AVENGERS #17: What Were They Thinking?

Posted on September 1, 2021 by Chrissy

Published: June, 1965

“Four Against the Minotaur!”
Script: Stan Lee
Pencils: Don Heck
Inks: Dick Ayers
Letters: Sam Rosen

Comic books are all about good guys fighting bad guys, rock-em, sock-em, POW, WHAM, SPLATT and even the occasional BARRROOM! Right? Then why is it that in this issue, some of the most important details are not in what our heroes are doing, but rather in what they’re thinking? As the new Avengers gets off the ground, everyone is pretty much making nice on the outside, but inside numerous thought bubbles, we see their true colors.

On the first page of this story, though there are eight talking bubbles and two whispers, I also count SIX very telling thought bubbles! This gang is still solidly in the “breaking the ice” phase of their new partnership, and a good deal takes place well below the surface. We’re privy to their inner thoughts as they adjust to this new situation of being thrown together as Avengers. And honestly…it’s not always pretty to be privy.

WHO’S THE BOSS?
The previous issue featured a rocky start, and we got our first hints that this is not necessarily going to be a smooth transition, when Hawkeye begins to scheme to oust Cap as the leader of the Avengers. To add to the drama, Quicksilver has now also decided (silently, though, in thought bubble only) that perhaps he would be the best choice to replace Cap.

In the previous issue, there was no hint that Quicksilver planned to vie for the lofty position of He Who is Most Qualified to Dramatically Declare “Avengers Assemble!” Perhaps, upon further contemplation, the writers surmised that Quicksilver’s reputation as an alpha male would be in quicksand if he didn’t at least make some effort to be the boss. Nice try, but Quicksilver screams like a little girl when he sees the minotaur, so, in the end, I guess he’s not exactly leadership material.

If either of them has a chance, it would be Hawkeye. But then…no. Not really. Hawkeye certainly has some strong qualities, but he is a lone wolf, not a pack leader. As Cap notes (in a thought bubble, natch!), “He has never taken orders from anyone before.” Cap, of course, has taken orders, when he was in the army, so he knows what it’s like on both sides of that equation. Cap fervently believes in teamwork, and he knows that a leader is not always the smartest or ablest person in the room; the leader not only “plays well with others,” but knows how to make others play well with others, as well. (Okay…say THAT ten times fast!)

SEXISM, ANYONE?
Can I be totally honest here? In the past, Hawkeye has come across as an obnoxious jerk. The fact that he would choose to get in a belly-bumping contest with Captain America is actually not that surprising.

When we first encounter Hawkeye in Tales of Suspense #57, he is performing at a circus, and his ego is more out of control than a clown car with cut brakes. Later, when he meets Black Widow, his immediate “Wow!” is followed by a string of superlative nicknames like “Gorgeous,” “Beautiful” and “Doll.” Once he’s confident Black Widow accepts him as an ally, the heavy-handed flirting transforms into a true relationship, where he calls her “My Darling Natasha,” and appears genuinely in love with her above all else—save Country. Oddly though, at least as he tells it in Avengers #16, once Black Widow is struck down, he cannot bear to learn whether she is alive or dead, so he just…goes on with his life, not only ignorant of the fate of his beloved, but also acting as if he doesn’t care, or it never even happened.

Strange? I’ll hazard a guess: perhaps the writers, unwilling to declare Black Widow dead or alive, were also unwilling to lock Hawkeye in as a melancholy figure. Because here in issue #17, when Scarlet Witch laments that she didn’t have a chance to demonstrate her powers, Hawkeye assures her, “You don’t have to do anything, gorgeous! Just stand there and let us look at you!” He also calls her “Doll” and “Beautiful,” just as he did with Black Widow.

So. Has he reverted to his default as a sexist jackass, or is this his way of letting the only gal on the team know he’s available? And why would that be so important to him? Is he really interested in Wanda, trying to send a message—albeit, in the clumsiest way he knows? Or is he only hoping to stake his claim, in case he might in the future decide she’s the girl for him? In the end, is this simply his way of telling Cap to keep his hands off Wanda?

Or…and I might be stretching here, but is he simply trying to make sure that nobody mistakes him for a milquetoast, for anything less than a red-blooded American Ladies Man? But why would he even imagine the others might think that about him? Perhaps he doth protest too much?

I was hoping by the end of the issue that Hawkeye would acknowledge Scarlet Witch as more than just a pretty “doll,” but that hasn’t happened yet. In his defense, his toxic masculinity calmed down dramatically after he and Black Widow got better acquainted, so I hope Hawkeye will feel more secure about himself as time goes on—not only with Wanda, but with Cap and Quicksilver as well.

PUT ON YOUR THINKING CAP
Cap, of course, doesn’t suffer the same insecurities as Hawkeye. He is confidence personified, and as perceptive as a leader needs to be. With no ego to cloud his thoughts, he right away understands what’s happening: “They feel that I am the weakest of all!” He knows he’s got some work to do with this group, but he’s up to the task and willing to go through the process without wasting a lot of energy on petty personal ponderings.

I WONDER ABOUT WANDA
It occurred to me that as Quicksilver and Hawkeye contemplate how they will oust Cap and become the leader, Scarlet Witch has no such thoughts. Is it because as a woman in the 1960’s, she assumes she could never be a leader, no matter how much she might desire it? Or is it because as a woman in the 1960’s, she has no desire to lead?

And how about this: After Wanda sees Cap put Hawkeye in his place, she marvels that Cap “is no weakling!” and says she will ENJOY being an Avenger. Does she like a strong gruff man barking orders, or is she just showing professional respect? Or maybe…she’s got the hots for Cap??

DELUSIONAL JONES
One more: Yes, Rick Jones is still hanging around and must get in on the action, even if it’s just via a thought bubble to show what’s bugging him. Of course, it’s the same thing that’s always bugging him. He silently pouts that others (neglecting to consider that these others have actual superpowers and skills) are getting into the Avengers before he does. Oh, Rick. Please take a look at the Delusions of Grandeur section of my previous Amazing Spider-Man feature. This ain’t happenin’ for you, buddy…at least not today.

THAW
But let’s get back to what’s actually happening in this issue. Despite a rocky start to the new partnership, midway through Cap recognizes Hawkeye’s abilities and thinks, “If I can just keep a tight rein on him, Hawkeye will be an Avenger to be proud of!” And a bit later, Hawkeye marvels about Cap, “He’s never at a loss! He takes command everywhere!” Of course, neither of them say these things out loud to each other, but the fact that they can begin to even think like this is a move in the right direction.

Quicksilver, however, moves more quickly when he realizes why Cap is so keen on getting Hulk to join the Avengers—because, he says, “at a moment like this, only strength such as HIS could prevail!” Quicksilver recognizes Cap’s leadership abilities, and even dares to speak these words out loud! There’s no one around at the moment to hear him say this, but the fact that he has abandoned the safe little thought bubble for a positive declaration about Cap indicates he’s coming on board.

I THINK…THEREFORE I AM…
At the end of this adventure, Cap declares, out loud, that this mission was a success because even though they didn’t find Hulk as they set out to do, they did find their “true strength together!” Well, that might not exactly be a resounding win, but as booby prizes go, it’s not too bad.

However, in the last panel, Cap thinks, “They’re pleasant and friendly now, but how will they stand up to our first set-back?” Well, I guess there’s too much going on here to resolve it all in one issue. We have to keep the drama alive somehow! I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s still a rocky road ahead for these new Avengers, but some of the thought bubbles in this issue have me optimistically thinking…“Hey! These crazy kids might make it!”

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AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #25: Mad-Cap

Posted on August 1, 2021 by Chrissy

Published: June, 1965

“Captured by J. Jonah Jameson!”
Script: Stan Lee
Art: Steve Ditko
Letters: Sam Rosen

I wonder about “the loveliest Joan Crawford movie” Aunt May is watching on the late show as this tale begins. As Russ and I chronologically work our way through the Academy Award winners and other top movies of each year, we recently watched What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?…and I’m confident May was not watching THAT movie! But could it have been the 1942 screwball comedy They All Kissed the Bride? That would certainly set the stage for the rest of this story!

I always enjoy Amazing Spider-Man, but this story was particularly amusing because it reminded me so much of a cinematic comedy—more specifically, a screwball comedy, or frustration comedy, where nothing goes right for the poor protagonist. And any time a book or comic reminds me of a movie, it becomes that much more visual, and thus more enjoyable.

PANDEMONIOUS PLOT
The splash tells us that Steve Ditko dreamed up the plot. I appreciate this info for two reasons: one, because it gives me new respect for Ditko, that he is not only an artist, but also a storyteller; and two, I’m glad to see credit going where credit is due (though it would have been even better, if there had been an actual credit for “story idea”).

But a pandemonious plot is indeed what we have here. So! Are you ready for a madcap cinematic whirl through the mad, mad, mad, mad world of Peter Parker? Then fasten your seatbelts! As somebody once said…It’s going to be a bumpy ride!*

FRUSTRATION COMEDY
We always get a lot of comic mileage out of a situation that goes from bad to worse. In a frustration comedy, the protagonist runs into roadblock after roadblock in their attempt to achieve a goal. The splash of this issue asks, “Do you think Spidey’s had trouble BEFORE? Just wait’ll you read THIS one!” And indeed, what starts out as Peter simply conniving a photo gig out of Jameson eventually ends up in a wacky chase and (what appears to be) the decapitation of Spider-Man! Did I mention…bad to worse?

My favorite film example of this kind of comedy is Meet the Parents. This movie is obviously much darker and cruder than our Spider-Man story, but both share the classic escalation of the protagonist’s problems.

I think you get the idea. Other great examples:

DOUBLE AGENT
Of course, in these sorts of stories, our hero is not always blameless. It’s not always the universe conspiring against him, but he often sets himself up for his own downfall, usually by biting off more than he can chew, and very often by employing the use of deception and disguise, as he tries to “have his cake and eat it too.”

This isn’t the first time Peter acts like a double agent. He gets himself into this particular kerfuffle because he’s hoping Jameson will pay him for photos of Spider-Man easily besting the robot. So, while he’s working in Peter Parker’s interest, it just so happens he’s also working against the interests of Spider-Man. When a hero tries to be all things to all people at all times—often by employing deception and disguise—comedy ensues.

Think:

THE CHASE SCENE
Now: What would a madcap comedy be without a chase scene? A chase scene is often the climax of a good adventure movie, but comedies often borrow this trope and add their own spin. The action in this ASM issue, with poor Peter pursued by not only a malevolent robot, but also a gang of high school thugs, puts him in hilarious peril.

Think:

SLAPSTICK
In the end, all this hilarious peril momentarily appears real when Jameson jumps out of his robot costume and cuts off Spider-Man’s head! Well….not so fast. It’s just a puffed-up Spidey suit that gets “decapitated.” But that perceived moment of shocking violence is played for laughs. And have you noticed that this is the new way for advertisers to get your attention? (Doritos, I’m looking at you!)

Of course, Hollywood was the master long before Madison Avenue. Think:

METATEXTUAL IRONY
Betty appears to like Spidey more than she likes Peter, strongly sticking up for old web-head, while chiding Peter for not doing the same. Is she simply disappointed in Peter for being an opportunist, or does she object to the ethics of his behavior?

My favorite Betty scene in this story is when she’s almost able to help Spider-Man by unplugging the robot communication device and muses, “If this were just a STORY, I’d have MADE it!” Ha! Love the metatextual irony! (YES, that’s a thing, I just learned it while researching for this post, and perhaps you too have now learned something!)

Whether it’s breaking the fourth wall or making self-referential quips demonstrating an awareness of literary tropes—it’s all good! Whenever a character jumps out of the action to sit beside me and share a quick wink, I always feel like I’m getting a double dose of comedy.

Think:

ROBOT COMEDY
Robots are always good for a laugh. From the world of TV sitcoms, think: the Robot from Lost in Space, the Jetsons’ Rosie the Robot, Hymie from Get Smart, Twiki from Buck Rogers, Bendy from Futurama, Crow, Tom Servo and Gypsy from Mystery Science Theater…you get the idea. Even Data from Star Trek: the Next Generation is always good for a laugh or two.

On the big screen, I’m particularly fond of sad-sack Marvin the Robot in the 2005 rendition of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. And even though the Star Wars saga is not a comedy, C-3PO provides just about the only comic relief available in this deadly serious epic.

So robots and comedy, sort of like peanut butter and jelly, no? Robots are a staple of these early Marvel comics, no doubt, but why is this ASM robot so exceptionally goofy-looking, more Humpty Dumpty than Optimus Prime?

Well…because this particular issue of Amazing Spider-Man, more than any others I’ve read so far, is obviously, first and foremost, a comedy! But still, that’s not enough to explain the psychic connection I’m getting with this Jameson/Robot mash-up. This… is something more…

And then it hit me! This robot is bringing me back to the 1990’s, when my son—like all good little boys in the 1990’s—was obsessed with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Many a Saturday morning (and weekday afternoon), I was subjected to the goofy yet also grotesque sight of villain Krang, a talking, scheming, depraved brain inside the stomach of a dull he-man. Take a look: are there not similarities?

CHARACTER ACTORS
We ask a lot of our stars to carry a story like this, whether it’s a screwball comedy, TV sitcom or even a 12-cent comic. They do a great job, but don’t always have to shoulder the heavy comedy load on their own. In this story, even the bit-part cab-driver has a line, declaring Jameson and Smythe “must be NUTS!” as they excitedly direct him from the back seat.

My favorite amusing bit-players have always been Edward Everett Horton and Eric Blore, who made multiple appearances in Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers musicals of the 1930’s. This scene from Shall We Dance, where they interact with each other, is among my all-time favorite comedy bits:

Think also: every Stan Lee cameo in just about every Marvel movie ever made.

Incidentally, one of Flash’s “stooges” recognizes Jameson’s face in the robot and says, “I’d know him anywhere!” Which leads me to ask: what kind of world is this, where high school kids can identify the local newspaper publisher on sight? That might be the case in the very small town of Mandrake Falls in Frank Capra’s Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, but in NYC—even in the 1960’s—I think not. Still, the fact that Flash’s pal is described as a “stooge” speaks to the wacky tone of this story.

JAMESON THE AVENGER
We always get a good laugh out of characters with delusions of grandeur, and Jameson fits the bill when he gleefully fantasizes about being asked to join the Avengers. Ha! Well, JJJ, it just so happens they’re hiring, but…I don’t think they’re that desperate!

Think:

MEET MARY JANE!

Bonus points for this issue: I’m delighted to finally meet Mary Jane Watson…sort of. Her introduction with a giant flower in front of her face teases the reader, saying “We’re not going to show her… quite yet!” We can see she’s shapely, and Liz and Betty’s reaction tells us all we need to know about what a looker Mary Jane must be.

IN CONCLUSION
Speaking of my son, back when he was in elementary school learning how to write essays, and the teacher would explain that every essay had to have a “conclusion,” he would always end his essays with a last paragraph that began, “In conclusion…” So, Joey, this one’s for you!

In conclusion, I feel compelled to mention that creating this particular post was more challenging and time-consuming than the others, since there were so many movie references to find, document and link. (Many many thanks to Russ, my “Technical Assistant,” for actually putting all this together!) I hope you’ve clicked on at least a few of the movie posters above and taken a glance at some of the attached You Tube videos. And if you’ve reacquainted yourself with any or all of these movies, I dare you not to be thinking, right now, “Hell yes! That was a GREAT movie! I need to watch that one again!”

Mysteries, especially “who-dun-its,” are generally good for one viewing. Once we know what happens, the thrill is pretty much gone. Action/adventure films can be as exciting the second time around, and sometimes a heartfelt drama lends itself to even deeper appreciation on a subsequent viewing. But comedies—at least good comedies—like fine wine, always get better with age. Anticipating the joke makes it that much funnier.

And that’s how I feel about the Amazing Spider-Man title. I hope they let Ditko dream up a few more of these pandemonious plots, and continue to feature the drama, the pathos, the mystery, the romance, and most of all, the comedy that is so inherent in the life of our poor protagonist, Peter Parker.

*Yes, I know…a bumpy night.

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TALES TO ASTONISH #68: You Look Mah-velous!

Posted on July 1, 2021 by Chrissy

Published: June, 1965

“Peril From the Long-Dead Past!”
Script: Stan Lee
Pencils: Bob Powell
Inks: Vince Colletta
Letters: Sam Rosen

“Back From the Dead!”
Script: Stan Lee
Pencils: Jack Kirby
Inks: Mickey Demeo
Letters: Art Simek

Many Marvel characters have gotten upgrades over the last several months, and it makes me wonder what was going on in the Bullpen in early 1965. Only three years since Marvel took off in the superhero direction, and already so many changes! Was this just the usual business process of continually seeking improvements, or did problems with certain titles necessitate some jazzing up?

The ultimate change of course took place in May 1965, when the Avengers got a whole new lineup, but I’m going to review several other changes, starting right here in Tales to Astonish, where I’ve noticed over the last few issues that both Jan and the writers seem hell-bent on giving Giant-Man a giant makeover.

GIANT-MAN: “I’m a Scientist, Not a Fashion Model!”
Back in issue 65, Jan was pushing so hard for Hank to get a new costume that she actually sat down at a sewing machine and made one. Not surprisingly, the new costume perfectly complements her own. Now they are both in black and red—her under layer is black, his is red. But Hank has additional blue in his ensemble—hands, feet, shoulders. And why wouldn’t that be the case? In nature, it’s always the male of the species that is more visually interesting, the better to attract a mate. And if you don’t believe me, take a quick look at this promo for the delightful documentary, Dancing with the Birds:

Jan is pleased with the outcome, no doubt because this new look visually brings them closer together as a team. Even though Pym insists, “Jan, I’m a scientist…not a fashion model!” the larger epaulettes (shoulder ornamentation—new vocab word, thank you, Marvel!) make him look more manly. And I have to believe that Pym has no aversion to looking more manly.

So Giant-Man is looking pretty good these days…except for one thing, which really isn’t his fault, or Jan’s. In this issue, I don’t care for the “stereophonic art of Bob Powell”—or maybe it’s the “stultifying inking of Vince Colletta”? Over the last several issues, someone has given Hank Pym a crew cut, which I’m sure was very fashionable back in 1965, but I’m not impressed. I prefer him with that shock of wavy blonde hair accentuating his sharply chiseled features.

But what do I know? And what does it matter what I think? Jan thinks Hank looks “oomphy” in his new costume, and that’s all that counts, right? Can’t be too much longer until the mating dance ritual is completed!

WASP: “I Never Did Like That Bee!”
Speaking of Wasp, now that Pym can no longer shrink to ant-size, apparently it will be difficult for him to communicate with the ants. So he gives Jan the ability to communicate…not with ants, but with wasps. Truthfully, I don’t know why it has to be wasps. The ants are already their friends. Can’t Jan just talk to the ants the same way Hank did? And while we’re at it, is there really any particular reason why a normal-sized Hank Pym can’t talk to the ants? I feel like I’m opening the door to an entire new wing of pseudo-science, but…just asking.

Additionally, last month Hank gave Wasp a bumble bee as her new mode of transportation and she absolutely loved it, but this month she claims, “I never DID like that bee!” Fickle much?

We’re treated to a bit of comedy related to Wasp naming her new traveling companion “Boopsie,” and I wonder if this wasp-ride is going to stick, and still be named “Boopsie.” With the amount of shuffling around the writers have been doing lately, I almost wouldn’t be surprised if next month, Wasp is traveling in style on a horsefly named Mr. Ed!

But some things will never change, and one thing for certain is that the Marvel artists love to draw Wasp as a very shapely female. They don’t always get her face right, but her body is so consistent, you could probably pick her out in a lineup. At the very least, you have to wonder if maybe Janet van Dyne is in fact the original model for the iconic mudflap. Doesn’t she look mah-velous??

DAREDEVIL: “…More Distinctive!”
Now I’m going to veer to the other characters in Marvel Comics who, over the last few months, have also been getting an upgrade. In his April issue, Daredevil sews himself a new costume. (Poor Daredevil, he has no handy-dandy gal-pal to sit down at the sewing machine for him, like Pym does!)

The Daredevil title has only been around for six issues before this happens, so what exactly is going on here? Are the creators sorry they ever gave him that lemony leotard? Of course he will no doubt be taken a lot more seriously in his more subdued red and black costume (yes, let’s call it what it is…a costume). Daredevil tells us he’s been working in secret for months to redesign his costume so it’s more comfortable and distinctive. That means almost from the moment he put on the yellow, he was aware he had made a mistake. Even though he obviously never saw himself in his costume, yellow is the kind of color you simply feel (even if you’re not a supersensitive superhero). And unless your superhero moniker is Captain Sunshine, yellow is simply not the right color for you.

That red and black certainly does look more “distinctive,” but I don’t understand how everyone instantly recognizes him and shouts “It’s Daredevil!” How do they know it’s him when he’s masked, and looks so different? Hmmm….Could it possibly be that huge “DD” on his chest? (But then, why aren’t they yelling, “Look! It’s Doctor Doom!”?)

By the way, Daredevil also has some new weapons. If you’re going to get an upgrade, a mere change of costume is nowhere near as important as weapons! Now he has a cable cane that he casts like a fishing line, enabling him to swing from place to place at twice the speed; and his billy club is equipped with pellets that produce smoke to confuse and disorient his opponent. Being “without fear” is still certainly his greatest asset, but already these new tools are coming in handy.

IRON MAN: “The Stronger I Make My Armor, the Longer I Live!”
Now. Who is the King of the Marvel Makeover? Why, Iron Man, of course! There’s something about technology that invites constant change. For many issues, Tony Stark has been stuck inside his Iron Man suit, so lately he’s not been as interested in making improvements as in simply finding a way out of his inconvenient and uncomfortable predicament. But in Tales of Suspense #63 he finally figures out how to live outside the iron suit, and issue 64 wastes no time at all, showing us on the splash the technology wizard hard at work to make himself a stronger helmet.

As a true titan of technology, Stark is on a never-ending quest for improvement. Iron Man’s armor has been silver, then gold, now it’s red and gold. Then there’s the helmet. First he added “horns,” then took away the horns and added rivets, and now he’s removed the rivets. Whenever Stark is not preoccupied with how to escape the itch of spending weeks on end trapped in an iron suit, he can be found hammering out some iron to make things better.

BLACK WIDOW: “There’s No Place I Can’t Go!”
But far be it from Marvel to only provide the good guys with upgrades! In Tales of Suspense #64, Iron Man is not the only one who gets an upgrade. The Russians give Black Widow a new costume with boots that allow her to walk up the side of buildings with suction cups. She also adds a slender line of nylon from a wrist device so she can catch a target on the other side and swing across. As pointed out in the story, all this makes her much more like her namesake, the Black Widow.

Brushnev, the Russian who designs her costume, is so impressed with his improvements that he declares she is not only the cleverest, but also the most dangerous and “most colorful” agent they have. (I guess in Russia adding a bit of blue to your standard black outfit qualifies as “colorful.”)

Well, the Russians may have started this, but Black Widow herself puts on the finishing touches by designing a mask that looks just like that of her love, Hawkeye. Like Wasp, she longs for connection between herself and her superhero sweetie.

HAWKEYE: “I’m Going to Prove My Worth!”
Though Hawkeye has never had a costume upgrade, he now has something better—new and improved arrows! And when your superhero power is shooting arrows from a quiver, any upgrade you can get is worth the wait. These arrows have very specific qualities: deafener, acid-tipped, and power blast. These are good upgrades, because in this ever-evolving Marvel Universe, simple arrows, no matter how accurately aimed, won’t cut it.

TOP: “I Didn’t Stop to Think that a Top Can’t Fly!”
Hawkeye and Black Widow are quasi-villains at this point, but Marvel further levels the playing field between good and evil in Tales to Astonish #68 (because, remember, this is a review of Tales to Astonish #68) where, on the splash, we are promised the “Return of the Almost Forgotten Villain!” Right away, I have to confess, my thoughts flew to Paste Pot Pete—because I always want to forget Paste Pot Pete—but then I remembered he recently became part of the Frightful Four. Well, that’s not it…so, hmmm, let’s see…

Then I began to read, and quicker than you can spin a top, it’s revealed that the nearly forgotten villain is the Human Top! Well, got me there!

The first thing we’re told about this forgotten villain is that he’s given himself a makeover. Now he is no longer a “top.” His idea of an upgrade however is to sew glittery bat wings into a leotard covered by yellow underpants. Again with the yellow! Scary. But not, I think, in the way he intended.

At one point, Top takes a cue from the Chameleon and disguises himself as a “reporter from the Globe,” but honestly, he just looks like a beatnik. Still, this disguise is apparently enough to convince the guard that he doesn’t need to ask for press credentials, and thus the Top gains access to “Giant-Man’s lab.” (Inexplicably, the guard and Top talk about it being Giant-Man’s lab, not Henry Pym’s lab, which doesn’t make any sense, but that’s a whole ’nother issue…)

HULK: “Strange Land! Hulk Lost!”
To this point, the writers don’t seem to know what to do with Hulk. His attributes have been changing from the very beginning, and even as recently as Tales to Astonish #62, being too excited will make Hulk transform into Banner! Which doesn’t make any sense. They tried to make him an Avengers super-hero for a few issues, which didn’t work out, but even now as the Avengers get a new roster, talk of recruiting him is still being bandied about.

I really have no idea where we are with Hulk at any given moment. Sometimes change leads to order, but sometimes change, coming too fast and too often, just leads to chaos. I’m looking forward to the day when the concept of the big green guy will be more like a strong and beautiful tree in a forest and less like a serving of lime Jell-O.

PASTE POT PETE/THE TRAPSTER: “Too Much Like a Comic Title!”
Okay, let’s wrap this all up by getting back to Paste Pot Pete. We’ve seen him go down Makeover Road before, very early when he adopted a Beatles style haircut, and again when he upgraded his delivery of paste. Now, he gets the Ultimate Makeover that is so dramatic he actually needs to change his name. And so, henceforth, Paste Pot Pete shall be known as…The Trapster!!

He dropped the PPP moniker because “it sounded too much like a comic title,” and now as the Trapster, he dons a new costume in more subdued colors. Also, his egghead helmet has been toned down, so he now looks only slightly less dorky. And even though his delivery system has undergone yet another upgrade, I’m sad to report, his superpower is still pretty much…well, it’s paste.

But hey! In Fantastic Four #38, Medusa tells him his new name has a “thrilling ring,” and also mentions how impressive and handsome she finds him. In return, Pete tells Medusa she’s not so bad-looking, herself. And with all this flirting going on, I’m wondering when PPP/the Trapster will fluff out his tail feathers and do a dance of seduction.

That, I hope, is one thing the artists will not share in either stereophonic or stultifying detail.

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Meanwhile… : May, 1965

Posted on June 1, 2021 by Chrissy

STRANGE TALES #132

“The Sinister Space Trap!”
Story: Larry Ivie
Pencils: Bob Powell
Inks: Mickey Demeo
Letters: Sam Rosen

IN A NUTSHELL
NASA asks Torch to pose as an astronaut to investigate one of their scientists, Professor Jack, who has been classified a security risk. Upset over a recent argument with Johnny, Doris asks Ben to give him a message, and he agrees to track down Johnny. Jack sees through the heroes’ disguise and traps Thing in a vise, while sending Torch on a sabotaged spaceflight. They both escape their traps and converge in time to capture Jack. Ben delivers Dorrie’s message, and Johnny picks her up for a date.

WHAT’S HOT
FAN FICTION. Russ let me in on a little background: writer Larry Ivie was not part of the Marvel bullpen; rather, he was one of the first people from the comic book fan community to write for Marvel. How cool is that?

PHOTOBOMB. Dorrie’s comical bulldog gave me a chuckle and reminded me of this:

ART IMITATES ART. Russ and I have begun watching Seinfeld as part of our “Comedy Tonight” series, so when I heard the obviously made-up name of Dr. Josiah Verpooten, of course I thought of Art Vandelay.

CONNECT THE DOTS, MAN, PART 1. Dorrie begs Thing to intercede on her behalf after her argument with Johnny. Thing uses this “good excuse” to visit the NASA lab, and gets involved in the action. I love it that soap opera intersects with the adventure story in such an integral way!

WHAT’S NOT
CONNECT THE DOTS, MAN, PART 2. Professor Jack is not entirely convinced Johnny as “Doug Brown” is going to be a good assistant: he’s too young. Suspicions have been aroused. Later, when Torch is left alone in the room, Jack returns to a “burning smell”…and yet still doesn’t suspect who Johnny really is. All this, despite the fact that Johnny is a well-known superhero. Does Jack never read the papers or watch TV? How can he be so scientifically smart, and yet so unobservant and clueless?

A WOMAN’S PLACE IS NOT IN SPACE. Mr. Pearson from NASA eliminates Sue from any possibility of carrying out the mission because “Of course we don’t want the notoriety of a GIRL astronaut.” But Russia already had female cosmonauts as early as 1963—why wouldn’t NASA want to keep up in the race to space? And by the way, if a GIRL astronaut is qualified, but bad optics, why not simply let her do the job invisible?

“Do you realize this is the 113th time you’ve stood me up?”
— Dorrie Evans

“Face-to-Face at Last With Baron Mordo!”
Story: Stan Lee
Art: Steve Ditko
Letters: Artie Simek

IN A NUTSHELL
Back in the United States, Doctor Strange enters his Sanctum Sanctorum, only to find that Mordo has staioned a minion within to capture him. At that moment, hidden in a cave, the Ancient One frets that only the mysterious Eternity can help Strange. Disguising himself as a novice, Strange surprises and overpowers the minion, but he realizes too late that Mordo has set a trap and now knows where he is. Aided by Dormammu’s mystic power, Mordo attacks and forces Strange into a stygian void.

WHAT’S HOT
HOME SWEET HOME. Dr. Strange refers to his bachelor pad in Greenwich Village as a “retreat,” a “sanctum,” and also his “domain.” Geez. The rest of us merely live in houses and apartments. But I’m not surprised. Read on…

POETRY. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: some of the language in the Dr. Strange scripts is pure poetry. Up for your consideration, as Mordo revels in the power of Dormammu: “Bathe me in the glow of your eerie radiance!” Perfect. Also a little weird.

WHAT’S NOT
CODE OF THE HONORABLE VILLAIN. Dormannu will not attack Earth because he made an oath to Dr. Strange. How inconvenient. And how to get around it? Well, that’s easy, simply kill Dr. Strange! Apparently in the world of super-villains, committing murder is not a problem, but breaking an oath…well, we can’t have that! Sigh…makes me think of that TV commercial with the old ladies unfriending each other on Facebook: That’s not how this works! That’s not how any of this works!

THE GIRL WITH THE CRAZY WHITE HAIR. She’s baaaack! Previously saw her in Strange Tales #126, and now here she is again, but it sadly strikes me here that she looks very much like every other Ditko female character I’ve ever seen…except, of course, for that crazy white hair.

“I dare not let him crush me!
My own life is of no value—but I cannot abandon mankind!”
— Doctor Strange

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TALES OF SUSPENSE #65

“The Red Skull Strikes!”
Script: Stan Lee
Pencils: Jack Kirby
Inks: Chic Stone
Letters: Sam Rosen

IN A NUTSHELL
The Red Skull, a Nazi agent, assaults Maj. Croy and erases his memory, in an attempt to give the German military time to conquer Europe. Cap and Bucky investigate, and follow the Skull’s agents to their hideout. They fight, but the Skull escapes behind a hidden steel door. Later, aircraft tycoon Maxon watches the army test his new plane, which crashes. Suspicious, Cap discovers the Skull attacking the General. Cap unmasks the Skull, to reveal Maxon. In a moment of carelessness, the Skull escapes again.

WHAT’S HOT
GENERATION GAP. This issue introduces Golden Age super-villain the Red Skull to the readers of Marvel’s Silver Age. Dads remember the Red Skull, and now their sons know him too. Potential for some real father/son bonding!

WHAT’S NOT
STYLIN’? On the splash Stan declares “we wrote it in the style of the 1940’s.” Having gone back to the 1940’s to read the original Captain America origin story, I was looking forward to a stylin’ experience. But alas, I was disappointed. Of course, it’s a story set in 1941, so the clothing, vehicles, and such are decade-appropriate, but that’s to be expected. Other than that, the most “style” I picked up was that apparently guys back then liked to call each other “birds” and “yardbirds.”

I SHOULD HAVE GUESSED. In many of the comics I’m reading lately, I keep hearing some version of “I should have guessed!” Which is really starting to annoy me. When spoken by our heroes, it does not speak well. It makes them sound ill-equipped, unaware and unprepared. Sure, it humanizes them to some extent, but personally, I prefer heroes who HAVE guessed.

DUMB AND DUMBER? What kind of criminal is dumb enough to write his “hit list” on a pad of paper, then even dumber to drop it at the feet of…the very next person on the list! Hold on. Wait. Maybe I’m the one that’s being dumb here? Maybe this was all done for intimidation?

“He strikes with the force of a panzer division!”
— Red Skull

“When Titans Clash!”
Script: Stan Lee
Pencils: Don Heck
Inks: Mickey Demeo
Letters: Sam Rosen

IN A NUTSHELL
Seeking to give Pepper and Happy some time alone together, Tony announces that he is leaving for a visit to his midwestern plant, but both of them are disappointed they are not joining him. Later, while Tony oversees a missile test, a small-time hood breaks into Tony’s office and discovers his Iron Man armor. Using the armor, he goes on a crime spree. Tony suits up in his original, golden plated armor. Although at a distinct disadvantage, Tony goads the criminal into mistakes, and defeats him.

WHAT’S HOT
AND THE MORAL OF THIS STORY IS… If a two-bit hood like Weasel Wills can become proficient as Iron Man in a matter of days, why do we need Tony Stark? Oh yeah, because it’s the quality of the man inside the suit that matters. Point taken.

HECK, THAT’S GOOD ART! Don Heck draws good-looking people. Just sayin’…

WHAT’S NOT
This story is little more than a fight wrapped in a thin layer of soap opera. The real value is in the cover image concept: Iron Man fights Iron Man—but once you get past that, there’s not much here.

I WONDER…
What might Happy be thinking when Stark says he will not need his chauffeuring services on his upcoming trip? Is he maybe thinking Stark is planning to phase him out, then fire him completely, so he (Stark) can spend all his time with Pepper? We know that’s not the case, but Happy could be thinking it, and if he is, well then…I guess he’s not too happy about it. But then, when is he ever, right?

“I’m doing this to give them a chance to be together…
even though it’s torture to me!”
— Tony Stark

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X-MEN #11

“The Triumph of Magneto!”
Script: Stan Lee
Pencils: Jack Kirby
Inks: Chic Stone
Letters: Artie Simek

IN A NUTSHELL
When a mysterious new entity arrives in New York, Magneto offers him membership in the Brotherhood. Before the stranger can answer, the X-Men arrive, eager to foil Magneto’s plans. In the ensuing battle, Quicksilver is injured. When he recovers, Pietro and Wanda vow to abandon Magneto’s cause. Meanwhile, the stranger teleports away, allowing Magneto & Toad to join him. The stranger reveals that he’s not a mutant, but…a Stranger, and takes them captive to his home planet.

WHAT’S HOT
I GOT YOU COVERED! As soon as I saw the cover of this issue, I knew I had a contender for the Best Cover category for my next installment of The Marvelous Awards! (link to last year’s cover category) I love that there are so many characters, so little verbiage, and the gray background…well, hold on. I’ll save my explanations for when it matters.

THREE LITTLE WORDS. Magneto introduces himself to the Stranger with “I am…POWER!” and immediately I’m thinking, is there any phrase more befitting of a super-villain? Those three little words tell us all we need to know about how Magneto sees himself.

WANDA & PIETRO. This is the first time I’m seeing Wanda and Pietro in the comics since we started watching WandaVision, and in a way it felt like coming back home to old friends. I was pleased to see that they finally plan to leave Magneto. Been waiting for that to happen for at least a few issues now.

DISBANDING. Of course, Wanda and Pietro quitting the band is only the beginning. By the end of this issue, the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants appears ka-put. When this becomes apparent, Scott wonders if there is still any need for the X-Men. The Professor sets him straight right away, and good thing, because…wait, there’s more!!

OH BOY! The Narrator calls it a “turning point,” as new and greater danger appears on the bottom of the last page. I was actually surprised that the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants had such a short stay in the Marvel Universe (though I’m not yet prepared to say we won’t ever see them again…) Still, moving so quickly from one threat to another, and at practically the last possible moment in this story, seemed a bit jarring. I won’t lie to you: with this storytelling device, my thoughts immediately flew to Quantum Leap. (link)

WHAT’S NOT
SPELT? Weirdos is spelled “wierdos” here. Now I’m not the best speller in the world, but that struck me as a bit…weird…

ONE BRIEF MICRO-SECOND. I might be nit-picking, but I don’t think there’s any need to qualify a micro-second as “brief.” It’s kind of implied. But this phrase does exemplify the problem with any form of written communication—things happen faster than we can read them. I guess Stan is just trying to give the micro-second a literary boost.

SOAP BUBBLES. All the soap opera in this story is neatly contained in several of Jean’s thought bubbles. We have too much going on here to take time to commiserate with the lovesick female, but those few soap bubbles are keeping the soap opera alive for future issues.

“Let us sally forth and slay some dragons!”
— Beast

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FANTASTIC FOUR #38

“Defeated by the Frightful Four!”
Script: Stan Lee
Pencils: Jack Kirby
Inks: Chic Stone
Letters: Sam Rosen

IN A NUTSHELL
While the Fantastic Four relax at the Baxter Building, the Frightful Four plot their next attack. The next day, following Wizard’s plan, Medusa and the Trapster abduct Sue, and the villains issue a challenge to the FF. Wizard and his cohorts leave Sue in a room with a Q-Bomb on a Pacific atoll. Then they strafe the Baxter Building and lure Reed, Ben and Johnny to the atoll, where a battle ensues. The villains escape and detonate the bomb. Sue saves them with a force field, but the explosion leaves them unconscious.

WHAT’S HOT
TIL PART 1. Sometimes reading Marvel Comics is good for my vocabulary. Today I Learned that an “atoll” is a ring-shaped island. Who knew? Well, I do…NOW.

TIL PART 2. Here’s some more vocabulary, though admittedly it turns out to be Italian: Fumetti. When the FF are looking at Reed’s enlarged photos from the Skrull planet, Johnny quips, “I’ll bet we could make a few bucks selling this one to Monsters to Laugh With.” I had no idea what this was all about, but Russ explained it’s a reference to a Marvel fumetti in which photos of movie monsters are accompanied by humorous word balloons. Apparently “fumetti” is the Italian word for “word balloons.”

SUE SAVES THE DAY. Sue’s force-field is stronger than the force of a Q-Bomb. Of course, we can’t debate whether or not that’s even possible, because there is no such thing as a Q-Bomb (at least not back in 1965), but use of the word “bomb” after a letter, and the fact that the Fearsome Four thought this would destroy the Fantastic Four makes us suspect a Q-Bomb must be pretty powerful. But apparently, Sue is more powerful.

UPGRADE PART 1. The Wizard is now calling himself the “Wingless Wizard,” which is notably a bit more descriptive, but more importantly, we see that his anti-gravity power now gives his entire crew the ability to fly in his wake.

WHAT’S NOT
UPGRADE PART 2. Paste Pot Pete gets tired of being teased, so now he has a new name, and a new costume, but really, his power is still…well…it’s paste.

SPANKING. During the introductory hi-jinx and shenanigans, Thing takes Sue over his knee and spanks her. That’s just wrong, on so many levels. I’m not even going to talk about it.

HAIR TODAY, HAIR TOMORROW… In the previous issue, Sue’s hair is significantly shorter. Jack Kirby illustrates both, so a change of artist doesn’t explain the inconsistency. Unless two to four months have passed since they got back from the Skrull planet, or the stories are being told non-sequentially, how does Sue now have such a cute little flip? Extensions? Minoxidil? Super-powered Dippity-Do? Or, has Sue herself developed a new super-power? Oh wait…that’s Medusa…

DON’T TRY THAT WITH MY GIRL! Ben commiserates with Reed about Sue being abducted, saying, “If anyone ever tried to harm Alicia…” and I’m thinking, “But, wait: hasn’t that already happened? Like…multiple times?” What do you mean “ever tried”??

TRAPSTER. On the splash, Stan promises to “introduce” an “unpredictable” villain, but it turns out to be nothing more than Paste Pot Pete in a more subdued costume. Stan’s the real Trapster here, luring us in with promises that don’t come true. Not only is there not a new villain, but the Fantastic Four don’t actually get “defeated” as the title suggests. They survive. Not that I’m disappointed (about them surviving, I mean; Paste Pot Pete, on the other hand…always disappointing), but I do feel kind of hoodwinked.

“See how my superior intelligence
makes me the undeniable master of you all!”
— Wizard

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JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #116

“The Trial of the Gods!”
Script: Stan Lee
Pencils: Jack Kirby
Inks: Vince Colletta
Letters: Artie Simek

IN A NUTSHELL
As a means of telling which of his sons is lying to him, Odin decrees that Thor and Loki shall be sent to Skornheim, and the first to return to Asgard will be judged the truthful one. Stripped of Mjolnir, Thor uses only his cape and helmet to battle the giant Yagg the Slayer, but Loki uses enchanted stores that he smuggled with him to escape the snares of Skornheim, and emerges the victor. Meanwhile, on Midgard, Balder attempts to rescue Jane Foster from the clutches of the Executioner and Enchantress.

WHAT’S HOT
FIT FOR A KING. Odin’s bathrobe and slippers are…well…just look.

THE HUMAN SPIRIT. The common men on the street think they can take on the Executioner. At first I thought, “Isn’t that adorable?” but upon further consideration, I decided this was more along the lines of “There’s nothing we can’t do when we do it together.”

AND NOW FOR THIS COMMERCIAL MESSAGE… The Teen Brigade paves the way for a few brief advertisements of other Marvel titles. At first I thought, “What shameless self-promotion!” but upon further consideration, I decided this happens so often, there’s actually something charming and comforting about it.

CONVERGENCE. When the Frightful Four think Balder is Torch, they skedaddle. I love how these storylines intersect, reminding us that we live in a much bigger universe than we might be cognizant of, at any given moment.

WHAT’S NOT
MOLEHILLS OUT OF MOUNTAINS. Yagg appears with an unearthly blast that hurls Thor and Loki “like tenpins.” We’re talking about bowling, right? Extreme violence from mythical giants is like…bowling??

ALL KNOWING? ALL SEEING? How is it that Odin is unaware that Loki has the Norn Stones and is cheating? Isn’t Odin a “god”? He begins the proceedings with “the power of my omnipotence,” when the power of omniscience would have served him much better. But apparently he doesn’t have that. As Balder confirms when he muses, “Odin does not suspect the depths of treachery to which Loki can stoop.” I understand that no parent wants to believe the worst about their child (even if, as Thor notes in Avengers, “He is adopted”) but there comes a time when you don’t have to be a “god” to read the handwriting on the wall.

OFF ART. The whole time I was reading this issue, I just felt like there was something…off…about the artwork. It looked muddy, too many shadows, and really, what’s up with Enchantress’ hands? Ugh! She’s not going to enchant anyone with those paws until the artist goes back to anatomy class!

HANGER-ON. Why is Rick Jones at “a top priority meeting” of the Avengers? Why is he at ANY Avengers meetings??

“The Challenge!”
Script: Stan Lee
Pencils: Jack Kirby
Inks: Vince Colletta
Letters: Artie Simek

King Hymir’s elaborate headpiece fascinated me from the start. At first I thought it was just part of the peculiar fashion trends of this particular kingdom. (After all, his sister, Princess Rinda, appears to be wearing an outfit that is one half workout tights, another part fluffy bathrobe.) When it turns out that Hymir’s Grand Pooba “crown” is actually a source of enchantment, I was not as surprised as I think I was supposed to be.

Neither was I surprised that Loki was double-crossing the king. How predictable! Is there no end to his treachery??

“You trespass on our friendship, Balder!
None may disturb Odin while he takes his imperial bath!”
— Odin

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TALES TO ASTONISH #67

“The Mystery of the Hidden Man and his Rays of Doom!”
Script: Stan Lee
Pencils: Bob Powell
Inks: Chic Stone
Letters: Artie Simek

IN A NUTSHELL
Supramor’s agent Loko attacks Giant-Man with a green ray, in a failed attempt to transfer the Avenger’s size-changing power to his master. Loko escapes Giant-Man, but Hank brings Loko’s van to his lab for study. Later, he treats Jan to a surprise: a trained bee to transport her long distances. Supramor uses his ray to “untrain” the bee, which stings Jan. His ray then steals Giant-Man’s ability to shrink to ant-size. Supramor is defeated when an alien police force captures him and takes him away.

WHAT’S HOT
IT’S A MAD MAD MAD MAD WORLD. On the splash we get: “This may not be the greatest story you’ve ever read, but we guarantee it’s one of the kookiest!” Something about the word “kookiest” instantly brought to mind Mad Magazine, which was in its heyday in the mid 1060’s.

IT’S A GROOVY WORLD. I believe “groovy” makes its first appearance here in Marvel Comics (if I’m forgetting an earlier usage, please let me know). In addition, the credit box on the splash gives us way-out, ring-a-ding, swingin’ and boss. Ah, the nostalgia!

AMISS/I MISS. When the villain keeps saying “the giant,” rather than Giant-Man, I’m wondering where exactly he’s from, that he doesn’t recognize who Giant-Man is. By the end of the story, when we learn that the Supreme One is actually an errant alien from WAAAAY out of town, now it all makes sense, and I feel quite proud of myself for picking up on that little clue. However, greater kudos to the Marvel Bullpen for creating a story compelling and “kooky” enough to make me forget all about my suspicions until the truth is finally revealed at the very end.

WHAT’S NOT
THAT AND THOSE. Pym suddenly remembers “that tweezers” that he can use to pull the bee stinger out of Wasp. THAT tweezers? Not “those”? Have I been saying it wrong all these years? Of course, he uses that tweezers when working on his stamp collection, something I’ve never done, so maybe in that context “that tweezers” makes sense?

NOT FASTER. Pym trains a bee for Wasp to ride so she can keep up with him, when he’s Giant-Man. Wasp specifically requests something to keep her from getting exhausted from trying to keep up when he’s “clipping along with those fifty-foot strides.” I’m finding conflicting information online regarding flight speeds for wasps and bees—however, most are clocking in anywhere from 7-14 mph. Let’s do the math: the average man, 6 feet tall, takes a 2-3 foot stride, and walks 3-4 miles per hour (when not hurrying). If Giant-Man gets to 100 feet tall and takes forty-foot strides, it stands to reason he’s traveling at a minimum of 50 mph. Of course, he would want to slow down and be extra careful not to step on anyone, but at the same time, he hasn’t grown to 100 feet tall just for the traffic up ahead—there must be a compelling reason, and that reason would no doubt make him want to hurry. Now let’s say that being careful and wanting to hurry cancel each other out—he’s still walking 50 mph, which is significantly faster than any insect’s 7-14 mph. So I call BS on a bee being a fast mode of transportation. I may have put WAY too much thought into this…

“Wheee! This is groovy!”
— Wasp

“Where Strides the Behemoth”
Script: Stan Lee
Pencils: Steve Ditko
Inks: Frank Ray
Letters: Art Simek

IN A NUTSHELL
The Hulk literally dismantles a Soviet tank battalion, sending the soldiers scurrying, then leaps away to the Himalayas. While sleeping, he transforms into Banner, who is captured by Kanga Khan’s bandits. They intend to hold him for ransom from America, so the US sends Maj. Talbot to negotiate his release. When they escape during an attack from a rival clan, the ledge beneath them collapses, sending them plummeting through the air.

WHAT’S HOT
ART DOESN’T IMITATE ART. I always get a kick out of the credits box, and this time, they may have outdone themselves. The last one is always the punchline, and when I read “Lettering by Art Simek, who looks like the Hulk!” I just had to find out. I could only find one grainy old picture online, but judging by this, it’s obvious they were only joking. Not only does Art Simek not look anything like Hulk, he doesn’t even look like Bruce Banner! The closest I’ll allow is Bruce Banner’s uncle.

THE SOUND EFFECTS GUY IS WORKING OVERTIME. WHOMM! and KLANGGG! are to be expected, but I don’t believe I’ve ever before seen PYYOOM! RACCCKK! SKRAKK! WHUPPT! or BUH-WHAMM! Many KUUUUDOS! for a job well done.

CLIFFHANGER. Literally.

WHAT’S NOT
HALF & HALF. As it is, the writers only have half a book to tell their story, and half of that is wasted on laborious details of Hulk destroying the Commie tanks. That may appeal to some readers, but to me it’s just boooooring! And I’m left feeling cheated with only a quarter of the story I would have liked to read.

“Have you forgotten that all Americans are rich
beyond our poor imaginations?”
— unidentified bandit

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Posted in Captain America, Doctor Strange, Fantastic Four, Giant-Man, Hulk, Human Torch, Iron Man, Meanwhile, Strange Tales, Tales of Suspense, Tales to Astonish, Thor, Wasp, X-Men | 2 Comments