Fantastic Four 14
“The Merciless Puppet Master”
Published: Feb. 12, 1963
Story: Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
Script: Lee
Pencils: Kirby
Inks: Dick Ayers
Letters: Art Simek
Cover: Kirby and Steve Ditko

Synopsis

The Fantastic Four return from the Moon and are greeted as heroes. Meanwhile, the Puppet Master, last seen falling to his death, has survived and plots his revenge, using his radioactive clay to manipulate the Sub-Mariner into destroying the FF.

Under the control of the Puppet Master, Namor uses a “hypno-fish” to compel the Invisible Girl to join him underseas (so double mind control, for those keeping track), then taunts the rest of the team into pursuing her. Once in the Sub-Mariner’s underwater citadel, the team battles Namor, and the Thing rescues Sue from the clutches of a giant octopus. The octopus then breaks out of Namor’s lair and attacks the Puppet Master in his submarine. Once free of the Puppet Master’s control, Namor orders the FF to leave, but not before making another bid for Sue to remain at his side.

What’s going on here

A pretty straight-forward issue that recycles two previous antagonists. The story is a bit clumsy, and the FF never actually confront the villainous Puppet Master, but it has a clear beginning, middle and end. Perhaps the most significant development is the furthering of the Reed-Sue-Namor love triangle sub-plot, in which Sue’s interest in Namor now seems to be more than a passing crush.

Early in the comic we see Sue using Reed’s “roving-eye” device (basically a drone with a camera) to find Namor:

Reed, naturally, is not thrilled that his fiancee is pining after the Sub-Mariner.

As the team battles Namor, Sue comes to his defense …

• 

… before finally declaring that despite her “fascination” with Namor, her loyalties lie with Reed. Not exactly an ardent pledge of devotion, and Reed looks understandably skeptical.

That cover

Fantastic Four 14 features a great Kirby cover inked by Steve Ditko, and introduces the cover box, which becomes a Marvel staple. Not every FF issue has a cover box—there was a stretch of about 70 issues in the 70s when it didn’t appear at all—but it always seems to reappear, often drawn by the penciler of the time and reflecting the team’s current membership. Here are few from over the years.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

The Briney Deep

The Sub-Mariner deploys an unusual array of aquatic life in his plot to defeat the FF, some which seem suspiciously useful for the occasion.

Not only can the hypno-fish mind-control Sue across great distances, but it flies and creates an air bubble.

The Flame-Eater is handy when fighting the Human Torch.

And then there’s the super-strong fungus when you need to battle the Thing.

The Sexist Sixties

This issue may be Stan and Jack’s low point (so far, anyway). First “nutty females” mob Reed.

The Sue offers to do some house work over Reed’s objections. And he wonders why she’s lukewarm about him.

Finally, this gem from Ben.

Whoops

It seems the only reason Stan adds this stuff about the leaving the FF’s secret files with the police is to explain why Jack doesn’t have Reed and Johnny accompany Ben. It doesn’t get mentioned again.

Kirby Krackle

A pretty cool panel from the King. Note the Human Torch sleeping ablaze (in a space ship, no less)

For sale

A mint (9.8) copy sold for $15,000 in 2012. It would probably be closer to $20K today.

Next issue: The Mad Thinker and his Awesome Android!