Page 1: 11/1961 - 01/1963
(I started writing these reviews after having been most of the way through page 2. I have tried to keep my opinions based on the issues in this page, but a. it's been a little bit since I read them, so my memory isn't as fresh, and b. it's possible that some of the page 2 issues will get twisted in there. C'est la vie.)
The first page is going to be pretty unique as an experience. I'm getting used to multiple things at the same time: the silver age, 1960's culture, and the *ahem* tools that I am using to read these old comics. I wasn't around in the '60s (which is, at the time of this writing, the first personally identifying information on this website) so it's kind of a culture shock, in a fun way. There are six books that are on this page, so let's dive into them.
Fantastic Four (1961) #1-#9: Solid villains with decent showings from the Fantastic Four. I particularly like Doctor Doom, and Namor is half-decent too. The Thing is annoying at first, but he mellows to be less angsty. They don't let Sue do anything, but they honestly don't really let anybody but Johnny do anything so I won't take too many points off. A-.
Tales to Astonish (1958) #27, #35-38: Ant-Man is really dumb. Most of his stories are Scooby-doo villains with a side order of "and then I talked to ants and they helped me for Reasons". They spend a lot of time trying to explain his technology and I think he'll get more fun when they simplify that. C.
Incredible Hulk (1962) #1-#5: Ok, I like the Hulk. His relationship with Rick Jones is actually pretty compelling for the era, and it's always a pleasure to watch the Hulk break things. I like having a hero who can't really be trusted to solve problems in the best way, and the first few Hulk stories are definitely that. They give him a leash for a little bit, and that undecuts his stories I think. Overall though, A-.
Amazing Fantasy (1962) #15: Only one issue but it's a good'n. Peter looks like a real loser and he acts like a real loser and I like that. A.
Journey Into Mystery (1952) #83-#87: Thor is kinda cool, but his stories mostly suck. He's great when fighting Loki, though. Loki's plots are stupid but alien enough that the silver-age logic is actually appropriate. Too much time wrestling with his secret identity though. B-.
Strange Tales (1951) #101-#103: Oh boy does this book suck. Human Torch keeps getting new powers and all of his antics around his secret identity are miserable. This is the worst book by a fair margin. Silver lining is that it's fun to make fun of so many things being made of asbestos. D.