This issue is a real gem. I’d completely forgotten it until I started pulling out the polybags to do this blog.
It was a done-in-one solo story titled “Night of the Beast” written by one of my favorite Marvel writers of the 1970s: Steve Gerber. The art was by hall-of-famer Carmine Infantino, whose shadowy sketchy lines were perfect for a noirish mystery with lots of darkness and rain.
Much like the great musical episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Beast faces a villain who can make him sing and dance. The story has lots of quirky Steve Gerber deliciousness, and explores all aspects of The Beast: He does science! He romances the girls! He beats up a guy who hates dancing!
He stands up for what’s right!
He expresses insecurity! He bounces and bounds!
And, of course, he references the X-Men. And the Beatles. Has anyone else ever referenced both those supergroups in the same panel? I don’t think so.
It’s a character piece courtesy of a new villain, the literally two-faced Manipulator, who can pull angst out of others.
Awards: 8th Best Steve Gerber Comic of All Time. One of the best single-issue stories of all time, according to this objectively accurate list.