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…
- Journey into Mystery #123 (Dec 1965)
- The X-Men #15 (Dec 1965)
- Daredevil #11 (Dec 1965)
- Tales to Astonish #75 (Jan 1965)
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Thor #123: I hadn’t read this issue before, but I was given a calendar a few years ago with Marvel Comics covers for each month, and this cover was one of them. Geez, those headshots: clearly Absorbing Man and Loki, but Odin’s is quite underwhelming, and the Witch Doctor wins the “WTF” award.
So basically, Thor didn’t need to be in the story. He brings reporter-kidnapper to Asgard, and amnesia kisses him at the end, and watches Odin do all the work. But he tried. “Dad, I could do the fighting. Honest, I’m pretty good at it, and I have this sweet hammer to whack him.” “Not now, Thor, All-Father’s busy.” “Aw, cheese and crackers.”
X-Men #15: Maybe it’s because I’m reading these issues on Marvel Unlimited, but the Sentinels were red and purple in both #14 and #15, and not their modern color scheme. This early design is pretty ugly. I guess Trask skipped the artistic design courses for his anthropology degree.
I really liked Jean getting a degree of prominence in this issue. She told Angel to save Prof X, flew herself up the cliff, didn’t let Scott sideline her inside the fortress, took down a Sentinel. That’s a big improvement from last issue.
So Prof X falls out of his wheelchair, the X-Men get him back into it, AND retrieve the blanket for his legs. “Ok, sir, you’re safe, now we’ll go attack the Sentinels!” “Wait, did you find my blanket?” “Um, no.” “I really need my blanket.” “Uhhhh…” “To me, my blanket!!!”
Daredevil #11: “The Furries.” Thank you for that! LOL!
Tales to Astonish #75: Namor says “I’ll protect Dorma with my own body!” You know what’s a great way to do that? Holding her in your arms while facing the attackers. Yeah, I’m seeing a *little* flaw in your thinking.
Whew, sure glad this storyline is wrapped up. I wonder what’ll happen next.. it’s NOT done? But, this story’s titled “The End of the Quest!” It’s gotta be done! “The End” is in the TITLE! ARGH! *table flip*
Hulk again manages to travel between continents by leaping. With leg strength like that, why does he ever bother punching? Just kick your opponents to Europe, one-hit win every time.
I never really appreciated how much Bruce Banner was a weapons manufacturer, now a time gun. Why hasn’t Stark recruited him yet?
But dang, Betty was awesome, telling off Ross and Talbot! Loved it!
Until next time, or until the Master Mold fights his greatest foe, a 5 year old boy and his friends, make mine Make Ours Marvel.