STRANGE TALES 107 (1963)
by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber & Dick Ayers
cover by Jack Kirby
The Human Torch versus Sub-Mariner is such a classic that it goes all the way back to the Golden Age and the original Torch, so no wonder Stan Lee wanted to do it again.
We begin with Johnny coming back home from high school to complain that the rest of the FF don’t involve him in their plans. Reed correctly points out that Johnny was kind of a dick last issue.
Then he decides to go after Namor because… just because.
Susan is kind of insufferable in this series, isn’t she?
And that’s the entire premise for a Torch/Namor fight: the Torch basically has nothing better to do.
Namor just wants the annoying teenager to get out of his lawn.
Their fight continues next to some icebergs, because the Torch took the fight to the Atlantic.
(just go with it)
In his very very early appearances in the Silver Age, Namor had the ability to “copy” fish powers (as we saw all the way back in Fantastic Four #6).
I can’t imagine why he stopped doing it.
Ah, yes, now I remember. It’s because it looks f##king ridiculous!!!
Namor retreats under the water, where he gets his weapons: some Atlantean statue and an asbestos rag.
The statue is used to hypnotize people…
…and the asbestos rag is for punching!
So Namor has won round one, and he ties up the Torch to a dolphin. Which PRESUMABLY survives this.
Not insane enough for you? Just watch the Human Torch turn his flame to maximum…
…so that he can BURN UNDERWATER.
Sounds legit.
Round two goes to the Human Torch and his ability to completely disregard physics!
Namor is ready for round three, but by the time he resurfaces the Torch is already gone.
And so we end with Namor having learned to respect the Torch a little more.
Or so I wish! We actually end with his sister believing that he’s a deadbeat.
Historical significance: 0/10
Oddly enough, the Torch doesn’t ever brag to Namor about that time he beat him single-handedly.
Silver Age-ness: 10/10
Namor puffing himself up is automatically top Silver Age on the Marvel scale!
Does it stand the test of time? 6/10
Nothing wrong with a mindless slugfest from time to time, but today you would need to make SOME effort to give the characters a reason to fight. And don’t get me started on how these people use their powers…
Cancer count: 9
Adding the asbestos rag.