Prisoner of the Wizard/Wizard’s Wiles!
Release: August 9, 1962
Cover: November 1962
12 cents
Writers: Stan Lee and Larry Lieber
Penciler: Jack Kirby
Inker: Dick Ayers
13 pages
This is better than the previous Human Torch story. It at least introduces a notable villain. And Wizard is a pretty cool character.
But, man, that secret identity thing remains a rough plot point. First, the ultra-genius Wizard needs a convoluted plan to find the Torch because nobody knows his secret identity. And then, Wizard douses Torch’s flames to defeat him, but only on his body… leaving a flaming head. Why?
The main plot point is that Wizard tricks everybody into believing Torch is a crook, so law enforcement turns on him. This also happened in issues 1,2 and 7 of Fantastic Four.
The Wizard is an inventor, chess champion, and escape artist. He could probably find non-evil ways to defeat Human Torch in a battle of wits. Also, wouldn’t it make more sense to challenge Mr. Fantastic to a battle of wits than Human Torch? If he’s really such a genius.
Let’s see some of Wizard’s wondrous inventions and tricks. There’s the air chair; an expandable saw within a ring; a gas that expands with great force; a solar-powered escalator; a costume to mimic Torch’s powers.
We see Wizard defeats a chess champion and robot. This is relatively timely as far as science fiction goes. Research into computers playing chess had been around at least a decade at that point, and chess-playing programs were being deployed in 1962. It would be another 20 years before chess-playing programs were serious competitors, for example with Cray Blitz winning its master rating in 1981. At least in our world, beating the chess robot wouldn’t have been as impressive in 1962. But who knows how advanced chess robots in their fantastic world were…
I don’t even know where to begin explaining all the things wrong with the conclusion. From how absurd Wizard’s trap is to how absurd his defeat is. I’m beginning to suspect Wizard is not the genius he claims to be.
Rating: ★★½, 42/100
Significance: ★★★★☆
Wizard is a potentially interesting character, hampered by absurd actions in service of an absurd plot and the absurd notion that Human Torch has a secret identity.
Characters:
- Johnny Storm/Human Torch
- Wizard
- Sue Storm/Invisible Girl
- Once again, framed, distrusted, wanted… won’t last long
- Newsreel shows scenes from last issue
- Wizard very famous; unique look
- Wizard has made a fortune off inventions such as air chair
- Wizard does Houdini-like escape tricks
- “Nobody knows his identity” — Wizard on Human Torch. Really?
- Sue and Johnny at home in Glenville
- Wizard’s plan convoluted; fakes being trapped underground to meet Torch and invite him to house– no easier way to invite the Torch to house?
- Torch defeats Wizard by making him think he can make pictures float
#25 story in reading order
Next: Fantastic Four #8
Previous: Tales to Astonish #37
