STRANGE TALES 115 (1963)
by Stan Lee & Dick Ayers
cover by Jack Kirby
This is the same issue that narrates the origins of Doctor Strange, but we’re focusing on a far less important milestone: Spider-Man trying to help the Human Torch’s sales.
It’s usually pretty hard to figure out when the Torch solo stories take place with respect to the Fantastic Four continuity, but this time Reed has it covered.
Reed is too busy looking for the cure to blindness (!!!) to deal with superhero business, so he asks the Torch to take care of Spider-Man’s enemy, the Sandman.
Since is only the second appearance of the Sandman, it’s a good opportunity to remind us that he had one of the most Silver Age defeats of Marvel Comics… being trapped in a vacuum cleaner.
Turns out he has escaped after “biding his time in jail”, which… considering how absurdly easy it is for him to escape… makes me wonder WHY he didn’t escape the second he was out of the vacuum cleaner!
Reed wants the Torch to ask for Spider-Man’s help, but of course he wants to fight him on his own.
And he IMMEDIATELY finds the Sandman! I get that he has a very recognizable face, but COME ON!!!
The fight will have to wait a while, since the Sandman escapes capture with a trick that shouldn’t have worked THAT well.
Believe it or not but we are already at the halfway point and nothing has happened!
Spider-Man is so upset by this that he calls out the Sandman via megaphone. (WTF!?)
AND IT WORKS!!!
Also: that television would cost 1,714.72 $ in 2021.
In a truly baffling moment, the Sandman is able to sneak up on Spider-Man! 
I know what you’re thinking: there is NO WAY this would’ve worked on Spider-Man.
And you’re right because this was actually the Human Torch in disguise!
And he disguised himself as Spider-Man because… I’ve got nothing.
The Sandman leads the Torch inside the building to fall into an incredibly lame trap.
Which is actually a colossally dumb decision from the Sandman because water is the weakness for both of them!
Nice showing for the Torch, who for once is using his head.
Now they’re both without their powers, but there’s one problem: the Sandman is a bulky bruiser and the Torch is a scrawny teenager.
But don’t worry: in addition to knowing judo and karate, the Human Torch has super-strength because of “the excess heat in his body”.
Sounds legit.
The Torch knocks out the Sandman with the most awkwardly drawn punch I’ve ever seen…
…and that’s it!
You know, being defeated by a vacuum cleaner was slightly less embarrassing than this.
Historical significance: 1/10
Just like Wizard and Trapster, the Sandman will join the Frightful Four mostly because he run into the Torch in his solo series. Thanks a lot, Johnny!
Silver Age-ness: 8/10
On the DC scale this wouldn’t even register. But the Torch suddenly having super-strength is VERY weird for Marvel!
Does it stand the test of time? 0/10
This was kind of a drag. Nothing happens in the three quarters of the story, and it ends with a rather unsatisfying fight. You’re better off skipping this one and reading Sandman’s FAR superior first appearance on Amazing Spider-Man.