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 X-Men #22 (Jul 1966)
- Sgt. Fury #32 (Jul 1966)
- Tales of Suspense #80 (Aug 1966)
- Tales to Astonish #82 (Aug 1966)
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The X-Men #22: Amazing to see the X-Men defeat Colossus. I didn’t expect him for another 72 issues. What? Colosso? No, I don’t think so. Page 6, middle right panel, the narration box, “Colossus unveils still more startling surprises!” Yeah, like how he changed from a robot into a Russian. Pretty amazing.
You guys didn’t miss it, they never explained the X-Men images. Must have been Porcupine’s “illusion quills”, because sure why not. Unless… is the Master of Dreams back?! Nooooooo!!!!
Hank mistaking the guy with long hair for Vera. What the hell, Hank? Pretty sure women’s business suits were not a thing yet, so it’s just ridiculous to make that mistake. I agree there’s definitely an anti-hippie sentiment felt here.
Tales of Suspense #80: Wow! The first true crossover! I agree, there’s no lasting effects on Iron Man’s storyline, but like you guys, I do think there’s a lasting publishing/storytelling effect. Being first is rarely the best effort, so it is probably solely a stunt to see how readers would react. For good or ill, it must have worked well.
I will hold out judgement on if the events in this story itself will have a longer impact, even though they didn’t in this issue, that doesn’t mean they won’t later. Fingers crossed.
Red Skull’s favorite toy. I wasn’t expecting the first “modern” story to already feature the Cosmic Cube! No wonder it becomes such a recurring quest for him. Awesome!
You guys talked about Cap already knowing THEM so why didn’t he recognize the AIM beekeeper as THEM. I double-checked, and Cap saw THEM while fighting Batroc, and saw THEM in business suits, not yellow cans. Meanwhile, Fury has seen THEM beekeepers, but not AIM. So I think THEM are still doing well keeping THEMselves separate from AIM when needed. And I can’t wait for THEM to end this!
Tales to Astonish #82: I dunno, I really liked Kirby’s punchy fighty artwork in this issue. Yes, Iron Man should have used more tech, but being Namor’s issue, I can forgive it staying true to his style of action. IM-PUNCH-IUS REX!
Hulk was HULK. Hulk confused by man Boomerang throwing pennies at Hulk. Hulk want villain make sense. Pick a theme, stupid villain! Or Hulk call editor!
So I didn’t read Hulk consistently until John Byrne’s run, and stuck with it straight to Peter David’s and beyond. In those eras, there was some pretty great depictions of Bruce Banner, so those made me care about him as a character. But from what little I know, it does seem earlier Banner was a distraction or annoyance for readers (and the writer) to get to Hulking. Except. I also grew up with Bixby’s David Banner, and that show really had to lean on the human side of the character. So I probably grew up with more affection and interest in Bruce Banner as a byproduct. Does that make any sense?
Until next time, or until Boomerang moves in with Peter Parker(?) (shoot, have I used that one before?), make mine Make Ours Marvel.