Journey Into Mystery #66 - Mar 61
"The Return of the Titan!" - Jack Kirby with Dick Ayers
Tales To Astonish #25 - Nov 61
"The Gypsy's Revenge" - Don Heck
Journey Into Mystery #79 - Apr 62
"The Speed Demon" - Stan Lee & Steve Ditko
"The Man who Played Dead" - Stan Lee with Larry Lieber & Don Heck
Strange Tales #73 - Feb 60
"I was Trapped by the Mole Men!" - Don Heck
Tales To Astonish #23 - Sep 61
"The Voice from Nowhere!" - Steve Ditko
Review/plot:
For the above credits, the writer is unknown if not specified and the inker is the same as the penciler unless specified.
The original title for the story from Journey Into Mystery #66 was "Return of the Hulk!". Obviously his name was changed to avoid confusion with Bruce Banner's alter-ego.
This issue gives a good recap of Xemnu's original appearance. In this story, Xemnu wakes up and uses his mental powers to cause an asteroid to knock him back to Earth.
He again begins hypnotizing people.
The scientist from the previous issue heads in to confront him, using a mirror to reflect Xemnu's powers back at him, which causes him to disappear.
It's your typical space monster type of story from this time period. It's interesting because Xemnu (like all Kirby creations) is a great visual, and because it's a rare case of a re-occurring monster character.
Xemnu would also be one of the earliest monsters to be brought into the Silver Age, starting in early Defenders stories.
This reprint issue also contains a number of typical Twilight Zone style stories, all of which are very enjoyable.
I especially like this Mole Man story from Strange Tales #73, partially because the lead character could almost be Tony Stark or maybe his father (it's not; it's Sir Norman Ramsey, but it's a mustached businessman drawn by Don Heck, so you can see why i'd say that).
Quality Rating: B-
Historical Significance Rating: 3 - second appearance of Xemnu the Titan
Chronological Placement Considerations: N/A
References:
Crossover: N/A
Continuity Insert? N
My Reprint: Monsters on the Prowl #14