Human Torch #1 (2003)

Years ago before Johnny Storm became the Human Torch, he was just a student at Glenville High in Long Island trying to impress girls with his restored Firebird Transam. However the two women he is wooing suddenly lose all interest in Johnny and his car when wrestling champ and Olympic tryout nominee Mike Snow. Soon the social situation is broken up by Principal Glick who gives Johnny grief for for not being in class and orders him to go immediately. Johnny responds by whipping his car around the parking lot and screeching to a perfect halt in an open parking space. This stunt lands him in the principal's office, there Mr. Glick tells Johnny that over the summer he needs to apply himself for the following school year. The following September, Johnny explains to his class how he rode in a spaceship built by his sister's boyfriend and how they all became the Fantastic Four. Although this is the truth, his class is sceptical when it comes to questions about his assignment. When Mike Snow asks Johnny to prove it by flaming on, Storm tells him that he can't because he tapped out his powers fighting the Skrulls recently. Later in the day, Mike Snow and the other students are talking about Johnny's far fetched story and the census is that Storm is making it all up. While the girls aw fawning over Mike, Johnny comes up to prove that he is the Human Torch. At first they believe that Johnny is still perpetuating a hoax when he "flames on" using a match. Because he is "busted" Johnny drops the match and it lights his pants on fire. When Johnny bursts into flames everyone begins to panic and Mike Snow rushes toward him to try and put out the flames. Johnny tells everyone that he has never felt better and surprises everyone by flying off into the sky. Johnny then lands and puts out his flame, revealing his Fantastic Four costume now that his normal clothes have burnt away. Mike Snow tells Johnny to get lost because he is dangerous, Johnny proves contrary by showing how easily he can control his powers. Suddenly, Johnny's popularity skyrockets earning the ire of Mike Snow. Over the following month, Johnny gets a free pass through school, being excused from assignments because he was out saving the world. The high school chooses to change the name of their team from the Blizzards to the Blaze. When Johnny tells Mike there's no hard feelings and that he probably has a career in professional wrestling, Mike quips that one person in as stupid costume that goes to their school is enough. This starts a rivalry between the two teenagers. While Johnny and Mike play pranks on each other, Johnny also starts pursing Hannah, the same girl that Mike is interested in. Eventually Hannah breaks down and agrees to go out with Johnny on a date. That evening Johnny tries to get hot and heavy with Hannah after dropping her off at home, but she puts a stop to it and sends him on his way. On the way home Johnny is attacked by Mike Snow who tells him to stay away from Hannah. The two get into a fight and Mike eventually catches Johnny in a headlock. He then begins taunting Johnny by calling him a freak. Johnny suddenly loses his temper and flames on, lighting Mike on fire in the process....