A Marvelous Tale Told in the Mighty Marvel Manner
The Unbeatable Human Top
Sometimes greatness is thrust upon people and sometimes a person may stumble upon it. Sometimes the greatest of all gifts go to the most undeserving. Case in point, a young man christened David Cannon. Growing up in post-war New York City, David was that special breed of youth known as a hood.
The young man's fancy seemed to center around extorting money from his school fellows, roughing up anyone who dared offend him, plus doing anything possible to avoid work. The only habit he had that didn't involve breaking some kind of law was reading. He was an avid reader, not that the teachers would know, but his choice of reading material was limited to whatever he could snatch from the local newsstands. That tended to limit his reading material to comic books or day old newspapers. From them he learned of two important people, both with the same moniker: The Human Top.
The first was a super hero, who appeared before the war fighting crime in New York. The second was a younger man who showed up some time later, operating much the same on the West Coast. David was enthralled by them. Not because of their good deeds, of course, but because of their skills. Each man had the ability to spin their bodies around their lengthwise axis at incredible speeds. From what few pictures he could find, David poured over the stories.
After school, David would spend his free time in vacant lots. He would spin and twirl, going faster and faster which each passing day. Had he bothered to look into it, he might have learned he was a mutant. As it was, he assumed he was just that good. Anyone who attempted to mock his hobby, however, tended to apologize after he threw a few dozen punches before they could react.
As David grew older, he began to use his talents in whatever field they would give him an advantage. Using his speed got him on the track team which helped him coast through high school. Upon graduating, his interests in fast money led him into a world of petty theft. With his speed he was able to outrace most beat cops, but purses and un-minded fruit crates did little to satisfy.
He tried other fields. A brief stint in professional wrestling earned him some mild fame, but he wanted more than accolades. It was then he discovered skating.
Like most sports, there was a seamy underside. Gambling syndicates would easily work with anyone willing to help them. David would enter competitions, usually just barely qualifying thus stacking the odds against him. The day of the competition, however, David would easily blaze through the other racers, making sure the house would win. It was a sweet deal for a while, but one fall afternoon it ended.
After a particularly short race, David ran into two rough looking characters in an alley behind the rink. "Good work kid, but the boss thinks it's time to cut out." The taller looking one grunted as he slipped a fat envelope into David's hands.
"What are you talking about? We cleared ten grand easy!" David snorted as he shoved the money in his pocket.
"Yeah, but three times? Too much of a good thing bud. Boss says it's time to move on, else the sports commission might start looking closer than they should." The shorter one wheezed.
"So what am I supposed to do?' David spat.
"Beats me, but stay out of the limelight. You're smart kid, but the cops are always smarter."
David drew his cap down low and stalked off. "Smarter than me, huh? I'll show 'em, I'll show them all!"
-W
Sometime later, David stood before the grimy mirror in his rented room. The room and the box before him had taken most of his funds, but he knew it was worth it. The costume was the key; green and made of a special lightweight material for greatest range of movement, David pulled out the helmet first. It bore more than a passing resemblance to an onion. It was padded, however, and that was what counted. "But if it helps keep my head protected, I'd look like horse's backside."
The rest of the suit was designed for function rather that looks. "When I get established, I'll go for something flashy." He slipped the costume on and slipped out onto the fire escape. "Now, let's see if the Human Top can still score some headlines!"
-W
"Have you seen this?" Maria tossed the newspaper down on the lab table.
"Hmm?" Hank looked up from the microscope. "'Human Top rampages'?" He scanned the print as he tried to keep one eye peering through the lens. "Seems like a problem."
"A new criminal is tearing up Center City, so yes, it is our problem." Maria crossed her arms.
"I never said it wasn't." Hank stepped away from the microscope. "But do you want to handle it solo?"
"My concerns are with Janet actually. I know she's improving, but this Human Top sounds dangerous. I don't want her rushing off unprepared."
A console beeped. "What was that?" Maria looked as a large complicated looking device with a wired helmet made a strange noise.
"Ah, maybe an answer to our questions." Hank slipped the helmet on and lowered a visor over his eyes. "The relay towers I set up are sending me total visual feedback. What the ants see, I can see."
"And what do you see?"
"Regarding the Top, not much as ant minds are a bit different from ours." Hank rubbed his chin as he took notes. They have seen the Top, or someone very much like him…and Danley's?"
"The department store?"
"The sign of it in any event."
"I'll radio Janet and forward her all the info."
"Fantastic, but I'll stand ready just in case." Maria took the papers. "She's had some success with smaller crooks, but she's never really handled a super powered crook solo before."
-G
Janet studied the information as it came off the teletype. "Human Top, eh?" She cracked her knuckles. "Ok, let's show how Giant Girl can handle this bum alone!"
-G
For the next few days, Janet Van Dyne made it a point to spend her shopping time at Danley's Department Store. The owners were somewhat puzzled, as Center City's leading socialite tended to prefer the higher end retailers in New York or Paris. Not that they weren't grateful, of course, but after three days she had pretty much bought most of their ladies ware; from dresses to shoes she had tried on, modeled and in most cases purchased. She didn't seem to have a clear objective when she entered the store.
Outside, gearing up for their latest promotion, the management had installed an outdoor ice rink and hired skaters to twirl about. One skater always seemed to leave everyone in the dust. "Awesome job Cannon, why don't you take five?" The store manager gushed as Cannon went into a twirl nearly three minutes long.
"Sure thing boss!" David cracked the biggest grin he could manage. Slowing down, he zipped by the other skaters and quickly yanked off his skates.
David knew the other skaters were quickly growing annoyed at him, but he didn't care. His break time had been spent casing the store. "These chumps rake in enough dough to keep me in style for a while, plus with that Van Dyne dame blowing through her wallet I figure the till should be fit to burst by tomorrow afternoon." He smiled as he strolled past the display counters.
The store layout was fairly simple, designed mostly to allow customers to make their way through the different departments in a hurry. All the registers were emptied around the same time in the afternoon and deposited inside the main safe in the back of the store. David couldn't but smile as he walked around the store.
-W
The next afternoon, after skating briefly (he claimed a severe cramp and limped off the rink), David slipped into the dressing rooms. Tossing his gaudy skater togs aside, David slipped on his Human Top costume.
"This is the biggest job I've ever pulled. After this, no more petty heists. Big time all the way!" He breathed deeply before opening the room. Before anyone could register his appearance, he rocketed out and headed towards the safe, blowing everything around him back in his wake.
-J
Janet sat before a small pile of shoes when she heard the screams. "That's my cue!" She pushed past the beleaguered clerk and dashed into the dressing room. Slipping on her boots, she slipped free of her regular clothes and pulled her cowl over her face. "I'm thankful Maria helped me design a suit I can wear under my regular clothes." She popped a pill and stepped out.
She started to grow at once. Within a few steps she towered over most of the panicked customers and employees. She reached the balcony that overlooked the store. With a slight hop, she cleared the railing and landed on the ground floor.
Giant Girl saw the greenish blur opening the vault. "Halt!"
The blur stopped. "What is this?" the masked figure, his arms loaded with cash, looked at her. "Giant Girl? Since when did you become a security guard?" The voice was muffled, but she could hear the arrogance embedded in it.
"Since you decided to commit robbery." Giant Girl positioned herself in front of the doors. She knew there was a back entrance, but it only led to an alley and a manned gate.
"And you decided to honor me with an appearance? I'm flattered!" The Human Top zipped between her outstretched hands and shot between her legs before she could turn around.
Giant Girl swore to herself as she started to shrink, much too slowly for her liking, as the Human Top blasted through the front doors and zipped down the street.
Charging after him, she started to grow again. Covering dozens of feet in a single stride, her hand brushed against his heel as he suddenly changed direction. Without warning he moved at a perfect right angle and disappeared down the nearest subway entrance.
Giant Girl dropped to her knees and tried to grab him, but her oversized arm barely fit into the entrance.
Shrinking again, she dashed inside the subway, finding only a barren platform and a few confused travelers. "Pardon me, but did you see a whirling figure race by?"
The older man shrugged his shoulders. "I think so, but darned if I know which way he went. It seemed to two tornadoes suddenly shot down the tracks at both ends."
Giant Girl sighed. "Fantastic, and with the city's subway system and his speed he could be anywhere by now." Hanging her head low, she walked back up to the street.
-H
The next day, Giant Girl's failure was taking up a good three columns in the local paper. She shuddered to think what the national ones were saying about her. Maria had called her first thing in the morning.
Maria didn't sound angry, but Janet imagined how disappointed she must have been. "Mrs. Pym, that Human Top moved so fast!" She bit her lip to keep from crying…or cursing.
"I imagine so Janet, but tell me, what did you notice? Were his abilities technology based?"
"Hmm, I didn't notice anything. His suit looked pretty much like a one piece number with a weird helmet."
"Interesting, but that doesn't help us that much. I'll be on the next flight out and we can go over the details then."
Janet inwardly sighed. She managed to muster a simple 'ok' before hanging up the phone. "My first real time out and I blow it!"
-W
David leaned forward in his bed. The apartment swallowed most of his savings, but he wanted something flashy. The loot he managed to save would keep him in bed and board for another couple of months, but he couldn't pull another plot like that again.
"Blasted Giant Girl! My first real score and she blows it!" He had several newspapers spread out on the bed. The headlines reported mostly on Giant Girl's failure, but a few featured him. David consoled himself.
"Ok, so I didn't clear out the store; I still got some dough from the thing, some of it even legit! I'm David versus Goliath, if I can swing this right." An idea formed in his mind. "The public loves a little guy when he takes on someone bigger, and who's bigger than Giant Girl? Why, if I play my cards right I can have her booed right out of town, then I could clean up with no problem!"
David chuckled to himself as he read the papers for inspiration. "And I think I know how to do it!"
-G
It had taken a day of waiting on the mail, but Maria patted the side of the crate. "Inside is something that will help you take down this Human Top."
"Really?" Janet raised an eyebrow as Maria popped open the side. "What is that supposed to be?" Janet gasped as a flood of packing straw poured out.
"Exactly what you think it is." Maria cleared some of the packing material out. Inside the box was what looked like an oversized top. "Hank calls it the gyro-top. It should, based on what we've read, be capable of copying the Human Top's every move via remote control."
"And you want me to chase it?"
"As both Giant Girl and yourself. I've noticed that you rely too quickly on your size. You've been lucky that most of your foes have been outside, but in a narrow spot you let yourself become trapped.
Janet nodded absently as Maria pulled a remote from the box. "We'll begin our training…now!" Maria stepped back as she flicked a switch. The gyro-top began to spin. Within seconds it was upright and humming.
"Wait, do you want me to catch it or" Janet was interrupted as the gyro-top zipped around her. Passing close, it wobbled enough to shove her. "Hey!"
"Pay attention!" Maria scolded. "The Human Top won't show you any pity!"
"Alright, I get the message!" Janet popped a few pills and closed her eyes. Her body swelled and grew, her costume growing perfectly along with her. Slipping her cowl over her head, she cracked her knuckles. "Now let's try this one more time!"
The gyro-top zoomed towards her. Giant Girl sidestepped it and brought her leg back to kick. Much to her annoyance, the gyro-top suddenly changed direction and shot between her legs and circled behind her.
Giant Girl ground her teeth in annoyance. Spinning around, she tried to face the device head on but it always seemed to be directly behind her. "It's faster than I am!" she reached out and tried to snatch it, but always seemed to be dart away at the last moment.
"It's as fast as a decent sized car since Hank didn't know the Human Top's maximum speed, and I'm only using it at half power." Maria adjusted the controls as the gyro-top slammed into Giant Girl's unprotected ankle.
"Gah!" Giant Girl grunted as she staggered backwards.
"You think the Human Top will stop if you're hurt?"
"No, but look, we have to come up with something, maybe something that doesn't leave me black and blue?" Giant Girl shrank down.
"Using strategy?" Maria powered down the gyro-top. "Now you're talking sense."
Janet slipped her cowl off. "And I wasn't before? Look, I have some ideas, but I think I'd prefer a partner rather than a drill sergeant."
Putting the control box aside, Maria smiled. "I'm listening.."
The end
Mail to Astonish
From they call me Bruce
Nice work here fella
From Wolvmbm
I must say not a bad job on the Origin of Giant Girl, but I have to ask…will she be joining the Avengers soon? Also interesting twist on the origins of Giant Man and Wasp team, plus it prevents Hank Pym from having a psychotic breakdown in the future. Now I can't wait to see how the Avengers deal with the Sub-Mariner and how they'll encounter the She-Hulk. Although I have to ask if you're planning on adapting any stories from the current Avengers animated series? Please do keep up the good work upon such great tales like this one.
To answer, yes; thank you; not really
Based on "The Human Top" which was first published in Tales to Astonish I#50 (December 1963), with credits to Stan Lee (script), Jack Kirby (pencils), Steve Ditko (inks, although this is disputed, with either Don Heck or Sol Brodsky either aiding or doing the work instead), and Sam Rosen (letters). All rights reserved by their respective copyright owners.
Be here next time for Showdown with the Human Top!
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