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.
Continue reading “Fantastic Four #11, Story B”