Saturday, November 3, 2018

The Human Fly and The Fly



One Marvel series I never got around to reading was The Human Fly.  I saw ads in other comics for it, but never remember seeing copies for sale.  The concept did intrigue me, though - a superhero based on a real life stunt man!  Was the title any good?

28 comments:

Alaric said...

My brother bought the first few issues. My recollection is that it wasn't all that great, but other people may have different opinions. And I believe that the whole "real-life stunt man" thing was more-or-less an advertising gimmick.

Roygbiv666 said...

The comic was fun at the time, haven't read it lately.

THere was a real life stuntman named Rick Rojatt who dressed in that costume.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhYTH9BP-nc

jlbgriggs2 said...

When a kid, I enjoyed reading it. But I only bought a few issues. Still, I'd love to see a revival of the character. And I loved seeing him in your cover.

Carycomic said...

Not really, Ross. It only lasted three issues. Or, at least, I only managed to buy the first three issues before my neighborhood variety store stopped ordering them. And no price guide I've ever read lists them as even three-figure collectibles!

In short? They're still only worth the twenty cents all Marvel Comics seemed to be, back then.

Anonymous said...

Wouldn't it be something if Thomas Troy turned out to be the long-lost father of Donna Troy?

John Petty said...

Actually, I really enjoyed the series. I brought every issue off the racks and still reread them today. Great art by Frank Robbins and Lee Elias, and even some crossovers with the likes of Spider-Man. I liked the concept of a real-life superhero as well, and though the whole series was unique and well done. Definitely worth your time to check out.

Unknown said...

Another interesting team up for the real life Human Fly could be with Evel Knievel- maybe Hulk Hogan and Mr T. And leading the charge? Don Rickles of course!

Anonymous said...

I have to correct Cary Comic, the Marvel series The Human Fly actually went for 19 issues. I read #8 & #12 and enjoyed them. I do wish he hadn't just disappeared but maybe Marvel had a contract with the real life stuntman who was the Human Fly that expired. Don't know.
Ordinaryguy2

BigMike20X6 said...

Anonymous said...
Wouldn't it be something if Thomas Troy turned out to be the long-lost father of Donna Troy?

And ancestor of Star Trek's Deanna Troi! :p

Wolfhammer said...

Awesome cover as I really like all of these characters. I own every issue of The HUMAN FLY. A very underrated title in my opinion. The series was action-packed and had sort of a DAREDEVIL vibe to it.

Anonymous said...

Nope.

M.P.

Anonymous said...

@Mike Shirley: you think you're being good-naturedly sarcastic. But, I would actually be in favor of a team-up between Star Trek:TOS and the New Teen Titans of the 1980's. If not as a real-world intercompany crossover, then as a Ross simulation thereof!

Anyone else out there feel likewise?

Carycomic said...

@Ord: then, I was right the second time. My neighborhood variety store must have regarded the series as a liability (not an asset). ergo: cessation of ordering it.

Anonymous said...

When the villain Human Fly fought Spider-Man, I was just a kid. I thought the idea of a Fly challenging a Spider waas sensoble, and the acidic vomit attack was cool (As I said, I was a kid). I wasn't too wild about the stuntman, his stories seemed rather flat.

Anonymous said...

A nice little mini-documentary: https://vimeo.com/16883148

Anonymous said...

A really good article about the real life stuntman: https://www.esquire.com/uk/culture/news/a5684/the-human-fly/

AirDave said...

Cool cover!
I think I had one of the first few issues. Maybe THE First issue. It was pretty good. I remember Frank Robbins from The Invaders book. It was a pretty good read.

BigMike20X6 said...

@Anonymous -

Nope, not being sarcastic about the Troy/Troi thing but thanks for telling me how I feel about it.
But seriously I legitimately do want a Star Trek/Titans crossover if only because of the Troi sync, but the Dick Grayson/Amanda Grayson connection.

Anonymous said...

How about a sequel featuring the Human Fly twins from the 1967 Grantray cartoon?

Dr. OTR said...

An obvious crossover would be between the Human Fly and Blue Devil -- two stuntmen turned hero! (Maybe bring in Lee Majors' Fall Guy too?)

Carycomic said...

@Dr. OTR: don't forget the Golden Age hero called Stunt Man!

Brother Kellymatthew said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Carycomic said...

That was Super Fly (as played by the late, great Ron O'Neal...iirc).

Anonymous said...

Is that the same Ron O'Neal who co-starred, with Chuck Norris, in 1979's "A Force of One?"

Carycomic said...

Yes, I believe so.

Brother Kellymatthew said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Doc Savage said...

The Human Fly was a lot of fun.

Doc Savage said...

And The Cougar from Atlas Comics.

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