Human Torch’s New Power is a Creative Fantastic Four Lore Change Ahead of Their MCU Debut

Summary The Human Torch reveals new light-controlling powers in Fantastic Four #22 against vampires.

Johnny Storm taps into full-spectrum solar radiation, showcasing a new side of his abilities.

The Fantastic Four team grows stronger with individual power advancements, setting the stage for their MCU debut.

Warning: Contains spoilers for Fantastic Four #22!!Just as Joseph Quinn gears up to play the Fantastic Four's resident hot-head in the MCU's upcoming Fantastic Four film, Marvel has introduced an impressive new side of the Human Torch's abilities. Now, he's able to control the light he generates to match the sun itself. "Flame On!" means more than fire, and Johnny turns the full force of his power against the vampires surrounding the team in Blood Hunt.

In Fantastic Four #22 by Ryan North, Ivan Fiorelli, Jesus Aburtov, and Joe Caramagna, Johnny Storm joins the Invisible Woman and Ben Grimm in protecting the family from Blood Hunt's vampire invasion. Sue has held the bloodsuckers at bay with her force fields, but she can't keep going forever. The Human Torch seems like the obvious choice for back-up, but he doesn't intend to burn all the vampires alive.

As he points out, he does "make light" and there's nothing stopping him from matching the light that vampires fear most: the sun. After a few failed starts, he successfully exercises an unheard-of level of control to drive the undead back.

The Human Torch Masterfully Matches the Sun’s Light Spectrum

The Fantastic Four #22 by Ryan North, Ivan Fiorelli, Jesus Aburtov, and Joe Caramagna

On a surface level, the Human Torch is able to engulf himself in flame and ultra-hot plasma. Typically, he focuses on generating heat and can reach temperatures of up to a million degrees with his mind-bogglingly hot Nova Flame. However, he has spent far less time tinkering with his ability to produce light. Prior to Blood Hunt, Johnny has never outright demonstrated the kind of control necessary to cycle through the light spectrum. Without a full scientific understanding of what he's trying to achieve, he's still able to make tweaks and adjustments until he matches the sun's "full-spectrum solar radiation."

The Fantastic Four have all started to expand their powers recently and begin developing new tactics, and this is not Johnny's first time testing new possibilities. The Human Torch and Invisible Woman recently combined their abilities to create lasers that destroyed a shower of asteroids bound for Earth, and the whole team still has plenty of potential to unlock. In Fantastic Four #18, a SHIELD document revealed several possible power advancements and combinations for the F4, including "ultraviolet incendiaries" for Johnny. Matching the sun's exact spectrum is certainly in line with that prediction and proves that the Human Torch is growing stronger.

The Human Torch’s New Ability Demonstrates a New Side to His Powers

Now is the perfect time for the Fantastic Four to demonstrate their range, as the upcoming film presents the ideal opportunity to show off on the big screen. Moreover, their recent abilities link together like never before. Light is often more in the Invisible Woman's domain, but the F4 is beginning to find more bridges between their unique power sets. It creates a renewed sense of connection alongside the admittedly impressive displays of power. The Human Torch's control over light isn't just vampiric Kryptonite, it's a piece of a whole new chapter for the Fantastic Four ahead of their MCU debut.

Fantastic Four #22 is available now from Marvel Comics.

Fantastic Four #22 (2024) Writer: Ryan North

Artist: Ivan Fiorelli

Colorist: Jesus Aburtov

Letterer: Joe Caramagna

Cover Artist: Alex Ross