Issue(s): Strange Tales #132 (Human Torch story only)
Cover Date: May 65
Title: "The sinister space trap!"
Credits:
Larry Ivie - Writer
Bob Powell - Penciler
Mike Esposito - Inker

Review/plot:
Mike Esposito is using his Mickey Demeo pseudonym.

This is the only one of Strange Tales' Human Torch stories that doesn't give at least a Plot credit to Stan Lee (although he has a prominent and leading Editor credit). The writer is Larry Ivie, who from the little i can gather was an EC artist (actually, see Mark's comment), and this was his only Marvel work.

Fooled by the Editor credit, i didn't realize this wasn't written by Stan when i first read it, and i was surprised by the extra self-deprecating tone. It's a horrible story, but the fact that it sort of acknowledges that fact is interesting.

A Mr. Pearson of NASA approaches the FF looking for help with a mission that involves a scientist, Professor Jack, who has recently come under suspicion. The project involves putting giant magnets in space to keep satellites in orbit. All of NASA's other astronauts are busy with Project Gemini.

Johnny is chosen by process of elimination (with criteria such as the Thing is too heavy and NASA doesn't want the "notoriety of a girl astronaut on this particular job").

Dorrie Evans is not pleased that Johnny has been honored with this selection.

Johnny is given the secret identity of Doug Brown, a name that Pearson seems to think up on the spot. Luckily the convincing brown overcoat makes up for any suspicion.

Meanwhile, in what is definitely the best panel of the issue, the Thing tries to encourage Dorrie to stick to her decision to break up with the Torch.

Unfortunately she really does want to get back with him, so the Thing reluctantly agrees to go interrupt Johnny's important job to tell him so. He arrives just in time to prevent Johnny from getting murdered in a space-magnet related incident.

The Thing makes a Q*Bert noise after rescuing Johnny.

Trying to hide the fact that a member of the Fantastic Four showed up out of nowhere to help "Doug Brown", Mr. Pearson shows up and identifies the Thing as Dr. Josiah Verpoorten, again with an audible "er" (The name is clearly a nod to John Verpooten, Marvel's production manager).

After Professor Jack is out of earshot we get the second best panel of the issue (and it's a close second).

From there, we get some more hijinks as Professor Jack turns out to not be fooled by the Thing's disguise.

He also goes with "slow working acid" as his deathtrap for Johnny, who survives by waiting until he hits earthfall and then transforming back into the Torch.

The two heroes then make quick work of the villain before exhibiting severe bipolar symptoms in a matter of panels.

Johnny, clearly not at all exhausted by a long day of going into space and then having to fly home under his own power, runs back to Doris to take her to a football game. Trying to out Stan Lee Stan Lee to the last, Ivie even throws in a reference to the Merry Marvel Marching Society before demonstrating what fickle mysteries chicks are.

Quality Rating: D+

Historical Significance Rating: 1

Chronological Placement Considerations: Johnny references the events of Fantastic Four #37 in this issue, so this has to take place after that, but before the big run from FF #38-43.

References:

• Johnny figures that NASA is coming to the FF for help now that they've traveled to the Skrull Homeworld and proven themselves expert astronauts. Mr. Pearson neither confirms nor denies that assumption. The FF went to Skrull space in Fantastic Four #37.

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: Essential Human Torch