Strange Tales Annual #2: Flame On 45

Written by: Stan Lee

Drawn by: Jack Kirby

Inking: Steve Ditko

Lettering: Art Simek

I walked out of the coverage of this annual in protest at the levels of ridiculousness achieved in the story. Of all the issues of Strange Tales, this is the one I want to re-read the least. And so, I'm sitting here, writing about this panel without a single clue as to why Spider-Man and the Torch are ready to beat the tar out of each other.

I think it's something to do with a bank robber, but let's face it, there are more than enough of those even in the nascent Marvel universe. I was reading Daredevil #25-26 and Amazing Spider-Man #46 for my ancillary reading for the show, and in all three issues we get super-villain origins that involve breaking into safes or bank vaults.

Anyway, there's some sort of tenuous plot that leads to Johnny crying out his catchphrase.

Check out our coverage of Strange Tales Annual #2 on our sixteenth episode: The Best Of Annuals, The Worst Of Annuals. It's the one where Steve walks out over the utter ridiculousness of the story, leaving the show in the hands of Andrew and guest-host Jon M. Wilson.

[audio http://traffic.libsyn.com/ffcast/FF_Episode_16.mp3]

Strange Tales Annual #2: Flamin' 'Eck 29 (WTF Spidey Edition)

Written by: Stan Lee

Drawn by: Jack Kirby

Inking: Steve Ditko

Lettering: Art Simek

So, how does Spider-Man deal with Johnny's flame duplicates? Why, by using his super-speed to run away really fast. And not in a straight line, either. Why run very quickly in one direction when you can rapidly change direction for no real reason at all.

Seriously, super speed? I know Spider-Man was a fairly new character at this point, but with the series artist providing inks, and the series writer writing, did nobody think to send the pages back to Jack with a polite 'thank, but no thanks' and a request for a redraw?

Check out our coverage of Strange Tales Annual #2 on our sixteenth episode: The Best Of Annuals, The Worst Of Annuals. It's the one where Steve walks out over the utter ridiculousness of the story, leaving the show in the hands of Andrew and guest-host Jon M. Wilson.

[audio http://traffic.libsyn.com/ffcast/FF_Episode_16.mp3]

Fantastic Four Annual #1: Reed's Stretchy Body 37

Written by: Stan Lee

Drawn by: Jack Kirby

Inking: Steve Ditko

Lettering: Ray Holloway

A bit more Spidey/Reed action, with inks by Steve Ditko. Here, Reed takes his penchant for spanking Sue and uses it in a less acceptable manner.

I don't have a huge amount to say about these panels, other than the fact that some rogue Pym Particles appear to have snagged Spider-Man in the second panel - he's teeny!

Check out our coverage of Fantastic Four Annual #1 on our sixteenth episode: The Best Of Annuals, The Worst Of Annuals.

[audio http://traffic.libsyn.com/ffcast/FF_Episode_16.mp3]

Fantastic Four Annual #1: Reed's Stretchy Body 36

Written by: Stan Lee

Drawn by: Jack Kirby

Inking: Steve Ditko

Lettering: Ray Holloway

One of the more unique elements of the Fantastic Four Annual #1 was six pages devoted to retelling and expanding on the brief sequence in Amazing Spider-Man #1 where Spider-Man tries to join the Fantastic Four, only to end up in a fight with them. The opening caption claims that 'countless letters' have asked for this to happen, although it would not be inconceivable to suggest that Stan and/or Jack felt that there was more to be gained from the meet-up than had seen print.

Rather nicely, we get a rare collaboration between Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, as the Spider-Man artist lends his inks to the pencils. Ditko had provided inks for Fantastic Four #13, and this would be his final contribution to the title, if not the characters.

Check out our coverage of Fantastic Four Annual #1 on our sixteenth episode: The Best Of Annuals, The Worst Of Annuals.

[audio http://traffic.libsyn.com/ffcast/FF_Episode_16.mp3]