Obsessively putting our comics in chronological order since 1985.
| 1990-09-01 00:03:11 |
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Marvel Comics Presents #74 (Human Torch/Iceman)
Issue(s): Marvel Comics Presents #74 (Human Torch/Iceman story only)
Cover Date: 1991
Title: "Absolute zero!"
Credits:
Dan Mishkin - Writer
Joe Staton - Penciler
Dan Adkins - Inker
Kelly Corvese - Assistant Editor
Terry Kavanagh - Editor
Review/plot:
This story starts with ten seconds on the clock as the Human Torch and Iceman race to rescue Alicia Masters from someone named Firebomb. Iceman was apparently having brunch with the Torch when Firebomb attacked, but the story starts well after that.
As the two fight their way, separately, through death traps, we learn more about what's already happened. The Human Torch went directly to rescue Alicia, but Iceman stuck around to fight Firebomb, and when he beat him, Firebomb revealed that the Torch would inadvertently be responsible for setting off the bomb. So Iceman subsequently raced after the Torch to stop him. And Iceman does arrive in time.
Since the bomb's trigger is keyed to heat, Iceman has to disable the bomb, but he's helped by the Human Torch's lesser known ability to absorb the heat away from something (i.e. to make it colder).
And, haha, that's how it ends.
I have to say that the story is very efficiently done. If you only have 8 pages to tell a story, you might as well have it take place in just 10 seconds. You can leave the set-up to expository dialogue explaining what's already happened. Of course that means we never get to see "Firebomb", but i guess who cares? Personally i'd just as much like to see 8 pages of the Torch and Iceman eating brunch (and maybe it could have taken place when X-Factor's Rusty Collins was still around, since he's supposed to be friends with the Torch too) but i guess that wouldn't make for a lot of exciting action.
Quality Rating: D+
Historical Significance Rating: 1
Chronological Placement Considerations: Since she's still with Johnny, this has to take place before "Alicia Masters" is exposed as a Skrull. The color of Johnny's costume and the length of Alicia's hair make me wonder when exactly this was meant to take place, but the MCP place it after Days of Future Present, which at least is a time that we know that both the Human Torch and Iceman are available, so i'll go with that.
References: N/A
Crossover: N/A
Continuity Insert? N
My Reprint: N/A
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Comments
You make it sound a bit better than a D+ story, Fnord.
Well, i think the set-up is very efficient, but the actual story is pretty corny and has the two characters fighting machinery for 8 pages. It might have been a good formula to follow, but with a better plot.
As far as wordplay goes, the "Absolute Zero" at the end is just awesome and is well set up. I approve.
