BRONZE AGE MINUTE: Amazing Adventures #31

Marvel; July 1975
Cover by P. Craig Russell

Title: “The Day the Monuments Shattered”
Synopsis: Near golden arches in Gary, Indiana, Killraven and company battle the monstrous Devourer, as well as Atalon and the Sacrificer.

Writer: Don McGregor
Artist: P. Craig Russell

Review: Following a Dreaded Deadline Doom stinker with the previous issue, Killraven gets back on track with this action-packed outing. Writer Don McGregor keeps piling on the heavy text, again requiring the occasional use of typography instead of hand lettering. But McGregor’s world-building and character work keep getting better, as does his not-so-subtle commentary about commercialism and the 20th century. Meanwhile, P. Craig Russell continues his rapid improvement, demonstrating strong world-building skills of his own. Killraven’s creative team is humming along as several ongoing plot threads come to a head this issue.

Grade: A-

Second opinion: “3 out of 4 stars.” – Comics Buyer’s Guide #1655 (July 2009). Recommended by The Slings & Arrows Comic Guide second edition (2003).

Cool factor: One of the more ambitious series of its era.
Not-so-cool factor: Have readers forgiven the stinker that was the previous issue?

Notable: Death of Atalon and the Sacrificer. The “War of the Words” letters page includes an LOC from future comics writer Peter B. Gillis.
Collector’s note: According to the Grand Comics Database, there is a 9p British variant of this issue. According to MyComicShop.com, there is also a Mark Jewelers variant.

Character quotable: “His death won’t help me find my sister or undo what he did to her… but he’ll never… never dehumanize another person.” – Volcana Ash, with some final words for Atalon

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