Featuring: X-Men
Release: September 3, 1963
Cover: November 1963
12 cents
Written by: Stan Lee
Drawn by: Jack Kirby
Inked by: Paul Reinman
22 pages
For the second issue in a row, the cover reads, “In the sensational Fantastic Four style”. They are really trying to hype the tenuous similarity to Fantastic Four. The cover box also matches the previous issue, so it seems like the standard one. Odd that they chose an image which only highlights 3 of the X-Men. At least they don’t fit in everybody but the one woman, like the Avengers cover box.
Professor X has warned the X-Men that people will distrust them. But when I look at the last couple issues, evidence of that is lacking. The military seemed very grateful to the X-Men last issue. This issue, a gaggle of girls want to kiss Angel; Jean needs to shove them away. The construction workers seem grateful to Cyclops and Iceman for saving them. Xavier has contacts at the FBI, who are willing to lend him a special jet and seemingly clear the White House lawn to allow the X-Men to tackle this new threat their way. It’s weird.
What is a mutant? There are lots of super-powered beings running around now. I’ve already lost count. Very few have been described as mutants. Just Tad, Merlin, Namor, the X-Men, and Magneto. Xavier suspects the Vanisher is a mutant, but is not sure. It’s obvious that the Vanisher has “X-tra” powers. Professor X adds a bit of clarity to the question. He suggests that mutants are people born with their extra powers. So people who gain their powers from cosmic rays, gamma bombs, or radioactive spider bites would not be mutants.
One significant moment in this issue is we are introduced to the Danger Room. It is likely the same training facility we saw in the first issue, but we now learn its name.
To defeat the Vanisher, Xavier basically mind-wipes him. Vanisher is left with total amnesia, in particular forgetting both that he has powers and how to use them. This will become Xavier’s go-to solution for many of their problems. It will be much later before writers note this is unethical. The ethical concerns are not addressed in this comic. I would recommend Xavier read the recently released A Clockwork Orange. And then check out the film adaptation when it comes out a decade later.
We discussed what the word “teleport” means at length last issue. I won’t belabor it, except to note that both Jean’s and Vanisher’s powers are referred to as teleportation in this issue. Vanisher’s powers reflect my normal usage. Jean’s power lines up with Merriam-Webster.
Actually, Officer… I suspect there is just such a law against intentions.
It will be 50 years before the Vanisher makes his feature film debut, portrayed by Brad Pitt. An obvious choice, in retrospect.
Rating: ★★½, 49/100
Significance: ★★★★☆
It’s actually mostly a good comic. I’m docking it points for plot oddities. It’s all over the place on the question of whether there are concerns about the public distrusting the X-Men. And they don’t address how unethical it was for Professor X to wipe Vanisher’s mind.
I read this story in Marvel Masterworks: The X-Men vol. 1. You can also find this story in X-Men Epic Collection vol. 1: Children of the Atom. Or on Kindle.
Characters:
- Angel/Warren Worthington the Third
- Cyclops
- Beast/Hank McCoy
- Marvel Girl
- Iceman
- Professor X/Dr. X
- The Vanisher
- Hendershoot
- Fred Duncan
Minor characters:
- Smithers (bank teller)
Story notes:
- Professor X warned Jean not to move anything more than she can physically carry. She did do so, moving a half dozen people… but the effort made her fatigued.
- A Teen-Ager’s Tears showing at cinema; does not seem to be a real movie.
- Cyclops calls his visor a “power visor” and the beam is a “power blast”.
- Construction workers very grateful to Cyclops for saving them.
- Cyclops and Iceman get a ride from Merry Moppet Ice Cream-Pops truck.
- Vanisher robs Metro National Bank.
- Professor X describes a mutant as somebody born with a special power.
- We learn the training room is named the “Danger Room”.
- Vanisher steals plans from Pentagon.
- Vanisher also refers to his ability as teleportation; Angel describes Jean’s power as teleportation in this issue.
- Professor X has FBI agent he works with, from Department of Special Affairs.
- FBI loans X-Men a McDonnell XV-1 convertiplane.
- Professor X leaves Vanisher an amnesiac who has forgotten about his powers.
#114 story in reading order
Next: Journey Into Mystery #98
Previous: Tales of Suspense #47
