Strange Tales #101: Flame On 10

Uncredited Writers: Stan Lee, Larry Lieber

Uncredited Artist: Jack Kirby

Uncredited Inker: Dick Ayers

Uncredited Letterer: Art Simek

I had a few days away from the blog recently to deal with some personal stuff that came up. I'm back now, and we're still in the middle of Johnny Storm's debut solo strip in Strange Tales. Join me after the jump to find out why Johnny is flaming on.

In Johnny's debut story, the big bad guy is a chap called the Destroyer. No, no the Asgardian death machine. Or the nemesis of Thanos. This guy is the publisher of Glenville's local newspaper, and also a Red spy. Who decides that the best way to bring down the ruling forces of capitalism is to unleash a reign of terror  upon the amusement park in a sleepy New York suburb. Who says that Johnny's villains were a mostly pathetic and forgettable bunch?

[By the way, if you even think of describing ZANTE!!! with those words, then we'll have to have a talk. Outside. By the asbestos trashbins.]

Anyway, his first act of terrorism is to make a roller coaster go wrong a bit. So Johnny has to flame on to save him. But wait! This is one of the first 5 solo stories, and Johnny has a secret identity!

[Andrew here, with an incoherent rant. SAADSKJGSDFYGDHG"$£%*%£ADHGSGFJDF"£%$&^(*&(wersFGKJDG!]

So, we have a brilliant preamble where Johnny uses his flame-controlling powers to cause a cigarette lighter to emit huge clouds of black smoke, all in order to mask his transformation from regular, run-of-the-mill teen-ager into world famous member of the Fantastic Four.

Yeah, it's a bit crazy.

Check out our coverage of Strange Tales #101 in our fifth episode: The Strangest Tales Of All

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Strange Tales #101: It's... ASBESTOS 3

Uncredited Writers: Stan Lee, Larry Lieber

Uncredited Artist: Jack Kirby

Uncredited Inker: Dick Ayers

Uncredited Letterer: Art Simek

The asbestos madness continues in the very next panel!

Well, it does in one of the caption boxes, at least. It's not outright labelled as asbestos, but anything listed as being 'fire retardant' or, in this case, 'heat resistant' just has to be full of asbestos.

Some of the other things that make me laugh in this panel include the table top which is also a tv screen which scans all callers. I'm not sure how a screen can scan someone who is not right in front of it, but ok. I also really like the tiny lab where Johnny "experiments with chemicals that will help prolong the burning time of his flame". Except that we never see him do such a thing.

Check out our coverage of Strange Tales #101 in our fifth episode: The Strangest Tales Of All

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Strange Tales #101: It's... ASBESTOS!!! 2

Uncredited Writers: Stan Lee, Larry Lieber

Uncredited Artist: Jack Kirby

Uncredited Inker: Dick Ayers

Uncredited Letterer: Art Simek

In his debut story in the anthology magazine Strange Tales, Johnny Storm hits a peak with the usage of asbestos to control the harmful side-effects of his flaming powers.

We see that someone (most likely, given that she is the only person to have shown any evidence of comptency with needlework, Sue) has woven asbestos fibres into his bedspread and carpet. Although given that the carpet is more of rug, one has to wonder what the floor itself is made out of... It is mentioned to be 'non-combustible', which suggests concrete, which can't be the most comfortable material to have for a bedroom floor.

We also have the ominous caption pointing out that pretty much everything in his room has been chemically treated to prevent it from  catching fire at any time. This brings up some interesting questions. First of all, the smell in Johnny's room (which already has a healthy dose of teenage boy) cannot be pleasant, tinged with strong chemicals. Secondly, someone surely has to pop by every now and again to apply a fresh coating.

I love both this panel and the panel we'll see tomorrow. They're great examples of a time when asbestos was a miraculous substance, a cheap method of insulation, and in no way a major public health hazard.

Check out our coverage of Strange Tales #101 in our fifth episode: The Strangest Tales Of All

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Review: Fantastic Four #1

The age of the Hickman is over.

Marvel NOW has arrived.

Matt Fraction comes to the book, fresh from his lengthy and lauded run on Iron Man, and critical darling The Defenders. Mark Bagley arrives from the disappointing Avengers Assemble title.

With the shadow of the most impressive writer on the book in a decade cast across this relaunch, can Fraction and Bagley provide a fresh, interesting and fun take on the First Family of Marvel comics, or will this new number one sink under the weight of expectations?

Read on!

Well, the good news is that this is a really strong first issue, full of fun, light on action but heavy on character, and setting up not only the main thrust of this title but justifying the existence of companion title FF.

The premise is simple: Reed's body is starting to fall apart, and it's possible that the same will happen to Sue, Johnny and Ben. Unable to find a cure in the known universe, he decides to take his family into the unknown universe, handily returning mere seconds after leaving thanks to some convenient time technology. Just to be safe, he decides to recruit a new team, just in case...

The first thing that struck me on reading this book was the vein of humour that ran throughout, whether it was the dark humour of the mombots in the opening scene, the bickering whilst the team battled against the dinosaur, or the hilarious 'dummy-off' between Ben and the Yancy Street Gang. There were times where the scale of the plots and the reality-endangering consequences of Hickman's run made for some dark reading, and it's refreshing to see that Fraction has remembered that 'fun' is a key component of the Fantastic Four.

The next thing is how great Mark Bagley's art looks in this book. Like many people, I immediately associate Bagley with Ultimate Spider-Man. Over the years, his other projects (Trinity, Justice League of America, Avengers Assemble) have been distinctly underwhelming. Not so here. The addition of Mark Farmer's inks lifts Bagley's pencils, providing a more detailed line that I'm used to seeing, without losing what makes his art so distinctive, such as his unique and expressive faces.

There were a couple of elements that stuck out for me. New character Darla Deering is given short shrift, getting to function as the silent straight man to Johnny's attempts at providing a date. Reed being dishonest to his family is a well-trodden plotline, and there is a general feeling that the colourful extended cast of characters introduced by Hickman during his run is going to brushed to the side.

But of all the Marvel NOW number ones released so far, this has been the most enjoyable, growing organically from what has come before without immediately putting it in a box yet standing on its own at the same time.

With the promise of some gorgeous Michael and Laura Allred artwork and the unexpected-but-welcome 'Continued In FF #1' caption at the end of the issue, I can't wait to see what we're going to get in two week's time.

Writer: Matt Fraction, Penciler: Mark Bagley, Inker: Mark Farmer, Colorist: Paul Mounts, Letterer: VC's Clayton Cowles, Assistant Editor: Jake Thomas, Editors: Tom Brevoort with Lauren Sankovitch, Cover Artists: Mark Bagley, Mark Farmer, Paul Mounts

$3.99

Fantastic Four #7: Nova Time 2

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Uncredited Inker: Dick Ayers

Presenting... the fantastic fear of flaming fire!

In the first full outing for Johnny's nova flame, we have Reed browning his trousers in fear that Johnny won't be able to contain his immense heat. Given Reed's fears, Sue's plan to stand in front of the target, invisible, then turn visible at the last possible moment to prevent Johnny from blowing everything up is... well... it's not her best plan at all.

It's at times like this that I really bemoan the lack of colouring credits in comics from this era. The use of colour to depict the intensity of Johnny's heat is fantastic, and contrast between this and the standard blue of Reed's costume in the second panel above heightens this.

Check out our coverage of Fantastic Four #7 in our fifth episode: The Strangest Tales Of All

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Fantastic Four #7: Flame On 9

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Uncredited Inker: Dick Ayers

Ah, now this is more like it.

Johnny activating his flame is now being treated as an event, and the focal point of the panel. We have his catchphrase in its own speech bubble and with a larger and more prominent font than the rest of the dialogue. The bubble even breaks the borders of the panel, pushing up against the next panel, giving more importance to the moment.

On the art side, we have a rare partially-flamed Johnny, as the panel catches him mid-ignition. The normal artistic depiction for a Flame On is to have Johnny already alight, maybe with flame to show him towards the end of ignition. but Kirby's art here shows us Johnny igniting from the feet up. It's not a visual that would last, but this early variant is interesting to see.

Check out our coverage of Fantastic Four #7 in our fifth episode: The Strangest Tales Of All

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Fantastic Four #7: Property Damage 8

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Uncredited Inker: Dick Ayers

We have some beautiful wide-screen action today in this panel from Fantastic Four #7.

As Washington goes mad from the effects of the hate ray, Ben does nothing to quell things by bursting through the street (how exactly did he get underneath the street? The previous few panels had him taking shelter behind a wall) and upending a bus. Definitely proof that the team are a menace to society.

Right?

Check out our coverage of Fantastic Four #7 in our fifth episode: The Strangest Tales Of All

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Fantastic Four #7: Reed's Stretchy Body 11

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Uncredited Inker: Dick Ayers

Have you got your Looney Tunes soundtracks at the ready? Then we'll begin.

I think the hatred ray must also have some sort of intelligence-reducing capacity, because for the next couple of pages, it's the Fantastic Four vs the Keystone Kops. It's pretty funny in its exaggerated silliness, and these panels have probably the best visual gag of the lot.

It also highlights an element of Reed's powers that hasn't been played up as much so far, his elasticity.

Check out our coverage of Fantastic Four #7 in our fifth episode: The Strangest Tales Of All

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Fantastic Four #7: Flame On 8

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Uncredited Inker: Dick Ayers

The Flame Ons are catching up with the Reed's Stretchy Bodies!

Today's panel is a touching story of why you should never accept dinner invitations from Congress when a robot from a planet facing destruction lands on Earth armed only with a beam to incite hatred lands nearby. Why, of course Congress will go mad and denounce you live on TV, calling out the National Guard and forcing you to use your powers to defend yourself against your own country's forces.

Play safe, kids!

Check out our coverage of Fantastic Four #7 in our fifth episode: The Strangest Tales Of All

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Fantastic Four #7: Reed's Stretchy Body 10

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Uncredited Inker: Dick Ayers

Today's dose of stretchiness not only gives us another great way for Reed to use his powers, it also gives us an early example of Kirbytech.

The machinery Reed stretches through is a ventilation system, which hasn't done much of of job of funneling steam from the Baxter Building. It's an early example of Jack Kirby's wonderfully inventive machinery which would come to be known as Kirbytech.

I'm a particular fan of panel 6, with Reed's flat head sliding through the slats of a ventilation grille. Not only does the artwork look like Reed's head has sprouted from the wall, but imagining the process of Reed squeezing his head flat through the grille then having to rotate it 90 degrees so that it's the right way up is a lot of fun.

Check out our coverage of Fantastic Four #7 in our fifth episode: The Strangest Tales Of All

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Fantastic Four #7: Fear Of The Thing 6

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Uncredited Inker: Dick Ayers

I really like today's instance of Fear Of The Thing. It's an fictional Fear, coming as it does from Ben's imagination as he tries to come up with a reason for getting out of the celebratory dinner hosted by the US government. The thing that causes this little unreal rampage is some unexpected photographers, showing not only a wonderful sense of self-awareness from Ben (little more than a drop of a hat would cause his outbursts in these early issues) but also highlighting a theme more associated with Hulk - fear of the monster within.

Check out our coverage of Fantastic Four #7 in our fifth episode: The Strangest Tales Of All

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Fantastic Four #6: Reed's Stretchy Body 9

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Uncredited Inker: Dick Ayers

It's another multi-panel spectacular today. The story so far... Namor and Doctor Doom has lifted the Baxter Building into space, towed by Doom's space-ship. Reed decides to engage in a spot of solo heroics, attempting to stretch from the roof of the Baxter Building to Doom craft to tackle the fiend.

What I like about these panels is the way that Kirby's art really sells the struggle that Reed faces. For some reason, Reed's powers are lessened in space, so this becomes a titanic feat for him. Look at the strain on his face in the central panel - you really believe that his stretching is painful and a real struggle for him.

And then, in the final panel, Doom does the equivalent of stamping on the fingers of a guy holding onto the edge of a cliff for real life. Superb.

Check out our coverage of Fantastic Four #6 on our fourth episode: Super-Villain Team Up

Fantastic Four #6: Flame On 7

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Uncredited Inker: Dick Ayers

You'd be forgiven for missing today's 'flame on' utterance, tucked away at the bottom of this speech bubble. We did, back on episode 5. Whilst the idea of a catchphrase is obviously resonating with Stan, it's not yet become something worth celebrating every time by making it the focus of the panel and letting the letters really sell it. In fact, if it wasn't for those two words at the end of the bubble, all we' would have here is a small panel of Johnny's arse.

We give Johnny a fair bit of stick on the show for being, as Andrew puts it, 'dumb as dirt'. It's hard to think of him as anything else when he climbs out of the window into the cold vacuum of space and then gets confused when his flame goes out.

Check out our coverage of Fantastic Four #6 on our fourth episode: Super-Villain Team Up

Fantastic Four #6: Yancy Street Pranks 1

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Uncredited Inker: Dick Ayers

The Yancy Street Gang  is one of the most important long-running jokes in the Fantastic Four. In the 1980s, John Byrne would give us Ben's upbringing and history with the gang, but for the twenty years previous, their main purpose in the book was the be an ever-present source of irritation to Ben, puncturing his pomposity and taking any opportunity to humiliate him, almost entirely from off-panel (We have Roy Thomas to thank for this, as an early letter to the comic contains the suggestion to never see the gang, an idea Stan and Jack were happy to go with).

Their first appearance in the Fantastic Four merely hints at their later greatness, a letter threatening to take Ben down if he ever shows his face. Ben is not too worried by the letter, laughing it off in a panel that, thanks to some strained perspective, makes it look like he's about to bite Johnny's head off.

Check out our coverage of Fantastic Four #6 on our fourth episode: Super-Villain Team Up

Fantastic Four #6: Reed's Stretchy Body 8

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Uncredited Inker: Dick Ayers

Moving on into Fantastic Four #6, and Reed's Stretchy Body is clearly the early focus of this blog...

It's another instance of Reed doing little more than stretching really far, so what is it about this panel that draws my attention? First of all, it's a non-combat maneuver. The team are answering their fan mail, and Reed decides to drop in on a hospitalised young fan. Second of all, it's the first time unstable molecules are mentioned. It's a handy little phrase that neatly explains how the team's costumes can mimic their biological powers.

Check out our coverage of Fantastic Four #6 on our fourth episode: Super-Villain Team Up

Fantastic Four #5: Reed's Stretchy Body 7

Fantastic Four #5, page 15, panels 4-7

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Uncredited Inks: Joe Sinnott

Uncredited Letters: Art Simek

A glorious multi-panel post kicks off November at the Fantastic Flame On.

How often do you find yourself needing to board an enemy pirate vessel, only to find out that you've run out of grappling hooks and long planks of wood? Searching the hold, you can only find Mr Fantastic. I know, it happens like once a month, right? Well, thanks to Lee and Kirby, you no longer need to wonder how best to utilise your stretchy super-hero.

I'm a big fan of these few panels. I love the perspective in the first panel, with Reed threatening to stretch right out of the panel at the reader. I also like Reed's impatience, chiding Ben and the pirates for taking their time, and complaining that his back is hurting as The Thing and several pirates walk across it!

Check out our coverage of Fantastic Four #4 in our third episode: Super Villain Cavalcade