Beetle was captured by the Human Torch and sent to prison, he should have been incarcerated for years, but was let off early for pleaded down to a lesser charge. Outside, he set to work on his Beetle Armor and learned of the Human Torch's date with Dorrie. The Beetle returned and kidnapped Dorrie, while Spider-Man failed to stop him. He took her to the docks and fought the Human Torch, making his suit fire proof, he easily subdued him by dumping him in the ocean.