Stan Lee's 20 Greatest Marvel Comics Creations

Johnny Storm is actually a reinvention of the original Human Torch (Jim Hammond created by Carl Burgos), but he’s such an essential part of Lee’s legacy that he can’t be left out.

One of the original Fantastic Four, he’s the brashest of the group and is the squad’s clear showman. While that might not always endear him to his more stoic teammates (his sister Sue especially), it’s made him a sure-fire hit with the fans.

Though he can be a constant annoyance to the rest of the crew, he’s a much-needed balance within the foursome, injecting levity in with Reed’s unbreaking focus, Ben’s grumbles and Sue’s logical mind.

’Flame on!’ is one of the most memorable comic book catchphrases, and what’s been most impressive is how creatively those flames have been utilised. There’s been parlour tricks down the years like helping someone shave with fire alone, but it’s been used cleverly in plots too. He once cured a poisoning by burning the toxin out of his blood stream.

Outside of the Four he’s forged great dynamics as well, most notably with Spider-Man. All in all, it’s just impossible not to like this guy.