Marvel’s ‘VisionQuest’ is taking a deep dive into the publisher’s past, and the second episode may include a reference longtime comic book fans spotted right away. As Vision continues his quest to know himself, the series seems to focus on Jim Hammond, the original Human Torch, a character dating back to the dawn of Marvel Comics.
Who Is Jim Hammond, Marvel’s Original Human Torch?
The reference is particularly interesting because Hammond wasn’t a typical superhero. He was also an artificial being, similar to Vision, making his appearance in the series much more important than just an Easter Egg in a comic book.
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During the episode, J.A.R.V.I.S. tells Vision that emotions can be beautiful but can also make hasty and self-destructive choices. The moment is highlighted by a painting of a man burning and the description “the first of us.”
That seems to indicate that it’s not Johnny Storm ( the Fantastic Four’s Human Torch) but rather Jim Hammond. Hammond first appeared in Marvel Comics #1 in 1939. The character was an android created by writer-artist Carl Burgos and developed by Professor Phineas Horton, who caught fire when exposed to oxygen.
He finally mastered his fiery powers and was able to become a superhero. It’s a little more difficult to identify Hammond as Marvel’s first superhero, given the publisher’s early history, but he’s certainly one of Marvel’s earliest major characters.
Hammond has had a nod in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, though. His original Human Torch costume was used in the 1943 World’s Fair in ‘Captain America: The First Avenger’.
What Does The Human Torch Reference Mean for Vision?
The most interesting aspect of this possible Easter egg is the use of the word “us” by Vision when talking about Hammond. The text implies that Vision sees some kind of relationship between the two superheroes. Both characters are man-made and have to deal with issues of identity, feelings, and their role in the world.
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Hammond is a particularly apt choice when it comes to talking about what it means to be more than a machine, as this is the parallel that Vision is trying to make. Of course, the scene doesn’t necessarily confirm that Hammond will appear in person.
But the original Human Torch was also rumored to be teased in the series’ promotional material, so Marvel might be reviving a key part of its superhero heritage. For fans who love the MCU’s deeper comic book connections, this could be one of ‘VisionQuest‘s most rewarding details.
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