Human Torch

by Dan Slott

Book Overview

Follows the adventures of wisecracking friends Spider-Man and the Human Torch, from high school to the present day, as they battle various villains. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0785140042
• ISBN13: 9780785140047
• Release Date: January 2009
• Publisher: Marvel Comics Group
• Length: 1 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 7.5" x 11.2"

Customer Reviews

What's with the hate, boys?

I cannot understand the negative reviews, or the assertion that this would offend all older readers. Let me assure you... not everyone over the age of 18 found this book offensive. I loved this book, although admittedly I'm a fan of Mr. Slott from his clever work on She-Hulk, so there you are. In my honest opinion, I think you would have to be brain dead or lacking in all sense of humor to hate this book. This book deals with the relationship of the Human Torch to Spiderman over the years, from when they were rival teenage superheroes, to the present. It also deals with the relationship between Peter Parker and Johnny Storm, which is I think what makes this book really special. Peter Parker was the sometimes photographer of the FF in the comics, and to Johnny it seemed like this average individual lived a charmed and enviable life; at the same time, Spiderman is insanely jealous of the Human Torch, as he always was when Stan wrote them, and this triangular relationship makes for some great, snappy reading. The art is not bad, but nothing special. I do enjoy the manga-style size of the binding of this trade, though, as it is much easier to carry than the traditional, 8x11 full sized trade. In Dan Slott's typical fashion, this book mixed hilarious moments with some really touching soul-bearing moments, most notably the scene in which Spiderman (in costume) shares some of his grief about Gwen Stacy's murder. It is very similar to Brian Vaughan's or Gail Simone's style, or even more accurately, the style of TV writers Joss Whedon and David E. Kelley. If you are someone who enjoys that style, you will appreciate this book.

OLD SCHOOL FUN

MY FAVORITE STORIE IN THIS BOOK IS "AUTO MOTIVES" . PARKER (not spider-man) GETS A JOB WITH THE FAN. 4 IS A INTERN AND LEARNS OF A ANTI-GRAVITY DEVICE WHICH HE (as spider-man) AND THE TORCH STEAL FOR THE "SPIDER MOBILE" (long storie) , SO IT CAN DRIVE UP WALLS . NEVER HAVE I SEEN SPIDER-MAN ACT LIKE THIS OUT-SIDE OF "TWISTED TOY FAIR THEATRE" . IF YOUR LOOKING FOR A BOOK THAT HAS MARVEL'S HEROES ACTING LIKE THEY SHOULD BE , BUY THIS BOOK ! I'M ALSO LOOKING FOREWORD TO MORE BOOKS WRITEN BY : DAN SLOTT , WHO WROTE THIS GREAT SHORT STORIE , WHO COULD ALSO BE ONE OF THE NEXT GREAT COMIC WRITERS OUT THERE . ALSO , LETS SEE MORE BOOKS LIKE THIS ONE FOR OTHER MARVEL HEROES !

Can Spider-Man and the Human Torch survive their friendship?

Before the X-Men showed up, Spider-Man and the Human Torch were the two teenage superheroes for Marvel, which was a couple of decades removed from having the dozens of under-aged superheroes you need for any sort of legionnaire-type outfit. "Spider-Man/Human Torch: I'm With Stupid" does not get to the punch line of the title until the final frame, but this trade paperback collecting the five issues certainly has fun with the characters before coming up with a decent payoff to their rivalry. Told by Dan Slott (writer), Ty Templeton (penciler), and assorted inkers), these stories take place at various times in the lives of the two heroes and are not told in chronological order, so expect to jump around in Marvel history and get ready for a some slapstick comedy involving flames and webbing. There are no great dramatic stories awaiting you in these pages: (1) "Picture Perfect" has Johnny Storm tired of seeing Spider-Man in the papers all of the time instead of the Human Torch, so he decides to get Peter Parker to take photographs of the Torch in action. Irony abounds, and the whole point here is the jokes, such as when Spider-Man tangles with Paste-Pot Pete (as soon as he stop laughing). Then Doctor Doom shows up and things get a little serious, but in the end Johnny Storm's hair is in a box (really). (2) "Catch You on the Flipside" begins with the Torch tangling with the Vulture, which sets up the idea of our two heroes changing places since the Torch claims he can do whatever Spider-Man can. So Spider-Man joins the rest of the Fantastic Four to deal with a subspace fissure while the Torch tangles with Kraven the Hunter, and the question is which one will come out ahead, but with a laxative in their coffee (really). (3) "Auto-Motives" sees the return of the Amazing Spider-Mobile (but no Spider-Cave or Spider-Butler). Spider-Man is remembering the late Gwen Stacy, while the Human Torch is dealing with his breakup with Crystal. So if working on the Spider-Mobile together, so it will drive on the side of buildings, does not help the two superheroes bond, maybe fighting the Red Ghost and his super apes will do it. (4) "Cat's Paw" begins with Johnny Storm dressed up as Spider-Man and then the She-Hulk shows up dressed as a French maid. Then things get strange. Peter Parker is wearing the black Spider-Man suit and is hanging out with the Black Cat, but when she ends up going to a big affair hosted by the Black Panther with Johnny, Peter about blows a gasket. When is a robbery not a robbery? This issue would answer that question (not really). (5) "Together Again" takes place "right now" with the Torch and Spider-Man at their accustomed meeting place on top of Lady Liberty going over everything that has happened to them in previous comic book adventures. The problem is what happened that day at Peter Parker's school. The Torch was there to speak to the kids and some nuts with gun shows up and get the drop on everybody at which point Pe

Loved it!

I've really enjoyed all of Straczynski's Amazing Spider-man trades and most of Waid's Fantastic Four trades, so when I heard of a trade paperback consisting of 5-stand alone "untold stories" of these 2 characters, I thought it would be pretty forgetable. I was wrong: this is genius. First of all, it's absolutely hilarious; second of all, it showcases genuine friendship between the two. The thing I enjoyed most was watching the revolving cast of girlfriends: Betty, Dorrie, Gwen, MJ, Crystal, and Black Cat all make appearances. There's lots of good jokes for those who read the original comic books (I'm too young, but I'm read most of the Essential series). If you recognize the name "Paste-Pot Pete," you'll be able to appreciate one of the best inside jokes of the volume. Slott writes a story about each important era of the Duo: the early years, the Gwen Stacy/Crystal era, the time right after Gwen's death- complete with the Spidey mobile, the 80's with Black Cat and the symbiote costume, and finally today's comics- in which Johny finally discovers that Peter is Spidey. (After Johny mentions teaming up with Spidey's clone, the two agree to just "skip over that period.") Despite the fact that these are 5 stand-alone stories, they keep referring back to events earlier in the trade, and together this makes a great story. It's appropriate for kids, but people who have been longer fans will appreciate it the most.

Pure joy!

Five stories starting from high school, passing through the seventies along the way and ending in present day all charting the relationship between two characters whose personalities, even their very ethos, are polar opposites. Perhaps that's why they are so damn good together! Maybe it was the change in artist or the dreadful decision to turn Gwen Stacy into a bit of a slut, but JMS lost me with 'Sins Past'. I thought I'd check this out due to rabid reviews on Aint it Cool, and it really didn't disappoint. It's retro but in a very knowing way... it at the same time parodies but is also hugely reverential of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's stuff, and puts just enough knowing references in there to allow you to go along with the brilliantly off-beat stories Dan Slott has come up with. You'll have to be a bit hardcore to get all of the references made concerning Spidey and Torch's history (some passed me by) but don't let that put you off. This book has something that the superstar guest writers at Marvel are sorely lacking - a real sense of fun. I laughed out loud several times, and was even touched at the end by looking at the photographic evidence of the genuine bond between Parker and Storm. The fact that a whole story devoted to the Spider-Mobile (let's be honest, a stupid idea from the very beginning) is one of my favourites is testament to Slott's skill - he makes the ridiculous engaging and entertaining. And let's be honest that's a great gift when you're writing about superheroes. Strangely, despite it's day-glo illustrations and bizzaro plots, I'd recommend this to the more mature comic fan. It doesn't have much in the way great action and I'm sure "the kids" will dismiss it as silly. The comic's real strength is in the wit, the understanding of the characters (at various stages in their life) and the genuine warmth. And huge nostalgia appeal for those that remember the Marvel Golden Years. And thanks Dan for addressing something that's always bugged me about Parker... for a nerd with guilt issues how has he managed to get so many hot women? Gwen? Betty? Felicia? Mary Jane? The man's a sexual dynamo!!