Costumes and Cars and HQ Oh My!

Issue: Fantastic Four (1961) #3

Name: The Menace of the Miracle Man

Published: Marvel, March 1962

Blurb: From CMRO:

The Fantastic Four face the Miracle Man and his plans for world domination. Facing off against the monsters he brings to life, it is up to the Invisible Girl to save them. Can even the Fantastic Four defeat a man who performs miracles?

From Comixology:

After the Miracle Man realizes his full potential during a tussle with The Thing, he declares war on mankind. To make matters worse, tempers flare between the Thing and the Human Torch. If the FF are going to defeat their latest foe, they'll need to come together.

Creators:

Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Jack Kirby
Inker: Sol Brodsky
Letterer: Artie Simek
Colourist: Stan Goldberg

Characters:

The Good: Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Girl, Human Torch, The Thing
The Bad: Miracle Man

Story (C):

The story isn't the best and I'm wondering how many issues are going to remind us of how the team got their powers. I think the part I liked least was that I didn't buy the idea that a performance magician who specialized in hypnotism would suddenly think he could take over the world. The mass hypnosis thing really didn't sell me.

After the initial challenge of the Miracle Man and the Thing, the second chapter brings the first view of the familiar costumes. And who knew the Thing wore a helmet? They also introduced the Fantasticar.

With all the firsts, the story suffers a bit. The car chase was cool with Mr Fantastic taking over as a tire, but I didn't understand how the blinding flash of the Human Torch would break the hypnotism. And once again, the conflict between the Thing and the Human Torch plays a big role. This time, the Torch leaves the team – that can't be good.

Art (B+):

I liked what they did with the Human Torch's look. After a couple of issues where his flames overwhelm his form, he is well defined and he looks like a person rather than just a bunch of fire. Hopefully they will work on the Thing's look since I still have issues with him.

I'm glad to see the costumes appearance in this issue – they help refine the expected look of the team, though it was interesting to see that the Thing had a shirt and helmet in this issue…they did not last long.

I also liked that they are fleshing out the world around the team. The detailed layout of the Baxter Building headquarters was a great addition to the book. I think it shows that as they are developing the characters and their interactions, the creative team is building the world that they inhabit as well – pretty cool.

Characters (C-):

The villain in this issue is not well developed. Does the Miracle Man really think he can take over the world with his hypnotism? I think not.

One thing that I think helps define a hero is the enemies they face, and when the bad guys are not well thought out, it hurts the hero. Perhaps back in the 60s, a magician would be a decent bad guy, but I don't think it holds up. His motivations are lacking and his powers are the least 'super-powered' in the series so far.

The conflicts within the team seem to be coming to a head with Johnny leaving the team. I think overall the team's characterization is coming gaining in definition, but I am still a bit put off by the Thing's anger.

Enjoyment (B-):

I loved Mr Fantastics new forms…ball and tire. It was cool to see him branching out. The cutaway of the Baxter Building was also great. I just wish the villain was more villainy.

Special extra (C+):

The costumes, building layout, and Fantasticar were great new feature introduced, but once again I didn't like the villain they created for this one. If there was an origin story for Miracle Man, I don't remember it…that's how unimpressed I was with him.

Overall (B-/B):

This rates right in between a B- and a B. I lean towards a B- since I really didn't like the villain. The cool new aspects introduced are there, but this IS only the 3rd issue so there are still a lot of new things to show in future books. The costumes are gonna be around for a long time along with the Fantasticar and the headquarters so it deserves at least the B-

A Rookie Perspective:

This is the first issue I didn't really like, but it was still worth reading. Hopefully the next one shows improvement. I am worried about the Human Torch leaving though – will he go rogue and turn against the team or just not be there when they really need him? Hopefully he and the Thing can reach a peace and stop all the infighting.

This comic can be found on Marvel Unlimited and Comixology.

Comics Corner 1.4