Featuring: Human Torch
Release: December 9, 1963
Cover: March 1964
12 cents
Story: Stan Lee
Art: Dick Ayers
Lettering: S. Rosen
13 pages
What? Is that Dr. Strange on the cover of a comic? Not just buried in the back of the comic somewhere where they hope nobody will notice?
Congratulations to Dr. Strange on his first cover appearance. 8 issues after his introduction.
This marks the fourth battle between Human Torch and Wizard. Perhaps this solidifies the Wizard as his “archfoe”.
The Wizard of these stories hasn’t quite been the character I know from my own youth. A key difference gets resolved this issue. While in prison, Wizard was given the necessary equipment to build an anti-gravity power unit that allows him to fly. I definitely think of flying as being a key Wizard trait.
He uses his newfound flying ability to imitate the Human Torch. Of course, that was also precisely his plan in his first appearance. But then he had to use a rocket-powered jetpack. He’s got way more sophisticated flying technology now.
Of course, Dr. Doom invented it first. It’s basically the same technology he used to launch the Baxter Building into outer space.
The Wizard fantasizes about being a king. Villains tend to do that.
Johnny gets invited to perform on television for charity. He doesn’t seem concerned with the TV crew being a single person. Oh, Johnny.
Let it go, Admiral. Just let it go.
It’s unusual for them to stick the editor’s note in a word balloon. Normally it’s an asterisk pointing to a separate box.
Wizard accidentally flies into space, beyond the atmosphere. Welp. So much for Human Torch having an archfoe.
Rating: ★★½, 40/100
Significance: ★★★☆☆
I read this story in Marvel Masterworks: Human Torch vol. 2.
You can also find it in The Human Torch & The Thing: Strange Tales – The Complete Collection. Or on Kindle.
Characters:
- Human Torch/Johnny Storm
- Wizard
- Invisible Girl
- Thing
- Mr. Fantastic
Story notes:
- Johnny captain of bowling team.
- Wizard made sleeping potion and flying pack, and became master of disguise in prison. He breaks out.
- Wizard invents anti-gravity power unit.
- Ad for Smith’s safety matches.
- Wizard flies too high, where there’s no atmosphere.
#152 story in reading order
Next: Strange Tales #118, Story B
Previous: Fantastic Four #24
