Data courtesy of the Grand Comics Database under Creative Commons license.

Issue Details

Issue #25
Published August 1974
Frequency Bi-Monthly
Cover Price 0.25 USD
Pages 36
Editing Roy Thomas

Cover Details - "Is He Man--Or Machine--Or Monster?"

Characters Deathlok [Luther Manning]
Genre Science Fiction
Pencils Rich Buckler (signed)
Inks Klaus Janson (signed)
Letters Gaspar Saladino
Reprinted in Marvel Masterworks: Deathlok (Marvel, 2009 series) #1

15 page Deathlok story "A Cold Knight's Frenzy"

Characters Deathlok [Luther Manning] (Introduction; Origin); Major Simon Riker (Villain; Introduction); Curtis Giles (Death); Wilkins; Jim; Nina; Julian Biggs (Destroyed)
Synopsis Deathlok is shown to be a robot with a human mind that has the ability to override it's programming. Deathlok has a flashback showing that his old army buddy Major Simon Riker is responsible for his creation. The conclusion of the story reveals that Simon Riker is also a cyborg.
Genre Science Fiction
Script Rich Buckler (Plot; Concept); Doug Moench (Script)
Pencils Rich Buckler
Inks Rich Buckler (Primary Inks); Klaus Janson (Ink Assist); Al Milgrom (Ink Assist); Mike Esposito (Ink Assist)
Colors Glynis Wein
Letters Annette Kawecki
Notes The origin of Deathlok. Inking information from the text article in the issue.
Reprinted in Marvel Masterworks: Deathlok (Marvel, 2009 series) #1

1 page Marvel Bullpen Bulletins; Stan Lee's Soapbox; Mighty Marvel Mini-Checklist promo (ad from the publisher) "Marvel Bullpen Bulletins: Of Mix-Ups, Monsters, and Matrimony! [August 1974]; Stan Lee's Soapbox; Mighty Marvel Mini-Checklist"

Characters Deathlok [Luther Manning]
Script ? (promo copy); Stan Lee
Pencils Rich Buckler
Inks Rich Buckler
Letters Typeset
Notes Stan Lee talks about the new "The Origin of Marvel Comics" book and some of its contents. He also thanks Worcester Polytech University for the rollicking reception they gave him. Items about how they are discontinuing the 35 cent and 60 cent comics and replacing them with 68 page 50 cent comics with feature-length 30 page stories (starting with Giant-Size Spider-Man #1 (co-starring Dracula), Giant-Size Defenders #1 and Giant-Size Avengers #1), a promo for Deathlok, the Demolisher conceived and drawn by Rich Buckler and scripted by Doug Moench starring in Astonishing Tales #25, 1974 is the Marvel Age of Comics-Phase two!, for the first time in many moons they are not debuting any new comics this month (except for new Giant-Size comics and the Deathlok premiere in Astonishing Tales) but they are just slowing down to catch their breath, Murray Friedman (Assistant Production Manager) married Adrienne, Gerry Conway married Carla Joseph (Roy Thomas' super-secretary and an off-broadway playwright) and next time they will tell us of more bargains we can get with a complete set of Marvel Value Stamps. Mighty Marvel Mini-Checklist for comics now on sale! listed with a synopsis are Giant-Size Spider-Man #1, Giant-Size Man-Thing #1, Giant-Size Fantastic Four #2, Dracula Lives #7, (Tales of the) Zombie #6, Haunt of Horror #2 and Savage Tales #5. Also includes a small illustration of Deathlok from Astonishing Tales #25. Appears between pages 13 and 14 of the main story sequence.

2 page Creation of Deathlok text article "Mindlock...x 3"

Characters Deathlok [Luther Manning]
Synopsis This sequence features preliminary Deathlok sketches by Rich Buckler along with a purported conversation transcript between Roy Thomas, Rich Buckler, and Doug Moench.
Genre Superhero
Script Doug Moench
Pencils Rich Buckler (Deathlok concept sketch)
Inks Rich Buckler
Reprinted in Marvel Masterworks: Deathlok (Marvel, 2009 series) #1

1 page Giant-Size Spider-Man promo (ad from the publisher) "Bullpen Bonus Page"

Characters Spider-Man; Dracula; Human Torch [Johnny Storm] (inset)
Genre Superhero; Horror
Script ? (promo copy)
Pencils John Romita
Inks John Romita
Notes Promo for Giant-Size Spider-Man #1 using a reprint of the cover. Also plugs the upcoming Giant-Size Avengers and Giant-Size Conan comics.

2 page Deathlok creation satire story "Yeah, cinematic, man."

Characters Deathlok [Luther Manning]; Doug Moench; George Perez
Synopsis A satire on how the Deathlok character was developed.
Script Doug Moench
Pencils George Perez
Inks Mike Esposito
Notes This two-page humor strip is George Perez' first published work.
Reprinted in Marvel Masterworks: Deathlok (Marvel, 2009 series) #1

1 page Astonishing Mails; Marvel Value Stamp letters page "Astonishing Mails"

Characters Daimon Hellstrom [Son of Satan]
Letters Typeset
Notes Letters from (and replies to) Brian Wilkes Prescott, Gil Johnson and Tom Garland. Includes Marvel Value Stamp #68 featuring Daimon Hellstrom [Son of Satan].