Wednesday, November 14, 2007

1970's Flashback: Tigra



Tigra (Greer Grant) was originally introduced as the non-super powered crime fighter The Cat in Claws of the Cat #1 (Nov. 1972), she was co-created by writers Roy Thomas & Linda Fite, and artist Marie Severin. The Cat mutated into the superpowered were-woman Tigra in Giant-Size Creatures #1 (July 1974), by writer Tony Isabella and Don Perlin.

The Claws of the Cat was released as one of a trio of Marvel Comics specifically aimed at a female audience, along with Night Nurse and Shanna the She-Devil. The series only last four issues, and each had a different art team. Marie Severin was paired with acclaimed artist Wally Wood as inker for the premiere issue, followed by Severin and inker Jim Mooney on issue #2; then newcomer Paty Greer co-penciling with 1940s legend Bill Everett (who also inked) in issue #3; and finally Jim Starlin & Alan Weiss co-penciling the finale, with Frank McLaughlin inking.


The Cat next appeared in Marvel Team-Up #8 (April 1973), but the character was then totally revamped as the super-powered, part-animal Tigra in a two-part story in Giant-Size Creatures #1 (July 1974) and Werewolf by Night #20 (Aug. 1974). Tigra went on to guest-star often throughout the Marvel Universe and later made her solo debut in a 15-page story in the black-and-white magazine Monsters Unleashed #10 (Feb. 1975). This was followed by a brief run in the series Marvel Chillers #3-7 (Feb.-Oct. 1976), and a single appearance in Marvel Premiere #42 (June 1978). She has been a long-time member of the superhero-team, The Avengers.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Chuck,
I don't know if I'd term The Cat non-super powered. In her debut issue both Greer Grant Nelson and Shirlee Bryant gained enhanced sensory and physical abilities. That's one of the things that differentiates them from Patsy Walker, who later became the Hellcat just by donning its costume.
Hope this helps,
Darci
darci386@yahoo.com

Chuck Wells said...

Darci, I went back and reread my Tigra Flashback and all I can say to you is when you're right - you are right. Thanks for the correction.

I have that issue and failed to recheck it before my original post. Fading memories account for some of the blame also. Thanks for checking the blog out.