Of all theFantastic Four’s heroes, theHuman Torchstands out on the battlefield due to his ability to fly in a surge of fire. While the rest of his abilities make sense at a glance, as they tie into his theme of flames, his capacity for flight can be perplexing to some. Luckily, the Human Torch’s skill has received a scientific explanation that reveals the truth about how he’s able to take flight the way he does.
Just like the rest of the mainFantastic Four members, Johnny Storm received his powers after being exposed to cosmic rays on a space expedition gone wrong. As depicted inFantastic Four#1 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, Johnny’s transformation occurs as his entire body is suddenly set ablaze. He then soars through the sky while exclaiming that he can fly, showing off his newfound abilities.
Over the years, many readers have wondered how exactly theHuman Torch’s flame-based powersallow him to take flight as he does here. Now, that question can be laid to rest, as there’s a reason for Johnny Storm’s most astonishing superpower.
Human Torch’s Flight Has A Scientific Explanation, Shedding Light on His Powers
Johnny Storm Can Fly With Help From Hydrogen Atoms
Surprisingly enough, the secret to Johnny Storm’s flight has roots in science.TheOfficial Handbook of the Marvel Universeby Mark Gruenwald, Peter Sanderson, and more explains the various origins and powers of different heroes across Marvel’s continuity, and the sixth issue in the series expands upon the Human Torch’s specific skill-set. According to this source,the Human Torch shifts into a plasma form when he’s engulfed in his flames, and this plasma produces a cloud of mono-atomic hydrogen atoms. The cloud that surrounds him is what enables him to float by increasing his buoyancy to support his weight while airborne.
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In simple terms,the Human Torch can successfully fly by lightening his body weight via an atomic cloud. This hydrogen-infused upgrade allows him to carry up to 180 pounds as he flies around - although that number may increase over time as he grows more experienced. Moreover, Johnny can increase his speed exponentially by channeling his flames into a jet that pushes him through the atmosphere at an accelerated rate. TheHuman Torch’s firecan do much more than be launched at enemies in blasts of heat, and the scientific basis of his powers offers a blueprint for what he can accomplish if he experiments with them.
The Human Torch’s Powers Aren’t As Simple As They Appear
Despite His Hero Name, Human Torch Can Do More Than Shoot Flames
Johnny Storm’s Human Torchoften seems like a one-note hero to those uninitiated with the Fantastic Four, since his name seems to suggest all that he’s capable of with the powers he’s been given. However, the versatility of Johnny’s powers is made known through his unique flight abilities. Furthermore, he’s demonstrated various other skills that are extensions of his generic fire. From generating clones tomatching the light of the sunitself, there’s no limit to what theHuman Torchcan pull off. ThisFantastic Fourhero truly has one of the most innovative powers in the Marvel Universe, as evidenced by the science behind it.
