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Post by Slam_Bradley on Sept 16, 2016 23:56:05 GMT -5
That panel of Thor digging the tunnel might as well be taken from any random Superman issue in the same era. Whatever super-power you happened to need, like super-digging, Superman could command, and Thor was no diffferent there for a while. Well, it's Super girl, but the ability to super-dig runs in the El family.  As I said in my review of JIM 86 "Thor also has “super hurricane breath”. Hopefully he doesn't have super halitosis. Thor really is Marvel's answer to the Silver Age Superman at this point with powers that just show up at random as the plot requires them." One of the things that really has struck me is that these early Marvel super-hero comics aren't all that different from what DC was putting out at the time. And Thor really was the most DC-like of the Marvel hero funnybooks. |
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Post by Nowhere Man on Sept 17, 2016 0:01:22 GMT -5
Yeah, as Stan got a handle on the characterizations of Spider-Man and FF, everything else would slowly catch up to the two flag-ships..more or less. Early Thor is almost like a different series compared to the cosmic grandeur that starts around 64/65 once Kirby can devote his full powers to it. I might be wrong on this, but wasn't Thor Kirby's favorite Marvel series?
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Post by tolworthy on Sept 17, 2016 9:34:40 GMT -5
Using a large hammer to break rocks? Crazy. Who ever did that? Thor also has “super hurricane breath”. The god of thunder creating hurricanes? Makes no sense at all. It can now whip up shock waves by spinning it, heat sparks when it's rubbed The god of thunder creating shock waves and lightning? Where do they get these ideas? I agree. These powers just come from nowhere. No logic to them at all. |
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Post by wildfire2099 on Sept 17, 2016 10:56:06 GMT -5
Breaking rocks is different from digging, though... Especially the 'Super-Digging' in comics where the dirt and debris essentially disintegrates, rather than being moved.
I guess one could assume Thor was summoning lightning to vaporize it, but underground? You have to admit it's pretty odd.
If he was breaking rocks (ala the old cartoon criminals or somethin), then yeah, a hammer is the tool for the job.
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Post by Slam_Bradley on Sept 17, 2016 14:45:30 GMT -5
Using a large hammer to break rocks? Crazy. Who ever did that? Thor also has “super hurricane breath”. The god of thunder creating hurricanes? Makes no sense at all. It can now whip up shock waves by spinning it, heat sparks when it's rubbed The god of thunder creating shock waves and lightning? Where do they get these ideas? I agree. These powers just come from nowhere. No logic to them at all. Except we've seen him create thunder (which is not a "shock wave") and lightning before and they were entirely different and done in a different way. Indeed, he whips up a storm in this issue, without fondling the head of is mallet. And he's created wind...with Mjolnir...not with super-breath a la Superman. |
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Post by Slam_Bradley on Apr 2, 2017 0:00:18 GMT -5
Tales to Astonish 39 (Ant Man story) Plot by Stan Lee Script by Larry Lieber Pencils by Jack Kirby Inks by Dick Ayers 
Cover: Our hero and a few stalwart ant buddies fend off a horde of beetles (John, Paul, and George are not in evidence, but I think I see Ringo) commanded by a very large pink beetle who apparently thinks he's scarlet. The perspective of the cover is wonky as heck. Hard to tell if the Scarlet Beetle is giant, compared to the trees/bushes or if he's man-sized as compared to the water fountain. Whatever it is...it's a pretty weak cover. The Story: We open with a splash of Ant-man being menaced by the Scarlet (still pink) Beetle who is also going ham on what appears to be a toy store. I'm guessing that from the glass display case he is breaking. This is a very large beetle...but not bigger than Jesus. The story itself starts with Hank discovering that strange things are afoot in the insect world, because of erratic wave patterns...which indicate it's dangerous. Who knew there was such an active and interactive insect society. Having his ant friends lead him to the trouble, Hank is surprised that he's led to “the sewer”. Because nothing bad ever happens in the sewer. Hank clearly read neither comics nor pulp fiction.  The cause of the trouble is a gathering of various insects that are listening to a glowing pink beetle, who wants all of insect-kind to unite under his leadership to try to take over the world. This Pinky really is a Brain. Narf. Ant-Man decides he has to stop them, but even though he retains his human strength he is overcome by sheer numbers. The Scarlet Beetle (still unnamed and pink) takes Hank's gas (how he knows about it is a mystery) and uses it to make himself big. Hank is left helmetless and gasless...and stuck in a hole. Meanwhile the Beetle is using his insect allies (except the ants...we are assured) and also arachnids (because spiders ain't insects) to take over the world. Some police have a shot at him...but can't shoot because of bees. They then, in typical Marvel fashion, figure that Ant-Man is chicken or a traitor because he's not helping. Oh ye of little faith. Of course Hank is stuck in a hole...until he's rescued by his little anty friends. And then he rides forth to do battle with the (now named) Scarlet Beetle...who is still pink. After fighting off beetles with honey...and grasshoppers with water...Hank has the brilliant idea to spray the rest of the insects with DDT. This is why he's a scientist, folks. Nobody else could have thought of that solution. With just the Beetle left to defeat, Hank decides he can't defeat him out in the open...but a toy store will be the perfect place. Shades of Bill Finger. Hank wins by piercing the gas canisters that was stolen from him and shrinking the Beetle back to beetle size. At his lab he “counteracts” the radiation that made the beetle smart and belligerent and then lets him free...which can only lead to no good. Meanwhile...nobody saw him defeat the Beetle...and the cops still think he's an untrustworthy fink.  Thoughts… I've said before that Kirby does well with the perspective of a tiny hero in this strip. I've also said that I generally don't think that Ayers does Kirby any favors when he inks him. But I have NO idea what the Hell is up with panel one of this book. No really. Go look at it. I'll wait........Back? Are those not the stiffest humans ever drawn? And what is up with those enormous hands with the huge beefy fingers. To heck with the rest of the story. I wanna know where the wacky people in panel one came from. This story would really have fit in perfectly with the Monster of the Month books that Stan and Jack had been doing for decades. There's honestly nothing about this story that is “Marvel”ous. Another case of magic radiation. Hank again lands on a “soft pile” of ants. Ants have an exo-skeleton. I don't think this really works the way someone thinks it works. Leaving aside how the Beetle knew about Hank's gas...it is used to enlarge him. We've never seen this application before on anything except a shrunken Hank. Interesting. Another commercial application avoided. I think it's pretty clear by now that all the worlds problems can be solved by a ice cream stick. No...Honey ants don't work that way. I know it's about economies of scale...but there really weren't very many insects that Ant-Man was fighting here. Again...the whole human strength while the size of an ant is pretty questionable. He gets his ass handed to him by bugs...and then gets stuck in a hole. The Story. This story this time is...pretty bad. There's the germ of an idea here. An insect villain makes sense for Ant-man. And a wholesale battle against insects could be great. But magic man-sized pink beetles are no bueno. The Art: The art here is hit and miss. Generally I've found Kirby to be pretty good on this strip...but it's rough going here again. The toll: (attributable to the hero...not the evil insects) One trashed toy store. Grade for historic importance: D The Scarlet Beetle did re-appear a handful of times. But he/it didn't amount to much. Story – D Art – D+
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Post by Cei-U! on Apr 2, 2017 8:46:52 GMT -5
Absolutely the nadir of Silver Age Marvel super-hero comics. I have nothing, nada, zip, zilch to offer as a defense for this horrid story.
Cei-U!
I summon rock bottom!
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Post by Batflunkie on Apr 2, 2017 9:09:42 GMT -5
Such a missed opportunity for a Mole Man cameo... |
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Post by Slam_Bradley on Apr 8, 2017 22:19:51 GMT -5
Strange Tales 104 (Human Torch story) “The Human Torch Meets Paste-Pot Pete” Plot by Stan Lee Script by Larry Lieber Pencils by Jack Kirby Inks by Dick Ayers  Cover: The Torch, a couple of cops (or security guards) and some civilians are being “menaced” by Paste-Pot Pete (really) in a bank. Apparently the Torch knows that the paste is fire-proof and he'll be a goner if it hits him. Not a horrible cover. The masthead is still overly large, the word balloons are obtrusive and the gray background is still boring. But it's not horrible. The Story: Splash is pretty much a second cover. The plain white background is boring. But really...It's not about the action that is happening in the splash. It's about who the hell designed the travesty that is Paste-Pot Pete. No...really. From head to foot...it's just...I almost can't even. The hat...it's like a super long pinkish-purple beret. And that face...You just know there is something genetically wrong with this guy to get that face. I think he's the Lost Hapsburg. Then we go into what is essentially a clown outfit. Complete with the tied in ankles. And I have to think that Pete has a time machine because that collar and that “tie” came from a super bad 80's female power outfit.  So Johnny is still pretending to have a secret identity...because...well really only because Lee and Lieber are...we'll go with forgetful so as not to be insulting. We open with Johnny in the bank where, coincidentally, Paste-Pot Pete has decided to rob. Johnny can't stop him because it will reveal his non-existent secret identity. Pete uses his glue-gun to paste people to the wall and the security guard's gun to his holster. He then makes off with the money. Johnny whips up a duplicate Torch to somehow follow Pete. This inevitably leads the public to think The Torch is afraid to attack him. Pete's paste is sooo amazing and magical that he can seal cops in their car and make them too stupid to shoot the windows out. And it magically makes military guards at a missile site not shoot him in the face.  Having robbed a bank, Pete decides to steal the super new experimental Delta-Cosmic missile. He doesn't stop to stash the money or anything...just straight to the missile base. His paste is able to defy the laws of physics and stop the missile. Meanwhile, Johnny finally catches up and uses flaming arrows to throw at Pete's truck...but he misses because Pete zig-zags. He also digs a trench with his flames...because that's how flame and soil work together. Unfortunately his flame wears out and he's pasted to yet another missile that's just hanging around and is accidentally launched by paste. YEP...an ICBM launched by paste. I don't think I'll sleep nights. Johnny is able to escape...and since we are running out of pages he finally thinks to melt Pete's truck...and then melt his paste-pot. Pete, however is able to escape because he has one last shot of paste that snags a jet that's taking off and it doesn't tear his arms out of the sockets. And of course Johnny's flame has plot-induced weakness. Oh...and Pete left the bank money under the seat of his truck...and it didn't burn up. Thoughts… He carries his paste in a pot. A pot with a lid. And he's fighting The Human Torch! Why can't Johnny just melt the damn pot. Or his paste gun. This story should have lasted about three panels. "Paste is the supreme weapon!"The secret identity thing still is really annoying. Again, Pete goes on to be a fairly prominent villain. Maybe it's because he changes his name and motif. Probably because it was just easier than creating someone new though. For all that his powers are...stupid. And his outfit is...stupid. At least Pete has style. And...again we have new powers. He can make duplicate that can somehow track someone. No explanation how. Just because the plot needs it...that's why. Lotta plot and comics code induced stupidity here. Seems a bit odd that the public knows of an experimental missile launch. The Story. This one is almost in the so bad, it's good category. Honestly there's almost nothing here that makes sense. But it's kind of fun. In a really weird MST3K way. The Art: Is Kirby/Ayers. Not at their best. Not at their worst. But DAMN...Pete is a MESS. The toll: Multiple civilians, soldiers, cops, cars and jeeps pasted because Johnny didn't stop the dullard in the first couple of pages. One ICBM. Pete's tuck. And his Paste-pot. Grade for historic importance: B -. First Paste-Pot Pete. Story – Tough...is it so bad it's good...getting a B-...or is it just bad...getting a D. Art – C.
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Confessor
CCF Mod Squad
Not Bucky O'Hare!
Posts: 10,202 
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Post by Confessor on Apr 9, 2017 4:35:43 GMT -5
For me, this first appearance of Paste-Pot Pete is definitely in the "so bad it's good" category. I have a soft spot for Pete because he's such a loser and, though it's been a few years since I read this story, I remember enjoying it in spite of (or maybe because of) its dumbness.
Regarding the ridiculous, credulity-stretching uses of Johnny's flame in these Strange Tales stories, I agree that they are annoying, but we see the Torch employing much the same kind of ridiculousness in the early Fantastic Four issues too. So, that much is consistent between the two titles, at least.
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Post by Cei-U! on Apr 9, 2017 9:06:10 GMT -5
It was typical of Jack Kirby to give characters he hadn't co-created or even worked on before, like the Torch and Sub-Mariner, new powers or new uses of their existing powers. As I mentioned in an earlier post, he never let logic or credibility get in the way of an exciting visual. Which is both his strength and one of his greatest failings.
Cei-U!
I summon the paradox!
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Post by Batflunkie on Apr 9, 2017 10:48:02 GMT -5
It was typical of Jack Kirby to give characters he hadn't co-created or even worked on before, like the Torch and Sub-Mariner, new powers or new uses of their existing powers. As I mentioned in an earlier post, he never let logic or credibility get in the way of an exciting visual. Which is both his strength and one of his greatest failings. The Hulk has never been one of my favorite characters, but Kirby usually wrote Hulk completely out of character by making him a semi-knowledgeable smart ass like The Thing |
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Post by Cei-U! on Apr 9, 2017 11:00:13 GMT -5
It was typical of Jack Kirby to give characters he hadn't co-created or even worked on before, like the Torch and Sub-Mariner, new powers or new uses of their existing powers. As I mentioned in an earlier post, he never let logic or credibility get in the way of an exciting visual. Which is both his strength and one of his greatest failings. The Hulk has never been one of my favorite characters, but Kirby usually wrote Hulk completely out of character by making him a semi-knowledgeable smart ass like The Thing Since Kirby co-created The Hulk, isn't he (along with Stan Lee) the one to decide if Big Green is acting out of character or not? For that matter, given the enormous variations in Hulk's intelligence levels during the Silver Age alone, what *is* his character and how do we know when he's acting out of it? Cei-U! I summon the nuance! |
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Post by Slam_Bradley on Apr 9, 2017 12:36:21 GMT -5
It was typical of Jack Kirby to give characters he hadn't co-created or even worked on before, like the Torch and Sub-Mariner, new powers or new uses of their existing powers. As I mentioned in an earlier post, he never let logic or credibility get in the way of an exciting visual. Which is both his strength and one of his greatest failings. The Hulk has never been one of my favorite characters, but Kirby usually wrote Hulk completely out of character by making him a semi-knowledgeable smart ass like The Thing As I said earlier when covering Hulk 2-4 (and probably will again with the upcoming Hulk #5), I honestly don't think Stan and Jack had any idea what to do with The Hulk. They didn't seem comfortable with a protagonist who was a true anti-hero and they were just throwing stuff at the wall to see if something would stick and click. Hence the variable intelligence and the variable power levels and the variable reasons for Banner to Hulk Out. |
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Post by Batflunkie on Apr 9, 2017 13:26:55 GMT -5
The Hulk has never been one of my favorite characters, but Kirby usually wrote Hulk completely out of character by making him a semi-knowledgeable smart ass like The Thing As I said earlier when covering Hulk 2-4 (and probably will again with the upcoming Hulk #5), I honestly don't think Stan and Jack had any idea what to do with The Hulk. They didn't seem comfortable with a protagonist who was a true anti-hero and they were just throwing stuff at the wall to see if something would stick and click. Hence the variable intelligence and the variable power levels and the variable reasons for Banner to Hulk Out. Well, then what about Namor? Blood-imbalances aside, he's still fairly chaotic, probably even moreso than Hulk |
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