Not Your Average Human Torch

The Human Torch

If you were here last week, you probably remember me mentioning the Human Torch while I was discussing the Sub-Mariner. Well, again, I’d just like to clarify that I wasn’t talking about the member of the Fantastic Four. I was talking about the original Human Torch.

It’s well-known that the very first DC superhero is Superman, but my father once asked me “Who is the original Marvel superhero”. Well, published in Marvel Comics #1 under Timely Comics (the predecessor to Marvel), the Human Torch hit the scene.

Despite the name, the Human Torch isn’t technically a human, they’re a humanoid android. Created by Phineas T. Horton as a completely synthetic human, the android that would become known as the Human Torch burst into flames immediately upon being exposed to oxygen. Due to fear of public safety, he was encased in concrete, but later escaped after a crack released oxygen into his containment area. He soon learned to control his flames and decided to protect humanity.

Unlike Namor, who’s still well-known by comic book fans, the Human Torch is far more obscure, with a majority of people not knowing his stories. That’s understandable, however, as he hasn’t been much of a factor in Marvel Comics. The most notable thing he had done in the modern era was have his body used to create the future Avengers member, Vision.

However, the Human Torch has been going under a resurgence lately, being brought back in the All-New, All-Different Invaders comic book, where he once again teams up with Namor and Captain America. He may not have the most expansive history in comics, but you should still give Marvel’s first hero the justice he deserves.

Ocean Man

Namor The Sub-Mariner

For my first post about obscure Marvel characters, we’re going to talk about my personal favorite, as well as the criminally underutilized, Namor the Sub-Mariner. Namor is a bit of an oddity in that if you ask any comic book fan about who he is, they’ll automatically be able to give you an answer. But if you ask a more casual fan of superheroes, they’ll have no idea.

Namor McKenzie, also known as the Sub-Mariner, was created in April 1939 by writer and artist Bill Everett. His backstory is that of a hybrid, a child born to an Atlantean queen and human male. Born “pink-skinned” in comparison to the other blue-skinned Atlanteans, he was nevertheless accepted as the heir to throne of Atlantis, eventually becoming their king and the defender of the seven seas.

This background may sound a little familiar to you. Fairly similar to that of a certain DC superhero. Well, Namor came out two years before Aquaman, so Aquaman’s copying him. It wasn’t just the whole hybrid Atlantean king schtick that Aquaman copied from Namor too. Namor’s capable of communicating with underwater life and wields a magic trident as his primary weapon, not to mention he’s super strong both underwater and on land.

That being said, there are a few things that Aquaman didn’t copy from Namor. First of all, Namor has wings on his feet. Now I know that sounds ridiculous (it’s actually impressive that he’s had these wings for nearly his entire time being a comic book character), and it is. Namor also possesses a horn that allows him to summon giant monsters, such as Giganto, which looks like a giant sperm whale that grew arms and legs.

Despite Namor’s relative popularity in the comics, partially due to licensing issues, he has sparingly appeared in television shows and has failed to appear in any live-action properties. This is especially insulting considering that several of the members of his rogues gallery, namely Attuma and Tiger Shark, have appeared in recent televisions series such as Avengers Assemble. Which is a real shame, since he’s actually a really cool character.

Namor was a part of the first comic book crossover where he fought the original Human Torch (not to be confused with the member of the Fantastic Four), is considered Marvel’s first Mutant character (no other Atlantean has some of his abilities, namely the wings on his feet) predating the rest of the X-Men, was the first anti-hero to appear in comics due to his steadfast protection of Atlantis, and was a member of some of Marvel’s earliest superhero teams, such as the Invaders alongside Captain America and the (original) Human Torch and the Defenders with Hulk and Doctor Strange.

With such a rich history, it’s a shame not many people know about him. Many people speculate that he’ll appear as the main antagonist in the upcoming Black Panther sequel, but only time will tell. Hopefully this piqued your interest in my favorite Marvel hero.

An Introduction

Welcome to the Obscure Marvel blog. Here we talk about obscure characters in Marvel Comics. My name is Joseph Mauceri, also known as Black Dwarf Star for some reason. If you couldn’t tell from the name of this blog in general, I’m here to talk about unknown Marvel Comics characters.

Why do this you may ask? Well, the answer is simple really; I love comic books and comic book content and want to vent my knowledge onto others.

Just setting a couple of ground rules beforehand. Firstly, the characters I’ll be talking about will be Marvel characters only, heroes or villains, but no DC, Image, or any of the “lesser” comic book publishers. I initially did consider talking about DC characters as well, but most of the unknown DC characters are actually kinda lame (just look up Condiment King)

Secondly, the characters I will be discussing have not appeared in any popular media outside of cartoons in the last five years. They’re still awaiting their theatrical debut. This won’t necessarily mean we’re waiting for the character themselves to debut, but their alter ego.

And lastly, I do take requests. You just gotta make sure your characters fit within the first two tenants.

Now, without further ado, let us dive into the marvelous world of Marvel Comics.