Why it's Hot:
- Origin of the Fantastic Four retold
- Human Torch solo stories begin
- Classic cover art by Jack Kirby and Dick Ayers
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". 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 story has been updated multiple times, with current versions stating they attempted to travel beyond the solar system with a prototype star drive.
