FANTASTIC FOUR 8
cover by Jack Kirby & Dick Ayers
THE INCREDIBLE HULK 4
cover by Jack Kirby & Dick Ayers
JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY 86
cover by Jack Kirby & Dick Ayers
from the GCD: "Synopsis: Zarrko of the year 2262 goes back in time and steals a cobalt bomb in 1962, but Thor chases him forward in time and defeats him."
JACK KIRBY continues on with Larry Lieber & Dick Ayers on dialogue & inks. The variety in story subject matter continues, as we once again swing into science-fiction, introducing a super-scientist and time-traveller from the future, 11 MONTHS before one turned up in FANTASTIC FOUR #19 (Oct'63).
I imagine the name "Zarrko" was inspired by "Dr. Hans Zarkov", the scientist-hero from FLASH GORDON. Although the series initially took place in the modern-day (the 1930's & 40's), I've read that at some point-- somehow-- it jumped forward into the far future, to make it more "sci-fi" in nature and even more similar to BUCK ROGERS than it had been when it started (as a deliberate "answer" to the other series).
I never noticed it before, but in the 7 initial THOR episodes that Jack Kirby wrote & illustrated, he rotated between sci-fi, Commies, and Asgardian menaces (Loki), giving the series a nice range while keeping it from being too repetitive. These stories are a lot of fun!
(1-22-2014)
TALES TO ASTONISH 37
cover by Jack Kirby & Dick Ayers
STRANGE TALES 102
cover by Jack Kirby & Dick Ayers
Synopsis:
As a crowd of theatre-goers watch a newsreel about Johnny (showing his adventure against The Destroyer), one in the crowd, The Wizard, thinks it would be a great challenge to match his skills against The Torch. The Wizard considers himself the world's greatest brain. He's designed an ultra-modern home, created inventions that have brought him fame and fortune, solved "impossible" puzzles, beaten chess champions & calculating robots, and even been a master escape artist. He sees beating Johnny as somehow "the ultimate achievement", and tricks Johnny into rescuing him when a digging machine he's trying out appeares to go wrong. Showing off his home in gratitude, he suddenly douses Johnny with flame-retarding chemicals!
Indexer notes:
Part 1 of 2. 1st appearance (and origin) of The Wizard.
"WIZARD'S WILES!"
Synopsis:
The Wizard makes Johnny a prisoner, and with a special suit, impersonates him, commits a bank robbery, performs a mass jail-break, extorts money from commuters on a bridge, all to make The Torch appear a criminal, and "prove" that he is superior to him. "You must have flipped your cork!" says Johnny. (I'll say!) Later, The Wizard shows Johnny photos that prove he committed the crimes Johnny appears guilty of, but as Johnny won't kill an unarmed man, he'll have no choice but to watch as The Wizard burns the evidence. But the photos fly from The Wizard's hands on their own, and Johnny calls the police, turning over the pics and the Wizard. After they leave, we find he beat the Wizard with help-- from his sister!
Indexer notes:
Part 2 of 2. With so much going for him, the only explanation for The Wizard turning to crime is what Johnny suggested-- he's nuts! Next appearance in STRANGE TALES #105 (February 1963).
(2007)
The Wizard's physical appearance has changed several times over the years, as artists had drawn him differently. You'd think it would be a simple matter to stay "on model". I forget who pointed this out to me, but in this debut story, he is CLEARLY modeled after longtime movie bad guy, John Carridine!
(Continued in December 1962)
All Text (C) Henry R. Kujawa
Artwork (C) Marvel Comics
Restorations by Henry R. Kujawa
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