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Perry Haslem
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 26 May 2013
Posts: 86
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| Posted: 17 January 2014 at 1:15am | IP Logged | 1
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'...not so much in the solo Torch stories, however.'
You're right, there's a clear contrast in quality between the FF and Strange Tales. I bought the first Human Torch Masterworks because I like the character and the Kirby/Ayers art, but I can't say it's a great read. The Wizard tops the list of villains, but like you said, he's not great.
But hey, if you have volume 2 at least you get to see Cap'n Barracuda in #120 :-D
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Greg Kirkman
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 12 May 2006
Location: United States
Posts: 15775
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| Posted: 19 January 2014 at 2:11am | IP Logged | 2
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Been busy. Only up to FF # 16.
Looks like the drop-shadows on the FF's chest symbols are gone for
good, which is a darn shame. I really should represent my gang "colors"
by getting an FF symbol t-shirt, but the best-looking ones out there are
either missing the drop-shadow, or have a different drop-shadow than
those drawn by either Kirby or JB. Dagnabbit.
It's interesting to see the early Doom stories, in which he's more of a
conventional mad scientist-type villain. Doom didn't fully click into place
until both his full origin and Latveria were established in FF Annual # 2,
after all.
Really, when looking only at the first dozen-plus issues, it seems that
Namor was the FF's arch-foe, and also the most popular "villain" with
fans during that period. Very interesting.
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John Byrne
Grumpy Old Guy
Joined: 11 May 2005
Posts: 132644
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| Posted: 19 January 2014 at 3:15am | IP Logged | 3
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That first FF/Hulk meeting is still a bit of a disappointment. ••• Trust me, it wasn't when it first came out!
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Greg Kirkman
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 12 May 2006
Location: United States
Posts: 15775
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| Posted: 19 January 2014 at 9:41am | IP Logged | 4
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Trust me, it wasn't when it first came out!
++++++++++
Oh, I'm sure! I'm just spoiled by years of great Thing/Hulk fights! That
first encounter was disappointingly brief, is all!
What a time it must have been, seeing that very first guest-appearance
in a Silver Age Marvel book (although Namor really should count,
technically)--the very beginning of the interconnected Marvel universe!
Of course, the Hulk had already appeared in # FF # 5--as a literal
comic character, set aflame by the Torch, but that doesn't count!
And, this appearance was literally just before the Hulk's initial series
was cancelled. Now, as I understand it, the exact reason for that
cancellation is still unclear (Low sales? To open up a distribution slot for
SGT. FURY?), so the promotional stunt-aspect of the FF appearance
may not have been a factor in the creation of that story. Perhaps Stan
knew that the Hulk was to be cancelled, and simply wanted to keep him
fresh in people's minds until he could be worked into ASTONISH, or
another anthology?
Speaking of guest-stars, Ant-Man appeared in # 16, and I also just
received the first Ant-Man Masterworks. Amazingly, I've never read a
single Ant-Man story from that era--my entire experience with him and
the Wasp comes from his appearances in THE AVENGERS. Looking
forward to checking those early stories out!
Despite knowing and loving all of these characters for my entire life, the
softcover Masterworks are the first reasonably-priced opportunity I've
had to finally read those early stories. The Avengers, Thor, Daredevil,
Doctor Strange, etc,--these (among others) are all guys whose early
stories I've largely never had a chance to read, outside of a handful of
single-story reprints and clip-art books like MARVEL SAGA.
Finally being able to do so is immensely satisfying.
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John Byrne
Grumpy Old Guy
Joined: 11 May 2005
Posts: 132644
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| Posted: 19 January 2014 at 10:18am | IP Logged | 5
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Speaking of guest-stars, Ant-Man appeared in # 16, and I also just received the first Ant-Man Masterworks. Amazingly, I've never read a single Ant-Man story from that era--my entire experience with him and the Wasp comes from his appearances in THE AVENGERS. Looking forward to checking those early stories out!•• As big a fan as I am of the Ant-Man character, I fear both MASTERWORKS and ESSENTIAL are misnomers!
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Greg Kirkman
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 12 May 2006
Location: United States
Posts: 15775
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| Posted: 19 January 2014 at 10:50am | IP Logged | 6
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Yeah, that's what I hear. Same with the Torch solo stories. Still enjoying
myself, though!
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Jason Mark Hickok
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 08 February 2009
Location: United States
Posts: 10472
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| Posted: 19 January 2014 at 11:26am | IP Logged | 7
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I actually enjoyed the Human Torch solo stories in STRANGE TALES. I
thought they were fun and have read through them a few times.
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Greg Kirkman
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 12 May 2006
Location: United States
Posts: 15775
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| Posted: 19 January 2014 at 11:30am | IP Logged | 8
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Oh, I'm enjoying them. They're just not really great, and often veer
towards being pretty goofy. Fun, but not particularly memorable.
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Jason Mark Hickok
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 08 February 2009
Location: United States
Posts: 10472
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| Posted: 19 January 2014 at 11:36am | IP Logged | 9
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That I will agree with, Greg. They really get lost when you compare
what was still to come from STRANGE TALES. Some real memorable
stuff.
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Greg Kirkman
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 12 May 2006
Location: United States
Posts: 15775
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| Posted: 19 January 2014 at 1:58pm | IP Logged | 10
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Oh, I'm giddy about finally getting to read Ditko's Dr. Strange, and the
early S.H.I.E.L.D. stories (although I think the latter won't have a
softcover Masterworks for some time, although there is a Steranko
book that came out, recently).
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Greg McPhee
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 25 August 2004
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 5071
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| Posted: 19 January 2014 at 2:10pm | IP Logged | 11
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I have to say, the cover to FF 310 is a great cover.
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John Byrne
Grumpy Old Guy
Joined: 11 May 2005
Posts: 132644
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| Posted: 19 January 2014 at 3:19pm | IP Logged | 12
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I have to say, the cover to FF 310 is a great cover.••• Let's agree to disagree.
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Topic Closed)
