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The highly anticipated The Fantastic Four: First Steps, MCU’s first F4 movie that follows a flopped duology and an even worse reboot, is nearly upon us. Scheduled for release on July 25, 2025, the movie brings us Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn in the roles of Mister Fantastic, Invisible Woman, The Thing, and Human Torch. To be completely honest, the fandom is ecstatic, and for good reason; Marvel’s First Family and their creation marked the official beginning of the Marvel Universe as we know it today.
We already covered some of the best-known characters from the Fantastic Four IP. We previously discussed the origin of the Thing’s iconic catchphrase, his relationship with Alicia Masters, six times Doctor Doom proved he’s a better husband than Reed Richards, and whether or not he might be a better king than T’Challa. Now, in light of the film’s arrival in movie theaters, let’s focus on another member of the Fantastic Four, Johnny Storm, aka Human Torch, and discuss the origins of his iconic “Flame On!” catchphrase.
While the first Fantastic Four movie introduced us to the eponymous superheroes and provided us with insight into the origin of their powers, it wasn’t really a great movie. Its sequel was an even bigger disaster compared to its predecessor, but nothing beats the Fantastic Four reboot attempt from 2015, which received so much backlash it made the original movie and its sequel look great in comparison.
One of the film’s contention points was The Thing’s “Clobberin’ Time” catchphrase, which was given a much darker origin. While the Thing used the catchphrase in all three movies, the 2015 Fantastic Four gave Ben Grimm a slightly different background, and the exact words were used by his abusive brother before hitting him. According to the film, these words stuck with Ben and continue to remind him of his traumatic upbringing. However, none of the previously released films even touched on the matter of Johnny’s catchphrase and its origin.
Johnny Storm’s signature catchphrase, “Flame on!”, sadly, doesn’t actually have an in-universe origin story. The phrase first appeared in Fantastic Four #2, published in 1961, when Johnny shouted it to trigger his transformation into the Human Torch, and from that moment on, it became one of the most recognizable lines in superhero comics. It also became a defining element of Johnny Storm’s character, as he would often use this line to signal that he’s ramping up the heat.
The line itself was written by the legendary Stan Lee, with art by Jack Kirby, during the classic run of the Fantastic Four. Lee was particularly known for giving each of his characters a unique voice through bold, memorable dialogue, and Johnny’s catchphrase was one of those lines. Admittedly, while many of them are later retconned or given an origin story, “Flame on!” and Johnny’s use of it never received an emotional or scientific backstory.
However, that doesn’t mean that the catchphrase is simply a filler for the panels of the comic book pages or to inject energy into action sequences. Quite the contrary, actually. It actually serves a function. Now, many would think that Johnny needs to say the line in order to activate his powers, but that simply isn’t true; the Fantastic Four aren’t Power Rangers (yes, yes, they can’t actually compare, we know), so they really don’t need to announce that they’re changing into their superhero gear in unison.
So, does Johnny need to say the catchphrase? No. Does he do it because he thinks it’s cool? Most definitely. You see, Johnny Storm is actually Peter Parker’s peer; they’re generally portrayed as contemporaries in the comics, and they’re both teenage superheroes, or at least they were, initially. For Johnny, the hot-headed youngest member of the F4 team, “Flame on” captures his brash confidence and love for the spotlight. It’s much more than just a catchphrase; it’s a statement of his identity and flair.
Additionally, it does serve an in-universe purpose, as it’s generally a good idea to let your teammates and other people surrounding you know that you’re about to burst into scorching flames and become a human torch quite literally. There’s also a clear narrative function, as the catchphrase signaled to the reader that action was about to kick off. Johnny didn’t just quietly burst into flames. Instead, he lit up with style, announcing himself with a line that was both functional and full of attitude, and that blend of character and showmanship helped solidify “Flame on” as an enduring piece of comic book history.
Over the years, the line has appeared in cartoons, video games, and other media. It also appeared in the movies, though its use in the first two movies gave the impression that Johnny had to use “Flame on!” to activate his powers more effectively. That’s most certainly not the case in the comics, and we hope that the upcoming Fantastic Four clarifies that further. However, we’d still like to see Johnny use his iconic catchphrase, simply because it shows that two simple words are enough to express personality, power, and legacy, all at once.
The post Stoking the Flames of Genius: The Origin of Johnny Storm’s Iconic “Flame On!” appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.
The highly anticipated The Fantastic Four: First Steps, MCU’s first F4 movie that follows a flopped duology and an even worse reboot, is nearly upon us. Scheduled for release on July 25, 2025, the movie brings us Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn in the roles of Mister Fantastic, Invisible Woman, The Thing, and Human Torch. To be completely honest, the fandom is ecstatic, and for good reason; Marvel’s First Family and their creation marked the official beginning of the Marvel Universe as we know it today.
We already covered some of the best-known characters from the Fantastic Four IP. We previously discussed the origin of the Thing’s iconic catchphrase, his relationship with Alicia Masters, six times Doctor Doom proved he’s a better husband than Reed Richards, and whether or not he might be a better king than T’Challa. Now, in light of the film’s arrival in movie theaters, let’s focus on another member of the Fantastic Four, Johnny Storm, aka Human Torch, and discuss the origins of his iconic “Flame On!” catchphrase.
While the first Fantastic Four movie introduced us to the eponymous superheroes and provided us with insight into the origin of their powers, it wasn’t really a great movie. Its sequel was an even bigger disaster compared to its predecessor, but nothing beats the Fantastic Four reboot attempt from 2015, which received so much backlash it made the original movie and its sequel look great in comparison.
One of the film’s contention points was The Thing’s “Clobberin’ Time” catchphrase, which was given a much darker origin. While the Thing used the catchphrase in all three movies, the 2015 Fantastic Four gave Ben Grimm a slightly different background, and the exact words were used by his abusive brother before hitting him. According to the film, these words stuck with Ben and continue to remind him of his traumatic upbringing. However, none of the previously released films even touched on the matter of Johnny’s catchphrase and its origin.
Johnny Storm’s signature catchphrase, “Flame on!”, sadly, doesn’t actually have an in-universe origin story. The phrase first appeared in Fantastic Four #2, published in 1961, when Johnny shouted it to trigger his transformation into the Human Torch, and from that moment on, it became one of the most recognizable lines in superhero comics. It also became a defining element of Johnny Storm’s character, as he would often use this line to signal that he’s ramping up the heat.
The line itself was written by the legendary Stan Lee, with art by Jack Kirby, during the classic run of the Fantastic Four. Lee was particularly known for giving each of his characters a unique voice through bold, memorable dialogue, and Johnny’s catchphrase was one of those lines. Admittedly, while many of them are later retconned or given an origin story, “Flame on!” and Johnny’s use of it never received an emotional or scientific backstory.
However, that doesn’t mean that the catchphrase is simply a filler for the panels of the comic book pages or to inject energy into action sequences. Quite the contrary, actually. It actually serves a function. Now, many would think that Johnny needs to say the line in order to activate his powers, but that simply isn’t true; the Fantastic Four aren’t Power Rangers (yes, yes, they can’t actually compare, we know), so they really don’t need to announce that they’re changing into their superhero gear in unison.
So, does Johnny need to say the catchphrase? No. Does he do it because he thinks it’s cool? Most definitely. You see, Johnny Storm is actually Peter Parker’s peer; they’re generally portrayed as contemporaries in the comics, and they’re both teenage superheroes, or at least they were, initially. For Johnny, the hot-headed youngest member of the F4 team, “Flame on” captures his brash confidence and love for the spotlight. It’s much more than just a catchphrase; it’s a statement of his identity and flair.
Additionally, it does serve an in-universe purpose, as it’s generally a good idea to let your teammates and other people surrounding you know that you’re about to burst into scorching flames and become a human torch quite literally. There’s also a clear narrative function, as the catchphrase signaled to the reader that action was about to kick off. Johnny didn’t just quietly burst into flames. Instead, he lit up with style, announcing himself with a line that was both functional and full of attitude, and that blend of character and showmanship helped solidify “Flame on” as an enduring piece of comic book history.
Over the years, the line has appeared in cartoons, video games, and other media. It also appeared in the movies, though its use in the first two movies gave the impression that Johnny had to use “Flame on!” to activate his powers more effectively. That’s most certainly not the case in the comics, and we hope that the upcoming Fantastic Four clarifies that further. However, we’d still like to see Johnny use his iconic catchphrase, simply because it shows that two simple words are enough to express personality, power, and legacy, all at once.
The post Stoking the Flames of Genius: The Origin of Johnny Storm’s Iconic “Flame On!” appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.
Financial emergencies can be scarier than The Demogorgon from Stranger Things. When you’re living paycheck to paycheck is difficult and can make you terrified of unexpected expenses.
It could be new brake pads, a cavity, or any other financial emergencies that can make you contemplate how you can rob a bank and get away with it.
The common advice is to save money for emergencies. However, in this economy, saving money seems like a luxury. According to the consumer price index, prices are 26% higher than before the pandemic. Higher prices translate into using every cent of your paycheck to make ends meet, which can cause stress, anxiety, and overall eat away at your mental health.
You might think that if something happens, you’ll find the money, you’ll figure it out. However, your nervous system is pleading for you to stop living in a constant state of fight or flight. To do your mental health a favor, it’s vital to be financially prepared by having an emergency savings account.
Money isn’t evil, but it’s the root cause of your stress
Financial stress can take a toll on your mental health. While everyone may occasionally experience money-related stress from time to time, your perception of the situation can make all the difference.
If your phone slips from your pocket and hits the concrete, shattering your screen, you’d probably start panicking. Your heart would start thumping out of your chest. This moment of panic can last for a few moments or hours and days, depending on your financial circumstances. If you had $10,000 in your savings, you’d probably mourn the loss for a moment, buy a new phone, and continue with your life.
However, if you only have $100 saved, you’d most likely panic, start praying to whatever God you believe in, and hope your rich aunt will take pity on you and gift you $500.
According to Jeffrey Anvari-Clark, a professor of social work at the University of North Dakota, people who view financial setbacks as something difficult to recover from can trigger health problems such as substance abuse, high blood pressure, heart problems, and depression.
So, how do you stop waking up in the middle of the night, wondering how you’re going to pay for groceries and repair your bathroom toilet that keeps on overflowing? The simple answer is emergency savings. Let’s talk about how you can realistically build that savings on a tight budget.
Realistically building your emergency savings
Building your savings will take time, willpower, and the ability to say no to buying shiny new things. However, once you have solid emergency savings, you can go back to enjoying the finer things in life, without worrying how you’re going to pay for something you need.
Assess your financial situation
Before you start saving money, it’s important to know how much you’re making and how much you’re spending. Take a look at your recent pay stubs. Understand how much on average you’re making, and how much is being taken out for taxes.
Next, assess how much you’re spending on your basic needs. This is everything you need to pay for, like rent, gas, food, insurance, etc, to survive. Add up your total for your mandatory expenses and subtract it from your average income. Whatever is left over is what you’ll divide between your savings and spending on things that are nice to have but not necessary.
When reviewing your finances, it’s important to be honest with yourself. If you notice you’re overspending in some areas, take the opportunity to create new spending habits.
Have a goal
Depending on how much you have left over when you pay your bills, you want to create a savings goal. The key here is to start small. Setting a goal for $100, $300, or even $1000 will help you get started.
Once you get into a routine of saving, you can start to increase that goal number.
Create a system for saving
Once you have your goal, you want to create a system that helps you prioritize savings. This can look like
- Automating your savings so that a certain amount gets deposited from each paycheck
- Prioritize savings, don’t fall into the trap of saving money at the end of the month, save right when you get paid.
- Have more than one savings account. You can have one account where you put money you’re not using at the moment. The other is strictly for your emergency savings. When you put money into this account, you are not to spend it, unless you meet your goal or there is an emergency.
Creating friction between you and your emergency money
Make sure you’re emergency savings account isn’t connected to your checking account or debit card. You want to make sure wherever you keep your money, whether in a bank or a lock box, that it’s not something you can easily dip into.
Extra money just for savings
Any extra money you get, whether a tax refund, birthday money, bonus from your job, put that money towards your savings.
Ask for help
It’s okay to ask for help from a financial advisor or a financial coach. They may be able to provide you with the tools you need to make financial improvements. You can also work with a professional to receive compassion for your particular situation.
Remember that building your emergency savings and creating financial wellness isn’t just about having more money. Taking care of your finances is a form of self-care. It’s a way to take care of yourself now and in the future.
The post Why Living Paycheck to Paycheck in 2025 Is Destroying Your Mental Health appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.
The future is genderfluid. Then again, so was the past. Considering trans people have been historically documented for millennia, and have existed for as long as human beings have been around, it only makes sense that we’d be conquering the stars one day. As a genre that is fundamentally about transcending the perceived limits of the human experience, sci-fi pairs with trans thought better than peanut butter and chocolate (sorry, jelly). If you’re looking for 10 of the best sci-fi books with trans and non-binary characters, you’ve landed on the right literary planet.
A Psalm For The Wild Built
Becky Chambers’ A Psalm For The Wild Build is a solarpunk novel, one that radically embraces optimism, open-mindedness, and a harmonious existence between the technological and natural world. This is the exact balance that non-binary acolyte Dex is attempting to cultivate in their life. Training to be a tea monk (basically a hot leaf juice pouring therapist) Dex discovers that the job is harder than they expected after a disastrous experience with a first client leaves them stumped. Seeking answers to life’s big questions, Dex wanders off into the woods and bumps into another genderless being: Splendid Speckled Mosscap – a rather philosophical robot. No existential quandaries have been solved yet, but you know what they say, two non-binary heads are better than one.
Sure, the Xenomorph is frightening. But what if he teamed up with four of his closest friends? That’s the kind of Avengers Assemble! moment we do NOT wish to be present for. But that’s what’s coming for us and Earth in Alien: Earth. The trailer for Alien: Earth, an upcoming series on FX that takes us deep into the world of Alien in a whole new way, reveals there are five monsters, “five new life forms from distant planets,” that are threatening to loose themselves upon the Earth and make a BIG mess. On top of all that, there are deep questions of humanity in the mix, and, of course, an all-star cast featuring Sydney Chandler, Timothy Olyphant, and more.
You can check out the new Alien: Earth trailer below.
There’s existential dread, there is a menacing sheep, and there’s Timothy Olyphant looking very leader-like. Yes, the Alien: Earth trailer has it all. And, of course, it has a Xenomorph, but still only from a distance. The series is really teasing the appearance of its true lead, but we know there will be blood and face-hugging when the Xenomorph finally does reveal himself.
To help us make sense of the Alien: Earth trailer, FX has also shared a very detailed description of the series. And it makes us wonder, are the five monsters we hear about in the Alien: Earth trailer the five alien lifeforms that have escaped on Earth, OR are they the five corporations that are governing Earth at the time of the series? We think we know the real answer.
Alien: Earth’s description reads:
In the year 2120, the Earth is governed by five corporations: Prodigy, Weyland-Yutani, Lynch, Dynamic and Threshold. In this Corporate Era, cyborgs (humans with both biological and artificial parts) and synthetics (humanoid robots with artificial intelligence) exist alongside humans. But the game is changed when the wunderkind Founder and CEO of Prodigy Corporation unlocks a new technological advancement: hybrids (humanoid robots infused with human consciousness). The first hybrid prototype named “Wendy” marks a new dawn in the race for immortality. After Weyland-Yutani’s spaceship collides into Prodigy City, “Wendy” and the other hybrids encounter mysterious life forms more terrifying than anyone could have ever imagined.
Led by Chandler, the series showcases an expansive international cast, which includes Timothy Olyphant (“Kirsh”), Alex Lawther (“Hermit”), Samuel Blenkin (“Boy Kavalier”), Babou Ceesay (“Morrow”), Adrian Edmondson (“Atom Eins”), David Rysdahl (“Arthur Sylvia”), Essie Davis (“Dame Sylvia”), Lily Newmark (“Nibs”), Erana James (“Curly”), Adarsh Gourav (“Slightly”), Jonathan Ajayi (“Smee”), Kit Young (“Tootles”), Diêm Camille (“Siberian”), Moe Bar-El (“Rashidi”) and Sandra Yi Sencindiver (“Yutani”).
The first season of FX’s Alien: Earth will premiere with two episodes on Tuesday, August 12 at 8 p.m. ET on Hulu and on the FX linear channel at 8 p.m. ET/PT, and on Disney+ internationally. The following episodes will drop weekly. In total, Alien: Earth will run for eight episodes. We can’t wait to see how this Alien: Earth trailer transforms into the real thing.
The post This Judgy Sheep Is the True Star of the ALIEN: EARTH Trailer appeared first on Nerdist.