Descent into Madness Chapter Three: Heatwave

1942

Captain America, the Sub-Mariner, and the Human Torch have just exposed the Nazis plot to trick the kingdom of Atlantis into allying with them. This was done by brainwashing the Human Torch into attacking the undersea kingdom. This was all a cover however, for Nazi scientists to develop an army of Torch duplicates called the Firebrand Squadron.

With the Squadron unleashed, the Human Torch risks burning himself out to try and stop them from attacking Atlantis. While he is doing so, Captain America and Sub-Mariner help captured American prisoners of war escape in Namor’s submarine.

Meanwhile, General Chester Phillips is arriving on the scene in an American destroyer. Admiral Tyler, the commander of the vessel, doesn’t believe that Atlantis is real even though he has been shown the log book belonging to Leonard McKenzie, the sailor who first discovered Atlantis.[1] Suddenly, the Torch and the Firebrand Squadron erupt for the waters and take to the air. Soon, Captain America and Namor arrive on the surface to help the Navy fight off these attackers.

Seeing no way to reason with the unthinking Firebrand Squadron, the three Invaders have the soldiers evacuate one of the destroyers. They then lure the Firebrand Squadron inside and seal them within the ship. As Namor and Cap try to leave, the Torch remains behind to try and convince the Firebrand Squadron to stop fighting. This doesn’t work and the Navy are forced to shoot the ship down. As it sinks into the water, the Torch realizes that there is no way to get through to the Firebrands and is forced to unleash a powerful torrent of flame that blows them all up. Searching the flaming wreckage, Captain America is able to find the android, but he is barely alive after his ordeals. He is taken aboard one of the ships where he is quickly repaired by a team of scientists who undo the damage done by the Nazi scientists.

From there, Namor and Captain America return to Atlantis where they prevent Princess Fen from having the Nazi prisoners executed. Namor insists on letting them return to Germany in defeat where they will be humbled by their own people. Fen is furious over this, but the soldiers stand down and surrender the Nazis to him. The Sub-Mariner tells his mother that he will no longer be dictated by her wishes, reminding Fen how she is ashamed of his hybrid nature.[2]

In the aftermath of the battle, the three Invaders head back to the surface. Considering their ordeals, both Namor and the Human Torch wonder who among the human race can be trusted. The answer is simple: Captain America. Even though he is but one man, both Namor and the Torch agree that sometimes one is enough.

Recurring Characters

Invaders (Captain America, Sub-Mariner, Human Torch), Fen, Nazis, Firebrand Squadron, Chester Phillips

Continuity Notes

1. Leonard McKenzie is also Namor’s father, as first explained in Marvel Comics #1.

2. Last issue it was learned that Fen was ashamed of her union with Leonard McKenzie and the fact that her son is a Atlantean/human hybrid.

Topical References

• While narrating this story, Captain America states that these events happened 60 years ago. This should be considered a topical reference as it is relative to the date of publication. Due to the Sliding Timecale, the length of time between World War II and the start of the Modern Age will continue to grow larger. Click here if you like math.