Marvel Two-in-One #5
Published and © by Marvel, September 1974
Title: “Seven Against the Empire!”
Synopsis: In 3014 A.D., the Thing and Captain America team with the Guardians of the Galaxy to liberate the Earth.
Writer: Steve Gerber
Penciler: Sal Buscema
Inker: Mike Esposito
Review: Much as with the previous issue (see review of Marvel Two-in-One #4), Steve Gerber’s work here suggests he’s not the right fit for a superhero team-up book. Pacing is the biggest problem: After some back story, routine action and maneuvering to get all the characters in their places, the should-be-epic battle to liberate humanity from seven years of oppression takes all of three pages. Gerber also struggles with bringing readers up to speed with this issue’s large cast of lesser-known characters. Still, there is some enjoyable action sequences and the art, by journeyman Sal Buscema, is once again serviceable.
Grade: B-
Cool factor: The Marvel Universe’s Earth under the control of the Badoon would be an interesting concept to explore …
Not-so-cool factor: … if it didn’t take our heroes less than 24 hours to undo.
Collector’s note: Beware, this issue contains a Marvel Value Stamp (Series A) #93 (Silver Surfer). … According to MyComicShop.com, there is a Mark Jewelers variant of this issue.
Character quotable: “Yer Baboon brotherhood is pfffft! Dig?” – The Thing, not-so-inspirational speaker
Editor’s note: This review was written April 29, 2023.
