These days, we’re so used to proceedings in the UK Parliament being televised, it’s easy to forget there was a time when we didn’t know what such things looked or even sounded like.
But that changed, this week in 1975, when the nation reeled with shock as the House of Commons was broadcast on radio for the first time ever and we got to hear the full panoply of our elected representatives’ magnificent array of farmyard impressions.
Elsewhere, after a referendum, and seven years of military rule, modern-day Greece was created via the establishment of The Hellenic Republic.
When it came to music, the UK charts were still being dominated by the sound of Whispering Grass, thanks to sitcom stars Windsor Davies and Don Estelle.
While, on the associated album listings, the pinnacle was, yet again being held by The Best of the Stylistics.
I, of course, revere Whispering Grass; mostly because I remember hearing it on the radio while reading that Barry Smith drawn Dr Strange story based on The Shadow Over Innsmouth. A concurrence which lent the line, “Why tell them all the Old Things? They’re buried under the snow,” a strangely Lovecraftian tone I shall never forget.
But there were other tracks I approved of on that Hit Parade and amongst them were:
I’m Not in Love – 10 CC
Listen to What the Man Said – Wings
Disco Queen – Hot Chocolate
Autobahn – Kraftwerk
Israelites – Desmond Dekker
Can it be?
The Chameleon?
Yes, it can!
Granted, his peril’s somewhat embiggened by the fact that our battling brute has been emsmallened by Hank Pym’s shrinking serum, thanks to his attempt to return to Jarella’s world.
And that can only mean a confrontation with the giant rats of Hydra!
And that’s getting a visit from Ronan the Accuser!
From the looks of it, Spider-Man and Iceman are taking a break from hitting each other, for long enough to put a halt to the malignly manipulative machinations of Sam Bullit.
Which is just as well, as the putrid politician is about to rub out poor old Joe Robertson!
Dr Strange may make the cover but the issue kicks off with Shang-Chi who’s fighting a bunch of Si-Fan assassins in an Egyptian pyramid, in an attempt to get his hands on some magic rubies before his own sister and Fu Manchu can get them.
I am somewhat curious as to why that man on the cover goes out at night shooting bats. Is bat-hunting a popular pastime?
From that cover, I do believe we’ve reached the pulse-pounding conclusion of Kingdom on an Island of the Apes in which
However, Derek quickly defeats Gorodon and then marries Lady Andrea.
I’m hoping Lady Andrea isn’t an ape.
Not that I have anything against apes. I’m just not sure it’s a healthy sign if you want to marry one.
After that, we get Al Satian and Heather Johnson recounting their experiences on location during filming of Conquest of the Planet of the Apes.
But hold on.
Al Satian?
Is that really his/her name?
History is made, as two of Fantasy’s greatest heroes bump into each other when Conan must confront Elric!
From what I can recall, Zukala is also, somehow, present and in need of assistance in his conflict with evil sorcerer Kulan Gath.
For reasons that are completely beyond me, Mephisto’s demanded the Silver Surfer attack SHIELD’s HQ!
But what our hero doesn’t know is that within that building is Shalla-Bal – and his attack on that complex could lead to her death!
But what is new is that a stranger’s arrived in town.
And that stranger is called The Stranger.
