The Human Torch (Jonathan "Johnny" Storm) is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character is a founding member of the Fantastic Four. He is writer Stan Lee's and artist Jack Kirby's reinvention of a similar, previous character, the android Human Torch of the same name and powers who was created in 1939 by writer-artist Carl Burgos for Marvel Comics' predecessor company, Timely Comics.
Like the rest of the Fantastic Four, Johnny gained his powers on a spacecraft bombarded by cosmic rays. He can engulf his entire body in flames, fly, absorb fire harmlessly into his own body, and control any nearby fire by sheer force of will. "Flame on!", which the Torch customarily shouts when activating his full-body flame effect, has become his catchphrase. The youngest of the group, he is brash and impetuous in comparison to his reticent, overprotective and compassionate older sister, Susan Storm, his sensible brother-in-law, Reed Richards, and the grumbling Ben Grimm. In the early 1960s, he starred in a series of solo adventures, published in Strange Tales. The Human Torch is also a friend and frequent ally of the superhero Spider-Man, who is approximately the same age.
In films, the Human Torch has been portrayed by Jay Underwood in the unreleased 1994 film The Fantastic Four; Chris Evans in the 2005 film Fantastic Four, and its 2007 sequel Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer; and Michael B. Jordan in the 2015 film Fantastic Four.
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Ikran's Fantastic 4 OC series[]
He was chosen as the pilot for the space voyage to the Von Doom station, taking over Ben's position upon Sue's request. He was the brash explorer, and he, along with Ben, were the first people to be exposed to the cosmic storm before the others. He also was the first to witness Ben's gradual transformation, much to Ben's fury! He snuck out of the hospital to go ice skating with his former girlfriend only to turn himself into flame and melt the ice! He, Reed and Sue left Terri in the hospital as they found Ben and saved the people on the Brooklyn Bridge; he was egotistical and obsessive with the fame of the Fantastic 4 and couldn't get enough of the celebrity! During his tests, Reed and Sue were alarmed he can generate a supernova at 10 kelvins! Rather than be isolated till Reed finishes the machine to reverse their powers, Johnny just continued to embrace them, even giving everyone offensive codenames. He even had a small scrimmage with Ben before he stormed away and met Alicia, even crushing his prototype figure! Realizing his powers were just a fad, he eventually assisted Sue, Ben and Reed as he distracted a heat-sensitive missile and incinerated Doom in a supernova, before he was rapidly frozen! He did appreciate the cruise in their honor, even being a showoff by creating their logo in the sky!
He was one of the guys that consumed the tainted wine, making the team disband. Till over a week later as he and Ben spotted Sue being cornered by a sorceress and Reed taking the blow.
He was Sue's escort down the aisle, thinking Dad would be proud of them. Then, he incinerated his tux as he gave chase to the Silver Surfer who disabled his powers and made his molecules into a constant flux, meaning if people should touch him, they'll sporadically switch their powers! He was erratic while trying to chase it again, making Reed switch powers as the team fixed the Millennium Eye and let the Surfer away! He was outraged when Victor was hired by Gen. Hager, though he started to bond with Ben in an English pub.
The team traveled to the Black Forest, chasing after the Surfer and the next crater; the team activated the tectonic pulse, after Norrin got attracted to Sue. They were taken to Moscow, and while Johnny offered to have popcorn and DVDs to pass the time, Sue slipped thru to interrogate the Surfer. Victor stole the board, then Johnny convinced Frankie they're the only ones who can save the world, allowing them to pass before Myers stopped Terri to make a scene. He followed the FantastiCar but was hapless against Victor's own Power Cosmic! With his sister fatally stabbed, he offered to merge with the team's powers and separate Victor from the board. He even assisted the Surfer to approach Galactus and witnessed him destroying it! He was ecstatic he's his normal self again and no longer worrying of the team's separation. He and Frankie attended the Chinese wedding, though he followed the guys to take care of the sinking Adriatic.
Two years later, he volunteered to be a co-pilot in Terri's AstroWing, though Reed won over the mini contests. He did go with Sue to visit their parents' graves. He approached the Zenn-lavian mothership, and at one time remarked that Terri and Norrin won't be victims of a feeding frenzy for the ravenous reptiles. He took on the second mission at Xandar, plowing thru the tepid environment with Norrin and a reluctant Terri. He was at a standoff against the Firelord, till he escorted Terri to the ship after she passed out while shooting ice jets to freeze the foe! He also got involved in a scrimmage against Possessor saving his sister from his thrall! Though Reed figured it was just foolishness than courage. Eventually she recovered and he distracted the fire walls away from the team, though he became trapped, and was lifeless after the fortress collapsed; Terri revived him thanks to mouth-to-mouth.
He refused to fuse his powers with the team's again before the Surfer faced off with Mephisto, though Reed took on the task. The AstroWing crashed with Johnny, Ben, Sue, and Terri inside, and he offered to stay behind to watch his comatose sis while Terri looked for Shalla. She was able to find her, and Johnny and Ben repaired the ship. It fired onto the demon after Fennan sacrificed his life to save Norrin's. It was a good distraction while the group carried Shalla away, only to have her soul. Johnny was in the ship as they headed to the Magik Domain, retrieved Shalla's body, and escaped a black hole. The mission was successful, and for once, Johnny shall look forward to see the valiant Surfer again.
Trivia[]
- Johnny was Ikran's least favorite member of the Fantastic 4 since the 2005 version, because of his arrogance, carelessness, and hotheadedness. She was close to hating him, though it wasn't until Rise of the Silver Surfer in which he improved a lot. She'd always consider Chris Evans as the ideal actor for the Human Torch, even more than Captain America in The Avengers.
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