Asbestos Man vs. The Human Torch
Asbestos Man vs. the Human Torch
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that can resist incredibly high temperatures. This made it an ideal substance for use in fireproofing and insulation materials. Such uses of asbestos were common throughout the 1900s.
In the early 1960s, some writers at Marvel Comics realized that the heat-resistant qualities of asbestos also made it an ideal force for one of its popular super heroes, Johnny Storm, the Human Torch, to wage battle with.
In August 1963, in an issue of Marvel Comics Strange Tales #111, readers were introduced to a villain named Dr. Orson Kasloff, better known as “Asbestos Man.” Dr. Kasloff was presented as a gifted chemist with a major chip on his shoulder because he felt the world failed to properly regard and respect his scientific abilities. Deciding he would use his powers for evil, and teach everyone a lesson, he embarked on a life of crime.
While well-equipped with the brains and motivation, Dr. Kasloff needed the experience of more seasoned criminals to carry out his heists and evil plots. Hoping to prove himself to the criminal world whose ranks he sought to join, Dr. Kasloff designed a flame-resistant, bullet-proof suit of Super-Asbestos (a compound of chrysotile, calcium, and iron) and issued a challenge to the Human Torch, a popular “good guy” whose defeat would go a long way to establish Asbestos Man as an evil force to be reckoned with.
The Human Torch was a crime-fighting human-shaped ball of flame who was very difficult to defeat, given his super power was that he was made of fire. However, he met his match in Asbestos Man, who was unaffected by the Human Torch’s heat and flames. Much like asbestos-containing pipe-covering could successfully insulate incredibly hot, high-pressured steam pipes aboard ships, Asbestos-Man’s suit of Super-Asbestos was impervious to the usual fire-wielding moves of the Human Torch.
Following this impressive victory, Asbestos Man’s criminal career was launched and he went on to supply technology to bank robbers and align himself with other shady characters. Eventually, the Human Torch sought payback. He showed up in Asbestos Man’s laboratory ready to duel.
Apparently the Human Torch had done a little scientific research on the powers of fire, other than burning things, and he used his flames to consume all the oxygen in the laboratory, leaving Asbestos Man gasping for breath. Choking and desperate, Asbestos Man surrendered to the Human Torch. The irony of Asbestos-Man not being able to breath is not lost on those who represent victims of mesothelioma.
Readers never heard from Asbestos Man again, as he never made a comeback. However, in future stories, the Human Torch would have frequent face-offs with “Asbestos Lady,” Victoria Murdock, who was another evil scientist who, like Asbestos Man, was driven by evil motives and a disregard for the law. The final fates of Asbestos Man and Asbestos Lady were never revealed.
As mesothelioma attorneys for people who have become sick as a result of their asbestos exposure, we are certainly not super heroes, but do believe we are working as “good guys” to provide justice.
