BRONZE AGE MINUTE: Amazing Adventures #28

BRONZE AGE MINUTE: Amazing Adventures #28

Marvel; January 1975
Cover by P. Craig Russell

Title: “The Death Merchant!”
Synopsis: Killraven and crew lay siege to the Death-Birth fortress in a battle with the Death Breeders.

Writer: Don McGregor
Artist: P. Craig Russell

Review: Don McGregor’s world-building continues to improve, but it is new artist P. Craig Russell’s growth that is breathtaking. It recalls Barry Windsor-Smith’s rapid development on Conan. Russell’s work has already improved significantly since his Killraven debut a month prior, with his unique, ornamental style growing increasingly polished.

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Title: “Escape From Nowhere!”
Synopsis: An escape artist is hit by a truck – and might have pulled off the greatest escape of his life.

Writer: Uncredited
Artist: Tony DiPreta

Review: This two-pager reprinted from World of Suspense #7 is fine filler, but, seriously, it’s time to give Killraven this space.

Grade (for the entire issue): A-

Second opinion: “3-1/2 out of 4 stars.” – Comics Buyer’s Guide #1655 (July 2009). “This issue is just about perfect in every way.” – Pierre Comtois, “Marvel Comics in the 1970s: An Issue By Issue Field Guide to a Pop Culture Phenomenon: Expanded Edition” (2021)

Cool factor: P. Craig Russell is coming on strong.
Not-so-cool factor: The Death-Birth slave pens have a suitable ick factor.

Notable: Origin of Volcana Ash.
Collector’s note: According to the Grand Comics Database, there is a 8p British variant of this issue. According to MyComicShop.com, there is also a Mark Jewelers variant.

Character quotable: “Didn’t you know, Volcana? The Martians have acquired a taste for Earthlings!” – Killraven, talking about “human delicacies”

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