How are heroes born?
Some work their whole lives at becoming the best they can be, while others are simply "born" to greatness.
Such is the case with our next profile on...

The Human Torch

1939

     In the laboratory of Professor Phineas T. Horton, a strange gathering of scientific minds has come to view a creation of Professor Horton's, who has promised them a sight like they've never seen. He unveils an android, which when exposed to oxygen, turns into a fireball. The fire covers the android’s whole body but does not harm him. The creature is deemed too dangerous to be loose, a potential menace to humankind; Horton’s guests demand its destruction. Unwilling to dismantle his greatest creation, Professor Horton reluctantly seals the flaming android in concrete, until he can perfect his artificial man. But Fate intervenes, and air leaks into the concrete tomb. The android once again bursts into flames and escapes his prison.

    Bewildered, the android runs amok until he douses his flames by jumping into a swimming pool. Unfortunately for the naive android, the pool is owned by an extortionist named Sardo, who dupes the creature into joining his racket. Eventually learning to distinguish right from wrong, the android turns on Sardo who pays for his evil deeds. This "Human Torch" now returns to Professor Horton, but the Professor too has been corrupted by thoughts of getting rich off of the Human Torch by turning him into a sideshow freak for all to see. Rather than allow this to happen, the Human Torch runs off again, accidentally frying Professor Horton to a cinder (or so it is believed) while making his escape.

    Adopting the human identity of Jim Hammond (see picture here), he decides to use his powers for the cause of good and joins the police force. The Human Torch devises a method to control his flame via an oxygen-dampener that he wears around his neck. When in his flaming state, he can burn through metal several inches thick and liquefy bullets fired upon him. He can fly (fire being lighter than air) and throw fireballs with great precision. The Human Torch also has power over all flames, using a "weird yell" to control external fires. He can also create constructs of fire to trap or encase his targets. In his fire form, the Human Torch is impervious to electricity and explosions, though the concussions of a blast can knock him backwards and extinguish his flames. He is also susceptible to water and flame-retarding chemicals.

    Later on the Human Torch discovers a young orphaned circus performer Toro (see individual entry), who has flame powers like his own and whom the Torch instructs in the use of his abilities. Later, in 1946, the Human Torch and Toro join the All Winners Squad to defend justice alongside their fellow crimefighters. Later in the decade, the Sun Girl (see individual entry), a female with unexplained abilities and origin, becomes the Human Torch's partner when Toro is temporarily stricken.