Spoilers for Iron Man #9 ahead!
Marvel’s first superhero, the android version of the Human Torch, just got a massive power upgrade in Iron Man #9. Yet this upgrade comes at an equally massive cost, one that the Torch may not be willing to pay.
Most comic fans know the Human Torch as Johnny Storm of the Fantastic Four, but the first Human Torch was a robot with pyrokinetic powers. Going by the alias Jim Hammond, this version of the Human Torch is one of Marvel’s oldest characters, first appearing in 1939’s Marvel Comics #1. After the Golden Age of comics, the character faded into obscurity for several decades. After a few one-off appearances, the character returned to full-time action during John Byrne’s tenure on Avengers West Coast. When fans last saw the Human Torch, he had left Earth after stints in the Secret Avengers and the Invaders. Now, the original Human Torch returns, part of the villain Korvac’s plan to snuff out free will in the universe.
Korvac and his acolytes have tracked the Human Torch to the Rivalis Moon. They find the Torch, but he is not pleased to see them and warns them to stay away. Korvac tells the Torch that they are “brothers,” in a sense. Korvac is an Adam-IV model android, and the Human Torch is an Adam-I. This gets the Torch’s attention, and he hears Korvac out. Korvac wishes to upgrade the Torch to the same level he is at and begins the process of elevating him. The two share a mind-link, giving the Human Torch unfettered access to Korvac’s brain. But once the upgrade is complete, the Torch turns on Korvac. During the mind-link, the Torch became aware of not only Korvac’s plan, but also of his past battles with the Avengers. Angry that the Torch rebuked him, Korvac puts a control disc on the android, sapping him of his free will and making him Korvac’s slave.
It remains to be seen if the Human Torch will remain indentured to Korvac, but it is a horrible fate for one of Marvel’s oldest characters. In classic Marvel style, the Human Torch was viewed as an outsider in society, only wanting to lead a normal life. It was denied to him on Earth, so he tried to find peace in outer space. He was successful, but only for a little while. Whatever measure of comfort and solace he found was taken away from him by Korvac, and now he is forced to serve a dark and twisted master.
The original Human Torch is one of Marvel’s oldest heroes, and he just received a massive power upgrade, but it came at a great cost. Iron Man #9 is written by Christopher Cantwell, with art by Cafu, colors by Frank D’Armata, and letters by Joe Caramanga. The issue is on sale now in print and digital.