The Jet takes on the Human Torch

JET

Real Name: Gary Akers

Identity/Class: Human technology user (1950s era)

Occupation: Television host, crime lord

Group Membership: None

Affiliations: Fellow criminals

Enemies: Human Torch (Jim Hammond), Bobby Macklin, Toro, residents of New York City

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: New York City, USA

First Appearance: Men's Adventures#27/1 (Atlas) (May, 1954)

Powers/Abilities: Gary Akers was a normal human who was charismatic yet forceful enough to host a television show and secretly build up and lead a large network of criminals. He was also proficient in the use of jetpacks.

History:

(Men's Adventures#27/1) - Gary Akers hosted a television show that vilified those with super powers, especially the Human Torch and Toro, in an apparent effort to garner ratings.

(Men's Adventures#27/1 (fb) - BTS) - Taking the codename Jet, Akers designed an asbestos-clad suit with a helmet that covered his face and secretly gathered criminals from across the USA for a planned city-wide raid on New York City.

(Men's Adventures#27/1) - The Jet flew with his jetpack observing New York City. Nearby, the Human Torch and Toro were investigating the whereabouts of a youth named Bobby Macklin, hoping to prevent him from associating with bad company. They watched as Macklin was taken to a hideout in the New York subway system and observed the Jet telling the assembled criminals of his plans to cause panic in the city, cutting off utilities and communications, with the ensuing evacuation leaving the city free for pillaging. He had successfully coordinated that all TV stations would switch that evening to the one broadcast announcing a fake story of an impending atomic attack. However, he and his fellow thieves were confronted by the flaming duo. The Jet then released gas from a nearby pipe so that the two would have to extinguish their flames to prevent an explosion and then escaped.

   That evening, Akers made his broadcast just before the Human Torch and Toro could stop him. Akers quickly changed into his Jet outfit and an aerial battle above New York ensued between the Torch and the Jet, who also handled a flamethrower as a weapon. Despite Aker's exposed legs, the asbestos armor stopped the Human Torch's flame blasts, but his jetpack's tubes were melted by the flaming hero. The Human Torch then watched as the Jet plummeted to his death.

Comments: Created by an unnamed writer and Dick Ayers (art).

This story was later reprinted in Marvel Super-Heroes I#12 (December, 1967)

Profile by Grendel Prime.

CLARIFICATIONS :
The Jet has no known connections to:


images: (without ads)
Men's Adventures#27/1, p1 (main image)

p8, pan3 (head shot)


Other Appearances: None


First Posted: 03/08/2009
Last updated: 03/07/2009

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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