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Marvel Mystery Comics #7
Marvel Mystery Comics #7
The Human Torch meets the NYPD. “You're under arrest”!
68 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1940
About the author
Carl Burgos
242 books8 followersMax Finkelstein created Jim Hamond, the Human Torch, for Timely Comics (later evolved into the Marvel Comics) in 1939, using the pen-name Carl Burgos. He also created the Thunderer for Daring Mystery Comics. Both series were published by Timely Comics, the forerunner of Marvel. He was drafted in 1942 and did mostly commercial art in subsequent years, occasionally drawing science fiction stories for Marvel, by that time known as Atlas. He also drew the first story featuring the Beetle (Abner Jenkins) in Strange Tales #123, starring Johnny Storm, the second Human Torch. Two years later, in Fantastic Four Annual #4, Marvel published a battle between the two Human Torches, resulting in the death of Jim Hamond. Although his daughter tried to preserve as much as possible, Burgos set fire to much of the Human Torch materials he had retained from the 1940s, considering the story an excuse to reassert trademark on a character they were not using simply to spite him.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 26, 2022
The Human Torch
Back in New York, and The Torch has decided he wants to become a police officer. He gets the job, passing highest in his class and is put on the beat, becoming the only un-uniformed officer (as his fire powers burn through the outfits everytime he turns it on). He does a fine job of superheroing, but with the amount of destruction he causes he seems very fitting for his new occupation too. Also, we're soooo close to our first cross-over. I'm actually kind of excited.
The Angel
Surprisingly The Angel has had the most continuous stories so far, taking place usually immediately after the last story. This time, he got to the bottom of a kidnapping that almost ended in murder! I love that this guy is chill with torture, strapping the kidnapper to the front of his car and driving him through traffic til he confessed. I also still like his super power of punching faster than bullets. It's only a matter of time until we get an Ora-Ora here!
Prince Namor the Sub-Mariner
Namor also returns to New York this issue, with the intention on reestablishing his war on America. He posts himself up on the Statue of Liberty calling it his castle, and, declaring himself King, New York as his kingdom. He then does some petty destruction to the city, throwing cars, breaking elevated train tracks, etc. Then the police challenge him that the Torch is on the force, and that he'll stop Namor. I'm excited for this incoming fight!
The Masked Raider
The only thing I like about Masked Raider is that seemingly, the villain is consistently the Sheriff.
Ferret: Mystery Detective
The novelty of the pet ferret Nosey has worn off as soon as I realized that Ferret is only around to get tied up in chairs, and Nosey the ferret is only there to chew him out. The first few mysteries where actually kind of interesting, but here he just gets kidnapped and escapes. He also, weirdly, can tell that a woman in the crime ring was a secret man by saying "well only women light their match sticks striking AWAY from them, and not towards them, like you did, proving you're a dude". Weird right?
Adventures of Ka-Zar the Great
Man I got pretty worried for a second here. In this story a botanist and his daughter fly to the jungle to study rare plants. Their pilot is, unbeknownst to them, famed thief/murderer "Red" Skelton (love the name). He murders the botanist and tries to steal Mara, the daughter, for himself. I was worried because naturally Ka-Zar saves her, but I was shocked at the fact they don't immediately fall in love. She asked Ka-Zar to stay in the jungle and he's like "you will literally die if you stay here, plus I don't want you, so I'm escorting you back to civilization". After all the Namor love story junk that took me by surprise!
Back in New York, and The Torch has decided he wants to become a police officer. He gets the job, passing highest in his class and is put on the beat, becoming the only un-uniformed officer (as his fire powers burn through the outfits everytime he turns it on). He does a fine job of superheroing, but with the amount of destruction he causes he seems very fitting for his new occupation too. Also, we're soooo close to our first cross-over. I'm actually kind of excited.
The Angel
Surprisingly The Angel has had the most continuous stories so far, taking place usually immediately after the last story. This time, he got to the bottom of a kidnapping that almost ended in murder! I love that this guy is chill with torture, strapping the kidnapper to the front of his car and driving him through traffic til he confessed. I also still like his super power of punching faster than bullets. It's only a matter of time until we get an Ora-Ora here!
Prince Namor the Sub-Mariner
Namor also returns to New York this issue, with the intention on reestablishing his war on America. He posts himself up on the Statue of Liberty calling it his castle, and, declaring himself King, New York as his kingdom. He then does some petty destruction to the city, throwing cars, breaking elevated train tracks, etc. Then the police challenge him that the Torch is on the force, and that he'll stop Namor. I'm excited for this incoming fight!
The Masked Raider
The only thing I like about Masked Raider is that seemingly, the villain is consistently the Sheriff.
Ferret: Mystery Detective
The novelty of the pet ferret Nosey has worn off as soon as I realized that Ferret is only around to get tied up in chairs, and Nosey the ferret is only there to chew him out. The first few mysteries where actually kind of interesting, but here he just gets kidnapped and escapes. He also, weirdly, can tell that a woman in the crime ring was a secret man by saying "well only women light their match sticks striking AWAY from them, and not towards them, like you did, proving you're a dude". Weird right?
Adventures of Ka-Zar the Great
Man I got pretty worried for a second here. In this story a botanist and his daughter fly to the jungle to study rare plants. Their pilot is, unbeknownst to them, famed thief/murderer "Red" Skelton (love the name). He murders the botanist and tries to steal Mara, the daughter, for himself. I was worried because naturally Ka-Zar saves her, but I was shocked at the fact they don't immediately fall in love. She asked Ka-Zar to stay in the jungle and he's like "you will literally die if you stay here, plus I don't want you, so I'm escorting you back to civilization". After all the Namor love story junk that took me by surprise!
September 5, 2018
Ferret still got the smarts and Nosey the ferret makes another appearance as the beast the ropes fear most.
If it weren't for the last two stories, Ferret's and Ka-Zar's, this issue would have been the best so far. Even The Angel and Sub-Mariner gained two stars for close to decent stories and best of all, this issue sets the grounds for the first epic confrontation between The Human Torch - which joined the police and is not human, 'member? - and Sub-Mariner who got really angry from the judicial train-wreck in the last issue.
Edit: One more thing. Some of the short stories have a curious nod toward the historical events of those times: in this issue, the small country of Vinland is invaded by it's much more powerful foe, Nussia but their bombers are being annihilated with the help of a "freedom loving Yank".
October 14, 2020
OMG I AM READING THE NEXT ISSUE RN.
July 11, 2021
Can't wait for the next issue : The Sub-Mariner vs the Human Torch !
My money's on Namor !
My money's on Namor !
August 12, 2019
I like that this is the first connection to the independent hero stories we’ve had so far. Will be interested in how The Angel and Sub-Mariner react to each other.
I don’t quite understand what the flying battle has to do with heroes with powers. It reads like an ordinary pilot doing good deeds.
I don’t quite understand what the flying battle has to do with heroes with powers. It reads like an ordinary pilot doing good deeds.
August 27, 2025
The pattern continues, with Namor and Torch being the best comics of the bunch by a wide margin. Angel is okay, Ka-Zar passable, maybe. I had assumed Ferret was called that on the basis of the verb ‘to ferret’, as in ferret out the truth. But now he has an actual ferret sidekick…
October 23, 2025
This issue includes:
1. The Human Torch -- Policeman
2. Marked For Murder (The Angel)
3. Rampage in New York (Sub-Mariner)
4. The Masked Raider
5. Blasting Bombers! (short story)
6. The Felons and the Flood (Electro)
7. Kidnapped by the Duke (Ferret)
8. The Deadly Scheme of "Red" Skelton (Ka-Zar)
1. The Human Torch -- Policeman
2. Marked For Murder (The Angel)
3. Rampage in New York (Sub-Mariner)
4. The Masked Raider
5. Blasting Bombers! (short story)
6. The Felons and the Flood (Electro)
7. Kidnapped by the Duke (Ferret)
8. The Deadly Scheme of "Red" Skelton (Ka-Zar)
March 15, 2023
4.55/5 for me
August 6, 2025
2.5🌟
Very interested in the clash between two heroes (Yes! it's actually getting a little exciting.).
Very interested in the clash between two heroes (Yes! it's actually getting a little exciting.).
May 20, 2026
Human torch looked cool.
July 22, 2021
This is a pretty good Marvel series, mostly just love and enjoy the Human torch and Kazar comics😄😻👍
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews