METAL MEN 22 (1966)
by Robert Kanigher & Ross Andru
This should be classified as a horror comic, isn’t it?
“The Sizzler” is going to be the main antagonist of the story, but it’s a sensible name when compared to its creator… Professor Snakelocks.
Yes.
SNAKELOCKS.
The “Exercise Room”? For robots!? And what kind of exercise is that, they’re just turning into the same stuff in every issue!
Professor Snakelocks has diplomatic immunity because he comes from a different country. Which, in case you don’t know, is not how diplomatic immunity works. Like, AT ALL.
Kanigher might have written too much Wonder Woman, considering he gives Professor Snakelocks an invisible plane.
I see all those exercises paid off. SOMEHOW.
But it’s just a distraction, because the Sizzler turns the Metal Men into humans!!!
Well… MOST of them look human, anyway.
If you think THAT doesn’t make any sense… well it doesn’t, but it’s even worse.
Since the Metal Men sucked when they were robots, will this be an improvement? Nope!
OH GOD.
*ehm*
Moving on…
…we see that Robot Magnus is not more successful.
Turns out Sizzler is not really evil.
Can we please, PLEASE stop showing these things!?!?
I will never be able to sleep again, isn’t it?
Despite how it looks, things between Tina and Doc have not changed in the slightest.
Attacking the enemy with sheer angst is a new one.
At least Robot Magnus has a new robot that can save the day: one made of rubber! (????)
Aaaand it does absolutely nothing, what are the odds.
Only now the Formerly Metal Men figure out that Sizzler is female. To give Ross Andru some credit Sizzler WAS drawn somewhat androgynously, but more importantly WHO CARES!?!?
And then Sizzler turns them back into robots because ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
And that’s how we end the issue. Which is great because before tackling the sequel I have something to do after this one.
Metal Men significance: 0/10
Silver Age-ness: 1010,000/10
Does it stand the test of time? 0/10
Issues when not a single Metal Man dies: 8
Interesting letters: a brutal takedown of all the faults of the series by none other than future writer Mike Friedrich.
