Spotlight issue for Iceman
The Human Torch story of the issue features a team-up with Iceman. Its main use is a spotlight for the latter character and allows him to operate away from a team setting.
The New York press features headline articles concerning the recent battle between the X-Men and the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. The issue starts with the Fantastic Four reading one of these issues and conversing about the X-Men. The Human Torch pays attention to the youngest X-Man Iceman. Apparently, the press considers them very similar and Johnny states he would like to meet his fellow teenager. Susan poinths that she would like to meet all of them, since they sound fascinating. Reed notes that the identities of the other team is unknown, preventing a meeting. Only the Thing isn't interested at all in the mutants. He is transporting some of Reed's devices and doesn't appreciate that nobody is helping him.
The Torch decides to leave in time for his date with Doris Evans. He is taking her to a boat ride around Manhattan Island and is looking forward to kisses under the moonlight. Susan notes that her little brother seems to be growing up.The scene shifts to Xavier Mansion. The Angel and Marvel Girl are preparing to go on a date. Iceman is feeling left out. He confesses to Professor X that he would like to date Jean as well. But both the Angel and Cyclops keep asking her first, monopolizing her date time. Xavier suggests that Iceman could use his free time to go sight-seeing in New York to put his mind off his loneliness. Bobby books a ticket on the Daily Cruise of Gotham Boat Line. He is hoping to meet "swingin' teens" on board.
Arriving a bit too late to board the ship the normal way, Iceman creatively uses his powers to board unnoticed. Switching back to his civilian identity, Bobby finds another problem. There are many teenage girls among the passengers. All of them accompanied by other teenage boys. None available for Mr. Roberts to hit on. Until he notices Doris Evans standing alone. He finds her very attractive and tries introducing himself. To be informed that she already has a boyfriend. Enter the Human Torch ready to show off his powers. Bobby has to leave, regretting that he can not demonstrate his own powers to impress the girl.
The teenage romance game is put on hold. Two of the "passengers" have managed to destroy the ship's radio and telegraph. Just in time for their boss Captain Barracuda and his crew of river pirates to attack. They have a small vessel which they use to board the cruise ship and hold passengers and crew at gun point. Both Human Torch and Iceman use their powers against the pirates. They are both bulletproof as bullets melt before touching the Torch while Iceman uses an ice shield as armour. But Barracuda remains in control. He uses their own powers against them. He uses a fire hose on Iceman. His cold temperature freezes the water and traps him in ice. He uses flamable materials to force the Human Torch to turn off his powers or risk endangering the entire ship. The latter backfires as the Torch is thrown overboard but a fire actually spreads around.
While the hostages and their captors alike panick, the fire frees Iceman. Who uses his powers to put it out and then turns against the pirates. The Torch is also back in action. The pirate crew proves useless against them. Barracuda soon has to escape, taking Doris as hostage. It is not long before his small vessel is trapped at the top of a small hill of ice, courtesy of the Iceman. Torch reclaims his girlfriend. Iceman figures it is his time to leave, freezing part of the river to allow him to walk back to the shore. he leaves as lonely as he entered. Johnny regrets being unable to get better acquainted with his latest ally. Doris points that he could be among the passengers but they would be unable to recognize his civilan form.
The story isn't exceptional but allows for further exploration of Iceman's personality, his interaction with the other X-Men and some creative uses of his powers. Doing anything from dowsing flames to casually trapping villains left and right. The X-Men title wasn't really paying attention to the character at the time. Barracuda also gets to sign with some good strategic thinking. The Torch comes off as a peacock at times though. And Doris seems to be a flat character. Something for the boys to fight over and the villains to threaten. Curious for the lead characters to come off worse than the guest star.
The Dr. Strange story is actually more interesting and, thanks to Steve Ditko, much better designed. It begins with Dr. Strange in full regalia silently walking towards a specific destination, a small cottage on the outskirts of an unnamed city. The cottage is reputed to be haunted. A television show has set cameras on the outside and is about to send in a reporter, Allan Stevens. A small crowd has gathered outside. Thinking it is all a "corny publicity stunt". A duo considers the idea of actually seeing a ghost. Ome of them asks Strange's opinion. Which is that are far more dangerous things than ghosts. Things we can not even dream of. The duo recognizes Strange but figures he has been hired by the show, another attempt to "impress the yokels".
Stevens does enter the house. He notes first on old lamp floating on the air and them mists coming from the walls around him. He blaims his imagination for playing tricks on him. Before seeing something challenging his sanity. His microphone goes dead and the man goes missing. Outside, presenter Bill Brinkly is genuinely terrified. But both the crowd and the audience at home think its all an act, a viewer even commenting that it all seems so 19th century. But Strange has used the Eye of Agamotto as a Third Eye. He knows what is going on. He has to use his powers just to make way through the crowd.
He enters the house and sees the same things Stevens had encountered. But he does know wjhat he is facing. There is no entity haunting this house. The house itself is an otherdimensional entity. He reasons with it and it releases Stevens. The entity, "Dweller in Shadows", thinks he can convince Strange to let it stay around. It might threaten humanity but never again Strange. But Strange banishes it from Earth to protect humanity. The same ignorant humanity who has not realized a man almost went insane, who notice the entire House vanishing before their eyes and still figure its special effects. But a silent, brooding Strange walks away. And all these sceptics make certain to give him "a lot of elbow room".
Strange with all his seriousness, his spells and invocations, his disdain for the crowds certainly stands out among the wise-cracking heroes 1960s Marvel was known for. And with the moody little thrillers Ditko was penning, it is easy to see why he was a surprise hit. The scoffing, laughing crowd is also reminiscent of many crowd scenes in Ditko's Spider-Man. Where the civilians are arguably more obnoxious than the villains.