Reading the Marvel Universe – Page 44

PRELUDE: Captain America Comics #2

The Ageless Orientals Who Wouldn’t Die

Featuring: Captain America
Release: February 10, 1941
Cover: April 1941
10 cents
By: Joe Simon and Jack Kirby
15 pages

This comic was released on my birthday, just 40 years early.

Our buildup to Avengers #4 continues.

Once again, the cover of the comic shows Captain America directly confronting Hitler, this time without the satisfying sock to the jaw. The interior of the first issue disappointed, as Captain America and Hitler did not actually meet. This issue will rectify that, but not with this story. We’ll see Hitler in the next post, concerning “Case No. 2”.

The title of the story alone–“The Ageless Orientals Who Wouldn’t Die”– tells you that this comic is probably extremely inappropriate, and it is. Popular culture depictions of Asian characters were problematic for decades. This comic at least only features giants, not meant to represent actual people.

PRELUDE: Captain America Comics #1, Story B

Case No. 2

Featuring: Captain America
Release: December 20, 1940
Cover: March 1941
10 cents
By: Joe Simon and Jack Kirby
7 pages

The issue’s Table of Contents lists each chapter as a “Case”. The first was “Case No. 1”. This story is “Case No. 2”. Cases 3 and 4 seem to have actual titles, but this one does not.

We read the first “Case” in this comic a little while ago, because I thought Captain America was returning in Strange Tales #114. I was mistaken. I was fooled by the Acrobat in disguise, just like the whole town of Glenville. But I just peeked at the cover of Avengers #4, and it looks like this time Captain America is really going to return.

Yes, I know the old saying. “Fool me once, shame on… shame on you. Fool me… can’t get fooled again.”

But I have a really good feeling that this actually is Captain America. Hence, I would like to review a smattering of his 1940s and 1950s appearances to get a sense of who this fella is and what’s he’s about.

This story is notable for being the first mission of Captain America and Bucky. We learned their origin in “Case No. 1”. Now it’s time for them to go into action.

It’s 1940. Europe is at war. America has stubbornly remained neutral. But there are Axis spies and saboteurs on the homefront, and Captain America and Bucky are ready to deal with them.

Tales to Astonish #55, Story B

The Gypsy’s Secret!

Featuring: Wasp
Release: February 4, 1964
Cover: May 1964
12 cents
Story plot: Stan Lee
Script and art: Larry Lieber
Inking: George Bell
Lettering: Sherigail
5 pages

This is the first lettering we’ve seen attributed to “Sherigail”, a pseudonym for Morrie Kuramoto. The name is a combination of both his wife and daughter’s names.

I originally attributed the lettering to Ray Holloway. Thanks to Nel Yomtov for the correction.

I recognize that “gypsy” is an outdated and offensive word, but it’s in the title of the comic, and it’s how the comic describes the strange alien visitor.

Though the era of weird tales is ending, through the Wasp’s stories we get two more in this title.

Tales to Astonish #55

On the Trail of the Human Top!

Featuring: Giant-Man and Wasp
Release: February 4, 1964
Cover: May 1964
12 cents
Story by: Happy Stan Lee
Art by: Heroic Dick Ayers
Lettering by: Honest Art Simek
18 pages

For the third comic in a row, I feel the need to point out that we are reading a February comic when not yet done with the January comics. I have reasons.

Please recall that Hulk and Namor remain at large.

How does Wasp feel about not getting her name on the jackets?

Actually, you often look foolish and clumsy. Do you have any footage of your recent battle against El Toro?

Human Top is Dr. Pym’s third repeat villain, after Egghead and Porcupine. Returning villains have become much more common across all the titles these last couple months, now that a staple has been built up.

Journey Into Mystery #103, Story C

Thor’s Mission to Mirmir!

Featuring: Tales of Asgard
Release: February 4, 1964
Cover: April 1964
12 cents
Masterfully written by: Stan Lee
Magnificently illustrated by: Jack Kirby
Majestically inked by: Chic Stone
Meritoriously lettered by: Art Simek
5 pages

This is how it all begins. Quite literally.

The story of Thor’s early days continues. He is now an adult and wields the magic hammer. We see now the story of the dawn of humanity on Earth, and Thor’s role in the tale.

The tale begins in the mountains of Asgard, where the dwarfs dwell. We are told the dwarfs forge all the weapons of Asgard. However, not quite all. We learned in the main story of this issue that Odin himself forged Thor’s hammer. That fact is affirmed in this very story.

Sindri is the king of dwarfs and has built the magical ship, Skipbladnir. It’s a tiny ship that magically grows to full-size when needed. Skipbladnir will transport Thor to Mirmir.

Journey Into Mystery #103

The Enchantress and the Executioner!

Featuring: Thor
Release: February 4, 1964
Cover: April 1964
12 cents
Written by: Stan Lee, master of fantasy
Illustrated by: Jack Kirby, master of picto-drama
Inked by: Chic Stone
Lettered by: S. Rosen
13 pages

The phrase “feature-length” clearly means nothing to Stan. 13 pages is the same length the Thor stories have always been. It’s only half a comic.

I had some trouble deciding where it was best to read this story. I had originally posted it a little early, I decided, and moved it to where it fits in terms of publication dates, after the introduction of Black Widow. I’m not sure when it best takes place chronologically.

We start with Thor returning to the 20th century from the future, so there’s no time gap between the beginning of this story and Journey Into Mystery #102. Dr. Blake needs a nap, and we do have a short time gap before the main action of the story begins.

Amazing Spider-Man #12

Unmasked by Dr. Octopus!

Featuring: Spider-Man
Release: February 11, 1964
Cover: May 1964
12 cents
Written in the white heat of inspiration by: Stan Lee
Drawn in a wild frenzy of enthusiasm by: Steve Ditko
Lettered in a comfortable room by: Art Simek
22 pages

We’re reading this story an entire month early. A few reasons for this. One is that a lot of plot and thematic elements remain unresolved from issue 11. So these two issues read well together. The other is that I’ll be shuffling around a lot of Avengers-related comics due to chronological complications, including Spider-Man’s upcoming guest appearance in Tales to Astonish. I’ll be pulling that story forward, which also pulls this story forward.

Since the Dr. Octopus subplot remains unresolved from last issue, I think it’s best if Spider-Man’s guest appearances with Human Torch or Giant-Man don’t break up these issues.

Just keep in mind this comic was actually was published after a lot of the exciting events we are about to read, including the return of Captain America, the introduction of Black Widow, the epic Thing/Hulk showdown, and the introduction of Daredevil. But I think it reads better before all that. So here we are.

This is actually one of my very favorite Spider-Man comics. Let’s dive in.

We see a Daily Bugle article in an unusual level of detail. Spider-Man is blamed for letting Dr. Octopus escape by interfering in police business. Jameson’s articles are often over the top, but this seems a reasonable assessment to me. Spider-Man is a child who barged into a delicate hostage situation. One person was killed and the villain escaped. We know he did his best, but he is an amateur. Nonetheless, Spider-Man is outraged by the article. He should perhaps instead be remorseful about Bennet’s death. That’s what happens when you provoke a criminal into wildly firing shots.

Amazing Spider-Man #11

Turning Point

Featuring: Spider-Man
Release: January 10, 1964
Cover: April 1964
12 cents
None but Stan Lee could have written this epic tale!!
None but Steve Ditko could have drawn such gripping scenes!
Lettered by S. Rosen
21 pages

“None but Stan Lee could have written this epic tale!!” I don’t know, Stan. I have my suspicions that’s not precisely accurate. There’s at least one other person who could have, and perhaps did.

With a title like “Turning Point”, this is probably going to be good.

This story has been building for two issues now, and won’t quite resolve in this one. Let’s remind ourselves of what’s been happening.

Two issues back, Peter and Betty were getting closer, but Betty had concerns, and those concerns seemed to hint at larger troubles.

"You're beginning to enjoy the danger-- the excitement! Just like--someone else I once knew--"

"Peter, I never told you why I left high school last year and took a job! I never told you about someone I once knew who-- who remind me of you! But I don't want to be hurt again!"

Last issue, we learn she had been in debt to a loan shark, which leads to her running afoul of the Enforcers. For Peter’s protection, she decides to leave town.

This issue, we see the return of Spider-Man’s greatest villain, Dr. Octopus. Dr. Octopus marks Spidey’s second recurring villain, after the Vulture. (Of course, not counting his persistent nemesis, J. Jonah Jameson.)

Strange Tales #119, Story B

Beyond the Purple Veil!

Featuring: Dr. Strange
Release: January 10, 1964
Cover: April 1964
12 cents
Story conjured up by: Stan Lee
Illustrated by the Strange Sorcery of: Steve Ditko
Lettered at midnight by: Art Simek
8 pages

This issue is most notable for finally giving a name to Dr. Strange’s house servant. His name is Wong.

We had seen him twice before but without being named. Here he is in #110 and #116.

Here he is in the Dr. Strange film played by Benedict Wong. Is it coincidental that Wong is played by a Wong? A glimpse at Wikipedia tells me that over 7% of people in China have the surname Wong or a variant. So it’s not an astronomical coincidence.

Strange Tales #119

The Torch Goes Wild!

Featuring: Human Torch
Release: January 10, 1964
Cover: April 1964
12 cents
Written by: Stan Lee
Drawn by: Dick Ayers
Lettered by: S. Rosen
13 pages

No picture this time, but at least the covers are now consistently mentioning that Dr. Strange exists.

The title of this story is, “The Torch Goes Wild!” Not quite sure what that leads me to expect. Maybe Johnny will take his top off, show a little skin.

Our more observant readers might be wondering if we completely forgot about Avengers #4. We did not. For various reasons about story flow and chronology and such, we will be waiting a bit to read it. I promise a future post that explains all these decisions in excruciating detail.

Our story begins with Johnny having a bad day. Perhaps the Rabble Rouser is to blame.