Review by Win Wiacek
Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner and the the Human Torch are two Marvel headliners whose presence pre-dates the 1960s. As part of Marvel’s 50th Anniversary celebrations, Namor’s phenomenal half-century of history was abridged, amended, updated and generally précised by avowed fan and self-appointed keeper of chronology Roy Thomas and writing partner Dann Thomas. They collaboratively commemorated the Avenging Son’s contribution in a twelve chapter saga rapturously drawn by Rich Buckler.
Thomas and Buckler then did the same with for the original Human Torch, this time over four episodes. Both sides of the tempestuous coin are triumphantly tossed together in this splendidly all-encompassing, no-nonsense textbook of historic fights ‘n’ tights mythology.
Namor’s story begins thousands of years ago with a short history of the sinking of antediluvian Atlantis and its eventual reoccupation by nomadic tribes of Homo Mermanus. The water-breathing wanderers flourish deep in the icy waters, and their story leads to a certain US research vessel sailing into icy waters in 1920. Emperor Thakorr organises a possibly punitive expedition. Instead, his daughter Princess Fen uses experimental air-breathing serums to infiltrate the ship and forms a brief liaison with Captain Leonard McKenzie. They even marry, but neither is aware the voyage has been arranged by unscrupulous telepath Paul Destine who is drawn to the area by an uncanny device of ancient power and origins. Fen believes her husband killed at sea, and months later a strange, pink-skinned baby is born beneath the deep blue sea…
There’s a focus on Namor’s teenage years with the then annoying girl Dorma, and royal cousin Prince Byrrah. Every day seems to point out another way in which he differs from his people, such as his ever-increasing strength, ability to live unaided on the surface and the wings on his ankles which grant him the power of flight through the air.
Thomas skips through the high points of Namor’s history, including his epic 1940s battle with the Human Torch before reaching the dawn of the Marvel Age decades later with Johnny Storm as a new Human Torch. Thereafter Thomas revisits the 1960s and 1970s continuity, most of which he wrote.
Although appearing a tad rushed, the writing is strong and compelling. It offers fresh insights for those familiar with the original material whilst presenting these chronicles in an engaging and appetising manner for those coming to the stories for the first time. Moreover, Buckler’s solidly dependable illustration capably handles a wide, wild and capacious cast with great style and verve.
The far shorter comics chronology of the original Human Torch starts by showing how the Flaming Fury first burst into life as a malfunctioning humanoid devised by troubled and acquisitive Professor Phineas Horton. Instantly igniting into an uncontrollable fireball whenever exposed to air, the artificial innocent was consigned to entombment in concrete but escaped to accidentally imperil the metropolis until it/he fell into the hands of a malign mobster named Sardo.
Thomas and Buckler restrict the action to the 1940s and 1950s, including sidekick Toro, replacement Sun Girl and the formation of the All-Winners Squad.
This substantial primer into the prehistory of the groundbreaking Marvel Universe also includes a quartet of original art covers plus a brace of full-colour, textless cover reproductions. Fast, furious and fabulously action-packed, this is a lovely slice of authentic Marvel mastery to delight all lovers of costumed dramas.
