Avengers 137 pg. 30 - 1st Oh My Stars and Garters

This is purely a nostalgic buy for me, as I am not typically a collector of superhero art. But this page and particular issue of Avengers is very memorable. I bought this off of a spinner rack back in 1975 and have loved the Beast character ever since. With Steve Englehart assuming the writing chores, this was a new direction and lineup for the Avengers. Englehart wrote all but one issue of the Beast's run in Amazing Adventures, and having a warm spot in his heart for the blue furry mutant, brought him to the Avengers. However, the Beast's personality in that early solo run was dry and serious and nothing like the comedic hero he would become; beginning with this issue. From his first panel appearance in the book, in which he shows up disguised as Edward G. Robinson, it's clear that Hank McCoy is a different guy, wise-cracking and letting the jokes fly. This particular page, also introduces a phrase that the Beast will utter countless times as an Avenger and throughout his comic career..."Oh My Stars and Garters"! Englehart's decision to overhaul the Beast's personality, is the greatest contribution to the evolution of the character. It would be hard to imagine him NOT being the hilarious wisea$$ we've grown to love.

This page is an inverse of the cover, with all characters present and the Beast leaping away, instead of towards.