Fantastic Four #14

Fantastic Four issue 14 was published by Marvel Comics in May 1963 during the formative years of the Silver Age. Created by the collaborative team of writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, this issue introduced the character of the Puppet Master, a sculptor who uses radioactive clay to control the actions of others. It served as a quintessential example of the era's storytelling, blending suburban domestic conflict with fantastical superhero tropes as the Fantastic Four navigated internal tensions while confronting a new, psychologically driven antagonist.

The narrative design of the issue leaned heavily into Jack Kirby’s dynamic approach to layout and character movement, which became the visual blueprint for the Marvel Universe. The Puppet Master remains a significant addition to the company's rogues' gallery, marking an early instance where Marvel villains were given personal, often tragic motivations rather than simply being archetypal threats. Upon its release, the issue contributed to the rapidly growing popularity of the series, cementing the Fantastic Four's role as the foundation of Marvel's shared continuity.