Marvel Masterworks: Golden Age Human Torch

    (Marvel, 2005, 2007)
™ and © Marvel Characters, Inc.

There’s no age like the Golden Age! Marvel shows why in this Marvel Masterworks Human Torch volume.

A stunning Alex Schomburg cover starts off this stunning collection of Human Torch #2-5 from 1940-1941, presenting re-mastered and restored versions of these classic comic books, the adventures of Toro, The Human Torch, and The Sub-Mariner. Other tales include Microman, The Falcon, The Fiery Mask, Mantor the Magician, and The Patriot. Mantor, a fez-wearing Mandrake imitation, lasted only one issue, while The Fiery Mask makes his only appearance in this title.

Artwise, Schomburg contributes the covers to all four issues (and this book), while a young Stan Lee adds an early story in #5. Carl Burgos does a marvelous job of art on the Human Torch tales, and Bill Everett contributes an athletic Sub-Mariner. Issue two features two unusual text features, Carl Burgos’ “Hot Idea” and Bill Everett’s “Hurricane.” These fictional pieces are just part of the charm of this book.

— Tim Lasiuta

From the Publisher:

The early 1940s was a frightening time for the average American citizen. After conquering most of Europe, the forces of Nazi Germany now threatened to take Great Britain. Imperial Japan’s control stretched over the Pacific Rim, with Japanese fighters sending most of Pearl Harbor’s U.S. Navy ships to the sea bottom. With the specter of worldwide war looming on the horizon, people turned to an entertaining escape from the newspapers’ horrifying realities: the comic book. Within these four-colored pages, inspiring heroes could make short work of America’s foes, giving readers of all ages hope for victory against the real-life enemies that faced the United States.

At the forefront of this new medium was Timely Comics, a young company staffed by such legendary talents as Jack Kirby, Joe Simon, Bill Everett and Stan Lee. These skilled writers and artists created a memorable lineup of wartime characters—including Captain America and Bucky, Namor the Sub-Mariner, and the Human Torch. Rather than super-villains, these super heroes battled adversaries ripped right from the news headlines: Hitler, Tojo and Mussolini.

In this deluxe Marvel Masterworks edition, Marvel Comics proudly presents these original issues, painstakingly restored and collected in one volume for the very first time. Within these pages lie the seeds of what would alter become the marvel universe of the 21st century. So sit back and enjoy the very first tales of Marvel ever had to offer—the Golden Age of Marvel Comics!
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