Warning: contains preview images for Maestro: World War M #2!
Two of version of the Hulk, travels to a mysterious underwater city, where he learns of a plan between the two Golden Age heroes to end the Hulk once and for all. The issue goes on sale in print and digital March 23.
Both Namor and the original Human Torch, Jim Hammond, first appeared in 1939’s Marvel Comics #1 by Ben Thompson, Carl Burgos, Al Anders, Bill Everett, and Paul Gustavson, universally regarded as the first Marvel comic. Namor, the son of a human and an Atlantean princess, waged war against the entire surface world, but would ultimately fight on the side of the Allies during the Second World War. The Human Torch was an android constructed by Doctor Phineas Horton, with the ability to turn his body into flames. Much like Namor, the Human Torch would fight alongside the Allied Powers during the war. After the war’s end, as well as the subsequent end of comics’ Golden Age, the two characters lapsed into limbo; Namor, however, would return early in the Silver Age of Comics, in 1962’s Fantastic Four #4. The original Human Torch was revived in the late 1980s and has served alongside the Avengers. Now, in a post-apocalyptic future, the two have ed forces once again, to stop the evil Maestro. The issue is written by Peter David, illustrated by German Peralta, colored by Jesus Aburtov and lettered by Ariana Maher.
In the previous issue, the Human Torch laid waste to Los Angeles, the Maestro’s base of operations. Maestro survived the attack and followed the Torch back to a mysterious underwater city. Maestro recognizes it is not Atlantis but discerns that the Sub-Mariner is involved. Sure enough, the city is Namor’s new base of operations, and the Torch returns to tell him of his success in Los Angeles. Namor is not so sure and chastises Torch for his carelessness. Namor also senses the Maestro is about to strike—which he then does.
The preview ends there, leaving readers waiting until March 23 to see how Marvel’s first two heroes fare victim of Namor’s own hubris.
Namor will have to check his pride, however, if he and the original Human Torch, two of Marvel’s oldest characters, stand any chance of defeating the Hulk.
