Tag: impossible man

Fantastic Four Annual 1

Sub-Mariner Versus The Human Race!

Featuring: Fantastic Four
Release: July 2, 1963
Cover: 1963
25 cents <– whoa!
Written by: Stan Lee
Drawn by: Jack Kirby
Inking: Dick Ayers
37 pages

We just read no less than 5 Sub-Mariner stories from the ’40s and ’50s to have some context for this giant-sized Fantastic Four/Sub-Mariner epic we are about to read. At 37 pages, this is the longest story we have yet read. And at 25 cents, this and the Strange Tales annual are the most expensive comics we’ve come across by a factor of 2.

When Sub-Mariner returned in Fantastic Four #4, he learned that his kingdom had been destroyed and his people were missing. He’s been searching for them ever since. Until now.

Is it the longest ever? Or might Stan be exaggerating?

Quite the opening couple pages. The bold imagination on display is Kirby at his best. But we haven’t seen that much of his true potential yet in these stories. He’s just been getting warmed up.

The Fantastic Four decide to take a vacation along with Alicia. Reed’s suggestion is to take a cruise to where some sea monsters have been sighted.

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Fantastic Four #11, Story B

The Impossible Man
Featuring: Fantastic Four
Release: November 1, 1962
Cover: February 1963
12 cents
Story: Stan Lee
Art: Jack Kirby
Inking: Dick Ayers
11 pages

I read this story in Fantastic Four Omnibus vol. 1.

In some ways, this is a fill-in issue of FF, a break from their serious adventures. The first half of the issue gave the team to address their real-life letters in-story in an extended letters page. This half features a gag character. He reminds one of DC antagonists such as Bat-Mite or Mr. Mxyp– I mean Mr. Mxyzpl– I mean, that imp who annoys Superman.

The adversary is from the planet Poppup, a race that has learned to instantly evolve. The Impossible Man is essentially unbeatable, but not really a villain. Their initial conflict is just intergalactic cross-cultural misunderstanding; later, the Impossible Man is just trying to amuse himself. The FF should probably have tried to deescalate and defuse the situation.

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