Fantastic Four #13

Posted on June 12, 2011 by Jim

Issue #: 13

Publication date:  April, 1963

Cover price:  12 cents

Title:  The Red Ghost And His Indescribable Super-Apes!

Part 1: The Red Ghost And His Indescribable Super-Apes!

Part 2: Menace on the Moon!

Part 3: The Watcher Appears!

Part 4: Duel In The Dead City!

It should be noted that this issue marks the last of the “chapter” based issues, at least in regards to the monthly issues. Starting next issue Stan and Jack dump the mult-part formula and go on to “book length” adventures.

Credits:   

Story:  Stan Lee

Art:  Jack Kirby

Inking:  S. Ditko

Lettering:  Art Simek

Plot synopsis:  

Part 1

There’s a fire in Reed’s lab! Sue, Ben and Johnny frantically search for Mr. Fantastic. Suddenly Reed appears in a protective suit, pulling The Torch away from the dangerous fumes which are the end result of a rocket fuel experiment. Reed has discovered that the remnants of meteors possess tremendous energy, which, if harnessed, could power rocket ships to the moon! This means America could win the space race, as Reed suspects the Russians are using meteor power as well. Reed targets a mysterious blue area of the moon as a target. Originally planning on going alone due to the danger involved, the rest of the team convinces him that they all will go.

  Meanwhile, Soviet scientist Ivan Kragoff makes preparations of his own. He wants to claim the moon for the Communist empire! The FF’s and Kragoff’s ship launch at the same time from different sides of the world. Kragoff’s ship is transparent and unshielded against the cosmic rays. His goal is for his trained primates, a gorilla, baboon, and orangutan, to gain even greater powers than the Fantastic Four! As his ship leaves the atmosphere Kragoff can feel the rays bombarding his body.

Part 2

 The FF is in orbit and Johnny tries out a new “chemical tuxedo” Reed has invented, which will create an artificial atmosphere around him, allowing him to burn in space. On his trip The Torch spots Kragoff’s ship and sees for himself that the primates have developed amazing powers. The gorilla gains super strength, the baboon can shape-shift, and the orangutan has magnetic abilities. He is spotted and the orangutan repels Johnny away from their ship. The Torch gets back just in time as his atmosphere was running out. Reed postulates that it must be Kragoff, the Red’s top space pioneer and he and his apes might have powers greater than the team’s.

 The team touches down on the mysterious blue area of the moon. The remains of an ancient civilization are there, proof that humans weren’t the first on the moon. There is a breathable atmosphere and what appears to be a dwelling in the center of the city. The Torch flies off to investigate, followed by Reed carrying Sue, taking long, stretchy strides. Ben is left to huff it on his own and he encounters The Super-Apes! Before the battle can proceed very far Kragoff himself shows up, demonstrating his ability to become intangible and untouchable. Declaring himself The Red Ghost, he explains that he can will any part of his body tangible, enough to pick up a rock club and attempt to attack Ben. Suddenly a voice booms out, telling the participants to stop the battle, and the apes are swept up in orbs of energy. The Watcher has arrived!

Part 3

  The Watcher gathers up the combatants and explains his origin; he’s from an advanced world where his people observe the progress of civilizations but never interfere. He has broken his oath to stop humanity from destroying itself like he’s seen so many other races do. He won’t tolerate mankind’s warlike ways on his home on the moon so he tells The Thing and The Red Ghost that they will settle their differences one on one. Before the battle can proceed Mr. Fantastic and the rest of the FF locate Ben. The Thing tells them about the Watcher and suddenly they are transported by the mysterious being to a combat area, where they will do battle with The Red Ghost and his Super Apes!

Part 4

 Transported to a dead city, the FF soon do battle with the Red Ghost and his Super Apes. Red Ghost and his simians get the upper hand, as Reed is imprisoned by an ice gun, the shape-shifting baboon douses Johnny’s flame by transforming into an asbestos blanket, and The Thing is left stranded high atop a metal beam. Sue is captured by the Ghost and the triumphant Kragoff departs in a pneumatic-powered car he finds. B en, Johnny, and Reed are able to free themselves from their various predicaments and Reed quickly creates a human powered, in this case The Torch, rocket to carry Ben and pursue The Red Ghost. Reed investigates the ancient ruins, hoping to fashion a weapon that will defeat Kragoff.

 The Red Ghost has Sue trapped in a room protected be a force field, which also separates her from the apes. While Kragoff goes to spring a trap on the rest of the FF a craft Sue finds the master control cable and cuts the power to the force field. The ravenous apes, also freed, devour some food and then break out of the room, allowing the Invisible Girl to flee. She is just in time to prevent the Red Ghost from firing a found disintegrating beam at Johnny and Ben. The Torch slags the device and tries to trap Kragoff within a ring of flame but The Red Ghost turns intangible and escapes to the surface of the moon. The Red Ghost discovers the Watcher’s home but when he enters an annoyed Watcher transports him through space and time in a display of his power before casually tossing him outside. There Reed is ready with a paralysis beam that works on the same wavelength as Kragoff’s powers. The Watcher reappears and announces that the Fantastic Four have won the battle but now that they’ve reached the moon he must travel to another part of the galaxy. He tells the team that space is mankind’s heritage and hopes that mankind is worthy of this gift. Meanwhile the Super Apes have turned off the paralysis ray but The Red Ghost is stunned that the apes turn on him, as they now have power over him! They chase their former master while the FF pack up and return home, prepared to give their new rocket fuel to NASA.

Thoughts:  

  In many ways Fantastic Four #13 is a direct sequel to issue #1. Once again the space race and the need to beat the communists to the moon are front and center. The issue was published not too long after Kennedy’s famous “we choose the moon” speech and I’m sure Stan was caught up in reach the moon fever. Just like in the debut issue Reed is working on an experimental rocket. This time however he is reluctant to involve the others but it is Ben, who had to be goaded into coming along in the premiere issue, who makes it clear that they are all going.

 The problem lies in the fact that between their first issue and this one, the team has traveled into space a few times. In the case of issue #7, where they went to Kurrgo’s world, the FF traveled well beyond our solar system. In fact, they came back with an alien spacecraft likely capable of reaching the moon easily. In addition Reed also had the Skrull’s water tower ship from issue #2. Maybe he had to sell them both when the team went broke in issue #9? Heck, Doom’s ship was pretty impressive as well, easily capable of space flight as it led the Baxter Building towards the sun. Namor destroyed that one though. You have to think Reed would have examined the two different alien crafts in his possession at some point and reverse engineered their technology. What the heck though, in the need to be relevant Stan probably thought it best to ignore the team’s established continuity.

 Ivan Kragoff, aka The Red Ghost, is not an attractive man. Let’s face it, Communism is ugly. He’s cruel to his trained primates, dishing out meager rations as “rewards”. He’s an evil counterpart to Reed. So what do the Ben, Johnny, and Sue get? Apes. It’s not very flattering. Yet I’m sure Stan had to go this route, as willing human volunteers would have been far less sympathetic to the reader.

 In this issue we meet the Watcher, who declares to be a neutral entity in the battle between Capitalism and Communism.  I think he’s fooling himself as he does show a bit of preferential treatment towards Reed and company. He has the two teams face off against each other, showing up when the battle is over, declaring the FF the victor. But to be fair, The Red Ghost and his apes had the FF on the ropes earlier in the issue and The Watcher could have easily declared the battle over at this point. Reed was frozen, Johnny’s flame was snuffed out, Ben was stranded high above, and Sue was abducted. Toga boy could have called it but he didn’t. He’s a freedom lover.

 X-Men #137 is considered a classic but it was obviously influenced by this issue. Wolverine’s trip through the Watcher’s home is a direct lift of the Red Ghost’s adventure. Heck, even the disintegrating ray that almost zaps Johnny looks like it inspired the gun that took Dark Phoenix.

Kirby

 

 

 First character appearances and analysis:

The Red Ghost

 

 The Communist equivalent of the Fantastic Four is comprised of an ugly bald man and three apes. Ivan Kragoff is a cruel master, dishing out only an occasional small food “reward” for the efforts put forth by his primates. Empowered by cosmic rays, only in a heavier dose, Kragoff and his crew give the FF a good fight but ultimately The Red Ghost is betrayed by his own teammates, who he treated so cruelly. As for the Apes themselves, I never thought much of them and quite frankly was glad when Red Hulk killed one not too long ago. Don’t call PETA on me. At this point they are just kind of silly.

 The Watcher

The enigmatic Watcher, longtime friend to The Fantastic Four, makes his debut this issue. At this point we don’t know his proper name of Uatu. A near omnipotent being who claims impartiality in the affairs of men, he nevertheless seems to slightly favor the ways of Democracy over Communism. Despite the fact that at the conclusion of this issue he states he must now find a new home, I don’t think he ever does. None of the humans, either the FF or Kragoff’s crew, seems particularly creeped out by this large headed, toga wearing, entity.

 Quotable quotes:

“So, I recently explored an American meteor crater in Arizona, to satisfy myself!”—too much information Reed.

“No! No! It’s too dangerous—too untested! I can’t ask you to risk your lives with me!”—that didn’t stop you before Reed

“We’re racing to the moon with a Communist and three super apes—and the four of them may be even more powerful than we are!”—Johnny, fearing Commies and super apes.

“But now, I have broken the silence of centuries, in order to save your people from savagery!”—The Watcher, breaking his vow

“You dare think you can stop the Communist march of conquest?!!?”—The Red Ghost’s first words to The Watcher

“This is wrong! Why should we battle Kragoff? Why can’t we leave our differences behind us? This is the first step to the stars—and we should all make that trip together—as fellow earthmen!”—Reed, wondering why everyone can’t just be friends.

“I would take my chances with them, rather than the Red Ghost, for they are like the communist masses, innocently enslaved by their evil leaders!”—ape analysis brought to you by Sue Storm

“And now, farewell!  Space is your heritage—see that you prove worthy of such a glorious gift!”—The Watcher’s parting words to the FF

 

Fun Stuff: 

Reed’s inventions:  

 Reed was on fire this issue, with a protective stretch suit, a new rocket fuel, a makeshift jet engine, a chemical tuxedo, and a paralysis ray!

 

 Clobbering time vs flame on vs Mr. Fantastic vs  Be Careful

Tally through 13 issues:

“It’s Clobbering Time”: 0

 “Flame On”: 16

Nova: 1 (attempt) 

“Mr. Fantastic”: 5

“Be careful”: 1

 

The Thing transformations back to Ben:     5

 

Johnny put out with a hose:      2

 

goofs:  no noticeable goofs this issue

MVP

It goes to Sue. After being near useless for a few issues The Invisible Girl is able to free herself, save Johnny and Ben, and draw comparisons between The Super Apes and the communist masses.

Reed: 4

Sue: 3

Johnny: 3

Ben: 1

Other: 2

 

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Letters page and bullpen bulletins

 This month, one reader asks how Alicia knows what the various villains look like if she is blind. Another writer, who had previously written in asking for Sue’s dismissal from the team, changes his tune. Joe Sinnot is credited as the inker in issue #5 and it is announced that he will be returning in the future. The results of a previous reader poll are announced and fans voted in a 3 to 1 ratio not to add new characters to the team. Finally, the editors ask the reader to check out the new Amazing Spider-man title and Tales of Suspense, now featuring Iron Man.

MEANWHILE:  Over in Strange Tales #107, The Human Torch goes toe-to-toe against the Submariner!

 

Coming up: The Submariner and Puppet Master return!

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FANtastic Four #592

Posted on May 25, 2011 by CyberCoyote

Fantastic Four #592
“Whatever Happened to the Four Cities?”

In the aftermath of last issue the Fantastic Four are putting their pieces back together. Johnny’s back after a short stint as ‘dead’, Ben’s learned to control his changes but retains a level of superhuman strength even when he’s not covered in his near impervious rocky hide. Reed has been spending a lot of his time tearing down other inventions he’d been working on, like the Bridge several of them defied scientific logic, they were fueled by Valeria’s control over everyone’s perceptions and her indirect manipulations of Franklin’s FORMER powers. Sue has spent the majority of her time adjusting to her children.

Valeria, for the first time in her life, is free if the influence of the Abraxian contamination that turned her into a super intelligent, manipulative megalomaniac. Franklin may no longer have the potential to be one of the most cosmically powerful entities in the universe, but when that aspect of him left it made sure his original body and mind would be safe. So far nothing seems to be able to bring harm to the boy. He seems to be Achilles.. but without the heel. Sue is both relieved.. and almost offended. Her greatest power, she thought, was her ability to protect her family, and she admits that out loud to little Valeria who once again is merely 3 and can barely speak in complete sentences. Franklin overhears her and chimes in that he always thought her greatest power was just being the Universe’s greatest Mom.

In the living room Ben and Alicia are watching “Sabrina”, Ben describing a scene between Greg Kinear and Harrison Ford as they munch popcorn. Johnny’s been dealing with lawyers in a meeting room trying to fix everything that was set into motion regarding his will after he died. He’s getting frustrated and argues that his nephew could create alternate universes, stop time and warp space but American Law must have been too obscenely impossible for even HIM to work his magic on. When he’s about to torch all the paperwork in front of him the door opens and Jennifer Walters steps in to save the day.

Proximity alarms go off and everyone goes into action. Sue takes the kids into the new and improved panic room.. which actually takes the kids to Reed’s pocket dimension that’s outside of time and space. Johnny flies into action and tells Jen this might be a good opportunity for her to beat some sense into the probate lawyers while Ben yells “Rock On!” and grows his thick hide. “Please, Ben. Never.. EVER use that phrase again.” Pleads Alicia. Reed comes over the PA system, though, letting them know it’s a false alarm.. it’s only Namor.

The Prince of Atlantis enters through a window that opens up for him, met by the four. He wants to know what has transpired and what’s the situation with the Uharrie and the four cities? Suddenly there is no sign of any of them anywhere. Reed invites him in and explains that they were all from alternate timelines of Earth and brought into their reality by Val/Abraxis. When Franklin ‘Prime’ corrected the changes brought on by Val’s manipulation of him he sent them all back to their proper places. Sue and Reed start showing him around as they try to make him understand that much of what he knew wasn’t real.. not entirely. They even show Namor that not everything brought on by Val’s possession were negative, the lower floors of the Baxter Building have been converted into a daycare center for unique children.. The Future Foundation. Thanks to so many security challenges in the past months Reed has magnified measures beyond anything they had before. Artie, Leech and others are all busy playing and having a good time. The moloids and other ‘Four City’ entities are gone.

“Who is that child on his own? He seems familiar..” Namor indicates the Wizard Clone. The boy is in some sort of self induced trance. Reed’s interest is piqued and he moves over to talk to the disturbed boy. Bently 32 looks up at Reed and is despondent, “I can’t hear him anymore! What did you do? I can’t talk to my FATHER!” The security alarms activate again, Reed peers down at his wrist and unstable molecules activate to change from his glove to a monitoring device, another new application.. bi-functional restabilizing molecules designed to perform specific functions. Outside the building there’s some kind of assault being formed.

She-Hulk joins the FF and Namor in one of Reed’s control rooms. AIM ships have surrounded the BB, led by the Wizard. Reed’s reports indicate that the clone had been gathering information from inside the building like a virus and broadcasting directly to Bently. But the newest protocols, when activated, severed the psionic tie the two had. Another leftover present from Valbraxis.. a mole! Sue had encased the boy in a force field, first thinking for his own safety, but now realizing for theirs.

Fortunately everything AIM is throwing at the building is failing. Reed’s new countermeasures compensate for every frequency of physical assault, defeat any transporter or density manipulating attempts used. The Wizard is furious, but sees the flaw. He demands AIM turn their attention outside of the Baxter Building and onto the fast evacuating public around it. Of course in retaliation the Fantastic Four and their two allies respond. The kids in the Future Foundation get all excited to see the battle, but when they run to the windows they all go black, energy shields protecting them but also ruining the show. They seem beyond consolation until Artie bellows, “Hey! Playstation’s back on!” and they all cheer and run into the media room with robotic Herbie reminding them they only get a half hour each.

The heroes bear down on the AIM incursion and start tearing into the attackers. Jen, Namor and Ben all having something of a strength contest in the heat of the battle, Johnny relieved to have SOMEONE to vent his legal frustrations on and Sue relegating herself to crowd control, making sure the civilians are safed away from the brutality of the terrorist AIM militia. Reed battles his way through to confront the Wizard directly. Unfortunately the Wizard was planning on exactly that and tosses a number of traps up to stop Reed, including a new variation of his cylindrical ‘stretching’ device which had successfully incapacitated Richards in the past. But Reed has learned too and manages to get past all of Bentley’s new tricks until the Wizard activates his newest personal weapon, a neural synaptic disruptor. Not particularly precise it takes down Reed, the scores of AIM agents about, and even has effects on Sue, Namor, Johnny, Ben and Jen outside the control ship.

Reed is writhing on the floor in agony, completely unable to control his fluid body as it wriggles, puddles and pools on the floor around the Wizards’s feet. He gloats at his adversary and looks about to win. But just like the very first issue of Hickamn’s FF run with the Wizard and his machinations, Johnny focuses through the disorientation outside and sees in infrared what’s happening in the ship. He struggles up to one knee, fighting the weaker affects of the disrupter and points a lone finger up at the AIM control ship.

Back in the ship the Wizard explains that he’s going to kill Reed once and for all, then go and finish off the others, one at a time. He doesn’t care that the scrambler will probably do permanent damage to his own men and the civilians in the area. At the last instant a searing, fiery bolt melts through the hull and lances the dome of the Wizard’s Helmet, deactivating the scrambler. Reed is almost out but manages to encompass the Wizard in his near fluid form. The Wizard sends massive charges of electricity through his armor and knocks Reed away, but the ship lurches to one side as the balled up remains of one of his assault robots is tossed into the ship’s propulsion unit. It falls to the earth but is caught by Susan’s force field and the three others.

With the Wizard stripped of his weapons SHIELD agents escort him and the defeated AIM agents away. Reed congratulates Johnny on the amazing long range shot he took to save the day. He wants to know how Johnny managed to pinpoint the location of the Neural Disruptor and Johnny shrugs and says, “What’s a neural disruptor? I was just going for a head shot.” The others are taken aback for a moment, thinking Johnny wanted to kill him, “You know.. that head thing he wears.. I figured it controlled all his doohickies and whatchamcallits.”

Relieved they start helping with the clean up in the area as the Baxter Building goes out of lockdown, picking up their conversations where they were before all of the commotion had begun.

Next Issue: Annihilation

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Fantastic Four #12

Posted on May 22, 2011 by Jim

Issue #: 12

Publication date:  March, 1963

Cover price:  12 cents

Title:  The Incredible Hulk

Part 1: The Incredible Hulk

Part 2: Mission: Stop The Hulk!

Part 3: Who Is The Wrecker?

Part 4: the Hulk At Last!

Credits:   

Script:  Stan Lee

Artist:  Jack Kirby

Inking:  Dick Ayers

Lettering:  Art Simek

Plot synopsis:  Ben and Alicia leave the symphony and are greeted by the sight of the military marching through the streets. When a man bumps into Ben, The Thing starts to give him a hard time, which draws the attention of the soldiers. They attack Ben, thinking he’s the individual they’re looking for. After a few failed efforts they finally subdue Ben with gas. When The Thing revives the soldiers tell him that they mistook him for the Hulk, who they were looking for. An agitated Ben drops off Alicia and storms back to the Baxter Building. There the team is greeted by General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, who wants the FF to find and destroy the Hulk!

You aint no prize yourself Ben!

 

 Missile installations are being sabotaged and Ross believes the Hulk is responsible. The male members of the FF imagine scenarios in which they are able to capture the Hulk. Sue feels useless but Ross says a pretty gal is good for morale! Reed agrees. Reed and company show off the newly designed Fantasti-car, which Johnny reworked. They use it to travel to the Southwest and Ross introduces the team to Banner, Rick Jones, and Bruce’s assistant Dr. Karl Kort. While Reed, Banner and Ross discuss the issue of the Hulk’s possible involvement, an annoyed Ben, who is waiting outside with the rest of the team, barges through the door.

meeting of the minds

 

 After the excitement of the Thing’s sudden entrance wears down Banner reveals to Reed that his theory about the sabotaged missiles involves a mysterious man known as “The Wrecker”. When Banner and Rick are alone Bruce reveals that the Wrecker is most likely after his planned “Project 34”, a missile-defense shield and The Hulk is being framed. Rick goes to return Karl Kort’s wallet, which was dropped during the earlier excitement. He discovers that Kort is a card carrying commie, but not before Kort gets the drop on him. The Wrecker is revealed!

Never trust the guy making his first appearance

 

 Meanwhile, Reed fixes an experimental rocket sled on the base, much to Ross’s chagrin. The Thing takes a 50G ride, which is quickly sabotaged. The Torch catches the Thing in the air and deposits him on the stretched out body of Mr. Fantastic to cushion the blow. Bruce Banner shows up, explaining that Rick is gone and it has to be the work of The Wrecker. The FF doesn’t believe him and Banner is forced to undergo the change into the Hulk! The Wrecker leads his captive Rick through the tunnels underground to an old deserted town. The Hulk and FF prowl those same tunnels (Ben guessed there were tunnels after the attack on the rocket sled, and they meet—the clash begins!  The Hulk slugs The Thing and comments it is like hitting a brick wall. He snuffs out the Torch with earth. Digging his way to the surface he is ensnared by Mr. Fantastic but kicks loose. Tossing an old building as a distraction, the Hulk leaps away, realizing that beating the entire FF at once would be too difficult.  Before he can get too far Reed wraps himself around him again but the Hulk spins him off with a tornado twist. The Torch prepares to attack but Jade Jaws slaps his hands together and the resulting wind blast knocks three of the four Fantastic members out!

 But not the Thing! He wades into The Hulk, but before any decisive blow can be struck by either combatant an atomic powered ray strikes the Hulk, knocking him out! A dazed Thing, angry that he was robbed of his victory, rips up the ground and finds a giant robot striding towards him. Realizing that the Hulk was innocent of the sabotaging after all, The Thing makes quick work of the robot. He finds The Wrecker, but the villain is aiming the same gun he used on The Hulk right at The Thing. Luckily, Sue, who was following behind in her invisible state, relieves The Wrecker of the weapon. The rest of the FF arrive and realize the Hulk was innocent.

 A recovered Hulk leaps away, not wanting to face The Thing again at half strength. He returns as Banner to find a safe Rick and apprehended Karl Kort. Reed says goodbye to Banner, his speech indicating that he may suspect the Hulk’s identity. Before the FF leaves they are honored by the military. As the Fantasti-car fades into the distance, the Hulk looks on, wondering if he’ll see the encounter The Fantastic Four again.

Thoughts:  

  Fantastic Four #12 marks a return to action after a couple of offbeat issues (the primary enjoyment of issue #10 was watching Doom manipulate Reed’s eyebrows), although it does take a while to get to it. The first three chapters are setup to the large 4th chapter, featuring the first ever throw down between the FF and The Hulk.  In particular, The Thing vs The Hulk. Before we get to that clash of titans though, let’s take a look at another thing that stands out about the issue; the further decline of Sue as an active participant in the title.

 After going out of his way last issue and having Reed and Ben angrily declare Sue’s importance to the team and her contributions, this issue takes a backwards step. First of all, the sight of something unpleasant like the Hulk makes her lose control of her emotional state and powers. Yet in the past she’s faced Doctor Doom and had had to look at Ben’s mug for quite a whlle. The Mole Man’s creatures weren’t exactly Disney monsters either. I know Stan wanted to build up the menace of The Hulk but it is at the expense of The Invisible Girl.

Get a grip lady!

Next, after the boys dream up hypothetical ways in which they could defeat the Hulk, Sue expresses her uselessness. Ross voices a sexist sentiment by today’s standards and Reed just simply agrees.

Well, at least shes good for something....

  Now to the main event: The FF vs the Hulk. None of the team except Ben fares very well against Jade Jaws. Ben fares pretty well against the Hulk and I’m sure that after their initial clash both combatants have a healthy respect for one another, although trash-talking Ben would never admit it. At one point The Hulk realizes that he would lose a battle with The Thing unless he was at full strength. The battle between Titans is inconclusive with no clear winner.

Round 1...draw!

 

Kirby

 

 

 First character appearances and analysis:

The Hulk, Ross, and Rick Jones all debuted in The Hulk so they don’t count as first appearances.

 That leaves us with:

Karl Kort, aka The Wrecker

Card carrying commie Karl Kort. Say that 5 times fast. Karl actually had my sympathies for a bit when The Thing was giving him a hard time but come on, Carl! If you go undercover on a United States military base you don’t keep your Communist card in your wallet! You deserved what you got. But hey, without Karl we wouldn’t have gotten the first Thing/Hulk clash as early as we did.

 

 Quotable quotes:

“If you say so kid! Personally I get my kicks from low down New Orleans jazz!”—Ben revealing his musical tastes.

“Can you imagine those lunkheads thinkin’ I was The Hulk??! Next they’ll be mistakin’ me for Frankenstein!”—Ben annoyed at being compared to Purple Pants.

“Harrummph! Miss Storm, a pretty young lady can always be of help—just by keeping the men’s morale up!”—Thunderbolt Ross’ polite way of telling Sue she’s not completely useless against the Hulk

“A number of our fans thruout the country had written to us saying the Fantastic-car looked too much like a flying bathtub! And Johnny agreed with them!”—Why Johnny redesigned the Fantastic-car

“It is! It’s a membership card in a subversive communist-front organization! That means—Karl Kort must be—a red!”—Rick Jones discovering the truth about Karl Kort

“You kiddin’? I can see him laughing and—and he seems to be whistling!” –An amazed soldier watching Ben laugh off 50 G’s on the rocket sled.

“I’ll crush you like a flea!”—The Hulk’s first words to The Thing

“Don’t move, mister! My pile-driver punch is comin’ right at ya!”—still no Clobberin time

“So do I, Bruce—I’ve got a feeling there’s a lot we have to talk about—like you, and Rick, and The Hulk for instance!”—does Reed know?

“They’re leavin’ but I got a feelin’ this ain’t the last time we meet!”—right you are Hulk, right you are!

 Fun Stuff: 

Reed’s inventions:  I can’t really count the new-look Fantasti-car  because it was already an invention and it’s actually Johnny who redesigned it and souped it up.

no more flying bathtub

 

 Clobbering time vs flame on vs Mr. Fantastic vs  Be Careful

Tally through 12 issues:

“It’s Clobbering Time”: 0

 “Flame On”: 16

Nova: 1 (attempt)

 “Mr. Fantastic”: 5

 

“Be careful”: 1

 The Thing transformations back to Ben:     5

 Johnny put out with a hose:      2

goofs: First off, take a look at the cover. Count how many fingers and toes The Hulk has. He’s missing some!  I don’t know if it counts as a goof but it seems odd that when the Hulk slaps his hands together, knocking out Reed, Sue, and Johnny, The Torch’s flame doesn’t go out.

MVP

 It took 12 issues but Ben finally gets his first MVP. He goes toe-to-toe with the Hulk and takes out the Wrecker’s giant robot. Yes, Sue does swipe away the gun that might have KO’d the Thing, but her one contribution pales to Ben’s total effort.

Reed: 4

Sue: 2

Johnny: 3

Ben: 1

Other: 2

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Isnt this how Greg Land learned how to draw?

 

Letters page and bullpen bulletins

 In response to one letter writer complaining that the Torch walks around in flames too much the editor states that Johnny’s flame is like a battery and if he doesn’t use it every so often it might stop working. Another writer complains that Doom and Namor are being used too much. A fan complains that The Thing should be kicked off the team because he starts too many fights.

 MEANWHILE:

Over in Strange Tales 106 Johnny quits the FF to become part of the Torrid Twosome. Plus a twist in his ongoing quest to safeguard his secret identity!

Coming up:  I’m going on vacation but when I’m back I’ll discuss Fantastic Four, featuring the debut of The Red Ghost and his super apes, plus the Watcher!

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STRANGE TALES

Posted on May 20, 2011 by Jim

  In October of 1962 The Human Torch began appearing in Strange Tales, thus making him the first member of The Fantastic Four to be featured in a title outside of the FF. I will briefly recap his adventures in that magazine.

Issue #: 101

Publication date: October, 1962

Title: Chapter 1: “The Human Torch”, Chapter 2: “The Flaming Fury Strikes Back!”

Credits: No credits listed (presumably Stan Lee and Jack Kirby)

Synopsis: A villain called The Destroyer is sabotaging rides at a local amusement park. The Human Torch is able to save innocent lives and The Destroyer challenges him in the newspaper to a one-on-one battle. The Destroyer is able to douse Johnny’s flame but the Torch escapes and returns to capture the villain, who turns out to be a communist agent.

Thoughts: This is an average debut issue for The Human Torch. The villain is a standard Stan Lee commie. The most interesting aspect of this book is the attempt to give the Torch a secret identity? Say wha? But it does state in the beginning that those teenagers who knew that The Torch was really Johnny Storm were “sworn to secrecy”. We’ll see how long this lasts. All that asbestos in John’s room, including his bed…maybe it’s better that The Torch “died” from the negative zone bugs, he was facing a future of emphysema!

Pics:

Issue #: 102

Publication date: November, 1962

Title:

Part 1: Prisoner Of The Wizard

Part 2: Wizard’s Wiles

Credits: No credits listed (presumably Stan Lee and Jack Kirby)

Synopsis: The Wizard, a well-known inventor/escape artist/chess player, believe his ultimate achievement would be to defeat the famous Human Torch. The Wizard stages a stunt that causes The Torch to rescue him and he gratefully invites Johnny back to his high-tech home. He springs his trap and douses the Torch in foam and then imprisons Johnny in an asbestos room. Using a suit of his own design, The Wizard impersonates the Torch and goes on a crime spree. Meanwhile the Torch regains his flame ability and is able to burn through his prison. He tracks down the Wizard and the villain challenges him to a final showdown later that night at his home. The Wizard boasts that only he has the evidence that proves Johnny’s innocence but The Torch replies that he has powers even the Wizard doesn’t know of. The incriminating photos of the Wizard in his Torch disguise float through the air into Johnny’s hand.  The Wizard is defeated, believing that the Torch has amazing powers of the mind. It turns out it was the Invisible Girl who helped her brother out.

Thoughts: The Wizard has a nice debut. Here is a character driven to villainy pretty much out of boredom and the need to prove his superiority. He is proven to be gullible though, falling for the old “invisible Sister” trick. The hidden identity idea with Johnny is an odd one and provides some weird visuals as for a few panels Johnny only has a flaming face. Today one thinks of the Wizard as a foil for Mr. Fantastic and there’s really no evidence of his early rivalry with Johnny.

Pics:

 

Issue #: 103

Publication date: December, 1962

Title:

Chapter 1: Prisoner Of The 5th Dimension!

Chapter 2: Trapped in Another World!

Chapter 3: The End of Zemu!

Credits: Plot: Stan Lee, script: Larry Leiber, Art: Jack Kirby, Inking: Dick Ayers, Lettering: Art Simek

Synopsis: At a local housing development homes are sinking into the earth for no apparent reason. The Human Torch tries to help out but can’t determine a reason why this is happening.  An old geezer warns the developers that it is the work of swamp demons. One night Johnny stakes out the location and finds out the old man is in league with aliens, in fact he’s an alien himself. The Torch confronts the alien but his flame is doused with a chemical gun and the alien captures him and brings him to the 5th dimension! It turns out the housing development was located right at the link between dimensions and the leader of the 5th dimension, Zemu, did not want Earthmen entering their dimension. They plan on conquering Earth and imprison Johnny in a vat of fluid with a breathing apparatus. An alien named Valeria and her family free The Torch, who helps put an end to Zemu’s plans and helps to rally the people of the 5th dimension against the warlord. Johnny returns to Earth with fond memories of Valeria.

Thoughts: It wouldn’t be a Stan Lee series until the main character(s) takes a trip to an alternate dimension or battles aliens. This issue combines both. I wonder if this means that Johnny was the first member of the FF to visit an alternate dimension? This story is average at best with nothing to distinguish it from other, similar tales. It is worth noting that the potential romantic interest for Johnny is named Valeria. Stan must have been fond of the name.

Pics:

Issue #: 104

Publication date: January, 1963

Title: The Human Torch Meets Paste-Pot Pete!

Credits: Plot: Stan Lee, Script: Larry Lieber, Art: Jack Kirby, inking: Dick Ayers, lettering: D. Ayers

Synopsis: Paste-Pot Pete, self-proclaimed master criminal, robs a bank at the same time Johnny is making a deposit. Armed with a glue gun and a pot of glue, PPP foils any pursuer by sticking them to walls, floors, inside cars, etc. Johnny, afraid of exposing his identity, sends a flame duplicate after the criminal. PPP makes his way to an army base and quickly glues up the soldiers there. He plans on stealing an experimental missile and selling it to the highest bidder. He snags the missile with his glue cannon. The Torch shows up but PPP is able to avoid his flame attacks from above. Johnny’s flame runs out at an inopportune time and PPP adheres him to the missile.  The missile accidentally fires with a helpless Johnny on it. The Torch is able to revive his flame and cut through the paste with a single flaming finger in order to avoid blowing up the missile. An angry torch takes the offensive and PPP is on the ropes. Fortunately for Pete a jet that was just taking off passes overhead, and PPP uses his paste stream to adhere himself to it, eventually dropping off over the ocean, where a boat is waiting for him. The Torch wonders if he’s seen the last of Paste-Pot Pete.

Thoughts: You know, I always thought Paste-Pot Pete got a bad rap. When I started reading the Fantastic Four he had long been renamed The Trapster and I always thought he had potential. He still does but man, some characters will never be able live down their early appearances. Here’s a villain who runs around with yes, a pot of paste. If that’s not a ridiculous enough visual then there’s his original Harlequin-like outfit. Two strikes right away. Stan and Larry Lieber do their best to have PPP come off as a formidable threat but some of the logic here is mind numbing. So we are led to believe Paste Pot can adhere his paste to a passing jet, flying at supersonic speeds, and not have his arms instantly ripped off or thrown off by wind shear? I won’t even mention the dive into the ocean and the convenient escape boat. Sigh. Trapster, I’ve liked you in the past and I still do but you had a lot to live down.

Pics:

 

Issue #: 105

Publication date: February, 1963

Title: The Return Of The Wizard!

Credits: Stan Lee-plot, Larry Leiber-script, Jack Kirby-art, Dick Ayers-inking, Art Simek-lettering

Synopsis: After his defeat at the hands of the Johnny Storm and The Invisible Woman in issue #102, the Wizard escapes from prison, vowing vengeance on The Human Torch. The Wizard challenges The Torch to a one-on-one battle at his high-tech home but despite imprisoning both Johnny and The Invisible Girl at one point, fails and is defeated by the brother-sister team.

Thoughts: Flame saws and flame catapults. Stan and Larry Leiber had Johnny using his powers in ways never displayed in the FF. Here Sue is a complete liability. The Torch was faring just fine until she showed up. Still, Johnny has enough smarts and skills to defeat the Wizard, who, after two straight defeats at the hands of the Torch, must be building up a big time hatred.

Pics:

Issue #: 106

Publication date: March, 1963

Title:  The Threat of The Torrid Twosome

Credits: Stan Lee: plot, Larry Lieber: script, Dick Ayers: art, John Duffy: lettering

Synopsis: Carl Zante, also known as The Acrobat, convinces Johnny that he’s underappreciated by the Fantastic Four and should join forces with him, forming The Torrid Twosome. After Johnny confronts Reed, demanding a salary (which Reed rejects), Johnny quits the FF, designs a new costume, and joins up with Zante. Their first mission is to rescue a bank teller trapped in a bank vault. Johnny burns into the vault, only to find no bank employee. Zante has tricked him and douses his flame with liquid asbestos. He then shoots Johnny! Zante makes his escape but runs into the rest of the Fantastic Four. A recovered Johnny, with a bad arm, calls off the team, saying that this is his fight. The acrobat evades Johnny for a while with his acrobatic skills and due to the fact that Johnny’s flight is impacted by his injured arm. Eventually the Torch melts Zante’s feet to the pavement. He reveals to Reed, Ben and Sue that he never really trusted Zante and was just playing along.

Thoughts: This is a crazy story. First of all, after all the trouble Johnny went through in previous issues to his his secret identity, they promptly dump the idea. Sue tells Johnny that the whole town knew and was just respecting his privacy. Johnny looks like an idiot. Johnny’s Torrid Twosome outfit is not flattering. There’s some unintentional funny dialogue such as “Flaming or not, I’m still more than a match for you!” and  “I can’t see! Can’t….find…manhole!” Get my drift about Zante? Anyway, if Johnny was just stringing The Acrobat along why did he make a scene with Reed and Ben, something Zante didn’t even see? Not one of the better Strange Tales issues.

Pics:

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Silver Surfer #4

Posted on May 19, 2011 by CyberCoyote

SS4Silver Surfer #4 (of 5)
Greg Pak: Writer
Harvy Tolibou and Iban Coello: Pencilers
Sandu Florea: Inker
With a single inker on the book the imagery is a lot more cohesive. The brilliant colors make up for some cartoonish faces and the overall effect is to keep the reader happy enough with the visual story telling to keep this fun and exciting mini-series moving full speed ahead.

Last issue Suzi Endo had accepted the High Evolutionary’s invitation to become his Herald. Norrin of course objected, but it was too late. Suddenly the Silver Surfer was reliving the worst and most heart breaking part of his life again, but from the other side. He was the helpless ‘human’ and the woman he loved had become a cosmic powered but suddenly inhumanly distant alien. Norrin pleads with her to hold on to her humanity, but when the two come across the group of people they had protected together not long ago, Suzi, now The Seeker, turns a blind eye to them. She proclaims that it is natures way. life must evolve, fight with itself to become stronger. She leaves Norrin to fight evolved wolves on his own, but The FF arrive to help.

Sue contains the area in an ever compressing force field and military helicopters rain hot death down from above, destroying the fast growing, out of control mutated rain forest. Norrin just wants to pursue Suzi and tells the others they have no idea what he’s going through. But Ben Grimm proves he of all people knows EXACTLY what he’s going through. Then the bomb drops that Johnny is ‘dead’ (keep dreaming, unTrue believers!)

The group gathers their forces and heads off into space after the High Evolutionary and The Seeker. The HE has stopped at the moon and wants to make an example of it.. bring it to life. Spider-Man mentions to Reed that he had wanted to do the same thing, but Reed admits it may not have been a good idea, Valeria (depicted here as far less annoying than usual) explains the negative affects on Earth with such drastic changes to the moon. So the group closes in and they send Norrin out in a spacesuit and tether, to try to appeal to Suzi. Reed, of course, has a plan.

Norrin and Suzi argue, then the FF goad her into attacking using their on board weapons. When The Seeker retaliates Reed redirects the energies to Norrin.. the gambit pays off and he again becomes The Silver Surfer. Summoning his board he and the new Herald bear down on one another.. the crew of the FF ship bracing for the inevitable impact.

Which turns out to be a passionate embrace. To be concluded…

For the second time in a month I’m enjoying the ‘FF” more outside of their own book than in. Maybe because they’re a TEAM here, all working together like in Amazing Spider-Man, not just orbiting around Valeria and Reed and whatever plots they’re cooking up. Some of the artwork is a little confusing, but the consistent inking this issue really made a giant difference and the colors continue to be entertaining. With only one issue left it remains to be seen what will become of this newly enhanced High Evolutionary and his new Herald. Will Galactus wake up from his ‘Sun Bath’ and come looking for his Star Sphere? Now that they jump started The Surfer will the FF stay to help finish what’s been started? Will the the current FF story reflect this book since THIS book referenced the ‘terraform the moon’ statement from FF #1? Only time will tell. About 4 weeks to be exact.

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Fantastic Four #11

Posted on May 17, 2011 by Jim

Issue #: 11

Publication date:  February, 1963

Cover price:  12 cents

Title: 

Story 1: A Visit With The Fantastic Four

Story 2: The Impossible Man

Credits:   

Story 1: A Visit With The Fantastic Four

Script: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inking: Dick Ayers

Lettering: Art Simek

Story 2: The Impossible Man

 Script: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Inking: Dick Ayers

Lettering: Art Simek

Plot synopsis:

  In this “off-beat collectors’” issue, the first story has the reader pay a visit with the Fantastic Four. Up until now many letter writers have requested to know more about the team, particularly their lives before the events that transformed these four individuals into the Fab Foursome.  The FF takes time to read and respond to some mail, discuss Ben and Reed’s earlier days, and recap their origin. A bummed out Sue sulks about not being much of a team contributor, but the guys emphatically reassure her of the Invisible Girl’s importance. They celebrate Sue’s birthday with cake.

 In the second story an alien known as The Impossible Man comes to Earth just wanting to have a good time. With no understanding or regard for human culture Impy wreaks havoc. With the ability to adapt his body to any situation, The Impossible Man frustrates the Fantastic Four at every turn until Reed comes up with a simple solution; ignore him and he’ll simply go away out of boredom.

Thoughts:  

  This is the type of issue you just wouldn’t see today. Oh sure, you might see something along the lines of the silly backup story, but in the internet age it would be extremely unlikely to see creators giving fans the information they’ve been clamoring for on the printed page. The first story is designed to answer many of the questions posed by fans in the letter pages from previous issues (back when letter pages were letter pages). After a brief walk through the city, and an encounter with their mailman Willy Lumpkin, the team sits down to answer some fan mail. A package from The Yancy Street Gang gets Ben upset but his anger subsides when Reed whips out a Thing-cure potion and The Thing reverts to his human form. Then it’s time to address some of those letters!

The YSG strikes again!

First up: Ben and Reed’s college time together and their stints in the military. Rich was established as a rich kid and Ben’s notoriety, both in football and in his military service, underscores his bitterness as The Thing. It’s gotta be tough going from BMOC and war hero to gruesome gargoyle.

Reed and Ben's shared past

  Talk of their time in the military leads Reed to reflect on the “girl he left behind”, which gets Sue upset and she is still struggling with her feelings for the Sub-Mariner. One thing to note is Reed’s response, which states that he knew Sue since “they were kids together, living next door to each other”. This perhaps narrows the apparent age difference between the two. Maybe Reed just had premature grey hair? This differs from a later Byrne story which stated Reed didn’t meet Sue until he was of college age and Sue was much younger. For more on the ages of the FF members see the “letters page” section below.

Sue's thoughts are somewhere else Reed....

 The FF’s origin is once again recapped. For more specifics check out the Origin page but a few small things of interest: the word “coward” isn’t used in this recollection, the order of the powers manifestation changes, and we find out how the FF made their way back to civilization after the crash. I think you can easily attribute these small changes to the perspective of the person doing the recollecting. Four different people could tell the same story four different ways.

Next we come to the most amusing part of the issue (even beating out Impossible Man), the FF addressing the many letters revolving around Sue’s usefulness to the team. I love Ben’s “lady wrestlers” comment as he looks straight out at the reader. Come on…Reed’s comparison to Lincoln’s mother is a bit too much. How convenient that they had a Lincoln bust lying around. When they recap Sue’s contributions to the team they are accurate…she was more valuable…in the beginning. Stan really only has himself to blame for her diminishing contributions and her growing role as a professional hostage. Stan makes it clear—Sue won’t fight. Anyway, the whole debate is dropped when Ben changes back into the Thing and Sue adopts her motherly, protective role, comforting Ben. Plus cake cures all problems! Happy Birthday Susan!

Comparisons to Lincoln's mom isn't going to help your chances with Sue Reed!

Happy ?? Birthday Sue!

 I don’t have much to say about the second story. It is just a fluff piece meant to amuse. When I was a kid my first run in with the Impossible Man was the classic (at least to me) Galactus/High Evolutionary battle which ended with the Big G eating the planet Popup and getting galactic indigestion. When the team came home The Impossible Man ran amok in the FF offices. I loved that story for its zaniness and George Perez art. This original appearance of the character has some amusing bit but fell a bit flat for me. Perhaps because I’m older now. The Impossible Man is like a cartoon character, a Bugs Bunny come to life that torments the FF. He also bears quite the similarity to Mr. Mxyzptlk.

Kirby

A young Roy Thomas perhaps?

First character appearances and analysis:

Willie Lumpkin

The FF’s faithful mailman who longs to join the team.  He can wiggle his ears. The FF let him down easy.

The Impossible Man

 A cartoon character come to life, the Impossible Man can instantaneously shape shift and adapt his body to any threat or environmental condition. He’s just looking for a good time and by Earth standards is very immature. His secret weakness is boredom.

 Quotable quotes:

“By the way, Mr. Richards, are you lookin’ to hire any new members for your group? I haven’t exactly got any super powers, but I can wiggle my ears real good, and—“–Willie Lumpkin trying to convince Reed to let him join the team 

“Can’t blame the squirt for getting restless, Reed! Teen-agers have to keep on the go all the time”-Ben, after Johnny splits the scene.

“But Sue, you know it’s you I’m talking about! It’s always been you, since we were kids together, living next door to each other!”—Reed, confirming that he’s known Sue since they were kids

“There! A number of readers have said that I don’t contribute enough to you…you’d be—better off without me! And perhaps they’re—right!

“Take it easy pal! The kids don’t mean any harm—they just don’t understand!”—Ben, trying to calm down a furious Reed

“If you readers wanna see women fightin’ all the time, then go see lady wrestlers!”—Ben giving the FF readers a piece of his mind

“My name isn’t Charlie!”—The Impossible Man letting us know that at least his name isn’t Charlie

“He was beaten by the one thing he couldn’t fight—pure boredom!”—Reed, on how the FF defeated the Impossible Man.

Fun Stuff: 

Reed’s inventions:

Reed’s “cure Ben” potion #2

 

 Clobbering time vs flame on vs Mr. Fantastic vs  Be Careful

Tally through 11 issues:

“It’s Clobbering Time”: 0

“Flame On”: 14

Nova: 1 (attempt)

“Mr. Fantastic”: 4

“Be careful”: 1

The Thing transformations back to Ben:     5

Johnny put out with a hose:      2

goofs:  I could see no obvious mistakes this issue.

MVP

Reed gets it again, as he comes up with a way to rid the world of The Impossible Man, and thus pulls into the lead.

Reed: 4

Sue: 2

Johnny: 3

Ben: 0

Other: 2

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Why won't the other kids ride bikes with me?

Letters page and bullpen bulletins

This issue the letters page expands to two pages. One reader thinks that Sue isn’t living up to her potential, citing her role as prisoner of the villain in 4 out of the first 8 issues. Another comments that The Thing has stopped wearing his boots. A response from the editor lists the approximate ages of the FF. Okay…so maybe Reed is a lot older than Sue.

How old is everyone?

There is a Sub-mariner pinup this issue

*NEW*: MEANWHILE:

  In October, 1962 The Human Torch began to be featured in Strange Tales. In this “meanwhile section” I’ll try to briefly summarize what was going on in other series starring a member of the Fantastic Four.  I’ll have a page up soon to summarize the first four issues of Strange Tales but for now here’s issue #105, published this month in FF history.

Issue #: 105

Publication date: February, 1963

Title: The Return Of The Wizard!

Credits: Stan Lee-plot, Larry Leiber-script, Jack Kirby-art, Dick Ayers-inking, Art Simek-lettering

Synopsis: After his defeat at the hands of the Johnny Storm and The Invisible Woman in issue #102, the Wizard escapes from prison, vowing vengeance on The Human Torch. The Wizard challenges The Torch to a one-on-one battle at his high-tech home but despite imprisoning both Johnny and The Invisible Girl at one point, fails and is defeated by the brother-sister team.

Thoughts: Flame saws and flame catapults. Stan and Larry Leiber had Johnny using his powers in ways never displayed in the FF. Here Sue is a complete liability. The Torch was faring just fine until she showed up. Still, Johnny has enough smarts and skills to defeat the Wizard, who, after two straight defeats at the hands of the Torch, must be building up a big time hatred.

Pics:

Coming up:  The FF square off against the Hulk for the very first time! But before that I’ll update the “FF Foes” page, create a “Friends of the FF” page (they finally have a couple), and update the origin page as this issue had some interesting changes. I’ll also start a “Strange Tales” page, detailing Johnny’s exploits in that magazine.

Oh, and always remember:

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Friends of The Fantastic!

Posted on May 16, 2011 by Jim

 Here are some of the friends of The Fantastic Four.  Unlike the villains, I won’t be recapping what he or she does in every appearance but just provide a listing of the issues they appear.

 Alicia Masters

  The step-daughter of the evil Puppet Master, Alicia Masters is an innocent, blind girl with an innate skill to detect the inner character of a person. This skill draws her to The Thing, who she detects has a noble inner presence despite his grotesque exterior. She is a skilled sculptor, often focusing on the Fantastic Four and their foes. The Thing is extremely protective of Alicia and eventually their relationship turns romantic in nature.

Appearances: Fantastic Four #8, (First appearance), #9, #10,

Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

 In the Marvel Universe Stan Lee and Jack Kirby detail the adventures of The Fantastic Four. They plot the issues with the assistance of the team.

Appearances: Fantastic Four #10 (First appearance),

 

Willie Lumpkin

  The Fantastic Four’s mailman, Willie Lumpkin longs to join the team. He has no powers but can wiggle his ears. So far the FF hasn’t deemed that skill worthy of membership.

Appearances: Fantastic Four #11 (First appearance),

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FANtastic Four #591

Posted on May 16, 2011 by CyberCoyote

Double Sized Fantastic Issue:

When we finished off the last issue we’d found out that Valeria had been somehow contaminated by Abraxis the day Franklin had plucked her from another reality and brought her.. literally, INTO Sue. Ever since her birth she’s been using her powers to manipulate and control the Fantastic Four, Doom and the world around her. But Reed finally fought through the mental fog she’d created with a helpful bit of information left by the now deceased Human Torch and enlisted the aid of his most bitter foe, Dr Doom, to stop whatever his daughter’s plans might be. The first spash page is of Valeria, seemingly omnipotent, demanding the FF and the others with them submit, Dragon Man holding the unconscious Franklin and defeated Alex Powers in his hulking arms. The next page works as a recap. Then Doom kills Franklin!

Doom demands the unholy child cease her boasting, the source of her strength is clear, and he blasts the limp form of Franklin with an energy bolt that disintegrates him from Dragon Man’s grasp! Sue screams and Reed unleashes on Doom in outrage, whipping his elastic body with such force that he sends Doom’s faceplate and half his head flying, revealing, of course.. a Doombot. “I am not the only one capable of deceit, Richards..” the robot sputters as it points at the ‘remains’ of Franklin.. they are also robotic. “Only a FOOL such as yourself would use Doom’s creations as houseservants! This building is littered with my handywork, for example..” The room is swarmed with Doombots in various degrees of completion, all of the house maid Doombots left over from Millar’s run..

Valeria dispatches the Doombot with a bolt of her own green energy, “Shut up!” But Reed understands even as Sue begins to panic, wondering where her son might be. Reed orders Sue and Spidey to contain Valeria and Nathan and Ben to free Alex. Reed starts to leave the scene, he’s off to stop Doom whom he claims MUST be after Franklin. Reed only gets so far, though, before the Doombots swarm him. He realizes that the stronger their resistance the more likely he’s going the right way.

Sue and Spidey are having a very hard time of it, Valeria’s powers are formidable, and Nathan pulls weapon after weapon out of seemingly nowhere. In the battle Nathan explains that Valeria helped him defeat his other incarnations in exchange for his assistance and advancement towards a mutually shared vision for the future.

Ben throws down with Dragon Man, but the beast informs Ben that he’s been specifically designed to counter all of Ben’s strengths. His physical powers have been as magnified as his intellect.. as well as his speed. Ben seems to be on the ropes, but he manages to free Alex and maneuver the amplified Dragon Man away from the injured boy.

Doom rips though a containment doorway and finds Franklin, curled up in the corner of the space. He reveals that he’s deduced that Valeria’s true powers are merely manipulation of the mind on a near subconscious level and the great source of her seeming control over reality is actually her manipulation of Franklin. But THAT power will be HIS. Franklin’s half out of it, obviously under Valeria’s thrall, but he reacts to Doom, “He tol’ me. He tol’ me to be strong. He tol’ me ta keep a secret an wait.”

“What do you babble about, Boy?” As an answer Doom is blasted across the room by a torrent of flames.

“Get away from my Nephew, Victor, or I’ll melt you inside that tin can once and for all!” Johnny Storm, the Human Torch appears out of seemingly nowhere!

Ben’s on the ropes, Dragon Man is beating him severely, the one sided combat is relayed through Alex’s eyes. Ben never wavers, never asks for mercy, he never would. With Valeria in battle with her Mother and Peter (who after a few bad parent jokes beat the snot out of Nathan) her sway over everyone else is diminishing and he recalls that when they made the ‘cure’ for Ben one of the OTHER side effects was to actually slowly leech the cosmic radiation from his body.. weakening him. Ben yells for Alex to get away and the boy yells that he will, “But I’ll be back, Mr Grimm!”

Reed defeats the last of the Doombots but is almost shot from behind.. THREE of his alternate selves from the Council emerge from the darkness, “You need to stand down, Reed.” Says one of them, “You don’t understand what’s at work here, not yet. With Valeria we can finally do it. We can finally Fix Everything.”

Reed looks like he’s being introspective as the last of the fog finally clears from his head, Valeria’s years long influence washing away, “If we’re going to do this.. if we really WANT to put our personal mark on the multiverse.. yes. Yes, I see now! The FIRST thing that needs repair.. is YOU!” Reed launches at his counterparts and battles them like a man obsessed..

Johnny uses his multiple flame dopplegangers to confuse Doom and liquefies the ceiling, dropping it on Doom then absorbing the heat to soldify the steel compound. He grabs Franklin letting him know that won’t hold him for long (he can ‘see’ Doom inside with his infrared vision already breaking free) and scoops Frank up and races away like a rocket from the Baxter Building. He basically explains that at the last minute in the Negative Zone Johnny asked Frank if he could hide him.. let everyone think he was dead.. and keep it a secret. Frank did and went along with his Uncle’s plan.

Ben is almost down for the count when Alex returns with a weapon. He yells to Ben that it can may help him or could kill him! Ben announces that any personal sacrifice is worthwhile to protect his family, any chance to fight with one more breath is a chance. He cuts loose on the titanic combatants with a Cosmic Ray Pulse Generator, it knocks Dragon Man back but Ben yells out in horrible agony, writhing on the floor. Alex rushes to him as he changes again to Ben Grimm, “OhmyGodI’msosorryMrGrimm..” chokes Powers, thinking his gambit failed. But Ben climbs to his feet, growing in muscularity. “S’okay, Kid. Ya done good.” The heavily muscled human looking Ben Grimm charges the recovering Dragon Man and engages him again. At first Dragon man seems to still have the upper hand, but then Ben’s rocky hide begins to form again giving him protection.

Doom catches up with Johnny and Frank at a land fill. His sensors tell him Frank’s hidden underground.. he blasts the Torch and digs up Frank.. but it’s a ruse! Johnny used his powers to create an false heat signature. The two battle, Doom declaring Storm to be the weak link in the Fantastic Four and NEVER a true opponent. But Johnny doesn’t back down and the entire site becomes engulfed in flames and.. ice? The Torch is using his abilities to their fullest extent creating insane thermodynamic effects that Doom never dreamed he was capable of. Beaten and broken, Johnny actually overcomes Doom, using the last of his strength to actually slag Doom’s armor.. his force fields deprived, into a prison.. even binding his mouth and eyes to keep him from using his magicks. Exhausted, Johnny falls to the ground. “Officially, Victor, this is a draw. Whoever gets a friend here first will be the winner..”

The Thing is fully armored when the scene returns to the BB, looking different than his usual self. Dragon Man is bewildered, “Impossible! The supersaturation of Cosmic Rays has induced a progressive mutation in you! The original serum was designed to reduce your ability to metabolize the cosmic radiation in your cellular structure, but it now seems the process has reversed itself and allowed your cellular structure to amplify it’s ability to absorb and manipulate the radio..” Wham. Ben sends the construct downward through every floor of the Baxter Building and right through the foundation with a mighty blow.

“Yeesh.. that felt good. Guess I can’t whack the Big Brain like that when he starts yammerin’ over my head, though…”

Valeria looks to have defeated Sue and Spidey, but when she unleashes her killing blow it fails. Reed emerges with Franklin, a device fastened on the boy’s head. Reed had defeated his counterparts and sent them BACK to their council home, but first he confiscated a psionic dampening device one of the Reeds had designed. Franklin runs to his mother, saying he’s sorry and he was only trying to make everyone happy. Valeria is held powerless in his thrall. Reed explains that free of her influence Franklin suddenly began showing marked personality and intellectual advancement himself.

Franklin explains that Valeria had been limiting him as she gained control over the years, and goes into a long dissertation on how the Heroes Reborn planet had given him lifetimes of experience as he literally LIVED through the lives of every lifeform on the planet. But he realized that knowledge would actually take from him what he cherished MOST.. his family. As he speaks, Franklin begins growing.. and aging, looking like a teenager rather than a 8 or 9 year old boy. With a wave of his hands Johnny returns, along with Doom..

The others rush to Johnny’s side as Franklin goes on. He explains that there are levels of power and cosmic influence and he’s seen through most all of them. He explains that every aspect of the universe, from an electron to a supernova has a role, a place, and a function. That the only way to REALLY see that is to look from the outside, that no one.. not even himself, can ever truly see it all. But every aspect must fulfill it’s role and not seek to go BEYOND that place or they can cause more chaos than they are universally intended. Reed looks ashamed and concurs that he understands that now. Nathan barks, enraged at Franklin’s words, bellows that Reed, like himself, knows BETTER than such nonsense. But Reed puts him in his place, “The difference between you and I is that I can admit when my Son has taught ME a lesson. Where will you go, Franklin?”

Sue begins to shudder, Reed understands where Franklin is going with his speech but she doesn’t. He’s too powerful, too burdened by human desires and poses more of a threat to the universe than the Council of Reeds, Nathaniels, or even Valeria. “I would only seek to do good, but I would overstep my bounds and throw the Multiverse itself into unstable turmoil. But maybe that was a necessity, maybe Dad needed to see this.. or Granpa. It’s all too tempting, but there are things I can’t stop, things I must do.”

The last pages are shown with illustrations and narrative from Franklin. “I have to put my humanity, the greatest part of me, away. Power without limit is danger without limit. But how can I exact a toll upon those who have taught me that? To my Mother who always strove to protect me, my family and any who were in harms way? Will she rest easily with a son who’s devoid of any fear of harm?” In the illustration a YOUNG Franklin, the boy’s actual form, smiles with his parents.. this human piece of Franklin stays behind devoid of cosmic powers but also completely immune from any harm.

“Is it not my own fault that I became a pawn of a selfish evil? Is there no place for true innocence in our world?” Valeria runs into the room, a REAL 3 year old child, “Mommy! Daddy! Wook wha I made!”, she holds up a picture in crayon, oddly shaped figures which represent her family.

Ben Grimm walks down a hallway in his heavily armored form, but as he knocks on the door in front of him he reverts to human. Large and muscular, but human. Alicia opens the door and feels his face.. they both smile as tears roll down their faces. “How could I have EVER learned of true sacrifice if the events had not evolved in the ways that they did?”

“That ingenuity and determination can weigh as heavily as any lofty command over science or mysticism..” Johnny shakes Spider-Man’s hand as Spidey takes his leave of the Baxter Building, swinging into a Manhattan sunset..

Reed’s in his lab, disassembling the last of the Bridge components, “There is no limit to what a soul can accomplish, other than the limits it can learn to impose upon itself for the betterment of all else..”

“and there is no greater force that I have witnessed in the multiverse than the one which even I cannot measure.. Love..”
Doom walks into his throne room wrapped in his tunic, his armor gone. Standing beside his throne a female figure. She steps forward into the light and Victor falls to his knees. She walks up to him and reaches down under the cowl, her hand touches his smooth face. He looks up wide eyed, only the one scar across his cheek and Valeria looks down upon him. “Forgive me..” he whimpers.

“It wasn’t your fault my dear Victor Von Doom. He explained it to me, you suffered most under my namesake’s thrall.. it was you she had her talons deepest into. He showed me your despair. He knew you only sought him out for my sake and so he saved me.” Together and alone Doom and Valeria embrace.

” Love..” continues Franklin’s narration, “Love is what I shall miss the most and wish upon all..”

Next Issue: Whatever happened to The Four Cities?

Posted in FANtastic Four Reviews | 3 Comments

FF #3

Posted on May 15, 2011 by CyberCoyote

FF3
FF#3: Short Review:
Reed and Doom send the FF members to gather a bunch of villains and the High Evolutionary.. they all put their plans on hold to sit at a table and talk about how to defeat Reed Richards. Why? Because Val brought some of the Council of Reeds to Earth and now they’re running around causing.. or planning to cause, chaos. They’re trying to get the cities to go to war. Most are successful, one gets his butt kicked and a Dire Wraith sucks his brain and learns all his plans.
Theoretically at this point they shouldn’t fall for any of the Reeds’ plans since they know everything.. but somehow that’s not going to happen.
That was pretty much the book. Reed continues to do whatever Maleria and his Suddenly Daddy tell him to do. I’d say more but that’d require really trying to dig something more out of it.. and I’ve no desire to read the issue again.
I’ll get my fictitious review of the next issue up soon.. promise to actually have things happen and make the FF look like heroes instead of bit players in some greater story that overshadows them.
Negative? Yes. I can’t say for sure I’ll even get the next issue.. seems rather pointless.
And no, we still don’t know how the Moloid head lives. Much like Reed’s inability to think for himself it may never be addressed.

Posted in Reviews | 2 Comments

Fantastic Four #10

Posted on May 13, 2011 by Jim

Issue #: 10

Publication date:  January, 1963 

Cover price:  12 cents 

Title:  The Return of Doctor Doom! 

Part 1:  The Return of Doctor Doom!

Part 2: Back From The Dead!

Part 3:  The End of Mr. Fantastic?

Part 4: No Place To Turn!

Part 5:  The Real Doctor Doom!

Credits:   

Stan Lee: script

Jack Kirby: artist

Dick Ayers: inking

Plot synopsis:

 This issue I’m going to keep the recap short because this issue is so crazy and noteworthy for so many reasons. Rather than waste space with a detailed summary followed by prolonged thoughts on the issue I’ll just keep it brief. This may become a permanent thing going forward with future issues as well.

 While Reed, Johnny, and Sue track down a FF flare signal to Ben at Alicia’s apartment, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby are tossing around ideas for new villains. Suddenly Doctor Doom appears! He instructs Stan to call Mr. Fantastic at once!

 Reed arrives at the Marvel offices only to be ambushed and gassed by Doom! Victor takes him to this secret laboratory where he reveals to Reed how he survived his last clash with the FF. He was rescued in space by an advanced race called The Ovoids who taught him many things, including the ability to switch bodies! Doom switches minds with Mr. Fantastic and both find themselves occupying the other’s body. A gloating Doom-Reed uses Mr. Fantastic’s skills to toss his former body around a bit before the rest of the Fantastic Four arrive on the scene!

 The team attacks Reed- Doom, not believing the outlandish story Reed-Doom tells them—that he’s really their leader! After debating various forms of imprisonment Doom-Reed locks Reed-Doom in a plexi-glass prison, whispering to his prisoner that there’s only enough air for an hour and that he has sinister plans for the rest of the team!

 Later the team is baffled by the presence of numerous small animals running around the Baxter Building. Doom-Reed informs them that he’s working on a shrinking ray which could ultimately enhance their powers! Meanwhile Reed-Doom escapes from his imprisonment using his mask and the rapidly diminishing oxygen tanks. He makes his way to Alicia’s apartment and pleads for her help but is KO’d by the unseen Invisible Girl with a vase!

Reed-Doom revives and the FF almost believes his story but bring him back to headquarters to make sure. There Johnny uses his abilities to create a mirage of TNT, and when Doom-Reed throws himself on the explosives to protect the team the FF realizes just who is who! Doom-Reed loses his mental control over Reed-Doom and their minds go back to their original bodies. There’s a brief scuffle and Doom accidentally activates his shrinking ray, which hits him and shrinks his body into nothingness.

Thoughts:  

 Wow, what a crazy issue! Where to start? If it wasn’t for the fact that the infamous Ovoid mind trick is an established Dr. Doom trick I’d be tempted to say that this issue could almost be treated like a What If?  and not be considered canon. It’s that loony. Let’s take a closer look at some of the characters and developments in this issue, the crazy and not-so crazy.

Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

 In this issue we find out that there are Marvel versions of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby and they work with Reed to plot the monthly adventures of The Fantastic Four! You gotta give Stan and Jack credit, they aren’t afraid to give Doom a little lip. I suppose after the stress they went through in their confrontation with Doom they deserve to put themselves on the cover!

Don't make Doom angry boys!

Johnny

Stan Lee loved to come up with new and innovative ways to use Johnny’s powers. Some of these worked out great and I wish later writers were just as creative. Others certainly fall in the category of “wonky science” to say the least. Johnny’s “heat mirage” of a scene happening 30 stories below to determine who was who is quite a stretch.

Johnny the heat illusionist!

 Earlier in the issue Ben and Johnny imagine different ways to imprison Doctor Doom. I found Johnny’s idea of  creating a little island for Victor surrounded by raging flames. It’s nice of Johnny to supply Doom with a small tent to beat the heat. Let’s not even discuss Ben’s idea of leaving Doom to rot in a pit.

what if it rains Torch?

Ben and Alicia

 Although last issue Alicia made Ben a nice puppet it is within this story that we also find out she’s an extremely talented sculptor.

Where's Kurrgo?

  We also find out just how much Ben has come to care for Alicia in a relatively short amount of time when he mistakenly believes Doom was threatening Alicia.

A rare triple-exclamation point!!!

Sue

 Sue doesn’t do much this issue. Reed bugs her about Namor but she tells him to shut his yapper about it.

Yeah Sue, he was just as bad.

 I take back what I said about Sue doing nothing. She’s actually had the best luck against Doom. In issue #5 she caused a machine to blow up in Vic’s face and here she takes him out with a vase! Too bad her Reed’s mind was in Doom’s body.

He's defeated The Beyonder but falls to....a vase!

Doom

A lot of Doctor Doom fans will tell you that the “true” characterization of Victor Von Doom begins in FF Annual #2, where good old Doc gets a fully fleshed out origin and becomes a much more complicated character. As of Fantastic Four #10 he is still not established as the ruler of Latveria and he’s still a work in progress. His dialogue and thoughts are much more colloquial in nature. Today you wouldn’t catch Doom using such phrases as “All right, sister! You’re asking for it!” or “You’re whistling in the dark, mister!”.

Now bring my some porkchops and applesauce toots!

 Victor also comes off as more of a grandstander. One gets the impression that he was secretly waiting in a closet just waiting for either Stan or Jack to mention his name.

You can come out now Vic, they finally mentioned you.

 He’s also uncharacteristically panicky and whiny when he doesn’t get his way.

man up!

 One has to wonder how much of Doom’s tech came from the Ovoids. He does admit that his teleporter is an Ovoid invention. Yet it has been the mind switch that Vic has gone to a few times in his career.

Ovoids love blue jeans

Doom as Reed

 What says the most about Doom in this issue is how he behaves when in Reed’s body. First of all—come on FF! Did any of you stop to ask “what the heck is up with Reed’s eyebrows and the perpetual sneer?” Anyway, Doom certainly knows how to enjoy himself. Reed could learn a thing or two. I don’t think we’ve ever seen Mr. Fantastic enjoy a laugh in his own body like Doom did when he was temporarily Mr. Fantastic.

 Doom’s repulsion at his own facial features and the use of the word “prison” to define his own body indicate a bit of self- loathing. You made your bed Vic! Deal with it. I think he’s had some therapy since because he seems more comfortable in his own skin now.

Kirby

Did Jack use himself as a model for the evil Doom-Reed? Those eyebrows!

First character appearances and analysis:

Stan Lee and Jack Kirby!

In this issue we meet the fictional Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. It will not be their last appearance. We now know that they worked in conjunction with the Fantastic Four to plot the FF comic. They exhibit a bit of backbone in their encounter with Doom. I wonder what became of False Face?

The Ovoids

 The Ovoid might have well been called The Eggheads. Let’s face it; they’re stupid looking. Still, I was glad to see that they are still around in one of the recent Annihilation mini-series. I think they need to take a trip to Earth to see how Doctor Doom has exploited their generosity.

 Quotable quotes:

“Jackson, with a guy like Doom anything is possible! He seemed so confident—I hope the Fantastic Four can defeat him!”—Stan Lee to Jack Kirby, emphasizing the power of confidence.

 “For more years than I care to remember, this mask of mine has been a prison, hiding a face too gruesome for human eyes to see! But now—now I shall gain my freedom!”—Doom, about to perform the Ovoid mind trick on Reed

“You’re whistling in the dark Mister! I now possess all of your physical powers, plus my own knowledge of the Black Arts! You can never be a threat to me again!” Doom-Reed talking to Reed-Doom

“All right, sister! You’re asking for it! I’ll come up with a story that will have the three of you begging me—to seal your own doom!”—Doom-Reed thinking of  Sue as “sister”

“It worked! They fell for my story like a ton of bricks! Reed Richards would have seen through it—but a little scientific double-talk can fool almost any other unsuspecting victims!”—Reed Doom enjoying the FF falling for his story

“They’re gone! The fools! I’m enjoying this too much! I can’t end it to soon! I’ve got to toy with them a while longer—to savor my plan—to cherish the thought of my greatest victory!”—Reed-Doom greatly enjoying himself

“There! Lucky I struck a vulnerable spot!”—Sue, after knocking out Reed-Doom with a….vase.

“What happened Sue? I heard the sound of a muffled blow…was it…could it have been the awesome Doctor Doom??”—Alicia thinks Doom is awesome

“Alicia! You don’t know what you’re saying! You’re talking about the most sinister, the most ruthless menace on Earth! He is the most dangerous human of all time!”—Sue doesn’t. Why can’t she be more perceptive with Namor?

“Stay back, you meddling fool! Back, I say!”—the line that finally tips off Ben and Johnny that Reed might not be Reed.

“What have I done?! I-I’m myself again! I’ve failed! I’ve been defeated…by the accursed Fantastic Four!”—Poor Doom

“Doom, you’re not shooting at clay pigeons! We’ve had plenty of practice in dodging wild, hastily-aimed shots!”—the X-Men have their danger room; the FF has their dodge the wild, hastily-aimed shot room!

Fun Stuff: 

Reed’s inventions:  Reed uses a fancy X-ray camera with radioactive film but once again he’s shown up by Doom and his reducing ray.

  Clobbering time vs flame on vs Mr. Fantastic vs  Be Careful

Tally through 10 issues:

“It’s Clobbering Time”: 0

“Flame On”: 13

Nova: 1 (attempt)

“Mr. Fantastic”: 4 (two times during this issue a Doom controlled Reed refers to himself as Mr. Fantastic but these don’t count!)

“Be careful”: 1

The Thing transformations back to Ben:     4

Johnny put out with a hose:      2

goofs:  While I don’t know if it officially counts as a “goof” but it is incredibly hard to believe that Doom-Reed has the time to steal a bunch of animals from a zoo, test his reducing ray, and have the theft of the animals make the papers…all in under one hour before Reed-Doom’s air supply runs out.

MVP

 Reluctantly I have to give this to Reed. The other three are so gullible it induces a belly laugh in Doom-Reed of epic proportions. The rest of the team gives Reed props at the end of the issue and so will I.

Reed gets his props

Reed: 3

Sue: 2

Johnny: 3

Ben: 0

Other: 2

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Frankly Jim, it's those ugly blackheads.

Letters page and bullpen bulletins

In the letters page this month Stan and Jack ask readers to address them by name rather than “dear editor”.  Starting next issue the letters page will expand to two pages!  One reader comments on developments concerning Johnny over in Strange Tales. Another writer states that his copies of issue #1 and 2 were stolen and would like someone to sell him theirs. Good luck with that!

 The editor announces that Marvel will launch a new series featuring the popular new character Spider-man. I wonder how that worked out?  Finally, the results of a reader poll asking if the Invisible Girl should be dropped from the team are revealed with the overwhelming vote in favor of keeping Sue!

This month there’s an Invisible Girl pinup.

Coming up:  An offbeat issue featuring one of the most bizarre Fantastic Four villains ever! Plus the team takes some time to answer reader mail!

Posted in From the Beginning | 1 Comment