8:41 PM
Brad
Cover Date: April 1963
Plot Overview: Johnny arrives home from school as Reed and the Thing are leaving. They mention that they were comparing notes of their last adventure for the next issue of the Fantastic Four. Johnny is a little bummed out not to be included. He decides that he needs to do something really great to earn the respect of his teammates. Johnny notices that Sue has a picture up of Namor and thinks that's just the thing. If he can defeat Namor then the other members of the FF will respect him.
The Torch heads out and searches for Namor until his flame fails him. Johnny lands on a ship and they mistake him for a stowaway. The ship hits a heavy fog and Johnny becomes the Torch and leads the ship to safety. Johnny writes a message in the sky for Namor to finally draw him out.
The Torch out maneuvers Namor and causes him to crash into an iceberg. Namor regroups and grabs an idol to hypnotize Johnny with. Namor clobbers the Torch and tries to send him back to land. The Torch recovers and comes back for more. They hit each other and fall to the sea. Johnny burns Namor under water and starts to burn really hot. He chases Namor under the water and finally buries him under the ocean floor. The Torch manages to get to the surface just as his flame fails.
The boat Johnny helped earlier happens by and picks him up. Namor digs himself out and gets to the surface too late. He realizes that he had underestimated the Human Torch. Johnny arrives at home and takes a well deserved nap as the issue ends.
My Take: Aside from Spider-Man, this was easily the best comic that Marvel has put out since the first issue of the Fantastic Four. This just a really fun read from start to finish.
There was an actual battle which you don't always get in this era of Marvel. And it was a good fight. Torch and Namor were going toe to toe and it was an exciting battle. It makes me want to see them fight each other again.
This issue also developed Namor quite a bit. He was reluctant to fight Johnny because he didn't want to upset Sue. He was actually more put off by the whole affair than anything else. It was a really nice change of pace from the angry, boastful guy that he's been in the regular Fantastic Four title. He felt more like the anti-hero he's meant to be instead of being a super-villain.
The art was also great for this issue. The anthology stories can feel slapped together art-wise most of the time. And this was a really quality book. It was on par with Fantastic Four with the art this month.
Strange Tales has really become a book I've looked forward to when it comes around in the rotation. This book has become an absolute treat to read. It's just been a long string of fun stories with some side character development for the Fantastic Four. I'm really surprised that the Human Torch is working so well as a solo concept. I can't wait to read more issues of this title.
I'll give this **** out of *****.
Notes: I see this issue as a loving tribute to the Human Torch vs. Namor fight done back in the Golden Age. That fight happened in Marvel Mystery Comics #8 and 9 if you're curious. There's nothing else of note for this issue.
Next Issue: Fantastic Four #14
Posted in: Human Torch,Namor,Reed Richards,Strange Tales,Sue Richards,Thing
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