HUMAN TORCH CREATED BY CARL BURGOS
The Human Torch
#14:
JANUARY, YEAR 5
“Finding
the Way Home!”
Written by Jeff Melton
WHAT HAS COME BEFORE: Researching the abductions of Golden Age heroes, who had suddenly
returned in various locations, Human Torch, Challenger, Fiery Mask, Captain
Wonder, Tim, and Silver Scorpion arrived in western Virginia, where they
discovered rows of tubes…
Human Torch stands transfixed, looking at the numerous canisters on two rows in front of him. In the canisters are costumed heroes, clouded from view by a mist that rises and maintains within the canisters. Behind Human Torch are Silver Scorpion, Fiery Mask, Challenger, Captain Wonder, and Tim. Captain Wonder holds a small electronic object (resembling a small calculator, but with two knobs and only a few keys) in his hands, which monitors energy readings.
“Five
canisters,” Human Torch comments, taking it all in, as he and the others look
on, trying to find out what has happened, and solve this mystery.
“Yes,”
Silver Scorpion adds, “and one recently broken.”
“Could
that be Sun Girl?” Tim asks, walking towards the broken canister. “I mean, we
know that she was out. Could that one have been the one holding her?”
“Not
that one,” Captain Wonder replies, monitoring the readings on his
electronic monitoring device, while his eyes dance across the readouts with
great interest. Captain Wonder, a scientist, is very much in his element here.
Although he has super-powers and enjoys going into battle when the situation
calls for it, his true love is his research, and the find here gives him
difficulty in controlling his enthusiasm. “She was here, yes, but she wasn’t
being held in that canister. Her known signature doesn’t match what I’m getting
out of that broken canister.”
“I
suspected that might be the case,” Challenger replies, calmly, while still
looking with interest alternately at the broken canister and the others holding
the mist-covered figures within them. Challenger runs his hand along the Viking
sword he found in the cave*, his fingers closely inspecting the markings on it.
He knows that this will be a good addition to his collection of weapons. He
hasn’t had much time to think on such things since he came back, but as he
thinks of his collection, he wonders to himself if his possessions are still
there. He makes a mental note to ask the Torch later for help in locating his
possessions.
Silver
Scorpion looks at Challenger, quizzically. She still gets irritated that he
doesn’t let her in on everything, and she’s certainly not as good as he is at
figuring everything out—although she wouldn’t admit it to her fiancé. “Do you
have any idea who was in that canister?”
“I’m
still trying to ascertain that,” Captain Wonder responds. He continues to punch
buttons, as he walks away from the canister, trying to get to more light, while
he walks down the dimly-lit hallway. “But I am finding an energy trail.”
“A
trail?” Human Torch interjects. “One that we can follow—to find them?”
“Yes,”
Captain Wonder responds, nodding, but keeping his eye on his monitor. “I
believe so. And I don’t think he’s is too far away, actually.”
As
they walk down the dimly-lit corridors, they hear scurrying sounds. Silver
Scorpion walks up closer to her fiancé, the Challenger. Despite all of the
adventures she’s been on through the years, and the menaces she has faced, she
has never learned to tolerate rats any better. Just the thought of them makes
her skin crawl, no matter how much she tries to get the image out of her mind.
Soon,
they hear footsteps in front of them. Fiery Mask instinctively takes the point,
as the others closely follow. Challenger steps in front of Silver Scorpion, but
keeps a close watch on her, even as they walk down the hallway.
Captain
Wonder and Tim rush down the hallway, seeking the sound of the footsteps. Soon,
they disappear from view. As the remaining heroes rush after them, they soon
hear the sounds of conflict, as they see a spinning object, gliding across the
floor, as Captain Wonder and Tim, who collide with the object—that they soon
realize must be a man, although he is spinning far to fast to actually see—are
sent flying back into the walls, where mortar starts to crumble from the
impact.
Challenger
and Silver Scorpion rush over to Captain Wonder and Tim, to make sure that they
are all right. As they do so, they soon discover that the two heroes are
uninjured, just stunned from the attack.
Fiery
Mask flies through the air, and reaches the sight of the spinning figure. He
watches the spinning figure for a moment, then reaches his hand out at
super-speed, grabbing the figure’s leg, stopping the spinning, and revealing
the sight of…
“The
Top!” Fiery Mask shouts out. The Top stops spinning almost immediately, his
arms crossed across his chest. Fiery Mask pulls the Top towards himself,
causing the Top’s arms to be uncrossed. “Stop! We’re here to help.”
“What?”
the Top says, falling to the ground. He is clearly stunned and unsure of where
he is, although the hint of recollection starts to come to his eyes.
“What…where…?”
Captain
Wonder and Challenger are first on the scene, looking at the Top, who is now
sitting on the floor, looking up at them.
“He’s
stunned…” Captain Wonder points out.
“Yes,”
Challenger agrees, looking down at the Top. “Like he just woke up.”
“Top…Bruce…?”
Captain Wonder cautiously asks the Top, trying to set him at ease, and hoping
that he’ll remember working with him in the past. “Do you remember me…Captain
Wonder?”
“Wait,
I ….yes,” the Top says, starting to get to his feet. “I remember you, and Tim.”
He then looks at the other heroes. “And with you…Fiery Mask, Silver Scorpion,
and Challenger.”
“That’s
right, fella,” Tim offers. “We’re on the same side, remember?”
“Yeah,
but,” the Top asks, still confused. “I didn’t see you earlier. Were you
captured too?”
“No,
we weren’t,” Challenger replies, looking at Captain Wonder and nodding. They
had discussed that prospect earlier, when they were planning on this mission,
and trying to figure out what had been happening in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
“We came here to investigate what has been happening here, and we came across
those canisters. Then, we found you…”
“You
found me?” he asks. “But what about the others?”
“You’ll
have to help us with that,” Human Torch interjects. He has been silent up until
now, letting the scientists of the group figure things out, but he is impatient
to learn what has happened to the others, particularly Sun Girl. “We just found
you, and the canisters. We were going to explore this further, but then we
heard your movements.”
“Torch?”
the Top asks, surprised to see the flaming android (who, at the moment, isn’t
flaming, but is in his human form). “Did the rest of the Invaders come with
you?”
“No,
the Invaders aren’t together anymore,” the Torch responds. “They haven’t been
together for some time.”
“Some
time?” the Top asks. “What do you mean by that? How long have I been in here?”
“That
depends on when you got here,” Silver Scorpion replies. “Which is something we
don’t know.”
“When
I…” the Top starts, then has to think. “I don’t remember the exact date, but it
was in 1945.”
“That
sounds familiar,” Tim comments.
“What
do you mean by that?” the Top asks.
“We
recently returned to the world ourselves,” Captain Wonder explains. “We were
pretty much put to sleep in a bunker in Germany. We’re still trying to adjust
ourselves. It’s quite a bit of difference from what we were used to.”
“You
talk like it’s been ages,” the Top inquires. “Just how long have I been here?”
“Almost
sixty years,” the Torch replies.
“It’s
the 21st Century?!” the Top asks, stunned. “I can’t believe it! How
did you get here—by hovercar or something like that?”
“I
wish!” Tim laments, absently thinking about the science fiction novels and
serials he used to love back in the forties, and all of the wild futuristic
scenes from Buck Rogers and Flash Gordon. He’s still trying to adjust to the
fact that he’s living in the 21st Century, much less the fact that
it’s certainly not the way it was commonly portrayed during the movies and
comics of his childhood.
“Although
technology has advanced in amazing ways,” Challenger offers, “it’s not quite
what the science fiction writers thought it would be. Still, it’s quite an
adjustment, in more ways than you can imagine.”
“And
we’ll have plenty of time to get into that,” the Torch opines. “Right now,
though, we’d like to know how you got here, who captured you…?”
“Some
of the heroes were cloned at different times throughout the war,” the Top
explains. “It seems that the clones were used to degrade and humiliate
America’s heroes. They even had a bogus group of ‘heroes’ who ran
around—looking like many of the prominent heroes of the time.”
“I
suspected that might be the case,” Captain Wonder muses aloud.
“You’re
right,” Challenger adds. “Some of the crazy stories we heard, especially in the
early days of America’s entry into the war. Patriot beating up union workers,
for instance.”
“Yeah,”
Tim adds, laughing at the absurdity of it all. “And that’s nothing compared to
the crazy rumors about Moon Man…or Blue Blade!” An involuntary shudder runs
down his back.
“Right,”
the Top explains. “The stories you heard weren’t real…or they were, but they
weren’t the actual heroes. They were Nazi clones, used to humiliate and degrade
America’s heroes. He even assembled them in a group, I can’t remember the name,
and some of them even believed that they were going off to fight Axis villains
in Germany, Italy, or wherever.”
“Interesting,”
Challenger remarks, pondering what he is hearing. “A clever propaganda ploy.
With America’s heroes humiliated in that way, they probably thought the
populace would lose confidence in the heroes, and ultimately in the war
effort.”
“One
thing you could always count on with Adolph,” Tim responds, smiling. “He always
under-estimated the American fighting spirit.”
“But
how did you all get here?” Silver Scorpion asks. “You and the others were
active throughout the war.”
“Yes,
we were,” the Top agrees. “But there were clones running around. When we caught
wind of it, we went out after the clones, to put a stop to Hitler’s insanity.
Apparently, that was part of his plan. He was looking for a last minute blitz
late in the war. It wasn’t going well, and he hoped to capture all of us, and
unleash the clones on America.”
“A
pretty crazy idea,” the Human Torch comments.
“True,”
the Top agrees. “But it was what he tried to pull off. He captured us, and
that’s all I remember.”
“I
wonder what happened to the clones, though,” Tim ponders. “I mean, I don’t
remember them being turned loose on America like that.”
“Most
likely,” Captain Wonder offers, “he didn’t get to complete his plan. He
probably captured the heroes, and somehow got them here, but the war ended
before he could unleash his master plan, of sending the crazy clones out
against the American people.”
“Most
likely, you’re right,” Challenger agrees.
“But
why here?” Silver Scorpion asks. “Why bring them all the way here?”
“I
don’t think they did,” Human Torch observes. “This place is nestled in the
Southern mountains. It’s highly unlikely that even a dedicated group of fifth
columnists could have gotten heroes, or clones, this deep into the borders.”
“Or
that they were even aware of this place,” Captain Wonder adds.
“That’s
right,” Challenger comments. “This is an ancient place, from an ancient race. I
don’t know how the heroes came to be here, but it wasn’t as a result of the
Axis plan—at least not directly.”
“I
wish I could give you more answers,” the Top says, looking down, sorry to
disappoint his old friends. “That’s just all I can remember.”
“No,
don’t feel that way,” Silver Scorpion offers, sympathetically. “I know this has
to be difficult.”
“You’ve
been a big help, actually,” Captain Wonder says, looking at the Top. “You’ve
answered a lot of lingering questions, and explained how you came to be here.
How long have you been out of your canister?”
“I
don’t know, really,” the Top replies. “Not long, I imagine. It’s kind of a
daze.”
“Well,
how much did you see when you were in the canister?” the Torch asks. “I mean,
the canisters were pretty clear. Could you see anything?”
“I
don’t know,” the Top responds, trying to think of the time he was in the
canister, but coming up blank. “ I can’t really remember anything like that. I
think we were in some kind of suspended animation. If I saw anything, I don’t
remember much of it.”
“Probably
due to the delayed synaptic response to visual stimuli,” Captain Wonder muses
aloud. “That makes sense, if your body was slowed down through suspended
animation.”
“How
did you get out?” Tim asks.
“Yes,
and the others?” the Torch asks.
“The
others?” the Top looks at the Torch quizzically.
“In
the past several weeks,” the Torch explains, “there have been a number of other
appearances in this area. From the looks of things, they have been heroes
emerging out of their canisters. I was hoping you could tell us how each of you
have gotten out, so we can have an idea of how to find everyone.”
“I
don’t really remember getting out,” the Top explains. “It’s kind of a daze, and
I know that must sound crazy, but I guess I just climbed out. I haven’t even
been back there, to where my canister is.”
“I
think it’s safe to say that the canisters were time sensitive,” Captain Wonder
points out. “I believe that they were timed to release the heroes at a certain
point, or were timed to function for a certain period of time. This would
explain how several heroes have apparently been released at roughly the same
time period.”
“I’d
love to know more about this civilization,” Challengers comments. This place is
ancient—in the line of several hundred years old. And, from the layout and what
we’ve seen, it appears to be a vast underground civilization that has
disappeared.”
“You
know,” Tim thinks aloud, “I think I remember Bucky mentioning to me that he and
Cap found some ancient underground civilization in the Blue Ridge Mountains*. They had some pretty wild adventures back then, and
I seem to recall him mentioning that.”
[*That’s true, they did. In Captain America Comics #11.]
“We’ve got to go free the others in canisters,” the Torch comments. “I don’t know how long they are supposed to function, but if they do malfunction, with people in them…”
“You’re
right,” Captain Wonder agrees. “It’s too much of a risk. We can’t afford to
take that chance, not since we know so little about the method of suspended animation
they used, and what they were trying to accomplish…”
“Or
who they were,” Challenger adds.
As
the heroes walk towards the canisters, where they had been mere moments
earlier, they are distracted by the sounds of rustling in the same direction.
“What
was that?!” Tim exclaims.
“I
don’t know, but it was coming from the same direction as the canisters!”
Captain Wonder observes, even as the heroes start to run towards the canisters.
“I suggest we pick up the pace.”
“I’m
on it!” Fiery Mask responds, as he takes to the air, flying through the narrow
corridor, leading to the canisters. He soon disappears around a corner, but the
other heroes rush behind him.
When
they arrive, they are surprised by what they see. Fiery Mask is standing near
the canisters, as Sun Girl and Blue Blade are moving towards the canisters.
Blue Blade has his sword drawn back, preparing to strike one of the canisters.
“Wait…!”
Captain Wonder calls out. Then, he turns to Challenger, whispering: “He
can’t open the canister that way. We need to take it back to your lab and make
sure that these people are drawn out of suspended animation in the proper
environment. It’s too risky to just let their suspended animation be terminated
that quickly. It may result in death.”
“Stand
back!” Blue Blade calls out, threateningly. “Do not interfere.”
“Sun
Girl!” Human Torch exclaims, both surprised and concerned by what he is seeing.
“What are you doing?”
She
looks over at the Torch, who thinks he sees a split-second of recognition in
her eyes, but they soon glaze over. She does not answer, but instead, stands in
front of the canisters, between the heroes and Blue Blade, making it clear that
they will have to go through her to get to him.
RRRRRRRRFLAMING FIREBALLS RRRRRRRR
Another Golden Age character returns this issue, and he’s an old
character, who first appeared in Red Raven
#1. The Top was Bruce Bravelle, who has an origin similar to the Flash’s
origin, involving chemicals and lightning. He crosses his arms to spin around.
Like so many Golden Age characters, he only appeared a couple of times.
This issue, we have some reviews. Don’t be bashful about letting me
know what you think. I love to get feedback, and it can be sent to me via jx2melton@hotmail.com.
Human Torch #5: Effigy is quite a clever name for an android Torch villain. Is this Asbestos Lady the daughter of the original? Effigy is quite the sadist. Who is the Apparition, I wonder? Is Asbestos Lady sleeping with him?
Sounds like Effigy is criminally insane due to his body being inert while he mind was fully active. I wonder who the mystery figures in the rubble are? Great to see Toro again!
Rick Powell
I can’t take credit for creating
Effigy or Asbestos Lady. I just added on what was already put there by Barry
Reese. I’m glad you like the way the characters are written.
Human Torch #6: Glad to see Toro looking properly young, rather than ancient. Toro is obviously under mind control again. True, Immortus once controlled the Torch too, but the Torch was able to resist Immortus (comparatively speaking) better than the other victims I like the What If? Reality scenes you showed here.
More good Immortus moments and Torch/Effigy scenes. Fascinating possibilities on the scope of the Torch’s powers. GREAT to see Challenger, Captain Wonder, Fiery Mask, Silver Scorpion, and Tim back! Only a blithering idiot would’ve killed them to begin with! I suspect Effigy caused the explosion. Hmm—is this other Ann Raymond an imposter?
Rick Powell
By now, your questions have been
answered, but I’m glad you like the scenes I did with Immortus. He is a
character that lends himself to things like What If? scenes and the like. I
agree that killing off classic characters doesn’t make sense. I prefer to develop
the characters myself.
Human Torch #7: The mystery of the ‘other’ Ann continues. Well-done scene with Toro asking the Torch if he had the key to “Ann’s” house, and Jim’s discomfort at being asked the question. More good Torch/Toro discomfort scenes appeared on page three.
It’s wonderful seeing these Golden Age greats again. Only a sick, depraved mind would kill off Golden Age greats in grading, disgusting ways: it just makes you hate the ‘writer’! One Michael Moore is more than enough.
Silver Scorpion and Challenger? Works for me. The fake Ann was just a groupie? Hmm. Faustus! The whole set-up smells like one of his elaborate, mind-bending headtrips.
Rick Powell
I’m glad you’re enjoying the
series. I agree with you concerning the Golden Age heroes. I’ve never
understood the need to kill off characters, and it seems that the Golden Age
characters have been used solely as candidates for death scenes. Roy Thomas,
who claims to be a Golden Age fan, has certainly amassed the highest death
toll, and typically through the same formulaic writing. You certainly won’t see
that here.
That’s it for now. Tune in next
time as the heroes battle…the heroes? Also, more secrets revealed as to what’s
going on.
Jeff Melton