The Death-Defying Human FlyCast #8—The Tiger and the Fly! … and Daredevil Makes Three!

In this special episode of The Death-Defying Human FlyCast we'll be heading to the museum, so you know what that means—grab your rocket-powered skateboard and get ready to raft an ancient urn through the tunnels of the Manhattan subway!

To help wrestle this two-part story from The Human Fly #8 and #9 into submission is Fire and Water Podcast co-founder and chief inspector of Finding Your Joy The Irredeemable Shag! And your host Max will need all the help he can get with a tale that includes three heroes, one bad guy, a little kung-fu, and a whole lotta water! What the heck has The Human Fly gotten himself into this time?!?

Let's get wild!

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Opening theme: “Human Fly” by The Cramps
Closing music: "Kick, Push" by Lupe Fiasco

Check out the gallery for this issue here!

12 responses to “The Death-Defying Human FlyCast #8—The Tiger and the Fly! … and Daredevil Makes Three!

  1. Great show fellas! I have to say I was really shocked to see that the cover for issue #9 was by Byrne and Austin because those kids…YIKES! But then I remembered, Byrne always had a problem drawing children (as many comic artists do). Just think about Billy Batson in Legends. He looked either like a 4 year old or a dwarf, not a a pre-teen.

    I first met the White Tiger in Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man where Mantlo was using him as supporting player. I will be honest, as a VERY young, pre-reading kid, I couldn’t quite wrap my mind around what the artists were going for with the character in his secret identity. Was he supposed to be black? He had hair like black characters I’d seen in comics. But his skin was colored pink like the white characters! It just goes to show how few Latino characters there were in comics, that I couldn’t even begin to know how to “read” what their ethnicity was supposed to be. Of course comics weren’t really the best at that at the time, even by the late 70s. Shang-Chi was still yellow/orange, for instance.

    I had no idea the “live” Human Fly was kind of already done by this point. It makes me think the sales were still decent, at least for a while, because as Shag pointed out, Marvel let ROM and Micronauts go one for YEARS after their toyline was dead and gone, because I supppose sales were still good!

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  2. Great work, Fly Guys, and a hearty welcome to Shag! I’m in a hotel overseas as I write this, a few miles from the one I staid in when I listened to the first Human Flycast “Keepin’ It Real” feedback show. This podcast pairs well with room service shawarma.

    I agree with all your points about the Human Fly’s attitude (as I’ve said before). His position on superheroing just seems logical, while his willingness to help others in trouble is both compassionate and courageous.

    I was boggled by the same question: Whether they were hot or not (to borrow a phrase from our neighbors to the north), how did Daredevil recognize the art smugglers? Do they have a particular smell — old paint and stress-sweat, perhaps?

    As brief as the three heroes’ interactions were, I thought the teamwork between them was amazingly good. I didn’t miss the nigh-obligatory fight at all.

    Max, did you really say Margarita gave the Human Fly a much-urned peck on the cheek? For shame, sir! We leave such putrescent puns to the like of Dr. Anj. Or Mart. Or Siskoid. Or me, if I happen to think of it and post a comment in time.

    Regarding that fake snake, “Copperhead,” I liked it when death was taken more seriously in comics, so I appreciate the plot spackling to cover the obvious hole.

    You’re right that Cobra would have made a good substitute. He’s the right power-level for this crowd.

    I first encountered Hector Ayala in PPTSSM, same as Chris. I always liked him. Regarding White Tiger’s costume, it just needs little kitty ears to make him White Panther.

    I enjoy margaritas in general and Margarita Mercado in particular. To see where she’s reappeared in MCU fanon, go to this site: https://marvel-cinematic-universe-fanon.fandom.com/wiki/Margarita_Mercado.

    The Human Fly is clearly an underrated book, and this podcast makes it even more enjoyable. I hope to hear you again soon, whether I’m home or abroad.

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  3. Great discussion, fellas! I appreciate your positive focus on the fun of this book! My quibble is, why didn’t Human Fly herd the kids toward an exit? Anyone familiar with the layout of the Met Museum? How can you descend levels and avoid any fire exits?
    Like Chris, I met White Tiger/Hector in PPTSS. Loved him. I expect that I did not see this issue on the stands, as the presence of White Tiger may have been incentive enough to buy it. I think White Tiger was wicked big missed opportunity for Marvel, mostly in establishing/exploring a friendship with Spider-Man/Peter. This is my extrapolation from one panel in PPTSS. Carrion has wrecked Peter’s apartment and Hector says, “You can crash at my place.” Then it was ignored. Imagine the possibilities! Where did Hector live? What was his homelife? Would Peter have felt out of place, or at home? Could they have become close friends out of costume? Possibilities just ignored. I suspect other writers did not use White Tiger because he was Bill Mantlo’s character. What a lot of wasted potential.

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    1. Hear, hear to all that, Terry, especially the missed opportunities with White Tiger. Also, I’ve been to the Met a couple of times, and I dearly love it, but it’s been years. I don’t remember the layout well enough to answer your very reasonable questions.

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  4. Well done, everyone! I’ve really been enjoying this show, even though I have no experience with the Human Fly. Both of your enjoyment of these issues really comes though and makes me want to become a Fly fan!

    I know I keep saying this with every episode, but both these issues seems even crazier than the previous issue. I’m surprised that this comic didn’t become a hit with all the zaniness that was going on. I would have gladly traded my Amazing Spider-Man issues for these as a kid, if I knew the Human Fly was like this.

    Maybe with the power of the F&W network bringing into existence the Who’s Who Omnibus, this show will bring into existence a Human Fly Omnibus?

    Keep up the great work!

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  5. Copperhead … he doesn’t steal his art. He ‘urns’ it.

    Great discussion of two bonkers issues. I might have to hunt these down just for the Robbins art. The older I get the more I love it!

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  6. Super fun episode guys. I haven’t read these comics for over 40 years but listening to the podcast makes me want to reacquire the issues to read them again! Loved the distinction that the Fly didn’t care about stopping the theft – he just wanted to save the kids. That still makes him a hero in my book!

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  7. White Tiger is also famous for being called out in the oHOTmu OR NOT? trailer. Sadly, the Human Fly couldn’t make it into Marvel Universe Deluxe…

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  8. “Guest Starring: White Tiger!”–well I’m sure that moved some copies, didn’t it?

    Copperhead received some well deserved ribbing, but man I love his costume. Really cool look.

    Re: issue 9– I love the way Robbins draws Daredevil! I wish he had done some issues of DD’s own book. And that Byrne/Austin cover is (for them) a rare misfire.

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  9. Is it any coincidence that my favorite episode yet was about my 2 favorite issues of The Human Fly??
    Not entirely. Shag was a wonderful guest and the two of you did an amazing job of analyzing these wonderful issues.
    Like Shag, I’ve been a Daredevil fan since very early on. I love the character, and I loved the title even before Frank Miller put his stamp on him. Then you throw in White Tiger?? I mean, come on! Of all the B and C-List Bronze Age cameo possibilities, The Tiger never disappointed me back in the day.
    Robbins’ gloriously days-gone-by art style, and the term “gunsels,” causes the whole adventure to take on a black & white noir feel in my nostalgified brain. Bronze Age goodness overload.
    #InMantloWeTrust

  10. Regarding the title of issue #9 (“. . . And Daredevil Makes Three!”), I’m sure I’m exaggerating, but it feels like Marvel must have used “And _____ Makes Three” as the title for dozens of stories!

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