Category: Reading the Marvel Universe

Join me as I read through the entire Marvel Universe in order.

Tales to Astonish #28

I am the Gorilla-Man

Featuring: Gorilla-Man
Release: November 9, 1961
Cover: February, 1961
12 cents
Credits: Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, Jack Kirby and Dick Ayers
7 pages

This is a tangential story, but it seemed worth including. Unlike Henry Pym last issue, Herr Radzik is a mad scientist bent on evil. He’ll also become less prominent of a character.

He is an evil scientist who invents a ray to switch bodies. He first changes places with a cat (I perhaps would have stayed there) and then decides a gorilla will be the ultimate form. His ambitions involve stealing money as a gorilla, and such. But, once he puts the gorilla into his body, the gorilla is able to use its new human brain to outsmart him and lock him in a zoo.

Continue reading “Tales to Astonish #28”

Reading order

Here’s what I’ll be reading.

  1. Fantastic Four #1
    PRELUDE: Marvel Comics #1
    POSTLUDE: Marvels #0
  2. Fantastic Four #2
  3. Tales to Astonish #27
  4. Tales to Astonish #28
    PRELUDE: Men’s Adventures #26, Story D
    PRELUDE: Mystery Tales #21, Story E
  5. Fantastic Four #3
    INTERLUDE: Tales of Suspense #27, Story D
  6. Tales to Astonish #30
    PRELUDE: Marvel Comics #1, Story C
  7. Fantastic Four #4
  8. Incredible Hulk #1
    INTERLUDE: Amazing Adult Fantasy #13, Story B
    INTERLUDE: Tales to Astonish #32, Story C
  9. Amazing Adult Fantasy #14, Story B
  10. Fantastic Four #5
  11. Incredible Hulk #2
  12. Amazing Fantasy #15
    POSTLUDE: Ultimate Spider-Man #1
    POSTLUDE: Ultimate Spider-Man #2
    POSTLUDE: Ultimate Spider-Man #3
    POSTLUDE: Ultimate Spider-Man #4
    POSTLUDE: Ultimate Spider-Man #5
  13. Journey Into Mystery #83
    PRELUDE: Venus #1
  14. Tales to Astonish #35
  15. Fantastic Four #6
  16. Journey Into Mystery #84
  17. Incredible Hulk #3
  18. Fantastic Four #7
  19. Strange Tales #101
  20. Tales to Astonish #36
  21. Journey Into Mystery #85
    PRELUDE: Journey Into Mystery #47, Story B
  22. Tales to Astonish #37
  23. Strange Tales #102
  24. Fantastic Four #8
  25. Journey Into Mystery #86
  26. Incredible Hulk #4
  27. Incredible Hulk #4, Story B
  28. Fantastic Four #9
    PRELUDE: Tales of Suspense #10
  29. Strange Tales #103
  30. Tales to Astonish #38
  31. Journey Into Mystery #87
  32. Tales to Astonish #39
  33. Fantastic Four #10
  34. Strange Tales #104
  35. Fantastic Four #11
  36. Fantastic Four #11, Story B
  37. Strange Tales #105
  38. Incredible Hulk #5
  39. Incredible Hulk #5, Story B
  40. Journey Into Mystery #88
  41. Tales to Astonish #40
  42. Journey Into Mystery #89
  43. Tales to Astonish #41
  44. Fantastic Four #12
  45. Tales of Suspense #39
    INTERLUDE: Tales of Suspense #39, Story C
  46. Amazing Spider-Man #1
  47. Amazing Spider-Man #1, Story B
  48. Strange Tales #106
  49. Journey Into Mystery #90
  50. Incredible Hulk #6
  51. Tales to Astonish #42
  52. Tales of Suspense #40
  53. Strange Tales #107
    PRELUDE: Marvel Mystery Comics #7
    PRELUDE: Marvel Mystery Comics #7, Story C
    PRELUDE: Marvel Mystery Comics #8
    PRELUDE: Marvel Mystery Comics #8, Story B
    PRELUDE: Marvel Mystery Comics #9
    PRELUDE: Marvel Mystery Comics #10
  54. Fantastic Four #13
  55. Fantastic Four #14
  56. Journey Into Mystery #91
  57. Tales to Astonish #43
  58. Strange Tales #108
    INTERLUDE: Strange Tales #108, Story C
  59. Amazing Spider-Man #2
  60. Amazing Spider-Man #2, Story B
  61. Tales of Suspense #41
  62. Journey Into Mystery #92
  63. Sgt. Fury #1
  64. Tales to Astonish #44
  65. Fantastic Four #15
  66. Strange Tales #109
  67. Tales of Suspense #42
  68. Journey Into Mystery #93
  69. Tales to Astonish #45
  70. Amazing Spider-Man #3
  71. Tales of Suspense #43
  72. Strange Tales #110
  73. Strange Tales #110, Story C
  74. Journey Into Mystery #94
  75. Sgt. Fury #2
  76. Strange Tales #111
  77. Strange Tales #111, Story C
  78. Tales to Astonish #46
  79. Fantastic Four #16
  80. Fantastic Four #17
  81. Tales of Suspense #44
  82. Journey Into Mystery #95
  83. Tales to Astonish #47
  84. Tales of Suspense #45
  85. Amazing Spider-Man #4
  86. Fantastic Four #18
  87. Strange Tales #112
  88. Strange Tales Annual 2
    PRELUDE: Sub-Mariner Comics #1
    PRELUDE: Sub-Mariner Comics #32
    PRELUDE: Young Men #24, Story C
    PRELUDE: Young Men #25, Story C
    PRELUDE: Young Men #28, Story C
  89. Fantastic Four Annual 1
  90. Fantastic Four Annual 1, Story B
  91. Sgt. Fury #3
  92. Journey Into Mystery #96
    INTERLUDE: Journey Into Mystery #96, Story B
  93. X-Men #1
    PRELUDE: Marvel Comics #1, Story B
    PRELUDE: Marvel Boy #1
  94. Avengers #1
  95. Tales to Astonish #48
  96. Tales of Suspense #46
  97. Amazing Spider-Man #5
  98. Strange Tales #113
  99. Fantastic Four #19
  100. Journey Into Mystery #97
  101. Journey Into Mystery #97, Story C
  102. Tales to Astonish #49
    PRELUDE: Captain America Comics #1
  103. Strange Tales #114
  104. Strange Tales #114, Story B
  105. Fantastic Four #20
  106. Amazing Spider-Man #6
  107. Tales of Suspense #47
  108. X-Men #2
  109. Journey Into Mystery #98
  110. Journey Into Mystery #98, Story C
    POSTLUDE: Avengers #1½
  111. Avengers #2
  112. Sgt. Fury #4
  113. Amazing Spider-Man #7
  114. Strange Tales #115
  115. Strange Tales #115, Story B
  116. Fantastic Four #21
  117. Tales of Suspense #48
  118. Tales to Astonish #50
  119. Tales to Astonish #51
  120. Tales to Astonish #51, Story C
  121. Tales of Suspense #49
  122. Tales of Suspense #49, Story B
  123. Fantastic Four #22
  124. Amazing Spider-Man #8
  125. Amazing Spider-Man #8, Story B
  126. Strange Tales #116
  127. Strange Tales #116, Story B
  128. Journey Into Mystery #99
  129. Journey Into Mystery #99, Story C
  130. Journey Into Mystery #100
  131. Journey Into Mystery #100, Story C
  132. Sgt. Fury #5
  133. X-Men #3
    PRELUDE: Black Knight #1
  134. Tales to Astonish #52
  135. Tales to Astonish #52, Story B
  136. Avengers #3
  137. Fantastic Four #23
  138. Strange Tales #117
  139. Strange Tales #117, Story B
  140. Amazing Spider-Man #9
    PRELUDE: Marvel Mystery Comics #4, Story E
  141. Tales of Suspense #50
  142. Tales of Suspense #50, Story C
  143. Tales to Astonish #53
  144. Tales to Astonish #53, Story B
  145. Fantastic Four #24
  146. Strange Tales #118
  147. Strange Tales #118, Story B
  148. Amazing Spider-Man #10
  149. Tales of Suspense #51
  150. Tales of Suspense #51, Story C
  151. Journey Into Mystery #101
  152. Journey Into Mystery #101, Story C
  153. Journey Into Mystery #102
  154. Journey Into Mystery #102, Story C
  155. Sgt. Fury #6
  156. Tales to Astonish #54
  157. Tales to Astonish #54, Story C
  158. X-Men #4
  159. Strange Tales #119
  160. Strange Tales #119, Story B
  161. Amazing Spider-Man #11
  162. Amazing Spider-Man #12
  163. Tales to Astonish #55
  164. Tales to Astonish #55, Story B
    PRELUDE: Captain America Comics #1, Story B
    PRELUDE: Captain America Comics #2
    PRELUDE: Captain America Comics #2, Story B
    PRELUDE: Captain America Comics #3, Text Story
    PRELUDE: USA Comics #1, Story F
    PRELUDE: USA Comics #6
    PRELUDE: Captain America Comics #59
    PRELUDE: Captain America Comics #66
    PRELUDE: Captain America #76
    PRELUDE: Captain America #78
    PRELUDE: Captain America #78, Story D
  165. Avengers #4
  166. Fantastic Four #25
  167. Fantastic Four #26
    PRELUDE: Mystic Comics #4, Story E
  168. Tales of Suspense #52
  169. Tales of Suspense #52, Story C
  170. Journey Into Mystery #103
  171. Journey Into Mystery #103, Story C
  172. Tales of Suspense #53
  173. Tales of Suspense #53, Story C
  174. Journey Into Mystery #104
  175. Journey Into Mystery #104, Story C
  176. Tales to Astonish #56
  177. Tales to Astonish #56, Story B
  178. Tales to Astonish #57
  179. Tales to Astonish #57, Story B
  180. Avengers #5
  181. Daredevil #1
  182. X-Men #5
  183. Strange Tales #120
  184. Strange Tales #120, Story B
  185. Sgt. Fury #7
  186. Amazing Spider-Man #13
  187. Strange Tales #121
  188. Strange Tales #121, Story B
  189. Fantastic Four #27
    PRELUDE: Human Torch #5
    POSTLUDE: Marvels #1
  190. Sgt. Fury #8
  191. Avengers #6
  192. Tales of Suspense #54
  193. Tales of Suspense #54, Story C
  194. Tales of Suspense #55
  195. Tales of Suspense #55, Story B
  196. Tales of Suspense #55, Story C
  197. Daredevil #2
  198. Strange Tales #122
  199. Strange Tales #122, Story B
  200. Fantastic Four #28
  201. Amazing Spider-Man #14
  202. Journey Into Mystery #105
  203. Journey Into Mystery #105, Story B
  204. Journey Into Mystery #106
  205. Journey Into Mystery #106, Story B
  206. Tales to Astonish #58
  207. Tales to Astonish #58, Story B
  208. X-Men #6
  209. Strange Tales #123
  210. Strange Tales #123, Story B
  211. Fantastic Four #29
  212. Amazing Spider-Man #15
  213. Tales of Suspense #56
  214. Tales of Suspense #56, Story B
  215. Journey Into Mystery #107
  216. Journey Into Mystery #107, Story B
  217. Daredevil #3
  218. Avengers #7
  219. Tales to Astonish #59
  220. Tales to Astonish #59, Story B
  221. Sgt. Fury #9
  222. Amazing Spider-Man #16
  223. Tales of Suspense #57
  224. Tales of Suspense #57, Story B
  225. Strange Tales #124
  226. Strange Tales #124, Story B
  227. Fantastic Four #30
  228. Amazing Spider-Man Annual 1
  229. Amazing Spider-Man Annual 1, Story B
  230. Amazing Spider-Man Annual 1, Story C
  231. Journey Into Mystery #108
  232. Journey Into Mystery #108, Story B
  233. Fantastic Four Annual 2
  234. Fantastic Four Annual 2, Story C
  235. Tales to Astonish #60
  236. Tales to Astonish #60, Story B
  237. X-Men #7
  238. Avengers #8
  239. Sgt. Fury #10
  240. Strange Tales #125
  241. Strange Tales #125, Story B
  242. Tales of Suspense #58
  243. Tales of Suspense #58, Story B
  244. Fantastic Four #31
  245. Journey Into Mystery #109
  246. Journey Into Mystery #109, Story B
  247. Daredevil #4
  248. Tales of Suspense #59
  249. Tales of Suspense #59, Story B
  250. Avengers #9
  251. Sgt. Fury #11
  252. Amazing Spider-Man #17
  253. Amazing Spider-Man #18
  254. Strange Tales #126
  255. Strange Tales #126, Story B
  256. Strange Tales #127
  257. Strange Tales #127, Story B
  258. Amazing Spider-Man #19
  259. Tales to Astonish #61
  260. Tales to Astonish #61, Story B
  261. Tales to Astonish #62
  262. Tales to Astonish #62, Story B
  263. Fantastic Four #32
  264. X-Men #8
  265. Sgt. Fury #12
  266. Fantastic Four #33
  267. Tales of Suspense #60
  268. Tales of Suspense #60, Story B
  269. Avengers #10
  270. Journey Into Mystery #110
  271. Journey Into Mystery #110, Story B
  272. Journey Into Mystery #111
  273. Journey Into Mystery #111, Story B
  274. Daredevil #5
  275. Tales to Astonish #63
  276. Amazing Spider-Man #20
  277. Sgt. Fury #13
  278. Fantastic Four #34
  279. Strange Tales #128
  280. Strange Tales #128, Story B
  281. Tales of Suspense #61
  282. Tales of Suspense #61, Story B
  283. Tales of Suspense #62
  284. Tales of Suspense #62, Story B
  285. Avengers #11
  286. Journey Into Mystery #112
  287. Journey Into Mystery #112, Story B
  288. Avengers #12
  289. X-Men #9
  290. Tales to Astonish #64
  291. Sgt. Fury #14
  292. Amazing Spider-Man #21
  293. Strange Tales #129
  294. Strange Tales #129, Story B
  295. Fantastic Four #35
  296. Daredevil #6
  297. Journey Into Mystery #113
  298. Journey Into Mystery #113, Story B
  299. Sgt. Fury #15
  300. Amazing Spider-Man #22
  301. Strange Tales #130
  302. Tales of Suspense #63
  303. Tales of Suspense #63, Story B
  304. Avengers #13
  305. Avengers #14
  306. Fantastic Four #36
  307. Tales to Astonish #65
  308. Tales to Astonish #66
    PRELUDE: Marvel Comics #1, Story F
  309. X-Men #10
  310. Tales of Suspense #64
  311. Tales of Suspense #64, Story B
    PRELUDE: Captain America Comics #1, Story C
  312. Strange Tales #131
  313. Fantastic Four #37
  314. Amazing Spider-Man #23
  315. Sgt. Fury #16
  316. Sgt. Fury #17
    PRELUDE: Captain America Comics #1, Story D
    PRELUDE: Captain America Comics #3
    PRELUDE: Young Allies #1
    PRELUDE: Captain America Comics #7
    PRELUDE: Captain America Comics #16, Story D
    PRELUDE: Young Allies #4
    PRELUDE: Captain America Comics #37, Story C
    PRELUDE: Captain America Comics #61, Story B
    PRELUDE: Captain America’s Weird Tales #74
    PRELUDE: Young Men #24, Story B
    PRELUDE: Young Men #27, Story B
  317. Tales of Suspense #65
  318. Tales of Suspense #65, Story B
  319. Amazing Spider-Man #24
  320. Strange Tales #132
  321. Strange Tales #133
  322. Strange Tales #134
  323. X-Men #11
  324. X-Men #12
  325. X-Men #13
  326. Fantastic Four #38
  327. Avengers #15
  328. Avengers #16
  329. Journey Into Mystery #114
  330. Journey Into Mystery #114, Story B
  331. Journey Into Mystery #115
  332. Journey Into Mystery #115, Story B
  333. Daredevil #7
  334. Journey Into Mystery #116
  335. Journey Into Mystery #116, Story B
  336. Journey Into Mystery #117
  337. Journey Into Mystery #117, Story B
  338. Journey Into Mystery #118
  339. Journey Into Mystery #118, Story B
    PRELUDE: Mystic Comics #6
  340. Journey Into Mystery #119
  341. Journey Into Mystery #119, Story B
  342. Tales to Astonish #63, Story B
  343. Tales to Astonish #64, Story B
  344. Tales to Astonish #65, Story B
  345. Tales to Astonish #66, Story B
  346. Tales to Astonish #67
  347. Tales to Astonish #67, Story B
  348. Tales to Astonish #68
  349. Tales to Astonish #68, Story B
  350. Tales to Astonish #69
  351. Tales to Astonish #69, Story B
  352. Avengers #17
  353. Sgt. Fury #18
  354. Tales of Suspense #66
  355. Tales of Suspense #66, Story B
  356. Tales of Suspense #67
  357. Tales of Suspense #67, Story B
  358. Tales of Suspense #68
  359. Tales of Suspense #68, Story B
  360. Amazing Spider-Man #25
  361. Fantastic Four #39
  362. Fantastic Four #40
  363. Daredevil #8
  364. Sgt. Fury #19
  365. Amazing Spider-Man #26
  366. Amazing Spider-Man #27
  367. Strange Tales #135
  368. Sgt. Fury #20
  369. Avengers #18
  370. Fantastic Four #41
  371. Fantastic Four #42
  372. Fantastic Four #43
  373. Daredevil #9
    INTERLUDE: Two-Gun Kid #77
    PRELUDE: Mystic Comics #3, Story B
    PRELUDE: Daring Mystery Comics #5, Story H
    PRELUDE: Daring Mystery Comics #6
    PRELUDE: USA Comics #7, Story C
    PRELUDE: Young Allies #16, Story B
    PRELUDE: Venus #5
    PRELUDE: Mystic #39, Story B
  374. Journey Into Mystery Annual 1
  375. Amazing Spider-Man #28
  376. Amazing Spider-Man Annual 2
  377. Sgt. Fury #21
  378. Strange Tales #136
  379. Tales to Astonish #70
  380. Tales to Astonish #70, Story B
  381. Tales to Astonish #71
  382. Tales to Astonish #71, Story B
  383. Tales to Astonish #72
  384. Tales to Astonish #72, Story B
  385. Tales to Astonish #73
  386. Tales to Astonish #73, Story B
  387. Tales to Astonish #74
  388. Tales to Astonish #74, Story B
  389. Tales to Astonish #75
  390. Tales to Astonish #76
  391. Sgt. Fury Annual 1
  392. Journey Into Mystery #120
  393. Journey Into Mystery #120, Story B
  394. Journey Into Mystery #121
  395. Journey Into Mystery #121, Story B
  396. Journey Into Mystery #122
  397. Journey Into Mystery #122, Story B
  398. Journey Into Mystery #123
  399. Journey Into Mystery #123, Story B
  400. Fantastic Four Annual 3
    POSTLUDE: Marvel: Heroes & Legends #1
  401. X-Men #14
  402. X-Men #15
  403. X-Men #16
  404. Tales of Suspense #69
  405. Tales of Suspense #69, Story B
  406. Tales of Suspense #70
  407. Tales of Suspense #70, Story B
  408. Tales of Suspense #71
  409. Tales of Suspense #71, Story B
  410. Avengers #19
  411. Avengers #20
  412. Strange Tales #130, Story B
  413. Strange Tales #131, Story B
  414. Strange Tales #132, Story B
  415. Strange Tales #133, Story B
  416. Strange Tales #134, Story B
  417. Strange Tales #135, Story B
  418. Strange Tales #136, Story B
  419. Strange Tales #137
  420. Strange Tales #137, Story B
  421. Strange Tales #138
  422. Strange Tales #138, Story B
  423. Strange Tales #139
  424. Strange Tales #139, Story B
  425. Strange Tales #140
  426. Strange Tales #140, Story B
  427. Strange Tales #141
  428. Strange Tales #141, Story B
  429. Avengers #21
  430. Avengers #22
  431. Tales of Suspense #72
    PRELUDE: Weird Science #20
    POSTLUDE: Marvels #2
  432. Sgt. Fury #22
  433. Amazing Spider-Man #29
  434. Daredevil #10
  435. Daredevil #11
    INTERLUDE: THUNDER Agents #1
  436. Amazing Spider-Man #30
  437. Sgt. Fury #23
  438. Sgt. Fury #24
    INTERLUDE: Modeling with Millie #44
  439. Avengers #23
  440. Avengers #24
  441. Sgt. Fury #25
  442. Avengers #25
  443. Fantastic Four #44
  444. Fantastic Four #45
  445. Fantastic Four #46
  446. Fantastic Four #47
  447. Amazing Spider-Man #31
  448. Amazing Spider-Man #32
  449. Amazing Spider-Man #33
    PRELUDE: Space Adventures #33, Story B
    INTERLUDE: Captain Atom #78
  450. Tales of Suspense #72, Story B
  451. Tales of Suspense #73
  452. Tales of Suspense #73, Story B
  453. Tales of Suspense #74
  454. Tales of Suspense #74, Story b
  455. Tales of Suspense #75
  456. Tales of Suspense #76
  457. Sgt. Fury #26
  458. Daredevil #12
  459. Daredevil #13
  460. Daredevil #14
  461. Journey Into Mystery #124
  462. Journey Into Mystery #124, Story B
  463. Journey Into Mystery #125
  464. Journey Into Mystery #125, Story B
  465. Thor #126
  466. Thor #126, Story B
  467. Amazing Spider-Man #34
  468. Sgt. Fury #27
  469. X-Men #17
  470. X-Men #18
  471. Amazing Spider-Man #35
  472. Sgt. Fury #28
  473. Sgt. Fury #29
  474. Daredevil #15
  475. X-Men #19
  476. Amazing Spider-Man #36
  477. Amazing Spider-Man #37
  478. Strange Tales #142
  479. Strange Tales #142, Story B
  480. Strange Tales #143
  481. Strange Tales #143, Story B
  482. Tales of Suspense #75, Story B
  483. Tales of Suspense #76, Story B
  484. Tales to Astonish #75, Story B
  485. Tales to Astonish #76, Story B
  486. Tales to Astonish #77
  487. Tales to Astonish #77, Story B
  488. Tales to Astonish #78
  489. Tales to Astonish #78, Story B
  490. Tales to Astonish #79
  491. Tales to Astonish #79, Story B
  492. Tales to Astonish #80
  493. Avengers #26
  494. Avengers #27
  495. Avengers #28
  496. Avengers #29
  497. Thor #127
  498. Thor #127, Story B
  499. Thor #128
  500. Thor #128, Story B
  501. Thor #129
  502. Thor #129, Story B
  503. Thor #130
  504. Thor #130, Story B
  505. Daredevil #16
  506. Daredevil #17
  507. Strange Tales #144
  508. Strange Tales #144, Story B
  509. Strange Tales #145
  510. Strange Tales #145, Story B
  511. Tales of Suspense #77
  512. Tales of Suspense #77, Story B
  513. Tales of Suspense #78
  514. Tales of Suspense #78, Story B
  515. Fantastic Four #48
  516. Fantastic Four #49
  517. Fantastic Four #50
  518. Fantastic Four #51
  519. Strange Tales #146
  520. Strange Tales #146, Story B
  521. Amazing Spider-Man #38
  522. Avengers #30
  523. Avengers #31
  524. Sgt. Fury #30
  525. X-Men #20
  526. X-Men #21
  527. Sgt. Fury #31
  528. X-Men #22
  529. X-Men #23
    POSTLUDE: Marvels #3
  530. Daredevil #18
  531. Fantastic Four #52
  532. Fantastic Four #53
  533. Amazing Spider-Man #39
  534. Amazing Spider-Man #40
  535. Sgt. Fury #32
  536. Thor #131
  537. Thor #131, Story B
  538. Thor #132
  539. Thor #132, Story B
  540. Thor #133
  541. Thor #133, Story B
  542. Thor #134
  543. Thor #134, Story B
  544. Thor #135
  545. Thor #135, Story B
  546. Thor #136
  547. Thor #136, Story B
  548. Daredevil #19
  549. Sgt. Fury Annual 2
  550. Fantastic Four #54
  551. X-Men #24
  552. Thor Annual 2
  553. Daredevil #20
  554. Daredevil #21
  555. Amazing Spider-Man #41
  556. Amazing Spider-Man #42
  557. Amazing Spider-Man #43
  558. Thor #137
  559. Thor #137, Story B
  560. Thor #138
  561. Thor #138, Story B
  562. Thor #139
  563. Thor #139, Story B
  564. Tales to Astonish #80, Story B
  565. Tales to Astonish #81
  566. Tales to Astonish #81, Story B
  567. Tales of Suspense #79
  568. Tales of Suspense #79, Story B
  569. Tales of Suspense #80
  570. Tales of Suspense #80, Story B
  571. Tales of Suspense #81, Story B
  572. Tales to Astonish #82
  573. Tales to Astonish #82, Story B
  574. Tales to Astonish #83
  575. Tales to Astonish #83, Story B
  576. Strange Tales #147
  577. Strange Tales #147, Story B
  578. Avengers #32
  579. Avengers #33
  580. Strange Tales #148
  581. Strange Tales #148, Story B
  582. Strange Tales #149
  583. Strange Tales #149, Story B
  584. Strange Tales #150
  585. Tales of Suspense #81
  586. Tales of Suspense #82
  587. Tales of Suspense #82, Story B
  588. Tales of Suspense #83
  589. Tales of Suspense #83, Story B
  590. Tales of Suspense #84
  591. Tales of Suspense #84, Story B
  592. Tales to Astonish #84
  593. Tales to Astonish #84, Story B
  594. Tales of Suspense #85
  595. Tales of Suspense #86
  596. Amazing Spider-Man Annual 3
  597. Tales to Astonish #85
  598. Tales to Astonish #85, Story B
  599. Tales to Astonish #86
  600. Tales to Astonish #86, Story B
  601. Tales to Astonish #87
  602. Tales to Astonish #87, Story B
  603. Tales to Astonish #88, Story B
  604. Thor #140
  605. Thor #140, Story B
  606. Sgt. Fury #33
  607. Sgt. Fury #34
  608. Sgt. Fury #35
  609. Fantastic Four #55
  610. Fantastic Four #56
  611. Fantastic Four Annual 4
  612. X-Men #25
  613. X-Men #26
  614. Strange Tales #150
  615. Tales of Suspense #85, Story B
  616. Strange Tales #151
  617. Strange Tales #151, Story B
  618. Strange Tales #152
  619. Strange Tales #152, Story B
  620. Strange Tales #153
  621. Strange Tales #153, Story B
  622. Strange Tales #154
  623. Strange Tales #154, Story B
  624. Strange Tales #155
  625. Strange Tales #155, Story B
  626. Tales of Suspense #86, Story B
    INTERLUDE: Captain Atom #83, Story B
  627. Daredevil #22
  628. Daredevil #23
  629. Sgt. Fury #36
  630. Fantastic Four #57
  631. Fantastic Four #58
  632. Fantastic Four #59
  633. Fantastic Four #60
  634. X-Men #27
  635. Sgt. Fury #37
  636. Amazing Spider-Man #44
  637. Amazing Spider-Man #45
  638. Avengers #34
  639. Avengers #35
  640. Daredevil #24
  641. X-Men #28
  642. Sgt. Fury #38
  643. Ghost Rider #1




Tales to Astonish #27, Story A

The Man in the Ant Hill
Release: September 28, 1961
Cover: January, 1962
10 cents
Story: Stan Lee and Larry Lieber
Pencils: Jack Kirby
Inks: Dick Ayers
7 pages

I read this in Marvel Masterworks: Ant-Man/Giant-Man vol. 1. The story gives no credits, but the collection does. Some online sources break that down as crediting Stan with the plot and Larry with the scripting.

The opening splash pages serves as a title page and cover for the story.

Marvel stands on the precipice between its era of short sci/fi tales and its era of superheroes. This comic comes out the same day as Fantastic Four #2 and fits squarely in the former category, a short cautionary sci/fi tale about a mad scientist. Not clear what the theme is. Be careful of inventing stuff, I guess.

Continue reading “Tales to Astonish #27, Story A”

Fantastic Four #2

The Fantastic Four Meet the Skrulls from Outer Space/Prisoner of the Skrulls/The Fantastic Four Fight Back!/The Fantastic Four… Captured!
Release: September 28, 1961
Cover: January, 1962
10 cents
Credits: Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
Inks: George Klein (Uncredited)
24 pages

I read this in Fantastic Four Omnibus Volume 1. The Table of Contents credits the issue to Stan Lee and Jack Kirby; I don’t see any credits in the issue itself. Online sources cite George Klein as the inker.

Hey, it’s the Skrulls! They were just in that movie last month!

Continue reading “Fantastic Four #2”

POSTLUDE: Marvels #0

Release: June 14, 1994
Cover: August, 1994
$2.95
Credits: Alex Ross and Steve Darnall
12 pages

PreviousNext
Marvel Comics #1PRELUDE
Fantastic Four #1Reading orderFantastic Four #2

…on that day of my freedom in 1939, this world had its first confrontation with the fantastic. The golden age of miracles would begin, and in the years to come, the world would know the presence of the unnatural and extraordinary as part of reality.

To remind my readers, the goal here is to start with Fantastic Four #1, and read the Marvel Universe in order from that point forward. It may get confusing because this is my third post and I’m not yet at Fantastic Four #2. I first wanted to jump back in time with the first in an irregular series of “Prelude” posts to talk about the introduction of the original Human Torch in Marvel Comics #1. That inspired me to now jump far forward for the first of an even less regular series of “Postlude” posts, that pull in comics from the future.

Marvels is a 4-issue limited series published by Marvel in 1994. After the conclusion of the series, this was released, a behind-the-scenes “Issue Zero” which includes some concept artwork, commentary from the creators, and a story from the original pitch for Marvels, originally serialized in Marvel Age #130-133. It’s that story we consider here.

Continue reading “POSTLUDE: Marvels #0”

PRELUDE: Marvel Comics #1

The Human Torch
Release: August 31, 1939
Cover: October, 1939
Price: $0.10
Credits: Carl Burgos
16 pages

PreviousNext
POSTLUDEMarvels #0
Fantastic Four #1Reading orderFantastic Four #2
Anybody else thirsty?

My main goal is to read the Marvel Universe as a series of comics which began with Fantastic Four #1. But the company had 22 years of comics prior to that, some of which have bearing on the stories. I’ll occasionally peek at those. As we just met the new Human Torch, reading the origin of the original Human Torch seems relevant.

It’s a great cover. Well-remembered for being the first cover of the company that would eventually take on the comic’s name. I like how the melting steel and bullet just radiate heat.

This is a good science fiction tale. Plenty of good plot elements and character here. Professor Horton is a genius; he’s created a near-perfect synthetic man– but the man bursts uncontrollably into flame when exposed to oxygen; hence, the Human Torch. Horton is convinced to seal the Torch away until the condition can be cured. Time passes, and the Torch escapes. A mobster tries to control him for an extortion racket. But the plan backfires and the mobster dies in battle with the Torch. Through exposure to nitrogen, the Torch at last gains control of his flame and straightens things out with the police. He is ready to return to Professor Horton until we learn Horton also just wants to exploit him for profit. The Human Torch goes off to carve out his own destiny.

Continue reading “PRELUDE: Marvel Comics #1”

Fantastic Four #1

The Fantastic Four!/The Fantastic Four Meet the Mole Man!/The Mole Man’s Secret!
Release: August 8, 1961
Cover: November, 1961
Price: $0.10
Credits: Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
Inks: George Klein (uncredited)
25 pages

#1Next
PRELUDEMarvel Comics #1
Reading orderFantastic Four #2
Fantastic FourFantastic Four #2

And so was born “The Fantastic Four!!” And from that moment on, the world would never again be the same!!

Cover of Fantastic Four #1

I read this in Fantastic Four Omnibus Volume 1. The Table of Contents credits the issue to Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, whose signatures appear in the issue. It claims the inker is unknown. Online sources cite George Klein as the inker.

Fantastic Four #1. Page 9. Panels 1-3.
What is their mission?

It’s clear to me why modern reboots and films of the FF has always been hard. There is a lot not explained here. Reed built that spaceship. Was it his? The government’s? Why did he steal it? Beating the Commies to space is an outdated motivation for many reasons in 2019. We’ve been to space. Commies no longer a threat. And what was the goal of the mission? They don’t say. Just to get to space? Yuri Gagaran did that in April, 1961. So was there more to their mission? Was Stan just not up on the news? The comic was out-of-date before it was published.

Photo of Yuri Gagarin
Hadn’t the Commies already been to space?
Continue reading “Fantastic Four #1”

Why read the Marvel Universe?

In 1989, I was in Walgreens and my mother suggested I pick out a comic book from the newsstand. Thirty years and some 40,000 comics later, she has had time to regret that moment. On that day, I began a hobby which has consumed a large amount of my life’s attention and energy.

The comic was Avengers #309. I think I picked it out because I recognized some of the characters from cartoons I had seen. Thor, Captain America, Sub-Mariner. Perhaps I recognized She-Hulk. The other two characters on the cover were new to me.

The issue begins in the middle of events. Our characters stand atop a giant crater. The top reads, “Stan Lee PRESENTS: The MIGHTY AVENGERS!” Then in bolder letters, “TO FIND OLYMPIA!” Olympia is written is this cool gold font.

The story doesn’t end with this comic any more than it begins. By the final page, Thor is the only Avenger left standing and facing off against Blastaar. We get a little blurb which reads, “Next: The end of the Eternals? The end of the Avengers? You must not miss… Death in Olympia! In 30 days!!” The word ‘Death’ is written in this cool blood-dripping font.

Continue reading “Why read the Marvel Universe?”

Resources

Attempting to read every Marvel comic starting with Fantastic Four #1 is no easy task. What comics to include? What order to go in? What should I be looking out for? What to keep track of? What to write about?

I’d be lost without many great websites which paved the way.

An incomplete list of great resources for Marvel comic books and comics in general:

A couple others are doing similar things to what I’m doing here.

And of course you need more than just the factual resources above. You need commentary and discussion. Here’s where I found the best.

And a very special thanks to comics historian and indexer extraordinaire Kurt Mitchell for enlightening discussion and sharing his notes and draft indexes.

And thanks to the gang at Rita’s pub.

The heroic work above has put a whole universe of comics at my fingertips.