Marvel; August 1977
Cover uncredited

Title: “When Walks the Warlord!”
Synopsis: Sub-Mariner and Dr. Doom do battle with Warlord Krang (and a giant, Kirbyesque monster) in an effort to save Atlantis.

Writer: Bill Mantlo
Penciler: Keith Giffen
Inker: Don Perlin

Review: This is the kind of done-in-one tale that today’s creators would take six issues to tell. While there was obviously back story preceding this issue, a quick recap brings readers up to speed and right into the action. Bill Mantlo does a good job with this fast paced tale, though his Namor dialogue is verbose and over-the-top (not an uncommon problem with that character). But as much fun as the story is, it’s the artwork by a young Keith Giffen that provides the real treat. He’s not there yet, but there are glimpses of his Legion-era style all over this issue.

Grade: B+

Cool factor: Giffen has a knack for that Kirby monster thing.

Collector’s note: According to the Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide, there’s a 35¢ cover price variant of this issue.

Character quotable: “Scum and sea-jackals! Renegades all! Aye – well do I know you!” – Namor, Sub-Mariner and smack talker

Copyright ©2017 Off the Wahl Productions, all rights reserved. Each week, T. Andrew Wahl offers up a Bronze Age Minute. For more, check out Wahl’s website, SequentialReaction.com.

Note, this article originally appeared in March 2017.