#237: November 1974 (w/Ben Saunders) - "The Mark of Madness!"

Marvel by the Month

Ben Saunders is an academic expert in comic and cartoon studies, pop culture and English literature who co-founded and directs the University of Oregon's minor in Comic and Cartoon Studies, the first undergraduate minor of its kind in the country. He's also the series editor of the Penguin Classics Marvel Collection and the curator of the Marvel: University of Super Heroes exhibition, which has appeared at museums in Portland, OR; Charlotte, NC; Dearborn, MI; Seattle, WA; and Basel, Switzerland.

For 90 minutes (!!!) of bonus content — including our in-depth discussions of Captain America #180, the presidents Cap has (and hasn't) met, the fine distinction between "realism" and "immediacy," the backlash against Jack Kirby's return to Marvel, Brian Michael Bendis and Ultimate Spider-Man, Jim Shooter's legacy, the secret origin of Iron Man's nose, and so so SO MUCH more! — support us at patreon.com/marvelbythemonth. Subscribers at the $4/month level get instant access to our bonus feed of content that contains over 120 extended and exclusive episodes — with more being added every week!

Stories Covered in this Episode:

"The Mark of Madness!" - Captain America #181, written by Steve Englehart, art by Sal Buscema and Vince Colletta, letters by Artie Simek, colors by Linda Lessmann, ©1974 Marvel Comics

"Inferno!" - Captain America #182, written by Steve Englehart, art by Frank Robbins and Joe Giella, letters by Tom Orzechowski, colors by Bill Mantlo, ©1974 Marvel Comics

"Marvel by the Month" theme v. 3 written by Robb Milne and performed by Robb Milne and Barb Allen. All incidental music by Robb Milne.

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Much of our historical context information comes from Wikipedia. Please join us in supporting them at wikimediafoundation.org. And many thanks to Mike's Amazing World of Comics, an invaluable resource for release dates and issue information. (RIP Mike.)