Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Sub-Mariner-Al Gabriele-1949
A far cry from the "ahead of their time" Bill Everett Sub-Mariner tales that both preceded and followed it, this may well be the wackiest Subby tale of them all. First you have Namor's old enemy--never seen before to my knowledge--Dr. Dill, a bicycle riding, top hatted fellow who tries to trick our hero into drinking a doctored soft drink. Namor notes the ruse...but decided to drink anyway to see what happens! It makes him grow to gigantic proportions like in a Tex Avery cartoon. Sent back to see, he picks up a boat looking for a doctor. The boat just happens to have the villain on it and he just happens to have the antidote on him. Who wrote this stuff? Stan Lee? Mickey Spillane (who really was at Marvel at the time)? Artwise, Al Gabriele inadvertently makes it look like a Giant Man story from 15 years later. The dorky villain adds to that effect.
The Silver Age Prince Man of would have ripped this guy a new asshole and shut down his neck with pleasure.
The Silver Age Prince Man of would have ripped this guy a new asshole and shut down his neck with pleasure.
