MARVEL FANFARE #22
(Sept. 1985). "Night of the Octopus." Cover art: Ken Steacy. Script: Roger McKenzie. Art: Ken Steacy. Tony Stark is getting hassled by consumer rights advocate Joe Barger about Stark Int'l's security systems at Ryker's Island maximum security prison.
A quick tour of the place serves to placate Barger -- mildly -- while featuring the severely ticked-off villains Sandman, Electro, Grey Gargoyle and Dr. Octopus! Actually, Ock is quite calm as he reaches out telepathically for his second set of mechanical arms -- indestructible adamantium arms -- being held for study at S.I. He succeeds in freeing the arms, and they're soon on their way to free the Doc! Ock frees his super-villain pals in an effort to delay the inevitable attack by Iron Man, and that's about all they do -- delay the Golden Avenger. But when IM finally corners Ock, the Dr. orders his adamantium arms to "shred" Shellhead -- and they promptly tear off his IM's chestplate, leaving him totally defeated! Printed on high-quality paper with seemingly painted art by Steacy, this two-parter is first-rate! Both issues also feature cool Steacy pin-ups of various Marvel characters!
Hube's Recommendation: 4 repulsors!
MARVEL FANFARE #23 (November, 1985).
"-- From the Ashes --" Cover art: Ken Steacy. Script: Roger McKenzie. Art: Ken Steacy.
Stark...drinking in despair?? Stark Int'l....shut down? Say it ain't so! Well, only one of the two is legit -- S.I. is temporarily closed as a grand jury investigates alleged security violations due to the Ryker's Island break and the escape of Doc Ock's tentacles. But heads up! Stark is working on repairing his damaged armor and is looking for a rematch with Ock! He's not too hard to find as Ock has taken over the city's power grid! IM does battle with Ock and his detached indestructible arms, and thinks of a way to sever Ock's telepathic link to the deadly tentacles! The arms now inactive, IM jury-rigs some circuits....and connects the adamantium arms to himself! He returns to Ock and promptly tears off his own older (and attached) mechanical tentacles! And then later on, guess what? All charges against S.I. are dropped (surprise)!
Hube's Recommendation: 4 repulsors!
