Original artwork, not a still
Johnny Storm (the Human Torch)
Flame on!
— Fantastic Four • 1961
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
Two words that work as a starter pistol: the moment before the action and the moment a hot-headed kid gets to show off. The call is simple enough to yell in a playground, which is why it escaped the comic and became a way for fans to announce they are about to go all out.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for Fantastic FourShow the scene
Johnny Storm, the youngest of the Fantastic Four, debuted in The Fantastic Four #1 (cover-dated November 1961), written by Stan Lee and drawn by Jack Kirby. He gained fire powers along with the rest of the team, and he announces each ignition with the cry "Flame on!", which has become his catchphrase. His codename pays tribute to the original android Human Torch that Carl Burgos created for Timely Comics, Marvel's predecessor, in 1939. The call has carried into the animated series and films built around the team.
Sources (1)
- Wikipedia: Human TorchLead and Publication historyReference checked
Context reviewed
