Marvel Team-Up #8
Published and © by Marvel, April 1973
Title: “The Man-Killer Moves at Midnight!”
Synopsis: The Cat comes to Manhattan seeking Spider-Man’s help to hunt down and stop the misandrist Man-Killer.
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciler: Jim Mooney
Inker: Mooney
Review: This issue is both utterly average and a perfect example of the relevance trend that helped define the early years of comics’ Bronze Age. In this case, the issue du jour is women’s lib, and Gerry Conway handles it with all the subtlety one would expect from a young male writer of the time. Props for jumping right into the action and not letting the pacing get bogged down with backstory, though a little bit of recap would’ve helped establish the Cat (particularly at a time when Marvel’s mostly male readers might’ve been reluctant to check out her solo title).
Grade: C
Second opinion: “A pleasant surprise.” – Jeff Thompson, Heroine Addict #7, October 1975 … “The most memorable appearance of the Cat.” – William Schoell, “Superhuman: The Bronze Age of Comics Volume 1,” 2016 … “A mostly stereotypical 1970s ‘women’s lib’ tale.” – Jim Beard, “Walking the Wider Web: A Fan’s Journey Through One of Comics’ Greatest Series!,” 2024
Cool factor: This reviewer has always had a soft spot for Greer (The Cat/Tigra) Nelson.
Not-so-cool factor: Jim Mooney’s serviceable-but-bland art does little to elevate the average here.
Notable: First appearance of Man-Killer.
Collector’s note: According to MyComicShop.com, there is a National Diamond variant of this issue.
Character quotable: “CRAWL, manling – crawl like the insect you ARE!” – Man-Killer, committed to the bit
Editor’s note: This review was written April 23, 2026.
