. In 1984, he penciled a little story in Saga of the Swamp Thing #21 called “The Anatomy Lesson” and, with Alan Moore, Rick Veitch, and John Totleben, proceeded to turn the comics world on its ear. His Eisner Award-winning horror anthology Taboo featured a who’s who of ‘80s and ‘90s independent creators, including Moebius, Neil Gaiman, Chester Brown, and Charles Vess and was the original home of Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell’s From Hell.

Check out his latest creaturiffic artbooks from Amazon's print-on-demand service, as well as his 700-page The Brood, the definitive book on David Cronenberg's film of the same name.

For an additional 55 minutes of this episode — including our deep dive into the second Werewolf by Night story in Marvel Spotlight #3, as well as our conversations about Swamp Thing, the limitations of Marvel-style storytelling, where to find underground comics in Vermont in the 1970s, and two Gene Colan stories — support us on Patreon at the $4/month level to unlock our super-secret bonus feed of content, with nearly 60 extended and exclusive episodes!

Stories Covered In Detail This Episode:

"Dracula" - Tomb of Dracula #1, written by Gerry Conway, art by Gene Colan, ©1971 Marvel Comics

"The Fear Within!" - Tomb of Dracula #2, written by Gerry Conway, art by Gene Colan and Vince Colletta, ©1972 Marvel Comics

"MONSTER by the Month" theme and all incidental music by Robb Milne.

Visit us on internet at marvelbythemonth.com, follow us on Instagram at @marvelbythemonth, and support us on Patreon at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth.

Much of our historical context information comes from Wikipedia. Please join us in supporting them at wikimediafoundation.org. And many thanks to Mike's Amazing World of Comics, an invaluable resource for release dates and issue information.

SEE MBTM AND MORE LIVE AT BOOKS WITH PICTURES!  From 6 - 10 pm on Saturday, September 10th, the Eisner Award-winning Books with Pictures will host Block with Party, an official Rose City Comic Con afterparty. Four of Portland's hometown Marvel-themed podcasts — Miles from Jay & Miles X-Plain the X-Men, Voice of Latveria, Werewolf by Night Podcast, and Marvel by the Month — will team up for Fan-Castic Four, a comics podcasting event, where we will come together to walk you through a milestone Marvel comic with something in it for each of us. Plus special guests! It's gonna be fun!

For an additional 35 minutes of this episode, which includes our discussion of Daredevil #87 and Amazing Spider-Man #108, support us at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth. Subscribers at the $4/month level get instant access to our bonus feed of content that contains over 50 extended and exclusive episodes — with more being added every week!

Deep Dives in this Episode: 

"Galactus Unleashed" - Fantastic Four #122, written by Stan Lee, art by John Buscema and Joe Sinnott, ©1972 Marvel Comics

"Iron Man: D.O.A." - Amazing Adventures #12, written by Steve Englehart, art by Tom Sutton and Mike Ploog, ©1972 Marvel Comics

Quick Summaries in this Episode:

"-- They First Make Mad!" - Avengers #99, written by Roy Thomas, art by Barry Smith and Tom Sutton, ©1972 Marvel Comics

"All the Colors... of Evil!" - Captain America #149, written by Gerry Conway, art by Sal Buscema and Jim Mooney, ©1972 Marvel Comics

"When Monsters Meet!" - Incredible Hulk #151, written by Archie Goodwin, art by Herb Trimpe and John Severin, ©1972 Marvel Comics

"Menace at Large!" - Iron Man #46, written by Gary Friedrich, art by George Tuska and John Verpoorten, ©1972 Marvel Comics

"The Hounds of Helios!" - Marvel Premiere #2, written by Roy Thomas, art by Gil Kane and Dan Adkins, ©1972 Marvel Comics

"And Spidey Makes Four!" - Marvel Team-Up #2, written by Gerry Conway, art by Ross Andru and Jim Mooney, ©1972 Marvel Comics

“A Thunder of War Drums” - Red Wolf #1, written by Gary Friedrich and Roy Thomas, art by Syd Shores, ©1972 Marvel Comics

"The Dream Stone!" - Sub-Mariner #49, written by Gerry Conway, art by Gene Colan and Frank Giacoia, ©1972 Marvel Comics

"If This Be Death..!" - Thor #199, written by Gerry Conway, art by John Buscema and Vince Colletta, ©1972 Marvel Comics

"Marvel by the Month" theme v. 3.0 by Robb Milne, sung by Barb Allen. All incidental music by Robb Milne.

Visit us on internet at marvelbythemonth.com, follow us on Instagram at @marvelbythemonth and Twitter at @MarvelBTM, and support us on Patreon at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth.

Much of our historical context information comes from Wikipedia. Please join us in supporting them at wikimediafoundation.org. And many thanks to Mike's Amazing World of Comics, an invaluable resource for release dates and issue information.

SEE MBTM AND MORE LIVE AT BOOKS WITH PICTURES!  From 6 - 10 pm on Saturday, September 10th, the Eisner Award-winning Books with Pictures will host Block with Party, an official Rose City Comic Con afterparty. Four of Portland's hometown Marvel-themed podcasts — Miles from Jay & Miles X-Plain the X-Men, Voice of Latveria, Werewolf by Night Podcast, and Marvel by the Month — will team up for Fan-Castic Four, a comics podcasting event, where we will come together to walk you through a milestone Marvel comic with something in it for each of us. Plus special guests! It's gonna be fun!

For an additional 40 minutes of this episode, which includes our discussion of Daredevil #86 and Fantastic Four #121, support us at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth. Subscribers at the $4/month level get instant access to our bonus feed of content that contains over 50 extended and exclusive episodes — with more being added every week!

HEY, WHAT HAPPENED TO EPISODE #169? Hmm... maybe patreon.com/marvelbythemonth has the answer to that too.

Deep Dives in this Episode: 

"A Titan Walks Among Us!" - Marvel Feature #3, written by Roy Thomas, art by Ross Andru and Bill Everett, ©1972 Marvel Comics

Quick Summaries in this Episode:

"Spidey Smashes Through!" - Amazing Spider-Man #107, by Stan Lee and John Romita w/Frank Giacoia, ©1972 Marvel Comics

"A Day of Tigers!" - Astonishing Tales #11, written by Roy Thomas, art by Gil Kane and Frank Giacoia, ©1972 Marvel Comics

"Let Slip the Dogs of War!" - Avengers #98, written by Roy Thomas, art by Barry Smith and Sal Buscema, ©1972 Marvel Comics

"The Big Sleep!" - Captain America #148, written by Gary Friedrich, art by Sal Buscema, ©1972 Marvel Comics

"Cry Hulk, Cry Havok!" - Incredible Hulk #150, written by Archie Goodwin, art by Herb Trimpe and John Severin, ©1972 Marvel Comics

"Twilight of the Hunted!" - Sub-Mariner #48, written by Gerry Conway, art by Gene Colan and Mike Esposito, ©1972 Marvel Comics

"-- And Odin Dies!" - Thor #198, written by Gerry Conway, art by John Buscema and Vince Colletta, ©1972 Marvel Comics

"Marvel by the Month" theme v. 3.0 by Robb Milne, sung by Barb Allen. All incidental music by Robb Milne.

Visit us on internet at marvelbythemonth.com, follow us on Instagram at @marvelbythemonthand Twitter at @MarvelBTM, and support us on Patreon at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth.

Much of our historical context information comes from Wikipedia. Please join us in supporting them at wikimediafoundation.org. And many thanks to Mike's Amazing World of Comics, an invaluable resource for release dates and issue information.