Tales of Suspense #79, Story B

The Red Skull Lives!

Featuring: Captain America
Release: April 12, 1966
Cover: July 1966
12 cents
Script: Smilin’ Stan!
Art: Jolly Jack
Inks: Frantic Frankie
Lettering: Agonized Artie
10 pages

Previous#568Next
Tales of Suspense #79Reading orderTales of Suspense #80
Tales of Suspense #79Tales of SuspenseTales of Suspense #80

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?

Continue reading “Tales of Suspense #79, Story B”

Tales to Astonish #81, Story B

The Stage is Set!

Featuring: Hulk
Release: April 5, 1966
Cover: July 1966
12 cents
Hulkable script by: Stan Lee
Hulksome layout by: Jack Kirby
Hulkorious art by: Bill Everett
Hulkated lettering by: Sam Rosen
Costumes by Tibor of Transylvania!
10 pages

Previous#566Next
Tales to Astonish #81Reading orderTales of Suspense #79
Tales to Astonish #81Tales to AstonishTales to Astonish #82

“His boomerang is causing a rock slide!”
“It’s returning to him like an arrow!”

A lot happening in this issue. For Hulk, he’s finishing up his encounter with Tyrannus and Mole Man from last issue. But in the background, important villains are being introduced. They will set up a confusing mess of coming issues.

The secret empire known as Hydra has fallen. Nick Fury and Captain America have been having trouble with a new secret empire called Them, which may be connected to AIM. Now we meet a new secret empire, known as, er, the Secret Empire.

Continue reading “Tales to Astonish #81, Story B”

Tales to Astonish #80, Story B

They Dwell in the Depths!

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

Previous#564Next
Thor #139, Story BReading orderTales to Astonish #81
Tales to Astonish #80Tales to AstonishTales to Astonish #81

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.

Continue reading “Tales to Astonish #80, Story B”

Thor #139, Story B

The Secret of the Mystic Mountain!

Featuring: Tales of Asgard
Release: February 2, 1967
Cover: April 1967
12 cents
A Stan Lee and Jack Kirby rhapsodic rabelaisian romp
Inked by Vince Colletta
Lettered by Art Simek
5 pages

Previous#563Next
Thor #139Reading orderTales to Astonish #80
Thor #139ThorThor #140

There can be no doubt– ’tis Zanadu, wherein the accursed Mogul dwells!! Zanadu– whose hidden spires have been sought for ages– sought by those whose souls strive for justice– and for righteous retribution!! Zanadu– where the murderous Mogul rules with power absolute! But, he shall rule no longer! This doth Hogun swear!!

At last Thor and his three warrior friends find the Mystic Mountain.

Continue reading “Thor #139, Story B”

Thor #139

To Die Like a God!

Featuring: Thor
Release: February 2, 1967
Cover: April 1967
12 cents
Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
Inked with the prowess of Vince Colletta
Lettered with the pen-points of Sam Rosen
16 pages

Previous#562Next
Thor #138, Story BReading orderThor #139, Story B
Thor #138, Story BThorThor #139, Story B

Mighty are the warriors of Asgard! Though hopelessly outnumbered… though faced with alien weapons… they did not succumb! Never hath Orikal seen the like!

“To Die Like a God!” I find that a compelling title and cover image.

At the end of last issue, Thor’s hammer was stolen, which means he will change back to Don Blake in 60 seconds. Thor then gave a long and melancholy speech, which must have taken most of that 60 seconds. As this issue opens with him still being Thor, this must be only a couple seconds later.

Continue reading “Thor #139”

Thor #138, Story B

The Quest for the Mystic Mountain!

Featuring: Tales of Asgard
Release: January 3, 1967
Cover: March 1967
12 cents
A Stan Lee and Jack Kirby super-spectacular
Inking: Vince Colletta
Lettering: Sam Rosen
5 pages

Previous#561Next
Thor #138Reading orderThor #139
Thor #138ThorThor #139

If he wouldst fight as valiantly as he doth snore…

Last issue we learned Hogun’s origin, and met his arch-nemesis, Mogul of the Mystic Mountain. Hogun and his friends now seek the legendary Mountain.

Continue reading “Thor #138, Story B”

Thor #138

The Flames of Battle!

Featuring: Thor
Release: January 3, 1967
Cover: March 1967
12 cents
Garnished with grandeur by Stan (The Man) Lee and Jack (King) Kirby
Inked by: Vince (The Prince) Colletta
Lettered by: Artie (The Smartie) Simek
16 pages

Previous#560Next
Thor #137, Story BReading orderThor #138, Story B
Thor #137, Story BThorThor #138, Story B

To thine avenging master, eternal Mjolnir!

While they get a different nickname every issue, these nicknames we’ve seen several times and they are the nicknames which will endure. Stan The Man Lee. And Jack King Kirby.

An army of Trolls attacks Asgard, while Ulik attacks Manhattan. Thor has chosen to confront Ulik to save Sif and Midgard.

Continue reading “Thor #138”

Thor #137, Story B

The Tragedy of Hogun!

Featuring: Tales of Asgard
Release: December 1, 1966
Cover: February 1966
12 cents
Fabulously presented at its full flavor peak by: Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
Inked by: Vince Colletta
Lettered by: Artie Simek
5 pages

Previous#559Next
Thor #137Reading orderThor #138
Thor #137ThorThor #138

“By the sword I clutch– By the name I bear– I swear that Hogun’s fate shall be the fate of Fandral!”
“So speaks Volstagg– the fearless flower of chivalry!”
“In the name of Odin– so say we all!”

A new story arc begins. This will center on Hogun and his origins.

It begins with Thor and this three warrior friends coming upon a bound Saguta, whom Hogun recognizes as a warrior from his homeland. Saguta is dying, a victim of Mogul of the Mystic Mountain.

Continue reading “Thor #137, Story B”

Thor #137

The Thunder God and the Troll

Featuring: Thor
Release: December 1, 1966
Cover: February 1967
12 cents
In all the unmeasurable universe, surely there be none, save Stan Lee and Jack Kirby who couldst create such wonderment!
And, ne’er again shall we see the like of
Vince Colletta, inker, and
Sam Rosen, letterer
16 pages

Previous#558Next
Amazing Spider-Man #43Reading orderThor #137, Story B
Thor #136, Story BThorThor #137, Story B

The invasion is begun! Asgard must fall!

Last issue ended with Thor and Sif meeting. We pick up here with them hanging out. It’s not impossible he went to Earth between that meeting and now, but there’s no evidence he did. And I will need him with the Avengers on Earth soon. A new 3-part arc begins here. Thor will briefly travel to Earth in this story, but be busy. In the next arc, he travels to Earth and seems like he might have a bit of time on his hands.

This is to explain why we’ve gotten a bit far ahead in our Thor reading. We’re about to reach February 1967 for Thor, when we’re still in March 1966 for Hulk. Thor’s just been too busy for an Avengers meeting…. and Peter Parker already has his motorcycle for that meeting… and Matt Murdock was captured by the Owl when Spider-Man fought the Rhino… before Senator Byrd shut down Stark’s factories…

As last issue, Thor describes Sif as the raven-haired sister of Heimdall he knew as a child. But again, when we met Sif in her youth in Journey Into Mystery #102, she was described as the sister of Balder, and appeared to be blonde. Unless they are implying Heimdall and Balder are also brothers, this seems to be a contradiction. Or maybe there are two different women named Sif, sisters to Heimdall and Balder respectively.

Continue reading “Thor #137”

Thor Annual 2

If Asgard Falls…

Featuring: Thor
Release: June 30, 1966
Cover: 1966
25 cents
Scripted in solemn splendor by: Stan Lee
Illustrated in idealistic imagery by: Jack Kirby
Delineated in delicious delicacy by: Vince Colletta
Lettered in living luminescence by: Sam Rosen
Unaffected by the unabashed utterances of Irving Forbush
30 pages

Previous#552Next
X-Men #24Reading orderDaredevil #20

Would that I, too, might share the coming glory of clashing combat! But alas, it may not be! Imperial Odin must only be judge! To the young belongs the glory! Yet, well do I remember those hallowed days of yore… when the bludgeoning blade of Odin did strike with the fury of a thousand storms! ‘Twas then the summer of my life… when tall and straight as oak stood Odin! And now, though minstrels still sing of Odin’s feats… while campfires flicker…thy father has reached the twilight of his years… ‘Tis for the young to seize the torch of gallantry, and hold it high! Thus has it ever been! Thus shall it ever be! Even the aging lion must one day allow the eager cub to lead the hunt!

The Tournament of Titans is declared. Warriors from every land are summoned.

Continue reading “Thor Annual 2”