Reviewer: Chris Delloiacono
Story Title: Burn: Part 3
Written by: Karl Kesel
Penciled by: Skottie Young
Inked by: Joe Seung
Colored by: Studio F
Lettered by: Cory Petit
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Publisher: Marvel Comics
HUMAN TORCH seems like one of those books that are destined to fail in today’s comic market. Johnny Storm is full of bravado and isn’t easy to like. The atmosphere appears very similar to the recently cancelled IMPULSE from DC. Karl Kesel has started this title off with a mystery that’s growing more interesting each issue, but still giving Johnny time to be Johnny. The biggest surprise for me is that Kesel’s words have worked in perfect harmony with rising star penciler Skottie Young’s work!
So I don’t seem like a creature of habit, let me talk about the art at the beginning instead of the end of this review. Skottie Young has impressed me more and more each issue. He’s taken a verbose story and crafted fun interesting layouts. The artwork looks like a cartoon that has some anime influence. The background imagery is strong and greatly enhances the overall aesthetic. I’m excited to see what’s in store for Mister Young; I only wish I had stood in the long line at the Marvel booth and met Skottie, at the recent WizardWorld convention! Drat!
While there are light moments, Burn looks like it will break some new ground for the Human Torch. Instead of having Johnny battle one of the FF’s old villains or a crop of street punks, it seems Kesel is preparing to introduce a character that will be Johnny’s own arch nemesis. Mike Snow, a high school rival, has come to Johnny for help solving a case of spontaneous combustion at the fire station he works at. The relationship between the two is strained, since Johnny early in his career as the Torch severely burned Mike, ending his Olympic wrestling potential.
Issue 3 sees Johnny come to the Fire Station to look into the situation. The crew, along with Johnny, responds to a nearby fire. Now Johnny can pull some interesting tricks with his powers, he’s the Human Torch after all, but he appears to be up against a more powerful foe. The fire is at a local drug lord’s house, and Johnny saves the guy as he’s literally chased out his front door and down the street by a stream of fire
Kesel is slowly advancing the story, allowing the mystery to build to what I’m sure will be a big finish. My intuition tells me that Mike is leading Johnny into a trap, and that he is actually the culprit behind these flame attacks. Wherever Kesel is going the dialogue is sharp and he’s got Johnny’s personality spot on. The scene when Mike’s compatriots ask Johnny about his powers, mistakenly giving him far greater powers than he has, is quite funny, and a good example of the wit that Kesel is capable of.
I didn’t expect to like this book enough to keep reading it, but now I’m anxious for the next issue. The art was my biggest fear when I picked the first issue up, but now I don’t know if I like Kesel’s writing or Skottie’s pencils more! Let’s just call it a tie!
