One of the most defining characteristics of a hero or villain in the Marvel Comics multiverse is oftentimes a power base — a particular power that sets the hero or villain apart from the rest of the world.
From Wolverine’s healing factor to Captain Marvel’s ability to fly, these powers (while not always required), give these individuals an enhanced status. One power set that is seen often in the comic book world is ability to control and manipulate fire.
Updated on April 30, 2022 by Scoot Allan: When a Fantastic Four movie was announced as one of the next projects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, fans were excited at yet another chance to see the fiery Human Torch up on the big screen. Of course, Johnny Storm isn't the only Marvel hero with the powerful ability to create and manipulate fire. He's joined by a huge selection of heroes who can also use fire to their advantage, although he's the only one who managed to create a popular catchphrase around his abilities.
15 J.T. James Is The Descendant Of The Phantom Rider Who Gained Control Of Hellfire
Real name J.T. James, (or full name James Taylor James), Hellfire has the ability to ignite a chain on fire and manipulate it, along with superhuman reflexes. He inherited his powers as the descendent of Carter Slade, the Phantom Rider. These abilities get the attention of none other than Nick Fury himself.
Fury recruited J.T. to join the other powerful members of his Secret Warriors to battle the threat of the Skrull infiltration of Earth during the events of Secret Invasion. He would become a regular member of the Secret Warriors, but was found to be a Hydra double agent, ending his heroic career.
14 Jubilee Is A Mutant With Pyrokinesis Who Can Generate Explosive Fireworks
One of the most powerful mutants of the X-Men whose abilities have a pyrokinetic touch to them is none other than Jubilee. The young mutant girl who was destined for greatness as a gymnast at the Olympics found herself an orphan instead. She eventually discovered her powers and soon found herself amongst the X-Men.
Her journey has evolved over the years, as have her powers. Her ability to fire explosive blasts of energy has been noted by Emma Frost to have a pyrokinetic effect, and Jubilee can also manipulate that energy on a subatomic level. While she lost her powers for a bit and even became a vampire for a time, Jubilee has settled into motherhood as a powerful member of Excalibur.
13 Doctor Voodoo's Control Over Magic Allows Him To Manipulate Fire With Spells As Well
Not all heroes in the Marvel Universe who control fire are born with the natural ability. Sometimes the control over magic comes from having an affinity for magic that utilizes fire in their practices. One such hero who has become a staple of the Marvel Universe over the years is the magical and powerful Doctor Voodoo.
Jericho Drumm is an accredited psychologist who took to the practice of voodoo after his brother was tragically slain by a rival voodoo sorcerer. He's had many adventures since, and works alongside not only Doctor Strange, but the Avengers as well.
12 Daimon Hellstrom Is The Son Of Satan Who Can Wield And Control Hellfire And Mystical Spells
Daimon Hellstrom is the son of Satan himself, which gifted him with an innate ability to control hellfire. Both he and his sister, Satana, were trained in the dark arts by their father. But unlike his sister, Daimon rejected his demonic heritage, deciding to cling desperately to his humanity.
He grew up to become an occult investigator and protector of humanity from threats like his own father and others like him. His demonic heritage allows him to wield and control hellfire and he has helped several heroes over the years as a result of his humanity.
11 Firebird Is An Avenger Who Can Generate Dangerous Levels Of Heat And Energy
Bonita Juarez gained her incredible abilities after a fiery comet landed near her, dousing her in radioactive energies. She gained the ability to generate and manipulate extreme heat while also manifesting as a giant flame bird.
She adopted the name Firebird as she assumed the development of her powers was connected to the American Indian legend. Firebird joined the Avengers and other teams like the Texas Rangers where her fire powers were put to good use. The actual origins of her abilities were never fully explored.
10 Jim Hammond Is An Advanced Android Who Was Also Marvel's Very First Human Torch
In the days of Captain America, Bucky and Namor the Sub Mariner, there was another hero who emerged during the WWII years. Wielding the power of fire, that hero was the original Human Torch, Jim Hammond.
Hammond was an android created during WWII who gained power control over fire and decided to help save humanity. He was deactivated for a time after the war but was brought into the modern Marvel universe — joining teams like the West Coast Avengers and the All-New Invaders. He also worked alongside a younger fire wielder known as Toro for years.
9 Crystal Is A Member Of The Inhuman Royal Family With A Powerful Control Of The Elements
A member of the Inhuman Royal Family, Crystal was born into royalty. She joined with other Earth heroes after her family was first discovered by the Fantastic Four and then later ousted out of their kingdom by Maximus.
Crystal would learn to become a hero to the people of Earth, joining forces with the Fantastic Four, the Avengers, and many others over the years. One of her many powers includes fire manipulation, allowing her to control and manipulate fire into any form she chooses. She can also spontaneously ignite fire at will.
8 Magma's Mutant Geo-Thermokinesis Allows Her To Tap Into The Liquid Hot Lava Of Earth
Amara Aquilla spent most of her life in a hidden Roman colony in South America known as Nova Roma, although her mutant powers of geo-thermokinesis eventually manifested. Her ability to control and manipulate the hot molten lava from the Earth's core made her a powerful member of the New Mutants known as Magma.
While her true origins as a British exile named Alison Crestmere were ultimately discovered, it didn't hinder her control of earth and fire. She's also capable of transforming her body into a powerful molten form that further increases her threat level.
7 Ghost Rider Has The Power To Control And Manipulate Hellfire As The Spirit Of Vengeance
One of the most powerful figures on Earth who is specifically connected to hellfire is the infamous Ghost Rider. While there have been many iterations of the character, each is a human possessed by the demon Zarathos (or similar entities) and is compelled to pass judgment on those who have wronged others.
Riding modern-day vehicles like motorcycles or street race cars that are transformed by hellfire, the supernatural hero rides and battles not only massive threats to the world but also the hidden demons as well — including the demonic Mephisto.
6 Angelica Jones Is A Mutant Named Firestar Who Can Generate Deadly Microwave Heat
While she first appeared on TV as part of Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends, Angelica Jones soon made her comic debut as Firestar. She originally worked with Emma Frost's Hellions before she struck out on her own. Firestar joined the New Warriors in the '90s.
Firestar has the mutant ability to generate powerful microwave pulses of heat. She can use this ability to fly and create powerful blasts of microwave heat she can manipulate in various ways. She's still learning how to control her fiery abilities, although she returned to the New Warriors in an effort to help train other young heroes.
5 Sunfire Is A Japanese Mutant Who Controls Nuclear Fire As A Member Of Krakoa's X-Men
A powerful mutant hero named Sunfire began his career by attacking the United States before he later became one of the world’s greatest protectors. Shiro Yoshida's power of solar radiation and nuclear fire secretly makes Sunfire Marvel's most powerful mutant.
Growing up to hate the United States, he attacked several times before being convinced to team up with the X-Men over the years. He worked with Big Hero 6 in Japan before he was ultimately chosen to join Krakoa's official team of X-Men.
4 Pyreus Kril Was Transformed By Galactus Into The Powerful Herald Known As Firelord
The Devourer of Worlds known as Galactus roams the universe looking for planets to consume. However, he's forced to empower beings to be his Heralds in order to find planets for his consumption as well as to fight battles in his name thanks to the Power Cosmic he grants them.
Pyreus Kril was a galactic explorer when he impressed Galactus with his bravery, so he was transformed by the Power Cosmic into a fiery new Herald known as Firelord. In his new form, Kril can control and manipulate cosmic fire while wielding a powerful cosmic staff that constantly burns as well.
3 Frankie Raye Gained The Ability To Control Fire Before Galactus Turned Her Into Nova
When Frankie Raye first appeared in the pages of Fantastic Four, she was the love interest of Johnny Storm. However, when she burst into flames after being exposed to his own fiery body, Raye's past as the adopted daughter of scientist Phineas T. Horton was revealed.
Horton created the original android Human Torch, and Frankie had been exposed as a child to the chemicals which caused Hammond to burst into flame. Raye's fire powers brought her to the attention of Galactus. He offered her the chance to explore the galaxy as one of Galactus's most powerful heralds. Agreeing, her powers were enhanced by the Power Cosmic to become the fiery Nova.
2 Johnny Storm Became The Second Human Torch When He Was Transformed With The Fantastic Four
One of the most powerful heroes to manipulate or control fire is the iconic member of the Fantastic Four, Johnny Storm. Also known as the modern-day Human Torch, Johnny was with his sister Sue, Reed Richards, and Ben Grimm when they were hit with cosmic rays in space — granting him his power to control and become engulfed in flames.
His power level is so great, that during the events of Secret Wars God Emperor Doom made Johnny the new power source of the sun itself. The Human Torch is one of Marvel’s most iconic fire-based heroes who even has his own catchphrase: Flame on!
1 The Phoenix Force Gives Its Hosts The Ability To Control And Manipulate Destructive Fire
The most powerful of all the Marvel heroes who can control or manipulate fire is none other than the Phoenix Force. Jean Grey is the most notorious X-Men member to be a host of the cosmic entity's awesome power, although many characters had the Phoenix Force over the years.
Part of this entity’s power includes massive control over flames, especially if the host is corrupted into the Dark Phoenix. While the entity’s powers are so much more than just fire — as they have a cosmic level energy output — fire is a component of those cosmic energies and thus puts Phoenix at the top of all fire-based heroes.