Eliah Reads Marvel

In which I attempt to read every Marvel comic (starting from Fantastic Four #1), and share some thoughts about them.

[eliah-reads-marvel]

103: Tales to Astonish (1958) #50, "The Human Top!"

Tales to Astonish (1958) #50, 'The Human Top!'. Published December 1969. Dave Cannon has the extraordinary ability to spin his body as quick

This was really fun! Yes, the Human Top is a bit goofy, but it's still a delightful read, Jan is hilarious, and it's fun seeing Giant Man not quite know how to handle his new size. Also, some of the Top's lines are really funny; I appreciate the bad guy getting some good jokes. Overall, I really liked it. And I was very surprised to get a cliffhanger at the end! I think this is the first multi-issue story I've seen yet.

[eliah-reads-marvel]

102: Tales of Suspense (1959) #48, "The New Iron Man Battles... The Mysterious Mr. Doll!"

Tales of Suspense (1959) #48, 'The New Iron Man Battles... The Mysterious Mr. Doll!'. Published December 1969. Mr Doll uses an voodoo doll t

I really liked this one! We got a new Iron Man appearance which is *much* closer to his more modern look, and a tricky puzzle for Tony to figure his way out of. And some more great Pepper/Happy banter! The villain was a bit of a rip-off of the Puppet Master, though. But still effective.

We get a multi-page exposition of his new armor. It's pretty cool! Certainly a big improvement; it makes him look a lot more flexible and less clunky.

I found this part very compelling. Tony has to hide his pain because otherwise it would reveal that he is Iron Man.

[eliah-reads-marvel]

101: Fantastic Four (1961) #21, "The Hate-Monger"

Fantastic Four (1961) #21, 'The Hate-Monger'. Published December 1969. A filth-spewing demagogue known as The Hate-Monger has the U.S. publi

This one was decent. A mysterious hooded figure known as the Hate-Monger uses his hate ray to get the FF to fight each other; meanwhile, Nick Fury shows up because the CIA has been backing a government in a fictional South American country and said gov't is facing some trouble (due to the hate-monger). I'm not going to give away the surprise identity of the villain, but it was an enjoyable read, and I like all the anti-hatred messages. Could do with a little more examination of American imperialism, but I don't think we'll get that for a while yet.

Unfortunately it is not really accurate to describe racial hatred as un-American (but otherwise this page is great).

"Look guys, our government really wants to prop up one side of this conflict. Can you go help please?"

This panel just looks really cool

Control the haters, control the world

LMAO "the CIA can't interfere in other nation's affairs" that's like…their entire job??

[eliah-reads-marvel]

100: Strange Tales (1951) #115, "The Sandman Strikes!", "The Origin of Dr. Strange"

Well, we made it 100 issues deep!

Strange Tales (1951) #115 [A Story], 'The Sandman Strikes!'. Published December 1969. Mr Fantastic sends the Human Torch to find Spider-man

This issue has a fairly dull Human Torch vs Sandman story. But it also has the origin of Dr. Strange! So there's ups and downs.

Torch vs Sandman is brought down largely by the art quality. With apologies to Dick Ayers, it just doesn't stand up to the stuff Kirby, Ditko, or Heck are doing around this time, and the story is not nearly good enough to make up for it.

He escaped by turning into sand and slipping through the bars? Did…did they not think of that?

Yeah, not much to write home about here.

But the Strange origin story is good! I like that it takes until he is face-to-face with evil for him to realize that yeah actually, he does care about helping people. Makes for a refreshing change. Also extremely refreshing is seeing Steve Ditko's art again.

Here's all the weird names I associate with Dr. Strange, already: Vishanti, Dormammu, Agamotto

I really like the simple colors on this panel

Spoiler: it was not hypnotism.

So yeah! For our 100th issue, a boring Human Torch story, and a very good Dr. Strange one!

[eliah-reads-marvel]

99: Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #7, "The Return of the Vulture"

https://cmro.travis-starnes.com/detail.php?idvalue=97

I liked this one a lot more than I thought I would! I'm definitely starting to warm to the Vulture as a villain. This is a really satisfying and well-told story, hinging on the dangers of overconfidence.

Yes, Peter, obviously he's thought of that!

How did I get in here? The same way I shall leave: with your most valuable gems!

Nothing can stop a flying man -- except a closed window.

I don't think we've ever seen Spidey fail at a web trick before. I like it -- keeps him human.

Love the shot of the Vulture perched on a lamp-post

I think this is the first time we see Spidey clinging to a ceiling to avoid detection, which becomes pretty iconic

lol

Love this panel, with the giant printing press

This whole page is fantastic. I love the script, the colors, the "up in the sky" of it…chef's kiss.

What's a pool room?

So classy! Love these guys.

[eliah-reads-marvel]

98: Avengers (1963) #2, "The Space Phantom"

I really enjoyed this! It was fun to see the Avengers battle a foe who could be any of them at any time, and the way he is defeated at the end was quite satisfying.

Still no Wasp in the corner logo? Justice for Jan!

Lol love Thor dragging Hulk's outfit

Starting to think Janet is a little boy-crazy

Get a load of this goofy-looking guy

Ah, the downfall of so many villains: the need to brag

In a world where no one communicates with anyone else, you might be right.

Everyone is so mean to the Hulk :(

Love seeing the two of them together

I'd been wondering what happened to his helmet!

I will slay you slowly…as soon as you put me down!

Very cute

Thor, original himbo

That's some very fast rusting

More Hulk abuse :( :(

Three cheers for the Marvel age of comics!!

[eliah-reads-marvel]

97: Tales to Astonish (1958) #49, "The Birth of Giant-Man!"

https://cmro.travis-starnes.com/detail.php?idvalue=95

I was expecting this to happen at some point, since I know Ant-Man becomes Giant-Man (or gains the ability to go big, anyway) eventually.

OK the idea of being erased is legitimately pretty scary

I know he means "is a wizard with experiments" but I love the idea of an experimental wizard, doing avant-garde spells

I kinda wanna see this dynamic on TV: Jan just flirts relentlessly with Henry until (I assume) he eventually wears down.

No! Not the clinging bands!

I love this shot of Wasp and Giant-Man. Shoulda known it's Kirby (I didn't take note at the start of the issue).

Overall pretty fun! And nice to see the extension of Ant-Man's power into growing as well as shrinking. Giant Wasp next?

[eliah-reads-marvel]

Hello everyone! If for some reason you're interested in my thoughts on the first 96 issues of this adventure, you can go check out my Twitter: https://twitter.com/EliahNuffSaid, because I'm not copying all that over here lol