Update

I'm in the process of moving this blog over to my own domain at Mighty Marvel Reader. So it might be a little wonky for a few days. The traffic to this blog has been increasing rapidly over the last couple of months and I decided it was time to move to my own domain. So be patient, there might be some back and forth as I get it working proper...

Marvel Tales #1

Cover Date: January 1964 My Take: I promised Spider-Man this time but I decided to go with the first issue of the second volume of Marvel Tales that came out in the same month. This is a series that ran reprints on an annual and eventually became a monthly title that reprinted Amazing Spider-Man...

Tales of Suspense #49

Cover Date: January 1964 Plot Overview: Angel is flying back to Xavier's school when he comes across Iron Man. Iron Man tries to warn him about an upcoming nuclear blast but doesn't make it in time. The blast catches Angel and turns him evil. Iron Man tries to catch up to the Angel as he flies off...

Avengers #3

Cover Date: January 1964 Plot Overview: The Avengers decide that the Hulk can't be left to roam freely. Iron Man unveils one of Tony Stark's inventions, an image projector. He uses the image projector to visit the Fantastic Four, Spider-Man and the X-Men. The FF and X-Men are too busy with their...

Tales to Astonish #51

Cover Date: January 1964 Plot Overview: Giant-Man continues to train at capturing the top. After another failure he admits that he can't catch the Human Top but he can't give up. Meanwhile, the Human Top blows up an abandoned tug boat with the dynamite we saw at the end of Tales to Astonish...

Fantastic Four #22

Cover Date: January 1964 Plot Overview: An experiment of Reed's increases Sue's invisibility powers. Now she can create a shield and make other objects invisible. Meanwhile, the FF field numerous complaints from neighbors about the dangers of Reed's experiments. Reed decides that maybe he should...

1963: A Year In Review

1963 was a big year at Marvel comics. You could tell as the year started to progress that the superhero line had been successful and they were here to stay. Coming into the year you had Fantastic Four, Tales to Astonish, Incredible Hulk, Journey Into Mystery and Strange Tales as your Marvel line. At...

Strange Tales #115

Cover Date: December 1963 Plot Overview: Reed Richards calls the Torch in for a job. The Sandman has broken out of prison since being captured in Amazing Spider-Man #4. Reed wants the Torch to go and find Spider-Man since he has the most experience with him. This bothers the Torch and he decides...

Journey Into Mystery #99

Cover Date: December 1963 Plot Overview: Thor heads off to Asgard in front of an astonished crowd. One member of the crowd isn't as impressed and that's Mr. Hyde. He plans to get revenge on Don Blake. Hyde thinks back to when he was Calvin Zabo. He tried to get a job with Blake, and rob him but Blake...

Amazing Spider-Man #7

Cover Date: December 1963 Plot Overview: The issue begins with a recap of Spider-Man defeating the Vulture back in Amazing Spider-Man #2. The scene shifts to the Vulture in prison where he's become a model prisoner. He sneaks parts out of the machine shop and builds a makeshift flight suit to...

Tales of Suspense #48

Cover Date: December 1963 Plot Overview: One of Stark's associates back out of a deal and Tony decides to drive out to Charleton Carter's estate to find out why he's decided to no longer do business with him. Stark arrives and sees Carter being terrorized through a window. Stark becomes Iron Man...

Tales to Astonish #50

Cover Date: December 1963 Plot Overview: David Cannon has the ability to spin his body at an incredible rate of speed. He uses this for petty crimes as a youngster until the police finally catch him. He then learns to become an ice skater and rigs races to get payoffs from gambling syndicates. Cannon...

Fantastic Four #21

Cover Date: December 1963 Plot Overview: The Thing shakes the Baxter Building with his new punching bag which brings the other members of the FF  to his room. The thing is upset over the Hate-Monger causing trouble around the country. The other members agree that he is a troublemaker but they...

X-Men #2

Cover Date: November 1963 Plot Overview: Professor X has called the X-Men to a meeting. The X-Men take various paths to arrive at the school. Beast climbs buildings and catches a ride on a train. Angel gets swarmed by a mob of girls and Marvel Girl uses her powers to bail him out. Strangely enough...

Strange Tales #114

Cover Date: November 1963 Plot Overview: Johnny's friends interrupt a Torch training session to tell him that Captain America will be appearing at the Glenville antique car show. Johnny is excited because he used to read comic books about Cap when he was younger. Two men steal a car at the show...

Journey Into Mystery #98

Cover Date: November 1963 Plot Overview: Thor trashes the office of Don Blake out of rage over his situation with Jane Foster as the issue opens. Odin calls Thor to Asgard and advises that Thor forget the mortal Jane Foster and Thor says that is not possible. Blake decides to travel to distant lands...

Amazing Spider-Man #6

Cover Date: November 1963 Plot Overview: A creature named the Lizard chases men out if his swamp and tells them to stay out. Meanwhile, in New York, Spider-Man grabs a copy of the Bugle to see that he's being challenged to face off with the Lizard. He decides to try and get JJJ to send him to Florida...

Tales of Suspense #47

Cover Date: November 1963 Plot Overview: A government test ends when the tanks fall apart. Upon inspection it's revealed that the parts were greatly weakened. Meanwhile Stark is attacked from behind at one of his plants by the Melter. The Melter reveals that he was a competitor of Tony Stark named...

Avengers #2

Cover Date: November 1963 Plot Overview: Thor and Hulk argue until Giant-Man and the Wasp arrive to start their meeting. Meanwhile, the Space Phantom lands from outer space. He plans to defeat the Avengers so the other Space Phantoms can invade and take over the Earth. He's been observing the  Avengers...

Tales to Astonish #49

Cover Date: November 1963 Plot Overview: Pym crashes through the front of the house as a giant and in a new costume. The gardener flees in terror at the sight and the Wasp arrives shortly afterwards. She gives Hank a shrinking pill and he becomes normal size again. Hank states that if he grows taller...