Data courtesy of the Grand Comics Database under Creative Commons license.

Issue Details

Issue #16
Published February 1941
Frequency monthly
Cover Price 0.10 USD
Pages 68
Editing Joe Simon

Cover Details

Characters The Human Torch; head views: The Sub-Mariner; the Angel; the Vision.
Genre superhero
Pencils Alex Schomburg
Inks Alex Schomburg
Reprinted In Marvel Masterworks: Golden Age Marvel Comics (Marvel, 2004 series) #4 (2009); in Mystic Comics 70th Anniversary Special (Marvel, 2009 series) #1

15 page The Human Torch story "Pinhead and His Underworld Army"

Characters The Human Torch [Jim Hammond]; Mayor Hawkins; Pinhead (villain; I, D), Wickedkop (villain; I).
Synopsis The Mayor informs the Torch that 5th Columnists under a man named Pinhead have entrenched themselves in the city, so he wants the Flaming Fury to head up a new branch to deal with undesirable elements: the Suicide Squad!
Genre superhero
Script Carl Burgos (signed)
Pencils Carl Burgos (signed)
Inks Carl Burgos (signed)
Notes Plot crossover w/the Sub-Mariner story; continued next issue. At the end of the story, the editors inform readers that Marvel Mystery #17 will feature a Torch-Namor team-up, as well as a color, autographed cover reproduction of the Torch on the backcover. Last note, some info and synopsis added by Craig Delich 8-4-09.
Reprinted In Marvel Masterworks: Golden Age Marvel Comics (Marvel, 2004 series) #4 (2009).

12 page The Sub-Mariner story "The Nazi Invasion Tunnel"

Characters The Sub-Mariner [Prince Namor]; GS: Luther Robinson, Lynne Harris; Herr Kopf (villain; I), the Nazis (villains; some D).
Synopsis Namor, Luther and Lynne head for the coast of France, hoping to turn the tide of the war. In doing so, they discover the Nazis are building a massive tunnel underneath the ocean through which they plan to invade the British, and destroy it. But then they learn that the Japanese also have such a tunnel and Namor decides to call the Torch into the fray.
Genre superhero
Script Bill Everett (signed)
Pencils Bill Everett (signed)
Inks Bill Everett (signed)
Letters Bill Everett
Notes Plot x-over with Human Torch story; continued in next issue. Some info and synopsis added by Craig Delich 8-4-09.
Reprinted In Marvel Masterworks: Golden Age Marvel Comics (Marvel, 2004 series) #4 (2009).

6 page Electro, the Marvel of the Age story "Slaves of Prince Omei"

Characters Electro; Professor Zog; Prince Omei (villain; I, D).
Synopsis A vicious gang czar hypnotizes Professor Zog via a television broadcast and plans to use Electro to overcome the nation.
Genre adventure
Pencils Steve Dahlman (signed)
Inks Steve Dahlman (signed)
Notes Writer revision from Steve Dahlman to ? by Craig Delich. The Who's Who lists NO specific writer for this strip. Some info and synopsis added by Craig Delich 8-4-09.
Reprinted In Marvel Masterworks: Golden Age Marvel Comics (Marvel, 2004 series) #4 (2009).

2 page text story "Death Trap"

Characters Larry; Nick; the Nazis [villains, some D].
Synopsis Although the British government has ordered two R.A.F. pilots to ground their strange new aircraft, this disobey and use it to attack and defeat the enemy.
Genre adventure
Script Andrew McWhiney (signed)
Pencils Harry Ramsey (signed as R.V.H.)
Inks Harry Ramsey (signed as R.V.H.)
Letters typeset
Notes The latter part of page 2 has the "Statement of Ownership" info, which lists Abraham Goodman as Publisher, and Martin Goodman as Editor, Managing Editor and Business Manager. Note, art credits, most info and synopsis added by Craig Delich 8-4-09.
Reprinted In Marvel Masterworks: Golden Age Marvel Comics (Marvel, 2004 series) #4 (2009).

7 page The Vision story "Dinosaurs At Large"

Characters The Vision [Aarkus]; Barney Bailey; Matt Carson.
Synopsis The Vision battles prehistoric creatures that are part of a traveling circus that have escaped, frightened by a storm.
Genre superhero
Script Joe Simon; Jack Kirby
Pencils Jack Kirby
Inks Jack Kirby
Notes Inks credit from Greg Theakston, via the GCD Error List (5 April 2008); the original indexer credited Joe Simon. Some info and synopsis added by Craig Delich 8-4-09.
Reprinted In Complete Jack Kirby (Pure Imagination, 1997 series) #2 [splash page only]; in Marvel Masterworks: Golden Age Marvel Comics (Marvel, 2004 series) #4 (2009); in Mystic Comics 70th Anniversary Special (Marvel, 2009 series) #1

7 page Terry Vance, Schoolboy Sleuth story "The Rochell Murder Mystery"

Characters Terry Vance; Dr. Watson; GS: Deadline Dawson; Scoop O'Brien; Pete; Janice Rochell; Boss Pinnelli (villain; I); Butch (villain); Spud (villain).
Synopsis Because he is overdue paying off his gambling debts, Fred Rochell is discovered dead. Terry, Deadline and company decide to track down the culprits responsible.
Genre detective
Script Ray Gill (signed)
Pencils Bob Oksner (signed)
Inks Bob Oksner (signed)
Notes Some info and synopsis added by Craig Delich 8-4-09.
Reprinted In Marvel Masterworks: Golden Age Marvel Comics (Marvel, 2004 series) #4 (2009).

7 page The Angel story "Karl Schwab's Lightning War"

Characters The Angel [Tom Hallaway]; Karl Schwab (villain; I, D).
Synopsis The Angel battles Karl Schwab, who uses men garbed in rubber suits to invade New York City from the sewer system.
Genre superhero
Pencils Paul Gustavson (signed)
Inks Paul Gustavson (signed)
Notes Writer revision from Paul Gustavson to ? by Craig Delich. The Who's Who does NOT list a specific writer for the strip. Notes, some info and synopsis added by Craig Delich 8-4-09.
Reprinted In Marvel Masterworks: Golden Age Marvel Comics (Marvel, 2004 series) #4 (2009).

8 page Adventures of Ka-Zar the Great story "Showdown With Rajah Sarput"

Characters Ka-Zar [David Rand]; Zar [a lion]; Pindar [an eagle]; Trajah [an elephant]; Rajah Sarput (villain; D).
Synopsis Arriving back in the Belgian Congo, Ka-Zar and Zar learn of an evil man killing the animals of the jungle, and the jungle king vows to stop him at all costs.
Genre jungle
Pencils Ben Thompson (signed)
Inks Ben Thompson (signed)
Notes Writer revisoon from Ben Thompson to ? by Craig Delich. The Who's Who does NOT list a specific writer for this strip. Some info and synopsis added by Craig Delich 8-4-09.
Reprinted In Marvel Masterworks: Golden Age Marvel Comics (Marvel, 2004 series) #4 (2009).