The Saga of the Original Human Torch #1 (April 1990)

When you think of the modern Marvel Universe, who do you think of? Teams like the Avengers, maybe? The X-Men? The Fantastic Four? Individual heroes, like Spider-Man? Wolverine? Captain Marvel? It's understandable. After all, the Marvel Universe is filled with heroes from a wide variety of walks of life. 

But even the fictional Marvel Universe had to start somewhere. And for the Marvel Universe, its start came with a man of flame. The first Human Torch: Jim Hammond. "But wait!", you may ask. "Isn't Johnny Storm the Human Torch?" Well, yes. He is. But he was arguably Marvel's first legacy hero. He was actually the second Human Torch. Jim Hammond, the first Human Torch, debuted in Marvel Comics #1 (October 1939). Created by writer/artist Carl Burgos, the Torch was originally portrayed as a Frankensteinian monstrosity, but quickly evolved into a superhero. In the Golden Age of comics, Hammond was one of the heroes that regularly fought criminals and Nazis alongside other Timely Comics (Timely was Marvel Comics' predecessor) heroes like Captain America and Namor the Sub-Mariner. 

In the 1960s and 1970s, Hammond would be revived as a member of the Invaders, who in-universe was a superhero team who fought in WWII. You can learn more about them here. Unlike his fellow Invaders Cap and Namor, Jim Hammond would not play much of a major role in the MU post-WWII. He would be around, having been a former Hero for Hire and a West Coast Avenger, but the man never seemed to reach as high a profile as his fellow Invaders. Heck, in the MCU, the only mention of him was his being seen in his tube in Captain America: The First Avenger as an Easter egg. So, I thought that this week, it would be cool to take a look at a comic starring him.

The comic we're looking at today is the first issue of a 1990 miniseries that basically retold the history of Jim Hammond's life up to that point. At the time, the character had been revived and joined up with the West Coast Avengers. I have no idea how this miniseries came about; I couldn't really find anything about it. Sorry about that. Anyway, let's take a look at Saga of the Original Human Torch #1!

 

The cover is a Rich Buckler and Danny Bulanadi piece. It's really cool. It depicts our man Jimmy burning his way through a steel plate to get at the viewer. What I didn't realize when I first looked at this cover a long time ago is that this is an updated take on the classic cover to Marvel Comics #1.

In the original version of the cover, the viewer sees the Torch menacingly approaching a gunman. It was like we were a witness to the Torch's actions. But this cover gives us it from the gunman's point of view. The pose is changed, but the look on his face and the change in view helps continue the feeling of menace from the original cover. 

"The Lighted Torch"
Writer: Roy Thomas
Penciler: Rich Buckler
Inker: Danny Bulanadi
Colorist: Bob Sharen
Letterer: Janice Chiang
Editors: Ralph Macchio, Mike Rockwitz
Editor-in-Chief: Tom DeFalco

The story begins with a man. A man named Phineas Horton. 

The year is 1939. Horton has spent much of the year on a labor that he has grown obsessed with: the creation of a synthetic man. A man who would be at first glance just another ordinary person, but would be made of steel and wires instead of flesh and blood. Later, Horton calls a press conference, where he unveils his creation. The reporters are not impressed. After all, Horton's synthetic man looks like a blond dude in red pajamas. Nothing special.

Horton then puts some oxygen in the tube the man is inside, and an age starts with a burst of flame.

The reporters point out that the artificial man could fall into the wrong hands, that he could get someone killed. Horton refuses to destroy the Human Torch, as he's an incredible scientific wonder. The reporters vow to use the power of the press to make him destroy the Torch. Horton isn't worried. After all, there's a big crisis coming, and surely that would take all the press's attention.

However, the reporters' vow ends up prophetic. Horton is forced to bury the Torch in concrete. He prepared for this. The Torch's tube is equipped with a radio and a recording device, so the first Marvel hero wouldn't be left unaware of what was going on around him. Notably the fires of World War II consuming Europe.

Thanks to a crack in the concrete, and a leak in his tube, oxygen slowly seeps in, allowing the Torch to reignite himself and escape.

The Human Torch...lives again!

Horton hears the explosion and tells the Torch to stay still. The future Invader and West Coast Avenger isn't listening. He flees into town. He sets alight everything around him because he isn't able to control his flames. Some firemen try to blast him with a hose, but all it does is create a lot of steam. The Torch makes his way to a pool and dives in, hoping the pool will be able to do what a fire hose could not. It's here another player makes his move.

Meet Anthony Sardo. He's a gangster and racketeer. He has his men put the winter cover over the pool, trapping the now-inert Torch. Sardo sees the Torch as a bit of a godsend. You see, Sardo is running a protection racket. Basically, if a business doesn't give him money, he has their business attacked. And the Torch could be the potentially best enforcer Sardo could have. Sardo and his men take the Torch to a warehouse and unleash him. The Torch wonders why Sardo would leave him there. He realizes Sardo was not a good guy and flees, discovering that he can fly.

A furious Torch spots and flies after Sardo, pursuing him to his home. Torch searches for the racketeer, not realizing that the man has fled to a bomb shelter. The Torch ends up unintentionally setting Sardo's house ablaze. Remember, at this point, he can't control his power. The artificial man deals with Sardo's men, then returns to Sardo's burning home. 

Sardo thinks he's safe in his bomb shelter, the only way in or out being a thick steel door. But he learns the hard way that the Human Torch is not stopped so easily.

Sardo tries to shoot at the Torch, but the bullets melt before they can do any damage. He tries to hide behind a tank of what is presumably nitrogen. Sardo says "Nitro" in the comic, but since he fears it making him explode, I was thinking that he meant nitroglycerin. But then the Torch gets exposed to a gas in the tank. Nitrogen is a gas. Nitroglycerin is a liquid.

The Torch absorbs the nitro, his flames going out. Sardo tries to make a deal, but the Torch is not interested. Sardo tries to throw a container of sulfuric acid (the comic misspells it as "sulphuric") at him. But the heat the Torch puts out makes the tank explode, splashing and killing Sardo. Which makes sense, sulfuric acid is very corrosive. It causes severe chemical burns when exposed to flesh. 

The Torch tests out a theory. He further exposes himself to nitrogen gas and discovers that it's now allowed him to control his flame powers. He can even create and throw fireballs. He makes his way out of the mansion, to see some of New York's Finest at the scene.

The Torch surrenders and demonstrates that his powers are under control now. The police return the Torch to Horton. Horton believes he can make a fortune with the Torch. However, the man of fire is not fond of the idea. He's seen firefighters and police officers in action, willingly risk their lives to help others without desire for fortune. It's lit another kind of spark in the Torch's fiery heart. He wants to do the same himself. He wants to be a hero. With a goodbye, he flies out of Horton's home, unknowingly setting it ablaze, too.

And with that, a new age of superheroes is born, and it's looking bright!

I admit, I enjoyed this comic. I think Roy Thomas does a rather good job updating the events of Jim's story in Marvel Comics #1 (October 1939). It still does have a bit of that Golden Age goofiness, though. But that's fine here. It doesn't break the story for me. Rich Buckler's art was also really well-done. I have pointed out in my review of Giant-Size Invaders #1 (June 1975) that Frank Springer's art helped fit the Golden Age style, which fit a series set in the 1940s. Buckler's art also gives me a similar vibe, but it feels more like a modernized take on the art styles of that era, if that makes any sense.

Jim Hammond's origins had been retold in stories before and since this comic. Often, these retellings were from different perspectives and added new details. For example, it was revealed in Invaders #22 (November 1977) that Horton worked alongside Fred Raymond (the father of the Torch's sidekick Toro) to develop Jim. Which is funny because that comic was written by Roy Thomas as well. Yet Raymond's involvement is not mentioned here. Weird. Maybe he forgot. 

If you want to read this for yourself, I recommend tracking down the 2014 trade paperback Sub-Mariner and the Original Human Torch. Thanks for reading this blog entry! If you liked it, show it off! Take care of yourselves and each other! Stay safe, stay healthy, stay home, wash your hands often, wear a mask, and get your vaccine/booster! See you next time!

Giant-Size Invaders #1 (June 1975)

The Marvel Universe has a long history of supervillains and superheroes. Many stories have unfurled and revealed this long history. One of the first major superhero teams in the Marvel Universe was forged in the fires of World War II: The Invaders. Funny thing is, the Invaders actually existed because of a retcon.

The core five members of the Invaders [Captain America (Steve Rogers), Bucky Barnes, Human Torch (Jim Hammond), Toro, and Namor] did actually have stories published during the 1930s and 1940s, but no comic of the era actually had them all team-up together. In Avengers #71 (December 1969), writer Roy Thomas and artist Sal Buscema revealed that yes, they did have adventures together during WWII. It was appropriate that Thomas be the creative mind behind the Invaders. After all, as has been discussed before when talking about his work on the Justice Society, Thomas loves Golden Age-era superheroes.

From there, the Invaders would have their own series. This series lasted from 1975-1979, 41 issues and 2 annuals. The comic we're going to be looking at here was essentially a "try-out" story, a way of testing the waters. Fans clearly wanted more Nazi-punching action, hence the first series. Let's look at Giant-Size Invaders #1!

The cover is a Frank Robbins, John Romita, and Gaspar Saladino piece. It's really cool. Yes, it is a bit basic, depicting our five Invaders, but it does work here. It feels like a Golden Age-era comic cover, which actually fits, considering the time period it's set in.

"The Coming of the Invaders!"
Writer: Roy Thomas
Penciler: Frank Robbins
Inker: Vince Colletta
Colorist: Petra Goldberg
Letterer: John Costanza
Editor: Roy Thomas
Editor-in-Chief: Len Wein

The story begins in an unrevealed city. The date: December 22, 1941. The time: 3:00 AM. Captain America and Bucky are handing a traitorous bund an early Christmas present: A good old-fashioned beating. After the beatdown, the two are approached by a group of FBI agents. They ask if Cap is familiar with a man named Dr. Anderson.

"THE NAMES! THEY'RE EVERYWHERE!"

The name gets Captain America's brain working. You see, Dr. Anderson was the man who was the head of projects in the US Government...including Project: Rebirth, the very operation that transformed the sickly Steve Rogers into the Sentinel of Liberty. We get a retelling of the origins of Captain America. So, why are they asking about him? Well, Anderson is staying at Walter Reed Hospital...because he may be dead.

Cap goes to the medical center, and thankfully, Anderson is still alive.

"They...kicked me in the boys...fifteen times..."

Where had Anderson been since the fateful experiment that created the Star-Spangled Man with the Plan? Well, in the time since, the Pearl Harbor attack happened, and the United States formally entered World War II as a result. Two nights earlier, Anderson was kidnapped by a Nazi spy dressed as a military policeman and taken to a farm in Virginia.

"They said something about milking me. I think they're very stupid."

The farm had been turned into a hidden Nazi lab. Run by a Colonel Krieghund ("War Hound" in German), he wanted Anderson to work on a little project for them: Master Man.

Hydrotherapy in the 40s was weird...

The Master Man here is Wihelm Lohmer, the original. He made his debut here. There have been a couple other Master Men in the comics since, both connected to Lohmer. The most recent Master Man (the third) was Lohmer's grandnephew Max, who debuted in Captain America #18 (July 2006). 

You see, seeing the success of Captain America, the Nazis naturally tried to duplicate him and create such a super-soldier of their own. However, they've not been able to get the formula exactly right, as Erskine died without ever writing it down. Anderson pointed out to Krieghund that the Americans also have failed to perfectly replicate the formula themselves (Captain America was intended to be the first of many super-soldiers, after all). Krieghund believes that since Erskine confided in him, he may know it himself. He places the scientist in a brain-reading machine.

"This is the ugliest hat ever!"

The Psyphon is able to extract the formula from Anderson's mind, very painfully. The Nazis then use it to awaken Master Man. The Nazi super-soldier is clearly not morning person, as he starts trashing the lab. Krieghund literally whips him into shape. They are then alerted to two objects flying towards them. 

The Torch and Toro were on their way to see a movie.

Jim Hammond, the Original Human Torch, is heading towards the farm. Naturally, at this time, he is accompanied by his trusty young sidekick, Thomas "Toro" Raymond. They came to rescue Anderson. Master Man is easily able to take down the two heroes. Krieghund tries to shoot them, but Anderson knocks him aside, causing him to accidentally shoot the lab equipment that Master Man previously damaged. This causes a fire, and Kreighund gives Anderson a bullet. Master Man and Krieghund escape. Hammond puts out the fire by absorbing it. And then he and Toro get Anderson to the hospital. And that's how he got here.

Torch and Toro are also at the hospital. Cap recalls he and Torch first met in Young Allies #1 (1941). Anderson realizes there was a reason why Krieghund wanted Master Man activated, and he tells the FBI agents to get the heroes to Chesapeake Bay. What is he up to? Well, it turns out that a British battleship is on its way to the inlet's naval base. Who knows why.

A Nazi U-Boat pops up nearby, with Master Man on board. The Nazi super-soldier stars wreaking havoc on the ship. However, one of the sailors on the ship is a disguised Namor the Sub-Mariner. The Atlantean king decides to treat the Nazi to a Mighty Punch.

"Ha! Your fishy fist cannot break THIS jaw!"

...which Master Man no-sells. Master Man knocks Namor into the water, but thanks to his Atlantean physiology, Mr. Imperius Rex is recharged. However, a fire on the ship makes him dry out quickly, weakening him again. 

However, Cap, Bucky, and the Torches arrive to back Namor up. Despite their help, Master Man proves himself to be a real powerhouse, easily taking them all on. Krieghund reminds the self-proclaimed Ubermensch that he has a mission. And his priority is getting it done and getting out of there. Master Man refuses, until he feels himself start to weaken. Realizing his power is temporary, he leaps away, his way of running for it.

Torch and Toro use their fire to heat up the sub and melt it, but the sub is able to fire a pair of torpedoes. Namor got those handled, though. He takes the torpedoes and sends them back to the sub, blowing it up.

The British ship is safe, chugging along on its way. But what of Master Man himself? Despite his fading power, he's able to make his way to shore, battling his way across traffic. Cap and Bucky pursue him. The chase ends quickly. Master Man's power runs out, causing him to shrink down into the smaller, skinnier Wilhelm Lohmer. 

Aren't the clothes supposed to shrink if you wash them wrong?

He underwent the Master Man empowerment as he was the physically smallest and weakest man in his local bund. And with that power gone, he was small and weak again. He is easily knocked out by Bucky Barnes.

With Lohmer no longer a problem, there still is one question remaining: why was Namor on that British ship? Well, he was there on a mission at the quest of the ship's very special passenger.

It was said after seeing this, Churchill really needed to get drunk.

Great Britain's then-Prime Minister, Winston Churchill. He was here to confer with then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt on how to deal with their common foe in the Nazis. He asks the five heroes to basically join forces to help take them down. The quintet of heroes agree to do so...and the Invaders are born. 

I enjoyed this story. It felt a bit like a Golden Age comic book, which I imagine was the point. It had plenty of action. I never realized this, but Master Man is very much the anti-Captain America. Which, considering his origins, is kind of the point. This story was action-packed, and all the Invaders get to do something cool. Frank Springer's art has a very rough style that very much fits this particular comic. It gives a Golden Age vibe, which fits a comic set in the 1940s starring a bunch of heroes from the time.

If you want to read this for yourself, I recommend tracking down the 2014 trade paperback Invaders: The Complete Collection Vol. 1. Thanks for reading this blog entry! If you liked it, show it off! Take care of yourselves and each other! Stay safe, stay healthy, stay home, wash your hands often, and wear a mask! See you next time!