Copy came in the mail today. Oh my god...it is DELICIOUSLY bad! Even by the standards of the day.
Thought the clunky Human Torch origin by Burgos was the worst thing I'd ever seen...and it was, till I kept reading.
I say that with love and respect, mind you. I knew what I was getting into and was not disappointed.
Haven't gotten to any Kirby yet...the book features all first appearances, in order...but one solo outing by Joe Simon on The Fiery Mask.
Early Marvel also had a thing for robots...4 so far, counting the Torch. Maybe 5...not sure WHAT Dynamic Man is. And I'm not a third of a way through the book.
Honestly, Fox stuff I've seen from the era is better than this. Win the Wonder Man lawsuit...annoy Joe Simon a little less so he doesn't take Captain America elsewhere...and who knows?
The one thing that stands head and shoulders over the rest is the Sub-Mariner origin by Bill Everett, in quality of both art and story. It is a tragedy that his personal demons limited his productivity and shortened his life and career.
Well worth picking up for anyone who enjoys the wondrous entertainment power of bad Golden Age comics.