The heat is definitely on. Johnny Storm has always been the Fantastic Four’s resident heartthrob, but the buzz around his latest look has hit a fever pitch. If you’ve been scrolling through social media lately, you’ve probably seen the "Sunny Sizzler" everywhere. It’s the kind of cosmetic that makes people lose their minds—and their in-game currency.
Let’s be real for a second. Most superhero skins are just slightly different shades of spandex. Boring. But when NetEase dropped the Sunny Sizzler for Johnny Storm in Marvel Rivals, they actually leaned into the character's "vacation in the Hamptons" energy. It’s not just a costume; it’s a vibe.
Why the Sunny Sizzler actually matters
In Marvel Rivals Season 4, the "Summer Special Vol. 2" event turned the battlefield into a beach party. While some characters got standard swimsuits, Johnny’s look felt different. He’s rocking a patterned shirt, some shades, and—controversially—socks with sandals.
Yeah. Socks with sandals.
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Reddit went into a total meltdown over those socks. Some players called it "diabolical," while others argued it’s exactly the kind of dorky, overconfident move Johnny would make. He knows he's hot. He knows he’s a celebrity. He doesn't care if your fashion rules say no socks at the beach. Plus, as one fan pointed out, if they get wet, he can literally just flash-dry them in two seconds. That’s a flex.
How to get the skin (and why it's tricky)
If you’re trying to track this down right now, you need to know the specifics. This wasn't a standard shop item that stays forever.
- The Event Pass: Johnny’s summer skin was tucked into the Premium Event Pass for 990 Lattice.
- Instant Unlock: The cool part? He was at Level 1. You didn't have to grind for forty hours to look like you're headed to a pool party.
- The "Vol. 2" Factor: This was part of the second wave of summer content, alongside Mantis and the Invisible Woman.
The FOMO (fear of missing out) is real with these because they are limited-time releases. If you missed the window during the September 2025 rollout, you're basically at the mercy of the developers for a rerun. NetEase hasn't been super clear about when these seasonal sets return, which makes the Sunny Sizzler one of those "you had to be there" items.
The Fortnite connection
Wait, isn't there a Johnny Storm summer skin in Fortnite too?
Sorta, but not really. In July 2025, Fortnite launched the Fantastic Four as part of the hype for The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Johnny got a great skin there for 1,800 V-Bucks, but it wasn't a "beach" skin. It featured his classic look with a built-in "Flame On!" emote.
People often confuse the two because the Fortnite release happened in the middle of summer. If you’re looking for the shirtless, shades-wearing version, you’re looking for Marvel Rivals. If you want the one that turns into a literal human torch during a 1v1 build battle, that’s Fortnite.
What people get wrong about the VFX
There’s a common complaint that Johnny Storm skins are a waste of money. The logic? He’s always on fire, so you can’t even see the clothes.
Honestly, that's a fair point, but it's not entirely true for the Sunny Sizzler. In Marvel Rivals, the devs actually tweaked the visuals so he isn't a constant orange blob. The flames are more isolated to his limbs unless he’s using his ultimate. This allows the floral pattern of his shirt to actually pop during gameplay.
There was also a huge technical update around this time that allowed other players to see your custom VFX. Before that, you were basically paying for a fancy fire effect that only you could appreciate. Now, when you're flying around the map as a summer-themed fireball, the whole lobby gets to see the "custom aura" you paid for.
Actionable next steps for collectors
If you’re desperate to add a Johnny Storm summer skin to your collection, here is the current reality check:
- Check the Marvel Rivals Shop: While the event pass is the primary source, keep an eye on "Flash Sales" or "Recap Bundles." These often pop up toward the end of a fiscal quarter.
- Don't buy from third parties: You’ll see "account sellers" claiming to have the Sunny Sizzler skin. Don't do it. Most of these are scams, and even if they aren't, NetEase is aggressive about banning sold accounts.
- Prepare for Winter: If the summer patterns hold true, we can expect a "Winter Chill" series soon. If you missed the beach look, there’s a high probability of a "Snowboarding Johnny" skin that will likely follow the same Event Pass structure.
The Sunny Sizzler isn't just a cosmetic; it's a testament to how much personality you can cram into a digital character. Whether you love the socks or hate the shirt, you can't deny it made a splash.