Tales of Suspense #74, Story B

The Final Sleep!

Featuring: Captain America
Release: November 11, 1965
Cover: February 1966
12 cents
Blazing story: Stan Lee
Burning layouts: Jack Kirby
Blistering artwork: George Tuska
Burnt-out lettering: Artie Simek
10 pages

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Tales of Suspense #74Tales of SuspenseTales of Suspense #75

Nazism, and all the evil it stood for, are dead! They must never live again!

Solid cover design.

This arc opened pretty strong. Red Skull vowed that his revenge would come 20 years after the day of his death on “Der Tag” when the Sleepers awakened. And the Sleepers turned out to be giant robots that combined together to make an even bigger robot. Solid premise. But hasn’t done much with it. We met one robot, then another. In the finale, we meet the third.

This is the brain, shaped like Red Skull’s head.

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Tales of Suspense #74

If This Guilt Be Mine–!

Featuring: Iron Man
Release: November 11, 1965
Cover: February 1966
12 cents
Story: As only the fabulous Stan Lee can tell it!
Art: As only the fantastic Adam Austin can draw it!
Inking: As only the flamboyant Gary Michaels can delineate it!
Lettering: As only the frantic Artie Simek can scribble it!
12 pages

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Tales of Suspense #73, Story BTales of SuspenseTales of Suspense #74, Story B

Somehow– I feel as though my whole world is crashing down around me–!

Jack Abel returns under the Gary Michaels pseudonym. He’ll be the regular inker for a period of time.

Recall Happy had been badly injured during the battle with Titanium Man in issue 71, and last issue he was kidnapped from his hospital by the Black Knight. Iron Man rescued Happy and the Black Knight fell to his death, but now Iron Man is out of power.

To add a bizarre but strangely common wrinkle to the relationships, Pepper now decides she loves Iron Man and hates Tony. It used to be the other way around. Tony loves Pepper but can’t be with her because he has a bad heart, so he’s been intentionally cruel. Happy loves Pepper, but Pepper couldn’t love him back because of Tony, but now she’s over Tony and in love with Iron Man.

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Tales of Suspense #73, Story B

Where Walks the Sleeper!

Featuring: Captain America
Release: October 12, 1965
Cover: January 1966
12 cents
Spellbinding script by Stan Lee!
Spectacular layouts by Jack Kirby!
Sensational pencilling and scintillating delineation by George Tuska!
Stereophonic lettering by A. Simek!
10 pages

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Tales of Suspense #73Tales of SuspenseTales of Suspense #74

I’ve seen the First Sleeper– and this is the Second! What can the Third be like??

Part 2 of a 3-part saga. 20 years to the day since the death of the Red Skull amidst the fall of Berlin in World War II. Red Skull’s revenge is 3 giant robots that will awaken and destroy the world. Last issue, the first one awoke. This issue… the second.

This one flies! Even though the story’s title is ironically, “Where Walks the Sleeper”.

And the two Sleepers join up to form an even bigger robot!

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Tales of Suspense #73

My Life for Yours!

Featuring: Iron Man
Release: October 12, 1965
Cover: January 1966
12 cents
Stan Lee, Roy Thomas, Adam Austin, Gary Michaels, Sol Brodsky, Flo Steinberg, and Merrie Ol’ Marie Severin!
12 pages

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Tales of Suspense #72, Story BTales of SuspenseTales of Suspense #73, Story B

Now look, Avenger– No one takes the law into his own hands– not even you!

Stan seems to be crediting an unusual amount of people, but it’s really people who are always involved. Lee always credits himself, this time presumably in an editing role. Roy Thomas is the scripter, Adam Austin (aka Gene Colan) the penciller, Gary Michaels (aka Jack Abel) the inker. The other names show up less commonly in credits. Sol Brodsky is the production manager, and usually is, though uncredited. Marie Severin is the colorist, and frequently is, though uncredited. (Unfortunately we won’t see any of Severin’s coloring in my images, as I’ve only found the digital version online, which is entirely recolored, and that’s likely Stan Goldberg coloring the cover above.) What’s interesting here is Flo Steinberg, who’s been behind the scenes since the beginning, handling the office work for Marvel. She gets her name here apparently because she assisted Roy with the plot.

Weirdly, for all that crediting, they forgot to mention the letterer. Apparently this time normal letter Artie Simek is joined by Ben Oda.

Speaking of Roy Thomas, that’s the new guy we first met on Modeling with Millie, which was released one week earlier. This is his first superhero work. Wonder if he’ll do any more.

Jack Abel is also new to us in our modern reading, though we read an old Captain America story he’d likely contributed to. He’d worked for Marvel back in the 1950s, often inking Bill Benulis or Bob Forgione, but lately has been focused on DC’s war comics. It’s probably why he uses a pseudonym here, so DC won’t know he’s doing side-work. He’ll eventually move on to DC’s superhero line and become the main inker on Superman stories. Here’s a sampling of his artwork.

  • Journey Into Mystery #20, Marvel, 1954
  • Our Fighting Forces #50, DC, 1959
  • Sea-Devils #14, DC, 1963

And a sampling of his finishing work.

  • Western Outlaws and Sheriffs #72, Marvel, 1952, pencils by Warren Broderick
  • Adventures into Terror #11, Marvel, 1952, pencils by Bill Benulis
  • Combat Casey #11, Marvel, 1953, pencils by Bill Benulis
  • All-American Men of War #25, DC, 1955, pencils by Bob Forgione
  • Wyatt Earp #1, Marvel, 1955, pencils by Bob Forgione
  • Turok, Son of Stone #3, Dell, 1956, pencils by Bob Correa

As a complete aside, the plot of that Adventures into Terror story amused me to no end. Lots of these stories about somebody murdering a partner for ambition. But in this case, they were a two-man horse act, and the guy who played the end of the horse wanted to play the horse’s head. Talk about ambition!

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Amazing Spider-Man #33

The Final Chapter!

Featuring: Spider-Man
Release: November 11, 1965
Cover: February 1966
12 cents
Script and editing: Stan Lee
Plot and illustration: Steve Ditko
Bordering and lettering: Artie Simek
Reading and enjoying that ol’ web-spinner: you!
20 pages

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I’ve failed! Just now– when it counted the most– I’ve failed! But, I can’t give up! I must keep trying! I must!! I’ve got to free myself– no matter how impossible it seems! And lifting is the only way! The– only– way–! Uhhhhh I can’t! — So exhausted– after all that fighting– I- I feel so weak–! It’s lying there– just beyond reach– as though mocking me– taunting me– It’s the one thing– the only thing– that can save Aunt May! And I can’t bring it to her–! If she– doesn’t make it– it’ll be my fault! Just the way I’ll always blame myself for what happened to Uncle Ben…! The two people in all the world who have been kindest to me! I can’t fail again! It can’t happen a second time! I won’t let it– I won’t! No matter what the odds– no matter what the cost– I’ll get that serum to Aunt May! And maybe then I’ll no longer be haunted by the memory of– Uncle Ben! Within my body is the strength of many men…! And now, I’ve got to call on all that strength– all the power– that I possess! I must prove equal to the task– I must be worthy of that strength– or else I don’t deserve it! The weight– is unbearable! Every muschle– aches–! My head– it’s spinning– everything’s beginning to whirl around–! The strain! It– it’s unbearable! The crack in the ceiling– it’s growing wider– getting bigger every second! I’ll never make it– I can’t–! No! I dare not give up now! If I close my eyes– I’ll go under! Must stay awake– must clear my head! Keep trying– trying–! I’ll do it, Aunt May! I won’t fail you! No matter what– I won’t fail–! Anyone can fight– when the odds– are easy! It’s when the going’s tough– when there seems to be no chance– that’s when it counts! Everything going black– my head– aching! Hold on– I must hold on–! It’s moving! Can’t stop now! Last chance! Must keep the momentum–more! Just a little more–!

One of my all-time favorite comic covers.

The Final Chapter. Perhaps the most aptly named comic ever. That’s certainly how I’ve come to view this comic.

Most Ditko stories begin with a splash page opening that serves almost as a second cover. This leaves that out in favor of panels to recap the story so far. Aunt May dying because of a transfusion from Peter’s radioactive blood. Dr. Connors unable to help unless Spider-Man can retrieve this canister. Dr. Octopus and his henchmen in the underwater layer. Spider-Man trapped beneath tons of steel in the base, which seems on the verge of flooding.

How strong is Spider-Man? We don’t really know. “Proportional strength of a spider”. He’s not as strong as Thor, Hulk, or Thing, all of whom could probably lift the equipment with ease. But he’s stronger than Captain America, who couldn’t possibly do it. He’s strong enough to lift several tons, but not strong enough to do that easily, and not strong enough to be confident he can do it at all. This is him at his physical limit.

He does lift the machinery off, but it takes 5 pages, a full quarter of the comic spent on Spider-Man lying on the floor, trapped. It’s a famous sequence.

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Amazing Spider-Man #32

Man on a Rampage!

Featuring: Spider-Man
Release: October 12, 1965
Cover: January 1966
12 cents
Script + editing by: Stan Lee
Plot + illustration by: Steve Ditko
Lettering + kibitzing by: Artie Simek
20 pages

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Amazing Spider-Man #31Amazing Spider-ManAmazing Spider-Man #33

I’ve always felt I was partly responsible for the death of Uncle Ben, because he was killed by a criminal whom I didn’t catch!

Chapter 2 of The Master Planner Saga.

On a personal note, this is the earliest issue of Amazing Spider-Man I actually own.

When we turn to page 2, we’ll learn the identity of the mysterious Master Planner. There were plenty of clues last issue, so maybe you’ve already guessed. Don’t read any further if you haven’t. This is your last chance.

Aha! The Master Planner is…

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Fantastic Four #47

Beware the Hidden Land!

Featuring: Fantastic Four
Release: November 11, 1965
Cover: February 1966
12 cents
Story: Stan Lee
Art: Jack Kirby
Inking: Joe Sinnott
Lettering: Art Simek
20 pages

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Fantastic Four #46Fantastic FourFantastic Four #48

If ya got a few spare minutes, it’s time fer us ‘ta save humanity again!

All Johnny can think about is Crystal. Guess we’re over Dorrie. Also, a man is dying. Luckily, Sue is there to point out Triton needs to get to water immediately. Johnny’s head is elsewhere. He’s only thinking with his, let’s say, heart.

The Great Refuge is the home of the Inhumans. They are ruled by Maximus the Magnificent. He had ordered the Seeker to return the others, such as Triton. He had ordered Gorgon to bring Medusa to the Great Refuge. He wanted Medusa back so he could marry her.

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Fantastic Four #46

Those Who Would Destroy Us!

Featuring: Fantastic Four
Release: October 12, 1965
Cover: January 1966
12 cents
Story by our leader, Stan Lee
Illustrations by our idol, Jack Kirby
Inking by our star, Joe Sinnott
Lettering by our letterer, Artie Simek
20 pages

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Fantastic Four #45Fantastic FourFantastic Four #47

Although I die– I die– free!

Who is Black Bolt? He’s fast. He’s strong. Strong enough to stagger the Thing with one blow. The antenna on his mask converts electrons into his strength and speed.

He doesn’t speak.

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Fantastic Four #45

Among Us Hide… The Inhumans

Featuring: Fantastic Four
Release: September 9, 1965
Cover: December 1965
12 cents
Incredible story by: Stan Lee!
Incomparable pencilling by: Jack Kirby!
Invincible inking by: Joe Sinnott!
Inevitable lettering by: Artie Simek!
20 pages

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Fantastic Four #44Fantastic FourFantastic Four #46

I know how it feels to be a misfit– to haveta depend on your strength– because you aint got anythin’ else to offer anyone!

This is an incredible moment in Marvel’s history. The same month that introduces the Inhumans, the Eternity Saga comes to a climax as Dr. Strange engages Baron Mordo in final battle. And the Master Planner Saga begins in the pages of Amazing Spider-Man. (We’ll read that story right after this one.)

Plus X-Men meet the Sentinels; SHIELD vs. Hydra; Odin vs. Absorbing Man. These coming months are the best period in Marvel’s history.

Gorgon has captured Medusa. Dragon Man has captured Sue. The remaining FF members are caught in a collapsing building caused by Gorgon’s shock wave kick.

Thing seems particularly down on himself: “I’ve been nothin’ but a thorn in yer sides for months anyway!” In fairness, he did quit the team and join the Frightful Four.

The Torch too. “I failed you–both of you–when you needed me the most!” Quite the pity party here.

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Avengers #24

From the Ashes of Defeat!

Featuring: Avengers
Release: November 11, 1965
Cover: January 1966
12 cents
Writer: Stan Lee
Penciller: Don Heck
Inker: Dick Ayers
Letterer: Artie Simek
20 pages

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Avengers #23AvengersAvengers #25

Let us each meet our fate with valor– and heaven bless you all!

When we left off, Ravonna had rejected Kang’s offer of marriage, so he’s now sending his armies to invade her kingdom.

This treatment of Kang makes more sense to me than his previous appearances, and it better conveys his title of “…the Conqueror”. That he commands a legion of troops ready to invade kingdoms. His last attempt to conquer the 20th century involved sending a robot Spider-Man against the Avengers. Invading with an army just makes more sense to me.

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