Script: Stan Lee
Art: Jack Kirby
Inking: Dick Ayers
Lettering: Art Simek
11 issues into the series, and only our second Yancy Street prank.
And this is the first one that fits the classic antagonistic relationship between the gang and the Ever Lovin' Blue Eyed Thing. Considering that certain core elements of the series are in place so early on - Johnny's FLAME ON battle-cry, The Thing's temper tantrums - it's gently surprising that one of the defining features of The Thing has taken almost a year to appear.
There are two things that make this prank great. One is the set-up - Ben gets an elaborately wrapped box, embellished with the dedication 'To The Thing'. Ignoring the lack of a return address or any sign as to who could have sent it, Ben opens the box and receives a classic Acme boxing-glove to the face,
The other is how Ben receives the box. It's through the post, and for the first time, we see the unfortunate individual unlucky enough to have to deliver the fan mail to the Baxter Building. Yes, Fantastic Four #11 is the first appearance of the long-suffering mailman, Willie Lumpkin.
Check out our coverage of Fantastic Four #11 on our ninth episode: Episode 9 - Patriotic Pedestrians Proceeding from Planet Poppup Prefer Poorly Produced Podcasts!
[audio http://traffic.libsyn.com/ffcast/Episode_9.mp3]
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