The Perpetrators:
Writer/Artist/Editor: Owen “Puzzle-Master” (that’s what it says in the credits!) McCarron
Marvel Comics

The Plot:
Solve a series of puzzles featuring your favorite Marvel characters. It’s the only way to defeat the super villain team of Kang, Dr. Doom, and Dormammu from taking over S.H.I.E.L.D.’s secret moon base!! Ok…I made that second part up. This is really just a puzzle book — mazes, word scrambles, word finders, other common brainteasers — so your mileage may vary on the word “Fun” in the title.

The Deal:
No clue. This has that glorious stench of the throw-wall-sticks? theory of publishing. Also, there are a ton of references to the popular-at-the-time “Hulk” TV show in here, so that probably has something to do with it. Maybe this was also a way for Marvel to infiltrate certain kid markets that wouldn’t carry comics but would sell puzzle books/magazines? Who knows. But here we are wasting our time by reaping the ironic benefits nearly 30 years later. Awesome.

The Verdict:
So awesomely doofy that it is impossible to dislike. Could you really hate on a comic that inexplicably depicts the Hulk in a football helmet and scrimmage line pose for no discernible reason other than that boys like football?

There’s also a great parade of highly obscure characters in here alongside the main guys. Seriously, Sting Ray is prominently featured at least three times. Who the hell is Sting Ray?! And of course let’s not forget Jack of Hearts and Moonstone. Wtf?

The Dialogue:
“THE STING RAY’S STING-MAZE

Get it right the first time or stingy will getcha with his electro-blasters”

The Moment(s):
1. Stan Lee’s ludicrously enthusiastic intro on page one: “You’re going to flip over every far-out page!” Indeed.

2. A “What’s Missing” puzzle where the object missing is Dr. Strange’s ’stache.

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