Release: November 3, 1966 Cover: January 1967 12 cents A Stan Lee * Gene Colan contemporary classic! Inked by: Frank Giacoia Lettered by: S. Rosen 20 pages
Starting this issue, Colan gets a credit like Romita got last month, and like Kirby and Ditko had been getting. Rather than just crediting him with art, the entire story is credited to the combo of Stan and Gene. This implicitly acknowledges Colan’s contributions to the writing. While still putting Stan’s name first.
On continuity, we haven’t travelled far into the future. Daredevil escaped Owl’s island while the Rhino was first being tried, and got into his tiff with the Tri-Man very soon after. That ended with him trapped in Europe with no money. And he’s still stuck. So this isn’t long after Amazing Spider-Man #43, perhaps still before Amazing Spider-Man Annual 3.
Featuring: Spider-Man Release: November 10, 1966 Cover: February 1967 12 cents A Stan (The Man) Lee — John (Ring-a-ding) Romita adventure in agonizing action Lettering – Sam Rosen Web-untangling – Irv Forbush 20 pages
When your two arms were helpless against me before, what did you expect to accomplish now?
In this story, Spider-Man fights the Lizard again. With one arm tied in front of his back.
Romita gets the same credit Stan had been giving Ditko and Kirby. Rather then merely crediting him with illustration, Lee gives them each co-credit for creating the entire story, acknowledging that Romita is doing much of the writing.
Featuring: Spider-Man Release: October 11, 1966 Cover: January 1967 12 cents Story: Smilin’ Stan Lee Illustration: Jazzy John Romita Lettering: Swingin’ Sam Rosen Luggage: Honest Irving Forbush 20 pages
Ditko and Lee created a number of great villains for Spider-Man: Chameleon, Vulture, Tinkerer, Dr. Octopus, Sandman, Lizard, Living Brain, Electro, Big Man and the Enforcers, Mysterio, Green Goblin, Kraven the Hunter, Scorpion, the Spider Slayer, Molten Man, the Cat, Looter, Robot Master, a Guy Named Joe…
A temptation when writing a Spider-Man story is to have the premise: “Spider-Man fights _ again.”
Which is the worst idea for a Spider-Man story. In fact, two of Ditko’s weakest issues, written after he had basically given up on the series, involve Spider-Man fighting Kraven or Molten Man again.
That’s not to say these villains shouldn’t return. They should. But their return needs to tell a different story with them or move their own story forward.
That’s the big question. Is this story advancing the saga of this villain or bringing it in circles?
Dr. Octopus fought Spider-Man. When they fought again, it led to the death of Betty Brant’s brother and Spider-Man being unmasked. The villain returned but it was a new story. When they fought again, Dr. Octopus assembled six of Spider-Man’s most sinister foes to battle him. Again, a different story. Finally, they had their greatest battle with Dr. Octopus in the guise of the Master Planner. I heaped plenty of praise on that saga at the time. But suffice it to say, I think there was more of a premise to that story than “Spider-Man fights Dr. Octopus again.”
Spider-Man fought the Lizard, but then learned he was a good man Dr. Connors transformed by his own science experiments.
We saw that man again, cured of his Lizard ways, now acting as a scientific advisor to Spider-Man. We saw him again last issue in a similar capacity, advising against the Rhino. That time he idly wondered if the powers of the Lizard could be used against the Rhino. Spider-Man convinced him that thinking is dangerous.
So as we read stories where Spider-Man fights a classic villain again, I have a couple thought questions. Is the story moving the villain’s story forward? Is it telling a new story with the villain? Is there more to the premise than “Spider-Man fights _ again”?
I’m not objecting per se to Spider-Man fighting the Lizard again. Romita is an artist with a distinctive style from Ditko, so it’s fun to see his take on Ditko’s villains.
And the story will be good because Romita’s art is good and because he’ll do a good job with the side characters and soap opera. But will the story be good?
Featuring: Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos Release: October 11, 1966 Cover: December 1966 12 cents Editor: Smilin’ Stan Lee Scripter: Rascally Roy Thomas Artist: Darlin’ Dick Ayers Inker: Jivey John Tartaglione Letterer: Sandy Sammy Rosen Technical advisor in charge of parachuting: Jovial Johnny Hayes, ex-para-trooper, Marvel’s swingin’ circulation manager. 20 pages
Now, like the blamed fly-boys always say… Geronimo!
A credit to Johnny Hayes, a name we don’t see often. We did recently see his name because a Bullpen Bulletin made it a point to name some of the behind the scenes staff. Here he gets credit for offering some consulting based on his days parachuting in the military.
I’m going to say that Thomas is really finding his footing on this title. Under Kirby this had been one of Marvel’s best comics, but it fell quickly to mediocrity when he left, with thin cookie cutter plots.
Stan Lee had remained the writer, but in practice as he was “writing” 20 titles every month, most of the storytelling was left to Ayers, who wasn’t up to it. We’re 9 issues into Thomas’ run, who likely is providing more plotting and scripting guidance to Ayers. Thomas had a slow start, but more and more, the comic feels like somebody is writing it.
Featuring: X-Men Release: October 11, 1966 Cover: December 1966 12 cents Edited by Stan Lee Scripted by Roy Thomas Drawn by Werner Roth Inked by Dick Ayers Lettered by Sam Rosen (Wouldja believe Artie Simek?) 20 pages
…as long as there are evil mutants abroad in the world, the X-Men must remain vigilant!
Recall last issue ended with Cyclops accidentally (or so he claims) injuring Angel. Meanwhile, Jean Grey ran into Cal Rankin at Metro College. Cal Rankin had fought the X-Men as Mimic, but he doesn’t recall the encounter because Professor X futzed with his brain.
We pick up with the X-Men battling Mimic again, now seeming to recall their last encounter. After the in media res opening, we see how we got here.
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
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.
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
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
“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.
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
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?
Featuring: Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos Release: September 8, 1966 Cover: November 1966 12 cents Block-buster editing by Stan Lee Bullet-scarred script by Roy Thomas Battle-ready art by Dick Ayers Bomb-happy inking by John Tartaglione Ballpoint-pen lettering by Sam Rosen 20 pages
A traitor? Nein, I think not! If there be any traitor to the Fatherland, it is rather those who would lead it to the brink of disaster for the sake of their own personal glory!
The stories from this title had fallen into a pattern. The premise was always location-based. The Howlers had some mission in a new location. They completed it and went home.
Since taking over, Thomas has been trying to tell actual stories and have character arcs.
This issue is location-based. The Howlers go to the neutral territory of Switzerland, breaking any number of laws and treaties.
But there’s a premise and a larger character arc as well.
We met Eric in Sgt. Fury #27, when he defected from the Germans and came to Britain. But last issue it was decided Eric (whose last name we learned was Koenig) should join the Howlers, since Manelli was injured and recovering back in the States. This is his first mission with the Howlers.
So Thomas writes about a couple things pertaining to that, ideas that are more than “the Howlers have a mission and succeed”. The first is that he’s eager to prove himself, sometimes too eager and to everyone’s detriment.
I must prove myself… show the Commandos I am as good as any of them! I must! For, only thus will I ever be certain that they look on me as a man… not as an ex-Nazi!
