THE MARVELOUS AWARDS!!
BEST OF SHOW
1965 was a historic year for Marvel Comics, with old friends departing, and new friends coming on board. The Universe is expanding, and I can’t wait to see what comes next! But before we head in to 1966, let’s take a moment to review the Best of the Best in the following most encompassing categories. Come along with me as this edition of The Marvelous Awards gives a final heart-felt nod to the banner year of 1965!
BEST NEW CHARACTER
So many new characters have made their first appearance this year, it was hard to choose only a few nominations. But here are some of the most significant, and most promising for the future.
In the category of Best New Character, the nominees are…
- Absorbing Man
- Bucky
- Medusa
- Red Skull
- Volstagg
- Mary Jane Watson
And the Award goes to…
Mary Jane Watson, who, though she has barely appeared thus far, has captured our imagination ever since Aunt May first mentioned her, way back in Amazing Spider-Man #15. The aura of mystery that still clings to Ms. Watson has set the stage for our anticipation and hope of seeing more of her in 1966.
BEST (NON-SUPERHERO) COVER
In truth, I only read the superhero Marvel Comics I review in this blog, but I still get a kick out of looking at all the covers of other titles. Marvel Comics in 1965 provides a hodgepodge of genres, but some of the art can be compelling. Presented for your consideration, a representative sample from each non-superhero title:
In the category of Best (Non-Superhero) Cover, the nominees are…
- Kid Colt Outlaw #121
- Millie the Model #129
- Modeling With Millie #44
- Patsy & Hedy #101
- Patsy Walker #121
- Rawhide Kid #47
- Sgt. Fury #23
- Two-Gun Kid #78
And the Award goes to…
Two-Gun Kid #78. As much as my heart wants to follow Millie and Patsy, I have to admit that I find the artwork on this cover of Two-Gun Kid most appealing. I’m not one of those “horse girls,” but there’s something compelling about these brave horses and the men riding them in the middle of such active water. And all those vibrant colors! I doubt the Wild West ever looked quite so bold, but in the fantasy world of comics, this artwork is an effective beacon encouraging us to open the pages.
BEST (SUPERHERO) COVER
Now I’m in much more familiar territory! The cover is, of course, the first thing that attracts a reader. Some titles you stick with, no matter how bland or horrible the cover. But what if a cover is an absolute work of art? Does it speak well for the gems hidden within its pages? Which of these following covers works as Art (with a capital A) and also hints at further treasures within?
In the category of Best (Superhero) Cover, the nominees are…
- Amazing Spider-Man #25
The cover of Amazing Spider-Man #25 is nominated for its bold primary colors, as well as its unusual subject matter. At first glance, we wonder if Doc Ock has a new outfit but then we notice…no! That’s the crazed face of J. Jonah Jameson! What the heck is going on here?
- Avengers #21
Avengers #21 brings us the imposing figure of POWER MAN! Really, why has it taken this long to be introduced to a super being with this commanding moniker? And speaking of commanding, notice his stance, and the pile of defeated Avengers in the background, looking small and weak, and possibly even…dead? I want to know more!
- Daredevil #7
The Daredevil title has not been around long, but already in issue #7, we have an epic clash between “The Man Without Fear” and the always to-be-feared Sub-Mariner. And Daredevil doesn’t seem to be faring too well. He may be without fear, but this battle is obviously taking place on Namor’s home turf. Strong dark colors and suggestion of movement make this cover a contender for the Best Superhero Cover of 1965.
- Fantastic Four #45
You’ve got to love the Fantastic Four, and the cover of issue #45 provides a lovely family photo…if the object of a family photo is to show each member stressed and combative! A canopy of stars and what appears to be a huge moon suggests the 4’s upcoming battle with the curiously named “Inhumans” will be “not of this world.” Bring it on!
- Journey Into Mystery #120
Journey Into Mystery #120 has everything I love about a Marvel cover: cataclysmic color, movement, fire, power and the menacing face of a new villain. Oh! And the Mighty Thunder God himself! With the image and mention of the “Hammer,” we know this issue will certainly be a blockbuster!
- Strange Tales #138
Strange Tales #138 gives us a startling look at our new hero, Nick Fury. It appears bullets simply bounce off him! In stark contrast to the green outfits of both the bad guys and Fury himself, the background fades away in hues of technological gray. In this new world of the spy thriller, human strength and personality is still the star of the show.
- Tales of Suspense #71
In Tales of Suspense #71, we get a preview of the magnitude of Iron Man’s battle against Titanium Man. There can be no question regarding the force of his punch! And who is that lying on the ground behind him, knocked out or possibly…dead?? Inquiring minds want to know! I am picking up and reading this issue to learn the answer to the cover’s epic question “What price victory?”
- Tales to Astonish #64
Tales to Astonish #64 provides us with two astonishing scenes, side by side, promising a double dose of action and adventure. And these two images could hardly be more different from each other. The reader will surely feel he is getting the biggest bang for his—twelve cents.
- X-Men #10
Who is this? Could it be Tarzan? No, it’s Ka-Zar! A new character is prominently displayed on the cover of X-Men #10. And apparently there’s also a cat involved. (I’m always there for cats…) A lunging loin-clothed muscle man and a sabre-tooth tiger? How in the world have the X-Men gotten themselves into this pickle? Read and find out!
And the Award goes to…
Journey into Mystery #120! Some of these contenders were stronger than others, but the power and spectacle of JIM covers always captures the Artist buried deep within me.
BEST STORY OVER MULTIPLE ISSUES
Remember back in the day…1965, perhaps…when almost all TV shows were episodic? You could watch them in any order with very little disruption to your understanding. Marvel caught on quickly that they would get better mileage out of their titles if they engaged readers not only with an emotional investment in the characters’ personalities, but also in the suspense of a continuing storyline. Here are some of 1965’s biggest and most exciting storylines over multiple issues.
In the category of Best Story Over Multiple Issues, the nominees are…
- Doctor Strange: The Hunt for Eternity
- Sub-Mariner: The Trident Quest
- Thor: Trial of the Gods
- Iron Man: Challenge of the Titanium Man
And the Award goes to…
Thor: Trial of the Gods. Though I must say, this one took a bit of thought. Like a homebuyer on HGTV’s House Hunters, I first eliminated Dr. Strange (for its vague, mystical, anti-climatic conclusion) and Iron Man (for the storyline’s brevity). Sub-Mariner has several important elements—the quest for the Trident, trouble at home with Krang, and Namor’s complicated relationship with Dorma—but this story is not yet concluded. That leaves Thor and the Trial of the Gods, which is as epic as anything else coming out of Asgard, but more importantly, the storyline is not just about the Trial, but about all the consequences that follow. One thing leads to another…hmmm, sort of like real life! And, the cheating, scheming Loki is in top form here!
BEST SINGLE ISSUE
And yes, while it may be true, as seen above, that giving extended time and energy to an epic storyline is the way to go, it’s also true that very often, great things come in small packages. And thus, we offer an “All Crammed In, In a Wonderful Way” Award for the single best issue!
In the category of Best Single Issue, the nominees are…
- X-Men #9: How Professor X lost the use of his legs
- Fantastic Four Annual #3: Wedding of Reed and Sue
- Avengers #16: The Old Order Changeth
- Strange Tales #135: SHIELD: The Introduction
And the Award goes to…
Well, this one was not so easy. All our nominees have a good case to make. Strange Tales introduces Nick Fury and SHIELD, and Avengers showcases a brand-new line-up, while X-Men fight the Avengers and we also learn important background information on Professor X. But I can’t help it, if I keep coming back to the Wedding of Sue and Reed. Everyone who’s anyone is there, in an atmosphere that is one part Party, two parts Battle, and with more than a pinch of Romance thrown on top. This story has it all! As Stan exclaims on the cover, “This is the BIG ONE!” It’s unlikely any of us might forget our own wedding day, and though Sue and Reeds nuptials may not have quite the same emotional impact on us, nevertheless, in 1965, this issue of Fantastic Four takes the cake! (The wedding cake, that is…)
IRVING FORBUSH LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
And now for something completely different, here is an Award that has not been given in years past. It’s taken a few years for the concept of “Lifetime” to begin to make any sense in this still very new Marvel Universe, and in these formative years, nothing quite so momentous has yet taken place. But now, after so short a time, we find that Giant- Man and Wasp are “retiring.” Can it be?? I still can’t believe it! But believe it or not, it’s only fair and appropriate that we honor the achievements of their brief career…thus far. Here’s to you, Giant-Man and Wasp! And hoping you might be persuaded someday to come out of retirement and once again take your rightful place in this oh so marvelous Marvel Universe!
This year, the presentation of the Irving Forbush Lifetime Achievement Award goes to…
ANNOUCEMENT
You know what the pink box means! Something big is coming! The video above is the first effort in our new YouTube channel, the Marvelous Zone! We plan to create content here on a regular basis, and we’ve already posted the first exciting episode of Marvelpiece Theatre! Please check us out, and of course, Like and Subscribe for updates!
BEST TITLE
And now at last we come to the final Award, the one you’ve all been waiting for. Which title, in 1965, has had the most spectacular showing, including all the aforementioned elements—art, storyline, character development, and just a general sense of being right on the money, hitting a high point in the world of Marvel Comicdom? This is truly, The Best Of The Best!
Drumroll, please…
In the category of Best Title, the esteemed nominees are…
- Avengers
The Avengers go through quite a shake-up this year, losing old members, gaining new, and dealing with all the problems that entails. They have quite a few problems to work out before they can really function again at top performance. How will this all end up?
- Amazing Spider-Man
The Amazing Spider-Man is also going through some major life changes, as Peter graduates from high school and heads off to college, for new challenges and new friendships—while still having to worry about ailing Aunt May back at home. Oh, poor Peter!
- Iron Man
With a piece of shrapnel buried deep in his heart, Tony Stark cannot get out of the Iron Man suit, which leads to a distressing assumption that he is dead, while he works frantically to save his own life. Once that crisis ends, guess what? He must fight Titanium Man in a classic showdown representing world superpowers. Oh, and best friend Happy risks his life to help Iron Man. Could anything be more dramatic?
- SHIELD
Strange Tales adds new title SHIELD, opening the world of Marvel Comics to an entirely new genre, the spy thriller. Nick Fury moves from his work in WWII to lead SHIELD against formidable foe, Hydra. Ka-boom! The Marvel Universe just got significantly bigger!
And the Award goes to…
Iron Man, for the layering of soap opera upon soap opera. Many of the other titles also do a good job with soap opera, but nothing trumps coming back from the “dead.” And Happy’s selfless act of loyalty clinches the Award. Of course, we still don’t know who Pepper will end up with—Happy or Tony? Stay tuned…
So at last, we bid farewell to 1965 as we come to the end of the 3rd Annual Marvelous Awards! I hope you’ve enjoyed these Awards, even if you may not always agree with my choices. But we are all friends here, and I pray you will all remain my friends, as I gallantly trod into the “future” of 1966! I suspect this coming year will be groovy, a blast, the living end, and a gas! One thing I know for sure: no matter what else, it will be absolutely…Marvelous!
