Written by Larry Lieber – Penciled by Jack Kirby – Inked by Dick Ayers – Lettered by Art Simek

Strange Tales is an anthology book — even when it’s trying not to be.

The cover makes that clear. It still advertises the sci-fi backup stories, holding onto its roots as an anthology title. But front and center is the Human Torch. Marvel is clearly trying to transition this book into something else.

It’s just not quite there yet.

The story itself is thin. The Human Torch is challenged by a reclusive genius known as the Wizard — a wealthy inventor who has mastered everything and is now looking for a new challenge. Naturally, he decides that defeating a teenager will prove his superiority.

It’s pure anthology.

A cautionary tale about hubris, dropped into a superhero framework.

The Wizard tricks the Torch, captures him, and impersonates him in order to destroy his reputation. It’s a clever setup on paper, but it never quite builds into anything satisfying.

What the story lacks, the art makes up for.

Kirby continues to evolve here. The Torch looks more defined. The action is more dynamic. The backgrounds are fuller, more detailed. There’s a confidence to the visuals that the story hasn’t quite caught up to yet.

And Kirby gets to play with ideas.

The Wizard’s technology is inventive in that very specific “Kirby tech” way — high concept, a little absurd, but visually striking. His design stands out too, hinting at the kind of costumed villain he’ll eventually become, even if here he still feels rooted in anthology storytelling.

There are small, interesting touches throughout.

The recap of the previous issue is framed as a newsreel playing in a movie theater — a clever device, even if it feels a little out of time.

The continued attempt to give the Torch a secret identity leads to some fun visual moments, even if it still doesn’t quite make sense within the larger Fantastic Four world.

The Wizard, posing as the Torch, causes chaos — robbing banks, freeing prisoners, terrorizing motorists, even skywriting. It’s big, flashy, and a little ridiculous.

Eventually, the real Torch escapes, brings in Sue, and defeats the Wizard with a trick — convincing him he has telekinetic powers.

It’s not great.

But it is revealing.

This is still an anthology story at its core — a self-contained idea, a twist, a quick resolution. But now it’s being told through a superhero lens.

Marvel hasn’t quite figured out how to merge those two things yet.

But you can see them trying.

And Kirby, as always, is already ahead of the curve.

Marvel in the 60s – Entry #23