Description

The Saga of the Original Human Torch                 Comics Lot
Writer: Roy Thomas
Artist: Rich Buckler
Inkers: Danny Bulanadi, Alfredo Alcala & Romeo Tanghal
Colorists: Bob Sharen & Nel Yomtov
Letterers: Janice Chiang, Timothy Harkins & Jim Novak
Editors: Ralph Macchio, Mike Rockwitz & Tom DeFalco
All Covers by: Rich Buckler & Danny Bulanadi

A Fiftieth Anniversary series recapping the career of the original Human Torch, from his creation in the 1940s, to his entombment, to his shocking modern-day present!The “Original” Human Torch, also known as Jim Hammond, (not to be confused or mistaken with Johnny Storm, member of the Fantastic Four) is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer-artist Carl Burgos, he first appeared in Marvel Comics #1 (Oct.1939), published by Marvel’s predecessor, Timely Comics. The “Original” Human Torch went on to become one of the most famous super-heroes of the Golden Age, along with Captain America and the Sub-Mariner. The “Original” Human Torch — the android superhero who had been created by Professor Horton which, due to a design error, burst into flame upon contact with the air. In time this “Human Torch” learned to control his powers and used them to fight criminals (and later, the Nazis). After the war, he resumed his career as a crimefighter until he was buried alive in the 1950s by criminals. Later, his body would be transformed into the Avenger known as Vision.

This Marvel Comics four-issue limited series helps to familiarize Human Torch fans and readers by recapping the entirety of the Torch’s 1940s and 1950s Golden Age solo adventures across the 4 issues with the “Original” Human Torch giving narration and reminiscences.

Story/Spoilers
In issue #1, “The Lighted Torch”, The Human Torch was an android created by Professor Phineas T. Horton for scientific purposes. At a press-conference unveiling, however, Horton’s creation burst into flames when exposed to oxygen, and, with human-like sentience, personality, and awareness, rebelled against his creator. Public outcry led to the Torch’s being sealed in concrete, which Horton did until he could find a way to control the android’s flames, though he eventually escaped due to a crack that let oxygen seep in. While the Torch then inadvertently caused parts of New York City to burn, he eventually learned to control his flame and vowed to fight crime and help humanity.

Next in issue #2, “The World on Fire”, Assuming a human secret identity as Jim Hammond “proverbial rookie cop on the beat”, the original Human Torch learned to control his flame power and fight crime in New York. There he contends with his first adversary, the lethal lass, Asbestos Lady. She was a masked quarry that wore an asbestos outfit that made her immune to the fire and flames of the Human Torch. Later, the Human Torch has a run in with Namor, the Sub-Mariner. Afterwards, the Human Torch takes on a partner, Tom “Toro” Raymond. Toro was the mutant son of two nuclear scientists whose exposure to radiation gave him the ability to control fire. Later, the Human Torch and Toro would join other heroes like Captain America and Namor, the Sub-Mariner as war broke out in Europe, and later in the Pacific, to fight the Axis powers. Together they battle the Nazis in World War II in this rip-roarin’ recounting of the history of the original Human Torch! Recaps events from origin through 1944.

Next in issue #3, “Out of the Ashes”, During World War II the Human Torch helped allied forces and the Invaders fight the Axis powers. Near the end of the war in Nazi Germany on April 30, 1945 – The Human Torch came face-to-face with Adolf Hitler in his Berlin bunker and killed him with his bare hands. Later he joined other heroes as war broke out in Europe, and later in the Pacific, to fight the Axis powers. Also, he would later drop the human name and serve the police force outright as the Human Torch, fighting villains and his off-and-on foe, the Sub-Mariner. A great recapping of events surrounding the original Human Torch from the death of Hitler through end of the 1940s with secrets revealed, incredible blazing aerial combat action and various other super-heroes!

Also features:
“The Man Who Lit the Torch” a 1-page text article by Jim Steranko.

Finally in issue #4, “The Flaming Fifties”, After the war the Torch was placed in deactivation sleep in the Mojave Desert; an atomic bomb test awoke him. Learning that Toro had been captured by the Soviets and brainwashed, the Torch rescued his old partner and learned that the nuclear bomb’s radiation had made his powers both much stronger and more unstable. Eventually, fearing he would become a danger to those around him, the Torch flew back out into the desert and went nova, using up his energy reserve and effectively deactivating himself. The Mad Thinker later rebuilt the Torch, restraining his flame and editing his memory so he would forget having been a hero, then sent him after the Fantastic Four and briefly made him a foe of the second-generation Human Torch, Johnny Storm. And then later a member of the Avenger West Coast variety.

Comics lot contains: The Saga of the Original Human Torch (1990) Issues #1-4.  Marvel Comics

Comics are bagged & boarded and will be carefully / securely packaged then shipped via USPS Priority Mail to ensure that it arrives to you perfectly and quickly.

All First Printings
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Publication Date: 1990
Format per comic: FC, 32 pages, Comic, 10.25″ x 6.65″
UPC: None Stated

Collectible Entertainment note: Comics #1,2,3,4 are in Very Fine condition.  Very Nice Set!  Please See Scans!!  A must have for any serious Human Torch collector and/or enthusiast.  A fun & entertaining read.  Recommended.

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