At the beginning of this project, I promised to give a weekly review of Marvel’s first 25 years; each week chronologically representing each year. Should have been a 25-week project, right? Well, a promotional exam interrupted that schedule which, as I write more of these things, I probably wasn’t going to keep anyway. So, let’s shoot for a monthly schedule, for my sanity’s sake, if nothing else. Ok, 1966, was, sort of a transitional year, creatively, for Marvel. For the first five years, three names were prevalent: Lee, Kirby, and Ditko. (Don Heck, as well, I guess). 1966 saw a loosening of the reigns a little bit by Stan and Jack as other memorable creators came on board.

A part of that transition was Steve Ditko, who drew his last four issues on the AMAZING SPIDER-MAN with issues #35-38. In that span, the Molten Man returns (#35), and the Looter debuts in #36. John Romita Sr takes over for Ditko with #39, issue #40 reveals the origin of the Green Goblin, #41 is the first appearance of the Rhino, and the first full appearance of Mary Jane Watson (she was in #25, but her face was not shown, nor was she named). The year ended with the first appearance of the Shocker in #46.

Over in STRANGE TALES, Ditko, also, drew his final four issues of Dr. Strange with issues #143-147 Meanwhile, after his first writing assignment in TALES OF SUSPENSE #73, Roy Thomas is assigned his first book, writing Dr. Strange as of issue #143. Also, Dennis O’Neil gets his first writing assignment for Marvel in issue #145 with "To Catch a Magician!” As for his adversaries, Dr. Strange faced the heavyweights of his Rogue’s Gallery this year. Threats such as Baron Mordo, Dormammu, Kaluu, and Umar, who makes her first appearance in issue #149. In the SHIELD half of the book, there were some creative changes and firsts here, as well. John Buscema’s got his first Marvel work in issue #150. Jim Steranko started his first Marvel work in issue #151 drawing over Kirby layouts, but, by Dec of ’66, Steranko was the full-fledged penciler and inker of the book. During all of this, the conclusion of the battle with Mentallo and the Fixer happened in #143 and the subversive organization referred to as THEM officially became AIM in issue #146. SHIELD, also, continued its battles with Hydra and even, briefly, the Secret Empire (more on them later).

TALES OF SUSPENSE #76 starts off the year with Iron Man battling the Mandarin…..*SIGH* yet again, plus Ultimo (first appearance) which lasts through issue #78, Issues #79 & 80 feature the Sub-Mariner, and this story is continued in TALES TO ASTONISH #82. Iron Man’s story continues back in TOS #81 while Namor’s continues in TTA. This story was Marvel’s 1st multi-title crossover to date, but nowhere near its last. Issues #81-83 feature a clash with the Titanium Man in Washington, DC, and, of course, once that’s done, the Mandarin shows up again for a couple of issues, but it’s the Mole Man who closes out the year in issue #87. All of this and Gene Colan pencils all year, too. Captain America’s year starts off with the conclusion of the Batroc story from the last issue. Whereas the next issue (#77) had the feeling of a fill-in issue. Following the events of STRANGE TALES #145, Nick Fury teams up with Cap in issue #78 to take down the subversive organization THEM (mentioned in ST #145 and officially becomes AIM in ST #146). Issue #79 features the first modern-day appearance of the Red Skull which runs through up to issue #81. #79 is also notable as the first appearance of the Cosmic Cube. Issue #82 debuts the Super-Adaptoid (called just the Adaptoid, at this point) who imitates Agent Axis (1st appearance) among others. (Interestingly, Agent Axis was not actually a Marvel character, but a golden age character from the DC universe. It seems either Stan Lee or Jack Kirby confused this when writing/drawing this issue. Agent Axis will appear later as a hallucination in CAPTAIN AMERICA #162. Eventually, The Agent was retconned and created for the Marvel Universe by Roy Thomas. Agent Axis is properly introduced in INVADERS ANNUAL #1.) The story concludes in issue #84. The next three issues are rather run-of-the-mill as Batroc returns in issue #85. The year ends with Cap battling the rather lame “Peerless Painter”. *SSIIIIIGGHH*

In TALES TO ASTONISH #78, Giant-Man (now called Goliath) and the Wasp guest star in the book they were booted out of to help the Sub-Mariner against the Puppet Master in a story continued from most of last year. It continues through to issue #81 which begins the aforementioned crossover with TALES OF SUSPENSE #’S 79 & 80 and back to TTA #82. The story that began in issue #70 of 1965 didn’t end until issue #87, 1966 (Jan. ’67 cover date). Stan Lee was, indeed, getting bolder in his storytelling. A two-parter vs Attuma rounds out the year on a somewhat mundane note. The first 2 months of the Hulk in ’66 started with the unspectacular debut and death of Zaxon. Tyrannus returns in issue #80 in a storyline that features the debut of the Secret Empire and Boomerang (#81) They will go on to menace the Hulk up to issue #83. Issue #84 introduces a spy called Gorki who causes problems for the Hulk for a couple of issues while the Secret Empire looms in the background waiting to strike. Boomerang decides that he wants a rematch in issues #86-88 and the year ends with a confrontation with the cosmic being, the Stranger. To be continued in 1967…..

In the X-MEN, the Mimic makes his debut in issue #19 and it is the last X-Men story written by Stan Lee. One month after his debut in STRANGE TALES #143, Roy Thomas takes over as the writer of the book. Next up is the return of Lucifer in a story that includes the true origin of how Prof X lost the use of his legs. This story is concluded in issue #21 which features the debut of Dominus. Issues #22-24 find the X-Men facing Count Nefaria, the Unicorn, Scarecrow, the Plantman, the Eel, and the Porcupine in a story whose conclusion includes the first appearance of the villain, Locust. The Mimic returns and joins the team in issue #27 just in time to take on the Puppet Master (man, he’s really been busy this year). Future X-Man, the Banshee, makes his debut in issue #28 as a “villain” who is actually a pawn of the criminal organization, Factor 3 (1st appearance). In issue #29, the team faces the, now, Super-Adaptoid in a battle that causes the Mimic to lose his powers and leave the team. The final issue of ’66 has the X-Men against the Maha Yogi (1st appearance) calling himself “The Warlock” this issue.

DAREDEVIL faces the Ox in issue #15 and teams up with Spidey in issue #16. Issue #18 gives us the first appearance of the Gladiator. Gene Colan takes over the pencils with #20 that begins a 4-part story featuring the Owl, Gladiator, the Masked Marauder, and the Tri-Man. Ka-Zar and the Plunderer appear again in issue #24, the Leap Frog makes his first appearance in issue #25, and the Stilt-Man returns in #26. That’s about it for ol’ Horn Head in 1966.

In the reprint books, FANTASY MASTERPIECES #2 reprints STRANGE TALES #89 (1st Fin Fang Foom), In issues #3-6, the focus shifts to the 1940’s reprinting CAPTAIN AMERICA COMICS #3-6 as the lead feature written and drawn by Joe Simon & Jack Kirby, issue #7 reprints MARVEL MYSTERY COMICS #8 by Bill Everett featuring the original Human Torch and the Sub-Mariner. MARVEL COLLECTORS’ ITEMS CLASSICS reprinted various issues of the FANTASTIC FOUR, STRANGE TALES, TALES OF SUSPENSE, and the original HULK series. MARVEL TALES was, now, published bi-monthly instead of annually with issue #3. Its focus was not exclusively on Spider-Man at this point, but it did feature reprints of AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, STRANGE TALES, JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY, and TALES TO ASTONISH. MARVEL SUPER-HEROES KING-SIZED SPECIAL #1 was another reprint book (an apparent one-shot) debuting in the middle of the year that reprinted various books, including AVENGERS #2, CAPTAIN AMERICA COMICS #13, DAREDEVIL #1, and MARVEL MYSTERY COMICS #8.

The first year of Thor’s own book begins when the ending of the 12-part “Trial of the Gods” epic. This issue (#127) also features the first appearance of the Olympian God, Pluto. Jack and Stan continue their incredible run that started in JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY as, in issue #128, Thor wants a rematch with Hercules, but ends up aiding him against the machinations of Pluto. This 3-parter introduces more Olympian Gods such as Ares, Hermes, Artemis, and Hephaestus. Tana Nile debuts in #129. The Colonizers of Rigel (#131), the Recorders and Ego the Living Planet (#132), The High Evolutionary, the Knights of Wundagore, and the man-Beast (#134) all make their first appearances and star in a 5 part story set in the Black galaxy. In the first two parts of Thor’s battle with Ulik (debuts in #137) the Rock Troll finishes out the year on that book.

AVENGERS #27 featured the conclusion to the Attuma story from the end of last year. Goliath and the Wasp return to the Avengers in issue #28 just in time for the first appearance of the Collector. The Black Widow, the Swordsman, and the original Power Man are the villains in issues #29-31. The hate group, Sons of the Serpent, makes its debut in issue #32 along with the future (Black) Goliath/Giant-Man, Bill Foster. It is in this story that the Black Widow begins her affiliation with the team. The Living Laser debuts in the next issue and causes chaos for a couple of issues in a tale that Stan Lee started, but Roy Thomas finished. Issues #36 & 37 marks Thomas’ first full story as the writer of the book. The year ends with Hercules making his Avengers debut in issue #38.

In 1965, the FANTASTIC FOUR had one HELLUVA year; a year that ended with the first part of the seminal “The Coming of Galactus” story. 1966 opened with the continuation/conclusion of that epic tale in issues #49 & 50. Issue #50 also gave us the first appearance of the Torch’s college roommate and long-time FF ally, Wyatt Wingfoot. After dealing with a Thing imposter in issue #51, the FANTASTIC FOUR has, yet another ground-breaking issue as it introduces the very first Black superhero in all of comics, T’Challa the Black Panther, in issue #52. His origin is revealed in the next issue as well as the first appearance of Ulysses Klaw. Also, a lot of focus is on the Inhumans in issues #54-57 and beyond. Later, Dr. Doom uses powers stolen from the Silver Surfer to attack the FF in #58 – 60 and the Sandman escapes during a parole hearing in #59 to end the year. Needless to say, to be continued…NEXT year.

Pretty much, the books that were there at the beginning of 1966 were there at the end. But, MONSTERS UNLIMITED, Marvel’s first B&W magazine, is canceled in March of ’66 after 7 quarterly issues. As Marvel had only one cancellation in ’66, it only debuted one new series (MARVEL SUPER-HEROES KING-SIZED SPECIAL was a one-shot). As much as I thought that the Western comics were on their last legs, apparently, I was wrong. Apparently, they were doing well enough to launch another Western, GHOST RIDER (no relation to a certain flaming motorcyclist of the same name and not the 1950s character whose real name was Rex Fury, although nearly identical). Debuting late in 1966 (Nov.), Marvel played it a little safe with this one. While it was a new western, it was a superhero book as well. Brought to you by Gary Friedrich, Roy Thomas, Dick Ayers, and Vince Colletta, this book tells the tales of Carter Slade and his fight for justice in the Old West.

So, that brings another year to a close. (Anyone still reading at this point? lol!!!). As always, I hope that you enjoyed this little reverie. Also, as usual, feedback and criticism are always welcomed and encouraged. Let me know what you liked, what you didn’t like, what worked, and what I got wrong. Next…we meet a Hunter and an Abomination, two heroes before they were Starlin-ed and Marvel writes funny books. Until then, take care.

While the intention to do the 1967 issue was there, it never materialized. However, the Year-In-Review is not dead. Stay tuned, folks!!!

MARCH 1966 (Cover Dated: JUNE 1966)

APRIL 1966 (Cover Dated: JULY 1966)

MAY 1966 (Cover Dated: AUGUST 1966)

JUNE 1966 (Cover Dated: SEPTEMBER 1966)

JULY 1966 (Cover Dated: OCTOBER 1966)

AUGUST 1966 (Cover Dated: NOVEMBER 1966)

SEPTEMBER 1966 (Cover Dated: DECEMBER 1966)

OCTOBER 1966 (Cover Dated: JANUARY 1967)

NOVEMBER 1966 (Cover Dated: FEBRUARY 1967)

Wasn't the Mary Jane reveal in #42?

Bill Everett drew most of the Doc story in ST #147. Ditko's uncredited contribution was only some flashback panels reprinted from ST #127.

The villain was the peerless Planner, unrelated to the peerless Painter from Strange Tales.


The Maha Yogi had previously appeared in Journey Into Mystery #96 as the Mad Merlin.

Great observation! Which brings the question, who was the first villain Spidey faced that was of his own generation? Every one of the "classic" villains certainly seemed to be older, at least through the early 70's, but maybe the bottom tier guys like the Gibbon and Kangaroo were closer to his age?

The Prowler maybe?

Not quite--Tales of Suspense #52, Natasha's debut, was on sale in January 1964...but Daredevil #1 wasn't on sale until the following month, in February 1964. 


(Sorry, I couldn't resist adding this--it has to do with what I mentioned upthread. But you do have them in a more recent post both shown under "April 1964" cover dates, and that is correct  ). 

Also, don't forget the Wonderful Wasp's back up feature in TtA, for 1964. It ran from #51-56 (the format is the Wasp relating some stories) and then in #57-58 she had a couple of solo adventures.