Make Mine Marvel!

Wherein Chuck shares his journey through the Mighty Marvel canon by providing commentary on every issue he’s read.

[chuckreadsmarvel]

So... this happened...

[chuckreadsmarvel]

I haven’t run into the Metal Master again after this issue, but an Iron Man villain known as The Melter has an almost identical power set. He’ll be showing up in Tales of Suspense later on.

[chuckreadsmarvel]

A brief, but nutty, history of the Metal Master.

[chuckreadsmarvel]

[chuckreadsmarvel]

Bruce’s transformations into the Hulk continue to be troublesome throughout his career. If I’m not mistaken, Banner’s increased strength is quickly forgotten after this issue.

[chuckreadsmarvel]

This issue features Steve Ditko art. Ditko would eventually draw the Hulk feature in Tales to Astonish.

[chuckreadsmarvel]

The Incredible Hulk #6

The Hulk battles the extraterrestrial terror of the Metal Master and faces his greatest threat of his burgeoning career...CANCELLATION!

That’s right; the initial run of The Incredible Hulk lasted only six issues, but Bruce Banner’s story would continue through a string of guest appearances and and a co-starring role in the first few issues of The Avengers. He would get his own solo feature again in Tales to Astonish and would eventually take over the magazine completely as of #102, where it would be renamed The Incredible Hulk once more.

[chuckreadsmarvel]

Don Blake does his best Jim Halpert impression.

[chuckreadsmarvel]

Yes, because trees can’t think, the Xartans lose the ability to think when they turn into trees. Thus, Thor wins by default.

[chuckreadsmarvel]

A beginner’s guide to fighting invisible foes.

[chuckreadsmarvel]

A quick overview of the Xartan plan to overthrow the Earth.

[chuckreadsmarvel]

Mike Pence calls for Thor’s arrest.

[chuckreadsmarvel]

Thor and Jane Foster: A play in three acts.

[chuckreadsmarvel]

The part of Don Blake will now be played by the Matt Damon marionette from Team America: World Police.

[chuckreadsmarvel]

Al Hartley’s Thor looks like Bruce Campbell with a bad wig and a case of the mumps.

[chuckreadsmarvel]

Journey Into Mystery #90

Thor must battle the Xartans, who are basically less sneaky Skrulls, in order to save the Earth from a deadly invasion. This one’s drawn by Al Hartley instead of Jack Kirby. The King’s presence is sorely missed. This one is pretty forgetable.

[chuckreadsmarvel]

No respect. None.