In issue #1, the Hulk destroys a circus tent. (There are apparently more circuses than Wal-Marts in the comic book world.) Stan Lee describes the event as such:
"Never have human eyes beheld such an awesome spectacle... Never has mortal man witnessed such a stupendous sight!!"The man is a genius. The enthusiasm is positively infectious.
Sometimes he gives personal advice:
"Caution!! Don't tear this magazine or wrinkle the pages or get food stains on it! We have a hunch you'll want to save it as a collector's item for long, long time!" (#6)
"Please read this masterwork slowly--you will treasure it for years!" (#15)Sometimes just fair warning:
"You'll gasp in amazement at the most unexpected final panel you've ever seen!" (#13)For the record, I did gasp.
As if any more evidence were necessary, witness this speech Captain America spits out whilst pummeling the crap out of an ex-Nazi, in issue #6:
"I still remember how you sneered at democracy... how you called Americans soft... timid... too spoiled to fight for freedom!Somehow Marvel lost interest in creating works of pure joy and imagination.
You mocked free men! You boasted of your contempt for liberty!!
Feel my grip, Zemo! It's the grip of a free man! Look into my eyes, tyrant! They're the eyes of a man who would die for liberty!
The world must never again make the fatal error of mistaking compassion for weakness!! And while I live, it won't!!"
Nobody fights lava men any more.
