This month something has happened that I consider a catastrophe. After 13 years Steve Ditko has decided to leave Marvel. The exact reasons were never officially disclosed. There are only rumours that it was because of creative differences, which could mean just about anything.
John Romita is hailed as Steve Ditko's replacement. He's doubtlessly a good artist, but I don't think anyone reached Steve Ditko's level in the early Marvel years..
Fantastic Four #52
Title: The Black Panther!
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Jack Kirby
Villain: Black Panther, Maximus
Guests: Wyatt Wingfoot, Black Bolt, Medusa, Crystal, Gorgon, Karnak
This is another landmark issue of the Fantastic Four. It introduces Stan Lee's first black super-hero, the Black Panther, who is the King of the fictional African nation of Wakanda. The location isn't precisely specified, just that it lies on the Equator. That's a large area. Over the years there have been conflicting clues about its exact location, but let's stick to what Stan Lee says: it's in Africa, and it's on the Equator. That's all we need to know.
In this first issue he's not a hero, he's a villain. He invites the Fantastic Four to Wakanda for a hunt, and when they arrive he tells them that they're the ones who will be hunted. You would have thought that by now someone as smart as Reed Richards would smell a trap a mile off.
This is an artistic splash page drawn by Jack Kirby. It's good, but I think Steve Ditko is more skilled at drawing abstract splash pages with more-than-life-size figures looking down on others. Compare this with Steve Ditko's brilliant drawing in Amazing Spider-Man #37.
At the bottom right Stan and Jack vote this the greatest tale of the month. I beg to disagree. The Doctor Strange story in this month's Strange Tales is one of the greatest stories ever written.
This is the first view that we have of Wakanda.
The Black Panther reveals himself as a misogynist. He's hunting all the Fantastic Four, but he doesn't take the Invisible Girl seriously because she's only a woman.
Unknown to the Black Panther, the Fantastic Four have invited Johnny Storm's college roommate Wyatt Wingfoot with them. After all, it was only planned to be a social visit. The Black Panther succeeds in trapping all four super-heroes, but Wyatt Wingfoot tips the odds by freeing the Human Torch.
Stan Lee smiles, Jack Kirby is jolly and Joe Sinnott is a gentleman, but the Crazy Credits tell us that Sam Rosen is hammy. That's not true. There's nothing overblown or exaggerated about his lettering. He writes exactly what's given him, with the precision of a skilled calligrapher.
Amazing Spider-Man #38
Title: Just a guy named Joe!
Writer: Steve Ditko, Stan Lee
Artist: Steve Ditko
Villain: Joe Smith, Norman Osborn
Regulars: Aunt May, Flash Thompson, Harry Osborn, Gwen Stacy, J. Jonah Jameson, Ned Leeds, Mary Jane Watson
Joe Smith longs to be a fighter, but he doesn't have what it takes. As a boxer he's easily knocked out. As a wrestler his opponents toss him effortlessly out of the ring. His lucky break is when he becomes a movie extra, which gives him the opportunity to pretend to be tough. He's accidentally affected by chemicals left on the film set, which give him super-human strength while removing his inhibitions. Spider-Man has trouble defeating him, but the effect of the chemicals wears off after a few hours.
Nobody knows where Betty Brant has gone. Ned Leeds proposed to her, but she left town before giving him an answer. Peter Parker and Ned Leeds blame each other for her disappearance.
Harry Osborn's father Norman offers a reward of $20,000 in cash ($155,000 in today's money) to anyone who kills Spider-Man. His motive is a mystery for now. This leads to many minor crooks attacking Spider-Man.
Spider-Man says that the shop window dummy reminds him of Ned Leeds, but it looks more like Stan Lee. Was this Steve Ditko's subtle way of saying what he thought about Stan before he left?
Note that Mary Jane Watson's face is once more concealed. All we can see from this small picture is that she has a terrific figure. Is she a blonde, a brunette or a redhead? Honestly, who cares? I like what I've seen already.
According to the Crazy Credits Artie Simek is unfettered. I should hope so! Letterers shouldn't be treated as slaves.
Tales to Astonish #81
Title: When a monarch goes mad!
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Gene Colan
Villain: Krang
Regulars: Dorma, Vashti
Prince Namor knows that Lady Dorma has agreed to marry Warlord Krang, but he doesn't know the reason. In his grief he goes mad, calling her a traitor and punishing anyone who is related to her. He is told that Krang has travelled to the surface, so he swims in pursuit.
This story takes place in parallel with Tales Of Suspense #79.
Oh no! The Crazy Credits have struck another low blow! Stan Lee's story is amazing (true!), Gene Colan's art is astonishing (true again!), Dick Ayers' inking is astounding (always true!), but Sam Rosen's lettering is said to be agonising (false, false, false!) I enjoy reading any comic that he's lettered, and if anything I feel relaxed while reading.
Title: The stage is set!
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Bill Everett
Villain: Tyrannus, Mole Man, Boomerang (Fred)
Regulars: General Ross, Betty Ross, Major Talbot, Rick Jones
While Bruce Banner struggles to escape from the underground realm of Tyrannus in human form, an organisation called the Secret Empire hires a mercenary called Boomerang to steal a weapon called the Orion Missile.
The Crazy Credits tell us that all of the story's creators produce work of hulking quality. Even Sam Rosen! But who is Tibor of Transylvania? Is that another one of Irving Forbush's identities?
Tales of Suspense #79
Title: Disaster!
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Gene Colan
Villain: Krang, Sub-Mariner
Guests: Dorma
Tony Stark returns to America from China and finds that his factories have been locked up by order of Senator Byrd. He can't even enter his own office to recharge his Iron Man armour. He breaks into Pepper Potts' apartment to charge his transistors temporarily, enough so he can walk to the nearest police station to surrender to the Senator's subpoena.
While walking by the waterfront Warlord Krang's ship surfaces. Krang attacks him for no other reason than to impress Lady Dorma, who is travelling with him. We know what's happening from Tales To Astonish #80. Iron Man makes Krang retreat into the sea after a brief battle, but this leaves his suit damaged and dangerously low charged. As we know, if his suit runs out of power his heart will stop beating. He breaks into his own factory to repair his suit, but he finds the Sub-Mariner waiting for him.
This story takes place in parallel with Tales To Astonish #81.
The Crazy Credits praise Stan Lee, Gene Colan and Jack Abel for their contributions to the story, but all we hear about Artie Simek is that he lettered 12 pages.
Title: The Red Skull lives!
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Jack Kirby
Villain: Red Skull, AIM
The last time we saw the Red Skull was in Tales Of Suspense #68, but that was more than 20 years ago, during World War Two. The Red Skull recounts his final battle with Captain America in a Berlin bunker in the last days of WW2. Was it THE bunker? That's not clear. The bunker collapsed, and Captain America left the Red Skull for dead. However, an experimental gas put the Red Skull's body in suspended animation, so he hasn't aged since 1945. His servants Horst and Wolfgang also survived with him. He didn't awake until he was rescued by Them (with a capital T).
Captain America has repeated battles with costumed assassins that nobody else can see. He suspects that he's losing his mind, but The Red Skull has invented a hypno-helmet that can hypnotise everyone into seeing nothing.
This comic's creators are credited with their first names only. Stan smiles, as always. Jack is jolly. Then the Crazy Credits tell us that Frankie is frantic, probably because he didn't have much time left to do his inking. If that's the case, it must be even worse for the letterer, and as expected we read that Artie is agonised.
Strange Tales #146
Title: When the unliving strike!
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Don Heck
Villain: Them, androids
Regulars: Dum Dum Dugan, Jasper Sitwell
This issue contains Steve Ditko's last story for Marvel, so he's been allowed to draw the cover, even though Doctor Strange is only the backup story.
Nick Fury, accompanied by Dum Dum Dugan and Jasper Sitwell, battle against agents of the organisation known only as Them. They also fight against Them's androids.
Count Bornag, the representative of a group called AIM (Advanced Idea Mechanics), visits the SHIELD helicarrier to present weapons to them.
Nick Fury reads Marvel comics. He has good taste. They're a lot more entertaining than the Wall Street Journal.
The Crazy Credits tell us that Sam Rosen's lettering is freehand. That's to be expected. Only lesser skilled letters would need a ruler or other tools to produce accurate lettering.
I thought Jasper Sitwell's battle cry that he invented last issue would be fast forgotten, but here it is wrapped around the credits box. Dreadful!
Title: The end at last!
Writer: Dennis O'Neil
Artist: Steve Ditko
Villain: Dormammu, Mordo
Regulars: Ancient One, Clea
This is the fifth and final part of the epilogue after the 12-part Dormammu-Mordo-Doctor Strange epic. It neatly tidies up all the loose ends left after the last 16 issues. Dormammu is destroyed (or so it seems), Baron Mordo is freed, Clea is named at last.
The new guy, Dennis O'Neil, is credited as writer, but I strongly suspect that it was written with assistance from Steve Ditko, who plotted most of the previous 16 issues. The 17-part story (including the 5-part epilogue) is the greatest story ever written in any comic book, and this last part is an amazing conclusion.
Steve Ditko has saved the best till last. This story contains three full page drawings, including the splash page.
I greatly regret that Steve Ditko left Marvel after drawing this story. In the following years the quality of the Doctor Strange artwork fluctuated, sometimes poor, sometimes good, sometimes even outstanding, but it never reached the level of Steve Ditko's artwork.
The Crazy Credits tell us that Stan Lee, Steve Ditko and Dennis O'Neil have all worked magic in producing this comic. Artie Simek is just a letterer. Even if that's all he aspires to be, I still find his lettering perfect.
Thor #130
Title: Thunder in the Netherworld!
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Jack Kirby
Villain: Pluto, Tana Nile
Regulars: Jane Foster
Guests: Hercules
Thor battles against the hordes of Pluto to free Hercules from an eternity in the Underworld. Eventually Pluto calls off the fight, because he realises that he's happy in his role.
Back on Earth, Tana Nile takes away Jane Foster's memory and sends her away.
I know that the Crazy Credits intend to insult Artie Simek by calling him a pussycat, but let's turn it around. Being a pussycat means that his work is quiet and subtle. That's a letterer's job. Good calligraphy is a background art. If the lettering is done well you can read a whole comic and not notice it, but if the lettering is poor you'll notice it straight away.
Title: The Fateful Change!
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Jack Kirby
Gods: Thor, Fandrel, Hogun, Volstagg
Thor defeats Harokin in battle. Now he disguises himself as Harokin in order to retrieve the Warlock's Eye.
The Crazy Credits tell us that the amazing costumes in this Tale of Asgard were supplied by Asgard Haberdashery. Is that where Tibor of Transylvania works?
The Avengers #30
Title: Frenzy in a far-off land!
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Don Heck
Avengers: Captain America, Hawkeye, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, Goliath, Wasp
Villain: Black Widow, Swordsman, Power Man
This story divides the Avengers. It starts with Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch noticing that their powers are declining. They think that their powers might be linked to their (unnamed) native land, so they travel back home in an attempt to recharge their powers.
Goliath travels to South America to visit Dr. Anton, a man who he thinks might be able to help him regain his normal size. When he arrives he's captured by the inhabitants of a hidden kingdom which they call the Forbidden Kingdom. Marvel Comics are full of cornballs!
Hawkeye travels alone to challenge the Black Widow, the Swordsman and Power Man, because he blames himself for letting them escape last issue.
The Crazy Credits say that Irving Forbush is an arbitrator, but he should do his job better. He should have prevented Steve Ditko from leaving.
X-Men #22
Title: Divided we fall!
Writer: Roy Thomas
Artist: Werner Roth (as Jay Gavin)
X-Men: Cyclops, Angel, Beast, Iceman, Marvel Girl
Villain: Count Nefaria, Plantman, Scarecrow, Porcupine, Eel, Unicorn
Regulars: Professor X, Vera, Zelda
The story begins with the X-Men training in the Danger Room. Professor X has built a giant robot called Colosso, which they have to defeat within five minutes. I admit that I've never been a fan of the Danger Room. Professor X sets up challenges that are so dangerous that members of the X-Men could die if they make a mistake. Isn't that a little too extreme?
Count Nefaria, who we last saw in Tales of Suspense #68, has assembled a team of super-heroes to attack and capture the X-Men.
Plantman, last seen in Strange Tales #121, attacks and defeats Marvel Girl.
Scarecrow, last seen in Tales Of Suspense #51, attacks and defeats Angel.
Porcupine, last seen in Fantastic Four Annual #3, before then Tales To Astonish #53, attacks and defeats the Beast.
Eel, last seen in Fantastic Four Annual #3, before then Strange Tales #117, attacks and defeats Iceman.
Unicorn, last seen in Fantastic Four Annual #3, before then Tales of Suspense #56, attacks and defeats Cyclops.
Yes, this is Roy Thomas going to work reviving underused villains. It's something he does so well. Why invent new villains when the old ones are so good?
The Crazy Credits say that Colosso was built by Irving Forbush Robotics Inc. Professor X must have outsourced.
Daredevil #18
Title: There shall come a Gladiator!
Writer: Stan Lee, Dennis O'Neil
Artist: John Romita
Villain: Gladiator
Regulars: Foggy Nelson, Karen Page
Foggy Nelson continues trying to impress Karen Page by dropping hints that he's Daredevil. Now he goes one step further. He buys a Daredevil costume from a costume shop to wear under his suit, planning to give Karen a brief glimpse.
Of all the costume shops in New York he happens to pick the one that's owned by an aspiring super-villain. The unnamed shop owner is convinced that super-heroes are all fakes and their powers are only in their costumes. He's designed a costume which he believes will make him more powerful than any super-hero.
As a trial run the shop owner wants to battle someone who isn't really a hero. He offers to stage a mock fight with Foggy in front of his girlfriend, but he intends to beat him up badly.
That's a very realistic costume, but the sight of Foggy wearing it should be enough to tell the shop owner that not everyone can become a super-hero by putting on a costume.
When they meet in the evening the shop owner, who now calls himself the Gladiator, knocks Foggy out with a single punch. The real Daredevil is watching, so he takes over the fight without the Gladiator noticing it's someone else. Daredevil wins, barely, which persuades the Gladiator that Foggy Nelson is the real Daredevil. Foggy's problems have just gone from bad to worse.
Other comics published this month:
Millie the Model #139 (Dennis O'Neil, Stan Goldberg)
Kid Colt Outlaw #129 (Larry Lieber, Jack Keller)
Two Gun Kid #82 (Larry Lieber, Dick Ayers)
Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos #32 (Roy Thomas, Dick Ayers)
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