Kang the Conqueror is the Secret Origin of Marvel's Very First Hero
Throughout the years, Kang the Conqueror has assumed many identities, and one of his lesser known personas was responsible for the creation of the first Marvel hero—and by extension the entire Marvel Universe. In 1992’s Avengers Annual #21, readers learn that Doctor Phineas Horton, who created the original, android Human Torch, the first Marvel hero, studied under industrialist Victor Timely—who was actually Kang in disguise!
Kang the Conqueror hails from the 40th century. Born Nathaniel Richards, he has used a variety of personas since his first appearance in 1964’s Avengers #8 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Rama-Tut, Immortus, the Scarlet Centurion and Iron Lad are among the many aliases Kang has adopted throughout his temporal reigns of terror. In 1992, the story Citizen Kang ran through a handful of Marvel’s Avengers-related annuals. This story explored the various facets of Kang’s long life, including a look at some of his lesser known aliases. One of them, Victor Timely, while not spoken of in the same regard as the others, actually played an integral role in Marvel history, helping inspire the first Marvel hero – and all those who followed after him. The story, titled “The Puzzle,” was written by Peter Sanderson, illustrated by Rich Yanizeski, inked by Fred Fredericks, colored by Scott Marshall and lettered by Dave Sharpe.
Related: Marvel's Oldest Superheroes Are Teaming Up to Kill the Hulk
In the story, Kang traveled back to the 1920s, posing as industrialist Victor Timely—a call out to Timely Comics, Marvel’s original name. Phineas Horton, a brilliant scientist in his own right, comes to study under Timely, who agrees to do so, knowing what Horton will one day create. A decade later, Horton would create the android
Read more on screenrant.com
