After Eddie Brock released his article and presented his evidence to the media, the Human Torch's reputation plummeted to rock bottom.
Some fans had once admired the Human Torch for his powerful abilities and flamboyant personality, but once they learned that Kraft had stripped him of his powers, even those fans who worshipped his strength abandoned him.
Johnny Storm was now universally despised. He could not find a single supporter.
Not only that, people Johnny had bullied in the past also came forward, speaking out in the media to condemn the Human Torch as a bully masquerading as a superhero.
Naturally, some opportunists joined in, but many media outlets had no intention of verifying their claims. Why pass up such a hot story? As far as they were concerned, the former superhero was already finished. They might as well squeeze some use out of him and make a quick buck.
And that former superhero, condemned by the media and reviled by the public, was now just an ordinary man. Johnny Storm sat at home, sprawled on his couch, staring blankly at the ceiling with a look of utter dejection.
Losing the powers he had been so proud of had dealt Johnny Storm a devastating blow. Worse still, his recklessness had cost Reed and the others their powers as well.
Ever since he regained consciousness, Johnny had hidden at home, constantly numbing himself with alcohol.
His face was now covered in stubble, and a sour stench clung to his body. He looked just like a homeless man on the street.
He fumbled around on the coffee table beside him, grabbed a random half-finished can of beer, and poured it into his mouth. Then he picked up a bag of corn chips and tipped some into his mouth, chewing mechanically a few