If you’re a Matty Collector subscriber, you’ll be allowed to purchase your Total Heroes Firestorm action figure starting Thursday, 11/13 at 8am PST (11am EST) through Friday, 11/14 8am PST (11am EST). Everyone else will have the chance to purchase starting on Monday, 11/17 at 9am PST (12pm EST).

Be advised that once the figure goes on sale on Thursday, November 13, it is subject to “early access sellout”. That means if too many figures are ordered by Matty Collector subscribers, it may not be available to the general public on Monday, November 17. Also, I’ve been advised by some previous Matty Collector members to brace myself for high prices. Some estimates I’ve heard include $30 for the figure and $10 for shipping. That is simply an estimate and not a recommended price or promise of a price (it could be significantly higher or lower — who knows).

If you want to read the entire announcement, here are the details:

This November, our monthly sale brings new meaning to the phrase “we’re stuffed.” Our warehouse is packed to the rafters with new figures, an updated vehicle, and a pair that’s been waiting to be together since 2011, Bow™ and his trusty steed, Arrow™! Read on for everything you need to know…

Early Access 11/13

• Thursday, 11/13 from 8 a.m. PT to Friday, 11/14 at 8 a.m. PT (subscribers only)
• Products Available: MOTU Giant Stratos®, MOTUC Battle Ram™ with Man-At-Arms®, Bow™, Snake Face™, Firestorm

All Access 11/17

• Monday, 11/17 at 9 a.m. PT (everyone)
• MOTU Giant Stratos®* (Club MOTU™ Giants monthly figure)
• MOTUC Arrow™ (Club Eternia® “variant” figure)Bow™ also available
• MOTUC Battle Ram™ with Man-At-Arms®*
• MOTUC Bow™*
• MOTUC New Adventures She-Ra® (Club Etheria™ monthly figure)
• MOTUC Snake Face™*
• MOTUC Tung Lashor™ (Club Eternia® monthly figure)
• DCU Firestorm*

*Subject to Early Access sellout.

November Subscription Key Dates

• Subscriptions Renew/Cards Charged: Starting Wednesday 11/12
• Subscription Orders Ship: Starting Friday 11/14

I gotta tell ya, a tiny evil voice in my mind considered not promoting this release date to ensure I get my own hands on one of these figures. However, my overall love for Firestorm and my fellow Match-heads won the day! So get ready for the upcoming purchasing frenzy!

My thanks to folks like Earth-2 Chris who sent me information on the upcoming availability!

Support Firestorm (and this Matty Collector figure)! Fan the flame!

Love, Love, Love this art!! My thanks to Edward Crosby for directing me towards this piece.

Support Firestorm (and John Gallagher)! Fan the flame!

Giving credit, I found the images here and here. Keep your eye on Matty Collector for more information on this fig!

Support Firestorm! Fan the flame!

Here is a snapshot of my own personal collection! Click to enlarge.

The very first Firestorm action figure is still the most beloved by many fans…
Super Powers Collection Firestorm (1985)

Next, the miniature DC Direct Pocket Super Heroes Firestorm action figure (Sept. 2002)
Instead of fire-hair, I’m pretty sure that’s just Aquaman’s hair repainted.

Then, the first “inaction” figure, part of DC HeroClix Cosmic Justice – Firestorm (Mar. 2003)
Cool pose, but the paint jobs can REALLY vary.

Next, my personal favorite Nuclear Man action figure, DC Direct JLA Series 2 (Dec. 2004)
Ironically, when this figure was released, Firestorm was already sporting a new look with
Jason Rusch as the new Firestorm, and thus this figure’s design was out-dated at release.

Then, Jason’s first action figure, DC Direct’s Infinite Crisis
Firestorm with flaming stand (May 2007)

Next, Jason’s entry in DC HeroClix Justice League – Firestorm (Sept. 2007)

Then, a pair of figures in Mattel’s DC Universe Classics line,
Firestorm (Jason) and variant (Ronnie) (Nov. 2008)

Next, Jason got animated with Batman: The Brave and the Bold
Rocket Blast with Firestorm action figure (Nov. 2009)

Then, Ronnie got small with DC Universe Infinite Heroes Firestorm action figure  (Jan. 2010)

Next, Ronnie got funky & chunky in this Blammoid Firestorm (Jan. 2010)

Then, Eaglemoss produced this lead mini-figurine as part of the
DC Comics Superhero Collection Figurine Magazine #46 featuring Firestorm (Mar. 2010)

Next, the first piece featuring Ronnie & Jason together was
DC Brightest Day HeroClix Action Pack with Firestorm (Oct. 2010)

Then, these adorable DC Universe Action League figures – Deathstorm vs Firestorm (Dec. 2010)

Next, Ronnie got animated in the Mattel Convention Exclusive
Justice League Unlimited 3-Pack: Angle Man, Firestorm & Killer Frost (Apr. 2011)
Yes, that’s right.. with Angle Man?!? Click to enlarge.

Then, the most unexpected Firestorm toy (and most unrecognizable) came in
McDonalds Happy Meal – Batman: The Brave and the Bold (Apr. 2011)

Next, one of my favorite Nuclear Man action figures, DC Direct’s Brightest Day Firestorm
(July 2011). Ironically (for a second time), when this figure was released, the New 52
costume redesign for Firestorm had already been promoted. That’s twice a new figure
was released just after a new look was revealed, thus making the figure’s design out-dated.

Then, the first New 52 Firestorm merchandise produced included DC Heroclix:
The New 52 Justice League with Ronnie, Jason & Fury (Aug. 2012).  Ironically (third time’s
the charm), when these HeroClix were released, the New 52 “Ronnie & Jason merged”
costume redesign for Firestorm had already been promoted. That’s three times a new figure
was released just after a new look was revealed, thus making the figure’s design out-dated.

Next, Eaglemoss produced another Firestorm mini-figurine as part of DC Superhero Chess
Figure Collector Magazine, issue #53 Firestorm White Pawn (Mar. 2014). Ironically
(a fourth time, seriously), when this figurine was released, The New 52: Futures End
costume redesign for Firestorm had already been promoted.  This makes four times
a new figure was released just after a new look was revealed, thus making the
figure’s design out-dated.

Finally, later this year the Mattel’s Matty Collector Club will release a Firestorm
figure as part of their Total Heroes line! It looks so cool and comes
with a floating Professor Stein head accessory!! Click to enlarge.

And just for fun, here is a Firestorm Cubee! A Fan-created do-it-yourself
figure made entirely from folded paper!

Thanks for checking out this Firestorm action figure index! I’ll update it from time to time as more Firestorm toys become available. Reminder, there will be a follow-up post soon featuring Firestorm’s supporting cast and foes. So check back!

Support Firestorm! Fan the flame!

The artist is a teenager from Mexico named Jules Suarez. A teenager!! How cool is that?!?! First of all, I don’t know a lot of teenage fans of Firestorm. Second, if his art is this good during his teenage years, just think how good he’ll be as an adult! Great job, Jules!! Keep up the fantastic work! Be sure to follow Jules on deviantART and Tumblr!

Just about every Firestorm is represented in this drawing!! Here is a complete list of all incarnations in Jules’ art:

• Original Firestorm (Ronnie Raymond / Martin Stein)
• Elemental Firestorm (Martin Stein)
• Jason Rusch (1st Firestorm form)
• Jason Rusch (One Year Later design)
• Deathstorm (Black Lantern Firestorm)
• Brightest Day Firestorm (Ronnie Raymond / Jason Rusch)
• Jason Rusch (New 52 Firestorm Protocols)
• Ronnie Raymond (New 52 Firestorm Protocols)
• Fury (New 52 Firestorm Protocols)
• Current Firestorm (Ronnie Raymond / Jason Rusch)
• Crime Syndicate Deathstorm (Martin Stein)

The only Firestorm missing is the “Blank Slate” Firestorm. However, to be fair the only recognizable difference between the “Blank Slate” and the original Firestorm are the red cowl sideburns. So really, the art works just fine without it.

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In his blog post, Joe explained:

… [the mindmap] is based off of the original plans through issue #12… in which Ronnie and Jason, the two disagreeable Firestorms, would have taken on Pozhar, who’d sought to control Ronnie and gain access to the Quantum Field via the young man’s special connection which he coveted. Following this showdown, Ronnie and Jason, along with those Firestorms who survived, were to head into the mountains of northern Pakistan in search of a new villain named “Ashra Khan,” whom we were going to reveal was behind the “Rogue” Firestorms, a kind of Colonel Kurtz leading broken warriors fighting a war outside the war. And the conclusion of that story arc would have propelled us toward what’s being worked toward in this document.

For all the details and a better look at this mindmap, be sure to head over to Joe’s blog by clicking here.

Wow! There are some really interesting concepts put forth in there! It would have been fascinating to have seen this journey unfold. During a discussion on Facebook, Joe also shared this:

I always wanted to take the series toward a real epic, ‘cosmic level’ event. When you start dealing with the nuclear forces of stars, you start considering the notions of black holes, supernovae and, potentially, wormholes… which is where this all comes from. It would have been fun, but alas…

We may not have seen Joe’s vision unfold in the pages of Firestorm, but you can still support his work! Check out his current project, Great Pacific from Image Comics! For all the latest, follow Joe on Twitter and Facebook!

My thanks to the following Match-heads for the heads-up on this story: Vito Delsante, Bill Powell, Ken Deemer, and Ray Tigner. Thanks!!

Support Firestorm (and Joe Harris)! Fan the flame!

Okay, that’s not exactly true. Fury wasn’t supposed to be German, but man, doesn’t it look cool!?!? This comes from the first trade of The Fury of Firestorm: The Nuclear Men, translated into German. These pics come to us from our good friend Jon from FIZZIT, the Firestorm-themed blog! More pics below!

Thanks again to our good buddy Jon of the Firestorm-themed FIZZIT blog for sending us these photos!  Be sure to check out Jon’s awesome Firestorm original art collection!

Support Firestorm! Fan the flame!

Shot of several Firestorm’s in the game

Ronnie Raymond version of Firestorm, with Firestorm Protocols costume
(9th incarnation of Firestorm).

Jason Rusch version of Firestorm, with his original costume
(6th incarnation of Firestorm).

Elemental Firestorm (3rd incarnation of Firestorm).

Firestorm suit available to playable character, Maxwell.

Group shot of the Firestorms hanging with Red Tornado.

Black Lantern Firestorm (a.k.a. Deathstorm)

Extreme Justice featuring Firestorm (though costumes are more modern)

Firehawk with Lorraine Reilly text, but with New 52 Therese costume.

Soyuz and individual entries.

Captain X, Ronnie Raymond’s grandfather.

Killer Frost

Multiplex

Black Bison

Plastique

Brimstone

Bolt

Naiad

Zuggernaut… yes, Zuggernaut is in the game!

Finally, Keith was incredibly thorough and searched the game for numerous other characters. Sadly, here is a list of characters that didn’t make it into the game: Typhoon, Hyena, Professor Martin Stein, Doreen Day, Cliff Carmichael, Gehenna, Pozhar, Bug & Byte, Tokamak, Silver Deer, Mindboggler, Goldenrod, Moonbow, Shadowstorm, Shoe Shine, Power Company, Stalnoivolk, Weasel, and most disappointing is… Slipknot.

Again, our thanks to Keith for sending all these great screenshots! Be sure to pick up your copy of Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure today!

Support Firestorm (and Scribblenauts)! Fan the flame!

]]> http://firestormfan.com/2013/10/01/scribblenauts-2/feed/ 6 http://firestormfan.com/2013/08/27/evs-stein/ http://firestormfan.com/2013/08/27/evs-stein/#comments Tue, 27 Aug 2013 09:30:26 +0000 http://firestormfan.com/?p=8353 Remember the ghostly glimpse of Professor Martin Stein in The Fury of Firestorm: The Nuclear Men #8 (2012) drawn by Ethan Van Sciver? This was a big moment for Match-heads as it was the first time we’d seen Professor Stein in the New 52 (other than flashbacks)! We saw the outline of Martin’s glasses and heard him call Ronnie by the name, “Ronald’! It was only one panel, but it was enough to jump for joy!!

Below you’ll find the original art for that page by Ethan Van Sciver, followed by the print version with colors by Hi-Fi! Click the pages to enlarge.

The best part… I’m now the proud owner of this original page!!! In all my years collecting Firestorm, this is only the second original page I’ve ever owned! I’m so thrilled about this! I gotta tell ya, Ethan is an incredible guy. He’s always been so supportive of FIRESTORM FAN, whether it was during his tenure on the book or even after. Thank you, Ethan!

Man I love this page!! Be sure to support Ethan’s work on Batman: The Dark Knight, as the upcoming regular cover artist on Earth-2, and the zillions of variant covers he’s got lined up in the next few months!

Also, I need to extend thanks to Roger Priebe who arranged the shipping of this art piece! Thanks Roger! Be sure to visit Roger’s site Off the Record DVD and pick up his interview with Gerry Conway on DVD!

Support Firestorm (and Ethan Van Sciver)! Fan the flame!

Looks to me this is an amalgamation of Van Sciver’s costume for Ronnie Raymond from his tenure on the book, combined with the classic Firestorm look. Pretty much everything is Van Sciver’s costume for Ronnie, with the exception of the yellow tunic with pointed shoulders. Looks great!

Support Firestorm (and Ethan Van Sciver)! Fan the flame!

PS: Be sure to come back tomorrow for an interview with Pat Broderick, the fan-favorite artist who launched The Fury of Firestorm: The Nuclear Man back in 1982!