Strange Tales #102

Cover Date: November 1962

Plot Overview: The Wizard watches a newsreel of the Human Torch defeating the Destroyer from the previous issue. He decides that he's going to use his powers to defeat the Human Torch. He uses a machine and pretends to be captured and draws the Human Torch out to save him. The Wizard brings the Torch to his house as a thank you.

He shows the Torch many of his inventions and uses one to douse the Torch's flames. The Wizard locks him up and uses a costume to disguise himself as the Torch. Disguised as the Torch he runs amok around the city.

The Torch regains his flames and escapes his prison. He confronts the Wizard and the Wizard challenges him to face him tonight. The Torch says that he'll defeat the Wizard with a phone call. The Torch arrives and the Wizard has a challenge for him. He has photos that prove the Torch's innocence. The Torch has to either kill the Wizard with his flames or flame off and fight him like a man. If the Torch does nothing then the Wizard will throw the pictures into the fire.

The Torch says he has a hidden power, the power to move things. The pictures leave the hands of the Wizard and into the hands of the Torch. The Wizard gives himself up. After the Wizard is taken away, Sue Richards reveals herself. They talk about how smart the Wizard was but he couldn't think of everything.

My Take: This issue was a really fun read. The art was good and the pacing was really fun. This is one of the first of the anthology stories that I've read that really seemed to work. It was 13 pages but it was fast paced and is leaving the character development to the Fantastic Four title. The story was really simple and had a logical conclusion.

This wasn't an all-time classic or anything. This was like that 80s action movie that you really enjoyed and watched 10 times but isn't highly thought of in a critical sense. Some of these issues can be a real chore to get through but this one was a real pleasure. I had my doubt about reading Human Torch stories but this gives me hope that it will be a solid read every month.

I'd give this ***1/4 out of *****

Notes: This is the first appearance of the Wizard. The Wizard becomes a fairly regular antagonist of the Fantastic Four over the decades. He'll eventually become a member of the Frightful Four. This is also one of the first books where the events of the last issue directly impacted the events of this book. The Wizard watched the Human Torch on a newsreel and then decided to challenge him.

Next Issue: Fantastic Four #9

Incredible Hulk #4

Cover Date: November 1962

Plot Overview: Betty Ross details how she met Bruce Banner and how he was involved in the gamma bomb explosion. She recounts how the Hulk first showed up around then too. She realizes that there's a connection between Rick Jones and both Banner and the Hulk. She goes to her father and asks him to find Rick Jones.

Rick Jones sends the Hulk away before the military captures him. The Hulk wanders about until Rick Jones summons him back to rescue him from the military. Rick takes the Hulk to a secret lab where he uses a gamma ray device to turn the Hulk back into Bruce Banner. Banner has devised a way to turn himself into the Hulk and retain his mind.

Banner becomes the Hulk and saves a family in a burning cabin. He flees the scene when the sheriff opens fire on him. The new Hulk/Banner combo seems to be getting more wild and savage. The Hulk returns to the lab and turns himself back into Banner. Banner retires to bed worrying about if he can continue to control the Hulk.

In the second story an alien named Mongu arrives on Earth. He challenges the mightiest creature on Earth to face him in a battle. Banner changes into the Hulk and arrives to face Mongu. Mongu reveals himself to be a trap set by the Communists. They want to capture him so that their scientists can study him. Hulk defeats the Communists with relative ease. Meanwhile, the general public blames the Hulk for the Mongu hoax as the issue ends.

My Take: This book has really been in a tailspin the last 2 issues. Stan Lee seems to be in panic mode as he's now changed the direction of the book in a serious way yet again. He seems to be throwing everything at the wall and hoping something sticks to save the book. I know Marvel was really new at this point but they probably could've given the book a couple of years and give audiences a chance to attach to the book. Not everything can grab enough of an audience long enough to survive.

So with those frustrations aside let's get down to a review. The art was a little weaker than last issue. It seemed a little more rushed and they seemed a little lost as to where to take the Hulk in this issue. So they threw us a reboot and a second story where he fights some bad guys. I personally don't like this direction for the Hulk. I feel the combination of the two personalities runs counter to what Stan Lee was going for in the first place. Banner is still struggling with the monster within, just in a less direct way. I kind of liked the nocturnal Hulk.

The stories themselves were solid enough. It was nice to see the Hulk in action again this issue. The second story was mostly action and was enjoyable. Regular people are nice for really showing off how powerful the Hulk is supposed to be.

This book historically is in a lot of trouble at this point and gets cancelled with issue 6. The book really reeks of the desperation to keep it afloat right now and that's hurting the overall product.

I'd give this issue **1/4 out of *****

Notes: There was nothing of note in this issue.

Next Issue: Strange Tales #102

Journey Into Mystery #86

Cover Date: November 1962

Plot Overview: The future was become a peaceful place except for one man. He is a scientist named Zarrko. He's built a time machine and heads back to the past to find a destructive weapon to conquer the future with. Meanwhile in 1962, Thor is helping the U.S. military test a new weapon called a cobalt bomb. Zarrko appears, grabs the bomb and heads back to the future.

Thor calls upon Odin for help. Odin instructs Thor to tape a piece of Zarrko's time machine to the hammer and swing it really hard and he'll appear in the future. Thor makes his way to the future and learns that Zarrko has become a dictator in the future. Zarrko spies his arrival and sends his security to apprehend Thor. Thor makes short work of the guards and makes his way to Zarrko. Zarrko springs a trap but Thor reveals that it was an imposter Thor that came in first.

Zarrko fails to send Thor to another dimension and then sends an army of robots after him. The robots grab the Hammer and it's a race against time. Thor pulls out a water pipe and floods the room to disable the robots. Thor regains the Hammer as Zarrko makes his escape in a ship. Thor summons up a great storm and Zarrko loses control of the ship.

Thor grabs the bombs as Zarrko's ship crashes. The authorities arrive and Zarrko has lost his memory. The doctors mention that he'll never regain his memories. Thor returns to the present and hands the bomb over to the U.S. military. The issue ends with Jane Foster wishing Blake wasn't so boring and Blake comments that some people read about the news while others make it.

My Take: I'm going to shake things up a bit here and go with the bad stuff first. For starters I hate when these 13 page titles have a splash preview page. I understand why they do it but a page is valuable real estate in an anthology feature. Some of these stories feel really rushed and a page would help to flesh it out more.

The story of this issue was really annoying too. Zarrko is a scientist in the future, he can build a time machine and he needs to go 300 years into the past to get a weapon? Really? He can't build his own bomb and take over the future? That is a picture perfect example of the ridiculous stories that would pop up in Silver Age titles like this.

Speaking of that. This issue really shows the dichotomy that Marvel is at this point in their history. On one hand you have groundbreaking things going on like all of the character development in the Fantastic Four and a teenage hero in Spider-Man. On the other hand you have books with ridiculous plots like this one and the whole Tales To Astonish Ant-Man stuff. In fairness to Marvel, they've been doing superheroes for exactly a year at this point. It's understandable that they haven't quite found their voice yet.

Onto the positives of this issue. It was a quick read and it was a fun read despite the plot holes. Keeping Asgard as a constant for Thor is a real positive too as it distinguishes the book from everyone else. This issue showed that Thor isn't just a dumb ox, he can be clever and strategic when he wants to be. I feel they really developed the Thor side of the equation this time. Hopefully he starts acting more like an Asgardian soon and drops Don Blake's personality being in control as Thor.

I'd give this issue ** out of *****

Notes: This issue is the first appearance of Zarrko. Zarrko pops up from time to time to bother Thor and sometimes the Fantastic Four. I would qualify him as a C list villain in the Marvel Universe though.

Next Issue: Incredible Hulk #4

Tales to Astonish #37

Cover Date: November 1962

Plot Overview: Ant-Man responds to a police call. He arrives at a local jeweler and learns that a man calling himself the Protector has been shaking down the local jewelers. He has a disintegration ray that he'll use to destroy the jewels and maybe even the jewelers themselves. Ant-Man has his ants stake out the local jewelry stores until the Protector arrives. Ant-Man confronts the Protector and has the ants trip him up with a necklace. They head outside and the Protector uses a water gun to wash Ant-Man away. Ant-Man saves himself with a straw.

Ant-Man decides to rent out a local jewelry store and waits for the Protector as Henry Pym. The Protector eventually arrives and makes his demands for protection money. Pym agrees and then becomes the Ant-Man after the Protector leaves. Ant-Man follows the Protector to an apartment.

Inside the Protector catches Ant-Man with a vacuum cleaner but Ant-Man uses his strength to punch out of the bag. Ant-Man uses a fan to blow the contents of the vacuum cleaner bag into the face of the Protector. The cops thank Ant-Man as the story ends.

My Take: The art was pretty good in this issue. They seem to have figured out how to make the action look fairly decent in the book. I'm glad he's not just riding ants around.

As far as the as the story. Henry Pym does not work as a solo character if you ask me. He at least needs the Wasp but I'd argue he needs the Avengers. His powers aren't that interesting. He has no supporting cast. The villains have all been one shots so far. The book really just needs a lot of development. I am not a fan of the Tales to Astonish stories so far.

I'd give this *1/2 out of *****

Notes: There was nothing of note in this issue. The Protector is a one shot villain as far as I know.

Next Issue: Journey Into Mystery #86

Fantastic Four #8

Cover Date: November 1962

Plot Overview: The Thing decides to leave the Fantastic Four after Reed won't let him into the lab. Sue follows him and tries to convince him to return. As they're talking they see a man climbing the bridge and preparing to jump. Reed and the Torch save the day.

The scene shifts to a man called the Puppet Master and his daughter Alicia. He found radioactive clay that allows him to control people if he makes a clay puppet of him. He decides to target the FF after they interfered with his plans. He makes a puppet of the Thing and summons him to his home.

The Thing obeys and Sue follows. As they arrive Alicia, who is blind, reveals that Sue is also there. The Puppet Master quickly uses ether to capture Sue. He then disguises Alicia as Sue and sends her off with the Thing. The Puppet Master then takes control of the warden to the local prison.

The Thing attacks Reed and the Torch and Reed tricks Thing into striking a certain experiment. The chemicals turn the Thing back into Ben Grimm. Reed explains that he didn't let Thing into the lab because he didn't want to reveal the experiment before it worked. Ben turns back into the Thing and Alicia seems to have taken a liking to him.

Sue awakens and tries to escape the Puppet Master and ultimately fails. She does manage to alert the FF and they arrive on the scene. They fight a giant robot and the Puppet Master makes his escape. The FF then thwart the prison riot that the Puppet Master had created.

The book ends as the Puppet Master reveals his plans for world domination to Alicia and ultimately slips on a puppet of himself and falls out the window.

My Take: The art to this issue was really good. This book had a decent amount of action in it considering the Puppet Master really has no powers. It was a fairly quick and light read as well. I enjoyed the story quite a bit and I'm not really a Puppet Master fan. The issue wasn't a classic or anything like that. It was just a fun read.

There wasn't a lot of character development in this issue. The Thing got the bulk of it as his future love interest in Alicia was brought in. The books at this point seem to take one character per issue and focus on developing them in some way. I didn't see that in this book and I felt it suffered a little because of that. All four characters need some work and fleshing out. They're a lot more developed than their contemporaries at DC but still lacking pieces that you know and love about the characters.

I'd give this issue **1/2 out of *****

Notes: This is the first appearance of the Puppet Master and Alicia Masters. The Puppet Master will become a fairly big villain for the Fantastic Four over the years. He's never on the level of a Dr. Doom but he's a solid secondary threat. Alicia Masters will become a love interest for the Thing. The Thing also is starting to crack wise a little more. He's still mostly about the tantrums and tirades but the jokes are slowly creeping in.

Next Issue: Tales To Astonish #37

Strange Tales #101

Cover Date: October 1962

Plot Overview: A local amusement park has received several threats in the mail by a man calling himself the Destroyer. Several attempts at sabotage are made but the Human Torch makes the save each and every time.

The Destroyer finally challenges the Human Torch to a battle. The Torch arrives but falls into a trap laid by the Destroyer. The Torch is saved by several teenagers arriving on the scene. The Torch heads back to the park to see what the Destroyer is after.

The Torch finds a submarine and uses his powers to force them to surface. The police arrive and with the help of the Torch they capture the crew and the Destroyer. It's revealed that the Destroyer is the owner of the paper that was receiving the threats. The Torch reveals that they're Communists and that the park was interfering with the Destroyer's ability to pass on information.

My Take: This was a fairly throwaway issue. It felt more like one of those one shot backups you'd find in the back of an Annual or something like that. This also didn't feel much like the Human Torch. They're pushing the secret identity part really hard and that doesn't seem to be a factor in the Fantastic Four books.

The story itself was a quick read and generic. You could've stuck almost any character in here and gotten the same story. It wasn't badly written, it just wasn't original. The art was a little rough around the edges. It felt a little rushed and looked more like earlier in the year when they were still trying to figure the characters out.

I'd give this issue * out of *****

Notes: The Human Torch becomes a regular feature in Strange Tales. He'll keep the top billing in this comic until Nick Fury and SHIELD take over several years later in issue 135. This is also the first and only appearance of the Destroyer in the Marvel Universe. This story also establishes that the Human Torch has a secret identity that he's operating under.

Next Issue: Fantastic Four #8

Journey Into Mystery #85

Cover Date: October 1962

Plot Overview: Loki manages to escape his imprisonment in a tree on Asgard and comes to Earth in search of Thor. Loki arrives on Earth and uses his magic to draw Thor out of hiding. Loki challenges him to a battle in the air.

As Thor follows, Loki uses his magic to hypnotize Thor. Loki sees this as a good opportunity for mischief and heads back towards the ground. Loki decides to separate Thor from the Hammer and makes several unsuccessful attempts at it. Loki finally gets Thor to let go of the Hammer and they head off. Loki is distracted by several people trying to pick the Hammer up and doesn't notice Thor change back to Dr. Don Blake.

Blake grabs the Hammer and becomes Thor once again. Thor chases Loki for the rest of the issue before finally knocking him into the water with a big steel pipe. Loki's powers are rendered useless in the water so Thor uses this chance to use the Hammer as a way to return Loki to Asgard.

The issue ends with Blake and Foster talking about the battle that just happened between Thor and Loki.

My Take: This issue was a pretty quick and light read. It's an important issue as it introduced one of Thor's main villains and introduced Asgard. It yet again featured pretty good art. I also really like that this issue turned Thor into a much more unique superhero. He really felt generic in the first two issues and after this issue it feels like he has a different flavor than anything else out there.

The story was pretty forgettable unfortunately. Most of it is Thor chasing Loki and Loki hypnotizing Thor. There wasn't any character development for Don Blake or Jane Foster which I didn't like. Blake is a very bland character right now and Stan Lee doesn't seem that interested in doing anything with him. Overall I'd call this an important issue that is completely forgettable story wise.

I'd give this **1/4 out of *****

Notes: This is the first appearance of Loki, Heimdall and Asgard. Odin is also credited as appearing in this comic but I don't recall him being directly referred to as Odin. This issue starts adding the more fantasy and Norse elements to the Thor comics. I would argue that Thor survived past this because of Asgard and all of the Norse stuff. It made him unique and different vs. being a blonde haired Superman. Loki, of course, becomes one of the big name Thor villains for years to come. That's really it for this issue.

Next Issue: Strange Tales #101

Tales to Astonish #36

Cover Date: October 1962

Plot Overview: The Communists have called upon Comrade X to capture Ant-Man so that they can learn the secrets of his ability to shrink. They want to use it so they can invade other countries undetected.

Meanwhile in the United States a woman has arrived at the police station. She must see Ant-Man immediately. The police tell her that Ant-Man just arrives when he's needed most. Some nearby ants overhear the conversation and it eventually gets to Henry Pym. Pym becomes Ant-Man and arrives at the police station. He hides in the woman's purse.

Ant-Man reveals himself to her at her hotel. She explains that she's out for revenge against against Comrade X and tells Ant-Man what X's plans are. Later that night Ant-Man heads to the pier but Comrade X captures him.

Ant-Man uses his electronic helmet to summon more ants. They help release him and together they take out most of Comrade X's men. Ant-Man confronts X but X has a atomizer full of DDT. The ants cover the lights and Ant-Man trips up X. The ants pull a mask off Comrade X to reveal it was the woman from earlier. Ant-Man reveals that he rode around in her purse and found the mask. The police arrive to arrest X and her men as the issue comes to an end.

My Take: I don't have a lot to say about this issue. Ant-Man takes out a spy and that's really it. He's not getting any real significant development and he doesn't have a supporting cast to interact with. This title needs a lot of work to be interesting. This was a really forgettable issue.

I give this *1/2 out of *****

Notes: Henry Pym changed the serum into a gas form so that it was easier to carry around in this issue. That's about all.

Next Issue: Journey Into Mystery #85

Fantastic Four #7

Cover Date: October 1962

Plot Overview: Planet X is being menaced by a runaway asteroid. Kurrgo sends one of the only two rockets they have to Earth to fetch the Fantastic Four. Meanwhile, the Fantastic Four are arguing about attending a very important dinner in D.C. Sue, Johnny and Thing all seem hesitant to go and have their reasons for it. Reed finally convinces them and as they head to the dinner the spaceship lands.

The robot of Kurrgo uses an aggression ray to turn the population of Earth against the Fantastic Four. The robot later confronts the FF and offers them a chance to come to Planet X. He explains that they'll eventually be captured if they stay on Earth and Planet X is safe for them.

They arrive on Planet X and Kurrgo explains the situation. He also explains that the FF will die with his planet if they don't figure something out. Johnny and the Thing attack the robot but Sue ultimately breaks up the fight. Reed gets to work and develops a reducing gas. With this gas they can shrink the entire population of Planet X so that they can fit on one spaceship. They can find a new planet and start over.

The asteroid approaches and Kurrgo releases them to escape in the other ship. The FF have to escape through a planet that is breaking apart at the seams but eventually make it to their ship.

Meanwhile the population of Planet X shrinks down and begins to enter the ship. Kurrgo dreams of using the antidote on just himself and being a thousand times larger than everyone else on Planet X. Kurrgo lags behind and drops the antidote as the planet breaks apart. Kurrgo tries to pick it up and then realizes the ship has taken off without him.

As the FF head back to Earth, Reed reveals that there was no antidote. He says that size is relative and it won't really matter for the people of Planet X anyways.

My Take: This issue felt like filler more than anything. There was no real significant character development in this issue. It showed off Reed's scientific prowess and I guess this is the first issue that really focused on him. He's still the least developed of the three. He's smart leader guy right now and that's about it. Johnny, Sue and Thing are much more well rounded as characters.

The art was good this issue. I love old 1950s and 60s style robots and this issue had the perfect example of one.

The plot was a little ridiculous though. This is a perfect example of an over thought Silver Age comics solution to a problem. I also didn't see the point of the double cross on Reed's part. The aliens really didn't have any other option so why offer a fake antidote. They would've gone along either way. I didn't really care for this issue that much. The last couple of issues really had a definite direction to it with Namor and Dr. Doom and this issue really felt out of place to me. It felt like this issue was a victim of the title going monthly. I wouldn't be surprised if this was in the vault or something and the issue that they meant to do wasn't ready yet.

I'd give this issue *1/2 out of *****

Notes: This is the first appearance of Kurrgo. This is also the first time that the Fantastic Four have traveled to another planet. That's really it for this issue.

Next Issue: Tales to Astonish #36

Incredible Hulk #3

Cover Date: September 1962

Plot Overview: The issue begins with Hulk locked in the secret cave room that they discovered previously. Rick heads off to get some sleep but gets picked up by the military. General Ross meets with Rick and tells him that they need the Hulk to test a rocket. Rick mulls it over and decides that it's his civic duty to help the United States.

Rick releases the Hulk and leads him into the cockpit of the rocket. The rocket blasts off and General Ross reveals that the rocket is to make sure the Hulk never returns to Earth. Rick overhears this conversation and looks for ways to get Banner back to Earth.

Meanwhile in space the Hulk reverts to Bruce Banner and the ship heads into a radiation field. Banner is once again bathed in radiation. At the same time Rick hits the button to make the rocket return to Earth. Rick gets a shot of the radiation and it creates a link between him and the Hulk.

The rocket crashes back to Earth and the Hulk emerges and chases Rick. Rick begs him to stop and the Hulk does. Rick realizes that the Hulk has to follow his mental commands now. Rick and the Hulk head to Banner's cottage and Rick decides to sleep. When he wakes up he realizes the Hulk is gone. The Hulk has begun rampaging in a local town and the local state troopers can't stop him. Rick arrives on the scene and gets the Hulk back under control.

Rick takes the Hulk back to the cave so he can get some sleep. While the Hulk is locked up Rick goes over the origin of the Hulk in his head.

The scene shifts as two FBI agents arrive at a small town. All of the inhabitants are frozen like statues and the agents comment that several towns have suffered similar fates. One agent finds a poster for the circus. The scene changes to the circus as the Ringmaster hypnotizes the crowd and has his minions loot the entire town.

Rick wakes up and takes the Hulk to the town where his Aunt Polly is. Rick stops in to wash up and get some food before hitting the town. Rick sees the circus and decides to attend. The Ringmaster begins to hypnotize the crowd but Rick manages to call for the Hulk. The Hulk arrives and knocks the Human Cannonball out of the tent. He approaches the Ringmaster but several minions use a fire hose to stun the Hulk. They lock the Hulk up and since Rick is hypnotized the Hulk can do nothing. The Ringmaster muses to himself about turning the Hulk into a special attraction when Rick and the FBI agents arrive. The Hulk springs to life and captures the Ringmaster. The military arrives and Rick has the Hulk grab him and make his escape. Thunderbolt Ross vows to capture the Hulk as the issue comes to an end.

My Take: Finally, some action in the Hulk. I had been waiting for two issues to see the Hulk battle some bad guys. The battles were pretty short in this book but at least I got to see the Hulk in action. The art was really good in this issue. The best art for the series so far. The story felt more like two stories tied together but I liked both stories for the most part. I've always had a soft spot for the Circus of Crime. They are lame as villains but I find them to be fun.

I'm not sure about how I feel towards the end development that Rick can mentally control the Hulk. I don't like it because it defeats the purpose of the Hulk but at the same time it's interesting. One thing that is starting to bother me is the constant retelling of origins. I know why they're doing it but it just gets old. I understand that they had a lot of new people checking out the books so they needed to do this. I hope that they slow down on that as 1963 hits and the books start taking off more.

I'd give this issue *** out of *****

Notes: This is the first appearance of the Silver Age Ringmaster and the Circus of Crime. A Ringmaster appeared in Captain America #5 as a Nazi agent and this Ringmaster is supposed to be his son. The extra dose of radiation has made it so that the Hulk is always the Hulk. Rick Jones also has mental control over the Hulk. Betty Ross was absent from this issue. There really wasn't a place to fit her in.

Next Issue: Fantastic Four #7

Journey Into Mystery #84

Cover Date: September 1962

Plot Overview: We start off with a recap of the last issue. The Kronans actually appear red in this issue instead of the greenish yellow they actually were. We come to present day as Dr. Don Blake and his nurse Jane Foster are making rounds. Blake is in love with Foster but dares not tell her due to his disability. Foster is also in love with Blake but feels he is not interested due to how he acts. They hear from a newspaper boy that revolution has broken out in a country called San Diablo.

A few weeks later Blake and Foster volunteer to take a trip to San Diablo for a medical relief visit. The ruler of San Diablo is the Executioner and he doesn't want the doctors arriving because he wants the citizens to stay sick and weak. The Executioner's army tries to stop the doctors numerous times but Blake manages to change into Thor and fight them off.

During one encounter they manage to capture Jane and Thor is forced to retreat. He becomes Blake again and turns himself over to the Executioner. The Executioner has become smitten with Jane and says he'll let Blake live if she marries him. Blake mouths off to the Executioner and then uses his cane to change into Thor.

Thor uses the Hammer to grab a tent and then wrap up most of the army with it. Then Thor makes a local volcano erupt and the military gives up. The Executioner tries to flee but is gunned down by his own people. Afterwards Blake explains his disappearance by climbing he fled to safety. The issue ends with Jane wishing that Blake was as brave as Thor.

My Take: This was a very old school comic. The superhero taking out the dictator of a small Communist country was a very cliche Silver Age storyline. I don't really know what to say about this issue honestly. The art was good and the story wasn't bad.

It just wasn't that interesting to me. I don't care for the small country dictator villain and seeing the superhero beat up on an army. I prefer super-villains or mobsters as my antagonists.

As I said, the issue wasn't bad. It just hit on a situation that doesn't interest me that much. It was still a solid effort from Marvel. There was some character development for Don Blake and Jane is decently developed.

I'd give this ** out of *****

Notes: This is the first appearance of Jane Foster. She's still around the Marvel Universe today. The Executioner is not the same as the Executioner that hangs out with the Enchantress. Thor is still talking as Dr. Blake and it's still referred to as the Hammer of Thor.

The love situation between Blake and Foster is also a pretty popular plot device in the early days of Marvel. You'll see the same storyline pop up in the Incredible Hulk and later with Daredevil. The Fantastic Four has a similar situation going on with Namor and Sue Storm too.

Next Issue: Incredible Hulk #3

Tales to Astonish #35

Cover Date: September 1962

Plot Overview: We start with a recap of the events of Tales to Astonish #27. Then we join Pym in the present as he decides to remake the formula. He feels that maybe one day mankind will be ready for the serum. He also makes an electronic helmet to communicate with ants and a red suit for protection.

The U.S. government decides to have Pym work on an anti-radiation serum. Word eventually reaches the Communist side of the world and they dispatch men to steal the formula. They take over Pym's laboratory and begin a search for the anti-radiation formula. Pym decides to use his serum and suit to try and save the formula and his assistants.

Pym escapes and heads to the local ant hill. One of the ants attacks and Pym discovers that he's retained his normal strength even while small. Pym defeats the ant and gets the other ants to follow him. They encounter a beetle on the surface but Pym uses his strength to bury the Bettle in the ground.

Back at the lab Pym unties his assistants and has his ants attack the Communist members. The ants disable their guns and the assistants take it from there. Pym rejoins his assistants and wonders if he'll ever need to be Ant-Man in the future.

My Take: This wasn't a terrible issue. The art was pretty good and the story was pretty well written. I don't know, the book just doesn't work. The ant stuff is ridiculous and he just seems useless for beating villains when he's small. There are uses to being small but he needs other heroes or the ability to become Giant-Man to really be viable to me.

Henry Pym is still pretty bland right now. He also lacks a supporting cast. This book needs a lot of developing done.

I'd give this issue a ** out of *****

Notes: Henry Pym's original story sold pretty well so they later decided to retool him as a superhero. That's why there was an 8 month gap between his first appearance and his second appearance. Pym will be a main feature in Tales to Astonish for a few years until Namor and the Hulk take over the book. Another interesting note, this is the only solo title that will ever be attempted for Henry Pym.

Next Issue: Journey Into Mystery #84

Fantastic Four #6

Cover Date: September 1962

Plot Overview: Sue arrives at the Baxter Building and finds the other members of the FF. There's been no sign of Dr. Doom since they battled him last issue. They go through some fan mail and then the scene shifts to the sea. Namor is out swimming with the fish of the ocean.

Dr. Doom spots Namor and approaches him in peace. Doom wants to team up with Namor because he feels that is the only way to beat the FF. Namor is hesitant because he doesn't want to injure Sue and it's obvious that he's in love with her. Doom convinces Namor that he should resume his mission of revenge. Doom shows Namor his invention the magnetic grabber. He gives it to Namor as part of his plan.

Namor comes to the surface and walks through the streets of New York. Meanwhile Johnny finds a picture of Namor and confronts Sue about it. They argue and as Reed and the Thing arrive so does Namor. Namor approaches them as a friend. Reed and Johnny don't believe him and search the building for possible traps. Just then the building begins to shake and lifts off of the ground.

Namor reveals that he planted the trap but Dr. Doom has double crossed him. The building lifts into space where Dr. Doom has a giant spaceship. He plans to hurl the Baxter Building into the sun. Reed and Johnny make failed attempts at stopping Doom. Namor finally decides it's up to him. After jumping into a tank of water he hurls himself into space. He breaks into Doom's ship but is shocked when he tries to open the hatch. Namor channels the electricity and uses it to blow up the cockpit. Doom is hurled into space and grabs onto an asteroid.

Back on Earth the FF find the device but can't remove it. Suddenly the device takes off on it's own. It returns to Doom's ship right before Namor crashes it into the sea. Namor returns to the sea as the issue ends.

My Take: This was another really good issue. This was primarily a Sue issue and she's being built on her crush on Namor. I find it interesting that her engagement to Reed has only been mentioned in passing but the Namor stuff has gotten a decent amount of screen time in two issues so far. I thought Dr. Doom was written a lot better in this issue. He was much more of a master schemer that used Namor and the FF as chess pieces to eliminate his biggest threats in the world.

There were a lot of little things to like. Reed explains how his suit stretches and I found that to be a nice touch. It was also interesting that Namor had built some comfort under the sea and it had eaten away at his desire for revenge against the human race. That was really an interesting concept to explore with that type of character.

The art in this issue was also really good. It's probably the best Fantastic Four issue to date as far as the art goes. My only complaint is that the FF have stopped appearing in civilian clothes. They just seem to wear the uniform around the Baxter Building. I kind of miss them having regular people clothes on.

Notes: This is the first time that the FF HQ was referred to as the Baxter Building. This issue also marks the first mention of the Yancy Street Gang. The Thing acted like he had heard of the gang but never had any dealings with them. Later on, it will be revealed that the Thing was a former leader of the gang. The Yancy Street Gang also eventually develop into a comedic foil for the Thing. Dr. Doom also saw a redesign in this issue. He looks more like his well known form. Last issue he had an outfit that you would expect to see on an elf or something.

Also a very important note. The Fantastic Four title becomes a monthly title with this issue.

Next Issue: Tales to Astonish #35

Amazing Fantasy #15

Cover Date: August 1962

Plot Overview: Peter Parker is a social outcast that lives with his Aunt May and Uncle Ben. One day Peter heads to a science demonstration. A spider crawls through the test and becomes radioactive and bites Peter before it dies.

Peter leaves the scene and discovers that he can climb walls, leap great distances and has great strength. Peter decides to test his powers by entering a wrestling challenge against Crusher Hogan. Peter disguises himself and then makes short work of Hogan. An agent approaches Peter about doing television and Peter agrees.

Peter designs the Spiderman costume and his web shooters to better sell his upcoming act. Peter appears on television and wows the audience. As he's leaving the show he sees a police officer chasing a crook. Peter passes up doing anything and the crook escapes. The cop confronts Peter about this and Peter says he's just looking out for number 1 now.

Some weeks later Peter comes home to find out that his Uncle Ben has been murdered by a burglar. The burglar is hiding out in an old abandoned warehouse. Peter changes into Spider-Man and captures the burglar. He realizes that it's the same man that he chose not to stop. Spider-Man leaves him for the cops and mourns his failures. The issue ends with the line with great power comes great responsibility.

My Take: What can you say about this issue. It's one of the most iconic issues of all time. It introduces Marvel's biggest character and one of the biggest characters in comics. The art is pretty good, the concept is there right from the start. The story is short and to the point. It really is just a great and memorable issue. It doesn't even suffer from the Silver Age syndrome that the Marvel books have suffered from here and there.

Overall I'd give this issue ***** out of *****

Notes: This is the first appearance of Spider-Man, Aunt May, Flash Thompson and Uncle Ben. Uncle Ben of course dies by the end of the issue and has the rare honor of being one of the few characters in comics to stay dead. Spider-Man is pretty developed right out of the gate here. There was no Spider Sense but there were no real situations that would've triggered it. Spider-Man's costume is also more red and black then red and blue.

This is the last issue of Amazing Fantasy. It was cancelled with that issue even though it pitches another Spider-Man story for issue 16. Spider-Man got his own title when Martin Goodman later reviewed the sales figures for this issue and was stunned to realize that it was one of the highest selling issues for the fledgling Marvel.

Spider-Man of course broke a lot of the conventions of the superhero. He was a teenager and not a sidekick. That's a big difference from the likes of Robin and Speedy. Spider-Man also has a lot of daily life issues that he struggles with. He'll always be struggling with money and society being against him in general. Spider-Man will eventually become the symbol of Marvel Comics and one of their top titles.

Next Issue: Fantastic Four #6