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Reading Doomsday Clock #8 left me concerned that Firestorm might be permanently damaged as a character. Reading Doomsday Clock #9 just left me mad as hell.

Let me start by saying I realize this story isn’t finished yet. Therefore judging the overall story would be wrong; doing that before reading the ending is always a mistake. Instead I’m providing my commentary in regards to Firestorm’s activity in the story so far, and some speculation on the future direction of the Firestorm arc. Fair warning, this is gonna be a long one.

DOOMSDAY CLOCK #8

You should really read the issue itself, lots of Firestorm stuff in there (even Pozhar, now looking like the awesome Elemental Firestorm design!).

The short version is Ronnie Raymond decides, against Professor Stein’s recommendation, to fly to Russia to confront those accusing Firestorm of being part of the “Supermen Theory”.  The “Supermen Theory” is a conspiracy theory finding momentum that many superheroes were created as part of some secret government program.

While in Russia Firestorm battles the People’s Heroes. The Nuclear Man finds himself overwhelmed and (apparently) loses control of his powers and this happens…

Later Firestorm tries to use his power to reverse the glass transmutation…

Superman arrives to talk with Firestorm. Then…

Later at the site of the glass Russian citizens, the situation escalates again. Russian tanks and soldiers attack and open fire on Superman and Firestorm. Collateral damage shatters several of the glass Russian citizens, and presumably destroys any chance of reversing the process for those shattered. At the end, Firestorm nearly lose control of his powers again, but manages to calm down and regain his composure. Simultaneously at the same location, the heroes discover there is a massive amount of energy building but Batman insists it’s not coming from Firestorm. Finally, a massive explosion rocks the area, as Ozymandias watches happily from a secure location.

MY REACTION TO DOOMSDAY CLOCK #8

Whoa. Complete shock. How could this happen? Especially since Firestorm has never exhibited the ability to do this previously. Certainly there has been the occasional story where he impacted something organic, but never anything on a scale like this event.

Doomsday Clock #8 left me thinking this story could cause long term damage to the character of Firestorm. If Firestorm really did turn all those people to glass, then how does he come back from this? He is responsible for the death of all those glass people that were shattered by bullets and tanks. Yes, there is a redemptive arc where he turns the child back human and tries to do the right thing, but still so many people died. Firestorm would be responsible for involuntary manslaughter on a massive scale. It’s such a terrible action, future writers simply won’t be able to ignore these events. It will hang around the character’s neck like an albatross until the next major reboot. Think of characters forever changed by a story line, such as: Hank Pym hitting his wife, Speedball causing the destruction of an elementary school in Civil War, and Hawk becoming Monarch in Armageddon 2001. These stories forever changed the characters and these events hung around the characters like an albatross impacting future stories for years. Our friend Dr. Anj recently wrote an interesting piece about the comic book albatross over on his Supergirl blog, Comic Box Commentary.

I do have thoughts on what may have really happened, but I’m saving those for the section below, “Where does the story go from here?”

After all that, I had no idea what was in store for me in Doomsday Clock #9…

DOOMSDAY CLOCK #9

Again, you should really read the issue itself. Lots of interesting stuff in there, especially with Dr. Manhattan.

The general public have turned on Superman and there are protests against the Man of Steel. Meanwhile, the explosion last issue has left Superman comatose. The President of the United States puts out a statement condemning Superman’s actions in defending Firestorm.

Ronnie Raymond and Professor Stein awake on a spaceship to discover they’ve been framed for the explosion at the end of issue #8. The heroes of Earth believe the explosion was actually caused by a source on the planet Mars, and they are heading that way to confront whomever responsible.

Batman reaffirms that Firestorm wasn’t responsible for the explosion in Russia, but also suggests the heroes have been deceived into believing the answer is on Mars.

Meanwhile on the spaceship, Professor Stein is very angry about being taken from Earth…

Ronnie and the Professor continue to conflict over just about everything. The heroes confront Dr. Manhattan on the surface of Mars, and Manhattan blasts Ronnie into some sort of mindscape…

In the end, it appears Dr. Manhattan devastates the Earth’s heroes. The back matter of the issue includes this memo from Professor Stein..

MY REACTION TO DOOMSDAY CLOCK #9

What the holy hell?!?!? And I thought issue #8 would leave a negative legacy for Firestorm!?!?

Reading this issue for me was a roller-coaster of curiosity, then discomfort, then shock, then horror, then anger and finally cursing. Lots of cursing.

Two pages that change Firestorm forever (maybe). So we’re supposed to believe that Professor Stein secretly manipulated Ronnie Raymond and orchestrated the creation of Firestorm? The purpose of Firestorm was so Stein could infiltrate the collection of superheroes to learn their darkest secrets? Stein also has a previously unrevealed son, which we’re left to assume died when his metagene activated? Those are some pretty big pills to swallow.

In 41 years of Firestorm comics, not once has there been a hint of Professor Stein being manipulative. This is a drastic and sudden departure from the Professor Stein we’ve known. He’s always been a guiding force for Ronnie and shown to be a genuinely good person. To be specific, this is technically the New 52/Rebirth version of Professor Stein, which we don’t know all that well. In the New 52, he was somewhat controlling about the Firestorm Protocols, but let’s be honest with ourselves that most people pretend that story never happened. I find it hard to believe that the New 52/Rebirth version of Professor Stein is that drastically different from the classic version.

Another way to look at this is… the death of Professor Martin Stein’s son led him to these reprehensible acts. Really? Because the internet needs another excuse to accuse Geoff Johns of “daddy issues” in his comics?

I’m not buying into this origin retcon, and I’ll explain further below.

WHERE DOES THE STORY GO FROM HERE?

I’m hoping future issues will reveal Firestorm’s activities (both in present day and the newly-revealed origin) are essentially a Captain America “Hail Hydra” plot. Meaning that Dr. Manhattan or Ozymandias (or perhaps both) have retconned history and events to produce this inexcusable behavior from Professor Martin Stein and Firestorm. There are already precedents in Doomsday Clock for “wibbily wobbly timey wimey” nonsense from Dr. Manhattan; moments where he adjusted the timelines to produce different futures related to superheroes. So it’s quite possible before the end of the mini-series that history will be put back on it’s proper track and Firestorm will be absolved. It also seems likely that DC would want to retcon away the “Supermen Theory” as it could have a negative impact on many of their characters in the long-term.

There have been other precedents in the story for misleading events, like the misdirection of the explosion in Moscow that was rigged to frame Firestorm. It’s possible turning Russian civilians to glass was caused by someone other than Firestorm, which would make sense since Firestorm had never used his power in that way previously. There were scenes in issue #8 suggesting Ozymandias was orchestrating the entire Russian fiasco. Also, the flashback showing Professor Stein’s evil plan to create Firestorm may have simply been a lie by Dr. Manhattan to manipulate Ronnie Raymond. In fact, that seems fairly likely. If so, both of these reveals would absolve Firestorm and Professor Stein.

The main villain of Doomsday Clock is likely either Dr. Manhattan, Ozymandias, or even Lex Luthor. It would make sense if one of them manipulated Firestorm so the general public (and other heroes) would respond in a desired fashion. In that case, Firestorm wouldn’t be the villain but instead the unwitting pawn of the main antagonist.

AT THE END OF THE DAY

Did I enjoy reading these comics? No, not really. What happened to Firestorm was pretty upsetting for me. However, was I intrigued by the developing story? Yes, I was.

Next question, is Firestorm ruined as a hero forever? Hopefully not; we’ll have to wait and see. Keep in mind that Geoff Johns truly loves the character of Firestorm. He’s mentioned his affection for the character in various interviews. I doubt Johns is planning to turn Professor Martin Stein into DC’s version of “Ultimate” Reed Richards. Personally, I wasn’t a fan of Johns’ retcon in Brightest Day that Firestorm was formed from, “the spark that triggered The Big Bang, the creation of the universe.” With that said, I still believe that retcon was coming from Geoff Johns’ love for the character.  The events involving Firestorm in Doomsday Clock don’t feel like they are coming from a place of love, which lends credence to my hope these events will be undone.

Something else to remember, Geoff Johns stories often follow the idea of, “darkest before the dawn.”  Lots of dark, horrible things happen, which leads to a positive and uplifting ending. I hope that’s the case with Doomsday Clock and for Firestorm. Lets all hope so.

Assuming the Firestorm related events are somehow undone, then no harm, no foul. If that’s the case, then Doomsday Clock is great exposure for the Nuclear Man in a very high profile book. This might begin to drum up support for the character which could lead to another ongoing series. If these plot threads are not undone, then sadly DC has lost their way with this character and forgotten what made Professor Martin Stein and Ronnie Raymond so wonderful together.

Finally, these were just two issues in a larger story. Two issues that caused me to have an emotional reaction about my favorite character. Any time a comic book effects me emotionally (whether for good or bad), that’s a credit to the book itself. I’d rather be passionate about a comic than apathetic. Therefore, I recommend you go read the issues for yourself and form your own opinion.

I look forward (somewhat apprehensively) to reading the rest of Doomsday Clock.

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The 224th episode of AQUAMAN AND FIRESTORM: THE FIRE AND WATER PODCAST is now available for your listening pleasure! A proud member of the FIRE AND WATER PODCAST NETWORK!

Shag and Rob concentrate on the “fire” part of the Fire and Water Podcast by talking about some classic Firestorm comics! They take a look at FURY OF FIRESTORM ANNUAL #3, FURY OF FIRESTORM #41-47, and BLUE DEVIL #23! Revisiting the CRISIS tie-ins, return of Typhoon, and the Blue Devil crossover! Plus YOUR Listener Feedback!

You can find the 224th episode of AQUAMAN AND FIRESTORM: THE FIRE AND WATER PODCAST on iTunes. While you’re there, please drop us a review on the iTunes page. Every comment helps! Don’t use iTunes? Click here for the RSS feed to use with your podcast catcher.

Opening theme, “That Time is Now,” by Michael Kohler. Special thanks to Daniel Adams and Ashton Burge with their band The Bad Mamma Jammas for our fantastic original closing theme! This episode brought to you in part by InStockTrades.com!

Join the conversation and find more great content:

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This podcast is a proud member of the FIRE AND WATER PODCAST NETWORK:

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Remember, to leave comments visit our FIRE & WATER PODCAST website – http://fireandwaterpodcast.com/podcast/fire-water-224/

The 170th episode of AQUAMAN AND FIRESTORM: THE FIRE AND WATER PODCAST is now available for your listening pleasure! A proud member of the FIRE AND WATER PODCAST NETWORK!

Shag and Rob discuss the first three chapters of “The Drowning” storyline from AQUAMAN #’s 1-3 by Dan Abnett, Brad Walker, Scot Eaton, Philippe Briones, Gabe Eltaeb, and more, and then move on to Firestorm in “United We Fall” Part 5 from LEGENDS OF TOMORROW #5 by Gerry Conway, Eduardo Pansica, Rob Hunter, and more!

You can find the 170th episode of AQUAMAN AND FIRESTORM: THE FIRE AND WATER PODCAST on iTunes. While you’re there, please drop us a review on the iTunes page. Every comment helps! Alternatively, you may play the podcast using the player below or by right-clicking “download”, choosing “Save Target/Link As”, and selecting a location on your computer to save the file (50 MB)

As always, thanks to my co-host Rob Kelly, Sea King of THE AQUAMAN SHRINE, for doing all the post-production on these episodes! Opening theme, “That Time is Now,” by Michael Kohler. Special thanks to Daniel Adams and Ashton Burge with their band The Bad Mamma Jammas for our fantastic original closing theme! This episode brought to you in part by InStockTrades.com!

Have a question or comment? Looking for more great content?

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• THE AQUAMAN SHRINE: http://www.aquamanshrine.net
• E-MAIL: firewaterpodcast@comcast.net

This podcast is a proud member of the FIRE AND WATER PODCAST NETWORK:

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Thanks for listening! Support Firestorm and Aquaman! Fan the Flame and Ride the Wave!

Remember, to leave comments visit our FIRE & WATER PODCAST website – http://fireandwaterpodcast.com/podcast/fire-water-170/

The 167th episode of AQUAMAN AND FIRESTORM: THE FIRE AND WATER PODCAST is now available for your listening pleasure! A proud member of the FIRE AND WATER PODCAST NETWORK!

Shag and Rob discuss “Out of Darkness” from AQUAMAN #52 by Dan Abnett, Vicente Cifuentes, Juan Castro, and more, and then move on to AQUAMAN: REBIRTH by Abnett, Scot Eaton, Oscar Jimenez, Mark Morales and more. The show concludes with Firestorm in “United We Fall” Parts 3 and 4 from LEGENDS OF TOMORROW #s 3 and 4 by Gerry Conway, Eduardo Pansica, Rob Hunter, and more! Plus YOUR Listener Feedback!

You can find the 167th episode of AQUAMAN AND FIRESTORM: THE FIRE AND WATER PODCAST on iTunes. While you’re there, please drop us a review on the iTunes page. Every comment helps! Alternatively, you may play the podcast using the player below or by right-clicking “download”, choosing “Save Target/Link As”, and selecting a location on your computer to save the file (76 MB)

As always, thanks to my co-host Rob Kelly, Sea King of THE AQUAMAN SHRINE, for doing all the post-production on these episodes! Opening theme, “That Time is Now,” by Michael Kohler. Special thanks to Daniel Adams and Ashton Burge with their band The Bad Mamma Jammas for our fantastic original closing theme! This episode brought to you in part by InStockTrades.com!

Have a question or comment? Looking for more great content?

• Leave comments on our FIRE & WATER PODCAST website: http://fireandwaterpodcast.com/podcast/fire-water-167/
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• THE AQUAMAN SHRINE: http://www.aquamanshrine.net
• E-MAIL: firewaterpodcast@comcast.net

This podcast is a proud member of the FIRE AND WATER PODCAST NETWORK:

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Thanks for listening! Support Firestorm and Aquaman! Fan the Flame and Ride the Wave!

Remember, to leave comments visit our FIRE & WATER PODCAST website – http://fireandwaterpodcast.com/podcast/fire-water-167/

The 164th episode of AQUAMAN AND FIRESTORM: THE FIRE AND WATER PODCAST is now available for your listening pleasure! A proud member of the FIRE AND WATER PODCAST NETWORK!

Shag and Rob discuss “Scavenger Hunt” from AQUAMAN #51 by Dan Abnett, Vicente Cifuentes, Juan Castro, and more. That’s followed by Firestorm in  “United We Fall, Part 2” from LEGENDS OF TOMORROW #2 by Gerry Conway, Eduardo Pansica, Rob Hunter, and more! Plus YOUR Listener Feedback!

You can find the 164th episode of AQUAMAN AND FIRESTORM: THE FIRE AND WATER PODCAST on iTunes. While you’re there, please drop us a review on the iTunes page. Every comment helps! Alternatively, you may play the podcast using the player below or by right-clicking “download”, choosing “Save Target/Link As”, and selecting a location on your computer to save the file (89 MB)

As always, thanks to my co-host Rob Kelly, Sea King of THE AQUAMAN SHRINE, for doing all the post-production on these episodes! Opening theme, “That Time is Now,” by Michael Kohler. Special thanks to Daniel Adams and Ashton Burge with their band The Bad Mamma Jammas for our fantastic original closing theme! This episode brought to you in part by InStockTrades.com!

Have a question or comment? Looking for more great content?

• Leave comments on our FIRE & WATER PODCAST website: http://fireandwaterpodcast.com/podcast/fire-water-164/ 
• Images from this episode: http://fireandwaterpodcast.com/podcast/fire-water-164-gallery/
• THE AQUAMAN SHRINE: http://www.aquamanshrine.net
• E-MAIL: firewaterpodcast@comcast.net

This podcast is a proud member of the FIRE AND WATER PODCAST NETWORK:

• Visit the Fire & Water WEBSITE: http://fireandwaterpodcast.com
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Thanks for listening! Support Firestorm and Aquaman! Fan the Flame and Ride the Wave!

Remember, to leave comments visit our FIRE & WATER PODCAST website – http://fireandwaterpodcast.com/podcast/fire-water-164/

The 161st episode of AQUAMAN AND FIRESTORM: THE FIRE AND WATER PODCAST is now available for your listening pleasure! A proud member of the FIRE AND WATER PODCAST NETWORK!

It’s a big month for our heroes! Shag and Rob discuss “Dead Water” from the extra-length Aquaman #50 by Dan Abnett, Brett Booth, Norm Rapmund, and more. That’s followed by “United We Fall” from Legends of Tomorrow #1 by Gerry Conway, Eduardo Pansica, Rob Hunter, and more–the first Firestorm comic by Gerry Conway in thirty years! Plus YOUR Listener Feedback!

You can find the 161st episode of AQUAMAN AND FIRESTORM: THE FIRE AND WATER PODCAST on iTunes. While you’re there, please drop us a review on the iTunes page. Every comment helps! Alternatively, you may play the podcast using the player below or by right-clicking “download”, choosing “Save Target/Link As”, and selecting a location on your computer to save the file (81 MB)

As always, thanks to my co-host Rob Kelly, Sea King of THE AQUAMAN SHRINE, for doing all the post-production on these episodes! Opening theme, “That Time is Now,” by Michael Kohler. Special thanks to Daniel Adams and Ashton Burge with their band The Bad Mamma Jammas for our fantastic original closing theme! This episode brought to you in part by InStockTrades.com!

Have a question or comment? Looking for more great content?

• Leave comments on our FIRE & WATER PODCAST website – http://fireandwaterpodcast.com/podcast/fire-water-161/
• Images from this episode – http://fireandwaterpodcast.com/podcast/fire-water-161-gallery/
• THE AQUAMAN SHRINE – http://www.aquamanshrine.net
• E-MAIL: firewaterpodcast@comcast.net

This podcast is a proud member of the FIRE AND WATER PODCAST NETWORK:

• Visit the Fire & Water WEBSITE: http://fireandwaterpodcast.com
• Follow Fire & Water on TWITTER – https://twitter.com/FWPodcasts
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Thanks for listening! Support Firestorm and Aquaman! Fan the Flame and Ride the Wave!

Remember, to leave comments visit our FIRE & WATER PODCAST website – http://fireandwaterpodcast.com/podcast/fire-water-161/

The 159th episode of AQUAMAN AND FIRESTORM: THE FIRE AND WATER PODCAST is now available for your listening pleasure! A proud member of the FIRE AND WATER PODCAST NETWORK!

Famed comics writer Gerry Conway visits the Fire and Water Podcast Network to discuss his new Firestorm story appearing in the Legends of Tomorrow anthology series from DC Comics!

You can find the 159th episode of AQUAMAN AND FIRESTORM: THE FIRE AND WATER PODCAST on iTunes. While you’re there, please drop us a review on the iTunes page. Every comment helps! Alternatively, you may play the podcast using the player below or by right-clicking “download”, choosing “Save Target/Link As”, and selecting a location on your computer to save the file (36 MB)

Opening theme, “That Time is Now,” by Michael Kohler. Special thanks to Daniel Adams and Ashton Burge with their band The Bad Mamma Jammas for our fantastic original closing theme!

Have a question or comment? Looking for more great content?

• Leave comments on our FIRE & WATER PODCAST website – http://fireandwaterpodcast.com/podcast/fire-water-159/
• THE AQUAMAN SHRINE – http://www.aquamanshrine.net
• E-MAIL: firewaterpodcast@comcast.net

This podcast is a proud member of the FIRE AND WATER PODCAST NETWORK:

• Visit the Fire & Water WEBSITE: http://fireandwaterpodcast.com
• Follow Fire & Water on TWITTER – https://twitter.com/FWPodcasts
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Thanks for listening! Support Firestorm and Aquaman! Fan the Flame and Ride the Wave!

Remember, to leave comments visit our FIRE & WATER PODCAST website – http://fireandwaterpodcast.com/podcast/fire-water-159/

The 152nd episode of THE FIRE AND WATER PODCAST is now available for your listening pleasure! THE FIRE AND WATER PODCAST is the official podcast of FIRESTORM FAN and THE AQUAMAN SHRINE.

This week Shag and Rob take a look two very special, very fun team-ups featuring Aquaman and Firestorm! First up is Aquaman and Batman in “The Sleepwalker From The Sea” by Bob Haney and Neal Adams (THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #82, March 1969), followed by Firestorm and Superman in “The Chaos Network” by Gerry Conway, Rich Buckler & Bob Smith (DC COMICS PRESENTS #45, May 1982). Also, don’t miss our special announcement about the future of the FIRE & WATER PODCAST!

You can find the 152nd episode of THE FIRE AND WATER PODCAST on iTunes. While you’re there, please drop us a review on the iTunes page. Every comment helps! Alternatively, you may play the podcast using the player below or by right-clicking “download”, choosing “Save Target/Link As”, and selecting a location on your computer to save the file (48 MB).

As always, thanks to my co-host Rob Kelly, Sea King of THE AQUAMAN SHRINE, for doing all the post-production on these episodes! Opening theme, “That Time is Now,” by Michael Kohler. Special thanks to Daniel Adams and Ashton Burge with their band The Bad Mamma Jammas for our fantastic original closing theme!

Have a question or comment? Looking for more great content?

• Send us an e-mail: firewaterpodcast@comcast.net
• Check our Tumblr: fireandwaterpodcast.tumblr.com
• Visit The Aquaman Shrine: www.aquamanshrine.net
• or leave a comment below!

Thanks for listening! Support Firestorm and Aquaman! Fan the Flame and Ride the Wave!

We are beyond excited to have Robbie back on The Flash. You can’t keep a good Firestorm down. Only this time, he’s back with a twist, a deadly Earth-Two version of our beloved Ronnie in the form of Deathstorm.

I’m not sure how much similarity we’ll see between the TV version of Deathstorm and the two comic versions we’ve met previously. Personally, I’m hoping if there are any similarities he’s more like the second comic incarnation of Deathstorm (from the Crime Syndicate). I’ve previously outlined my concerns about the first Deathstorm incarnation.

Also, according to the EW article, on Earth-Two Ronnie and Caitlin are still a couple! If you’ve been watching previews for The Flash, then you know the Earth-Two version of Ronnie’s former wife, Caitlin Snow (Danielle Panabaker), is actually Killer Frost! Below is a pic of Robbie Amell in his Deathstorm costume taken on the set of The Flash.

If you’ve missed recent previews, check out Danielle Panabaker as Killer Frost below!

Check out the trailer below, or click here!

If you can’t wait for the new season to start, keep up with all The Flash news via our friends over at The Flash Podcast!

My thanks to many, many Match-heads for the heads-up on Robbie Amell’s and Danielle Panabaker’s alter-egos!

Support Firestorm (and The Flash TV Series)! Fan the flame!

Legends of Tomorrow #1 (shipping in March) is an 80-page anthology comic featuring four different stories! Below you’ll find the cover to the issue by Aaron Lopresti! Click here for the official announcement! More details and discussion below the cover!

Issue #1 will feature Firestorm, Metamorpho, the Metal Men, and Sugar & Spike! Here is the Firestorm blurb:

FIRESTORM, written by Gerry Conway with art by Eduardo Pansica and Rob Hunter:
Firestorm is back! To save Jason Rusch, Firestorm will need to retrieve Danton Black’s stolen research from Professor Stein’s lab. But if Jason can’t fuse with Ronnie by the Firestorm Protocol…who can?

Legends of Tomorrow #1 will be on sale March 9th, 2016 with 80 pages for $7.99.

With the official news out of the way, let’s discuss certain aspects of this…

• While I’m thrilled Firestorm is returning to comics, I do feel a bit cheated. Back in July 2015, DC announced a new Firestorm six issue limited series written by Gerry Conway. So instead of Firestorm headlining his own limited series, he’s sharing with three other features. It’s an 80-page comic with four stories. Doing the math suggests each feature could get 20 pages to themselves. That’s equivalent of a stand alone comic, so at least we’ll get a full issue’s worth of Firestorm.
• Some folks have expressed concerns over the price tag of $7.99. Again, doing the math, that’s only $2 per feature. That’s a pretty good savings compared to stand alone comics (typically $3.99 nowadays). However, I’m not sure $7.99 is sustainable on a monthly basis.
• The big question is how many issues will feature Firestorm. Since we were originally promised a six issue limited series, will Firestorm be featured in the first six issues of the Legends of Tomorrow comic? Or will they shorten his story so it takes up less issues?
• The comic is called Legends of Tomorrow, clearly trying to capitalize on the TV series of the same name. However, Firestorm is the only character to appear in both the TV series and the comic. Will other Legends TV characters appear in the comic? If so, how will that impact each feature’s run? Each of these features was originally promised a six issue mini-series. Who will get six issues of Legends to tell their story, and who will have less time?

First and foremost, great news that Firestorm is back in comics and being written by Gerry Conway! Can’t wait!

Second, we have questions. I sure hope DC provides some answers soon.

Support Firestorm (and the Legends of Tomorrow comic)! Fan the flame!