Issue(s): Avengers West Coast #65 (Human Torch)
Cover Date: Dec 90
Title: "Toro, Toro, Toro..."
Credits:
Roy Thomas & Dann Thomas - Writer
Rik Levins - Penciler
Keith Williams - Inker
Howard Mackie - Editor

Review/plot:
This is a strange little back-up showing the Human Torch helping Ann Raymonds investigate the death of her husband, Toro. In response to an ad that they put in the papers, they've received a mysterious letter inviting them to the Channel Islands, off the coast from Santa Barbara. The person who sent the letter appears to be the Mad Thinker, who was responsible for Toro's death.

The "Thinker" "lets slip" that the death happened southwest of Ligianski Island. He then summons up a Giganto, which may seem like an odd thing for the Thinker to do...

...but it turns out to be mechanical.

And the "Mad Thinker" was really the Sub-Mariner.

He's done with the convoluted reasoning that he wants to tell the Torch and Ann where Toro died, but doesn't yet want to reveal to the world that he's alive. Even though maybe he's going to give up on the idea of pretending to be dead. And wouldn't have to reveal anything to "the world" just to talk to the Torch. And the fact that he appeared during Acts of Vengeance and hung out with the Avengers after he supposedly died. I also don't think anything comes of the information that Namor gives them. So it just seems like an unnecessary story all around.

Quality Rating: D

Historical Significance Rating: 1

Chronological Placement Considerations: The Sub-Mariner has his ankle wings and "took place shortly before Namor did reveal his existence to the world". That really puts this story between Namor #1-2. We therefore also have to watch for the period where the Golden Age Human Torch was deactivated, so this has to take place after Avengers West Coast #63.

References:

• Toro seemingly died while fighting the Mad Thinker in Sub-Mariner #14.
  
• The Thinker is also indirectly responsible for reviving the Golden Age Human Torch, per Giant-Size Avengers #4.

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: N/A

I always assumed that this took place before Namor revealed to the Torch that he was alive in Fantastic Four Annual 22. Otherwise, if he didn't trust Ann for some reason, why not just speak to the Torch when he's alone?

I can see that, but that would mean Namor thought it was important enough to tell give the Torch and Ann this information during Atlantis Attacks? It seems like more immediate things were going on! Between this story and the fact that Namor appeared during Acts of Vengeance, it's almost like he faked his death again after Atlantis Attacks.

" it's almost like he faked his death again after Atlantis Attacks."
He probably should take tips from Dr. Strange on "how to fake your own death".

I don't know. My response to faking your own death is the same Hank McCoy quote I use to respond to anything involving clones:

"Again? But that trick never works!"