"Two Heroes in One"-From The Original Human Torch to The Vision (and beyond)

The original Human Torch first appeared in Marvel Comics #1 (Timely-Marvel) in Oct. 1939; he was created by writer / artist Carl Burgos.The Human Torch's name was ironic, since he was not human, but an android. He was made by Prof. Phineas T. Horton and encased behind glass. The glass cracked and he burst into flame. After burning some parts of the city, he learned to control his flames, rebelled against his evil creator, and saved the city. He took on a human name, Jim Hammond, and began to help the police as the Human Torch.  He eventually joined with other heroes to battle the Axis, in World War 2. He would also have many clashes / sometimes team-ups, with Prince Namor, The Sub-Mariner. He got his own side-kick in the first issue of "The Human Torch" (officially No.#2); Toro (Thomas Raymond), an irradiated boy, who could also burst into and control flame. The Torch was credited with burning Hitler, when he would not surrender to the Allies. He later was deactivated. He was reactivated by testing of the A-Bomb, and rose to save his pal, Toro from the Soviets, in the 1950's.  After several adventures, he deactivated himself again,when he went nova.

The Human Torch was revived in the 60's ( Fantastic Four Annual #4 ) by the Mad Thinker to destroy the Fantastic Four ( Mr. Fantastic, The Invisible Girl, The Thing & the new Human Torch ), but he refused to do it, after battling them, and was put back into limbo again.His life was about to take another turn.

The Human Torch's android body was found by a renegade robot, Ultron 5, who modified him, changed his powers, and made him into The Vision; with the help of the Torch's original creator, Prof. Phineas Horton. The Vision's new abilities included invunerability, the ability to pass through or be passed through by solid objects, and had the power of flight.

The Vision was then used by Ultron 5 to battle The Avengers ( Avengers #57, Oct. 1968), but he rebelled and sided with The Avengers to defeat Ultron 5. He then joined their team, and would remain with them (semi-regularly) until issue #500. During that time, he met, romanced, and married the Scarlett Witch (quite a feat, for an android to marry a human!!!).

During the 1970's, Marvel Comics did a W.W.2 revival series, which included the original Human Torch, Toro, Captain America, Bucky, and the Sub-Mariner; who all joined together as a group called "The Invaders" who did battle with Hitler and the Axis.

After my time of comic book collecting was over, The Vision had undergone many changes. He and the original Human Torch would co-exist as element parts of the same being.He would part from the Scarlett Witch; and eventually  be destroyed. His parts would then be added to a human, along with the armor of someone called Iron Lad; to become the current superhero, The Vision 2!!!

What an amazing and confusing history (even though I didn't cover even a fraction of it)!!!