Strange #189
Strange #189 is a prime example of Editions Lug's role as the gateway through which French readers first encountered some of Marvel's most consequential early-1980s storylines. The issue packages three significant American originals under one cover: the debut of the Hobgoblin in Amazing Spider-Man #238–239, which launched one of the decade's most protracted villain-identity mysteries; the first appearance of Yuriko Oyama (later Lady Deathstrike) in Daredevil #197, a character who would become central to Wolverine's mythology; and Alpha Flight #10, which delivers the origin stories of both Northstar and Sasquatch alongside a brawl with the Super-Skrull. For French collectors, this is the first domestic printing of the Hobgoblin's origin — making it an important artifact of Marvel's transatlantic reach during the Bronze Age.
In "Bataille de titans," Daredevil's journey to Japan takes an unexpected turn when he rescues Dark Wind's daughter from captivity, setting off a high-stakes mission across the country. With the help of a determined ally, he races to stop Bullseye from completing a dangerous fix on Yuriko's father before it's too late. Written by Denny O'Neil and illustrated by William Johnson, Klaus Janson, and Larry Hama, with inks by Mike Mignola and Klaus Janson, and colors by Christie Scheele, this 1985 issue features a striking cover by Jean Frisano.
In a brutal clash of strength and smarts, Sasquatch pushes the Super Skrull to his limits—only to outthink him when brute force isn't enough. Meanwhile, Guardian has settled into the pulse of New York City, a quiet shift amid the chaos.
In "L'ombre d'un sinistre passé !", a desperate small-time crook named Georgie barely escapes Spider-Man only to stumbles upon a hidden Green Goblin lair. With a reckless gamble, he delivers the intel to a shadowy figure known only as Roderick Kingsley—whose true identity remains hidden—before meeting a swift end. Now, Kingsley begins to experiment with the dangerous technology, setting a dark and unpredictable course in motion.
In "Le voyage...", Daredevil crosses paths with Jo, the daughter of the enigmatic Dark Wind, as he journeys to Japan. Trapped and bound, she becomes an unexpected ally as they race to stop Yuriko's father from restoring the broken Bullseye before he can strike again.
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We Buy Collections ▸History
Editions Lug, a Lyon-based publisher, held the French Marvel license from 1970 onward, producing Strange as a monthly anthology reprint magazine that translated and reformatted American material for a youth audience. The magazine operated under France's youth-publication commission and routinely softened violent imagery — removing weapons from panels and occasionally excising entire pages — creating versions of the stories that sometimes differ visually from their US originals. Issue #189 appeared in September 1985 at the height of Lug's publishing activity, just a few years before the company's founder Auguste Vistel died and the eventual 1989 sale to the Semic Group began to wind down the Lug era.
Trivia · 8 facts
- Published September 1985 by Editions Lug (Lyon, France); 100 pages, full color, French language.
- Reprints Amazing Spider-Man (1963 series) #238 and #239 — the first appearance and second appearance of the Hobgoblin, written by Roger Stern with art by John Romita Jr. and John Romita Sr.
- Reprints Daredevil (1964 series) #197 (August 1983) — the first appearance of Yuriko Oyama, created by writer Dennis O'Neil and artist William Johnson; she later becomes Lady Deathstrike.
- Reprints Alpha Flight (1983 series) #10 by John Byrne, which contains the origins of both Northstar (Jean-Paul Beaubier) and Sasquatch (Walter Langkowski), and features a battle between Sasquatch and the Super-Skrull (Kl'rt).
- The Hobgoblin's true identity — as shown in the reprinted ASM issues — was deliberately kept secret by Roger Stern and was not resolved until the Spider-Man: Hobgoblin Lives limited series in 1997.
- Daredevil #197 establishes that Lord Dark Wind (Yuriko's father) created the adamantium-bonding process later used on Wolverine, a plot thread that ties directly to Alpha Flight and Wolverine's ongoing mythos.
- As was standard Lug practice, the reprinted stories were subject to French youth-publication censorship guidelines, potentially altering violent imagery from the original American printings.
- Strange #189 was also collected in Lug album Rec063, grouping issues #188 through #190, released October 1985.
Cast · 40 characters
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Reprints
↩ Reprints The Amazing Spider-Man #238 (1983), The Amazing Spider-Man #239 (1983), Daredevil #197 (1983), Alpha Flight #10 (1984), Une Aventure de l'Araignée #25 (1985), Spécial Strange #41 (1985), Un Récit Complet Marvel #7 (1985)
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