Which is the best Hulk versus Thing fight?

It is one of the all time classic confrontations, in one corner the gamma spawned goliath in green that is the incredible Hulk and in the other the everlovin' blue eyed idol o' millions Ben Grimm alias the Thing.  What we need to know is which fight was your favourite?  Here are some suggestions:

Fantastic Four #12

Fantastic Four #12 (March 1963)
Pencil Art by Jack Kirby, inks: Dick Ayers

Stan Lee and Jack Kirby bring us the very first encounter shortly after the Hulk's own title had been cancelled and before the foundation of the Avengers.  This is real primordial Marvel Age creativity here but is it the best?

Hulk versus Thing from Fantastic Four #12 (March 1963)
Pencil Art by Jack Kirby, inks: Dick Ayers
script by Stan Lee

2013 Comics Resolutions Part Two

I have finally got round to completing my list! So many non-comics related stuff to do so little time!  I had decided to make a list of six comic runs or series I must read (or re-read) during 2013.  Here are the final three:

I have attempted to embrace DC's New 52 but I am becoming increasingly disillusioned,  I dropped Marvel almost ten years ago so as I gradually rationalise my monthlies the theory is that I can read stuff I actually enjoy.  I enjoy Marvel Bronze Age horror so I am going to read Werewolf By Night.  This series is nowhere near as good as Tomb of Dracula but well worth a revisit if only for Mike Ploog's art.

Werewolf By Night #7 (July 1973)
Art by Mike Ploog

2013 Comics Resolutions Part One

So many great comics so little time!  I have decided to make a list of six comic runs or series I must read (or re-read) during 2013.  Here are the first three:

Peter Parker's sad demise at the hands of Dan Slott and Disney has prompted a yearning to re-read Silver Age Amazing Spider-man. I aim to read the entire sixties run and continue through to the death of Gwen Stacy.  Stan Lee, Steve Ditko and John Romita established a legend.  Reading these classic tales will remind me of Peter Parker's ascent to greatness.

Amazing Spider-man #41 (October 1963)
Pencil Art by John Romita, inks: Mike Esposito

Happy Birthday Stan Lee!

Stan Lee is celebrating his ninetieth birthday today!  A milestone that must be acknowledged.

Stan Lee

Stan Lee is the most famous comics creator of all time.  To the general public Stan = comics = superheroes. We comics fans regularly discuss the most minute contributions made by creators to the comics mythos and often ignore the vast influence of Stan.  For a period of years every time I surfed the comics related web invariably the words "Stan Lee" would launch a bitter tirade from die hard Kirby fans. This may be some sort of justice for the distorted public perception that Stan created everything but to my mind did not address  the following:

Captain America by Jim Steranko

Captain America by Jim Steranko, inks:Joe Sinnott, script: Stan Lee
Captain America #111 (March 1969)

To my mind Jim Steranko is the second greatest Captain America artist ever and he only drew three books! Pencils on #110 and #111 with inks by Joe Sinnott and script and pencils on #113 which was inked by Tom Palmer.  Each issue is a true classic.

Hulk Foes: Silver Surfer

As a fan of the Hulk and a fan of the Silver Surfer how could I resist Tales to Astonish #93?  The cover alone is enough to justify a purchase!

Tales to Astonish #93 (July 1967)
 Pencil art by Marie Severin, inks by Frank Giacoia

"He Who Strikes The Silver Surfer" by Stan Lee and Marie Severin is a classic early Silver Surfer tale in which the former herald of Galactus anguishes over his banishment to Earth and his inability to soar the spaceways. 

Father's Day Special: Dads in Comics

It is Father's Day so here is a personal chronological list of Dads in comics:

Jor-El

First appearance in Action Comics #1, June 1938

Created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster

Jor-El

Probably the most important Dad in comics history as he decided to send his son, Kal-El, to Earth where he became the first super-hero.  Without Jor-El there would be no Superman and I wouldn't be writing this blog 74 years later.

Avengers: Greatest Stories Ever Told

Here it is Avengers fans, the greatest stories ever told about Earth's Mightiest Heroes as selected by yours truly.  Dig them out and read them again or track them down and read them for the first time. Thirty tales listed in chronological order:

The Coming of the Avengers, #1, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, September 1963

Hulk and Sub-Mariner ,#3, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, January 1964

Captain America Lives Again, #4, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, March 1964

Avengers Assembled

If you had to pick six Avengers to be on the team who would you pick?  The Avengers Assemble movie has gone with Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye.  Mostly obvious choices for the movie audience, Hawkeye being the exception.  Hardcore comics fans will always have a favourite line-up but I am betting most would not favour this six.  Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch's Ultimates updated and re-booted the Avengers in an alternate ultimate Marvel universe in 2002 and the movie takes its tone from their re-imagining.  Samuel L. Jackson may be fanboy heaven as Nick Fury but for this Silver and Bronze Age fan this is not really the Avengers.

The Avengers Pencil Art by Jack Kirby, Inks: George Roussos
Avengers #4 (March 1964)

Devil Dinosaur

Devil Dinosaur
Pencil art by Jack Kirby
Inks: Frank Giacoia

Jack Kirby returned to Marvel Comics in 1976 and created the ongoing series Devil Dinosaur in 1978.  The comic lasted nine issues before cancellation.

Fury or Rock?

Who is the best sergeant in comics?  Nick Fury or Frank Rock?  Do you like shirt shredding, ammo belt wearing helmetless sergeants or shirt shredding, ammo belt wearing helmeted sergeants? The Howlers or Easy Company? Stan and Jack's Marvel Age take on war or Bob and Joe's premier war icon? Let me know which Silver Age top kick you prefer:

Sgt Fury by Jack Kirby

 

Sgt Rock by Joe Kubert