1982: BLOCKBUSTER ISSUE 9 (MARVEL UK)

From February 1982: the ninth and final issue of MARVEL UK's less-than-memorable BLOCKBUSTER. The blink-and-you-missed-it monthly featured a stable line-up of Omega, Iron Fist and the Inhumans throughout the brief run. It merged with RAMPAGE the following month.

1982: BLOCKBUSTER ISSUE 8 (MARVEL UK)

From January 1982: a pretty beat up copy of the penultimate issue of Marvel UK's decidedly brief BLOCKBUSTER.

The line-up was, as per usual, Iron Fist, the Inhumans and Omega the Unknown. 

1981: BLOCKBUSTER ISSUE 7 (MARVEL UK)

From December1981: the seventh issue of MARVEL UK's ignored-then-and-now BLOCKBUSTER Monthly, unsung home of the Inhuman, Iron Fist and Omega the (completely) Unknown. A stellar line-up to be sure.

1981: BLOCKBUSTER PART SEVEN: ISSUE 6 (Marvel UK)

From November 1981: More of the same as MARVEL UK's BLOCKBUSTER hits it's sixth (of nine) issue. 

1981: BLOCKBUSTER PART SIX: ISSUE 5 (Marvel UK)

From October 1981: the fifth issue of BLOCKBUSTER monthly, from Marvel UK. 

1981: BLOCKBUSTER PART 5: ISSUE 4 (Marvel UK)

From September (but probably on-sale any day now) 1981: the fourth issue of MARVEL UK's (less than) BLOCKBUSTER monthly.

Note the slightly redesigned logo which continued to use the US style "Marvel Magazine Group" header but now also incorporated the more British "A Marvel Monthly" for good measure. 

1981: BLOCKBUSTER PART 4: ISSUE 3 (Marvel UK)

From August 1981 (so it was probably about to actually go on sale any day now): BLOCKBUSTER, from MARVEL UK, issue 3.

Just in time to alert Star Age Marvel fans (with deep pockets) that the MARVEL EPIC COLLECTION of softback trade paperbacks (at hardback prices) have recently (yesterday!) released a POWERMAM & IRON FIST collection to accompany the IRON FIST sole reprints from a few weeks ago.  Sweet Christmas indeed. 

1981: BLOCKBUSTER PART 3: ISSUE 2 (Marvel UK)

From the summer of 1981:  The second issue of MARVEL UK's shortlived dalliance with the (relatively) obscure (IE Iron Fist, Omega and The Inhumans*): BLOCKBUSTER.

*The Inhumans are now, thirty-plus years later, on the cusp of becoming something big.  Now that Marvel have twigged that they still retain the movie rights to an ensemble they hope will beat The X-Men at their own game.  Only at the mixed-up world of the batty Bullpen. 

1981: BLOCKBUSTER PART 2: ISSUE 1 (Marvel UK)

From June 1981:  Probably the most improbably titled series from the entire MARVEL UK oeuvre: the launch issue of BLOCKBUSTER monthly.

The Annex of Ideas tested the title (with a line-up of Thor and Omega) the previous Winter but cobbled together different contents for the ongoing version.  Omega returned, now accompanied by the b-list line-up of Iron Fist (last seen in the previous year's MARVEL SUPER ADVENTURE WINTER SPECIAL) and the Inhumans.  Three perfectly serviceable strips but hardly a combo worthy of the title.

Interestingly, Marvel adopted the US Marvel Magazine Group house style for Blockbuster's cover design.  As far as I recall, this was the only place it was rolled out here... adding to the impression that this was an outsider even within the ranks of the British Bullpen.  

Blockbuster eventually ran for nine issues before succumbing, in the traditional turn-of-the-year cull of under performing titles, the following January.  The last issue was dated February 1982. 

1980: BLOCKBUSTER PART 1: BLOCKBUSTER WINTER SPECIAL (Marvel UK)

From late 1980: MARVEL UK's BLOCKBUSTER WINTER SPECIAL starring Thor and Omega the Unknown... and precursor for a new blink-and-you-missed-it monthly the following year.

- To Be Continued -

1980: BLOCKBUSTER WINTER SPECIAL (Marvel UK)

This was another test-the-water one-shot, published by MARVEL UK in late 1980.

It must have been deemed a sufficient success (possibly thanks to the amazing cover art) to return the next year as (the inappropriately named) BLOCKBUSTER resurfaced as a monthly with Omega, The Inhumans and Iron Fist.  With a line-up like that, it's no wonder it didn't last the year.

Thor didn't reprise his slot for the ongoing series, presumably because he was already booked into VALOUR… followed by MARVEL ACTION and, before the end of the year, CAPTAIN AMERICA.  He finally graduated to his own solo weekly, the first to appear with colour interiors, in 1983.