Thor Annual #2
Title: If Asgard Falls
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Jack Kirby
Villain: Loki, Absorbing Man, Destroyer
Regulars: Odin, Heimdall, Balder, Fandral, Hogun, Volstagg
This yearly comic, called a King Size Special rather than an Annual, features a 30-page story about a tournament in Asgard. The story is in the style of the Tales of Asgard series, but it takes place in the present day, some time after Journey Into Mystery #123. It's out of sync with the current adventures of Thor, so it's unsure when it happens. (Travis Starnes, author of "The Complete Marvel Reading Order", suggests that it takes place after Thor #141, June 1967).
Loki and the Absorbing Man have been floating through space since Journey Into Mystery #123. Loki's body might be trapped, but his mind is unfettered. He activates the Destroyer, who last appeared in Journey Into Mystery #119. While controlling the Destroyer he attempts to kill Odin, but Odin defeats him by first stopping time, then breaking Loki's mind link.
Despite being called Thor Annual #2, there was never a Thor Annual #1, because the comic book changed its name in March 1966. The first annual was called Journey Into Mystery Annual #1.
Whatever the name changes may be, the Crazy Credits continue to attack Irving Forbush. In this annual we hear that his utterances are unabashed. Please, Stan, he does everything in the bullpen, from armour polishing to selling novelty outfits, so he deserves some respect.
Fantastic Four #54
Title: Whosoever finds the Evil Eye!
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Jack Kirby
Villain: Maximus
Regulars: Wyatt Wingfoot
Guests: Black Panther, Black Bolt, Medusa, Crystal, Gorgon, Karnak, Triton, Prester John
This issue seems to be a fill-in story, waiting for bigger events to transpire. That's typical of soap operas, and by now the Fantastic Four comics have slid into soap opera territory. I say that as praise. The stories show the team members are normal human beings who have normal interests and hobbies. This is in stark contrast to the DC comics of the 1960's, in which heroes only ever came together to fight. This comic starts with the Fantastic Four playing baseball with the Black Panther and Wyatt Wingfoot. That's much better than fighting super-villains all the time.
Ben Grimm, Reed Richards and Susan Richards fly back home, but Johnny Storm and Wyatt Wingfoot head towards the Inhumans' Hidden Land, which has been cut off from the outside world by Maximus. On the way they discover an underground cave where someone called Prester John has been trapped for 700 years. Wyatt Wingfoot calls Avalon a mythical land from the legends of King Richard. At first I thought this was an error, because I associate Avalon with King Arthur, but after doing some research I've found out it's only half untrue. There was indeed a mythical island kingdom called Avalon in the legends of King Arthur, some time in the fifth or sixth centuries. In later years Avalon was used to describe the area surrounding the royal palace in Glastonbury. So there was a mythical Avalon in the sixth Century and a real Avalon in the twelfth Century, and the two are confused with one another. It's an easy mistake for a native American college student or a Jewish comic book writer to make.
Johnny Storm steals a device from Prester John called the Evil Eye, thinking it can be used to smash the dome surrounding the Hidden Land.
The Crazy Credits tell us that Sam Rosen snarls. I'm sure there's a good reason.
Amazing Spider-Man #40
Title: The End of the Green Goblin!
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: John Romita
Villain: Green Goblin
Regulars: Aunt May, Harry Osborn, J. Jonah Jameson, Betty Brant
Peter Parker was captured by the Green Goblin in the last issue. He's still tied up, so the time is used to tell Peter how he became the Green Goblin.
After the talking is over Peter escapes, so they both put on their costumes and fight to the death; or not quite death. After an explosion Harry Osborn suffers from amnesia and can't remember that he was the Green Goblin.
In the meantime, Betty Brant is travelling back to New York City.
Peter Parker might be a scientific genius, but he doesn't know what a psychopath is. Psychopaths have no emotions.
Tales of Suspense #81
Title: The Return of the Titanium Man!
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Gene Colan
Villain: Titanium Man
Tony Stark decides to travel to Washington to face the congressional hearing ordered by Senator Byrd, even though it will mean revealing his secret identity. He flies to Washington as Iron Man to arrive as quickly as possible. Before he arrives he's attacked by the Titanium Man in the sky above Washington.
The Crazy Credits tell us that Irving Forbush polishes Iron Man's armour. He can do anything!
Title: The Red Skull Supreme!
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Jack Kirby
Villain: Red Skull
With the help of the Cosmic Cube the Red Skull can do anything. Captain America only manages to defeat him by trickery, appealing to his pride. The Red Skull (seemingly) dies, and the Cosmic Cube is lost on the sea bed.
The Crazy Credits tell us Artie Simek is smart. I knew that all along. They also tell us that Irving Forbush is the Marvel bullpen's fall guy. That's not too bad. It's better than blaming the letterers for all the world's evil
Tales to Astonish #83
Title: The Sub-Mariner Strikes!
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Jack Kirby
Villain: Krang
Regulars: Dorma
Sub-Mariner battles with Warlord Krang's ship, but he holds back from destroying it because he knows Lardy Dorma is inside. A missile blast causes Sub-Mariner to fall into the sea and lose his memory. Number One, the leader of the Secret Empire that we've seen in recent Hulk stories, pulls him out of the water.
For some reason that isn't quite clear, Number One has separated himself from the Secret Empire.
Jack Kirby has drawn this story with extravagantly large panels, as he does with Tales of Asgard.
Irving Forbush shouts "Imperius Rex". I always thought that was Stan Lee's battle cry. Maybe not, because Irving Forbush said it first. The Crazy Credits tell us that these words from Irving Forbush's mouth are unlikely, as if we didn't know that already.
Title: The Battle Cry of the Boomerang!
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Bill Everett
Villain: Boomerang
Regulars: General Ross, Betty Ross, Major Talbot, Rick Jones
In the last issue the Hulk rescued Betty Ross. He excavates a cave with his bare hands to keep her dry. She wants to see her father, so he brings General Ross and Rick Jones to the cave.
The Secret Empire sends Boomerang to the army base to steal the Orion Missile.
At the headquarters of the Secret Empire there's a power struggle, with the council members blaming one another for their defeat and even killing one another. Maybe that's why Number One is in hiding.
I don't believe that Sam Rosen is whammy. We shouldn't believe everything that the Crazy Credits say. They also tell us that Irving Forbush is honest. Yes, he is. That's something we all know. He applauds the achievements of his colleagues, giving them all the glory.
Strange Tales #148
Title: Death before Dishonour!
Writer: Jack Kirby
Artist: Don Heck
Villain: AIM
Regulars: Dum Dum Dugan, Jasper Sitwell
This story was written by Jack Kirby while Stan Lee was on vacation. He might be a good artist, but his story-telling leaves a lot to be desired. The story is confusing throughout.
When I began to read the story I had to go back and check the previous issue, because I felt that I had missed something. Nick Fury is fighting for his life after being caught in an explosion while interrogating AIM prisoners. No, I didn't miss anything. This is something that happened between issues.
Stan Lee likes to create wacky inventions in his stories, so Jack Kirby has tried it as well. An AIM limousine is equipped with a TV screen on the front windshield to check whether the road ahead is free. Wouldn't it be easier to just forget this strange contraption and look ahead at the road while you're driving?
At least the story has one sensible plot being developed. AIM has sent agents to steal a life model decoy (LMD) from SHIELD.
Title: The Origin of the Ancient One!
Writer: Dennis O'Neil
Artist: Bill Everett
Villain: Kaluu
Regulars: Ancient One
To assist Doctor Strange in his upcoming battle with Kaluu he tells him the story of how they both came to be. They grew up in a land called Kamar-Taj, where everyone led simple lives and were happy. Kaluu and the Ancient One (who wasn't ancient then, but we aren't told his real name) were the only two people in the land who studied the mystic arts. Kaluu was more advanced in his knowledge. Kaluu enslaved the people of Kamar-Taj with hypnosis and forced them to fight wars against the surrounding peoples to enrich himself. Kaluu trapped the Ancient One with a powerful spell. The Ancient One fought to free himself, but he was less skilled at the time and accidentally caused a deadly plague that killed most of the people in Kamar-Taj. Kaluu withdrew to Dimension of Raggador, where he was able to learn even greater magic.
After the clash between Dormammu and Eternity, portrayed once more in flashback, Kaluu has returned to take revenge on the Ancient One.
The Crazy Credits tell us that Artie Simek's lettering is makeshift. Never! His letters stand as firm as oak trees on every page. I would be proud to be half the calligrapher that he is.
Thor #132
Title: Where Gods may fear to tread!
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Jack Kirby
Villain: Tana Nile, Ego
Regulars: Jane Foster
Guests: Recorder
Thor approaches Rigel, defeating everyone sent to stop him. Finally the Grand Commissioner of Rigel offers Thor a deal. If he defeats an unknown menace in the Black Galaxy – Stan Lee loves corny names! – the Earth will be set free. Accompanied by a mechanical being called a Recorder Thor enters the Black Galaxy and meets a living planet called Ego.
On Earth Tana Nile takes control of her new kingdom, although she's not taken seriously when she declares herself the Earth's ruler.
The Crazy Credits tell us that Irving Forbush can translate alien languages. I'm jealous.
Title: The Warlock's Eye!
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Jack Kirby
Gods: Thor, Fandrel, Hogun, Volstagg
After his defeat at the hand of Thor, Harokin is destined to be taken to the afterlife by the Great Black Stallion of Doom. Stan Lee is getting cornier every day! Thor respects Harokin as a noble warrior, so he offers to battle the Stallion of Doom on his behalf. Wasn't there already a story like that with Hercules and Pluto?
And Irving Forbush continues to polish armour! The Crazy Credits tell it all.
The Avengers #32
Title: The Sign of the Serpent!
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Don Heck
Avengers: Captain America, Hawkeye, Goliath, Wasp, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch
Villain: Sons of the Serpent
Guests: Tony Stark, Nick Fury, Bill Foster, Black Widow
It could be argued that the Sons of the Serpent are too weak as adversaries for the Avengers, but this is an important subject for Stan Lee. He's always opposed racism and intolerance in all its forms, so he wants to the Avengers – and all of his other super-heroes – to be shown combatting racism.
Racism is stupid, and American racism is probably the most idiotic of all. The Sons of the Serpent beat up an American of Mexican descent because he's not a real American. Don't they realise that as European Americans they're just as much immigrants as he is? As I said, they're just stupid.
Black Widow returns to Hawkeye to persuade him that she can be trusted. In case her words aren't enough to win him over, she uses more extreme measures. While talking to him she turns her back, bends forwards and presses her butt against his crotch. Hawkeye doesn't stand a chance. He doesn't know which arrow to shoot first.
Hank Pym is visited by a scientist called Bill Foster who works for Tony Stark. He wants to help Hank shrink back to his normal size. Bill Foster will become an important person in Marvel Comics, a super-hero in his own right, but not until ten years from now.
The Crazy Credits tell us that Irving Forbush is a scapegoat. True. Stan Lee has turned on Irving after years of blaming the letterers.
X-Men #24
Title: The Plague of the Locust!
Writer: Roy Thomas
Artist: Werner Roth
X-Men: Cyclops, Angel, Beast, Iceman, Marvel Girl
Villain: Locust (Dr. August Hopper)
Regulars: Professor X
In this issue Jean Grey aka Marvel Girl leaves Professor X's school, because her parents want her to attend Metro College instead. What sort of parents force their adult children, male or female, to leave a school which they enjoy visiting?
Stan Lee might not be certain in which issue the X-Men graduated, but I am. It was indeed X-Men #7, so he guessed right. He could have asked Roy Thomas if he wasn't sure.
Stan Lee insists that the two students seen at Metro College aren't Johnny Storm and Wyatt Wingfoot. It sure looks like Johnny and Wyatt. They must have doppelgangers in the college.
A professor at Metro College, Dr. August Hopper, has recently been fired from Metro College. He's been called a madman because of his theories on insect mutation.. Now he's getting revenge by making locusts and other insects turn giant size. He intends to present himself as mankind's saviour when they've eaten all the crops. It's not about money, he wants everyone to acknowledge his genius.
Don't worry about Jean Grey being gone from the X-Men. She can still fight villains at the weekend. The bad guys just have to wait until she's ready.
The Crazy Credits are in tune with the comic by telling us by comparing the creative tea with insects.
Stan Lee, the editor, is a busy bee. He sure is. He works around the clock in the Marvel bullpen.
Roy Thomas, the writer, is a book-worm. Yes, he began work at Marvel studying the comics already written, careful not to introduce contradictions.
Werner Roth, the artist, is a worker ant. He churns out excellent artwork month by month.
Dick Ayers, the inker, is a doodle-bug. That's true, but we only see his true brilliance in the comics he draws himself. That's only Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos at the moment.
Sam Rosen, the letterer, is a pussycat. Huh? That's not an insect. Does that mean he's out of place?
Daredevil #20
Title: The Verdict is Death!
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Gene Colan
Villain: Owl
Regulars: Foggy Nelson, Karen Page
The Owl, who we last saw in Daredevil #3, wants revenge on Judge Lewis, the judge who sentenced him to prison. That's typical. Wrong-doers usually blame others for the consequences of their crimes. What isn't typical is that the Owl wants to put the judge on trial for his supposed crime. The Owl himself will be the judge. He's selected 12 criminals as the jury, all of whom were previously sentenced by Judge Lewis. To make the trial fair he kidnaps Matt Murdock to act as the defence lawyer. Only a madman like the Owl would dream up something like that.
The Crazy Credits remind us once more that Artie Simek is adorable and Irving Forbush is honest.
Gene Colan is the guest artist this month, because John Romita was busy drawing the story for Amazing Spider-Man Annual #3. You'll have to wait until November to read it.
Other comics published this month:
Millie the Model #141 (Dennis O'Neil, Stan Goldberg)
Modelling with Millie #49 (Dennis O'Neil, Stan Goldberg)
Two Gun Kid #83 (Larry Lieber, Dick Ayers)
Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos #34 (Roy Thomas, Dick Ayers)
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