OK, OK, I know I promised this a couple of months ago...what can I say? Mike Zeck interrupted us, and then things kinda wandered off. But I'm back on track now!
We've been looking the the Frightful Four and their never ending quest for that fourth member. We saw how three second banana villains decided, somehow, that the time was ripe to team up and take on the Fantastic Four.
So whom did they choose for the fourth member of their quadumvirate?
Someone more powerful than any of them?!? (Snort). Really?
Well, Jack Kirby had already spoiled it with his cover:
Really...Medusa...with crazy prehensile hair...might be more dangerous than any of you? And you're going to take on the FF? Perhaps, instead of Wingless Wizard, he should have called himself Witless Wizard.
I should note that this was the first ever appearance of Medusa...and at this point we knew nothing about the Inhumans. We later learn that she had amnesia from a blow to the head whilst escaping from Maximus the Mad...which, of course, automatically means you take up a life of crime.
Somehow the Wizard tracks down Medusa hiding on a Mediterranean isle:
So he recruits her, and puts her into super-villain gear:
It's good to see that Wizard's costume designing skills are the equal of his evil super-genius skills.
So they go to attack the FF at the Baxter Building, wherein Medusa demonstrates why her power is so awesome:
Yes, she can turn off light switches. With her hair. Remember, this was a decade before the Clapper! Which, I guess does indeed make her more powerful than her teammates.
But she does have her uses, like tying up Susan Storm from behind.
This story, however, establishes the pattern for virtually ALL future Frightful Four stories: the Frightful ones ambush and capture the FF, stand around gloating, one of the FF does something clever and exciting to escape, and without the advantage of surprise, the FF handily win the second battle. In this case, the evil-doers attacked while the Human Torch was away (so it was four on three...so much for being "their exact evil counterpart,", Wizard). Upon his return, the tides quickly turned. And how did Medusa fare?
Yup...taken out by an invisible paste gun. Pretty sad. And yet, Sue is still convinced how menacing she is:
Well, the villains escape at the last minute thanks to some off-panel shenanigans...but they return a mere two issues later. Once again, they strike via surprise.
Note to Sue--you saw her only 2 issues ago. Sure, she had a mask on then, but how many 6'5" women with 6 feet of long red hair who speak with a haughty Inhuman accent do you think are out there?
Wait a minute!! This is the second time in a row we get a reference to the Wizard designing women's fashions!! What the hell are you trying to tell us, Stan?!?
Oh, and also for the second time in a row, Sue gets pwned. By hair. Sigh...
Well, this issue's capture/escape/get whooped/flee story isn't that much different than two issues ago. Medusa doesn't even get much to do...except cower in fear because the Wizard lets her drive!!
So, that's the first part of Medusa's tenure as a charter member of the Frightful Four. Not a lot of success to report, but even as an amnesiac, she's learned one of the first rules of success--surround yourself with incompetents, so you look better by comparison!!
Tomorrow (and I mean it this time!!): the second half of Medusa's membership in the Frightful Four, wherein we learn that Medusa is hot for Reed, Johnny is hot for Medusa, and Sue really can learn from experience!!
Blistering battle scenes from Fantastic Four # 36 & 38 (1965) by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and Chic Stone
We've been looking the the Frightful Four and their never ending quest for that fourth member. We saw how three second banana villains decided, somehow, that the time was ripe to team up and take on the Fantastic Four.
So whom did they choose for the fourth member of their quadumvirate?
Someone more powerful than any of them?!? (Snort). Really?Well, Jack Kirby had already spoiled it with his cover:
Really...Medusa...with crazy prehensile hair...might be more dangerous than any of you? And you're going to take on the FF? Perhaps, instead of Wingless Wizard, he should have called himself Witless Wizard.I should note that this was the first ever appearance of Medusa...and at this point we knew nothing about the Inhumans. We later learn that she had amnesia from a blow to the head whilst escaping from Maximus the Mad...which, of course, automatically means you take up a life of crime.
Somehow the Wizard tracks down Medusa hiding on a Mediterranean isle:
So he recruits her, and puts her into super-villain gear:
It's good to see that Wizard's costume designing skills are the equal of his evil super-genius skills.So they go to attack the FF at the Baxter Building, wherein Medusa demonstrates why her power is so awesome:
Yes, she can turn off light switches. With her hair. Remember, this was a decade before the Clapper! Which, I guess does indeed make her more powerful than her teammates.But she does have her uses, like tying up Susan Storm from behind.
This story, however, establishes the pattern for virtually ALL future Frightful Four stories: the Frightful ones ambush and capture the FF, stand around gloating, one of the FF does something clever and exciting to escape, and without the advantage of surprise, the FF handily win the second battle. In this case, the evil-doers attacked while the Human Torch was away (so it was four on three...so much for being "their exact evil counterpart,", Wizard). Upon his return, the tides quickly turned. And how did Medusa fare?
Yup...taken out by an invisible paste gun. Pretty sad. And yet, Sue is still convinced how menacing she is:
Well, the villains escape at the last minute thanks to some off-panel shenanigans...but they return a mere two issues later. Once again, they strike via surprise.
Note to Sue--you saw her only 2 issues ago. Sure, she had a mask on then, but how many 6'5" women with 6 feet of long red hair who speak with a haughty Inhuman accent do you think are out there?
Wait a minute!! This is the second time in a row we get a reference to the Wizard designing women's fashions!! What the hell are you trying to tell us, Stan?!?Oh, and also for the second time in a row, Sue gets pwned. By hair. Sigh...
Well, this issue's capture/escape/get whooped/flee story isn't that much different than two issues ago. Medusa doesn't even get much to do...except cower in fear because the Wizard lets her drive!!
So, that's the first part of Medusa's tenure as a charter member of the Frightful Four. Not a lot of success to report, but even as an amnesiac, she's learned one of the first rules of success--surround yourself with incompetents, so you look better by comparison!!Tomorrow (and I mean it this time!!): the second half of Medusa's membership in the Frightful Four, wherein we learn that Medusa is hot for Reed, Johnny is hot for Medusa, and Sue really can learn from experience!!
Blistering battle scenes from Fantastic Four # 36 & 38 (1965) by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and Chic Stone
You've got to remember, based on Stan Lee's characterization of women in the early 60s, Medusa WAS the most menacing female Sue had ever seen. Sue's days were spent shopping in high fashion boutiques and going to exclusive salons. A menacing female for her was usually an aggravated register clerk or a hung over manicurist.
ReplyDeleteI so agree! Medusa WAS the most menacing female that Sue had ever seen! Overall, Medusa got the best of lovely Sue Storm, especially in issues #36, #38 and #43. Marvel should bring her back to The Frightful Four and give her mental powers that can inflict pain upon a heroine, making Medusa truly MORE powerful than the Invisible Girl!
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