Fantastic Four #60
Title: The Peril and the Power!
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Jack Kirby
Villain: Doctor Doom
Regulars: Wyatt Wingfoot
Guests: Silver Surfer, Black Panther, Watcher, Black Bolt, Medusa, Crystal, Gorgon, Karnak, Triton
This is the final battle between the Fantastic Four and Doctor Doom, who's using the Silver Surfer's power. I've been considering voting one story each month the "story of the month". This is the comic that would win this month's award hands down.
What would your sound effect for this panel be? Boom? Ka-Boom? Kerrang! It wouldn't matter if it were only a Pfft. It still hurts the Thing.
The over-confident Thing yells his battle cry: It's clobbering time!
What's that about the Thing injuring Doctor's Doom hand a zillion issues ago? It was actually 20 issues ago in Fantastic Four #40. It seems much longer. Time flies.
In the end Reed Richards defeats Doctor Doom by trickery. He attacks him with a weapon, an Anti-Cosmic Flying Wing – don't you just love the corny names that Stan Lee invents? – which then flies off into space. Doctor Doom pursues it and collides with the barrier that Galactus has put around the Earth to trap the Silver Surfer.
Amazing Spider-Man #46
Title: The Sinister Shocker!
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: John Romita
Villain: Lizard
Regulars: Aunt May, Mary Jane Watson, Flash Thompson, Gwen Stacy, Harry Osborn, J. Jonah Jameson, Betty Brant, Frederick Foswell
Spider-Man, still wearing an arm sling after his injury while fighting the Lizard in Amazing Spider-Man #44, meets a new costumed super-villain called the Shocker. That's actually the wrong name. His weapons don't create any sort of shocks. That would be Electro. His weapons create vibrations, so he should have called himself the Vibrator. That would have made him popular with the ladies.
Spider-Man's banter is now a standard part of his style. When the Shocker exclaims "Spider-Man!" he says that he isn't Hubert Humphrey. Who's that? I had to look it up. He was the American vice president in 1967, when the comic was written.
In the second battle with the Vibrator – Oops! I meant the Shocker – the villain hasn't learnt any knew dialogue. "Spider-Man!" This time Spider-Man replies that he isn't the Man from UNCLE. We all know who that is, don't we?
Peter Parker is a naughty boy. He goes out with Mary Jane Watson, but his eyes are on Gwen Stacy. Girls notice things like that. Somehow he manages to pull himself together and looks away. If Gwen had been wearing a short skirt it would have been much harder. The talk is about Flash Thompson being drafted to fight in Vietnam, but all that air-headed Mary Jane can talk about is finding men in uniform sexy. I'm sure that was the last thought on the mind of teenage boys crawling through the jungle.
This story is also about the Parker household dissolving. Aunt May arranges to move in with her neighbour, Anna Watson. This will enable her to sell her house, and she'll have enough money for medication. Peter is moving in with Harry Osborn. It's a luxury apartment rent-free, paid for by Harry's father Norman.
Strange Tales #154
Title: Beware the Deadly Dreadnought!
Writer: Jim Steranko, Roy Thomas
Artist: Jim Steranko
Villain: Hydra, Supreme Hydra (Agent Bronson)
Regulars: Dum Dum Dugan (Timothy Aloysius Cadwallader Dugan), Gabe Jones, Jasper Sitwell, Laura Brown
Here's a newsflash. This issue reveals that Dum Dum Dugan's real name is Timothy Aloysius Cadwallader Dugan. No wonder he prefers to be called Dum Dum. They would constantly have made fun of him when he was working in the circus.
Jack Kirby has given up the layouts, finally unleashing Jim Steranko. Fantastic Four #60 may have been the best story of the month, but this is the best artwork of the month. In case you didn't notice, Jim is also plotting this story, taking a load off the shoulders of overworked Rascally Roy Thomas.
Look at this sketch of the SHIELD heli-carrier. It's not just informative, it's a work of art. If it were a poster I'd put it up on my wall.
Jim Steranko demands more from Marvel's underworked letterers. It's a novelty that Sam Rosen has to letter this image in white, instead of his beloved black.
Nick Fury is equipped in pure James Bond fashion. While the previous issues borrowed mostly from the Man from UNCLE, under Jim Steranko's influence the series leaned more towards James Bond.
Note that the panel layout deviates strongly from the Jack Kirby Marvel standard of two or three equally high panels per page. This was copied by the other Marvel artists, apart from slight deviation by Gene Colan, but Jim Steranko refused to adhere to marvel conventions. He did his own thing, which is possibly why he didn't get on with Stan Lee.
Here are other examples of typical Jim Steranko art. He likes putting black and white panels in contrast to full colour panels. In the b/w panel Sam Rosen has to letter the image with alternating black and white. That would be easy today with computer software, but in 1967 he had to do everything by hand. Sam was valuable to Marvel.
I can't resist it! I have to post another example of Jim Steranko's artwork. Pure genius! And I also like Laura Brown's net stockings. I need to exercise some self-control. I could publish every page of Jim Steranko's beautiful artwork. No! I mustn't! If my readers want to see more of Jim Steranko, please go to Marvel.com and become Unlimited Members. You won't regret it.
In the Crazy Credits we read that Stan, Roy and Jim have forgotten Jasper Sitwell's SHIELD slogan. Good! I'm not going to remind them.
Title: Clea must die!
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Marie Severin
Villain: Umar
Regulars: Clea
It's a beautiful splash page by Marie Severin, but I'm afraid that the rest of the story's artwork isn't up to the same standard. She needed time to adjust to working at Marvel.
In direct battle Doctor Strange is unable to defeat Umar. She is only halted when Veritas, the embodiment of truth, reveals her true face to her. No woman likes to look at herself without makeup.
Here's an example of Stan Lee's writing. He should be honoured as a poet.
Tales of Suspense #87
Title: Crisis at the Earth's Core!
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Gene Colan
Villain: Mole Man
Regulars: Happy Hogan, Pepper Potts
Tony Stark is testing a new earth borer powered by atomic energy? Why? It's just something that mad scientists do, and I've always been suspicious of Tony Stark's sanity.
When subsidences occur, Iron Man goes beneath the Earth to investigate. This brings him into direct conflict with Mole Man, who we last saw in Tales To_Astonish #81.
Title: Wanted: Captain America!
Writer: Roy Thomas
Artist: Jack Sparling
Villain: Planner
Regulars: Jarvis
A villain called the Planner disguises himself as Captain America and commits a series of robberies. The public at large jumps to conclusions and assume that Captain America has become a criminal. That's what the public does. It makes assumptions without knowing all the facts. Don't they know that anyone can put on a fancy costume and say he's someone else? The real Captain America goes into action and defeats him.
Jack Sparling is one of many free-lance artists hired by Marvel in the 1960's when Jack Kirby and the rest of the team had too much work. He also draws this month's X-Men #30. The next comics he drew for Marvel were in the 1980's. That's a shame. I have to say that his artwork in this issue is outstanding.
The Crazy Credits tell us that Irving Forbush sweeps the subways. How does he find the time alongside all his other responsibilities?
Tales to Astonish #89
Title: The Prince and the Power!
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Bill Everett
Villain: Attuma, Servo-Robot
Regulars: Lady Dorma, Vashti
Sub-Mariner battles the Servo-Robot while Attuma looks on. The battle continues until the aliens that lost the Servo-Robot return to collect it.
Title: Then there shall come a stranger!
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Gil Kane
Villain: Stranger
Regulars: Rick Jones, General Ross, Major Talbot, Betty Ross
The Stranger, who we last saw in X-Men #18, captures Bruce Banner while he's in his normal human form. He says that he wants to destroy humanity before its greed and hatred endanger the universe. He wants the Hulk to serve him in destroying humanity. Bruce Banner turns into the Hulk, who initially refuses to serve anyone, but the Stranger's machines brainwash him into hating all humans.
Thor #138
Title: The Flames of Battle!
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Jack Kirby
Villain: Ulik, Guerridor, Orikal
Regulars: Odin, Sif
The war between Asgard and the Trolls continues while Thor is on Earth searching for Sif. Thor senses that Sif is hidden somewhere in New York, so he changes back to Donald Blake to search surreptitiously. When he reaches the street beneath which she's trapped in an underground cavern the Trolls suck Donald Blake into the ground with a Molecule Disperser (Stan Lee's latest invention). Below ground he turns back into Thor and battles Ulik.
Meanwhile, the Trolls are winning the war and break into Asgard.
King Guerridor has trapped a mighty being called Orikal from another universe. Using a magic orb supplied by Orikal the Trolls are able to steal Thor's hammer. Without the hammer Thor will turn back into Donald Blake within 60 seconds.
The Crazy Credits say that Artie Simek is a smartie. Of course he is! He's as smart as he's adorable.
Title: The Quest for the Mystic Mountain!
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Jack Kirby
Gods: Thor, Fandrel, Hogun, Volstagg
Thor and the Warriors Three ask for directions to the Mystic Mountain, where they hope to find Mogul.
The Avengers #38
Title: In our midst an Immortal!
Writer: Roy Thomas
Artist: Don Heck
Avengers: Captain America, Hawkeye, Goliath, Wasp, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch
Villain: Enchantress, Ares
Regulars: Black Widow, Hercules. Jarvis
Guests: Nick Fury, Dum Dum Dugan, Jasper Sitwell
Hawkeye and Goliath argue over whether the Black Widow should become a member of the Avengers. Hawkeye is biased, because he loves her.
Talking about love, the Enchantress gives Hercules a potion which makes him fall in love with her and do whatever she wants. Maybe Gods need extra persuading? One kiss from her lips would be enough to make me her slave for the rest of my life.
A meeting is scheduled to vote on the Black Widow's membership. Captain America doesn't stay for the meeting because he has personal busines to attend to, as we'll see in next month's Tales Of Suspense #88. The Black Widow arrives late and says she no longer wants to become an Avenger without giving a reason. We, the readers, know the reason. Nick Fury has sent her on a secret mission for SHIELD which she can't tell anyone about.
Hawkeye storms out in anger, saying he's quitting the Avengers. Doesn't he say that every month or two? The Wasp leaves with him because she needs to get away from the Avengers while they're arguing. That just leaves three of the Avengers in the Mansion: Goliath, Quicksilver and the Wasp. Then Hercules attacks.
The battle doesn't end until Hercules is freed from his entrancement by a sulphur arrow. Make a note of that. Sulphur is an antidote to love potions! The Enchantress leaves, and then Zeus speaks from the sky. As punishment for leaving Olympus without permission Hercules is ordered to remain on Earth for 12 months. The Avengers offer him a room in their Mansion.
The Crazy Credits are confusing this month:
Stan Lee edits for everyman. Does that mean the readers or the other members of staff?
Roy Thomas scripts for somebody. I thought he writes for everybody.
Don Heck draws for posterity. Yes, I just read this comic 52 years after he drew it.
George Bell inks for immortality. I understand that the inking finalises the drawing, so I agree.
Artie Simek letters for a living. That's true, but the other four creators also worked on the comic for a living. Everyone needs to make money, even the great Stan Lee. And I can guarantee you that Artie Simek's lettering is every bit as immortal as the story and the art.
X-Men #30
Title: The Warlock Wakes!
Writer: Roy Thomas
Artist: Jack Sparling
X-Men: Cyclops, Angel, Beast, Iceman, Marvel Girl
Villain: Warlock (formerly Merlin)
Regulars: Professor X
The X-Men are yanked away from their school by a mysterious force. Professor X and Marvel Girl find themselves in the presence of someone who calls himself the Warlock. He's the same man who called himself Merlin in Journey Into Mystery #96. Professor X's mental powers have been neutralised, and Marvel Girl has been brainwashed into submission. She's totally enamoured with the Warlock.
The Warlock is a centuries old mutant with mental powers, but he also uses scientific devices. He intends to use a Time Reversal Ray to reduce human intelligence back to the level of the Middle Ages. Then he will become the Earth's new King, and Marvel Girl will be his Queen.
The Angel is the first to arrive on the scene. He's not under the Warlock's control, but he bides his time, watching what's happening. Slowly Professor X gains his powers back and is able to summon the remaining X-Men. After defeating him Professor X puts him into a deep sleep which should last for 1000 years. Do any Marvel fans really think he'll sleep so long? Good villains are too precious for Stan Lee and Roy Thomas to forget.
Like Tales Of Suspense #87, this comic has been drawn by Jack Sparling. The artwork is outstanding. It's such a shame that Stan Lee couldn't persuade him to become a permanent employee.
The Crazy Credits say that Irving Forbush is a manicurist. I suppose he does that while he's not busy sweeping the subways.
Daredevil #26
Title: Stilt-Man strikes again!
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Gene Colan
Villain: Leap-Frog, Stilt-Man, Masked Marauder (Frank Farnum)
Regulars: Foggy Nelson, Karen Page
This whole comic is beautifully drawn by Gene Colan, but just look at the splash page. Daredevil is keeping fit by jumping around the credits box!
Off he goes to work. Note the conversation of the passers-by. They say that in this town (New York City, in particular Manhattan) super-heroes are everywhere. That's how Stan Lee has peopled the great city.
But at the last minute Matt Murdock decides he doesn't want to work. He dresses up as Mike Murdock instead. What started out as a necessity to protect his secret identity has turned into an obsession.
What a clown! His stupid attitude annoys Foggy Nelson, but Karen Page finds him somehow cute.
Foggy has to defend the Leap-Frog in court because Matt Murdock is unavailable. He's actually sitting in court dressed as Mike. Something is seriously wrong with him. The district attorney asks the Leap-Frog to put on the jumping shoes to prove they fit him. That wasn't a good idea. The Leap-Frog uses the shoes to jump out of the courtroom window. Not having had time to fasten them he breaks a leg when he lands, but he's rescued by the Stilt-Man. Do you remember him from Daredevil #8?
While Daredevil is battling the Stilt-Man we see that the Masked Marauder is Frank Farnum, the building manager where Nelson and Murdock have rented their office. The Stilt-Man is knocked unconscious by Daredevil, and Frank Farnum pulls him into his car to help him escape.
Did you notice that the Crazy Credits box that doubles as a gymnastics horse also says that Artie Simek has done lots of little lettering? It's big enough for me, and if there's a lot of it it's what Stan Lee gave him to write.
Other comics published this month:
Millie the Model #147 (Dennis O'Neil, Stan Goldberg)
Kid Colt Outlaw #133 (Gary Friedrich, Werner Roth)
Two Gun Kid #86 (Gary Friedrich, Vic Carrabotta)
Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos #40 (Roy Thomas, Dick Ayers)
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