Great Zeus
Release: March 1, 1962
Cover: June 1962
12 cents
Story: Stan Lee
Art: Steve Ditko
5 pages
Zeus decides to head to earth to guide humans away from the path of self-destruction. At first, people think he is a crackpot. But when they see his powers, several agents want to sign him up. He is overwhelmed by the agents and retreats to Mount Olympus
I had originally skipped this tale, but if I’m going to talk about early appearances of Venus and Medusa, this fits too, I guess. In particular, a version of Zeus also appeared in several issues of the Venus series.
This has got some good thematic parallels with the introduction of Spider-Man two issues later, in that super powers attract agents looking to make you a star.
I read this comic a long time ago at the age of 13. JC Penney sponsored a series of reprints of old Marvel comics. Seemingly random issues. But I got the set of them. They were all the oldest comics I had read at that point, the oldest being an issue of Young Men. I thus recall this issue fondly 25 years later.
There are four other weird tales in this issue.
Rating: ★★★☆☆, 50/100
Significance: ★☆☆☆☆
Characters:
- Zeus
Story Notes:
- This was a late decision to include. We’re publishing the post a little bit late. This was released the same day as Incredible Hulk #1.
- CMRO does not include this story in its chronology, but MCP does.
- Agents suggest: a booking at the Bijou; a biography; a woman’s garden club; endorsing Cruntchy Wunchy Breakfast Oats; a carnival; singing rock ‘n roll; Ed Sullivan’s Show; This is Your Life
#10 story in reading order
Previous: Tales to Astonish #32, Story C
Next: Incredible Hulk #1
