Big Al Milgrom, the editor of Marvel Fanfare, was wise enough to commission this beautiful wraparound cover for a Silver Surfer story in issue #51, circa 1990. It features some Thor-ish goodness as the Surfer battles Magog on Earth. The story was written by Steve Englehart and drawn by Buscema and Jack Abel. It features a Surfer still earth-bound, fighting against a dirty Kree plot, and has guest appearances by the Fantastic Four and Doctor Strange. Not to mention Mantis, one of Englehart’s favorite characters.
The Editori-AL for this issue explains the origins of this story. You may remember that Marvel launched a new ongoing Surfer series in 1987, by Marshall Rogers and Englehart. Originally this was going to be a 12-part maxi series, each one double sized and drawn by Buscema, just like the original 1960s series! When the plan was changed to make the series an ongoing title, plot lines changed and Marshall Rogers (who had enjoyed great success with Englehart over at DC Comics) became the artist. The first issue of the original series was written and drawn by Buscema, but never published until this issue of Marvel Fanfare.
Al Milgrom did everyone a great favor by pulling out these unused inventory stories into Marvel Fanfare. Makes me wonder how many other stories have been lost throughout the years? Nuff Said!
