Marvel Feature
Encyclopedia
Marvel Feature was the name of two comic book showcase
series published by Marvel Comics
in the 1970s. The first volume led to the launching of the new ongoing series The Defenders
and Marvel Two-in-One
, while volume two led to the new ongoing series Red Sonja
.
comic that was published for twelve issues, at irregular intervals from December 1971 until November 1973. The lead story in Marvel Feature #1, written by Roy Thomas
, featured the first team-up of the Incredible Hulk, Doctor Strange
, and the Sub-Mariner as the Defenders
, as well as a guest appearance by the Silver Surfer
. The issue also included two backup stories, one reprinted from Sub-Mariner Comics #40 and the other a new Dr. Strange solo tale. The Defenders continued as the stars of Marvel Feature for only two more issues and then received their own self-titled book beginning the following month. Marvel Feature #2 reprinted a story from Sub-Mariner Comics #36, and the third issue had no backup story.
After receiving a good fan response when a story appeared in Iron Man
#44, Ant-Man
then became the lead of Marvel Feature for issues #4-10, paired with his un-billed female companion, the Wasp
, starting with issue #6. Issues #7-10 each featured three separate Ant-Man stories and included art by P. Craig Russell
. The final issue also reprinted non-Pym stories from the Tales to Astonish
series, all written by Stan Lee
.
Marvel Feature #11 was the first solo story Marvel published of the Thing
from the Fantastic Four
, and involved him in a fan-favorite fight against the Hulk. The final issue teamed the Thing up with Iron Man
, and the Thing was then given a regular series called Marvel Two-In-One
in which he teamed up with a different character each issue, a format that had already proven popular with Spider-Man
in Marvel Team-Up
. Both issues were penciled by Jim Starlin
.
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The second series featured Red Sonja
, a supporting character from the ancient fantasy world of Conan the Barbarian
. It was published for only seven issues, from November 1975 until November 1976. Roy Thomas
wrote issues #1 and #7, while Bruce Jones
scripted the other issues. Except for issue #1, drawn by Dick Giordano
, the art for the series was by the creator most associated with Red Sonja, Frank Thorne
. The character then received her own self-titled series in January 1977.
Anthology
An anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler. It may be a collection of poems, short stories, plays, songs, or excerpts...
series published by Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
in the 1970s. The first volume led to the launching of the new ongoing series The Defenders
Defenders (comics)
The Defenders is the name of a number of Marvel Comics superhero groups which are usually presented as a "non-team" of individualistic "outsiders," each known for following their own agendas...
and Marvel Two-in-One
Marvel Two-in-One
Marvel Two-In-One was an American comic book series published by Marvel Comics that featured the Fantastic Four member, the Thing, in a different team-up each issue with a different character. The series continued from the team-up stories starring the Thing in the final two issues of Marvel...
, while volume two led to the new ongoing series Red Sonja
Red Sonja
Red Sonja, the She-Devil with a Sword, is a fictional character, a high fantasy sword and sorcery heroine created by Roy Thomas and Barry Windsor-Smith, and loosely based on Red Sonya of Rogatino in Robert E. Howard's 1934 short story "The Shadow of the Vulture"...
.
Volume One
The first series was a superheroSuperhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
comic that was published for twelve issues, at irregular intervals from December 1971 until November 1973. The lead story in Marvel Feature #1, written by Roy Thomas
Roy Thomas
Roy William Thomas, Jr. is an American comic book writer and editor, and Stan Lee's first successor as editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics. He is possibly best known for introducing the pulp magazine hero Conan the Barbarian to American comics, with a series that added to the storyline of Robert E...
, featured the first team-up of the Incredible Hulk, Doctor Strange
Doctor Strange
Doctor Stephen Strange is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was co-created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, and first appeared in Strange Tales #110 ....
, and the Sub-Mariner as the Defenders
Defenders (comics)
The Defenders is the name of a number of Marvel Comics superhero groups which are usually presented as a "non-team" of individualistic "outsiders," each known for following their own agendas...
, as well as a guest appearance by the Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer
The Silver Surfer is a Marvel Comics superhero created by Jack Kirby. The character first appears in Fantastic Four #48 , the first of a three-issue arc that fans call "The Galactus Trilogy"....
. The issue also included two backup stories, one reprinted from Sub-Mariner Comics #40 and the other a new Dr. Strange solo tale. The Defenders continued as the stars of Marvel Feature for only two more issues and then received their own self-titled book beginning the following month. Marvel Feature #2 reprinted a story from Sub-Mariner Comics #36, and the third issue had no backup story.
After receiving a good fan response when a story appeared in Iron Man
Iron Man
Iron Man is a fictional character, a superhero in the . The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, first appearing in Tales of Suspense #39 .A billionaire playboy, industrialist and ingenious engineer,...
#44, Ant-Man
Henry Pym
Dr. Henry "Hank" Pym is a fictional character that appears in publications by Marvel Comics. Created by editor and plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber and penciler Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in Tales to Astonish #27...
then became the lead of Marvel Feature for issues #4-10, paired with his un-billed female companion, the Wasp
Wasp (comics)
The Wasp is a fictional character, a superheroine in the Marvel Comics universe and founding member of The Avengers. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in Tales to Astonish #44 ....
, starting with issue #6. Issues #7-10 each featured three separate Ant-Man stories and included art by P. Craig Russell
P. Craig Russell
Philip Craig Russell , also known as P. Craig Russell, is an American comic book writer, artist, and illustrator. His work has won multiple Harvey and Eisner Awards...
. The final issue also reprinted non-Pym stories from the Tales to Astonish
Tales to Astonish
Tales to Astonish is the name of two American comic book series and a one-shot comic published by Marvel Comics.The primary title bearing that name was published from 1959-1968...
series, all written by Stan Lee
Stan Lee
Stan Lee is an American comic book writer, editor, actor, producer, publisher, television personality, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics....
.
Marvel Feature #11 was the first solo story Marvel published of the Thing
Thing (comics)
The Thing is a fictional character, a founding member of the superhero team known as the Fantastic Four in the Marvel Comics universe. He was created by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee in The Fantastic Four #1...
from the Fantastic Four
Fantastic Four
The Fantastic Four is a fictional superhero team appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The group debuted in The Fantastic Four #1 , which helped to usher in a new level of realism in the medium...
, and involved him in a fan-favorite fight against the Hulk. The final issue teamed the Thing up with Iron Man
Iron Man
Iron Man is a fictional character, a superhero in the . The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, first appearing in Tales of Suspense #39 .A billionaire playboy, industrialist and ingenious engineer,...
, and the Thing was then given a regular series called Marvel Two-In-One
Marvel Two-in-One
Marvel Two-In-One was an American comic book series published by Marvel Comics that featured the Fantastic Four member, the Thing, in a different team-up each issue with a different character. The series continued from the team-up stories starring the Thing in the final two issues of Marvel...
in which he teamed up with a different character each issue, a format that had already proven popular with Spider-Man
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
in Marvel Team-Up
Marvel Team-Up
Marvel Team-Up is the name of several American comic book series published by Marvel Comics. The series featured two or more Marvel characters in one story...
. Both issues were penciled by Jim Starlin
Jim Starlin
James P. "Jim" Starlin is an American comic book writer and artist. With a career dating back to the early 1970s, he is best known for "cosmic" tales and space opera; for revamping the Marvel Comics characters Captain Marvel and Adam Warlock; and for creating or co-creating the Marvel characters...
.
Volume Two
Red Sonja
Red Sonja, the She-Devil with a Sword, is a fictional character, a high fantasy sword and sorcery heroine created by Roy Thomas and Barry Windsor-Smith, and loosely based on Red Sonya of Rogatino in Robert E. Howard's 1934 short story "The Shadow of the Vulture"...
, a supporting character from the ancient fantasy world of Conan the Barbarian
Conan the Barbarian
Conan the Barbarian is a fictional sword and sorcery hero that originated in pulp fiction magazines and has since been adapted to books, comics, several films , television programs, video games, roleplaying games and other media...
. It was published for only seven issues, from November 1975 until November 1976. Roy Thomas
Roy Thomas
Roy William Thomas, Jr. is an American comic book writer and editor, and Stan Lee's first successor as editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics. He is possibly best known for introducing the pulp magazine hero Conan the Barbarian to American comics, with a series that added to the storyline of Robert E...
wrote issues #1 and #7, while Bruce Jones
Bruce Jones (comics)
Bruce Jones, whose pen names include Philip Roland and Bruce Elliot, is an American comic book writer, novelist, illustrator, and screenwriter whose work included writing Marvel Comics' The Incredible Hulk from 2001-2005.-Early career:...
scripted the other issues. Except for issue #1, drawn by Dick Giordano
Dick Giordano
Richard Joseph "Dick" Giordano was an American comic book artist and editor best known for introducing Charlton Comics' "Action Heroes" stable of superheroes, and serving as executive editor of then–industry leader DC Comics...
, the art for the series was by the creator most associated with Red Sonja, Frank Thorne
Frank Thorne
Frank Thorne is an American comic book artist-writer, best known for popularizing the Marvel Comics character Red Sonja.-Biography:...
. The character then received her own self-titled series in January 1977.
Collected Editions
- Essential Defenders Vol. 1 (Marvel Feature Vol. 1 #1-3)
- Essential Marvel-Two-in-One Vol. 1 (Marvel Feature Vol. 1 #11-12)
External links
- Marvel Feature listing in the Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators; includes table listing writers, artists, and stories for each issue