STRANGE TALES 114 (1963)
by Stan Lee & Jack Kirby
Did you know that Captain America’s first appearance in the Silver Age was in a Human Torch story? Seriously, this was published before his return on Avengers!
We begin with the Torch’s friends interrupting his “practice hour”.
His friends are excited because Captain America is back, while the Invisible Girl believes that he’s just a comic book character.
Like I said, this was published BEFORE Cap’s official return.
Kind of weird that Namor was re-introduced on Fantastic Four and treated as a real historical figure, while Captain America is considered fictional by Susan.
Considering the Living Legend is making an appearance at an auto show, she might be right.
No acknowledgement of what became of Cap. The Torch seems to think that he just disappeared.
Which was believable in 1963: that was only 18 years after 1945.
And if you consider that Capitan America comics WERE published in the 50s (the retcon that it wasn’t the real Cap came much later), it makes even more sense.
Then some criminals try to steal a valuable antique car and Captain America shows up!
Cap is NOT pleased with the team-up. Another thing of note: no acknowledgement that Captain America should be very familiar with a different Human Torch.
And of course this leads to the Torch being very jealous of Cap.
I wonder why.
Do you think that maaaaybe their relationship was doomed from the start?
Doris is clearly insane, right? I mean, she just picked up the phone to randomly order new linoleum!
(who is she calling!?)
Back to Captain America: if you’re wondering why nobody ever talks about his appearance in a Human Torch story…
…it might not be the real deal.
I did appreciate the way the Torch used his power this time.
Yes this Captain America is actually an impostor! With the police busy with all the decoys, he’s robbing a bank using crazy Kirby perspective.
Nobody draws crazy vehicles like Jack Kirby.
The Torch was extremely competent this time around, so of course the fake Cap takes him out with a wet mop.
Stan Lee must’ve thought that was too silly, since there’s a speech bubble attempting to redeem the Torch’s dignity.
I don’t think it works, but hey, it’s something.
Once he dries out and pursues Cap, he runs into SUDDEN ASBESTOS!
However this time the Torch remembers that physics exist!
And the fake Captain America turns out to be… the Acrobat from Strange Tales #106, in what is by far his most important appearance.
And that’s it!
If you had any doubts about it: yes, this was a test to see if people wanted Captain America to come back!
I’d say the answer was a very very loud YES.
Historical significance: 10/10
The story itself is utterly forgettable, since nobody seems to ever reference it.
That being said… it’s possible that Captain America would’ve come back eventually even without this trial run, but he might’ve missed the peak of Silver Age without it.
So we have this story to thank for decades of Captain America comics, not to mention his relevance in the movies!
Hilariously, even the Captain America of the cinematic universe had a trial run connected to the Human Torch, with the same actor portraying both characters!
Silver Age-ness: 7/10
The Torch is temporarily defeated by a wet mop. He’s very competent in the rest of the comic, but that one scene scores very high on the Marvel scale!
Does it stand the test of time? 6/10
The story is as basic as it gets, but the fantastic Kirby artwork and storytelling elevates it significantly.
Cancer count: 14
It’s been a while, but there was time enough for an asbestos truck.