The Human Torch helped to win World War II in the world of Earth-616. But what happened when he was revived during the next war? Your Major Spoilers Retro Review of The Human Torch #38 awaits!

THE HUMAN TORCH #38

Writer:  Hank Chapman
Penciler: Dick Ayers
Inker: Ernie Bache
Colorist: Uncredited
Letterer: Dick Ayers
Editor: Stan Lee
Publisher: Chipiden Publishing Corp. (Marvel Comics)
Cover Price: 10 Cents
Current Near-Mint Pricing: $1,800.00
Release Date: May 10, 1954

Previously in The Human Torch: An artificial being created in 1939, The Human Torch escaped captivity only to discover that the “Horton cells” that formed his epidermis and powered him were a little bit unstable, causing him to burst into flame when exposed to oxygen. After a little trial-and-error (and a dousing in nitrogen), the Torch learned to control his flames, taking on the identity of New York City police officer Jim Hammond, while serving as a superhero and a member of The Invaders and the All-Winners Squad. One highlight of his WWII career came when Jim actually dispatched Hitler himself. Deactivated after the war, he was revived and made even MORE powerful by an atomic blast circa 1954, rejoining with his kid partner Toro (who didn’t seem to have aged in the ensuing decade) to become the Man of Flame once more.

This issue’s story, The Human Torch in Korea! sends the hero into battle in Southeast Asia with the same hyperkinetic fervor that fueled the story wherein he killed Hitler, battling some offensively drawn Asian stereotypes using his upgraded atomic-flame powers. It’s a relic of the ’40s, barely updated to target North Koreans instead of Japanese, which makes it a little tough to get through. The powerful proto-Silver Age art of Dick Ayers is the big saving grace of the Human Torch’s battles this time around, evoking the work that Kirby would deliver just a few years down the line. The various fiery constructs are also a neat touch, like the Torch’s daggers of flame, and summoning Toro by skywriting in flame. The story reveals that the Torches are in “Chungmong” (UGGH) to track down a kidnapped US Army general, but they are not prepared when the general turns on them!

Why would a loyal citizen and member of the military turn on his flaming would-be savior? It could only be that most hackneyed of spy story tropes, the evil Master of Disguise!

Barely saving the unnamed general’s unnamed daughter, Toro and the Human Torch go mano-a-mano-de-fuego against incoming communist troops, making short work of even their tanks and fighter jets, once again channeling the WWII aesthetic in a way that clearly felt dated even in 1954.

Though the story ends with a breathless tagline entreating readers to be on the lookout for the next issue, The Human Torch #38 turned out to be the final issue of the revival series. Even Marvel’s biggest heroes (Captain America, our man Torchy, and the Sub-Mariner, who finishes out the issue with a battle against octopus men) weren’t enough of a draw to bring superhero comics back to the top of the sales charts in the Eisenhower era, as crime, horror, and even romance comics were outselling the mystery men. After reading the three issues of the series, I’m kind of not surprised. The Korean War adventure is an egregious example, but all the material in this book feels very dated and out of place for a post-war audience. If you don’t believe me, feast your eyes on the Torch being defeated by a giant vacuum cleaner mounted on the top of an observatory.

In the final analysis, The Human Torch #38 is aggressively just okay, pairing excellent art (by both Ayers and Bill Everett, who handles the Sub-Mariner tale) with bland and dated scripting, which raises the question of whether readers of 1954 even noticed that the next issue never arrived, rounding out to 3.5 out of 5 stars overall. Part of me wants to think that jingoistic, faintly racist comic stories weren’t as big a hit as they had been in the previous decade for moral reasons, but it seems far more likely that practically nobody was reading The Human Torch in its short second life.

Dear Spoilerite,

At Major Spoilers, we strive to create original content that you find interesting and entertaining. Producing, writing, recording, editing, and researching requires significant resources. We pay writers, podcast hosts, and other staff members who work tirelessly to provide you with insights into the comic book, gaming, and pop culture industries. Help us keep MajorSpoilers.com strong. Become a Patron (and our superhero) today.