User blog:M1shawhan/Marvel Comics Vol 1 1

All hail the mighty Marvel Comics. Issue #1 of a far-reaching franchise. This issue was actually a pretty good read, being that it was created in the late '30s and covered multiple stories. I never understood why there were always about 30 stories to each issue back then. Was it because of the need to get "more bang for your buck" (or 10 cents originally), a way to be easy on the writers/artists, or just to see which story sells and then push that character more? Anyhow you look at it, it seemed to work, otherwise there would be no Marvel today. Because of this mix, I will take each story on separately and hopefully get my points across without boring too much along the way. Contents

"Now I'll Tell One" - Funnies section
This issue begins with a one-page "funnies" section. Alright, back in the day when the Great Depression was clearing itself out and the world was about to plunge itself into war, people needed to just laugh. Odd thing is that their humor... well, IMHO kind of sucked. Sure, it was a comic book and many more youngsters than adults read it and probably chuckled, but these jokes are not like reading your Sunday newspaper funnies. This was the quick, one-panel and almost political-type of humor that just didn't cut it. You get the interesting pictures along with a quick one-liner joke. Anyway, if you ever get to read one of the reprints featuring these funnies, I would recommend quickly moving to the "meat" of the comic rather than wasting your time.

The Human Torch
Taking into account that this was written over 70 years ago, this story was actually rather good. I think I started off thinking it was going to be dull and very out-dated, but it has all the workings of your comic stories of today as well as people actually were drawn being smoking, maimed and sometimes killed (which in this post-censorship era, is rather interesting). I mean this issue might have be rated "T" these days. Not only was the feel of the story surprising, but it actually had some funny comments and scenes in it. I was actually smiling at how one second the Torch was absently destroying the city and then was laughing at the fire truck just because he likes the bells. Another interesting thing is the plot lines that were displayed in comics back then. This issue tells you all the whos, whats, wheres AND whys as well as tells the entire story in only a few pages. It leaves you wanting to find out, "what will happen next time on...". No wonder the Human Torch continued to be one of the stars of future issues.

The Angel
Comics back in the day were violent compared to now. The first six scenes are of the mobster-like "Six Big Men" killing a restaurant owner, beating up a city official and subway worker, and even blowing up a delivery truck business. Ironically, not only are the bad guys killing people and roughing them up, the main character seems to not have any problem taking out his own kind of "justice" on the bad guys (while writing rhymes on notes for the police to track him). Not sure how people back in the day felt about vigilantes, but it was definitely okay being portrayed in comic books. I likened the Angel to the current "Punisher" feel of justice (and even has a plain outfit with a single object on the chest. Though the Angel does have a non-aggressive "angel wings" logo instead of a skull... scary.) Overall, the story flowed well, but was just a little disjointed in some points. Still, I would have probably picked up the next issue on the Angel just to see how he dealt with the next villains.

The Sub-Mariner
The Sub-Mariner never made sense to me. Why did someone in the sea ever have winged-feet and was able to fly? This story is pretty interesting though as a dramatic race-war (and again with a pretty violent protagonist). Of course, Namor was one of those characters who was born of an Atlantean and a land-dweller and tries to take revenge on the one side of his family, partly because he doesn't understand them and partly because they shun the other half of him. His overall adventure in this story is of revenge and he definitely gets that done by killing several people and destroying a lighthouse. He finally takes off in a bi-plane to destroy it. This overall story is was not hitting the mark for me, but it is definitely easy to see why people followed his further adventures as he is simply finding his way in the world of land-dwellers and learning how to both help the needy and hurt the evil.

The Masked Raider
I was never one of those "cowboy story" readers. Sure, I thought the West was interesting and some of the real-life characters from back then were cool, but for reading a comic about any of them, I think I would have passed on them back then. Unfortunately, my appreciation of these stories has not changed and this one was just as bad. I truthfully cannot even come up with a good blog about this story.

Jungle Terror
This story tries very hard to be a mystery "Indiana Jones" story, but doesn't really accomplish it. The story/characters were canned for future issues and it was not difficult to see why. It left much, to be desired.

Burning Rubber
If I purchase a comic book it is normally for the graphics and comics... not for a written story (I know. I'm obviously off in thinking that). This story definitely was one I could barely keep my eyes open for. If anyone can finish this one-page short-story about a race-car driver, let me know how it ends.

Ka-Zar
The story here is one we should all be able to see -- Tarzan. They both almost even have the same NAME! Interesting thing about this one though is the approach. Sure, it's an origin story of someone we all knew as kids, but this one tries to at least teach you new animals while exploiting a known character that was stranded and orphaned in the jungle, raised by animals, and then hunted by -- and hunts -- an evil poacher. Really, Marvel??? Really? Somehow Ka-Zar and his adventures make it into future issues. Rant completed.

Overall
Overall the comic was a strong beginning, lacking middle, and then a very soft ending. Like I said though, it's the first and it was worth the read. Just glad we made it past the '30s though.