Issue(s): Journey Into Mystery #99, Journey Into Mystery #100
Cover Date: Dec 63 - Jan 64
Title: "The Mysterious Mister Hyde" / "The Master Plan of Mr. Hyde"
Credits:
Stan Lee - Writer
Don Heck - Penciler
Don Heck - Inker

Review/plot:
Ooh, a two-parter. I think this is a first for my collection (not counting continuity inserts, of course, and sometimes my reprints come in bundles, but i think this is the first actual continued story from the Silver Age). And it features a favorite villain of mine, Mr. Hyde (anyone who was in Secret Wars or the Assault on Avengers Mansion is a favorite villain of mine). Calvin Zabo, inspired by the Dr. Jekyll story, creates a potion that turns him into a powerful creature that hates humanity. I love that he robs banks and then turns back into Zabo so that the police can't find him - it's a pretty obvious tactic but just seems clever to me. He is after Don Blake because Blake wouldn't hire him due to his poor record (Zabo planned on working for Blake and then robbing him so you can't really blame Don). Meanwhile, Thor is in Asgard having an argument with Odin over marrying Jane...

...and Odin eventually says that if Jane proves herself worthy, she could be made an immortal and then Thor could marry her. Encouraged (to say the least)...

...Thor returns to Earth and changes back to Donald Blake only to find Mr. Hyde in his office.

He is thrown out a window, and then Jane, "because she is a female," faints. Blake turns into Thor by hitting his cane on the side of the building as he falls, but his reputation is ruined because Mr. Hyde is now masquerading as Thor and robbing banks (it was so easy to disguise yourself as someone else in the early days of the Marvel Universe).

With Thor being hunted by the police, Don takes Jane out for dinner but Hyde shows up and kidnaps the two of them. Leaving Blake tied up next to a time bomb, Mr. Hyde takes Jane to steal a Polaris submarine. Blake turns back into Thor and breaks free and goes to fight Hyde. During the fight, Thor drops his hammer. Jane is afraid that if Thor beats Hyde, Hyde won't be able to stop the bomb next to Dr. Blake, so she covers up Thor's hammer with some canvas to prevent him from beating Hyde. Thor finds his hammer but Jane stands in front of Thor, delaying him further and letting Hyde escape, all for the love of Don. Hyde escapes, and Thor patronizingly flies off to 'rescue' Don Blake, leaving Jane to wonder "But how does Thor know where Hyde's castle is?? Or even that Don is in the castle?" It's a damn good question. Meanwhile, Odin has been watching and he's pissed about Jane's interference so he decrees no immortality for Jane.

The art in the main stories, by Don Heck, is nothing to get excited about.

These issues also have Tales of Asgard with much better art by Kirby, though. One with Odin fighting Surtur and a bunch of Kirby Trolls...

...and another with a young Thor and Loki going up against some Frost giants.

'Lil Thor was a bit obnoxious.

Apparently, Thor could lift his hammer a little more with each valorous deed he performed.

Quality Rating: C-

Historical Significance Rating: 5 - first Mr. Hyde.

Chronological Placement Considerations: N/A

References: N/A

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: Essential Thor vol. 1

Have to say this: that shot of Surtur swimming in fire is awesome.

One of the things that really gets lost over the years is that Hyde isn't just physically powerful and ruthless; he's also a mad scientist. Whenever he appears int he Silver Age, he always has a bunch of gadgets or chemical gimmicks to supplement his physical power.

I placed these two issues between Avengers#2 and 3. Mr. Hyde is one of my favorite villains as well.