Obsessively putting our comics in chronological order since 1985.
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Strange Tales #113 (Human Torch)
Issue(s): Strange Tales #113 (Human Torch story only)
Cover Date: Oct 63
Title: "The Coming of the Plantman!"
Credits:
Stan Lee - Plot
Jerry Siegel - Script
Dick Ayers - Penciler
Dick Ayers - Inker
Review/plot:
The Human Torch fights the Plantman, a gardener who can increase the IQ of and control plants using a device he created. The device didn't really work until it was struck by lightning (and much much later we'll learn that it was really activated by the H'ylthri from Iron Fist's home dimension). Plantman may be a little unstable, or a genius, or both, but you can't deny that he can make plants obey him.
The Torch has a little trouble with the guy because the plants can put out his flame with their dew...
...but in the end he wins by drying up the plants, which pisses them off and turns them against the Plantman. His device is broken but he escapes.
Also, the Torch is dating Doris Evans (often "Dorrie"), who does like not Johnny's powers and wants him to stop being the Human Torch. This is her first appearance.
Like last issue, Jerry Siegel is using the pseudonym Joe Carter.
Quality Rating: D
Historical Significance Rating: 3 - first Plantman, first Doris Evans
Chronological Placement Considerations: N/A
References: N/A
Crossover: N/A
Continuity Insert? N
My Reprint: N/A
Inbound References (2): showCharacters Appearing: Doris Evans, Human Torch, Plantman 1963 / Box 2 / Silver Age Previous:
Tales Of Suspense #46Up:
MainNext:
Fantastic Four #19
Comments
Jerry Siegel was still writing Superman and Superman-related characters at the time, so the pseudonym was necessary because DC frowned on its employees working for competitors.
My favorite part is when Plantman tests out his device by having two trees fight. Priceless!
Besides being co-creator of Superman, Jerry Siegel's work for DC on the Legion of Super-Heroes (Adventure Comics) and Superboy during this era would provide many ideas for Jim Shooter, Paul Levitz, Keith Giffen, and John Byrne in the years to come. Mind-numbing to see him here brainstorming with Stan Lee, even if only for a couple of stories, while simultaneously getting little respect or compensation working for DC. He was still getting more consideration than Joe Shuster, who, with failing eyesight, was reduced to living with his mom and working as a deliveryman at one point in 1964.
I placed this issue after Avengers#1. I don't remember where I read it but one fan had a theory that Dorrie Evans was an alias for a member of the Kennedy clan.
