On the other hand they do manage here to make the Wizard look almost threatening.

Unless there's someone who ever thought he was anyway. I mean, "the Wingless Wizard?" So, there are wizards elsewhere WITH wings? Oh, and you can fly and you hang out with Paste-Pot Pete. Jesus, apart from Medusa? The Frightful Four made the Circus of Crime look cool. (Sandman was in more than one group so he doesn't really count much either)