Byrne FF Story and Connection

Viewing the omnipresent ads for the upcoming Jim Carrey movie 'Bruce Almighty' set something in the back of my brain abuzzin that there was a similar idea (ordinary schlub given God-like power) at work in one of John Byrne's early FF stories. (And, yes, I suppose that's the basic concept behind the Molecule Man, too, but he became a 'supervillain' for a time...not quite the same tone.)

Anyone remember the story? Involves Ego the Living Planet, somehow? Ends with the guy (a very Walter Mitty-esque character) utterly unaware of his

Actually that story was discussed here a few weeks ago. It was called 'the Man with the Power' and it appeared in FF 234. In the story, Ego's arrival totally devastates the Earth. The now traumatized 'Walter Mitty' character, who had been unknowingly doing relatively mundane miracles up until that point, wishs that the disaster never happened, which sets his godlike powers in motion to rewrite history and restore the earth. However, in doing so, his power is burned out, and so he becomes a regular joe without even knowing that he previously had been essentially a god.

How does he get away with that?

I don't know about where it appears in Marvel but the concept goes back to H.G. Wells and his short story 'The Man who Could Work Miracles'. It became a classic fantasy movie as well.

Ah, yes

I saw 'Bruce Almighty' yesterday. I rate it a 9/10. No 10 because the first 15 minutes or so moved kind of slow.

It is a charming movie with excellent performances all the way around.