Lost Marvel Stories Finally Resurface in New Collection (Exclusive Excerpt)

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In 1985, Larry Hama started a new run of the comic book Savage Tales, focusing on exciting adventure stories geared towards men. While most of these were war stories, some also involved crime. Though the series only lasted eight issues, it was well-received and notably featured a story that would later become the foundation for the popular Marvel series about the Vietnam War, The ‘Nam.

What was the inspiration for Savage Tales?

Back in the 1960s, comic book publishers were envious of Warren Publishing’s horror magazines, Eerie and Creepy. Edited and largely written by the talented Archie Goodwin, these magazines were able to publish more mature content because, being black and white publications instead of standard comics, they weren’t subject to the restrictions of the Comics Code Authority.

Stan Lee was keen for Marvel to create its own mature content magazines, similar to those by Warren Publishing. After a short-lived attempt with Spectacular Spider-Man in 1968 (lasting only two issues), he achieved this in 1971 with Savage Tales. This black and white magazine featured a new Conan the Barbarian story by Roy Thomas and Barry Windsor-Smith, but only lasted one issue. Later, when Stan Lee became Marvel’s publisher, he revived Savage Tales for ten more issues.

After settling on a name, Hama reintroduced the series in 1985, shifting its focus to the men’s adventure genre. Many talented artists contributed, including John Severin, John Buscema, Sam Glanzman, Val Mayerik, Ron Wagner, Gray Morrow, Wayne Vansant, Herb Trimpe, Michael Golden, Joe Jusko, Mary Wilshire, Arthur Suydam, Will Jungkuntz, Vincent Waller, and Ken Steacy. Writers involved included Chuck Dixon, Bill Wray, Don Kraar, Robert Kanigher, Denny O’Neil, Doug Murray, and Archie Goodwin.

What is the exclusive excerpt about?

“Jake Lime in STICK IT TO ME!” is a classic detective story by Denny O’Neil and Malcolm Davis. It features Jake Lime, who works as a bouncer at a SoHo art gallery. When he’s ejecting a seemingly drunk patron, one of the gallery owners is murdered and a valuable artwork is stolen.

Jake accepts the case not for the money, but because he feels responsible for the death of a man who was essentially under his protection. The story then offers a vivid glimpse of New York City in 1985, drawing on the author’s personal experiences living there for many years. There is…

Ultimately, Jake gets revenge for his boss’s murder, but accidentally destroys a valuable artifact the killers unknowingly stole during the crime.

Lost Marvels No. 3: Savage Tales of the 1980 is on sale now.

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2026-02-19 21:42