PRELUDE: Human Torch #8

Featuring: Human Torch
Release: June 26, 1942
Cover: Summer 1942
10 cents
52 pages

Previous		Next
Marvel Mystery Comics #31	PRELUDE	All-Winners Comics #19
Fantastic Four #56	Reading order	Fantastic Four Annual 4

You two big lugs oughta be ashamed of yourselves! Spies are all around, threatening our country! The Python is on the loose! Democracy is in danger– and you fight each other instead of fighting the common enemy!

No credits are given. The GCD discusses the research into who is behind this based on later interviews, recollections, art analysis, etc. They credit the writing to Mickey Spillane and Ray Gill. They credit the art to Allen Simon, Harry Sahle, Al Gabriele, and possibly Eddie Robinson, Carl Pfeufer, and others.

Mickey Spillane is best known for his graphicless novels featuring Mike Hammer.

Notably, Torch creator Carl Burgos, who told the first few years of Torch stories is not involved, because he’s off fighting in World War II.

The story is broken into 6 chapters plus a prose portion. But since all 7 parts keep a consistent page numbering and tell one story, I think it’s fair to lump all 52 pages together.

This series has a very confusing numbering and titling. But it’s becoming clearer.

There was Red Raven Comics #1, a series they decided not to continue, instead giving the spot to the Human Torch, whose series began with Human Torch #2, which we read. (The cover reads The Human Torch #2, but I’m not concerned with articles.) Some online sources refer to this as Human Torch #1, which is confusing. Then the second issue is #3. Then to get more confusing the third issue says #3 on the cover again.

If you look to the indicia, the legal matter with postal and copyright statements, often taken as more official, it refers to that third issue as Human Torch #4. And online sources will refer to it as either #3 or #4 or sometimes note the discrepancy. The next issue is #5. Then the next issue is also #5. Whether this was a mistake or an attempt to correct the confusing numbering is unclear. Some online sources will call these 5a and 5b. We previously read the second Human Torch #5, not the first one.

But the upside of all this is that Human Torch #6 is pretty inarguably issue 6, no matter how you count, so all online sources now agree what the comic is.

So you can see why some websites choose to number the first 5 issues #1-5, as that’s simpler than #2, #3, #3|4, #5, #5.

But then the title gets confusing. Starting with issue 7, the cover reads “The Human Torch Comics”, where the indicia still reads just “Human Torch”. This cover also sort of reads “Human Torch Comics”. You can almost see the word “Comics” covered up by a balloon about the Sub-Mariner. But it’s technical title is Human Torch #8.

The word “Comics” will disappear from the cover for a few issues, but then be there consistently from #12 on. Hence why many know this series as “Human Torch Comics”.

I don’t know how much attention you pay attention to my little codes I have in the tags, but you will see I called this htc.008.1. The “HTC” is taken from the MCP, which knows this series as “Human Torch Comics”. The numbers indicate this is the first story of the 8th issue.

Officially, in the indicia, the word “Comics” is never part of the title, though the article “The” is officially added for most issues starting with issue 9.

That’s not the end of the confusing numbering and titles for this series. When it gets cancelled with issue 35, the numbering continues with Love Tales #36 in 1949. But when Human Torch returns in 1954, he returns with Human Torch #36.

We’ve seen Torch and Namor meet three times now. Marvel Mystery Comics #7-10, #17, and Human Torch #5. The first time they battled, the second time they teamed up, the third time they battled. I think this is their fourth encounter, though someone please correct me if I’m missing one.

They frequently team up on the covers of Marvel Mystery Comics, but not in the interiors.

We are not reading this because Namor appears, though we are happy to see him. We’ll get to why we are reading this.

Because this is 52 pages, and I’ve already talked for 500 words about issue numbering, I’ll try to be a bit terse.

The conflict begins with Nazis trying to break the villain called the Python out of Alcatraz. This attracts the attention of both Human Torch and Namor.

The Python is not a new villain, but he’s new to both these characters. He was introduced in Sub-Mariner Comics #2 as a nemesis to the Angel. The Angel fought him a second time in Marvel Mystery Comics #25.

There is at least one discrepancy. In his original appearance, the Python was German, and now he seems to be American. Also, he seemed to die after his last battle with Angel, but now is alive and in prison. Villains often don’t stay dead, though. And not just villains, apparently…

Namor has adopted a number of sea-related exclamations that we see in this issue.

• Shuffling sharks!
• What in Davey Jones’ locker…
• Tickling tuna
• Singing sea bass!
• Walloping wales
• Sufferin’ sea bass

As mentioned, Namor and the Torch have fought at least twice and teamed up at least once, though their team-up was rocky and began with a near fight. But this comic has several references to them being friends. For being friends, they are quick to insult and attack each other, and seem to only work together reluctantly. Toro at least thinks they are all friends, even after Namor called him a twerp.

Chapter 2 is called Python’s Power, and I find it generally an odd transition from Chapter One. Chapter One seemed to show Python escaping in a U-Boat, when he fought and perhaps killed Namor. Chapter Two shows he’s left the U-Boat. He thinks he’s killed Namor by breaking his neck, when he plainly electrocuted the guy. And now his escape plan involves a parachute. It’s a wonky enough transition to make me wonder if different writers are behind the chapters.

Namor does claim he destroyed the sub, but we didn’t see that happen. We just saw him get electrocuted.

On the subject of their close friendship, Namor is mad Torch shoved him into the water. But he likes the water. And the Torch calls him a “slithering water lizard”, which feels out of line and unprovoked.

The Python, now naked, is in a complex in America modeled after Hitler’s own. Hitler was directly behind his escape, and was pleased that only 300 of his own men died in the effort.

Python keeps calling Hitler Schickelgruber, which he hates. Schicklgruber is Hitler’s given family name, before he changed it to Hitler, because he thought it sounded cooler. Later in life, people would mock him with the name. Winston Churchill was well known for doing so.

After Chapter 2 comes a text story called The Men Hitler Fears. Often there are text stories in these comics, usually unrelated to the main story. For example this issue also includes a Mickey Spillane short war story called Flight Over Tokyo.

But this text story is actually directly tied to the main story. It revolves around Hitler’s plan to free the Python because Human Torch and Sub-Mariner keep interfering with his plans.

The story begins with Hitler crying. Dictators and wannabe dictators are often just big babies. As true today as it was then.

In this text story, we get an important revelation. Dr. Horton is alive. Recall Dr. Horton created the Human Torch in Marvel Comics #1, and that we learned in Marvel Mystery Comics #2 that Human Torch had murdered Dr. Horton. Hitler reveals that Horton is not dead, but has been working in secret for the US government while the world believed him dead. This raises a lot of questions the issue won’t answer.

Did Human Torch think he had killed Horton? Or was he in on Horton’s government work? It’s not clear.

Hitler decides to find Marvel’s deadliest villain to capture Dr. Horton, to use him to either destroy or control or duplicate the Human Torch. He pulls out a stack of Marvel comics to find the answer he’s looking for, and settles on the Python.

Hitler is continuously mocked for his effeminate features and mannerisms by the writer of this story. Hitler probably would have liked to see this writer get fired for making jokes at his expense.

Chapter 3: The Fiery Monster. The Python kidnaps and tortures Horton. His first idea is to have Horton create an army of Human Torches, but Horton explains the creation was a fluke he can’t replicate. He does note the original machine can be used to make the Torch stronger. The Python, using scientific understanding I lack, deduced it will make the Torch both stronger and controllable.

The Python has Horton call the Torch to lure him into a trap, as the Torch will trust Horton. Even though the Torch once murdered Horton and presumably thinks him dead. To Python’s credit, the Torch is utterly nonplussed that his dead creator has called him, and runs off to meet the guy.

The Python turns the Human Torch into a giant flame monster loyal to him, then tricks the FBI into thinking Dr. Horton is responsible for the damage he’s about to have the Torch wreak.

Chapter 4, The Python Strikes. Toro, Namor, and Dr. Horton team up to save the Human Torch. The Human Torch is fully under Python’s control, and nearly kills Toro.

We get a nice two-page spread of the battle between Sub-Mariner and Human Torch.

Chapter 5, Underground Terror. Namor vows that either he or the Torch will die in their next battle. The Human Torch is too powerful now, and can’t control his own flame.

Chapter 6, The Amazing Awakening. Namor realizes he can’t beat the Torch, but can beat the Python, who’s controlling him. Namor gets the Python to call the Torch off, and then kills the Python.

In the ’60s, Stan Lee would have added censor-appeasing dialogue to clarify the Python was not dead. But the pre-code ’40s had no need for such censoring.

Namor does seem to think he and the Torch were friends before all the mind control. So he’s sorry to have to drown the Torch.

They do manage to save the Torch, and the Torch affirms that he and Namor are “best pals”.

So, Dr. Horton is alive, and he and the Human Torch are allies. This seems like a big change that the comics will then mostly forget about. He’ll show up for one story later this year in Marvel Mystery Comics #39, where we meet his niece Doris, involved in some espionage for the allies; then the next reference to him will be 7 years later, when we learn he’s dead. Again.

This comic also contains stories featuring Tubby and Tack, Casey McKann, Swoopy the Fearless, as well as some humor from the great Basil Wolverton.

With that I want to leave World War II behind and jump ahead to 1946.

Rating: ★★½, 48/100

Characters:

• Human Torch
• Namor the Sub-Mariner
• Toro
• Dr. Horton
• McTavish
• Warden of Alcatraz
• Adolf Hitler
• Goering
• Goebbels
• Von Ribbentrop

Story notes:

• First page ad for Marvel Mystery Comics. Main characters: Human Torch, Sub-Mariner, Angel, Terry Vance, Jimmy Jupiter, Patriot, Vision.
• McTavish, guard at Alcatraz, “The Rock” hears tapping noises and suspects an escape attempt. The warden dismisses this.
• Guard decides to wire the Torch in New York, as he’s concerned about the Python.
• Takes less than an hour for flaming heroes to fly from New York to San Francisco.
• Namor in the Pacific and drawn to the weird noises near Alcatraz.
• Toro: “Hey! Cut it out! We’re supposed to be friends!”
  Namor: “Who said we’re friends, brat!”
• Nazi sub drilling into Alcatraz island to free Python. German soldiers attack prison; Python freed.
• Python kills the warden and steals his clothes. Maybe a good disguise? He’s still green and scaly.
• Python enters escape sub to find Sub-Mariner attacking it. They seem to recognize each other.
• Python hits Namor with 100,000 volts of electricity. Doesn’t kill him, but gives him a headache.
• Chapter 2: Python’s Power
• Torch and Toro are oblivious to Python’s underwater escape.
• Torch fights Python in water. Python escapes with oxygen mask.
• Toro took care of rest of Nazi soldiers.
• On land, four cars go in a different direction. Which one has the Python?
• Python stops Torch with a sand hose.
• Hitler has phoned for the Python.
• Namor and the Torch agree to head to New York to stop the Python together.
• Python’s base patterned after Hitler’s Berchesgarten strongholds.
• Text interlude: “The Men Hitler Fears”
• Goebbels, Goering, and Von Ribbentrop at the table while Hitler cried.
• Hitler blames the Human Torch and Sub-Mariner for their losses, and needs them eliminated before they invade America.
• Goering suggests Dr. Horton can make them their own Human Torch. Goebbels suggests they can use Dr. Horton to destroy the Torch. Von Ribbentrop thought Horton was dead.
• Hitler knows Horton’s alive and has been working in secret for the US government.
• Hitler looks through Marvel comics to find the deadliest villain they can use to destroy the Torch. They settle on the Python.
• Hitler likes his perfume; silk, perfumed handkerchief; has effeminate fingers.
• Chapter 3: The Fiery Monster
• Python captures Horton. Horton is tortured. Python wants the machine that created the Human Torch.
• Python’s first idea is to make hundreds of Human Torches for himself. Horton explains that’s impossible. But the machine can make the Torch stronger. The Python deduces it will make him stronger and able to be controlled.
• Python has Horton call the Torch, as Torch will trust him. Even though the Torch killed him.
• Python traps Torch in Horton’s machine. Machine makes the Torch loyal to Python.
• Python tells FBI Horton is a Nazi spy who has turned the Torch against America.
• Giant Torch monster battles Namor and Toro.
• Torch and Toro free Horton and learn the Torch is a monster. The FBI attacks, blaming Horton.
• Chapter 4: The Python Strikes
• Horton’s fire-graph will help them find the Torch.
• Python keeps Torch in asbestos cage, then has him set fire to New York waterfront.
• Waterfront on fire ready for Nazi sub to invade.
• Namor takes out sub.
• Torch attacks Namor near George Washington Bridge.
• Chapter 5: Underground Terror!
• Torch nearly kills Toro, but Namor rescues him.
• Namor swears by King Neptune that either he or the Torch will die in the next fight.
• Torch attacks American fighter planes.
• Torch obedient but not in control of flame.
• Python drugs Namor and he passes out.
• Chapter 6: The Amazing Awakening
• Torch setting fire to many subway stations.
• Horton tries to stop Python but gets a punch.
• Toro almost defeats Python, but Python sics the Torch on him. Namor decides to stop fighting the Torch and go for Python.
• Namor has Python call off the Torch, then strangles him to death.
• Namor lifts Toro by the legs to attack the Torch and bring them into the water.
• Torch turning purple from drowning.
• They steal a police wagon to take the Torch to Horton’s lab and put him in the machine.
• Torch restored to normal.
• FBI thinks Horton’s a spy, but Horton explains.
• Page donated to Secretary of Treasury to promote Savings Stamps.

Previous		Next
Marvel Mystery Comics #31	PRELUDE	All-Winners Comics #19
Fantastic Four #56	Reading order	Fantastic Four Annual 4