Continuing Marvel’s 2020 adulation of its Bronze Age horror titles, issue of 37 of volume eight’s incarnation of the Avengers celebrates Where Monsters Dwell.

A giant She-Hulk demolished New York on the cover of Avengers 37 apparently recognizing 1958’s Attack of the 50-Foot Woman. In reality, it was a throw back to the Bronze Age reprint title Where Monsters Dwell.

Marvel plundered its back issue department from the Golden and Silver ages pulling torrid tales told by Stan Lee/Jack Kirby before super heroes returned to prominence. The monthly theme was to have a monster either from outer space or created on Earth terrorize a town or individual only to be defeated in eight to 10 pages by an unlikely hero.

The series ran 38 issues, from 1970 to 1975.

Avengers (2018) 37 Javier Rodriguez cover

The Avengers have fared better.

Stan and Jack took the few heroes they’d created by 1963 and merged them into the second super team in the Marvel U, the first being the Fantastic Four.

That team included Ant-Man, the Wasp, Iron Man, Hulk and Thor.

Since then, the Avengers have evolved over time, incorporating pretty much every hero – and a few villains – in their ranks over the past 60 years.

The team has further been the subject of four theatrical films. Avengers, 2012, earned over $1 billion dollars and was the highest-grossing film of the year.

The next installment, Age of Ultron in 2015, grossed over $1.4 billion worldwide. Infinity War, released in 2018, returned over $2 billion worldwide on a budget of $325-400 million.

Endgame finished the first cycle of Avengers movies in 2019 grossing $2.798 billion worldwide.

Attack of the 50 Foot Woman was made on a budget of $88,000. It grossed enough to prompt talks of a sequel. It never materialized.

Stay with us as Four Color Holidays continues to explore Marvel’s variant horror issues of 2020.

Summer has about a month of life left on the calendar, so let’s celebrate with the Marvel heroes circa 1985.

Summer Fun with the Marvel Super Heroes (1985) courtesy of mycomicshop.com

This $.99 ready to colorize adventure was written by Suzanne Weyn with art by Steve Geiger and Phil Lord. Participants were invited to “read along” while adding life to the two-dimensional, monochrome 48-page tome. Spider-Man, Captain America, Iron Man and – surprisingly – Black Cat headline the book.

This is a tamer version of summer fun than the Marvel Illustrated Swimsuit editions published from 1991 to 1995 featuring the curvier heroes and villains frolicking in the sun and surf in swimsuits.

Marvel chose to “imitate” the Sports Illustrated swimsuit editions, even going so far on the first offering as to use font and other features. Future editions would become more independent of the format.

Marvel was not the first to offer a fanboy’s fantasy. Fantagraphics Books published the Amazing Heroes Swimsuit issue beginning in 1987.

The Marvel line offered a theme for each issue. The first outing showcased the MCU during the Super Olympics held in the Savage Land. Subsequent issues placed characters in Wakanda for T’Challa’s engagement party. Issue two took place on Monster Island courtesy of Pip the Troll and the Infinity gems. Swimsuit Special three commemorated the Water Festival of the Inhumans on the Moon and the final installment was designed as a tourism boost for Madripoor.

The books were met with mixed reviews, but remembered. Enough so the title was rumored to be resurrected in 2015 only to be halted in the sketchbook phase. The Marvel Summer Special, aka Marvel Swimsuit Special, was actually solicited only to be cancelled in 2019. Marvel failed to offer a reason for yanking the project.

Whatever your feelings on the books, mainline some more Vitamin D before the days shorten much more.

Marvel Illustrated (1991)

Marvel Swimsuit Special (1992)

Marvel Swim Suit Special (1993)

Marvel Swimsuit Special (1994)

Marvel Swimsuit Special (1995)

If you still haven’t asked that all important question, today is the day. Today is National Proposal Day.

We here at Four Color Holidays have reviewed Peter Parker, aka Spider-Man’s, adventures in asking for Mary Jane’s hand in marriage the previous two years. This year, we’re looking at Jennifer Walters and her engagement to another Four Color Holiday alumnus, John Jameson.

Walters was Stan Lee’s last Bronze Age creation. The “Man” would only write the first issue before turning duties over to David Anthony Kraft with pencils by Mike Vosburg.

She-Hulk was a mild-mannered lawyer who received a blood transfusion from her cousin, Bruce Banner. His gamma-irradiated blood gave her Hulk-like powers. This premise was good for 25 issues originally.

Walters bounced around the Marvel U appearing in various titles, finally earning a running guest spot in the Avengers. Following the first Secret Wars mini, She-Hulk joined the Fantastic Four.

She would also star in her own Marvel Graphic Novel in 1985.

Not until 1989 did she return for a second solo series, Sensational She-Hulk. John Byrne wrote and drew issues 1-8, 31-46 and 48-50. The title ran 60 issues.

After, She-Hulk remained in guest-star limbo longer, not returning to a self-titled book again until 2004. The book was cancelled after an initial run of 12 issues, but promised to return the following year.

She-Hulk (2005) 8

It did and this is where she finds herself accepting the first of two rings.

John Jameson had long been a background character in the Marvel Universe. He first appeared in Amazing Spider-Man issue one. He would return off and on until he became a major character as Man-Wolf in ASM 124.

While the two do marry, it proves to be part of a plot by Eros who “zapped us with one of his love whammies.”

The marriage is annulled and life continued for both.

While not the best representation of proposal day, it is a fun read as She-Hulk is guided by Dan Slott through the first 21 issues of the 38-issue run.

Just perusing the story arc makes me wanna pull the series and read it again.

Anyway, if unattached and seeking the impetus to pop the question, today is the day.

And, if you chicken out again, find this series and console yourself with some good storytelling and a little comfort food.

John Byrne brought life to Jennifer Walters, aka She-Hulk after her original series, 1977 to 1982, was cancelled.

The Hulk’s cousin knocked around in various team books until Byrne wrote and drew Marvel Graphic Novel number 18: The Sensational She-Hulk in 1985. It took a few years, but her second solo-series appeared on newsstands in 1989, again, under the watchful eye of Byrne.

Sensational She-Hulk (1989) 8

The talented writer/artist guided her through the first eight issues before being let go by Marvel. He returned and continued to both write and draw the book beginning in issue 31 to 46. Taking a break for issue 47, he returned for issues 48 through 50 before departing the title for good.

In this, the end of Byrne’s first run, Santa Claus makes a guest appearance, though his true identity was not revealed until his profile was released in Marvel Holiday Special 2006.

Titled The World’s Greatest Detective, Jennifer teams with Nick St. Christopher as she attempts to prosecute a serial killer. Realizing the evidence is circumstantial at best, she and Christopher attempt to find proof enough to convict the felon.

Christopher uses several unorthodox methods as they travel half way around the world seeking evidence.

Readers are kept guessing as to who the mysterious Christopher really is during the story. They are given enough circumstantial evidence of their own to make supposition, but his true identity is not revealed in this issue.

Sensational She-Hulk is satirical at life both in and out of the Marvel U. The flavor of the character would be preserved in future representations and series.

Jennifer would have a “special holiday issue in Sensational She-Hulk 36, Plastic Snow and Mistletoe.

Now that all the 20s have lined up – June 20, 2020 – let’s celebrate the end of another winter and the advent of good weather:  the first day of Summer. Last year we had Franklin Richards kick start the summer months. This year we’re calling upon the Impossible Man.

For those unfamiliar with the green and purple Stan Lee/Jack Kirby creation, Impossible Man is, essentially, Marvel’s Mr. Mxyzptlk. Impossible Man first appeared in Fantastic Four issue 11. He would continue to conjure himself back on Earth primarily a foil for the FF. He eventually branched over to bother Spider-Woman, the X-Men, Excalibur, Avengers and Silver Surfer throughout the ensuing years.

By 1990 he was poised for his own special. Possibly the one promised by Stan way back in Fantastic Four 176. This was the time when Impossible Man invaded Marvel Comics offices. He refused to leave until Stan promised to print a special for him alone. If you have yet to read the book, stop, go find a copy and enjoy.

Impossible Man Summer Vacation Spectacular (1990) 1

The Impossibles – no relation – decide it’s time to vacation. With the family. All however many of ‘em there are.

Anyway, the self-proclaimed summer spectacular is a series of vignettes following an ‘Improlog.’

First up is ‘How Green was my Villain?’ involving Impossible Man taking the guise of a carousal of Spider-Man baddies. Most already sporting the green and purple motif.

‘Girls Don’t Wanna Have Fun!’ features Madcap and Quasar.

Dr. Strange outlasts Impy in ‘Impossible but Strange.’

She-Hulk and Janet VanDyne, aka the Wasp, are beleaguered by Impossible Woman who destroys VanDyne’s fashion show.

‘A Night to Remember’ features the Punisher who is none too amused by Impossible Man’s antics.

Dr. Doom has the last laugh when he sends the Impossible kids packing to Dizzyworld.

Yes, you read that right:  Dizzyworld.

Remember, this was before Disney’s $4 billion Marvel buy out in April 2018.

This is 1990. And, scribe Peter David is having his way with Mickey and company. If you’re gonna pick this issue up, do it for this story alone. David is brilliant with his cracks at the mouse-eared empire. Gotta love a pants-less Howard the Duck in the background thumbing his beak at the legal decree he wear pants lest he resemble a certain Disney mallard.

The issue finally settles down as the Impossibles – again, no relation – make their next stop on the Skrull world to continue their vacation. At present, there has been no follow up.

She-Hulk and Red She-Hulk have helped us celebrate the holiday season in the past.  Like any good tradition, She-Hulk is back to help decorate the tree courtesy GenzoMan.

Readers received a late Christmas gift with the first taste of John Byrne’s treatment of She-Hulk in this May 1989 dated issue of Marvel Comics Presents.

Cyclops and Black Panther took the first two-story slots, neither holiday stories, but the book closed on a holiday note.

“X-Mas Tease” is an eight-page treat veiled in a Christmas Eve telephone conversation with Ben Grimm. Readers are rewarded in the final panels as Shulkie unwraps her present from Marvel. Under the Spider-Man paper are advance copies of the first issue of The Sensational She-Hulk (1989).

Marvel Comics Presents (1988) 18

Willie Lumpkin, mailman to the Fantastic Four, plays an unsuspecting Ebenezer Scrooge in “A Christmas Card” for a spoof of A Christmas Carol.

Downsizing and carelessness has the ghost of Christmas past, present and future all rolled into one visiting the wrong address. Willie must relive the failures of his life until Christmas morning when he realizes the season is over rated.

Marvel Comics Presents ran from 1988 to 1995, 175 issues, featuring various storylines by different authors and artists. Each issue offered four story lines. It was revived in 2007 for a one-year return. A third volume started in 2019.

She-Hulk’s second volume tallied 60 issues with John Byrne at the helm for the first 50. The title proved very quirky as She-Hulk would break the fourth wall on a regular basis. Plots were equally whimsical.

Okay, not sure about a lot of the details on this other than from the standard release published ad nauseum on Web sites.

In 2016 it looks as if Marvel released a series of monthly one-shots under its Marvel Digital Comics imprint. Since then it has been released in hardcopy as a trade paperback.

Based on release info, artists celebrated a holiday each month throughout the year. In May, readers received a – pun intended – monstrous Mother’s Day tale.

A Year of Marvels May 01

X-23 cum Wolverine teams with She-Hulk tackling sister Wendigoes sired by Mother Monster. Her real name.

Mother Monster experimented with cannibalism to craft her (wo)man made monsters. Success was elusive until she was able to feed her “daughters” authentic Wendigo meat. The combination of human and Wendigo flesh created a hybrid pair.

With She-Hulk and X-23/Wolverine captured, Mother Monster tried to transfer their powers to the man-made Wendigoes. X-23/Wolverine is able to nullify Monster Mother’s machination and earn the respect of She-Hulk.

Dennis Culver scripted the story with Geoffo and Leonardo Romero fleshing out the visuals. Overall the story is a nice piece harkening back to the original – and first appearance – of Wolverine and the Hulk. If you have to ask what issue that was, you shouldn’t be reading this.

A fun romp for Mother’s Day.

She-Hulk is ready for the holiday.  Artwork by GenzoMan.