Featuring: Avengers Release: July 7, 1966 Cover: September 1966 12 cents Stan Lee, writer and raconteur Don Heck, artist and bon vivant Artie Simek, letterer and patron des artes Irv Forbush, scapegoat, junior grade 20 pages
Featuring: Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner! Release: June 2, 1966 Cover: September 1966 12 cents Script: Smilin’ Stan Lee Pencilling: Jolly Jack Kirby Inking: Darlin’ Dick Ayers Lettering: Adorable Artie Simek And, in the unlikely words of Irving Forbush: Imperius Rex! 12 pages
Jack Kirby takes on another issue of the Sub-Mariner. Perhaps Gene Colan remains out sick.
I had a choice here. I’ve got this comic, Tales to Astonish #83 in my hand. I could read it in order, as any normal person would. Starting at the first page, and then turning the pages in order until I reach the end.
Or I could realize that the story makes no sense if I do that, so instead turn to halfway through this comic to the Hulk story, read that, and then flip back to the beginning to read the Namor story.
The story makes slightly more sense to do it that way, but it doesn’t really make sense no matter how I read it. And certainly no kid picking this up in 1966 would have known to jump to the middle. Maybe some did anyway because they are big Hulk fans.
So I’m going to start this comic from the beginning, get very confused, then eventually get to the end of the comic, and resolve some, but not all, of that confusion.
Namor just had his big brawl with Iron Man, and then left to continue to pursue Krang and Dorma. As far as I know, the last thing Hulk did was rescue Betty Ross from Boomerang, who escaped with some goons from the Secret Empire, who as far as I know remain an active threat. As are Them/AIM.
Dorma is with Krang because he agreed to spare Namor’s life. But now he’s trying to kill Namor. So maybe that’s grounds for an annulment?
But Dorma hadn’t read the fine print. Krang agreed to spare Namor from the Behemoth, not to spare him generally. Again, I would just leave him now and find a lawyer to discuss the contract with.
Featuring: Hulk Release: May 5, 1966 Cover: August 1966 12 cents Stan Lee, writer Jack Kirby, designer Bill Everett, illustrator Artie Simek, letterer A touch of the muse, inspirer 10 pages
Where were we? Namor tired of fighting Iron Man and continues his pursuit of Krang and Dorma. Tony Stark has made the decision to give in to Senator Byrd and turn over the secrets of Iron Man to the US Government.
Hulk has just made his way back to the surface from the subterranean realm where Mole Man and Tyrannus are at war. Tyrannus’ prisoners Talbot, Betty, and Rick, had also recently returned to the surface. They weren’t back long before Betty was captured by Boomerang, who was hired by the Secret Empire to steal some type of weapon.
“No one shoots Hulk! No one!” exclaims Hulk.
Actually, people shoot at Hulk all the time. They just never hurt him.
Ross blames Hulk for his daughter’s abduction. He blames the Hulk for most everything. Note he is talking about Betty’s previous abduction by Tyrannus. He doesn’t know she’s been abducted again since then.
Featuring: Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner Release: May 3, 1966 Cover: August 1966 12 cents Plotted by Smilin’ Stan (who then went on vacation!) Scripted by Rascally Roy (who wishes he had!) Begun by Gallant Gene (who caught the flu after finishing the first two pages!) Finished by King Kirby (who drew the last ten pages, then asked who Sub-Mariner was!) Inked by Darlin’ Dick (who else?) 12 pages
Never will Prince Namor surrender! Never shall your eyes view the true Sovereign of Atlantis humbled! Not all your vaunted power will give you the final triumph!
Yesterday was Mother’s Day, and my mother, this blog’s most loyal reader, always liked Namor in her youth. So this is for her.
The digital reprints leave off the letterer credit, and I don’t own the original of this comic. And my reprint in Marvel Masterworks has the same misprint as the digital version. But the GCD tells me there should be one more line in the credits, which reads:
Adorable Arthur (Who??)
Where were we? Red Skull is alive and has been working with Them, and AIM and Them may be the same organization. AIM/Them had created the Cosmic Cube, which Red Skull used to make himself a god, but was still defeated by Captain America. AIM is a defense contractor trying to worm its way into SHIELD and convince the government to remove Col. Fury. But Fury suspects what they are up to.
The Secret Empire is after the Orion Missile, and has hired Boomerang to the task. He has kidnapped the General’s daughter, Betty Ross, as the first step in his plan.
To save Namor from the Behemoth, Dorma agreed to marry Krang, and they ran off together. Unaware of her noble intentions, a furious Namor pursued them to the surface.
Returning to America from a battle with Ultimo, Iron Man found that his factories had been closed, and that he was running low on power and friends. Happy, Pepper, the Avengers… none were home when he desperately needed them. Happy and Pepper may have been on a date. The Avengers may have been in a hidden kingdom in South America.
Krang attacked Iron Man, then escaped. Namor blamed Iron Man for the escape, and decided to stop pursuing Krang and battle Iron Man instead.
This is the direct continuation of the story from Tales of Suspense #80.
Featuring: Captain America Release: May 3, 1966 Cover: September 1966 12 cents Script: Stan (The Man) Lee Art: Jack (King) Kirby Inking: Frank (Good Guy) Giacoia Lettering: Artie (Smarty) Simek Recruiting: Irv (Fall Guy) Forbush 10 pages
There is nothing I cannot do! The universe itself must bend to my wishes, so long as I hold the Cosmic Cube! My every wish– my every command– must be instantly obeyed!
At this point, of the many many nicknames we’ve seen in credits, Stan the Man Lee, and Jack King Kirby are by far the most common.
I’m doing a thing I don’t like doing and skipping into the middle of this comic, skipping the Iron Man story at the start.
We had a choice as we have at least two cliffhangers to resolve. See what happens between Namor and Iron Man or between Cap and the Red Skull? I’ve chosen the latter. The fight between Iron Man and Namor continues in Namor’s title, so we have to read that before we get to this Iron Man story. And I was eager to see the resolution of this Captain America story.
Also, this issue’s Iron Man story begins a new saga, one I don’t want to entangle with the web of comics we’re in the middle of.
Red Skull has the Cosmic Cube, giving him godlike power.
He gets in a good villain monologue we use for the pull quote above.
While Cap’s thoughts form a good heroic response.
My life means nothing! The fate of all mankind is at stake! If he isn’t stopped– humanity itself is doomed!
Red Skull creates a creature called the Man-Thing to menace Cap. Won’t be the last Marvel character to use this name.
Featuring: Captain America Release: May 10, 1966 Cover: August 1966 12 cents Stupifying script: Stan Lee Electifying illustration: Jack Kirby Dazzling delineation: Don Heck Luminiferous lettering: Artie Simek Frantic fund-raising: Irv Forbush 10 pages
So long as evil lives– to muster the forces of bigotry, greed, and oppression– the fight goes on! So long as men take liberty for granted– so long as they laugh at brotherhood– sneer at honesty– and turn away from faith– So long will the forces of the Red Skull creep ever closer to the final victory!
Them is an evil organization. AIM is an ordinary defense contractor. But Fury suspects a connection. Captain America remains unaware of this.
Eisenhower did warn us about the military industrial complex.
This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. . . .Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. . . . In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.
Featuring: Iron Man Release: May 10, 1966 Cover: August 1966 12 cents Stan Lee, Sovereign of Script Gene Colan, Prince of Pencilling Gary Michaels, Imperator of Inking Artie Simek, Lord of Lettering 12 pages
At last! I’m at the peak of my power! This is the moment that makes all the agony of the past more than worthwhile! This is the supreme sensation which no other living being can ever experience– the feeling which none can ever fully comprehend– the triumphant moment when the strength of a thousand transistors flows thru me and I stand once more ready for battle– as the invincible Iron Man!
Namor attacks Iron Man. Superheroes do that when the meet, generally. And Namor has always walked that superhero/supervillain line.
Superhero brawls are a well-established trope by this point. A one-on-one battle between Namor and Iron Man was due. Of course they’ve fought before, but then Iron Man had all the Avengers on his side. And Namor still held them at bay.
The battle will exploit their respective weaknesses. They both need the occasional charge. Iron Man needs to plug in. Namor needs water.
My oldest enemy! The most dangerous menace to freedom and democracy that the world has ever known!! Then– this must be why fate has spared me so long–?! It’s my destiny to battle him– to stand between the Red Skull and free men everywhere!
Well, that’s a compelling title.
Costumed assassins attack a power plant in the heart of New York.
They seemed to expect Captain America to show up. How do villains set these traps to target a particular superhero in New York. “If I commit a crime in New York I’m bound to attract precisely the superhero I intend!” Green Goblin just had a bank robbery, trusting Spider-Man would show up to foil it. Would Daredevil turning up ruin these plans?
But nobody but Cap saw these villains. Is he going insane?
Featuring: Iron Man Release: April 12, 1966 Cover: July 1966 12 cents Drama-drenched script by: Stan Lee Power-packed pencilling by: Gene Colan Fantasy-filled inking by: Jack Abel Twelve pages of lettering by: Artie Simek 12 pages
Sometimes I feel as though this iron head shield actually has a life of its own! I find myself thinking of Iron Man as someone else– almost as if it’s a separate entity– as though we’re really two men!
This is all getting confusing (to me, at least). Hulk has just escaped from the subterranean realm where Mole Man and Tyrannus were at war. The Secret Empire have employed Boomerang to steal the Orion Missile. Phase 1 of his plan was to kidnap Betty Ross. To save Namor, Dorma agreed to marry Krang. Namor only knows half this story, and ruthlessly pursues Dorma and Krang to the surface. Nick Fury recently teamed up with Captain America against Them. Fury suspects Them is connected to the supposedly benign scientific organization called AIM. Iron Man was kidnapped by Mandarin and brought to the Orient to fight Ultimo. He thus missed his summons to Congress, and has had his contracts revoked, factories closed, finances impounded, while a warrant has been placed for his arrest. This is all thanks to the zealous Senator Byrd. Before his factories were closed, Stark Industries was able to create a special suit for Colonel John Jameson, infected by space spores.
Of course, lots of other stuff is happening around the Marvel Universe, but that’s the most relevant for the next several issues.
We find Tony on the edge of collapse, recent events being a strain on his heart.
He’s in need of a charge.
Pepper and Happy are both not home. Are they out together? Tony is jealous.
Featuring: Hulk Release: March 3, 1966 Cover: June 1966 12 cents Script: Stan Lee, D.H. (Doctor of Hulkishness) Layouts: Jack Kirby, M.H. (Master of Hulkability) Art: Bill Everett, B.H. (Bachelor of Hulkosity) Lettering: Artie Simek, P.H. (The Pride of Hulkdom) 10 pages
There is no Banner! Only the Hulk! I’m the Hulk! The Hulk!
At this point, continuity becomes complicated, and things will move fast. Let’s recall where we were.
We read the first half of this issue a while back. Namor had defeated the Behemoth, but returned in victory to find Dorma had fled with Krang, and that they were to wed. She agreed to the marriage only to save Namor’s life. But Namor doesn’t know that. So now he’s angry.
Hulk just had a fight with Hercules.
Thor defeated the Troll army in a war. Spider-Man bought a bike and met a girl named Mary Jane. Daredevil escaped from the Owl’s trap, but had not been around to defend the Rhino. The Avengers have returned from a South American adventure (though this may lead to a small continuity hiccup we’ll discuss). Hank and Jan have recently rejoined the team. Wanda and Pietro remain in Europe recovering their powers. Dr. Strange has defeated Dormammu (well, Eternity did most of the work). Iron Man defeated Ultimo and returned home to find Senator Byrd had closed Stark factories, but not before they were able to make a suit to contain John Jameson’s newfound powers.
The Fantastic Four and X-Men are mostly doing their own thing lately, without much interaction with the other heroes.
Most relevantly, Nick Fury had warned Captain America about the threat of an organization of scientists named Them in Tales of Suspense #78. Meanwhile, in Strange Tales #146, an organization of scientists called AIM was offering to help the US government with weapons technology, but only if they removed Nick Fury as the head of SHIELD.
Our story opens with Hulk moping about not having friends. When Tyrannus pulls him beneath the surface.
We met Tyrannus in Incredible Hulk #5. Tyrannus has long ago been banished beneath the surface by Merlin; there he found the Fountain of Youth, and the race called the Tyrannoids who now serve him. A race similar to those Tyrannoids (but a little different-looking) was also revealed to serve the Mole Man in Fantastic Four #22. Several people claim to rule the underworld, including Kala, and the Lava Men.
