Marvel Team Up Flames On!

When Spidey Met Johnny

Johnny and Spidey first met way back in Amazing Spider-Man #1 when Spider-Man raided the Baxter Building to impress the Fantastic Four with his job qualifications. Little did he know, they weren't hiring! He left a definite impression on them, however, and although he didn't get much of a chance to talk to the Torch at the time, he would soon enough. Soon as in Amazing Spider-Man #4, when the Torch gives an inspirational pep talk at Peter Parker's high school! The Torch's words inspire Spidey to rally and defeat his toughest foe, Doctor Octopus, for the first time.

After a brief exchange, Spidey and the Torch would start teaming up in earnest. Their partnership generally works on the principle shown to the right. Spidey will whip up a sneaky plan and try to explain it to Johnny. Johnny, not grasping the scientific or other subtle principles involved, will say, "Huh?" And a free-for-all ensues with the likes of the Beetle. Whatta team.

Art by Steve Ditko

A Helping (and Flaming!) Hand

As a matter of fact, there are a lot of things about Spidey that the Torch doesn't understand. That's the result of a difference in lifestyles. While the Torch's identity is public known and he is easily recognized, Spider-Man tries to hide his identity and sticks to the shadows. Because the Torch doesn't know who his friend really is, his actions can sometimes be puzzling. Eventually, Spidey should give in and decide to trust the Fantastic Four with his true identity. Then, Johnny will have the chance to get back at Pete for trying to steal his girl Dorrie Evans all those years ago.

Getting in touch usually isn't two hard for this duo. Johnny's address is well known and with the defenses of Reed Richards at work, his super team family doesn't have to worry much about criminal attack or Spider-Men sticking outside their windows. As for the Torch, he can usually sky write a big flaming message to Spidey. Not discreet at all, but no one else knows that their usual meeting place is on top of the Statue of Liberty! With today's modern technology, it's a wonder why Spidey doesn't make things easy and get a toll-free Dial-A-Spider line for his super hero associates. He's not as rich as the Torch, but neither is he so strapped for cash any more either!

Art by Sal Larocca

Fighting the Good Fight

When the Torch and Spidey do team up, it's usually to fight Spidey's villains. Let's face it, the Torch usually fights universe-class dimension beaters that only Reed Richards can deduce the flaws behind. Spidey and the Torch versus Annihilus might get kind of one-sided. On the other hand, teaming up against the likes of the Beetle, the Enforcers, Sandman, the Speed Demon, the Black Abbott, and a bunch of other Spidey villains seems more like the thing to do. At least all of his villains live in New York.

Well, the Beetle actually was originally a foe of the Torch. So was the Wizard for that matter! And, in Untold Tales of Spider-Man #6, it's the Wizard the two match wits against in a tale told in such classic style, you would almost expect to find it in Strange Tales! Of course, they've teamed up throughout several titles, including Amazing Spider-Man, Marvel Team-Up, Secret Wars, and Fantastic Four. Well, maybe not exactly teamed up in Fantastic Four... more on that next section...

Art by Pat Oliffe

The Torch Attacks!

Art by Sal Buscema and Joe Sinnott

Torch Versus Spidey!

They fought in Fantastic Four! Yes, true believers, these two friends have gone at it on occasion, for true to the Mighty Marvel Formula, when two heroes meet, they must fight! (You know, they could use some new concepts, don't you think? They call themselves the House of Ideas, fer cryin' out loud! House of Recyclables maybe...) Anyway, in Fantastic Four #207, the Torch falls under the mind control of the Monacle (in what? his second and last appearance?) and fights Spidey. Around Fantastic Four #373, Spidey and the Torch faces off when the Torch burns down Empire State University. (No, it wasn't because of his grades.) That actually led to Spidey re-teaming with Wolverine, Ghost Rider, and the Hulk for a showdown of the Fantastic Four versus the "new FF" that formed when they were presumed dead in Fantastic Four #348. Besides that, Spidey actually helped the team against some Skrulls without fighting the Torch in Fantastic Four #250.

The Web and The Flame

And after all this time, the two are still the best of friends. Well, as best of friends as you can be and not know who someone really is. Johnny's not jealous of Spidey, either, despite Spidey's enormous popularity. What's that? Johnny is admired by millions while Spidey is smeared by the Daily Bugle? That may be so, but you don't happen to see Flame of the Human Torch, Torch Tales, Torch Tag Team, The Sizzling Human Torch, or Johnny Storm, Human Torch on the magazine stands, do you?

So despite their different methods and the occasional riff (Johnny thinks Spidey is too secretive; Spidey thinks Johnny is too flamboyent), you can always count on a team up when these guys are in town.

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Art by Kerry Gammill