Featuring: Human Torch
Release: June 11, 1963
Cover: 1963
25 cents
Written by: Stan Lee
Drawn by: Jack Kirby
Inking: Steve Ditko
18 pages
Jack Kirby drew the cover for Spider-Man’s very first appearance. Besides that, this will be his first chance to draw the web-slinger. Fortunately, Spider-Man’s own Steve Ditko is on hand providing finishes to help keep the character on-model.
Nonetheless, they forgot his chest logo on the cover. I find it very weird to look at. And Kirby keeps drawing Spider-Man with his legs really awkwardly spread.
This is our first “annual”. Mostly we’re reading monthly or bi-monthly comics. But ongoing series occasionally fit in one special issue per year they call an “annual”. This is Strange Tales annual 2, so it’s obviously not the first, but it’s the first since Strange Tales became a regular superhero feature. The first Fantastic Four annual will also be debuting shortly.
This issue is more than double the usual price at 25 cents, coming in at 72 pages. Normally, an issue of Strange Tales is about 23 story pages, featuring 3 stories, a Human Torch tale and two others. Soon, Dr. Strange will start regularly sharing the book. This annual features a whopping 11 stories. However, all except this Human Torch story are reprints of older stories. The previous annual was entirely reprints.
This is the first full story dedicated to Spider-Man and Human Torch meeting. They’ve met twice before, but only briefly, in Amazing Spider-Man #1 and #3. I’m excited as I consider this one of Marvel’s great superhero friendships.
This is the first of what will become a common occurrence. Human Torch and Spider-Man meeting atop the Statue of Liberty. It’s their regular hangout. But why? It’s really hard for Spider-Man to get there. He can’t swing there. Dan Slott points this out in his seminal Spider-Man/Human Torch miniseries, which tells the story of the Torch/Spidey friendship through the years. Spider-Man finally complains about their inconvenient meeting place and Torch reminds him it was his idea originally. Indeed it was.
I don’t really know what’s up with this villain, the Fox. Once he learns Spider-Man and Human Torch are on his trail, he decides to leave town. Makes sense. But then he disguises himself as a woman to attack Spider-Man. Why? Why not just stay in disguise and hope Spider-Man just goes away?
As superhero meetings will often go, this one begins with conflict. That’s because the Fox frames Spider-Man for stealing the Da Vinci painting, by planting a spider web at the scene. Superheroes get framed a lot. Spider-Man was last framed for a crime by the Chameleon. Human Torch has been framed for crimes by both the Skrulls and the Wizard.
Rating: ★★★☆☆, 50/100
Significance: ★★★★☆
The scans above are taken from a reprint of this story in Giant-Size Spider-Man #1.
I read this story in Marvel Masterworks: The Human Torch vol. 1. You can also find it in The Human Torch & The Thing: Strange Tales – The Complete Collection.
Characters:
- Johnny Storm/Human Torch
- Sue Storm/Invisible Girl
- The Fox
- Spider-Man
- Deputy Police Inspector Rudd
Story notes:
- Johnny has backyard obstacle course.
- Sue and Johnny share split-level home in Glenville, Long Island.
- Live Magazine has an issue devoted to Spider-Man; this upsets Johnny.
- Newly discovered Da Vinci masterpiece on display in Museum of Art; the Fox plans to steal it.
- Sue and Johnny have a pet cat.
- Spider-Man adds ice-cold silicone crystals to his web.
- Spider-Man breaks into “Carson Chemical Laboratories”.
- Torch talking to cops on Madison and 63rd, one block from Carson Labs.
- Torch has a reputation for designing sports cars; also has a Harley Davidson motorcycle in his garage.
- Torch sends Spider-Man message in flames in sky.
- Spider-Man lights his signal on Statue of Liberty Torch.
- First meeting of Torch and Spider-Man atop Statue of Liberty.
#93 story in reading order
Next post: PRELUDE: Sub-Mariner Comics #1
Next in order: Fantastic Four Annual 1
Previous: Strange Tales #112
