Ben Saunders is an academic expert in comic and cartoon studies, pop culture and English literature who co-founded and directs the University of Oregon's minor in Comic and Cartoon Studies, the first undergraduate minor of its kind in the country. He's also the series editor of the Penguin Classics Marvel Collection and the curator of the Marvel: University of Super Heroes exhibition, which has appeared at museums in Portland, OR; Charlotte, NC; Dearborn, MI; Seattle, WA; and Basel, Switzerland.

For 90 minutes (!!!) of bonus content — including our in-depth discussions of Captain America #180, the presidents Cap has (and hasn't) met, the fine distinction between "realism" and "immediacy," the backlash against Jack Kirby's return to Marvel, Brian Michael Bendis and Ultimate Spider-Man, Jim Shooter's legacy, the secret origin of Iron Man's nose, and so so SO MUCH more! — support us at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth. Subscribers at the $4/month level get instant access to our bonus feed of content that contains over 120 extended and exclusive episodes — with more being added every week!

Stories Covered in this Episode:

"The Mark of Madness!" - Captain America #181, written by Steve Englehart, art by Sal Buscema and Vince Colletta, letters by Artie Simek, colors by Linda Lessmann, ©1974 Marvel Comics

"Inferno!" - Captain America #182, written by Steve Englehart, art by Frank Robbins and Joe Giella, letters by Tom Orzechowski, colors by Bill Mantlo, ©1974 Marvel Comics

"Marvel by the Month" theme v. 3 written by Robb Milne and performed by Robb Milne and Barb Allen. All incidental music by Robb Milne.

Visit us on the internet (and buy some stuff) at marvelbythemonth.com, follow us on Instagram and Threads 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. (RIP Mike.)

The complete version of this episode is available to Patrons who support us at the $4/month level at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth — join today to hear us cover all of these issues:

• "Games Godlings Play!" - Giant-Size Defenders #3, written by Steve Gerber, Jim Starlin, and Len Wein, art by Jim Starlin, Dan Adkins, Don Netwon, and Jim Mooney, letters by Charlotte Jetter, colors by Glynis Wein, ©1974 Marvel Comics
• "Mind Tap!" - Daredevil #117, written by Chris Claremont and Steve Gerber, art by Bob Brown and Vince Colletta, letters by Dave Hunt, colors by Petra Goldberg, ©1974 Marvel Comics
• "A Spectre From the Past!" - Thor #231, written by Gerry Conway, art by John Buscema and Dick Giordano, letters by John Costanza, colors by Petra Goldberg, ©1974 Marvel Comics
• "Batroc and Other Assassins" - Marvel Premiere #20, written by Tony Isabella, art by Arvell Jones and Dan Green, letters by Ray Holloway, colors by John Drake, ©1974 Marvel Comics
• "... And One Will Fall!" - Amazing Spider-Man #140, written by Gerry Conway, art by Ross Andru, Frank Giacoia, and Dave Hunt, letters by Artie Simek, colors by Petra Goldberg, ©1974 Marvel Comics
• "Fury at 50,000 Volts!" - Incredible Hulk #183, written by Len Wein, art by Herb Trimpe, letters by Glynis Wein, colors by Charlotte Jetter, ©1974 Marvel Comics
• "A Quiet Half-Hour In Saigon!" - Avengers #131, written by Steve Englehart, art by Sal Buscema and Joe Staton, letters by Tom Orzechowski, colors by Phil Rachelson, ©1974 Marvel Comics
• "The Mark of Madness!" - Captain America #181, written by Steve Englehart, art by Sal Buscema and Vince Colletta, letters by Artie Simek, colors by Linda Lessmann, ©1974 Marvel Comics
• "The Man In the Mystery Mask!" - Fantastic Four #154, written by Stan Lee and Len Wein, art by Dick Ayers, Bob Brown, Paul Reinman, Frank Giacoia, and Mike Esposito, letters by Artie Simek, colors by Glynis Wein, ©1974 Marvel Comics
• "The God Killer" - Jungle Action #13, written by Don McGregor, art by Billy Graham and Craig Russell, letters by Joe Rosen, colors by Tom Palmer, ©1974 Marvel Comics
• "Revenge of the River Gods!" - Ka-Zar #7, written by Gerry Conway, art by John Buscema and Bob McLeod, letters by Dave Hunt, colors by Bill Mantlo, ©1974 Marvel Comics
• "Beware the Coming of... Infinitus!" or "How Can You Stop the Reincarnated Man?" - Marvel Team-Up #29, written by Gerry Conway, art by Jim Mooney and Vince Colletta,letters by John Costanza, colors by Janice Cohen, ©1974 Marvel Comics
• "Name That Doom!" - Marvel Two-In-One #7, written by Steve Gerber, art by Sal Buscema and Mike Esposito, letters by Joe Rosen, colors by Bill Mantlo, ©1974 Marvel Comics
• "Deathgame!" - Creatures on the Loose #33, written by David Kraft with Tony Isabella, art by George Perez and Klaus Janson, letters by Tom Orzechowski, colors by Petra Goldberg, ©1974 Marvel Comics
• "Fury of the Night-Creature!" - Frankenstein #14, written by Doug Moench, art by Val Mayerik and Dan Green, letters by Artie Simek, colors by Petra Goldberg, ©1974 Marvel Comics
• "Castle Curse!" - Giant-Size Werewolf #3, written by Doug Moench, art by Don Perlin and Sal Trapani, letters by Jean Simek, colors by Linda Lessmann, ©1974 Marvel Comics
• "Red Sails at 40,000 Feet!" - Man-Thing #13, written by Steve Gerber, art by John Buscema and Tom Sutton, letters by John Costanza, colors by Petra Goldberg, ©1974 Marvel Comics
• "Madness In the Mind!" - Tomb of Dracula #28, written by Marv Wolfman, art by Gene Colan and Tom Palmer, letters by Ray Holloway, colors by Petra Goldberg, ©1974 Marvel Comics
• "An Eclipse of Evil!" - Werewolf by Night #25, written by Doug Moench, art by Don Perlin, letters by Dave Hunt, colors by Linda Lessmann, ©1974 Marvel Comics

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

Visit us on the internet (and buy some stuff) 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. (RIP Mike.)

Ibrahim Moustafa is the brilliant writer-artist behind the original graphic novels Count and Retroactive, as well as the co-creator of the Eisner Award-nominated High Crimes (with Christopher Sebela), and yes, a bunch of Marvel stuff too! His latest OGN, Cyn, comes out this summer from Humanoids, and you can order it right now from your local comics shop — Previews order code APR241574!

For 25 minutes of bonus content — including the first appearance of the Wrecking Crew and a Luke Cage guest appearance in Defenders #17-19 — support us at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth. Subscribers at the $4/month level get instant access to our bonus feed of content that contains over 120 extended and exclusive episodes — with more being added every week!

Stories Covered in this Episode:

"Convention of Fear!" - Iron Man #72, written by Mike Friedrich, art by George Tuska and Vince Colletta, letters by Tom Orzechowski, colors by Stan Goldberg, ©1974 Marvel Comics

"The Yesterday Connection!" - Giant-Size Spider-Man #3, written by Gerry Conway, art by Ross Andru and Mike Esposito, letters by Ray Holloway, colors by George Roussos, ©1974 Marvel Comics

"Marvel by the Month" theme v. 3 written by Robb Milne and performed by Robb Milne and Barb Allen. All incidental music by Robb Milne.

Visit us on the internet (and buy some stuff) at marvelbythemonth.com, follow us on Instagram and Threads 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. (RIP Mike.)