Issue(s): Strange Tales #126 (Human Torch story only)
Cover Date: Nov 64
Title: "Pawns of the Deadly Duo!"
Credits:
Stan Lee - Writer
Dick Ayers - Penciler
Paul Reinman - Inker

Review/plot:
Dr. Doom's lackeys are the Terrible Trio, and here we have the Puppet Master and the Mad Thinker as the Deadly Duo. This is their second appearance as a partnership, and unlike a lot of villain team-ups they seem to have a decent working relationship. The Puppet Master is a little scared to go up against the FF again, but he lets the Thinker convince him.

The bad guys don't even confront the heroes in this story. They have the Thing and the Torch fight each other...

...but the plan is foiled when the Thing happens to turn back into Ben Grimm, breaking the Puppet Master's control.

Then when the FF figures out what's going on, Mr. Fantastic rigs a device to cause a backlash when the Puppet Master tries to take over the Thing again.

The Puppet Master is clearly a reluctant partner here. He gets pretty stressed out every step of the way. Unlike the Thinker, who claims the Fantastic Four are only as unbeatable as the Mets.

The story ends with the Thinker a bit too enraged to look after his unconscious partner but maybe he does that after we turn the page and see what deviltry Dr. Strange is about to face (note that as is usually the case my Strange Tales entries are broken out separately).

Ayers actually had a few good panels here. I especially like the shot of the Puppet Master controlling his Thing puppet above. But this continues to be one of the lowest quality books in Marvel's super-hero line in this time, and clearly targeting a young audience.

Quality Rating: D+

Historical Significance Rating: 1

Chronological Placement Considerations: The MCP places this between FF #30-31 and before FF annual #2.

References:

• Mr. Fantastic has the Thing use the thought-project helmet, seen previously in Fantastic Four #27, to learn who has been messing with his head.

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: Essential Human Torch