stan lee – Page 47 – Coke ⊕ Comics

PRELUDE: USA Comics #1, Story F

Jack Frost

Featuring: Jack Frost
Release: April 20, 1941
Cover: August 1941
10 cents
Story by: Stan Lee
6 pages

A bit of an interlude from our run of old Captain America Comics.

I’ve gotten in the habit of reading these Golden Age superheroes when their namesakes were introduced, but I missed this one. Iron Man fought the new Jack Frost in Tales of Suspense #45. Perhaps that would have been a good time to introduce the Golden Age superhero of the same name. But we didn’t.

I’d say I didn’t have the idea of going back to look at namesakes in my head yet, but that’s clearly not true. Our second post goes back to 1939 to meet the original Human Torch for no reason other than we’d just introduced the new one in Fantastic Four #1. And then a couple posts later, the introduction of the new Gorilla Man gave us all the excuse we needed to meet the original gorilla men. I guess I should admit that I just forgot about Jack Frost.

I thought of him now because we just read Stan Lee’s first Marvel story, and this features Stan’s first superhero co-creation.

Stan created Jack Frost along with the uncredited Charles Nicholas.

Also, I wanted to read the Captain America story from USA Comics #6, which had me anyway looking at the first issue of USA Comics.

And, man if that dude left suspended in a block of ice isn’t good foreshadowing for what’s coming…

Maybe this is a fine time to read this story. Or maybe I should rearrange things to place it back alongside Tales of Suspense #45. Plenty of time to decide that, I guess.

For now, let’s look to the comic.

PRELUDE: Captain America Comics #3, Text Story

Captain America Foils the Traitor’s Revenge

Featuring: Captain America
Release: March 17, 1941
Cover: May 1941
10 cents
By: Stan Lee
2 pages

Marvel comics up through the 1960s have often included short prose stories. We haven’t covered any yet in detail, as none have been sufficiently relevant. In the 1960s, they have been short one-off tales of science fiction or fantasy.

The first two Captain America comics also each featured a text story we did not cover. We have not even covered all the Captain America comic stories from those first two issues. We are just doing a brief scan of Captain America’s history prior to his return in 1964.

Why cover this particular text piece? The author is notable.

Tales to Astonish #55, Story B

The Gypsy’s Secret!

Featuring: Wasp
Release: February 4, 1964
Cover: May 1964
12 cents
Story plot: Stan Lee
Script and art: Larry Lieber
Inking: George Bell
Lettering: Sherigail
5 pages

This is the first lettering we’ve seen attributed to “Sherigail”, a pseudonym for Morrie Kuramoto. The name is a combination of both his wife and daughter’s names.

I originally attributed the lettering to Ray Holloway. Thanks to Nel Yomtov for the correction.

I recognize that “gypsy” is an outdated and offensive word, but it’s in the title of the comic, and it’s how the comic describes the strange alien visitor.

Though the era of weird tales is ending, through the Wasp’s stories we get two more in this title.

Tales to Astonish #55

On the Trail of the Human Top!

Featuring: Giant-Man and Wasp
Release: February 4, 1964
Cover: May 1964
12 cents
Story by: Happy Stan Lee
Art by: Heroic Dick Ayers
Lettering by: Honest Art Simek
18 pages

For the third comic in a row, I feel the need to point out that we are reading a February comic when not yet done with the January comics. I have reasons.

Please recall that Hulk and Namor remain at large.

How does Wasp feel about not getting her name on the jackets?

Actually, you often look foolish and clumsy. Do you have any footage of your recent battle against El Toro?

Human Top is Dr. Pym’s third repeat villain, after Egghead and Porcupine. Returning villains have become much more common across all the titles these last couple months, now that a staple has been built up.

Journey Into Mystery #103, Story C

Thor’s Mission to Mirmir!

Featuring: Tales of Asgard
Release: February 4, 1964
Cover: April 1964
12 cents
Masterfully written by: Stan Lee
Magnificently illustrated by: Jack Kirby
Majestically inked by: Chic Stone
Meritoriously lettered by: Art Simek
5 pages

This is how it all begins. Quite literally.

The story of Thor’s early days continues. He is now an adult and wields the magic hammer. We see now the story of the dawn of humanity on Earth, and Thor’s role in the tale.

The tale begins in the mountains of Asgard, where the dwarfs dwell. We are told the dwarfs forge all the weapons of Asgard. However, not quite all. We learned in the main story of this issue that Odin himself forged Thor’s hammer. That fact is affirmed in this very story.

Sindri is the king of dwarfs and has built the magical ship, Skipbladnir. It’s a tiny ship that magically grows to full-size when needed. Skipbladnir will transport Thor to Mirmir.

Journey Into Mystery #103

The Enchantress and the Executioner!

Featuring: Thor
Release: February 4, 1964
Cover: April 1964
12 cents
Written by: Stan Lee, master of fantasy
Illustrated by: Jack Kirby, master of picto-drama
Inked by: Chic Stone
Lettered by: S. Rosen
13 pages

The phrase “feature-length” clearly means nothing to Stan. 13 pages is the same length the Thor stories have always been. It’s only half a comic.

I had some trouble deciding where it was best to read this story. I had originally posted it a little early, I decided, and moved it to where it fits in terms of publication dates, after the introduction of Black Widow. I’m not sure when it best takes place chronologically.

We start with Thor returning to the 20th century from the future, so there’s no time gap between the beginning of this story and Journey Into Mystery #102. Dr. Blake needs a nap, and we do have a short time gap before the main action of the story begins.

Amazing Spider-Man #12

Unmasked by Dr. Octopus!

Featuring: Spider-Man
Release: February 11, 1964
Cover: May 1964
12 cents
Written in the white heat of inspiration by: Stan Lee
Drawn in a wild frenzy of enthusiasm by: Steve Ditko
Lettered in a comfortable room by: Art Simek
22 pages

We’re reading this story an entire month early. A few reasons for this. One is that a lot of plot and thematic elements remain unresolved from issue 11. So these two issues read well together. The other is that I’ll be shuffling around a lot of Avengers-related comics due to chronological complications, including Spider-Man’s upcoming guest appearance in Tales to Astonish. I’ll be pulling that story forward, which also pulls this story forward.

Since the Dr. Octopus subplot remains unresolved from last issue, I think it’s best if Spider-Man’s guest appearances with Human Torch or Giant-Man don’t break up these issues.

Just keep in mind this comic was actually was published after a lot of the exciting events we are about to read, including the return of Captain America, the introduction of Black Widow, the epic Thing/Hulk showdown, and the introduction of Daredevil. But I think it reads better before all that. So here we are.

This is actually one of my very favorite Spider-Man comics. Let’s dive in.

We see a Daily Bugle article in an unusual level of detail. Spider-Man is blamed for letting Dr. Octopus escape by interfering in police business. Jameson’s articles are often over the top, but this seems a reasonable assessment to me. Spider-Man is a child who barged into a delicate hostage situation. One person was killed and the villain escaped. We know he did his best, but he is an amateur. Nonetheless, Spider-Man is outraged by the article. He should perhaps instead be remorseful about Bennet’s death. That’s what happens when you provoke a criminal into wildly firing shots.

Amazing Spider-Man #11

Turning Point

Featuring: Spider-Man
Release: January 10, 1964
Cover: April 1964
12 cents
None but Stan Lee could have written this epic tale!!
None but Steve Ditko could have drawn such gripping scenes!
Lettered by S. Rosen
21 pages

“None but Stan Lee could have written this epic tale!!” I don’t know, Stan. I have my suspicions that’s not precisely accurate. There’s at least one other person who could have, and perhaps did.

With a title like “Turning Point”, this is probably going to be good.

This story has been building for two issues now, and won’t quite resolve in this one. Let’s remind ourselves of what’s been happening.

Two issues back, Peter and Betty were getting closer, but Betty had concerns, and those concerns seemed to hint at larger troubles.

"You're beginning to enjoy the danger-- the excitement! Just like--someone else I once knew--"

"Peter, I never told you why I left high school last year and took a job! I never told you about someone I once knew who-- who remind me of you! But I don't want to be hurt again!"

Last issue, we learn she had been in debt to a loan shark, which leads to her running afoul of the Enforcers. For Peter’s protection, she decides to leave town.

This issue, we see the return of Spider-Man’s greatest villain, Dr. Octopus. Dr. Octopus marks Spidey’s second recurring villain, after the Vulture. (Of course, not counting his persistent nemesis, J. Jonah Jameson.)

Strange Tales #119, Story B

Beyond the Purple Veil!

Featuring: Dr. Strange
Release: January 10, 1964
Cover: April 1964
12 cents
Story conjured up by: Stan Lee
Illustrated by the Strange Sorcery of: Steve Ditko
Lettered at midnight by: Art Simek
8 pages

This issue is most notable for finally giving a name to Dr. Strange’s house servant. His name is Wong.

We had seen him twice before but without being named. Here he is in #110 and #116.

Here he is in the Dr. Strange film played by Benedict Wong. Is it coincidental that Wong is played by a Wong? A glimpse at Wikipedia tells me that over 7% of people in China have the surname Wong or a variant. So it’s not an astronomical coincidence.

Strange Tales #119

The Torch Goes Wild!

Featuring: Human Torch
Release: January 10, 1964
Cover: April 1964
12 cents
Written by: Stan Lee
Drawn by: Dick Ayers
Lettered by: S. Rosen
13 pages

No picture this time, but at least the covers are now consistently mentioning that Dr. Strange exists.

The title of this story is, “The Torch Goes Wild!” Not quite sure what that leads me to expect. Maybe Johnny will take his top off, show a little skin.

Our more observant readers might be wondering if we completely forgot about Avengers #4. We did not. For various reasons about story flow and chronology and such, we will be waiting a bit to read it. I promise a future post that explains all these decisions in excruciating detail.

Our story begins with Johnny having a bad day. Perhaps the Rabble Rouser is to blame.