While Marvel Team-Up primarily was a vehicle for the Amazing Spider-Man, from time to time, the Web-Slinger stepped aside and allowed other heroes, generally the Human Torch and a guest star, to team up. This is one of those stories, as the Human Torch and Dr. Strange join forces to battle the sinister cult leader Jeremiah. This villain first appeared in Marvel Team Up #33 and last issue, he murdered two police officers who interrupted one of his cult rituals. In the past two issues, Spider-Man teamed with two members Dr. Strange's fellow Defenders - Nighthawk and Valkyrie - to battle his old foe the Meteor Man. As this issue begins, Dr. Strange is looking for Spider-Man and Valkyrie and since he cannot find them, he uses the Orb of Agamotto to track down the Human Torch, figuring the Torch may know how to find Spider-Man who, in turn, may lead him to Valkyrie. "But--dare I involve him in this mystery, if what I suspect is reality?" he says.

However, he does approach the Human Torch and asks for his help. The Torch agrees to go to the Meteor Man's old apartment, looking for clues about the two heroes, while Dr. Strange visits the police. Johnny Storm finds nothing but a long-empty apartment, which smells of incense. Just as he's about to leave, a young boy enters the room. "Jeremiah said I was to wait, in case somebody came lookin' for the girl," the child says. "The girl," of course, is Valkyrie. Before the Human Torch can take action, though, Jeremiah ambushes him with a pair of powerful energy blasts from his eyes. "My name is Jeremiah -- and I am the last true prophet of the Lord"! he exclaims. Jeremiah and his followers take the unconscious Human Torch back to their church, where they intend to sacrifice him. When Johnny wakes up, he sees that Valkyrie also is bound to the altar as an intended sacrifice. Jeremiah starts laying down a heavy-duty religious diatribe here: "Almighty God has given us this girl for use as a sacrifice to his perfect majesty, that we might express our love for his glory and gain glory for ourselves for all time!" The Human Torch burns through his bonds, intending to stop Jeremiah, but is struck down by an energy blast from the evil prophet.

Meanwhile, Dr. Strange senses a disturbance, so he enters the astral plane, a sort of spiritual dimension that only users of magic can access. There, he sees Valkyrie being tormented by a group of demons. He fights off the evil creatures and Valkyrie disappears and reappears in the church. The Human Torch breaks free again and attempts to free her. He deduces that Jeremiah draws his strength from his followers, so he throws up a curtain of fire to separate Jeremiah from his brainwashed believers. However, Jeremiah says, "If I command it, they'll be martyrs for the Lord!" Johnny extinguishes his flaming shield before the young people can hurl themselves into the fire and Jeremiah once again strikes him down (for the third time - the Torch isn't having much luck here). But Dr. Strange comes in for the save. He reveals that Jeremiah is a mutant with the ability to drain and use the mental energies of others. And with that, he waves his hand and Jeremiah disappears. "You will kill no one 'prophet.' Instead, you may join the God you worship -- and may you be pleased with him and stay with him throughout all time." The story ends with a slow fade on Jeremiah's tormented face. We then see that the "God" he worshiped was in fact a demon and now, Jeremiah is trapped in a demonic realm, to be tortured for eternity.

All in all, an exciting story. I particularly liked the twist ending - it almost reminds me of something that the classic TV series "The Twilight Zone" would do. However, I wonder if many readers were offended by the heavily religious aspect of Jeremiah's character. Usually, when comics writers of this era wanted to tell a story about religion, they would approach it in a more subtle fashion with no overt references to any particular faith. But in this story, it's clear that Jeremiah believes himself to be a Christian prophet, right down to wearing a cross on his costume. I can't help but think that bothered some people - I'm not sure I'm completely comfortable with it. Still, it's a good story that feature two heroes who rarely have teamed up over the years.

Both of these heroes would reappear in these pages soon. The Human Torch comes back just four issues later in Marvel Team-Up #39 for a slugfest with the Sandman, the Enforcers and the new Big Man and Crime-Master. Meanwhile, Dr. Strange returns to aid Spider-Man and Iron Man with the mysterious Wraith in Marvel Team-Up #50.

Next issue: Spider-Man returns for the most unlikely team-up of all, as the Web-Slinger fights alongside the Frankenstein Monster!

Reviewed by Bruce Buchanan.