Issue(s): Strange Tales #122 (Human Torch story only)
Cover Date: Jul 64
Title: "3 against the Torch!"
Credits:
Stan Lee - Writer
Dick Ayers - Penciler
George Roussos - Inker

Review/plot:
In Fantastic Four #23, Dr. Doom whipped up a trio of super-villains to even out the odds against the FF, and then arrogantly sent them to another dimension when he decided he didn't need them anymore. They apparently returned to our dimension when Dr. Doom was sent away in that issue, and they don't bear a grudge at all; in this issue they want to prove themselves worthy of him by defeating the FF on their own, starting with the Human Torch.

Johnny has no chance against them because in addition to their powers they have an asbestos rope....

...(which is also magic)...

...and they even turn Johnny's own house - which is filled with asbestos materials - against him.

Not to harp, but this is ultimately why the Asbestos Man was so lame. Every Human Torch villain has asbestos in addition to their powers, so what's so special about a guy that just has asbestos. The trio here even has an asbestos RV trailer.

These bad guys, who don't even have a group name yet but will be called the Terrible Trio in their next appearance, may seem pretty low rent, but they're not that bad, really. Granted Handsome Harry's super-hearing is really a specialized counter to the Invisible Girl, but you can't scoff at super-strength or Yogi's mix of levitation and fire resistance. If they had been given super-villain names and costumes and a couple more appearances, they could have established themselves as something. Sort of a super version of the Enforcers. And let's not forget: Dr. Doom created these guys from scratch!

All that said, the Torch does manage to defeat them all on his own, so i guess, like, nevermind.

Quality Rating: D

Historical Significance Rating: 2 - establishing the Terrible Trio as repeat villains.

Chronological Placement Considerations: If we accept the final panel (see below) as canon, takes place between FF #27-28.

References:

• Dr. Doom's made-to-order super-villains were first seen in Fantastic Four #23, which merits a footnote and a three page flashback here, including the opening splash panel. Although they got the footnote wrong, listing FF #22 instead of #23.
  
• The issue ends with the Torch breaking the fourth wall to promote Fantastic Four #28.

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: Essential Human Torch

The Terrible Trio are truly worthy of that name. DC's Terrible Trio was better.

Agreed, Robert, but not by much. I place this story between FF#27 and 28, obviously.