Oddly, all the Atlas/Marvel superheroes that were revived in 1953 happen to have girlfriends named Betty / Betsy. Someone must have loved that name – Stan Lee perhaps? Betty Wilson was introduced as a minor character for the Human Torch. Betsy Ross (no relation to the Hulk’s Betsy Ross?) used to be Golden Girl, but […]
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The Human Torch and Toro are not the only ones who have returned from the Golden Age. One of the Golden Age villains called “The Vulture” makes an appearance. Actually it’s not clear this is the same Vulture that appeared back during World War II, since that was a Captain America villain, but nonetheless it […]
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In Young Men #24 (August 1953), Atlas (Marvel) Comics attempted to revive its three most popular Golden Age superheroes. First, the Human Torch steps into the spotlight after a 4-year hiatus, explaining his super-powers to the readers, er criminals, narrating his history wherein he explains that he burned Hitler to death: And ensuring everyone still […]
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In Marvel Mystery #92 (February 1949), the Human Torch‘s origin story is re-told, with a framing story of his creator, Professor Horton, passing away. This is also the last appearance for years of the original Human Torch. After this issue, Marvel Mystery Comics is renamed to Marvel Tales and becomes a horror / supernatural anthology […]
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As mentioned previously, lots of male superheroes were being given sexy female sidekicks as replacement for their teenage / young boy sidekicks in 1948. Merry, Sylvester Pemberton’s newly adopted sister, becomes Gimmick Girl in Star Spangled Comics #81 (June 1948). On the Timely (Marvel) side, the Human Torch ditches Toro for Sun Girl who even […]
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Timely (Marvel) Comics seems to be dipping deeper into salaciousness as we see more curvy women in skin-tight costumes throughout 1947. In Human Torch #27 (May 1947), the Asbestos Lady appears – Victoria Murdock is a brilliant criminal scientist who uses asbestos to help commit crimes.
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Maybe the reason that Batman had sloppy writing is that Bill Finger was moonlighting for Timely (Marvel) Comics in 1946? Timely introduces their first real superhero team, the All-Winners Squad, in All-Winners Comics #19 (July 1946). The team includes Captain America, Bucky, Miss America, Human Torch, Toro, Namor, and The Whizzer. It’s an interesting mix […]
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U.S. comic books keep up their strong support for World War II throughout 1942. In March 1942, almost every comic book had their heroes fighting the Japanese or the Germans. In the March 1942 issue of Marvel Mystery Comics (#31), the Human Torch gives it to the Japanese.
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In Marvel Mystery Comics #17 (January 1941), the Human Torch and Namor appear together again, but this time as allies fighting the Nazis. The two still spar a bit with each other before they learn to cooperate. I had no idea this hallmark of Marvel Comics existed from the Golden Age!
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Marvel decided to introduce a sidekick in Human Torch #2 of Toro, a human boy. Toro had all the powers of the Human Torch. [I discovered later that this comic came out in December of 1940 – thus this entry is a little bit out of order]
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