Another fun review, and as you highlight all the key villains that were introduced, it really was "Bring on the Bad Guys" in such an epic way back then. And yes, Kang IS the Avengers' archnemesis!

I don't remember if it was here or in the old place, but we had a whole thread on Doc's adoption as by the 60s counterculture (including an appearance on the cover of Pink Floyd's Saucerful of Secrets album), and the adoption of Doc as an icon in that movement, to my mind was an important factor in fueling Marvel's popularity on college campuses and pulling in older readers.

-M

Xavier said in X-Men #9 that Lucifer had lost him the use of his legs.

It was in #1 when he said it had been a childhood accident.

1965 was also a great year in comics. As the year finished we were treated to the prelude of, arguably, what some may consider to be the greatest story in Marvel History. More on that later. 1965, somewhat, resembled 1964 in terms of introducing new characters. There wasn’t a boatload, but the ones that were introduced are some of comics’ most beloved. Instead of going month-by-month as I normally do, I’ve decided to look at individual series of that year. So, with that….

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN is now in its 4th year, and this is Ditkos’ final full year on the book. (He would go on to do four more issues, #35-38, in 1966 before leaving the book.) Some of Spidey’s classic villains return like the Green Goblin, the Scorpion, and Kraven. The new villains left a little to be desired, in my opinion. The Spider-Slayer, the Crime-Master, and the Molten Man debut in issues #’s 25, 26, and 28, respectively. Another “new” villain that caused Spider-Man a few headaches was the Master Planner who turned out to be Dr. Octopus. Also this year, Lee and Ditko have their two most famous creations team up as Spider-Man meets Dr. Strange for the first time in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL #2.

DAREDEVIL starts the New Year debuting his new, iconic, all red costume and battling the Sub-Mariner. Fresh off of that battle, the Stilt-Man and the Ani-Men debut in issues #8 and 11, respectively. In issues #12-14, the year ends with DD meeting Ka-Zar and the two heroes facing Edgar Parnival Plunder (*tsk…SSSIIIGGHHHH*), the Plunderer (I sigh because I really despise it when a character's costumed name is derivative or their real name, lol!!); Ka-Zar’s brother (What is it with superheroes’ brothers at Marvel?)

The mighty Thor had a very busy year in JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY. Aside from his adventures with the Avengers (although, not that many. More on that later…), Thor had to deal with the constant schemes of his brother Loki, who was omnipresent in this book in those days. After the events of AVENGERS #16, Thor returns to Asgard along with the Executioner and Amora, the Enchantress to face the “Trial of the Gods”. This story ran throughout the rest of the year; from issue #116 through its final issue, #125 (February to November 1965). The story was so huge, that it continued in the very first JIM ANNUAL which featured the first appearance of Hercules. This epic storyline featured everyone from Loki to the Avengers & the Frightful Four (both briefly), the debut of the Destroyer (#118), and the return of the Absorbing Man. So huge was this story, it led to the Thunder God getting his own title. THOR #126 (keeping the JIM numeration) hit the stands in December 1965 (March 1966 cover date) with the “Trial of the Gods” storyline continuing into 1966. This was Jack and Stan’s most ambitious project and the first multi-issue story of that size (12 issues) to date.

As for Marvel’s other “split books”, STRANGE TALES, TALES OF SUSPENSE, and TALES TO ASTONISH, 1965 was about change for two of them. STRANGE TALES started the year with stories along the same mediocre vein as the ones in 1964 and before. However, ST #134 features one of the strangest (no pun intended at all) and contradictory stories I’ve seen. The Watcher sends the Torch and the Thing back to Camelot to stop Kang the Conqueror from conquering that era. (Why this is important to the Watcher, who knows?) In this 8 PAGE STORY, Ben and Johnny easily defeat Kang’s army which forces Kang to retreat. Kang the CONQUEROR, now!!! The same guy that the Avengers will call in every reserve from the Two-Gun Kid to the Great Lakes Avengers for help!!! *SIGH* Moving on, after four months of the Human Torch and the Thing, issue #135 replaces them with ol’ Sgt. Fury sans his Howling Commandos (most of them, anyway). Ever the trendy company, I’m sure that with the success of the four James Bond films to date, Jack and Stan were inspired to cash in on that genre. Nick Fury was now updated and the head of his own spy organization, S.H.I.E.L.D. This issue introduced concepts and characters that will become staples of the Marvel Universe from here on. Hydra was also introduced, and it still plays a major part in the Marvel Universe today; especially the Cinematic Universe. Issue #141 introduced my 2 favorite dweebs, Mentallo and the Fixer, lol!!! Don’t know why I like those guys. Dr. Strange continued to be the backup feature. Four months of Giant-Man & the Wasp in TALES TO ASTONISH was, also, enough for the powers-that-be. Since he guest-starred in every Marvel comic but MILLIE THE MODEL, Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner, replaced them as the lead feature even ahead of the Hulk, who was already a staple in that book. He spends the next 7 of the remaining 8 issues in a classic battle with the warlord, Krang. Like Namor, The Hulk spent most of 1965 battling the same villain; in this case the Leader. When he wasn’t, the Executioner was the only other noteworthy villain. TALES OF SUSPENSE was business as usual for Iron Man and Captain America. In issue #64, Black Widow gets her 1st new costume (but not the iconic one) that allows her to stick to walls and fire lines to swing on. Issue #66 features the first Silver Age appearance of the Red Skull. TOS #74 featured an Iron Man story penciled by “Adam Austin” and inked by “Gary Michaels” better known as Gene Colan and Jack Abel, respectively. I wonder what that was about. Maybe some of our learned members can help me out with that. Finally, issue #75 featured the first appearance of Peggy Carter and Batroc the Leaper. Also, Happy Hogan becomes the Freak and that’s all the excitement from that book.

Before I get into the team books, other interesting tidbits were the three reprint books that year; two of them new. MARVEL TALES ANNUAL #2 featured reprints of X-MEN #1, INCREDIBLE HULK #3, AVENGERS #1, and STRANGE TALES #115. The second reprint book published was the new, bi-monthly, king-sized MARVEL COLLECTORS’ ITEM CLASSICS which featured reprints of FF #2, TTA #36 (2nd app of the Ant-Man), JIM #97 (Thor), and AMAZING SPIDR-MAN #3. Finally, there was FANTASY MASTERPIECES #1. This new reprint book seems to focus on pre-Marvel Universe (FF #1) stories. Also, SGT. FURY #27 gives us the origin of the eye patch story, Marvel’s 1st B&W magazine, dubiously named MONSTERS TO LAUGH WITH, gets a much-needed name change to MONSTERS UNLIMITED with issue #4 and the Two-Gun Kid faces a character called the Panther in #77 of his book who has a lot of similarities to a certain African prince that has yet to be introduced. Interesting, to me, at least, because I seem to remember another Western comic that featured a character eerily similar to the Red Raven. Another interesting note: the Westerns almost seemed like the litmus test for characters or, at least, their names. Aside from the Panther and the Raven (RAWHIDE KID #35), there was the Scorpion (RAWHIDE KID #57) who later went on to become Sting-ray (GHOST RIDER VOL. 1, #4), Barracuda (KID COLT: OUTLAW #109), the Grizzly (TWO-GUN KID #40), another Scorpion from KID COLT: OUTLAW #115, and the Circus of Crime (KID COLT: OUTLAW #106), to name a few. All of which predate their super-powered counterparts.

In the X-MEN, much of the year was spent establishing the canon of what this book was about: discrimination and oppression metaphorically told as a tale of superheroes. Also, we learned a little bit more about who a few of our characters were before the “X” on their belts. The year starts with the first appearance of the Stranger (issue #11); adding a bit of the cosmic into this book. Barely rested from the encounter with the Stranger, the Juggernaut introduces himself to the team. It is in this story that we learn that, yet, another brother (step-brother, in this case) bears ill-will toward his (step)-sibling and it is in this story that we learn more about the man known as Professor X; specifically, that his first name is “Charles” (revealed in issue #12) and one of the many versions of how he lost the use of his legs. Also, introduced this year were Bolivar Trask and his mutant-hunting robots, the Sentinels. Like STRANGE TALES #135, more concepts and characters that play important roles in the Marvel Universe today. The Beast’s origins were explored a bit during this storyline, as well. Magneto rounded out the final two months and a bit of the Angel’s past was revealed in this story. Only 8 issues were published this year as the book didn’t go monthly until August of ’65.

Earth’s Mightiest Heroes barely resembled that nickname as, in just the 2nd month of the year, the team of “mighty” heroes was replaced by three former criminals. The Hulk has been long since gone and now the other founders followed suit as Iron Man, Thor, Giant-Man, and the Wasp all quit for various reasons. Only Captain America remained. He was soon joined by Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch; both of whom recently quit Magneto’s Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. Cap also recruited Hawkeye who was always a “reluctant villain." That year, Cap’s Kooky Quartet (as they were affectionately known) soon found themselves battling with (and very briefly, alongside) the Swordsman, who debuted in issue #19. Also, they faced the original Power Man, Kang the Conqueror, and FF villain, Attuma. The Wasp also returned just in time for that fight. For a team with no real powerhouses, they acquitted themselves well and that was one of the more beloved eras for Avengers fans.

THE FANTASTIC FOUR. 😃 MAN, what a year for this book!!! January started decently with a story featuring the Skrulls, but it was the next issue (#38) that Marvel’s flagship book cemented its title. It all starts with the return of the Frightful Four who actually defeat the FF, but mistakenly think them dead after an explosion at sea that left the heroes stranded on an island. In issue #39, they discover that they no longer have their powers after the explosion. Fearing that their enemies may attack while they’re vulnerable, Reed Richards creates suits that duplicate their powers. Enter Dr. Doom who is still in Latveria and is made to realize that he was duped into believing that his enemy, Richards, was destroyed in their last encounter. In the meantime, Matt Murdock was visiting the FF who came to visit them in hiding regarding the terms of their will. During the visit, Doom strikes. Murdock slips away and changes into his Daredevil costume and the fracas is on!!! During the battle with Doom, Richards finds a way to restore the team’s powers and they, once again, defeat Doom with Daredevil’s help. Of all the classic FF stories, this one rarely gets mention and that's a shame because this was an incredible story. Ben put the beatdown on Doom so badly, that the armored despot just walked away in abject defeat. Just as the five heroes defeat Doom and send him packing, Ben announces that he’s quitting the group; bitter over having to live as the Thing again. At this point (issue #41), the Thing is captured by the Frightful Four and mind-controlled into fighting his friends in the FF. What ensues is, probably, the greatest battle between the two FFs ever!!! Of course, the good guys win, and Ben is welcomed back into the group just in time for FANTASTIC FOUR ANNUAL #3; the wedding of Reed Richards and Susan Storm guest starring, what seemed like, the ENTIRE Marvel Universe’s heroes AND villains. (However, Lee and Kirby are asked to leave. LOL!!!) No sooner than the couple says, “I do”, Medusa returns and Gorgon is right behind her. This leads to the introduction of the Inhumans. Issues #44-47 are spent introducing us to the Royal Family of the Inhumans and revealing who Medusa truly is. Of course, these events in this story were put into motion by Black Bolt’s brother, Maximus the Mad. Now, it’s December 1965 and the team is saying, what they believe is, their last goodbyes to the Inhumans. As this is happening, the Silver Surfer, herald of Galactus, is seeking a new world for his master to consume. Back in New York from the Himalayas, the team notices a strange phenomenon in the sky. Uatu the Watcher appears and explains that it is his doing as he is trying to conceal Earth from the Silver Surfer’s notice. However, it actually draws the Surfer’s attention. Once on Earth, the Surfer is knocked unconscious by the Thing, but not before the Surfer could send a signal to Galactus. As Galactus’ ship arrives in Earth’s orbit, he begins constructing the machines to consume the planet’s energy aaaannnddd the book ends, lol!!! Can you imagine if this was a TV show and the ending said, “To be continued……NEXT season”. Thankfully, comics fans only had to wait a month, but the FF was hitting on all cylinders in 1965. I only wish that I was old enough to have read it as it was happening, but in reality, waiting 30 days would have only succeeded in working me into a frenzy, lol!!

So, there you have it. Marvel’s fifth year was pivotal, in my opinion. Lots of stuff introduced that has ramifications that have lasted up to modern-day Marvel and established who and what the Marvel Universe is all about. And I’m not just saying that because I’m biased to my birth year, lol!!! Anyway, as usual, I hope that you enjoyed the write-up. As always, feel free to give positive AND negative comments and critiques. Let me know what was good, what was bad, whatcha liked and didn’t like, and what I omitted and/or got wrong. Next….Galactus (the outcome), the return of the Inhumans, the Ghost Rider (?!!), and Steranko. Until then, take care.

Not trying to be contentious, but even in 12 pages (which you are correct, it was), the thought of the Torch and the Thing so easily defeating Kang the so-called Conqueror just seemed...wrong. I don't know. Kang is supposed to be one of Marvel's biggest of the bads and to be forced to retreat by Ben and Johnny when a whole team of Avengers, which includes Thor, Iron Man, and the Vision, struggle against him doesn't make a lot of sense to me.