Reviewed Comics:
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300 Comic book Reviews
Since 2011, I’ve been exploring Marvel’s classic and modern comics as well as honing my writing skills. After a few hiatuses, I’m back with an ambitious plans for 2025—diving deeper into Silver Age, scheduling fresh reviews, and updating character pages. Join me in celebrating iconic stories and rediscovering the magic that makes Marvel Comics so…
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Tales to Astonish #64:The Horde of Humanoids
Cover Date: Feb 1965 | Review: 4 StarsThis comic story arc, described as a “Super-Hero Soap Opera,” follows Bruce Banner’s imprisonment and release, aided by Rick Jones. As Banner works under scrutiny on a remote island, The Leader plots against him. The narrative combines character depth, emotional ties, and a progressing storyline while showcasing strong artwork by Steve Ditko.
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Tales to Astonish #64:When Attuma strikes!
Cover Date: Feb 1965 | Review: 1.75 StarsJanet Van Dyne, frustrated by Hank Pym’s obsession with his inventions, decides to leave her superhero life behind. However, her plans are thwarted when her plane is captured by the undersea warlord Attuma, who is plotting an attack on the surface world.
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Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos #15:Too Small to Fight, Too Young to Die
Cover Date: Feb 1965 | Review: 4.25 StarsReady for a wild ride with the Howling Commandos? Our review dissects their mission to blow a hole in Hitler’s plans—in scenic Holland, no less! Along the way, they cross paths with a mysterious Agent X and a kid who’s torn between loyalty and doubt. Is his dad a villain—or a hero? Intrigued yet?
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Fantastic Four #35:Calamity on the Campus!
Cover Date: Feb 1965 | Review: 4.5 StarsFantastic Four return to State U, but this isn’t just an academic reunion—far from it! Between surprise cameos from Spider-Man and the X-Men, a rampaging new foe called Dragon Man, and the villainous Diablo’s comeback, there’s more than enough chaos to keep you on the edge of your seat. And just wait till you see…
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Daredevil #6:Trapped By…The Fellowship of Fear!
Cover Date: Feb 1965 | Review: 3.75 Starshis story follows a familiar but engaging pattern. It starts with Daredevil out on patrol, using his incredible hearing and sharp intellect to realize that a “movie” being filmed nearby seems suspicious. This discovery leads him into action. Unfortunately, he quickly finds himself outmatched by the newly formed Fellowship of Fear, led by the recently…
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Journey Into Mystery #113:The Boyhood of Loki
Cover Date: Feb 1965 | Review: 4.5 StarsThe Boyhood of Loki is a classic Tales of Asgard entry that dives into Loki’s psyche, setting up his eternal feud with Thor. It’s not an action-packed epic, but rather a slow burn of jealousy and sibling rivalry that simmers with potential. Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s collaboration here is as effective as ever, balancing…
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Journey Into Mystery #113:A World Gone Mad!
Cover Date: Feb 1965 | Review: 3.75 StarsThe ongoing family drama of Thor—his love for Jane, and the scorn of his father Odin for falling for a mortal—continues in this issue, with Loki lurking behind the scenes as a meddler. In this story, we once again see Thor choosing to return to Earth and Jane, instead of staying in Asgard as his…
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Strange Tales #129:Beware… Tiboro! The Tyrant Of The Sixth Dimension
Cover Date: Feb 1965 | Review: 4 StarsThe opening, like many comic intros of the era, makes bold promises about the pages to follow. Who is Tiboro? What dangers will our hero face? These questions set the stage for Doctor Strange’s adventure. Here, we see Doctor Strange refusing an invitation to join a TV panel exploring the supernatural—and a particularly mysterious artifact.…
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Strange Tales #129:The Terrible Trio
Cover Date: Feb 1965 | Review: 1.75 StarsThis story references the events of my last review on Amazing Spider-Man #21, which, honestly, I felt might have worked better as a Strange Tales Human Torch solo story. For that see my last review! While I do think you could read this story on its own, it’s fair to say it clearly assumes that…
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Amazing Spider-Man #21:Where Flies The Beetle
Cover Date: Feb 1965 | Review: 1 Starsthe Beetle targets the Human Torch, pulling Spider-Man into a chaotic mix of jealousy, rivalry, and high-flying action. But does the story bring anything new to the table, or is it another recycled showdown? Dive into our review to see if this issue left us wanting more!
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Sgt. Fury And His Howling Commandos #14:The Blitzkrieg Squad of Baron Strucker
Cover Date: Jan 1965 | Review: 2.75 StarsThis issue kicks off with our hero’s training techniques for the forthcoming D-Day, while Hitler summons Baron Von Strucker, ordering him to come up with a plan to get rid of the Howling Commandos. Strucker sets out to counter them with a squad that mirrors the Howling Commandos in composition. Thus, as the title suggests,…
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Fantastic Four #34:A House Divided!
Cover Date: Jan 1965 | Review: 4.75 StarsAt the center of this story, we have the wealthy Mr. Gregory Gideon—described as the world’s richest man. But for Gideon, what he has is not enough. He makes a bet with his peers, wagering his fortune to acquire theirs if he can accomplish any challenge they set for him. His task: eliminate the Fantastic…
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Strange Tales #128 :The Demon’s Disciple
Cover Date: Jan 1965 | Review: 4 StarsThis Strange Tale starts with Dr. Strange arriving home after the conclusion of the multi-part storyline from the previous issue, now equipped with a new cloak and amulet. His arrival is just in time to meet the disciple of a demon—a man who, realizing the error of his ways and who he follows, seeks Dr.…
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Strange Tales #128:Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch
Cover Date: Jan 1965 | Review: 3.5 StarsThis story kicks off with two members of Magneto’s Brotherhood of Evil Mutants—Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver—discussing the possibility of leaving the group. Quicksilver is quite ready to run off immediately, while Scarlet Witch feels a lingering sense of loyalty to Magneto for saving their lives, even if she doesn’t agree with his methods or goals.…
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Avengers #12:This Hostage Earth!
Cover Date: Jan 1965 | Review: 2.25 StarsThis story kicks off with Hank Pym (Ant-Man/Giant-Man) working in his lab alongside Janet Van Dyne (The Wasp) when a cybernetic alarm goes off. He realizes that the ants must have triggered it because something serious is happening. This prompts him to call the Avengers together to investigate and handle the unknown emergency. However, the…
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Avengers #11:The Mighty Avengers Meet Spider-Man!
Cover Date: Dec 1964 | Review: 4.25 StarsThe issue unfolds after Tales of Suspense #61, featuring Thor as the temporary leader summoning the Avengers amid Iron Man’s absence. Kang observes from the future and sends a robotic Spider-Man to ambush them. The original Spider-Man ultimately saves the day. The plot enhances Marvel’s interconnected narrative and develops both Kang and team dynamics effectively.
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Tales Of Suspense #62:Break-Out In Cell Block 10!
Cover Date: Feb 1965 | Review: 1.25 StarsFrom the first box of text on the first page, I had concerns. Stan Lee kicks things off with: Remember Ish #60 when cap thought he was giving a physical fitness demonstration and didn’t suspect he was really fighting a bunch of assassins? Well some guys always learn the hard way! Here he is again…
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Tales of Suspense #62:The Origin of the Mandarin!
Cover Date: Feb 1965 | Review: 4.25 StarsIn this issue, Iron Man faces the Mandarin. The narrative focuses on the Mandarin’s origin, detailing his rise through hardship and alien technology. Despite familiar themes, the story remains original and engaging, enhanced by adequate artwork, setting the stage for future conflicts.
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Tales of Suspense #61:The Death of Tony Stark!
Cover Date: Jan 1965 | Review: 3.25 StarsThe story begins with Happy Hogan and Pepper Potts quitting due to their distrust of Iron Man while Tony Stark is missing. Despite some character development for Pepper and Happy, the overall narrative lacks momentum and has significant flaws. The artwork enhances the experience.
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Tales of Suspense #61:The Strength of the Sumo
Cover Date: Jan 1965 | Review: 3 StarsIn this standalone comic, Captain America battles the Vietcong in Vietnam to rescue a helicopter pilot, reflecting the historical context of the 1960s conflict. With Jack Kirby’s exceptional artwork portraying dynamic action, the story reinforces Cap’s ideals without significantly expanding his character, marking an early Silver Age comic entry.
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Tales To Astonish #63:A Titan Rides The Train!
Cover Date: Jan 1965 | Review: 4.5 StarsThis tale starts off and reveals to us the mysterious leader and his origin, similar to that of the Hulk but different in effect. Both were exposed to Gamma rays, both should have perished, and both had an aspect of themselves enhanced beyond human capabilities. The Leaders below-average human brain was made brighter compared to…
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Tales To Astonish #63:The Gangsters and the Giant!
Cover Date: Jan 1965 | Review: 1.5 StarsThe tale starts out this month much like so many comics, in a training routine with Giant-Man pushing and honing his phyiscal capabilities. This is done while the wasp times him and flirts with him. This is ended by the arrival of a police officer who summons our hero’s (or at least Giant-Man, with the…
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Journey Into Mystery #112:The Coming of Loki!
Cover Date: Jan 1965 | Review: 3.25 StarsAlthough only briefly seen in this tale, we get the origin of Loki in this issue. The story takes place upon a great battle between Odin and Laufey. The battle rages on between the two until the Giants’ army decides to join the fray with the destruction of its leaders’ weapon. Story But the centerpiece…