Marvel’s first superhero officially joins the MCU in 87 years

WARNING: This article contains spoilers for VisionQuest Episode 7, “Immolation.”last episode of Vision QuestTitled “Immolation,” it provides some game-changing information, including the identity of Paladin’s mysterious client. It’s likely that more of what’s revealed will be revealed in the season finale, but most of it ‘Vision Quest’The seventh episode focuses on Vision exploring his mindset and making contact with the source code of the Synthetic Man, the basis of all AI in the MCU. This exposes the problem in the following context: Vision Quest; It’s also a big milestone for Marvel, marking the live-action debut of its oldest hero.

like Vision Quest As the marketing suggests, the series introduces the original comics version of the Human Torch, a 1930s android who fought alongside Captain America in World War II in the comics, rather than the version associated with The Fantastic Four. Here’s why VisionQuest’s debut of The Human Torch (here referred to as Synthetic Man) means so much in terms of how it reconciles the character’s comic book history with Vision’s complex origins, tying together nearly two decades of MCU history.

Description of the original Human Torch’s history

The Human Torch, created by writer and artist Carl Burgos marvel comics It reached #1 in October 1939 in Timely Comics, later renamed Marvel after the debut series of the Torch. The Human Torch was the cover image. marvel comics #1 also introduced Namor the Submariner. This made Human Torch and Namor the first two superheroes in the Marvel Universe.

In the comics, the Human Torch is an android created by scientist Phineas Horton that bursts into flames when exposed to oxygen. Torch learns to control his abilities and eventually joins the New York City Police Department under the civilian identity of Jim Hammond.

In the 1940s, the Human Torch was one of comics’ biggest superheroes and, along with Captain America and Namor, was considered one of Timely Comics’ Big Three. All three heroes served on The Invaders team. As superhero comics began to fade into obscurity in the 1950s, Timely Comics, now renamed Atlas Comics, focused on stories of science fiction, monsters, and romance.

When Stan Lee and Jack Kirby created The Fantastic Four as a tribute to the original Human Torch, they gave Johnny Storm a code name. publishing fantastic four #1 marks the official rebranding of Atlas Comics to Marvel Comics and the true beginning of the Marvel Age. The android Human Torch would later join the new Marvel continuity. Fantastic Four Annual #4 (November 1966). At this point, Johnny Storm had become the de facto Human Torch, and the original was bouncing around the outskirts of the Marvel Universe.

The Human Torch is a fundamental character in the creative DNA of the Marvel Universe. This character set the template for the Marvel superheroes that Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, and others would follow in the 1960s. This is because his abilities make him somewhat of an outcast and often perceived as a threat, similar to Spider-Man, Hulk, and the X-Men.

Confrontation with Namor the Submariner Marvel Mystery Comics July 1940’s #9 was the first comic crossover, laying the foundation for the interconnected superhero universe that audiences still enjoy today.

Jim Hammond’s Human Torch is also very important to Vision’s origin, and thus to the plot. Vision Quest I’m finally giving a speech.

The synthetic Human Torch’s role in the MCU honors his incredible history.

In the comics, Jim Hammond’s Human Torch plays a key role in the creation of The Vision. After numerous re-examinations, it was confirmed that Vision’s body was originally built using replica parts from the Jim Hammond Human Torch. These parts, combined with Simon Williams/Wonder Man’s brain patterns, became the basis for the vision. Vision Quest Now, taking advantage of years of MCU continuity and one of the franchise’s first Easter eggs, a complex and complex backstory has been streamlined.

in Captain America: The First AvengerWhen Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes visited the 1943 Stark Expo (then called the World’s Fair of Tomorrow), they passed an exhibit displaying the original Human Torch in a glass case. The mannequin in the case is dressed in the character’s classic outfit. At the time, it was nothing more than a simple Easter egg, an homage to the 1940s Captain America comics.

No one imagined that this would actually pay off or become part of the larger story of the MCU. 15 years later, Vision QuestIt’s finally done.

As an homage to the comic Vision created from Jim Hammond’s body parts, Vision Quest We see that Vision and the other AIs are built on the basic source code that Phineas Horton created for the Synthetic Man named JIM. Vision Quest Additionally, Paul Bettany plays JIM and Phineas Horton, meaning Vision wears the same face and uses the voice of the original Synthetic Man, similar to JARVIS, who is based on Howard Stark’s butler Edwin Jarvis.

The release of the same face along with the source code means that the MCU’s version of Vision is inspired by and builds on the basic information in JIM Vision’s newly revealed backstory and Phineas Horton’s plans for his relationship with The Synthetic Man, making it a great adaptation of Marvel Comics’ android Human Torch story while also working in its own way within the wider franchise. But it also suggests that there are some plot twists left over from Marvel’s previous work.Avengers: Doomsday plan.

Synthetic Man Hints at Original Plan for Kang the Conqueror

One notable element of the Vision/Human Torch connection in the comics is who is connected to their creation. According to the retcon, it was Victor Timely, a variant of Kang the Conqueror, who hired Phineas Horton to create the android Human Torch and build a backdoor protocol to seize control. Victor Timely previously appeared. rocky In season 2, he was played by Jonathan Majors.

rocky It has been established that Victor Timely was active in the second half of the 19th century, especially in 1893. This is 46 years before the opening sequence of “Immolation” and 50 years before Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes attend the Stark Expo where The Synthetic Man is on display. first avenger.

It’s entirely possible Vision Quest It would have either been a direct reference or a bigger reveal that JIM and all of the MCU’s AI were built by Phineas Horton studying the work of Victor Timely. This would also create a direct lineage between The Synthetic Man, Vision, Miss Minutes, and Kang’s own advanced artificial intelligence that he used to monitor the Time Variance Authority.

Given that Vision Quest When development began in early 2022, when Marvel Studios was building Kang the Conqueror as the ultimate villain of the Multiverse Saga, the series may have been part of a larger story that would have been set up. Avengers: Kang Dynasty. If so, Marvel Studios scrapped those plans when it fired Jonathan Majors in December 2023. The MCU quickly abandoned all plans for Kang the Conqueror and turned to Doctor Doom as the next Avengers-level threat. Avengers: Doomsday shift Kang Nara.

now Vision Quest It remains the last MCU project Avengers: DoomsdaySince the series isn’t part of the Disney+ “Road to,” it doesn’t appear to lead directly to the movie. doomsday” watchlist. But even if you don’t have the Conqueror River setting, Vision Quest It worked as a great entry into the larger MCU. This celebrates the 18-year history of the franchise. iron man. Now that the MCU’s version of Jim Hammond/The Human Torch has been properly introduced, it’s become a love letter to 86 years of Marvel Comics history.