The Mighty World of Marvel Vol.1 #1

07 Oct 1972; Cover price 5p.
40 pages. Colour, tone & B&W.
Magazine Management London, Ltd.

Cover by John Buscema.

Free iron-on Monster T-Shirt Transfer

Contents:

.2 The Hulk The Coming of the Hulk w: Stan Lee; p: Jack Kirby, i: Paul Reinman.

r: The Incredible Hulk (Marvel Comics) Vol.1 #01 (May 1962).

.9 Instructions for free gift. / Advertisements

10 The Mighty World of Pin-Up Page! Fantastic Four p: Jack Kirby, p: George Klein.

r: (altered) cover from Fantastic Four (Marvel Comics) Vol.1 #01 (Nov 1961).

11 You've a team to be proud of- get a watch to be proud of advertisement for SoccerWatch.

12 The Hulk The Coming of the Hulk (cont.)

15 The Fantastic Four The Fantastic Four! w: Stan Lee; p: Jack Kirby, i: George Klein, lettering by Artie Simek.

r: Fantastic Four (Marvel Comics) Vol.1 #01 (Nov 1961).

20 A Special Message from Stan Lee (one third page) / For Mighty Marvel Readers Only! (1 2/3 pages) collectible token competition.

22 The Fantastic Four The Fantastic Four! (cont.)

30 Accept this Splendid Encyclopedia Free! advertisement.

31 Spider-Man Spider-Man w: Stan Lee; a: Steve Ditko, lettering by Artie Simek.

r: Amazing Fantasy (Marvel Comics) Vol.1 #15 (Sep 1962).

The Hulk has never looked more impressive than the opening splash page, and Kirby's influences (a favourite topic for articles about Jack Kirby) are clear - physical solidity bringing to mind William Blake, and some hint of Karloff's monster - which makes the brief original run of the character's so immediate and enjoyable. There is a uniqueness of vision in artwork for the early stories which would be washed away once The Hulk became popular. Here, with undiluted, unquestionable skill, everything works beautifully. The writing, as always with Stan Lee, is awkward and unconvincing.

The introduction of The Fantastic Four is less obvious a path, and the slow build-up teases a horror story out of what is essentially a superhero concept, though exceptionally done nevertheless. There's no great plot here, nor any deep thinking, beyond the characters getting from point A to point B with all manner of mishaps creating delays through their ill-advised display of abilities. It is almost a parody in places, with one ridiculous moment after another, culminating in the four assembling with joy at having survived the morning.

Rounding out the issue is the first appearance of Spider-Man, and - once again - it is a fantastic depiction of the character. The writing is surprisingly taut, and the twist recalls the best of the pre-superhero Marvel comics, though with much more emphasis on internal struggles than external battles. Without wasting any time, Peter Parker quickly falls into his heroic persona and brings justice to his uncle's killer - a simple motivation, played painfully straight, and which has been recycled endlessly ever after.

Odd tinting choices take attention away from the art, which has always looked better in black and white, but it is the best first issue Marvel have managed for their superheroes, with iconic characters shown from the beginning.