BRONZE AGE MINUTE: Marvel Two-in-One #48

Marvel; February 1979
Cover by Chic Stone

Title: “My Master, Machinesmith!”
Synopsis: When the Jack of Hearts battles a mind-controlled Thing, it’s up to the Yancy Street Gang to save the day.

Writer: Bill Mantlo
Penciler: Chic Stone
Inker: Tex Blaisdell

Review: This issue provides a perfect example of one of Marvel’s greatest Bronze Age strengths: accessibility. Writer Bill Mantlo doesn’t just bring readers up to speed on the last issue of Marvel Two-in-One; no, he introduces the Jack of Hearts and sums up just about every one of the character’s appearances – in four pages. Yes, real people don’t think in explanatory dialogue, but it sure can be helpful when characters do it. Beyond the intro, this story plays out as a pretty run-of-the-mill adventure, and the Yancy Street Gang angle is pretty lame. Chic Stone delivers journeyman support on art.

Grade: B-

Cool factor: Jack of Hearts was one of those really-could-have-been-cool characters.
Not-so-cool factor: The Yancy Street Gang. They’re like the Ferengi of the Marvel Universe: good background characters, but don’t ask them to carry an episode!

Notable: The letters page includes an LOC from future comics writer Kurt Busiek, who apparently had issues with Marvel Two-in-One #42.

Character quotable: “That’s what we get for pinnin’ our hopes on a lummox like Grimm!” – an unidentified member of the Yancy Street Gang

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