0113: Marvel Premiere #13
Cover Date: January 1974 On-Sale Date: October 16, 1973
This is the penultimate tale of Doc's run in Marvel Premiere. We're getting the return of Baron Mordo. Italian occultist Cagliostro is heavily referenced, but doesn't genuinely appear. Finally a new character who will only recur once more after the next issue but is incredibly important for reasons to be revealed in the review of next issue. Let's see what happens when Doc tries to fulfil an obligatory courtesy of informing the Baron that he's the new head magician in charge.
After casting a spell from Cagliostro's book at the end of last issue Doc is taking the weird back road through time. As he travels he helps Mr. Englehart and Mr. Brunner burn some real estate by recalling highlights from the previous issue. Conveniently, as his reminisces end, he runs into goal. The Baron is right in front of him. He's as arrogant as ever, but it's too soon in the story for the obsequious jerk stage. Don't worry. It will come.
Mordo recounts Doc's unretirement and reveals he knows that Doc is Sorcerer Supreme. Thinking he won't be able to overcome this, he discovered Cagliostro's book and decides he will attempt to circumvent these events by altering the past and setting himself up as head magician in charge, and more.
Once Mordo's rant ends the pair start flinging magical bolts at each other until a strange weakness overcomes both of them. Brunner's rendition of the battle is simple, but beautiful.
Mordo has been expecting this and is prepared. He continues his trip back in time leaving Doc in his time-dust. Doc follows and winds up in 18th century Paris where Count di Cagliostro is being paraded through the streets.
Doc waits a bit and then visits the "Count" at his home, informing him about Mordo and his plan and including an image of Mordo in an adorable little magic TV set.
It's been awhile since we've seen one of those smoky video screens. Thanks Mr. Brunner! "Cagliostro" deduces that both of Doc and his hairline challenged foe have read his book, expresses a slight bit of regret at composing it, says he's about to leave and then mystically bolts on out of there. It's kinda cool.
Doc disguises himself as the "Count". While enjoying temporarily being a higher ranking noble than his foe, he discovers a book that will wind up in his study. He inscribes a note to Clea in it and we quickly flash forward to 1973 where Clea is reading it as the inscription pops into existence. Right after completing his clever trick the Baron appears with the intention of demoting Doc's assumed rank.
The Baron wishes to form an alliance with the "Count" and simultaneously puts his hand on his shoulder while spouting Doc's name. He realizes that the "Count" is Doc in disguise and the two start their magical cat fight once again.
Both realize that they are weaker than they should be but can still blow each other to bits. After some illusionary trickery on Doc's part he employs the All-Purpose Amulet to keep the Baron in one place. Mordo rages on like a madman and vanishes. Doc reasons that something more powerful than the eye stole Mordo away, but there should be no such power. He's the head magician in charge after all.
Someone is approaching Cagliostro's home and Doc re-disguises himself and magically cleans the house. It turns out that Doc is coming to visit, or more correctly, a shade of the past is repeating itself. Doc's double then vanishes. (People come and go so quickly here! 😜) A tendril of energy slinks into the house and coagulates into the "Cagliostro" Doc encountered earlier. He attacks Doc and then the Baron appears attacking him from the other side. Doc falls and the Baron assumes the "Count" is a new ally. He assumes wrong and "Cagliostro" strikes Mordo down.
"Cagliostro" reveals himself to be the 31st century sorcerer named Sise-Neg. Sise-Neg then gives a massive text dump that explains what's going on and gives a reveal of his very 70s looks.
Yup, the golden guy wants to go to the beginning of time and remake everything. It's basically Mordo's plan taken up a few notches. Here's where Mordo gets obsequious. He plans to brown nose our potential god to make him ruler of the contemporary era. Mordo then follows Sise-Neg back into the past. Doc recovers and follows them both.
Lots going on here and it's enormous fun. It's a great build up to next issue's climax and the small cast makes it oddly intimate. There are cute touches like Doc inscribing the book to Clea while in the middle of crisis showing he's always thinking of her and is probably a big reason why he does all this in the first place. It's a delightful moment.
Sise-Neg's design was probably really cool when this was first published, but hasn't really aged well. I think it may have influenced one of The Beyonder's designs.
Mordo is well handled here. Englehart balances his toady-ness with his ambition. He never bends a knee but knows when a bit of subordination could be advantageous. He's also more in-charge and aware then in the past. I'm liking this Mordo.
Overall, it's great!
