Torches, Redux!

As we saw in the finale to the Avengers/Invaders series, Thomas Raymond--a/k/a Toro, the former partner of the original Human Torch--was returned to life through the use of the Cosmic Cube, now a man picking up the pieces of his life in the 21st century. While that saga was taking place, in Captain America we were also witness to a plot by a former Chinese scientist to use the Torch's remains as a weapon which would destroy nearly half the population of the world in a depraved effort to salvage and preserve the Earth's ecosystem. Both stories would serve to pave the way for The Torch, the 2009-10 series where the two flaming heroes would reunite only to find themselves again at the mercy of a man who had used each of them in prior schemes that led to their respective deaths.

And long-time Marvel readers can probably guess that villain's identity right off.

It's arguably the Mad Thinker who is the driving force of this eight-issue series, though Raymond would also have a central role. Commissioned by A.I.M. to produce a weapon of destruction, the Thinker is sitting pretty as the one responsible for the weapon's conception and design, with the resources of A.I.M. at his beck and call. The character is given virtual carte blanche by scripter Mike Carey to set the tone for the plans that will take shape for both A.I.M. and himself, and he proves to be a very deadly foe to be reckoned with, chewing the scenery from the moment he's introduced.

The insertion of Toussaint as an informal assistant to the Thinker makes for a splendid thorn in the side of the latter, with Toussaint also instructed to keep an eye on the Thinker's progress and informing A.I.M. of any deviations in the agreed-upon project. It's Toussaint who keeps the Thinker engaged with the reader, since otherwise the Thinker would simply be hunched over his equipment scribbling notes and making adjustments without much to say. And the fact that Toussaint also attempts to converse with the Thinker on equal ground, provoking the expected reaction from one who considers him an annoyance, is icing on the cake.

Meanwhile, Raymond is finding it difficult to acclimate to his new life, especially after seeing how his former wife has moved on with her life following his death. He's basically a blank slate in terms of his new existence, with no family, no direction, and no documents or papers to offer a potential employer, while the thought of hooking up with the heroes of this era seems a poor fit for him. The Vision, who became Raymond's impromptu guide following his rebirth, makes for a fascinating shadow to Tom, given their contrast in temperament--the intermittent presence who gently attempts to bring Tom out of his depression and encourage him to choose a direction for himself.

Finally, despondent and frustrated, Raymond indeed makes a decision as to what he should do next. Whether it's one that meets with the Vision's approval or disapproval is unclear, since the Vision gives no indication either way--but then, that's generally the way the Vision operates here, and it has the effect of making the character more intriguing. In any case, our focus should be on Raymond, given his state of mind and what he now disturbingly considers a priority in this new lease on life.

Thanks to the Vision, Toro is able to slip by the A.I.M. base's detection perimeter and defenses and take it completely by surprise, though it doesn't take long for A.I.M. agents to respond. But for all intents and purposes, the way to the Thinker is clear, and his moment of reckoning is at hand. (Though one could also make the same statement regarding Raymond.)

Whatever opinion you may have about the Thinker, we can probably agree that his reputation when it comes to either analysis or androids is well-deserved. And considering that he's already had experience with both Raymond and the Torch in the past, as well as his current obligation to A.I.M., his reference to "inspiration" shouldn't be taken lightly. Following his "operation" on Raymond (the details of which we're all probably better off not knowing), the Thinker has been able to expand his knowledge on the connection that exists between Raymond and the Torch insofar as Toro's powers--but he must now go a step further to truly comprehend what it was that Phineas Horton demonstrated at the World's Fair that day in 1939.

At the same time, Toussaint investigates how Raymond's mother became exposed to the "Horton cells" that were discovered in Raymond--specifically, her indirect connection with a German biologist, Sigmund Fell, whose contact in America likely instructed Nora Raymond to steal Horton's artificial cells.

But it's the Torch that presently concerns the Thinker--and in just a few panels, he analyzes Horton's legacy and documents exactly both how the Human Torch lived, and why he doesn't.

In the interim, Touissaint has discovered the fungal cultures of the Horton cells that the Thinker was able to grow--and soon enough, A.I.M. is pressing the Thinker for some answers on why he appears to be pursuing his own project, rather than theirs.

With the Torch "prepped," it became only a matter of the Thinker recharging his cells, with a procedure that would have made Dr. Frankenstein weep with pride. The result is what the Thinker allowed Raymond to witness for himself--the Torch, "alive" and physically whole once more, but with no concept of his former identity, his mind and powers completely under the control of the Thinker and A.I.M. agents.

Consequently, the Torch is immediately deployed by A.I.M.--first, a "test run" where he destroys a Norwegian vessel with all hands. Upon his return, he's immediately briefed on the target specified by A.I.M.'s unnamed client--the destruction of a city in the European country of Estonia. The Torch is all too efficient, engaging and bringing down Estonian air defenses before moving on to the city and causing widespread devastation and death. Simultaneously, however, Toussaint is meeting a gruesome end, under the control of the same Compound D that suppresses the will of the Torch. Discovering that the Thinker means to produce enough Compound D to dominate all of mankind, Toussaint is subsequently ordered to commit suicide--marked afterward by a moment of silence that the Thinker is only too happy to relish, considering that from Toussaint he wanted nothing else.

But unknown to either the Thinker or A.I.M., the situation spirals out of control when Raymond escapes confinement and damages the unit sending the Torch his instructions. Reacting with a sudden spasm over his target city, the Torch plummets into the freezing waters off the city's coast, the drop in temperature rendering Compound D nonfunctional and restoring his free will. During his acts of violence, the Torch has demonstrated his awareness that A.I.M. has been forcing him to kill, though Compound D has suppressed any outrage or frustration that he might otherwise exhibit--so when he surfaces, it's little surprise that his immediate destination is the A.I.M. platform, where he proceeds to destroy the entire installation. The Thinker is able to escape--while Raymond welcomes the flames from the Torch's attack which restore his ability to ignite. Some time later, Raymond locates the Torch in New York, free of his compulsion to obey the Thinker but at a loss as to how to reconstruct his memories. Raymond suggests they start by investigating the link between their powers.

From here, unfortunately, The Torch begins to segue into a number of other developments that cause the entire series to lose its way, as it seeks to wind back around and pick up the trail of Nora Raymond's involvement with Horton, her subsequent death, and her connection with Fell. As it all plays out, you'll probably hear more about Horton cells than you ever wanted to, as much as they seem to anchor the entire series and factor into every decision, every conflict. And just for kicks, Johnny Storm is added to the mix when the Torches close in on the Thinker--as if one more Torch in the book will put it over the top. As a result, the series is probably extended two or three issues more than it needs to be. Even the Thinker seems frazzled, as he tries to make sense of everything that happens from this point on:

The series concludes with the defeat of the "Inhuman Torch," the enzyme threatening Jim Hammond's life eradicated, Tom Raymond apparently having found his new life's purpose in a renewed partnership with the Torch (though that's conjecture on my part), and the Thinker getting away scot-free with a sack of gold bullion. There are nevertheless a number of nice scenes in the remaining issues to perhaps justify seeing the series through to its end--but perhaps its most unexpected surprise is that it so generously dotes on the Thinker throughout, who practically steals the series from its two heroes and almost makes you appreciate the fact that he leaves the final issue quite satisfied and none the worse for wear. That said, I'd much rather be rooting for the Torch and Toro, who receive an all's-well-that-ends-well ending but likely less applause on the whole than their antagonist.