POSTLUDE: Deadpool #11

With Great Power Comes Great Coincidence

With Great Power Comes Great Coincidence
Featuring: Deadpool
Release: November 5, 1997
Cover: December 1997
Stan Lee Presents
A Very Special Deadpool brought to you across the Vast Expanse of Space and Time by:
Joe “Marty McFly” Kelly, writer
Pete “H.G. Wells” Woods, penciler
Nathan “Time Traveller(^TM)” Massengill, inker (’90s)
Al “Time by Seiko” Milgrom and Joe “Space Warp” Sinnott, inkers (’60s)
Chris “Sagan” Sotomayor, colorist
R “Timecop” S and Comicraft/Emerson Miranda, lettering
Paul “Time Warp Again” Tutrone, assistant editor
Matt “Time to make the donuts” Idelson, editor
Bob Harrras, time loop
Bob Harras, time loop
Bob Harras, time loop
Bob Harras, time loop
Bob Harras, time loop
Based in part on Amazing Spider-Man #47 by Stan Lee and John Romita, Sr.
Special thanks to Darren Auck, The Bullpen (and all that name encompasses), Patti Dazzo, Ralph Macchio, Kareem Montes, Wilson Ramos, Repro, Pond Scum
And of course Stan and John for allowing This Travesty to Occur
50 pages

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Amazing Spider-Man #47Reading orderDaredevil #26

That’s a great dress, Gwen… But it would look a lot better crumpled up next to my bed…

I certainly hope readers of this blog have no doubt what cover is being homaged here.

Last issue, Deadpool and his prisoner Blind Al went the Aquarium. As fate would have it, the Great Lakes Avenge Lightning Rods were also at the Aquarium that day.

So what, you just read the comic and narrate what happens? Can your readers not afford their own comics?

Cable always said, “Life is like a case of weaponry. You never know how they’re gonna die.”

Those who read the introductory post know that my first ever comic Avengers #309 featured the Great Lakes Avengers…

Why would anybody have read that ?=&&*#☂^?

And so I’ve always had a fondness for the team.

Of course you like the lamest ∬=⊗©☂Ω/ superheroes. Who are your other favorites? The Human Fly? Quasar? That
😀%=⊗#Ψ?💩 Superman?

Doorman leaped into Deadpool just as he tried to teleport away with Blind Al. And that’s where this issue picks up.

I know all this because 1997 comics had these helpful fold-out inside covers to help get you up to speed.

You, my friend need to get &💩☂😀. Some nice 😀%//+ *^+&Ψ 💩⊗^☂%Ω and a @Ψ^ 😀☂⊗© and you won’t need this ∬=⊗©☂Ω/ blog anymore.

We pick up where that left off. Deadpool and Blind Al find themselves hurtled… onto Aunt May’s porch.

And then when this *^=☠☂😀 💩** blog is no more, maybe your readers can finally come out of their parents’ basement and get their own 😀☂⊗©**=⊗©Ψ😀.

Now we have been reading 1967 comics, but this comic is from 1997. And in 1997, Aunt May was dead. So how could she be here?

Yeah, but she was alive by 1998. Death in Marvel is about as meaningful as a 5th grader with high standardized test scores. Sure, kid, you have “potential”. Potential to *=⊗© Λ+ ∬💩^ %ΩΨ! Hahahaha!

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Fantastic Four #63

Blastaar The Living Bomb-Burst!

Featuring: Fantastic Four
Release: March 14, 1967
Cover: June 1967
12 cents
Stan (The Man) Lee and Jack (King) Kirby have done it again!
And so have…
Joe Sinnott, inker
Sam Rosen, letterer
20 pages

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Fantastic Four #62Reading orderAmazing Spider-Man #47
Fantastic Four #62Fantastic FourFantastic Four #64

I did not suspect that almost all Earth beings possessed super-powers of their own!

Where were we? Triton rescued Mr. Fantastic from Sub-Space, also called the Negative Zone. Or the “Negative Zone of Sub-space”. Not to be confused with the Negative Zone which surrounded the Inhumans’ Great Refuge.

But the criminal known as Blastaar followed them through and struck an uneasy alliance with Sandman. And now… they attack!

These Super-Villain team-ups date back to Doom and Namor.

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Fantastic Four #62

…And One Shall Save Him!

Featuring: Fantastic Four
Release: February 14, 1967
Cover: May 1967
12 cents
Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
Inking: Joe Sinnott
Lettering: Sam Rosen
20 pages

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Fantastic Four #61Reading orderFantastic Four #63
Fantastic Four #61Fantastic FourFantastic Four #63

There is so much yet to learn… so much to see, and marvel at…! What a pity it must all end so soon… before I have a chance to unravel the myriad mysteries of this strange, uncanny universe! But, there will be others… those who come after me… and they will unlock the secrets of the cosmos… one by one… For, the mind of man is the greatest key in the world… the key which may one day open the door to… immortality!! And each of us, in his own way, does what he can for those who will follow! That is the only true legacy we can leave to those we love… that we have made the world a little better than we found it!

Last issue saw Reed trapped in Sub-Space hurtling toward his imminent death. With none who could save him.

I guess we may as well start preparing ourselves emotionally.

Though the title is “And One Shall Save Him”… so maybe there is one who can save him. Can’t imagine who, though.

Tell her… how much… I loved her… tell her… I’ll.. always lover her…

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Fantastic Four #61

Where Stalks the Sandman?

Featuring: Fantastic Four
Release: January 10, 1967
Cover: April 1967
12 cents
Extravagantly executed with exbullient erudition by: Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
Inked by: Joe Sinnott
Lettered by: Sam Rosen
20 pages

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Sgt. Fury #40Reading orderFantastic Four #62
Fantastic Four #60Fantastic FourFantastic Four #62

Ya mean… after lickin’ Galactus… clobberin’ Klaw… an’ whumpin’ Doc Doom… we’re gonna be polished off by a kaboodle of sand?!!

We just finished the epic “Doom Surfer” saga, coming soon after the introduction of Black Panther, coming immediately after the masterful This Man This Monster, coming immediately after the Galactus saga, coming immediately after the Inhumans saga, coming soon after the wedding of Reed and Sue, another excellent battle against Dr. Doom alongside Daredevil, and several encounters with the Frightful Four.

I consider that run of twenty or so issues the height of the series. We’re past that height now. But it’s still going to be excellent.

Recall where we left off. Sandman had broken out of prison, but Wizard’s escape was thwarted. Sandman broke into the Baxter Building to try to steal equipment to free his partner. The FF fought him to a standstill and Sandman got away.

Dr. Doom captured the Silver Surfer, and stole his powers and surfboard. This led to an epic battle, which ended when Dr. Doom tried to fly to space, to learn Galactus had left measures to keep the Silver Surfer trapped on Earth. Those measures took out Doom. Perhaps he’s dead. We’re not sure. We last saw the surfboard flying back to Castle Doom where the Silver Surfer is imprisoned.

Johnny and Wyatt had been searching for the Inhumans with Lockjaw, but left the search to aid in the battle against Doom. Meanwhile, Black Bolt finally spoke, and the power of his voice destroyed the Negative Zone barrier surrounding their city, as well as the entire city. Black Bolt led his royal family and court into the world, while the rest of the Inhumans stayed behind to rebuild their city.

Don’tcha even get a coffee break in this blasted super-heroin’ business?

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Tales of Suspense #87, Story B

Wanted: Captain America!

Featuring: Captain America
Release: December 8, 1966
Cover: March 1967
12 cents
Editing: Stan Lee
Script: Roy Thomas
Drawn by: Jack Sparling
Inked by: Joe Sinnott
Lettered by: Sam Rosen
Subway swept by: Honest Irv
10 pages

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Tales of Suspense #87Reading orderTales of Suspense #88
Tales of Suspense #87Tales of SuspenseTales of Suspense #88

You may have had hours of practice… but I’ve had years!

That’s quite a surprising line-up of creators. Lee and Kirby have been handling Captain America thus far. Kirby took a couple issues off last year, with fill-ins by Ayers or Romita. And Kirby isn’t done with the book, but it will be a few issues until we see him again, with Gil Kane taking over. Lee is only taking this one issue off.

Thomas is Lee’s standard backup at this point, so his name isn’t that surprising. Joe Sinnott is our favorite inker these days, so it’s good to see him.

But who is Jack Sparling? That’s a new name to us. He’s one of those guys that’s worked in comics since the 1940s, seemingly at every company but Marvel. This is his first Marvel work and he won’t become a regular.

Here’s a sampling of his work.

  • The Yorktown Younger Set, Calling All Girls #3, Parents’ Magazine Press, 1942
  • Hap Hopper, Sparkler Comics v2 #10, United Feature Syndicate, 1942
  • Nyoka the Jungle Girl, Master Comics #50, Fawcett, 1944
  • Claire Voyant, Keen Teens, M.E., 1945
  • Lovers Lane #2, Lev-Gleason, 1949
  • Texas Rangers, Action Comics #140, DC, 1950
  • Kid Lochinvar, Great Lover Romances #1, Toby, 1951
  • Warfront #1, Harvey, 1951
  • Masked Raider #1, Charlton, 1955
  • The Sword and the Dragon, Four Color #1118, Dell, 1960
  • Adventures into the Unknown #121, ACG, 1961
  • Immortal Man, Strange Adventures #177, DC, 1965

He’s at this time a fixture of DC’s horror books, while still drawing romance, war, or other comics for companies like Harvey and Dell.

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Fantastic Four #60

The Peril and The Power!

Featuring: Fantastic Four
Release: December 8, 1966
Cover: March 1967
12 cents
Dazzlingly depicted by: Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
Inking by: Joe Sinnott
Lettering by: Sam Rosen
20 pages

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Fantastic Four #59Fantastic FourFantastic Four #61

I… never felt… pain.. like this… before..! ..Never knew anything… could hurt… so much… But… can’t let go… can’t knuckle down…! All I got is… my strength..! If I let that fail me… there’s nothin’ left…! Nothin’..! Fight it, Ben… fight it!! Fight… ya ugly , good-fer-nothin’ orange-skinned meathead… fight..! What’s a little bit… of pain… to a big beautiful slob… like you..!

Black Bolt has spoken, and his voice had the power to destroy the Negative Zone surrounding the Great Refuge. And now he along with the Royal Family and Court of the Inhumans venture forth into the wider world. Meanwhile, Dr. Doom continues to wield the cosmic power of the Silver Surfer.

As noted, I’m here for Doom on a surfboard. That’s what this story is about to me. And this is the best image of that yet.

The Human Torch tries to take on Dr. Doom by himself. It won’t go well.

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Fantastic Four #59

Doomsday

Featuring: Fantastic Four
Release: November 10, 1966
Cover: February 1967
12 cents
A Stan Lee * Jack Kirby modern day masterwork!
Delineation by: Joe Sinnott
Lettering by: Artie Simek
20 pages

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Fantastic Four #58Reading orderFantastic Four #60
Fantastic Four #58Fantastic FourFantastic Four #60

But now– with an entire planet looming before us– what do we do? Where do we go? Is the human race yet ready for us–??

The title of this comic is Doomsday. That’s also the name of an upcoming superhero movie.

Dr. Doom has the powers of the Silver Surfer and may be unbeatable. However, Ben disagrees, at least out loud.

Like ol’ Stretcho would say– as long as a guy still has a brain– and some backbone– he aint never beaten ‘less he wants’a be!

Mr. Fantastic coordinates with all nations on Earth, suggesting differences must be put aside against the threat of Doom.

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Fantastic Four #58

The Dismal Dregs of Defeat!

Featuring: Fantastic Four
Release: October 11, 1966
Cover: January 1967
12 cents
A Stan Lee * Jack Kirby powerhouse production
Inked by: Joe Sinnott
Lettered by: Artie Simek
20 pages

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Fantastic Four #57Reading orderFantastic Four #59
Fantastic Four #57Fantastic FourFantastic Four #59

“Hah! The once-mighty Silver Surfer! Now, barely able to move a muscle since your new master has stripped you of your power!”
“Master? Galactus had been– my master! You– are but– a flea!”

Dr. Doom’s head appears in the air. I appreciate that Reed just thinks it’s a random pattern from the electrical storm. Smartest man in the world.

But then the pattern randomly looks like Dr. Doom again, and Reed begins to do the math on the odds of that.

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Fantastic Four #57

Enter… Dr. Doom!

Featuring: Fantastic Four
Release: September 8, 1966
Cover: December 1966
12 cents
Panoramically produced by: Stan Lee, Jack Kirby
Inking: Joe Sinnott
Lettering: Artie Simek
20 pages

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Sgt. Fury #36Reading orderFantastic Four #58
Fantastic Four #56Fantastic FourFantastic Four #58

It is you I wish to learn about! For power has ever been my god– And, in all the universe, there can be no greater truth than– knowledge is power!

One thing we’ve seen going back to issue 36 is a tighter continuity amongst a larger cast. These aren’t isolated adventures anymore, but part of a larger whole. I mention issue 36 because it introduced the Frightful Four. The character of Medusa led us to the Inhumans, who have essentially become supporting characters on this title, as we check in with them often. The FF have had three battles against the Frightful Four, but now Sandman and Wizard are attempting a prison break.

After the Inhumans saga, we met the Silver Surfer, who has also become a supporting cast member in essence.

Sandman is an interesting character, as he was created to be a Spider-Man villain but at this point seems to have been adopted by the Fantastic Four. Which leads me to a question. Is Sandman a Jack Kirby creation?

Sandman was introduced in Amazing Spider-Man by Steve Ditko. But I believe Ditko has been quoted that he got occasional help on Spider-Man’s villains from Jack. And I wonder if that refers to the Sandman.

Ditko’s first Spider-Man super-villains were: Chameleon, Vulture, Dr. Octopus, Lizard… and Sandman. Who stands out in the group. Spider-Man has an excellent rogues gallery, and Stan and the other artists have brought many of them around to threaten other heroes… but Kirby has shown no interest in using any of them in his comics… except for Sandman, who is essentially a regular Fantastic Four character at this point.

I don’t know any of this. I’m just speculating out loud. But at this point, Sandman has been adopted by the FF as a villain… and I wonder if Jack Kirby created him?

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Fantastic Four Annual 4

The Torch that Was!

Featuring: Fantastic Four
Release: August 2, 1966
Cover: November, 1966
25 cents
Conceived and created by: Stan Lee (scenarist) & Jack Kirby (illustrator)
Inked and lettered by: Joe Sinnott (Delineator) & Sam Rosen (Calligrapher)
Recited and ignited by: Irving Forbush (part-time non-entity)
19 pages

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Human Torch #38, Story DPRELUDE
Fantastic Four #56Reading orderX-Men #25
Fantastic Four Annual 3Fantastic Four AnnualFantastic Four Annual 5

The Original Human Torch! Reborn– only to die again!

We began our Marvel reading with Fantastic Four #1, released in August 1961. But Marvel had 22 years of history predating that comic. What is the relationship between those older comics and the modern 1960s ones? We’ve seen some impacts.

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