In 1942, Captain America, Sub-Mariner, and the Human Torch were intercepting a Nazi arms shipment when they noticed a Nazi zeppelin hovering above the ship. Headstrong as always, Namor attacked the zeppelin only to be ambushed by what appeared to be an Atlantean ship. The Human Torch went to aid the Sub-Mariner, only to be caught in an asbestos net. The Torch was taken into the Atlantean ship, which went below the ocean's surface. Namor followed, and reappeared a few days later to enlist Captain America's aid. Namor took Cap to Atlantis, which had been occupied by Nazi troops. However, the Atlanteans amicably let the Nazis in; they gave their scientific knowledge to the SS in exchange for protection from the Allies. The Atlanteans had been attacked---by none other than a power-augmented Human Torch! Cap and Namor realized the Torch must have been brainwashed by the Nazi scientists, and tried to free him from their control. However, Cap was taken prisoner by the Atlanteans and Namor bowed to the will of his mother Fen, who was the leader of the Atlantean people. She had been duped by the Nazis and wanted to help them conquer the Allies on the surface.

Cap managed to free himself and found Heinrich and Otto, the two Nazi scientists who had brainwashed the Torch and enhanced his powers. Cap was trying to find the Torch in their laboratory when he discovered a group of American P.O.W.s being held for "experimentation." Cap found the Sub-Mariner and told him of the inhuman treatment of the American prisoners. Disgusted by his mother and fellow Atlanteans, Namor helped Cap fight the Nazis. They again came into conflict with the Human Torch, and managed to lead him to the P.O.W.s. Shocked by their inhumane treatment, the Torch was snapped back to his senses. He then remembered the two Nazi scientists haad studied him and learned the basics of his construction. They used this knowledge to build a group of automatons that were able to "flame on." These robots were dubbed the Firebrand Squadron.

Cap ushered the American captives into Namor's flagship and took them to the surface, where American General Phillips had a battleship waiting. The Firebrand Squadron followed, destroying everthing in their path. Realizing they had to be destroyed, Cap had an escort ship beside the battleship abandoned and let the "torchlings" follow him. He was joined by Namor and the Torch, and they led the Firebrand Squadron deep into the ship. Finally cornered in the bowels of the ship, Cap and Namor escaped through a hatch and told the Torch to seal the entrances. Cap then planned to sink the ship, effectively destroying the "torchlings." The Human Torch, though, objected to destroying his 'brethren.' As Cap and Namor escaped, the Torch attempted to reason with the constructs. Ultimately, he realized that the Firebrand Squadron had none of his human reasoning capabilities. Heartbroken, the Human Torch used his augmented powers to blow the ship up and destroy the Firebrand Squadron.

Upon returning to Atlantis, the Invaders discovered the Atlanteans had come to their senses and liberated themselves from the Nazis. The Invaders forced the Nazi scientists to restore the Human Torch to his original state and destroy their notes from their experiments on the Torch.

First Appearance [behind the scenes]: CAPTAIN AMERICA: SENTINEL OF LIBERTY #2 (1998)

First Actual Appearance: CAPTAIN AMERICA: SENTINEL OF LIBERTY #3 (1998)

Final Appearance: CAPTAIN AMERICA: SENTINEL OF LIBERTY #4 (1998)

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