In this episode:
Mike and Ed discuss “The Human Top” - a bank robber who appears to have the superhuman ability to “spin” very fast. What is unusual is that he has been “at large” since the late 1950s - long before the modern advent of superpowers. Is he superhuman, or just a very high skilled human? What is the difference between Olympic-level human abilities and “superhuman” abilities? Is every top athlete a “low powered” superhuman? Consider this - would it be ethical for the Thing to enter the boxing ring?
In this issue:
Dave Cannon has a special ability - he can spin super fast, evading anyone and everyone. He uses his special ability to commit petty crimes and then fix speed skating matches. He transitions to being a super criminal, known as the Human Top, and becomes public enemy number one! Giant Man and the Wasp decide to take him down, but are easily defeated by the whirling thief, with Giant Man causing significant property damage in New York City. The issue ends on a cliffhanger, as Giant Man and the Wasp wonder if they’ll be able to defeat this twisting menace.
Assumed before the next episode:
People are wondering the extent to which super-powered people are in their midst.
This episode takes place:
As the Human Top terrorizes the Big Apple.
Episode 91: Are Super-Athletes … Superhuman? (Tales to Astonish #50) -- December 1963