Saga of the Original Human Torch

(Marvel, 1990)
™ and ©1990 Marvel Entertainment Group

This four-issue limited series tells the story of the original Human Torch (Johnny Storm of the Fantastic Four is the second). The original Torch was an android 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.

The Human Torch was Marvel’s first super-hero, created by Carl Burgos, who sold the idea to Martin Goodman for his new line of Timely Comics (Marvel’s forerunner). He first appeared in a movie theater giveaway, then in Marvel Comics #1. The Torch went on to become one of the most famous super-heroes of the Golden Age, along with Captain America and the Sub-Mariner.

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