What I always found interesting about
the Human Torch was that he couldn't simply
set himself on fire, but he actually had to say "
Flame on!" in order to do so. Was it
just for show, or was he physically unable to
light up without the
magic words?
It's an
interesting question. All one would have to do to
incapacitate the Human Torch would be to
gag him before he could say anything. Or give him a particularly sticky
toffee. Or some
Novocaine. Or cut his
tongue out.
What use is a
super power if you have to say something to
activate it? You never hear
Superman yell "I'm going to fly away now!" before he leaps into the air, and
Batman would rather die than
holler: "Activate Devastating
Karate Chop Action!" I'm almost certain that the habit of pronouncing attacks in most
anime ("Super Power Laser Cannon of Shining Death Fire NOW!") and
Pokemon ("
Pikachu! Use your Hyper Mega Thunder Death Ray!") is just for show; the extra
emphasis that
this is going to hurt.
I'd like to give
the Human Torch some Novocaine and see if he was yelling "
Flame on!" all those years just for show. Besides, it's funny watching anyone trying to speak on
Novocaine.
TheBooBooKitty has just informed me that the pronouncing of one's super power is known as Invocation, according to Hero System. Also, Captain Marvel had to say "Shazam!" to activate his super powers. This had a dual effect, as most opponents died of laughter. Likewise with Isis and "Oh Zephyr winds that blow on high, lift me now that I might fly!" (a bit before my time, so thanks to dutchess for the info.)
Give me "Flame on!" anyday.