Flavio, JB's first 2 issues of MTU were reprinted in MARVEL TALES some year later, in 1992. Only the third issue, featuring Warlock, wasn't.

Anyway, this was the first time I saw Yellowjacket and I loved the costume!

Why the skip of JB's 1st three MTU issues?
+++


...also, they were published several months prior to these, so they're not
part of the same "run".

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So, does this mean we aren't doing the Luke Cake or Red Sonja issues and are stopping with the Thor ( my favorite) issue?

I've always wondered who drew the Spider-Man image in the corner box for Marvel Tales of this vintage. Any idea?

Oh, that would make sense Chad, thank you! (duh, I should've thought of that)

Anyways, I really enjoy reading these comics posted here in the forums.  It makes me want to go into my long boxes and re-read some of these gems!

Marvel Team-Up #59 was my first John Byrne comic book!! Who could've guessed that this issue would've started a fandom that has lasted for 30 years?

Nostalgia aside, this is an excellent two-part storyline. While I love Marvel Team-Up, it always was hamstrung by two factors: 1. It took place out of continuity with Amazing and Spectacular Spider-Man, so you didn't get the month-to-month soap opera that was such a part of Spider-Man in the 1970s. 2. All the A-list villains were reserved for the two "main" Spider-Man books, so you had some pretty lame bad guys come through Marvel Team-Up.

JB and Claremont solved both of those problems and demonstrated how you can tell an interesting story within these limitations. In this two-part storyline, they made the Wasp and Yellowjacket the focus of the story, not Spider-Man. And they made Equinox an interesting bad guy through his back story, particularly by introducing his mother as a sympathetic figure.

Lots of good things in this issue. The Yellowjacket blast effect is really sweet (and very Kirby-like, I think). And I love the layout of the explosion, with the three different reactions. That's some good visual storytelling right there.

Sure, the Wasp's closing dialogue may be a bit over-the-top melodramatic. But the cliffhanger made you want to read the next issue, didn't it?

A great way to start out this Reading Club, Flavio!

FYI, I've noticed a few Marvel Team-Up covers are missing from the JBF Checklist. You can find all of 'em at Samruby.com.

Not yet, Juan. When (or if) there is a Vol. 3 of the Essential Marvel Team-Up, it should include the Byrne/Claremont run. Vol. 2 ended with issue #51.