In this issue of Strange Tales we have Paste Pot Pete making his sticky debut. Combined with the human torch still trying to keep his identity a secret as the Pete robs a bank and then tries to steal a new government missile. is this story a stuck to your seat success? or just a sticky mess? Stick around and read my review to find out.

Story

in this strange tale, we have a crook with both small and big ambition’s.  He starts out with bank robbery, and then goes right too stealing a new missile prototype. Nothing could go wrong, his weapon is unique, effective, and non-lethal.  Not to mention quite funny.

Unfortunately for him, the bank he picked to rob happened to have one person waiting to make a deposit. a Mr. Johnny Storm, whom unknown to the world at that time is the human torch.  That torch finds a creative way to keep tabs on the thief and maintain his secret identity, even if it makes him look like he is failing to stop Paste-Pot Pete!

Unfortunately for our hero, Pete is clever in his own right, and does a great job of hindering and even stopping the torch. but by the end can our Hero stop him alone? or will he need help.

Over all, this is an enjoyable read, Stick-Pot Pete is a creative character, whom is both humorous and funny. the fast pace of the whole issue easily lets us see what Johnny does not include the other 3 members of the Fantastic Four.

Fast pace is a great description of this issue, the whole story is kept fast pace and edge of our seats, unlike Strange Tales #102.  this is what solo tales of the Human torch need to be to justify not including the rest of the team. I know I said this, but I thought it worth saying again right away.

Art

This issue was fast pace, and the art shows us that over and over, Kirby does a great job of doing art in motion, and the timing between each panel was a good distance, you feel like a lot has happens between each frame

Many panels of the issue, in particularly  after the torch catches up to Paste-Pot Pete, we see lots of motion lines, adding to the face pace and the action.  the issue never slows down,  it starts fast and just gets quicker, the art shows us this over and over.

unlike the last issue, I was impressed by the artwork again, everything just seemed right, seemed above and beyond what status quo.  I also found the character design for Paste-Pot Pete to be as funny and strange as his Gimmick of a power, and his name.

Originality & Continuity

I feel there falling a bit better in line with the two titles, I have the many of the same basic issues I have had from the beginning, in that in Fantastic Four issues it seems and feels like the team is always at the Baxter building, and even living there, but  in these comics,  he clearly does not live there.

This issue though at least gives the Fantastic Four a fair amount of mention, as a whole, and a good reason  for not being involved.  But I would like to see all these gaps dealt with before too many issues pass.

Characters & Development

I feel this issue had little development of the Torch character, Solo adventures and stories like this would be a great place for it, solo stories gives lots of room for it. This leaves me to wait for the growth of character and friends that I so desire. in 13 pages I would love just one dedicated to this.