Human Flame

Human Flame
The Human Flame as depicted in Justice League of America (vol. 2) #21 (July 2008); art by Carlos Pacheco.
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	Detective Comics #274 (December 1959)
Created by	Jack Miller (writer) Joe Certa (art)
In-story information
Full name	Michael Miller
Team affiliations	The Society
Abilities	Formerly: Use of a special flamethrowing suit Cybernetic enhancements Implanted miniaturized flamethrowers in hands, mouth, forehead and belly Currently: Molten, radioactive body Ability to increase his mass and density Ability to create and command flames

The Human Flame (Michael Miller) is a supervillain in DC Comics' main shared universe. He is mostly known as an enemy of Martian Manhunter.

Publication history

He first appeared in Detective Comics #274 (December 1959), and was created by Jack Miller and Joe Certa.

The character was not used again for 48 years before reappearing in Final Crisis . The writer, Grant Morrison, explained why they picked such an obscure character:

With The Human Flame, I wanted a Martian Manhunter villain, and I couldn't find a really good one. Then, looking through the old Showcase Presents books, I discovered this stupid guy called Mike, who declared himself to be The Human Flame. And he wore a homemade costume with six nipples that shot flames. So I just thought this is a great way to start this book because the idea is that Libra gives all the villains a very simple choice, he says, 'Follow me and I'll give you your heart's desire'. And that's it. And some of the villains naturally say, 'Prove it'. So the Human Flame is one of the first to fall in with Libra and he says, 'If you can get revenge on my old enemy, who has had me stuck in jail for the last five years, I'll follow you anywhere'. I needed a small-scale dumb guy, who could make very big waves and open the book with a shock moment and The Human Flame fit the bill. ^[1]

Human Flame is featured in the Final Crisis tie-in Final Crisis Aftermath: Run!, written by Lilah Sturges with art by Freddie Williams II. ^{[2] [3] [4]}

Fictional character biography

The Human Flame is a minor villain and early enemy of the Martian Manhunter. ^[5] Following his initial appearance, he does not appear for decades until his return in Final Crisis (2008). ^[6] In the event, the Human Flame joins the Secret Society of Super Villains, becomes a cyborg after Professor Milo enhances him to save him from Heat Wave, and transforms into a fiery humanoid after infusing himself with radiation. ^{[7] [8] [9] [10]}

In DC Rebirth , the Human Flame works with Devil Ray, who later betrays and kills him. ^{[11] [12]}

Powers and abilities

In his initial appearance, the Human Flame has no powers, but wields several flamethrowers. In Final Crisis, he is transformed into a cyborg with flamethrower implants, and later into a fiery humanoid who can increase his mass and density at will.

In other media

• The Human Flame appears as a character summon in Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure . ^[13]
• The Human Flame makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in the Harley Quinn episode "Something Borrowed, Something Green".

References

1. ALL STAR GRANT MORRISON I: Final Crisis, Comic Book Resources, April 15, 2008
2. Behind the Page - Matthew Sturges, 2, Newsarama, February 10, 2009
3. Ian Sattler on the Final Crisis: Aftermath Titles, Newsarama, February 11, 2009
4. The Most Powerful? Matt Sturges on The Human Flame and Run!, Newsarama, February 16, 2009
5. Detective Comics #274 (December 1959). DC Comics.
6. Justice League of America (vol. 2) #21 (July 2008). DC Comics.
7. Final Crisis #1 (July 2008). DC Comics.
8. Final Crisis #3 (September 2008). DC Comics.
9. Final Crisis #7 (March 2009). DC Comics.
10. Final Crisis Aftermath: Run! #1 - #6 (May - October 2009). DC Comics.
11. Wonder Twins #4. DC Comics.
12. Black Manta #1. DC Comics.
13. Eisen, Andrew (October 2, 2013). "DC Characters and Objects - Scribblenauts Unmasked Guide". IGN. Retrieved July 14, 2024.

External links

• Human Flame at the Comic Book DB (archived from the original )
• FINAL CRISIS FLASHBACK: Libra & Human Flame, Comic Book Resources, June 5, 2008
• Human Flame at the DC Database Project