Marvel Mystery Comics #34
In "Carl Burgos Meets the Human Torch," the creator of the Human Torch and Toro finds himself at the heart of his own story when the characters leap from his sketchpad to help fight Nazi propaganda. With a bold idea inspired by his heroes, Carl teams up with Torch, Toro, and the Sub-Mariner to deliver subversive comics behind enemy lines—only to face a deadly spy in a diner where the soda jerk isn’t who he seems. Written and illustrated by Carl Burgos, with a striking cover by Alex Schomburg, this 1942 Marvel Mystery Comics issue blends wartime intrigue with the birth of a superhero legacy.
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Carl Burgos is stuck for a story when suddenly Torch and Toro spring to life from his drawing board. They give him an idea for mocking Hitler and Martin Goodman approves it. Torch and Toro guard the comic books from Nazi attempts to destroy them as they are distributed from planes to German citizens. Hitler orders anyone who laughs at the comics to be shot and demands Carl Burgos be assassinated. Carl meets with Torch, Toro and Sub-Mariner at a diner where a Nazi agent has replaced the soda jerk. Carl collapses after drinking the soda. Torch and Toro apprehend the spy and Carl recovers.
Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).