Author: Drew R.
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Tales to Astonish #67:The mystery of the hidden man and his rays of doom!
Cover Date: May 1965 | Review: 1.5 StarsThe plot collapses under contrivances. The villain is taken away by aliens, robbing the hero of a genuine victory. A green ray that should steal intelligence somehow overlooks crucial knowledge, leaving readers with more questions than satisfaction.
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Tales of Suspense #65:The Red Skull Strikes
Cover Date: May 1965 | Review: 4.75 StarsThis story updates an iconic Joe Simon and Jack Kirby plot for a new generation, retaining the Red Skull’s cunning while modifying his lethal methods. Editorial choices and Comics Code restrictions shaped the narrative, including a shift from needles to gas. Both versions reveal each era’s moral and creative boundaries
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Tales of Suspense #65:When Titans Clash!
Cover Date: May 1965 | Review: 3.25 StarsWithin these pages, the protagonist must reclaim his upgraded suit from a small-time thief who exploits its newfound power. Readers witness how an older set of armor, forced into service once again, underscores the wearer’s ingenuity. The narrative also raises pivotal continuity questions, particularly concerning the essential life-sustaining chest apparatus.
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Strange Tales #132:Face-to-Face at Last with Baron Mordo
Cover Date: May 1965 | Review: 4.75 StarsBuckle up for a magical showdown where every page crackles with sorcery and suspense. As Doctor Strange struggles to evade a watchful enemy, sparks fly when Mordo arrives powered by a familiar dark menace. It’s a dynamic clash fueled by enthralling visuals, leaving you eager to discover what happens next.
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Strange Tales #132:The Sinister Spacetrap!
Cover Date: May 1965 | Review: 0.75 StarsNASA enlists the Fantastic Four to root out a suspected infiltrator, but the story’s underlying mechanics strain credibility. The choice of only one team member for covert work—despite iconic alternatives—indicates a structural mismatch. This narrative tension, combined with hasty artwork, exemplifies the issue’s disjointed storytelling approach and undercuts its potential.
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Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos #18:Killed in Action
Cover Date: May 1965 | Review: 5.5 StarsSome comics entertain; others stay with you forever. Sgt. Fury #18 is the latter. It’s a story of love, loss, and the kind of grief that never fully fades. Comics of the first half of 1960s rarely hit this hard, making this a standout issue for its time.
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Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos #17:While The Jungle Sleeps
Cover Date: Apr 1965 | Review: 4 StarsOn the heels of the prior story in issue #16, the commandos leave the desert behind and venture into the jungle for another leg of their African tour. Here, they encounter a tribe working with the Nazis and holding Allied forces captive. Through a cunning plan involving subterfuge, stealth, good old-fashioned grit, and wit, the…
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Amazing Spider-Man #24:Spider-Man Goes Mad!
Cover Date: May 1965 | Review: 4.75 StarsIn this issue, we dive into the classic Spider-Man drama we all know and love. The main plot revolves around J. Jonah Jameson’s latest scheme to discredit Spider-Man by publishing testimonials from the public about why they hate our web-slinging hero. While Jonah’s plan is brewing, we also follow Spider-Man’s struggles as he tries (and…
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X-Men #11:The Triumph of Magneto!
Cover Date: May 1965 | Review: 5.25 StarsIn this issue, the X-Men discover the arrival of a new superpowered being—one they believe might be the most dangerous mutant they’ve ever encountered. The team springs into action, determined to find this mysterious individual before anyone else. However, the Stranger (as he calls himself) infiltrates Magneto’s hideout before the X-Men can locate him. Magneto…
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Tales of Suspense #64:Among Us, Wreckers Dwell
Cover Date: Apr 1965 | Review: 4.5 StarsHere, our hero and Bucky work to unravel the mystery behind the predictions of Sando and Omar. While “Among Us, Wreckers Dwell” serves as a retelling of “No Man But Captain America Could Solve the Riddle,” it reintroduces the tale to a new audience 24 years after the original. However, it remains, at its core,…
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Tales of Suspense #64:Hawkeye and the New Black Widow Strike Again!
Cover Date: Apr 1965 | Review: 3.75 StarsThough Iron Man ultimately prevails, this issue highlights the emotional complexity driving Black Widow and Hawkeye. Hawkeye’s patriotism conflicts with his devotion to Natasha, dramatically intensifying every moment. The shifting alliances add tension, while the unresolved love triangle with Pepper and Happy underscores how personal relationships can transform high-stakes conflicts.
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Daredevil #7:In Mortal Combat. With… Sub-Mariner!
Cover Date: Apr 1965 | Review: 4.25 StarsThis issue is as much about Sub-Mariner and his development as it is about our hero Daredevil—or perhaps even more so about Sub-Mariner. While Namor fails to conquer the surface world, he often conquers the stories he appears in, and this issue is no exception. Here, Namor is urged by his warlord, Krang, to make…
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Amazing Spider-Man #23:The Goblin and the Gangster
Cover Date: Apr 1965 | Review: 4.5 StarsThis issue follows the Goblin as he executes a plan to take over Lucky Lobo’s gang. Spider-Man gets caught up in the scheme, not just as an obstacle but as an unwitting pawn. We also see the return of Frederick Foswell, AKA The Big Man, from Issue #10. Sure, those sentences might sound like a…
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Fantastic Four #37:Behold A distant Star
Cover Date: Apr 1965 | Review: 5 StarsMy first directive to you on this issue is simple: go read it. Seriously, I still want you to read my review (obviously), but let’s cut to the chase—it’s worth your time. Okay, I’m going to assume you’ve read Fantastic Four #37 now. If not… well, that’s on you. I can only do so much.…
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Strange Tales #131:The Hunter and the Hunted!
Cover Date: Apr 1965 | Review: 1.75 StarsThis story picks up right where the prior issue left off, following Dr. Strange on the run as he attempts to escape Hong Kong. In this issue, we watch Strange fend off the agents of Mordo—both human and shade varieties—foiling their attempts to stop him as he works to leave the city via airplane. Meanwhile,…
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Strange Tales #131:The Bouncing Ball of DOOM!
Cover Date: Apr 1965 | Review: 1.25 StarsThis issue begins with The Thing and The Human Torch navigating a police checkpoint before heading onto a toll bridge. As they learn about a nearby bank robbery, a support cable on the bridge snaps, prompting the duo to leap into action to prevent a catastrophic collapse. Meanwhile, the police manage to apprehend the bank…
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Tales To Astonish #66:The Power of Doctor Banner
Cover Date: Apr 1965 | Review: 2.5 StarsIn this issue, the story picks up with a captive scientist aiding the Hulk and ultimately sacrificing himself to save our green hero. This heroic act sets off a Hulk rampage that we can fully get behind, especially given its setting—an enemy base. The chaos continues until he’s forced to revert back into Bruce Banner.…
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Tales To Astonish #66:The Menase of Madam Macabre
Cover Date: Apr 1965 | Review: 1.5 StarsA forgettable villain, an awkward role reversal, and a tease of The Mandarin that goes nowhere—this issue stumbles at nearly every turn. The only saving grace? Some creative panel work that gives Giant-Man’s size-changing a bit of flair. Unfortunately, it’s not enough to rescue this lackluster installment.
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Tales To Astonish #65:On the Rampage against the Reds
Cover Date: Mar 1965 | Review: 2.75 StarsThis issue kicks off with the Hulk facing a horde of humanoids — the Leader’s sinister machines. At the same time, armed marines storm the beach, tasked with taking out the Hulk. Things quickly escalate as the chaos causes a cliffside to give way, plunging the Hulk and the humanoids into the ocean. Using his…
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Tales To Astonish #65:Presenting The New Giant-Man
Cover Date: Mar 1965 | Review: 1 StarsTales to Astonish #65 tries to revamp Giant-Man with a new look and abilities, but the result feels uninspired. Without a real threat, the story fails to justify the changes, and the redesign lacks appeal. Instead of saving the hero, this might be the misstep that seals his fate.
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Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos #16:A fortress in the Desert
Cover Date: Mar 1965 | Review: 5 StarsThis issue offers a lot to unpack. First, we see Hans from the last issue wearing a mascot badge and following along with the Commandos as they engage in training activities. He even participates in some of the exercises as though he’s one of them. But then, the story shifts as we learn about events…
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Amazing Spider-Man #22:Preeeeesenting… The Clown, and his Masters of Menace!
Cover Date: Mar 1965 | Review: 3.75 StarsIn this issue, we see the return of the Ringmaster and his “Circus of Crime”—scratch that. They quickly toss Ringmaster out and rebrand themselves under the clown’s leadership as “The Masters of Menace.” Their brilliant new heist? An art show hosted by none other than J. Jonah Jameson. To top it off, Cannonball, one of…
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Fantastic Four #36:The Frightful Four!
Cover Date: Mar 1965 | Review: 5 StarsThe Fantastic Four face thrilling challenges in this packed issue, featuring a new villainous team, romantic milestones, and iconic cameos. The Frightful Four bring unexpected intensity, while Reed and Sue’s engagement rocks the world due to the team’s celebrity status. With dynamic storytelling and stellar artwork by Jack Kirby, this is a must-read moment in…
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Strange Tales #130:The Defeat of Dr.Strange
Cover Date: Mar 1965 | Review: 4.5 StarsBaron Mordo joins forces with Dormammu, forging a powerful and dangerous alliance that leaves Doctor Strange on the run to protect himself and the Ancient One. As magical duels unfold and tensions rise, this opening chapter sets the stage for a multi-part epic filled with uneasy alliances, escalating peril, and potential betrayals.