Strange Tales #110 (Human Torch) : SuperMegaMonkey : chronocomic

1963-06-01 00:02:30
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Strange Tales #116 (Dr. Strange) Up:
Main
1963 / Box 1 / Silver Age
Next:
Fantastic Four #15

Issue(s): Strange Tales #110 (Human Torch story only)
Cover Date: Jul 63
Title: "The Human Torch vs. the Wizard and Paste-Pot Pete!"
Credits:
Stan Lee - Plot
Ernie Hart - Script
Dick Ayers - Penciler
Dick Ayers - Inker

Review/plot:
This issue of Strange Tales is when the book stopped printing monster/horror stories and began Doctor Strange as a second feature. But due to the fact that Doctor Strange's stories take place at an earlier time (thanks to Marvel: The Lost Generation), i've got the book split into separate entries.

This is a cool issue on the Human Torch side since it teams up two of the Torch's past enemies, the Wizard and Paste Pot Pete.

It's a long-lasting partnership; the two will form the most durable half of the Frightful Four.

But right now the Wizard is still just a smart guy with no battle suit or anything, and Paste Pot Pete is, well, still Paste Pot Pete. Pete breaks the Wizard out of jail (i assume most of the guards are laughing too hard to stop them)...

...and then spends the rest of the issue complaining that the Wizard won't show him any respect.

It's the beginning of a healthy partnership based on mutual respect.

Scripter Ernie Hart is mainly know for drawing funny animal comics in the Timley days; he did a few scripts for Marvel around this time under the pseudonym H.E. Huntley.

Quality Rating: D+

Historical Significance Rating: 3 - beginning of the Wizard/Trapster partnership

Chronological Placement Considerations: The rest of the Fantastic Four appear in this issue just to wonder if Johnny needs any help; they don't participate in the fights. The MCP places this before FF #15.

References:

Paste Pot Pete appeared previously in Strange Tales #104.
The Wizard appeared twice, in Strange Tales #102 and Strange Tales #105. None of these appearances have footnotes but there are flashback panels.

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: Essential Human Torch

Inbound References (3): show

Characters Appearing: Human Torch, Invisible Woman, Mr. Fantastic, Paste Pot Pete, Thing, Wizard

Previous:
Strange Tales #116 (Dr. Strange) Up:
Main
1963 / Box 1 / Silver Age
Next:
Fantastic Four #15

Comments

"Of course we're partners -- In crime!"

Um... What was with the pause there, Bentley? Either crime is awesome enough for dramatic pauses or...

Posted by: Max_Spider | September 17, 2013 3:55 PM

I placed this after the Torch's guest appearance in Amazing Spider-Man#3 and before FF#15.

Posted by: Bobby Sisemore | October 23, 2016 10:41 PM

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