FANTASTIC FOUR 13
cover by Jack Kirby & Don Heck (w/ Al Hartley)
TALES TO ASTONISH 42
cover by Jack Kirby & Dick Ayers
JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY 91
cover by Jack Kirby & Dick Ayers
from the GCD: "Synopsis: Loki gives a greedy carnival mystic magical powers in order to use him to attack Thor. Thor is overcome in their first battle, but with the help of Odin and his belt of strength he defeats Loki's pawn."
Although the initial rotation of sci-fi, cold war & Asgard has been jettisoned, Loki once again returns 3 issues after his last appearance. This guy just can't stop messing with his foster brother, using dupes to carry out his schemes by granting them magic powers (a long-running theme in the series).
This is the 1st of 5 episodes illustrated by JOE SINNOTT, who did full art. Robert Bernstein replaces Larry Lieber on dialogue (as he ALSO did this same month on IRON MAN!). Legend has it JACK KIRBY was really the one supplying Bernstein with the stories, not the "editor" (as listed fradulantly in the credits & pay stubs). The only question is, did Kirby pass on the stories direct to Bernstein, or THRU said "editor"? If the latter, it becomes easy to see how eventually CUTTING OUT a second writer from the process smoothed the production line (so to speak). Kirby & Ayers continue to do their usual wonderful work on the covers.
(1-27-2014)
STRANGE TALES 107
cover by Jack Kirby & Sol Brodsky
Synopsis:
Johnny is frustrated that his partners don't take him seriously. Reminded by a photo that Sue still has a crush on Sub-Mariner, Johnny decides to impress them by challenging Namor to a fight! Flying over the water, his flame gives out, and mistaken for a stowaway, he's put to work mopping the deck of a ship! But when they're caught in a dense fog, Johnny proves who he is by guiding the grateful crew to safety. Johnny writes a message in flames challenging Namor, who at first isn't interested, but soon a major free-for-all erupts. At one point Namor uses an idol to hypnotize Johnny so he can clobber him, then sends him toward home tied to the back of a porpoise. But Johnny revives, and using his flame to the utmost pursues Namor underwater, trapping him in an tunnel. Exhausted, Johnny's picked up by the same ship again. Namor frees himself, impressed that The Torch is more powerful than he realized, though still a teenager. Namor wonders if he might one day convince The Torch to join him and beat the Fantastic Four! Back home, Johnny collapses, and Sue makes a snide comment about how tiring working on hot rods must be.
Indexer notes:
5th modern-day appearance of The Sub-Mariner. Previous appearance in FANTASTIC FOUR #14 (May 1963); next appearance in FANTASTIC FOUR ANNUAL #1 (November 1963). Although this story came out a month before FF #14, it feels much more like a sequel. 1st non-Jack Kirby Sub-Mariner story of the 1960's. Sub-Mariner exhibits the powers of a puffer fish and an electric eel, never seen again after this story!
(2007)
TALES OF SUSPENSE 40
cover by Jack Kirby & Don Heck
(Continued in May 1963)
All Text (C) Henry R. Kujawa
Artwork (C) Marvel Comics
Restorations by Henry R. Kujawa
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