
The
Human Torch is a fictional
superhero appearing in
American comic books published by
Marvel Comics. The character is a founding member of the
Fantastic Four. A
similar, unrelated character of the same name and powers was created in 1939 by writer-artist
Carl Burgos for Marvel Comics' predecessor company,
Timely Comics.
Like the rest of the Fantastic Four,
Jonathan "Johnny" Storm gained his powers on a spacecraft bombarded by cosmic rays. He can engulf his entire body in flames, can fly, can absorb fire harmlessly into his own body, and can 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 and compassionate 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. Human Torch is also a friend and frequent ally of the superhero
Spider-Man, who is approximately the same age as the Torch.
Jay Underwood played him in the unreleased 1994 film
The Fantastic Four,
Chris Evans portrayed him in the 2005 film
Fantastic Four, and its 2007 sequel
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer and
Michael B. Jordan portrayed him in the 2015 film
Fantastic Four.