STRANGE TALES 119 (1964)
by Stan Lee & Dick Ayers
cover by Jack Kirby
1960s Marvel is pretty famous for being particularly in touch with the social themes of the era… but even they could sometimes f#ck it up in a spectacular fashion.
Strap in, this is going to get crazy.
We begin with the Torch doing his usual stunts, but this time the crowd hates it.
Is it because he’s being blasted in “the gossip column”?
Or because of his constant feud with Spider-Man?
(why would the public CARE, since in this period Spider-Man was pretty hated in-universe!?)
Kind of? But mostly it’s thanks to a new villain… the Rabble Rouser.
Yes, “Rabble Rouser” is both:
A) the way he’s publicly addressed
B) by the very people he’s influencing
But despite his immensely idiotic name, I suppose the Rabble Rouser COULD make sense.
I mean nobody could f#ck up making a case about being suspicious of a guy who sets himself on fire, right?
I stand corrected.
Spider-Man could really help the Human Torch deal with negative publicity.
But, on the other hand… it’s Spider-Man and the Human Torch so of course this goes nowhere.
The Rabble Rouser is SO successful in his campaign that he convinces the city council to make spontaneous combustion illegal.
And of course this being 1960s Human Torch he’s now acting like an idiot.
And now, ladies and gentlemen, I’m extremely proud to tell you that the story now goes completely bonkers.
Yes.
NOW.
Get this: not only the Rabble Rouser is actually a communist spy (!!!), he’s ALSO able to do his shtick because he has a mind control device!!!
But wait, that’s not all! His campaign against the Human Torch was actually a test because now he wants the US to stop providing foreign aid!!!
But wait, that’s not all!
He plans to use the same underground rocket that the Hate Monger used in Fantastic Four #21.
(I really should review that one these days)
Which, since the Hate Monger is literally Hitler, means that the Rabble Rouser is actually… taking a deep breath here… a communist spy with mind control technology who wants to change US policy but also kidnap the prince by using the underground rocket created by Adolph Hitler.
The Silver Age, man.
Also the Rabble Rouser’s powers are nothing compared to nicotine addiction.
So “Prince Nagamo” from… actually we have no idea where he’s from… is getting an enthusiastic reaction from the public.
Why couldn’t the Rabble Rouser test his device by making the public hate HIM instead of the Human Torch!?
That’s when the underground rocket kidnaps the prince! Wait, WHAT!?
And the Human Torch doesn’t intervene because he’s afraid of breaking the law.
To make one thing absolutely clear: the Human Torch is NOT under mind control here!!!
Care to explain why this makes no sense, Human Torch from Fantastic Four #542 ?
I can never get tired of that quote. Man do I miss Dwayne McDuffie sometimes.
Anyway the Torch agrees to do something only after Prince Nagamo intervenes.
That’s enough for the Human Torch to enter the underground tunnel and attack in an admittedly awesome panel.
Wait wait wait… that gizmo can actually mind control people? Then why the heck didn’t you do THAT in the first place!?!?
But he doesn’t have enough time because Prince Nagamo distracts him.
Why the hell is the prince IN THE UNDERGROUND TUNNEL now!?!?
Remember how the Torch inexplicably had super-strength when he fought the Sandman?
Don’t worry, this comic doesn’t.
And finally the Human Torch is able to save the day by… mind control.
But at least he does destroy the mind control device, so that’s one positive thing after about a million negative ones.
And so we end with the Human Torch regaining the public trust and the girl.
I really shouldn’t be surprised by the Silver Age anymore, but WHAT THE HECK DID I JUST READ!?!?
Historical significance: 0/10
The Rabble Rouser supposedly has a couple of cameos in a Wolverine storyline but even then I’m not fully convinced it’s the same guy and not the artist having some fun.
Silver Age-ness: 12/10
This would be a 10/10 for a DC comic, but this is over the top for Marvel.
Does it stand the test of time? 0/10
This is so stupid it physically hurts.