1940: Human Torch vs Sub-Mariner

MARVEL MYSTERY COMICS #8

This is only being included as a prime example of comic book action where you know there would certainly be civilian fatalities, yet the writer tells us there are not. So no body count here, but an early example of what I like to call the "bloodless catastrophe."

The people... where are the people? Don't ask.

Sub-Mariner attacks the elevated rail, sending 3 cars to the pavement below. An elevated commuter train crashes to the street, but no mention of the engineer or passengers?

It's a funny book, kids! Don't ask.

Seriously, the Sub-Mariner hurls the top of the Empire State Building to the street, trapping people beneath it; without fatalities?  Well okay, it's not just a funny book; it's a mighty funny book.

Although the purpose of this blog is to catalog the deaths of innocent civilians in the Marvel Universe, it's hard to believe this story contains no fatalities just because the narrative tells us so. If the Torch had perhaps reached the train in time to stop it from crashing, or swooped down and pushed pedestrians to safety before the top of the Empire State Building landed on them, the comic surely would have been more dramatic and fun to read anyway. The device of the bloodless catastrophe, seen here in a simpler time, is not uncommon in subsequent comics history.

Body count: bloodless catastrophe

Marvel Mystery Comics #8

Writer/Artist: Carl Burgos 

(Bill Everett illustrates Namor in the comic itself)