The Fantastic Four: First Steps saw some interesting power adjustments for Marvel’s First Family, but they make perfect sense in the context of the film. The MCU has built up an impressive roster of characters adapted from the comics. However, some powers need to be altered in the translation from page to screen.

This can be seen universally across the board, with some heroes being significantly less powerful than their comic book counterparts, like Mantis, who has a range of psychic powers in the comics, but specifically influences emotions in the MCU. Then, in other cases, the powers can be completely altered, like Kamala Khan becoming a mutant who can wield light instead of her more fantastic stretching powers from the comics.

Now, with The Fantastic Four joining the fray, these iconic heroes have finally had a chance to shine in the MCU. And while their powers remain largely unaltered from the comics, there are some small differences that set these versions of the heroes apart.

Johnny Storm’s Space De-Powering Is Technically An MCU Nerf

The Human Torch Has Limited Range In The Fantastic Four: First Steps

For instance, Johnny Storm, the H๏τ-headed member of the team, and the younger brother of Sue Storm, shows off his abilities from the start, when he saves several people in need, and manages to absorb the roaring flames from surrounding emblazoned buildings. As impressive as these feats are, and they reveal Johnny has clearly honed his powers over the four years that these heroes have been operating, there are limits.

When Johnny Storm and the rest of the team take off into the depths of space, they are all equipped with specially designed suits from their leader, Reed Richards. Adjusting for the more hostile environment of space, Reed has equipped their suits with oxygen, and for Johnny in particular, this proves to be vital to him exercising his abilities.

In this iteration, Johnny is unable to “flame on” in deep space, as, despite his powers, the lack of oxygen means he can’t sustain his powered-up form. This is a departure from other versions of the character, who can continue in their fired-up form even as they fly into the stars.

The Human Torch’s MCU Power Moment Makes Total Sense In Context

Johnny Storm Has A Wealth Of Experience Fighting Earthbound Villains

Now, this may be seen as a downgrade of the heroes’ powers, but it makes sense in the story portrayed in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. While this family of heroes have been operating for the past four years, and they have been honing their abilities to an impressive level, facing Galactus was a totally new challenge. Up to this point, the heroes of Earth-828 have been the only beings with genuine superpowers on their planet.

And before Galactus and his herald, Shalla-Bal, made themselves known, the existence of other powerful beings beyond the clouds was merely a speculation that Reed was hoping to uncover through messages sent out into the void. With all of this in mind, Johnny has never had to put his powers to the test in space.

Sure, he acquired these abilities while in space on a rocket with the rest of the team, but Reed would have vigorously tested their abilities on Earth. And since then, Reed, overwhelmed by guilt for having changed his friends and family’s lives forever, has avoided updating the suits or spaceship until it was essential.

All in all, Johnny’s lack of experience is likely a big factor in why he can’t use his powers in space. He still has room to grow and to develop his powers, but for this outing, and their first encounter in space, it makes sense for Johnny to rely on a suit with extra oxygen, and Reed to try and prevent a scenario where he has no control.

The MCU May Be Building Up To Letting Johnny Storm Use His Powers In Space

The Human Torch Has Room To Grow And Evolve In The MCU

We already know that Johnny Storm and the rest of The Fantastic Four will return in Avengers: Doomsday. Now, to get to this point, the heroes need to make their way to Earth-616, and from that point, they will likely encounter new challenges that take them beyond the surface of just one planet. This will be the perfect environment for these heroes to grow and improve their abilities.

And chief among them, Johnny Storm’s ability to use his powers in space may become vital for such a scenario. While Sue could conceivably use her powers to create bubbles to transport her family through space, Johnny’s ability to propel himself at high speeds and launch fire blasts may be incredibly important.

But, Johnny will need to spend some more time honing his powers beyond the comfort of the atmosphere, and learn where his limits truly lie. No doubt, Reed and the others will do all they can to help him in this pursuit, which again provides a great opportunity for the family to grow together.

Establishing this moment requires Johnny to start out at a point where he is still learning about his abilities. Just like many other heroes, when push comes to shove, these characters have a chance to grow and overcome overwhelming odds, just as they did in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and as they will surely do again in Avengers: Doomsday and beyond.