Obsessively putting our comics in chronological order since 1985.
| 1965-04-01 00:20:10 |
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Tales To Astonish #66 (Giant-Man/Wasp)
Issue(s): Tales To Astonish #66 (Giant-Man/Wasp story only)
Cover Date: Apr 65
Title: "The menace of Madam Macabre"
Credits:
Stan Lee - Writer
Jack Kirby - Layouts
Bob Powell - Finishes
Frank Giacoia - Inker
Review/plot:
Jack Kirby is added to the credits in the unofficial Marvel Index (via UHBMCC). With an opening splash like this, it probably is Kirby.
This issue ends with a note that says:
We slanted this story specially for those who have felt that the Wasp hasn't done enough in past stories! So, we hope you're satisfied! And, for those who think she did too much.. oh well, we can't win 'em all!
Interesting to know that Marvel was apparently getting complaints about the (lack of) use of the Wasp.
So now let's see if this issue meets the request.
We're introduced to Madam Macabre and her dwarf follower Gogo.
Macabre has the ability to enlarge objects made out of a special plastic molded by Gogo. It's a very... specific power. We also learn that she was trained by the Mandarin.
Not satisfied with the ability to control the growth of inanimate objects, she seeks out Giant-Man, who is also aware of her. The Wasp is not pleased at the attention from the "exotic" Macabre.
When Pym realizes that the Madam is a megalomaniac, he dismisses her. So Macabre resorts to having Gogo (and another henchman named Kalya) kidnap the Wasp.
Giant-Man investigates...
...but he gets caught as well. Then the Wasp gets free, and gets into a fight with Macabre.
The fight ends with Wasp pulling off Macabre's wig, revealing that's it's really a cybernetic helmet.
Without that, she can't maintain control of her plastic objects, and Giant-Man breaks free and puts an end to the Madam.
So... i mean, i appreciate the attempt, guys. And if you hadn't called it out, i might not have said anything. But maybe having the Wasp get kidnapped, and then barely hold her own against an essentially non-powered opponent, and then resorting to girl-on-girl hair-pulling wasn't exactly the way to go.
Still, ummm, C- for effort? (And for some nice layouts of Giant-Man that finally get across the idea of how big he can be.) (And i'm sort of letting the whole "exotic" Asian woman stereotype slide.)
Quality Rating: C-
Historical Significance Rating: 1
Chronological Placement Considerations: The MCP places this between Avengers #14-15.
References: N/A
Crossover: N/A
Continuity Insert? N
My Reprint: Essential Ant-Man vol. 1
| Previous: Strange Tales #131 (Human Torch) | Up: Main 1965 / Box 2 / Silver Age | Next: Uncanny X-Men #11 |
Comments
i think Stan Lee kept forgetting what he had decided Madame Macabre's powers worked on. first it was a "plastic material", then it was specifically "plasticized metal", but once the Wasp was trapped in a glass bottle that the villain had to be able to shrink, Macabre was able to shrink glass, as well. but not the cork in the bottle because it's a "natural substance".
I seem to remember that Madame Macabre was the Mandarin's foster daughter and as such I've always wondered why we never saw her again.
