TALES FROM THE KRYPTONIAN

Monday, February 16, 2026

Murky waters Monday : the Sub - Mariner !

Since I like to mix things up here on TALES FROM THE KRYPTONIAN we continue SAL BUSCEMA MONTH with a series I haven't featured before with Sal Buscema's short but memorable stint on SUB - MARINER since it was during this time that what would become the nucleus of Marvel's non group the Defenders - the incredible Hulk, the Silver Surfer and of course Prince Namor of Atlantis - first teamed up and fought with the Avengers.

Now attentive blog visitors might remember that I already posted some pages from these issues in my DEFENDERS spotlight on Steve Englehart from 2022 . Which is why I am not including these pages here except for one where I didn't have the original black and white art by Sal Buscema.

Speaking of Namor fighting Avengers, before they bickered as members of earth's mightiest heroes the Sub - Mariner first fought against and then teamed up with none other than demigod Hercules in issue 29 and they even implemented what might have been the very first " fastball special " in a Marvel Comic years before a certain russian and canadian tag team made it famous as part of an international team of misfits.

imperious rex

Sunday, February 15, 2026

Spectacular Spider Sunday with our pal Sal !

Yesterday's supposed done in one post took a bit longer than anticipated because we got into the history of russian super heroes in Marvel Comics but I hope Today's post for SAL BUSCEMA MONTH will be done quicker as we have the complete original art for SPECTACULAR SPIDER - MAN 169 which is from Sal Buscema's unprecedented eight year run on the title.

As I already explained in Yesterday's HULK post I am trying to do posts that don't require a lot of research this weekend because I will have to spend a lot of time preparing the material for my Sal posts next week.

So I had found the original art for two complete issues of SPECTACULAR SPIDER - MAN on the Heritage Auctions website - which is where I find most original artwork that I use for my posts - issue 142 and issue 169 - and since we have the Puma in issue 169 plus a bevy of former Spider - Man villains turned heroes in issue 169 and they have to go up against the Avengers ( about whom I just wrote two posts for SAL BUSCEMA MONTH to commemorate Sal Buscema's passing ) I picked this one.

Now while I don't want to write any long introductions for this post I think a little roll call for Spider - Man's team of misfits and malcontents is in order for those who are not well versed in spider - lore or only know our spectacular webspinner from the movies, the tv shows or cartoons.

I already mentioned that the Puma's first appearance was in an issue of AMAZING SPIDER - MAN in part one of my last post on Sal Buscema's run on SPECTACULAR SPIDER - MAN but I didn't write that it was in issue 257.

Sandman on the other hand is a member of Spider - Man's rogues gallery from the first hour making his first appearance as early as issue 4 and he has changed from villain to anti - villain to hero a few times since then.

Next we have the Prowler a.k.a. Hobie Brown who first crossed paths with Spider - Man in issue 78 written by Stan Lee and drawn by John Romita whose costume was famously designed by his son John Romita Jr.

Last but not least we have the Rocket Racer who was first introduced in the 172nd issue of AMAZING SPIDER - MAN co - created by Len Wein and Ross Andru and while he looked like a throwaway antagonist to cash in on the skateboard craze at that time he did appear in a few more issues.

So now anybody who wants to read up on this guys knows where to start while we finally come to the good part. And for interested parties who want to continue the story goes of course on in our next exciting issue.