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X-Men 6 Diary: Sub-Mariner Joins the Evil Mutants or Hello Dreamboat

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 Credit Sub-Mariner for being one of Marvel's oldest heroes.  He appeared in Marvel Comics #1 with art by legend Bill Everett.  But what was it about Sub-Mariner and the ladies of Marvel in the early sixties?  Of course, we know Sue Storm was mildly infatuated with Sub-Mariner in the early days.  And it seems that Scarlet Witch was quite taken with him as well.  But let's get to the X-Men 6 Comic Reading Library diary entry. Uninspired (but informative) Title: Sub-Mariner Joins the Evil Mutants Written with the flair of Stan Lee Drawn with the air of Jack Kirby Inked with the care of Chic Stone Lettered on a dare by S. Rosen A Light-Hearted Start So far, the title splashes of the first six X-Men comics have been short on real drama, but I can't complain too much.  The humor and entertainment value shines.  I have a hard time seeing Hank McCoy as a guy with no manners, though.  One area that the Silver Age Marvel excelled at, giving credit to contributors.  And this was a go
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X-Men Diary: X-Men 5 Alone Against Magneto

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The threat of Magneto is greater than ever. But thanks to last issue's shocking ending, Professor X is powerless to help out the gifted teens called the X-Men.  And now, Magneto and his Brotherhood of Evil Mutants hold the Angel captive.  Will all that training in the Danger Room payoff?  Will my X-Men Diary abruptly end?  Should the doors of the Comic Reading Library close forever!?!? X-Men 5 "Trapped: One X-Man" Spellbinding story by Stan Lee Dazzling drawing by Jack Kirby Inking Paul Reinman Lettering S. Rosen X-Men Diary Entry: Even Mutants Have Family Today's story begins with a humorous visit by Jean Grey's parents.  Oddly, I was reminded of the movies and the reaction of some of the parents to sending the kid to Xavier's school.  Of course, the evil mutants are less familial in their interactions. Magneto Snatch and Grab Later, the X-Men and Magneto's band have a showdown.  Magneto didn't have his modern gravitas.  At one point, he throws a boun
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X-Men Diary: 1st Appearance Scarlet Witch in X-Men 4

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 X-Men 4: After #1, This is the Big One In the Silver Age series, the introduction of Scarlet Witch (and Quicksilver) is the most likely to create heart palpitations and shortness of breath among X-collectors after issue one.  So, when I read it for the first time <ahem>, I was curious how Stan and Jack handled these characters that were introduced as villains but are known for being Avengers.  And it's true that it wasn't my first time to read this story, but that's the beauty of the X-Men diary with fresh perspective and fresh takes on each issue from 1 to 200. Those Mutant Creators Sensational script by Stan Lee Dynamic drawings by Jack Kirby Imaginative inking by Paul Reinman Legible Lettering by Art Simek Hex Notes The big question on my mind: would Stan's dialogue hint that Wanda and Pietro were good people in a bad crowd?  Or, would they sound like garden variety super-henchmen to Magneto?  I was happy to read the characters were nuanced and torn from the
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X-Men Diary: X-Men 3 In the Center Ring - Blob

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X-Men 3 Diary Entry - The Blob! Written by Stan Lee Illustrated by Jack Kirby Inked by Paul Reinman Lettered by Art Simek X-Men 3 Character Development in the Center Ring X-Men 3 tops the first 2 for story and characterization. Hank is starting to sound cerebral. Scott is sober and serious--very heavy for one of the most unusual teenagers of all time. In fact, Scott is wishing he didn't have his awesome powers and the danger he presents to everyone he loves. And this is the first issue where it's clear that he has feelings for Jean Grey. (Oddly, they all do, more on that later.) Here's Scott pining... Beastly Identity Crisis Further, Hank McCoy bemoans his appearances and mannerisms that have dubbed him The Beast. Throw on top of that, the villain is a pudgy guy called the Blob. Talk about a lot of "body positive" issues in this story. I am reminded of David's wor
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X-Men Diary: X-Men 2 The Vanishing Vanisher

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  X-Men 2 Diary Entry It's X-Men #2! The second X-Men villain vanishes like a rival gang member in old-time Chicago. Should we point the finger at Magneto? Written by Stan Lee Drawn by Jack Kirby Inked by Paul Reinman Lettered by Sam Rosen The Vanishing Vanisher Nothing Can Stop the Vanisher! Maybe it should have been titled, "nothing can start the Vanisher". He had a decent power, predecessor to Nightcrawler without the pathos, and yet, he only appeared in a few comics after his 1963 run-in with the X-Men. What...? Did Magneto sue the Vanisher for encroaching upon his archenemy status? X-Men 2 Story and Character Development Regardless, the story was not too involved. Its primary focus was on training. Professor X ran the X-Men through their Danger Room drills. Not a great story, but the characters were beginning to take on their typical personalities. More Training in the 'Danger Room' Perhaps Stan and Jack were creating a metaphor for training--though
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X-Men Diary: X-Men 1 Beginnings

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X-Men Diary Beginnings X-Men #1!!!!! So it begins, my first fresh take! Each issue from 1-212, read as if I had never read it before. And then a few thoughts. Written by Stan Lee Drawn by Jack Kirby Inked by Paul Reinman Lettered by S. Rosen Random X-servations for Issue 1 First a few random observations: Good choice to switch names from Slim to Scott Summers! Warren was more serious than I expected. Beast seemed to be a mixture of The Thing's personality and the hairy appearance and womanizing of Monk Mayfair. And Professor X, I think he's too old for his parents to have been part of the first Atomic testing. Maybe it wasn't the bomb, maybe it was radiation. X-Men Diary Wrap Up As far as the story goes, it was a reasonable tale of beginnings. Not remarkable, but all the major characters were introduced including arch-enemy Magneto. There were only hints of later ideologies that would be developed surrounding
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