Strange Tales #107
The Master of Flame Vs. The Monarch of the Sea!!
When Johnny is once more not included in the planning for the Fantastic Four's next adventure, Johnny decides to prove himself to the others by taking on the Sub-Mariner one-on-one. Travelling out across the ocean, Johnny's search for Namor gets off to a bad start when his flame wears out and he has to stop on a ship to recuperate, is pegged as a stowaway and is forced to swab the deck until his powers return.
When his powers return to him, Johnny manages to get the attention of the Sub-Mariner who accepts his challenge. However, Namor has the edge of the Torch, and eventually douses his flame and sends him back to the mainland on the back of a dolphin. However, the Torch restores his flame and goes for a rematch, this time he manages to trap Namor in an underwater avalanche and is later picked up by a ship and returned to the mainland. Namor, however, manages to escape.
Returning home, Johnny collapses in bed from exhaustion, when Sue checks on him later, she figures he's spent the whole day sleeping.
Recurring Characters
Fantastic Four (Human Torch, Mister Fantastic, Invisible Girl, Thing), Sub-Mariner
Continuity Notes
Mister Fantastic reminds Johnny of his ill fated Torrid Twosome in from last issue.
Sue’s romantic interest in Namor is revisited here. She has had an interest in the Sub-Mariner since Fantastic Four #4. The picture she has here is likely the same one she hid in the Baxter Building in Fantastic Four #6.
This story is the last time in Strange Tales that Johnny’s powers have some kind of limitations. These limitations were first established in Strange Tales #104.
In this story, Namor demonstrates the the ability to imitate the abilities of sea creatures. This is an ability he has had since he resurfaced (GET IT?) in Fantastic Four #4. These powers are ultimately phased out in Fantastic Four #14.
