Enjoy 2024!
Welcome to 2024! Thanksgiving and Christmas time got a bit busy around here, so it’s been a bit now since we’ve seen an update. And I know you’re all as eager as I am to learn how Nick Fury and SHIELD deal with the menace of the Druid!
It’s a new year, and we’re hoping to get going strong again. Some very exciting Marvel stories coming up soon!
Who Strikes At— SHIELD?
Featuring: Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD
Release: December 9, 1965
Cover: March 1966
12 cents
Stan Lee, writer! (Our answer to Bond)
Jack Kirby, penciller! (Our answer to UNCLE)
Mike Demeo, inker! (Our answer to Brand echh)
Artie Simek, letterer! (Our answer to Rosen)
12 pages
| Previous | #478 | Next |
|---|---|---|
| Amazing Spider-Man #37 | Reading order | Strange Tales #142, Story B |
| Strange Tales #141, Story B | Strange Tales | Strange Tales #142, Story B |
We’re a team, blast it! We trained month after month ta live like a team– fight like a team– die like a team!
I’d like to open this post with a happy birthday to the issue’s artist, Jack Kirby. He would be 106 years old today.
The story breaks have become increasingly unclear. Last issue seemed to both end the Hydra saga and begin this Mentallo/Fixer saga we find ourselves embroiled in. We took a pause at the end of the last issue, so let’s recall where we were.
Hydra was finally defeated, the Supreme Hydra murdered by his own agents; Nick allowed his daughter Agent H to escape because he had a soft spot for her. We were then introduced to the “Thinkers”, SHIELD’s ESP division. Mentallo had been a former agent of this division, who had gone rogue. Mentallo decides to form an alliance with a villainous inventor called the Fixer. And Nick Fury realizes Mentallo must be stopped at all costs.
This issue opens with a robot out of control. Lee, as the narrator, lets us know this robot has nothing to do with the main story. Sometimes it feels as though he is offering his commentary on Kirby’s storytelling as we go.
But whatever, Stan. Check out Jack’s awesome robot design!
Continue reading “Strange Tales #142”Two of Marvel’s best doctors celebrate their 60th anniversary today, having been introduced on April 9, 1963.
Happy birthday to Dr. Octopus and Dr. Strange! Both creations/co-creations (to varying degrees) of Steve Ditko with Stan Lee.
(The other most famous Doctor was expelled from University for occult experiments, which makes me question whether he even is a Doctor.)
In a nice bit of timing, we just this week read the best Dr. Octopus story.
I seem to be a few weeks behind on my posting. Been busy and a bit sick, and hit a post that needed some research, and time just keeps getting away from me. Next post should be out soon, and then subsequent ones more regularly.
Thank you all for your patience and support.
Happy holidays to all and thank you for reading along!
We’ll be taking a short break while I do some holiday travel, but look for us fresh in the new year when we will see Iron Man battle Attuma and learn the origin of the Red Skull!
I’d like to take a moment to talk about my friend Greg Hatcher, who passed away just a few days ago. I met him through the internet about 15 years ago in person at the occasional comic convention. We’ve remained friends through the years, and I’m a big fan of his columns about comics and pop culture.
In addition to his writing, he was a teacher who I know touched many students in significant ways. He was a voice of true compassion and enthusiasm in the comics community. We are worse off without him.
Please take the time to check out his column about comics and pulp novels at Atomic Junk Shop. He set the standard for what writing about comics should look like.
Also check out some of his fiction writing, mostly found in anthologies and featuring classic characters like Sherlock Holmes. But you can also find his own creations Dr. Fix-It or the Silver Riders in there. Greg Hatcher on Amazon.
Finally, Greg leaves behind Julie, the sweetest woman in the world. There is a GoFundMe page to help Julie deal with this time and all the burdens that come with it. Consider donating if you are able.
Wherever Greg is, I hope he’s finally finding the time to finish that stack of unread books.
Now what? Now I guess I go on to my next column and talk about some old comics. I think Greg would approve.
The Torch Meets the Iceman!
Featuring: Human Torch
Release: February 11, 1964
Cover: May 1964
12 cents
Deftly written by: Stan Lee
Dazzlingly drawn by: Jack Kirby
Dramatically inked by: Dick Ayers
Distinctively lettered by: S. Rosen
14 pages
Been a little while since Kirby has deigned to draw a Human Torch story. I assume we owe his presence to the guest appearance of Iceman, just like a Captain America crossover motivated his last visit.
Mr. Fantastic notes the X-Men are hard to contact because nobody knows their identities. Iron Man was able to contact them just fine, and they all have access to a government-provided superhero communications network.
Continue reading “Strange Tales #120”The Possessed!
Featuring: Dr. Strange
Release: December 9, 1963
Cover: March 1964
12 cents
Written by: Magical Stan Lee
Drawn by: Mystical Steve Ditko
Lettered by: Mysterious Sam Rosen
8 pages
As we noted in the last post, this issue represents the first time Dr. Strange has appeared on the cover of a comic. He’s allotted a small horizontal strip at the bottom of the cover. He’s on his way to becoming a star.
We again see Dr. Strange’s adventures no longer bear the “Master of Black Magic” subtitle. In fact, I think the stories will soon stop using the phrase “black magic” completely, even though the first several issues mentioned it constantly.
We also get some “clever credits”. It seems to be Stan’s new thing. We just saw it in our last Fantastic Four story (released the same day) and we’ll see it again in other stories out this month.
Continue reading “Strange Tales #118, Story B”At the Mercy of Baron Strucker
Featuring: Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos
Release: November 5, 1963
Cover: January 1964
12 cents
Written by: Ex-Sgt. Stan Lee, U.S. Army
Illustrated by: Ex-Infantryman Jack Kirby, U.S. Army
Inked by: G. Bell
23 pages
Last issue gave us the death of a Howler. The series hasn’t forgotten that, and the opening of the issue shows Sgt. Fury processing the death of Junior Juniper in his own way.
They also haven’t forgotten about the girl Nick met last issue. We see the Sergeant and Lady Hawley on a date. She encourages more gentlemanly behavior on his part. They seem to be an item.
Continue reading “Sgt. Fury #5”
