Fantastic Four #3: Nova Time 1

Fantastic Four #3, page 22, panel 1

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: Jack Kirby

Uncredited Inker: Sol Brodsky

Uncredited Letterer: Art Simek

Here we see the first use of one of the Human Torch's signature moves, the nova blast. Present in pretty much every interpretation of the character, the nova blast sees Johnny intensify the heat and flame he generates, letting it out in an explosive blast. In this instance,  he's using the nova blast to temporarily blind the Miracle Man.

This isn't the first time that the nova blast is mention on-panel - that would be in Fantastic Four #7 - but it's pretty much accepted that this is the first time he uses this power. Still no Flame On, though...

Check out our coverage of Fantastic Four #3 in our second episode: Secret Invasion Tie-In