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
“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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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
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.
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
“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.
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
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.
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
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.
Featuring: Fantastic Four Release: June 9, 1966 Cover: September 1966 12 cents Script: Smilin’ Stan Lee Art: Jolly Jack Kirby Inking: Jovial Joe Sinnott Lettering: Snarlin’ Sam Rosen 20 pages
My name is Prester John… and long have I travelled the world, seeking to unravel the mysteries of mankind! That is why men have ever called me… the Wanderer! And, the sights I beheld… the secrets upon which I stumbled… were far beyond description… yea, almost beyond belief itself… Can I ever forget those lonely mountain peaks from which I barely escaped with my life… after finding a savage race who thrived only in the land of endless snow…? And, I wonder if time has erased the glory of Cathay… where I witnessed the flight of giant projectiles… like roaring comets, soaring high into the heavens! Even madness did I encounter… such as the time I crossed the angry sea only to find a tribe who studied the stars… and who insanely proclaimed Earth to be round, like some great spinning egg shell! But, the greatest triump of my life was finding the fabled isle of Avalon! Avalon… hidden realm of miracles without end! Avalon… whose wizards created mighty machines which harnassed the natural forces of the universe!! Alas, that those same forces should have destroyed their own land… causing them to vanish forever from the sight of men!
Still in Wakanda, the Fantastic Four and Black Panther play a baseball game.
When Reed and Sue go off to “shmooze”, Ben exclaims, “What a revoltin’ development!” Not the first time he’s used the phrase in response to Reed and Sue going off to shmooze. We’d seen it before in Fantastic Four #35. Brian Cronin traces the evolution of the phrase from Life of Reily to Daffy Duck to Ben Grimm here.
