Sub-Mariner & The Original Human Torch

Saga of the Sub-Mariner #1-12

by Roy Thomas

Namor the Sub-Mariner, Avenging Son of Atlanti s. Jim Hammond, the original android Human Torch. Two icons whose rivalry goes all the way back to the dawn of Marvel Comics. Now, learn the full story of two legendary adversaries who would one day become allies, even friends. From enemy of mankind to warti me savior, from Fantastic Four foe to staunch Invader, Defender and Avenger...Namor is a man of contrasts. Relive the life and ti mes of Marvel's mightiest mutant as only he could see it. Imperius Rex! Meanwhile, a recently revived Torch looks back to his own uncanny creation. Meet his sizzling sidekick Toro, learn his incredible part in Hitler's downfall, and discover why the flame of Marvel's fi rst hero was doused for so long!

COLLECTING: SAGA OF THE SUB-MARINER 1-12, SAGA OF THE ORIGINAL HUMAN TORCH 1-4

Genres: Comics

361 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 2014

About the author

Roy Thomas was the FIRST Editor-in-Chief at Marvel--After Stan Lee stepped down from the position. Roy is a longtime comic book writer and editor. Thomas has written comics for Archie, Charlton, DC, Heroic Publishing, Marvel, and Topps over the years. Thomas currently edits the fanzine Alter Ego for Twomorrow's Publishing. He was Editor for Marvel comics from 1972-1974. He wrote for several titles at Marvel, such as Avengers, Thor, Invaders, Fantastic Four, X-Men, and notably Conan the Barbarian. Thomas is also known for his championing of Golden Age comic-book heroes — particularly the 1940s superhero team the Justice Society of America — and for lengthy writing stints on Marvel's X-Men and Avengers, and DC Comics' All-Star Squadron, among other titles.

Also a legendary creator. Creations include Wolverine, Carol Danvers, Ghost Rider, Vision, Iron Fist, Luke Cage, Valkyrie, Morbius, Doc Samson, and Ultron. Roy has also worked for Archie, Charlton, and DC among others over the years.

Reviews

[Chris Browning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes the narrative doesn’t so much stop as get tangled in dozens of years of subplots and reboots, but Roy and Dann Thomas try valiantly to smooth them over. A lot of the Namor story at times feels like the beginning to Rawlinson’s End as our favourite aquatic antihero has to explain the whims of clashing creative forces over the years, but he just about gets away with it. It’s actually a shame the Human Torch stuff doesn’t get us up to speed with his more recent appearances, as it doesn’t so much end as stop and there’s even a definite hint that the writers would like to have been able to continue on as the final text sounds weirdly passive aggressive. It’s still a lot of fun, especially the Namor stuff. He’s an endlessly fascinating creation, stubborn, arrogant, romantic, fiercely protective of his people and weirdly driven in a way no other Marvel characters of his vintage really were. He’s easy to get wrong but Roy and Dann Thomas valiantly avoid those traps, even if the endless plotting does get a bit exhausting

[Devero · Rating 2 out of 5]

Un bel mattone che raccoglie due miniserie degli anni 80 dedicata ai primi due personaggi Marvel, cronologicamente parlando. La mini di 4 della Torcia Originale rinarra pedissequamente, con qualche retroscena e disegni scarsi, la storia del personaggio, il quale in quel periodo editoriale stava per fare il suo ritorno nel Marvel Universe grazie a John Byrne sui suoi West Coast Avengers. Utile per chi non sapesse nulla del personaggio, ma troppo didascalica.
La maxi di Namor, 12 numeri, è di un altro livello. Certo, graficamente è invecchiata male ma all'epoca i disegni erano più che sufficienti, e la storia, pur approfondendo alcuni aspetti dell'origine di Namor, è incentrata su avvenimenti contemporanei. Decisamente meglio.
La colorazione moderna purtroppo danneggia più che esaltare i disegni.
Nel complesso 2 stelle e mezza.

[Rich Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that immediately falls into the category "They reprinted that?" I thought the same thing when I saw Skull the Slayer and Omega the Unknown get reprint volumes, and I'm just as astonished and glad they did.

This single volume reprints the 12-issue Saga of the Sub-Mariner and the 4-issue Saga of the Original Human Torch from the mid-eighties. Roy Thomas once again comes through in glorious style, retelling the life stories of Marvel Comics' two oldest characters (much like he did with the JSA in the America Vs. the Justice Society limited series (also recently reprinted in TPB form). Naturally, the histories are incomplete, only going up to the time of the Torch's second demise (in Fantastic Four Annual #5) and Namor's second modern series (by John Byrne), but each are a midget history of Marvel Comics. Particularly, the Sub-Mariner story gives you a lot of information that you might not have gleaned before by just reading the individual stories, and covers a lot of the grey area of Namor's history, such as the time period between the end of the Golden Age and his first modern appearance in FF #4.

While the stories are basically history lessons, they're still very good comic book tales, with excellent pacing and just enough action to keep you interested in the "heavy reading". The artwork is pencilled by comic legend Rich Buckler, one of the few artists that should always rank up there with Kirby, Ditko, and Buscema in the Marvel Pantheon.

WARNING: These are NOT decompressed stories like most modern readers are used to; you'll have to actually READ the stories to know what's going on.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must for fans of these characters and of artist Rich Buckler. The sixteen issues here comprise a retold history of Namor and the original Human Torch. Sometimes the narration gets a little heavy and minor events in their stories are glossed over in a panel or two. Of course, the Atlantean conflicts and the World War II stuff provide the most enjoyment, but things get bogged down occasionally by mandatory appearances from the Fantastic Four, Avengers, and X-Men. Still, Buckler's art is excellent throughout and helps keep things lively. Lots of fun, overall.