Welcome to Make Ours Marvel, the weekly show where Michael Kaiser and Jon M. Wilson read chronologically through Marvel Comics’ spandex adventures and discuss their thoughts with little to no authority.
In this episode…
- The Avengers #20 (Sept 1965)
- Amazing Spider-Man #29 (Oct 1965)
- Journey into Mystery #121 (Oct 1965)
- Tales to Astonish #73 (Nov 1965)
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Avengers #20: Nothing says “great teammate” like trying to kill the team’s leader. But hey, the kooky quartet has so much arguing over leadership, Swordsman is just an overachiever.
Spider-Man #29: I agree that Ditko’s artwork for JJJ’s faces was awesome for this issue. Jonah was so great, cowering one minute and preening the next. But wow, I didn’t realize Peter was unaware of Jonah’s part in creating the Scorpion, I assumed he knew early on. This made for a fun story!
Then I had a question: can scorpions swim? Google says not really, but they can move in water and survive submerged up to 48 HOURS! I am NEVER SWIMMING IN ARIZONA!
Thor #121: You guys wondered about Absorbing Man growing as large as a building, but I believe in his first appearance, Ab-Man became a hill, made of earth and rocks and stuff! The dude can get big.
Did Balder head over to check on Loki in a hurry? Meaning, did balderdash?
Tales of Asgard: They missed an obvious name for Thor’s crew: Asgar-nauts. (I.. I’ll stop.)
Tales to Astonish #73: Sub-Mariner: Namor finally, FINALLY, expressed feelings for Dorma! I’m sorry, but about dang time!
Ok, I just have this thought about Krang writing in his diary. “Dear Diary, I don’t know why the people don’t love me. I imprisoned Namor, their leader. I tortured their beloved Lady Dorma. I’ve taxed them into poverty, and disintegrated any who protest. What more do they want from me? And how am I writing on paper while underwater?”
Hulk: Sheesh, the Watcher was appearing a bunch in this period, and yeah, not great stuff. I’ll just hang in for his next FF appearance. Yeeeeessssss.
“Travel at the speed of thought.” I’ve considered this WAY too much. The Leader’s device definitely doesn’t work as a sci-fi concept. But as a fantasy concept, maybe it’s the speed of … a concept! Maybe it’s allowing the Hulk to move as far and fast as the Leader can imagine. So no, it doesn’t hold up for scrutiny. But I kinda appreciate the metaphysical whimsy of it.
And I agree, Jon. I cannot stand when the last page or panel of a comic is shown on the cover! Hate, hate, HATE!
But you know what I don’t hate? This podcast! Another great show, guys! Until next time, or until the Watcher kicks an X-Man out of his house, make mine Make Ours Marvel!