Strange Tales #101

Issue Details

Synopsis

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers. Human Torch solo series begins in "The Human Torch," script by Stan Lee (plot) and Larry Lieber (script), pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers; In his home town of Glenville, Johnny Storm investigates sabotage at an amusement park; He finds that the sabotage was aimed at a structure that blocked messages to a Communist submarine. "Skrawkcab" text story, art by John Tartaglione. "The Impossible Spaceship!" , script by Stan Lee (plot) and Larry Lieber (script), art by Don Heck; An empty spaceship arrives on Earth, confusing everyone; The ship lands and stays for a time before leaving, disappointed that the humans couldn't realize that the ship itself was alive. "What Is X-35?" , script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko; A criminal trying to escape is repeatedly confronted with the number X-35; He is run over and killed by a car bearing the license plate number X-35. First Silver Age Human Torch solo story. This story is divided into two parts: an untitled part one (7pp) and Part 2– "The Flaming Fury Strikes Back!" (6 pp). Contains diagram of Sue & Johnny's house & brief recap of the Fantastic Four's origin. Splash bills Johnny as "America's Favorite Superhero" . This spin-off series no doubt the result of publisher Martin Goodman feeling that "The Human Torch" has been good luck for him, dating all the way back to Marvel Comics #1 (October 1939). The plot about spies trying to scare townsfolk away from where a submarine is docking may have served as the inspiration for the 1967 Spider-Man cartoon, "Return Of The Flying Dutchman" . The editor's note states that Johnny's identity as the Human Torch is secret. It is later identified in Human Torch (Vol. 3) #1 that Johnny initially tried to brag about being the Human Torch and nobody believed him. The "secret identity" business was all to save his bruised ego until people couldn't deny that he was actually the Human Torch. Strange Tales #106 reveals that everyone knew about Johnny's "double identity" and were just humoring him. Johnny recaps the origins of the Fantastic Four as the tale was originally told in Fantastic Four #1. The purpose of the space flight and the technology used here are not specified but these facts are subject to the Sliding Timescale of Earth-616. Originally in Fantastic Four #1 it is stated that the Fantastic Four were trying to beat the Soviets in the space race. In Fantastic Four #2 it is stated the group were trying to reach Mars. The story has been frequently updated since. Particularly in Fantastic Four #197, Fantastic Four #236, Fantastic Four #358. Current versions of the Fantastic Four's origins now state they were attempting to travel beyond the solar system with a prototype star drive. All Cold War references in this story should be considered topical references per the Sliding Timescale of Earth-616. Origin of the Fantastic Four retold Human Torch solo stories begin Classic cover art by Jack Kirby and Dick Ayers The Impossible Ship It cannot be confirmed if this story takes place in the Earth-616 universe or not. The plot of this story is the same as the plot in Men's Adventures #21 (1953), Strange Worlds #1 (1958) and Tales of Suspense #11 (1960) What is X-35? It cannot be confirmed if this story takes place in the Earth-616 universe or not.