Alter Ego #49 June 2005 (magazine review).
As you should be able to tell from the cover of the 49th Alter Ego, this issue is primarily about the original Human Torch. Carl Burgos (1916–84) created him in 1939. Jim Amash conducted an interview with his youngest daughter, Susan, who revealed that her father was a skilled craftsman outside of the artboard, but he kept her away from comic books. It was only after his death that his family pieced together his career and anger over not securing copyright over the Human Torch, mostly because of the name reused in the Fantastic Four. I hadn’t realized the significant characters Burgos created were all androids. These included the Iron Skull, the White Streak, and the third Captain Marvel (the one who could split his body into parts to attack). An interesting, enlightening interview.
Roy Thomas also showcases a selection of cover designs from that era that feature the Human Torch. Design-wise, the torch is very easy to sketch out when aflame, as you only really need the basic figure. Just to balance things out, there are also some designs of the Sub-Mariner’s covers as well.
Roy Thomas also examines 10 super-heroes with similar powers, primarily focusing on the Human Torch franchise. I couldn’t help but question the exclusion of Fire Lad from the Legion of Substitute Heroes, but that’s merely my speculation.
Probably the most significant article here is writer Thomas G. Lammers bringing together all the information about the Atlas Implosion of the 1950s, where publisher Martin Goodman dropped his own distribution arm, relying on ANC, which then collapsed, and then IND, effectively working with the National Periodicals, who limited the number of comicbooks they put out. We are all familiar with the progression, and Lammers asserts that Goodman didn’t make any incorrect decisions, but rather succumbed to unfortunate circumstances. Ultimately, it all came together, but this really is a must read, and you can take a look at some of Timely/Atlas’s other non-superhero titles.
Michael T. Gilbert explores his love of Will Eisner’s ‘The Spirit’ and how it influenced his own art style.
Have I sufficiently described this issue to pique your interest? I haven’t really discussed this before, but when you read the letters pages from previous issues, you tend to want to read the ones you missed, especially if they touch on subjects you’re interested in.
GF Willmetts
June 2024
(pub: TwoMorrows Publishing. 98 page illustrated magazine. Price: varies. ISSN: 1932-6890. Direct from them, you can get it digitally for $ 4.99 (US))
check out websites: www.TwoMorrows.com and https://twomorrows.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=98_55&products_id=303&zenid=pcmjh8nnjgppuufnl8tqe47vk4
