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Unresolved Issues – The Behind-the-Scenes Spat Between Aquaman and Firestorm

Aug 12th, 2010
by Shag.
8 comments

Aquaman and Firestorm - Unresolved Issues

We’ve got a special treat for you today… a crossover!  Everybody loves a crossover!  Today we’ve teamed up with our good friend Rob from THE AQUAMAN SHRINE to tackle some unresolved issues between Firestorm and Aquaman that have been festering for nearly 30 years.  As I’ll demonstrate below, the problems between these two heroes really resulted from the Flash’s unnecessary interference.  With Arthur Curry, Ronnie Raymond, and Barry Allen all alive and kicking again, we thought it was high time we brought these issues to light.  Since all three heroes are involved in Brightest Day, it’s only a matter of time until these deep-seated frustrations boil over.

Justice League of America #193

It all started back in 1981 in Justice League of America #193.  Red Tornado’s creator, T.O. Morrow, had stolen the android and the JLA had spread out looking for him. Aquaman managed to locate Morrow’s hideout and leapt in to rescue Reddy.  Unfortunately for the Sea King…

Aquaman and Firestorm - Unresolved Issues - Justice League of America #193

Not only did Morrow blast Aquaman through the wall and into the harbor, he left the Sea King encased in some sort of crystalline prison. Green Lantern recovers Aquaman and the team brings him to the JLA Satellite where they set about trying to save him.  Wonder Woman takes the lead on freeing Aquaman from the crystalline before it’s too late.

While the team observes Wonder Woman’s progress, Firestorm speaks his mind and offends the Flash…

Aquaman and Firestorm - Unresolved Issues - Justice League of America #193

Flash’s rant continued for another half-page.  Flash’s main argument was that JLA members should give everything they have for their teammates, all the while implying that Firestorm wasn’t doing so.  All of this because Ronnie expressed his doubts about Aquaman surviving Morrow’s attack.  Flash’s superior attitude about service to the JLA falls flat because in the middle of a crisis a few pages earlier Flash was doing speed tricks with a Rubik’s Cube to impress the team.  Nice Barry, real nice.

Aquaman and Firestorm - Unresolved Issues - Justice League of America #193

Considering the power of Morrow’s blast and the resulting lack of oxygen inside the crystalline, I don’t think Ronnie’s suspicion was that unreasonable.  Sure he had a “glass half-empty” perspective, but the worst his comment could have done was bring down morale a little.  It seems to me that Mr. “I started the Silver Age” was taking out his frustration about Aquaman’s situation on the new guy.  It’s the equivalent of a playground bully having a bad day and taking it out on a younger child.  FLASH FACT: it’s called transference, Barry.  Look it up.

This probably comes as no shock to you, but Wonder Woman managed to free Aquaman and save the Sea King’s life.  Oh yeah… did I mention the rest of the JLA got knocked out at the end of the issue and Firestorm SAVED THE DAY?  Hmmm… stick that in your winged booties twinkle-toes.

Justice League of America #203

Now let’s jump forward ten issues to Justice League of America #203.  The issue starts with Firestorm and Aquaman on a training mission, but then the Sea King decides to teach Ronnie a lesson.

I managed to get my hands on an early draft of the script for this issue. I’ve included here the bits that ended up on Editor Len Wein’s cutting room floor.

Aquaman and Firestorm - Unresolved Issues - Justice League of America #203

Here is a bit from the original draft that didn’t make into the final product…

Page 1 – Splash Page (no pun intended)
Firestorm thought balloon: Oh geez, Aquaman is trying to show me how cool he is again. This guy is seriously suffering through a mid-life crisis. Old people are always trying to prove they’re still hip to us teenagers.  I mean, seaweed reins and two dolphins? C’mon, a real Sea King should be riding a great white shark.

Aquaman and Firestorm - Unresolved Issues - Justice League of America #203

More thought balloons that didn’t make it into the final product…

Page 2, Panel 1
Firestorm thought balloon: I wouldn’t even be here if Martian Manhunter hadn’t made me promise to be nice to Aquaman.*  Apparently, Martian Green-Genes has a soft spot for the Sea King.

* NOTE: Martian Manhunter and Firestorm met recently in JLA #200 – Editor Len

Page 2, Panel 5
Firestorm thought balloon: Hmmmm… If let Aquaman think he’s teaching me a lesson, maybe he’ll invite me around his place more often. Then I can make some time with his super-foxy wife, Mera.  Yeah… I’ll pretend like this wave surprised me.

Aquaman and Firestorm - Unresolved Issues - Justice League of America #203

… so it appears that Aquaman managed to take down Firestorm with a bunch of flying fish.  However, in reality we know the Nuclear Man took a fall in an effort to get closer to Mera.  I mean, who wouldn’t right?

When you look at both events together, it becomes clear that Aquaman dunked Firestorm in #203 because of the Nuclear Man’s pessimism about the Sea King’s survival in #193.  Now think about this for a minute… Aquaman was unconscious in #193, so how did he find out about Firestorm’s comment?  Yup, that’s right.  Flash must have ran to Aquaman like some troublemaking schoolgirl and tattled on the Nuclear Man.  I’m sure Barry spun the story to his liking, making Firestorm out to be a terrible person.  So the deep-seated frustrations between Aquaman and Firestorm are actually all Flash’s fault.  These incidents together have caused three decades of uneasiness between these two great heroes, and neither realizes it’s all due to Flash’s busybody nature.

What should we take away from this?

  • Firestorm speaks his mind and isn’t always sensitive to the feelings of others.
  • Aquaman can hold a grudge.  Don’t cross the Sea King.
  • Flash is a troublemaker.  If you’re going to say something about one of your co-workers, be sure Barry isn’t within earshot.

Now this is just my take on the situation. Be sure to head over to THE AQUAMAN SHRINE today to read Rob’s take on this super-drama.  My thanks to Rob for suggesting today’s crossover!

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Posted in: Comic books, Crossover, Firestorm #01: Original (Ronnie/Martin), Justice League of America, Ronnie Raymond.
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Fury of Firestorm #61 Variant Cover

Aug 10th, 2010
by Shag.
12 comments

Back in July 1987, DC Comics test-marketed a couple different covers and logos. This was long before variant covers became commonplace as they are nowadays. Justice League #3 and Fury of Firestorm #61 were sold in certain areas as a marketing test. The two variants featured different primary images and a “Superman Comics” logo in place of the usual DC Comics logo.

Here is the standard edition cover to Fury of Firestorm #61:

Fury of Firestorm #61 primary cover - DC Comics

Here is the variant edition cover to Fury of Firestorm #61 along with the “Superman Comics” logo:

Fury of Firestorm #61 variant cover - Superman Comics

Here is a close-up of the “Superman Comics” logo.

Superman Comics - July 1987

Interesting that they chose Firestorm.  Anyone out there actually remember seeing this “Superman Comics” edition on the shelves?  If you’ve got a copy of the “Superman Comics” edition, let us know you lucky geek!

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Posted in: Comic books, Firestorm comic vol. II.
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Dearest Firestorm (Love, Multiplex) song by Bryce Jensen

Aug 5th, 2010
by Shag.
3 comments

Firestorm and Multiplex

Today we’re featuring an unusual and hilarious item – a song about Firestorm the Nuclear Man!  The SpinTunes blog started a song-writing competition back in June. The first round challenge was called, “I’m A Marvel, And I’m A DC”.  Contestants had to write a song from the point-of-view of a superhero or supervillian. All of these song entries were then combined into a single 23-track album.

Bryce Jensen wrote the comical song, Dearest Firestorm (Love, Multiplex).  You should be able to play the song through the embedded player below.  If you’re unable to use the embedded player below, please click here to visit the relevant SpinTunes page.

<a href="http://spintown.bandcamp.com/track/dearest-firestorm-love-multiplex">Dearest Firestorm (Love, Multiplex) by Spintown Tunes</a>

Here are the lyrics for you to follow along:

Since that day back at the plant we’ve been the worst of foes
The silly hero/villain thing always brings us to blows
Finally we’ve realized just what you mean to us
We’ve fallen for both of you and it’s time we made a fuss

Maybe Ron and Marty act as if neither is keen
But when you get together you make one big flamin’ queen
We can tell you’re into us, you just can’t hide what’s true
So bring yourselves right over and we’ll get into you two

We could catch a movie (oh yeah)
And dinner would be groovy (oh yeah)
Go site-seeing at juvie (oh yeah)
Hey, whatever turns you on

If you’d only search your souls, you two would surely see
That you and you are truly meant for me and me and me

Don’t let our appearance fool you, we’re still dear old Dan
And we’ll love you in ways you never could be by one man
Secrecy is fine if you can’t set ego aside
But when we’re all together you’ll swallow more than your pride

There’s a place we could go (oh yeah)
To keep it on the down low (oh yeah)
And no one ever need know (oh yeah)
Just think of us when we’re gone (oh yeah)

If you’d only search your souls, you two would surely see
That you and you are truly meant for me and me and me
And me and me and me and me and me

Wasn’t that freakin’ hilarious!  I received a quick note from the song writer wanting to reassure FIRESTORM FAN readers that this song was simply meant to be a bit of fun.  It was not meant to mock or disrespect the characters or their fans at all.

Be sure to check out the entire “I’m A Marvel, And I’m A DC” SpinTunes album by clicking here.  Some other favorites from this album include:

Fun stuff! Be sure to check them out!

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Posted in: Firestorm #01: Original (Ronnie/Martin), News, Professor Martin Stein, Ronnie Raymond.
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Firestorm Pin-up – December 1983

Aug 3rd, 2010
by Shag.
2 comments

Here is an outstanding pin-up from the Fury of  Firestorm Annual #1 (December 1983).  This gorgeous piece is by Rafael Kayanan and Rodin Rodriguez.  This pin-up provides a great tease of the events from the previous six months of Fury of Firestorm.  This storyline was especially important to the Firestorm mythos as it introduced Firehawk!  If they’d collected issues #14-18, plus the Annual, this would have made a great trade paperback cover.

Fury of Firestorm Annual Pin-up by Rafael Kayanan and Rodin Rodriguez

I was re-reading this comic recently and stumbled across the pin-up. It was an unexpected, yet pleasant surprise.  I always remember a cover, but often forget about cool pin-ups like this.  Enjoy!

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Posted in: Firehawk, Firestorm #01: Original (Ronnie/Martin), Firestorm comic vol. II, Rafael Kayanan.
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Brightest Day, Toys, Appearances, Cartoons, and more!

Jul 29th, 2010
by Shag.
5 comments

Welcome to another installment of FIRESTORM FAN’s Nuclear News!  Here are some news and web findings on our favorite hothead.  It’s been a while since I did a rundown like this, so there is quite a bit.

  • Be sure to pick up Brightest Day #6 from your local comic shop.  We finally see the new Firestorm in action!
  • Not much Firestorm news came out of San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) this year.  I’ve only come across two news items, both toy related.  I’ve outlined them below, click here for the full scoop on Mattel’s panel at SDCC on DC toys.
    • The Batman: Brave and the Bold Action League is being re-branded into the DC Universe Action League.  The line will now have added articulation and feature characters from all over the DCU. A DC Universe Action League pack containing Firestorm and Black Lantern Firestorm has been announced.  No specific release date identified.  I gotta assume this re-branding is being done to compete with Marvel’s highly-successful Super Hero Squad.
    • The Justice League Unlimited Firestorm action figure (featured here previously) will be repackaged in a three-pack with Killer Frost and the Angle Man.  Watch for that in early Spring 2011.  I don’t have a Killer Frost figure, so that will be nice.  An Angle Man figure… really?  Lovely.

CBR: Allen Thornton noted that many people, he included, missed a very significant clue in “Blackest Night” #8 that Deadman was the new White Lantern. It wasn’t until it was mentioned to him that he saw the White Ring on his finger, which he then mentioned to a friend, passing the awareness on. His question is was there any other subtle clues like that in “Blackest Night” and “Brightest Day” that he and others may have missed and once they’re revealed will cause a collective head slap? And if there are clues, are you surprised that people are not seeing them?

GEOFF JOHNS: There are clues for just about everything. There are clues about Firestorm. His story is just beginning and where Jason and Ronnie go, you can go back to “Blackest Night” and see some seeds that will be touched on. The stories were really set up because we knew we were going to be doing a lot with Jason and Mera post-“Blackest Night” and “Brightest Day,” so you should go back, and check out what was planted, especially with Mera and Firestorm, but there are other things too, with the White Lantern, specifically. The history of what the White Lantern is doing on Earth and where it’s going and what’s happening to it now, all comes to light in #7.

CBR: Are there any heroes that you find particularly tricky or difficult to draw?

DAVID FINCH: Characters that have very structured costumes, as opposed to more anatomical ones are always challenging for me. I always struggle with characters that have energy powers, too. Firestorm is a great character, but I always feel like I’m fighting with my drawings of him.

October's Return of the Black Lanterns

Firestorm Brightest Day action figure

Firestorm Magnet from SuperHeroStuff.com

  • While Firestorm foes Summer Day and Dr. Jivan Shi may be deceased, the Hyena curse lives on!  Several were-hyenas appeared in Zatanna #2, written by Paul Dini and drawn by Stephane Roux and Karl Story.  My thanks to tigner02 on the DC Comics Message Board for pointing out this appearance. See the pages below.

Zatanna versus the Hyena

Zatanna versus the Hyena

  • Firehawk made a one-panel cameo in Justice League of America #45, written by James Robinson and drawn by Mark Bagley, Rob Hunter, and Norm Rapmund.  Notice below she’s wearing one of her older costumes.

Justice League of America #45 featuring Firehawk in one panel

  • Our good buddy Frank, a friend to the FIRESTORM FAN site and author of numerous blogs, shared his own personal thoughts about the Nuclear Man over on the DC Bloodlines blog.  Be warned, Frank does not have a very high opinion of Firestorm’s adventures, however, his comments are well-written and well thought out.  I find myself agreeing with some of Frank’s points, while disagreeing with others.  That’s the beauty of civilized fandom, we can have differing opinions and yet all get along.  Frank’s other sites include blogs dedicated to: Martian Manhunter, Justice League Detroit, Wonder Woman, Captain Atom and the Atom, and his own blog …nurgh…
  • Firestorm appeared once again on the Batman: Brave and the Bold cartoon back on June 13.  In the episode, “The Siege of Starro! Part One” Firestorm was featured prominently along with a handful of other heroes.  Part Two has not aired yet, so I gotta believe Part One was the season finale or mid-season finale.

Booster Gold, Firestorm, Captain Marvel (Shazam), B'Wana Beast on Batman Brave & the Bold Siege of Starro

  • xBrandonHexx has put together a YouTube tribute video to Killer Frost.  It’s got some good music and is worth your time if you are interested in the character.  Click here to watch the Killer Frost YouTube tribute video.
  • The Back to the Bins podcast recently tackled DC Comics Presents #45, a 1982 Superman/Firestorm team-up published a month before the Fury of Firestorm series premiered.  Back to the Bins is hosted by my good buddies Scott Gardner and Michael Bailey.  To listen to Back to the Bins #59, please visit the Two True Freaks site by clicking here.  Here is the description for the Back to the Bins podcast:
    • Disenfranchised by the modern comics industry, Scott Gardner and Michael Bailey (of “View From The Longbox” and “From Crisis To Crisis: A Superman Podcast” fame) now ply the timestream in a never-ending quest to re-discover and re-connect with that unique brand of fun and excitement that can only truly be found in good ol’ fashioned randomly-selected Comic Book back issues!! Journey with them now…back…Back To The Bins!
  • I recently came across a 13-inch custom Firestorm doll on eBay (see below).  When the auction ended, it had not received any bids.  Click here to see the eBay auction.

Firestorm custom action figure on eBay

Firestorm Heroscape Custom Figure

Firestorm, Superman, and Green Lantern by Rex Zachary

That’s it for today!

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Posted in: Blackest Night, Brightest Day, Cartoons, Comic books, Firehawk, Firestorm #01: Original (Ronnie/Martin), Firestorm #08: Brightest Day (Ronnie/Jason), Geoff Johns, Justice League of America, News, Norm Rapmund, Sketch/Art, Toys.
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Firestorm Art by Avery Barnes

Jul 27th, 2010
by Shag.
2 comments

Today we’re featuring three great Firestorm drawings by Avery Barnes.  I first found Avery’s artwork on Facebook, but you can see more on his deviantART page by clicking here.

Firestorm by Avery Barnes

Below is a nice one of the “Blank Slate” and Elemental incarnations of Firestorm.

Blank Slate Firestorm and the Elemental Firestorm by Avery Barnes

Avery drew this next one on his iPhone using the Brushes application.  It’s pretty clever.  Look closely at the flames.

Firestorm with JLA Symbols by Avery Barnes

Nicely done, Avery!  Keep up the good work!

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Posted in: Firestorm #01: Original (Ronnie/Martin), Firestorm #02: Blank Slate (Ron/Mikhail/Stein), Firestorm #03: Elemental I (Ron/Mikhail/clone), Sketch/Art.
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Brightest Day Teaser and Solicitations

Jul 21st, 2010
by Shag.
2 comments

DC Comics released a Brightest Day teaser image on their blog yesterday.   Below you’ll find the Brightest Day teaser image, click to enlarge.

Brightest Day teaser image by Ivan Reis

Such a cool shot, and so full of clues!  Below I’ve zoomed in on Ronnie and Jason so you can get a better look at what they’re doing.

Brightest Day teaser featuring Ronnie Raymond and Jason Rusch by Ivan Reis

JUST THE FACTS, MA’AM:

We see Ronnie and Jason working to either bury or uncover the Black Lantern Firestorm. Ronnie is standing on top of the rocks looking at the Black Lantern Firestorm, while Jason is on the ground standing in the shadows looking away from the Black Lantern Firestorm. Both Ronnie and Jason have flames around their heels. (There is also a shield and net near Jason’s foot, but I think that’s a clue for another character. I’m gonna ignore it for now.)

OKAY, NOW FOR A LITTLE SPECULATION:

What are Ronnie and Jason doing?

  • Option 1: Ronnie and Jason are working together, rather than against each other, burying the Black Lantern Firestorm.  This could represent them working together to bury the past and put the tragedy of Gehenna behind them.
  • Option 2: Ronnie and Jason are working together, rather than against each other, to dig out the Black Lantern Firestorm.  This could represent them working together to fully explore the Firestorm matrix.
  • Option 3: Ronnie is burying the Black Lantern Firestorm, while Jason is uncovering the Black Lantern Firestorm.  If you look at the direction each character’s head is facing, an argument could be made for this interpretation.   Also, Ronnie is on top of the pile of rocks (as if he put the rocks there) and Jason is on the ground (as if he’s taking the rocks off).  This could represent Ronnie trying to bury what happened as the Black Lantern Firestorm, while Jason is trying to uncover the truth.

Why flames around their feet?

  • This could simply represent them as Firestorm.  More likely it represents something else.   Perhaps something to do with an “Achilles heel” and fire? I really don’t know.

Why is Ronnie on top of the pile of rocks while Jason is on the ground?

  • See Option 3 above.  Alternatively, this might represent that Ronnie is the person “on top” in the matrix, meaning he controls the body. Or it may mean nothing. I don’t think Jason in the shadows symbolizes anything.

What do y’all think?  Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!  By the way, I first became aware of this teaser image over on Luke’s Hawkman blog – thanks Luke!

*UPDATE* – Thanks to the magic of the interwebs, I read that this teaser image is an homage to an existing painting.  Click here to see the basis of this artwork.  With this knowledge it makes deducing the clues more difficult.  The fact that Ronnie and Jason were drawn to conform to the pre-set orientations of the characters in the original painting makes it all the more difficult to interpret.

SOLICITATIONS FOR UPCOMING ISSUES OF BRIGHTEST DAY:

Brightest Day #6 – On Sale Today!
Deadman discovers the truth behind the formation of the White Lantern and what it means to the twelve returnees and the rest of the DC Universe. Plus, Aquaman, Martian Manhunter, Hawkman, Hawkgirl and Firestorm discover the price for their resurrections…and why they may be doing more harm than good to the world.

Brightest Day #7 (on sale Aug. 4) and Brightest Day #8 (on sale Aug. 18)
There can be only one who wields the White Lantern…but is it truly Deadman? And what will happen when he attempts to charge the white ring? Meanwhile, Ronnie Raymond risks everything for Firestorm, Martian Manhunter uncovers more clues about the bizarre string of murders stretching across the country, Aquaman searches for the key to the ocean’s survival and the Hawks come face-to-face with the evil that lurks within the strange land known only as Hawkworld!

Brightest Day #9 (on sale Sept. 1) and Brightest Day #10 (on sale Sept. 15)
The resurrected have discovered their purpose for being back, but where will the knowledge lead them? Who is the new Aqualad? And what strange event is taking place around the White Power Battery in New Mexico?

Brightest Day #11 (on sale Oct. 6) and Brightest Day #12 (on sale Oct. 20)
The return of the Black Lanterns! Has time run out for our resurrected heroes? Plus, you must not miss the stunning origin of the new Aqualad, the battle between Aquaman and Black Manta, and the bizarre journey of Jason Rusch and Ronnie Raymond as they delve into the inner workings of the Firestorm matrix and uncover its secret!

Woo Hoo!  I’m looking forward to this story unfolding!

Support Firestorm! Fan the flame!

Posted in: Advertisements, Brightest Day, Comic books, Firestorm #08: Brightest Day (Ronnie/Jason), Jason Rusch, Ronnie Raymond.
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Steampunk Justice League and Old West Firestorm

Jul 20th, 2010
by Shag.
3 comments

Today we’re going to imagine the Justice League of the 1800s.  We’re talking about mixing superheroes with the Victorian Era, the Old West, and Steampunk.  How cool would that be?!?!?

The Victorian Era of Britain lasted from 1837 to 1901.  This happens to coincides with much of the American Old West.   Steampunk is a science fiction genre where steam power is still widely used — usually in the 19th century, and often Victorian Era Britain — but with filled with fantastical technological inventions like those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne.  Now throw superpowers into these genres and you’ve got a recipe for awesome!

If the Justice League had existed during the 1800s, I like to think Firestorm would have been from the Old West.  I envision the majority of the Justice League as proper British Victorian Era heroes, but then along comes the brash young American, Firestorm.  If you’ve read Firestorm’s appearances in the classic Justice League of America comics, this description would be a good reflection.

Here is a fantastic drawing of Firestorm as he might have looked back during the Old West.  I absolutely love the vest, puffy shirt, and the headgear!  He’s got the visual sensibilities of an aristocratic scientist of that era, but dashed with hints of a frontier cowboy.  That makes perfect sense if you imagine the personalities of Professor Stein and Ronnie Raymond transplanted into the Old West.  The drawing is so utterly Firestorm, and yet so utterly Wild, Wild West.  This super-cool reimagining was done by Michael S Bracco.  To see more of Michael’s artwork, please click here to visit SpaghettiKiss.com.

Firestorm of the Old West by Michael S Bracco

Now onto the rest of the League… A gentleman by the name of Sillof creates the most amazing custom action figures.  He does this by taking existing action figures and modifying them through sculpture and paint. He specializes in redesigning well known characters and reimagines them in various time periods or aesthetics.

In this case, Sillof created a Victorian Era Justice League.  He was inspired by the comic book, Gotham by Gaslight by Mike Mignola and Brian Augustyn, in which Batman of the 1880’s attempts to stop Jack the Ripper who had come to Gotham.  Sillof calls this set of figures the Gaslight Justice League.

Sillof redesigned several members of the Justice League in the style of the Victorian Era. He went for a darker look and tried to give them the right period feel, but also attempted to keep the feel of the original character.  He didn’t design a Firestorm Gaslight figure, so you’ll have to imagine the Old West Firestorm above standing alongside these heroes.

Gaslight Justice League Action Figure Customs by Sillof

Click the image to enlarge.  Aren’t those figures amazing!?!?!?!?

More information on these custom figures can be found at the links below:

There you have it, the Justice League of the 1800s!  Such a cool concept!

Support Firestorm! Fan the flame!

Posted in: Firestorm #01: Original (Ronnie/Martin), Justice League of America, Professor Martin Stein, Ronnie Raymond, Toys.
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Firestorm Brightest Day Action Figure Announced for 2011

Jul 14th, 2010
by Shag.
6 comments

DC Comics announced yesterday the release of several Brightest Day action figures for 2011.  Good news – Firestorm made the cut!  Below is a picture of the action figure coming our way from DC Direct.

Firestorm Brightest Day Action Figure Toy

Overall this is a good looking figure!  I see that Firestorm’s skin tone is definitely darker than the white heroes in this figure assortment.  They are clearly demonstrating here what we’ve suspected, that Firestorm’s current skin tone is somewhere between white and black.  I believe this is a decent compromise for Ronnie and Jason fans.

For me personally, there are three things I’d change about this figure.  First, I’d work on making the white atomic paths on his shirt and headgear either translucent or highly reflective to imply glowing.  Second, I’d make the headgear around the eyebrows more prominent like in the Brightest Day drawings by David Finch, and Scott Clark & Dave Beaty.  The comic drawings almost make Firestorm look like he’s got a caveman brow with the prominent headgear ridge.  Third, I’d figure out how to include the fiery “Kirby Dots” in Firestorm’s hair.  To better explain the three changes I outlined, see the image below.  Also, just to be clear, I still think this is a great figure.  I’d just change a few things if it were up to me.

Firestorm's current look

Below you’ll find all the figures announced for the first two waves.  We’re not sure at this point in which wave Firestorm will be.  If he’s in the first wave, then his figure is due in March.  Click the image to enlarge.

Brightest Day DC Direct Action Figures

For more information on these figures visit the DC Comics Source Blog.

Also, a huge thanks to Andrew LoVuolo from Graphic Illusions Studios for sending this information my way.  Thanks, Andrew!

I can’t wait to add this figure to my collection!

Support Firestorm! Fan the flame!

Posted in: Brightest Day, Firestorm #08: Brightest Day (Ronnie/Jason), News, Toys.
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Power Girl and Firestorm Sitting in a Tree…

Jul 13th, 2010
by Shag.
11 comments

Believe it or not, Firestorm and Power Girl once had a romantic thing for each other!  Our favorite Nuclear Man and one of the universally-accepted hotties of the DC Universe — good on Firestorm!  Their flirtations continued from 1980 through 1983.  Whenever the JLA (from Earth-1) and the JSA (from Earth-2) got together for their annual team-up, Firestorm was sure to jump at the chance to flirt with Power Girl.  As the youngest members of each team, it’s understandable why they connected.  However, living in separate universes put a bit of a strain on their amorous activities.

It all started when they first met in Justice League of America #183-185 (Oct. – Dec. 1980).  It was the annual JLA/JSA team-up and they were dealing with a New Gods crisis.  Below are a few panels from those issues written by Gerry Conway and drawn by George Perez and Frank McLaughlin.  As you’ll see, Power Girl actually starts the flirting…

Power Girl and Firestorm romantic flirting - Justice League of America #184 by George Perez

Power Girl and Firestorm romantic flirting - Justice League of America #185 by George Perez

Power Girl and Firestorm romantic flirting - Justice League of America #185 by George Perez

While Power Girl and Firestorm didn’t end up together in this story, you can sense romance is in the air between the two.

The next time Firestorm and Power Girl met was during Justice League of America #195-197 (Oct. – Dec. 1981).  This time around she shot him down pretty fast.  Poor guy.  Below is a panel from that story written by Gerry Conway and drawn by George Perez and John Beatty.

Power Girl and Firestorm romantic flirting - Justice League of America #195 by George Perez

What the heck kind of pick up line is that anyway, Ronnie?!?!  No wonder she shot you down cold.

Next up was Justice League of America #207-209 (Oct. – Dec. 1982).  “Crisis on Earth-Prime” was a massive crossover between the JLA, the JSA, and the All-Star Squadron.  This event was so large it spilled over into All-Star Squadron #14-15 (Oct. – Nov. 1982).

Below are some panels from the JLA issues written by Gerry Conway and drawn by Don Heck.  This time around Firestorm finally gets the girl!  Way to go hot-head!

Power Girl and Firestorm romantic flirting - Justice League of America #207 by Don Heck

Power Girl and Firestorm romantic flirting - Justice League of America #208 by Don Heck

Power Girl and Firestorm romantic flirting - Justice League of America #209 by Don Heck

Way to go Firestorm!  I wonder how the next scene went.  Did Professor Stein politely turn his floating head around to give them some privacy?

Firestorm and Power Girl next saw each other a year later in Justice League of America #219-220 (Oct. – Nov. 1983).  Now Firestorm being a bonehead in the romance department hadn’t bothered to call Power Girl during the past year.  Just imagine, you hook-up with one of the hottest women in the Multiverse and you don’t call her for a year!?!?  What an idiot.  Thankfully Elongated Man, Zatanna, and Hourman were willing to give our Nuclear Dork some advice in matters of the heart.

Below are some panels from that story written by Roy Thomas & Gerry Conway and drawn by Chuck Patton & Romeo Tanghal.

Power Girl and Firestorm romantic flirting - Justice League of America #219 by Chuck Patton

Power Girl and Firestorm romantic flirting - Justice League of America #219 by Chuck Patton

Power Girl and Firestorm romantic flirting - Justice League of America #219 by Chuck Patton

Power Girl and Firestorm romantic flirting - Justice League of America #219 by Chuck Patton

Power Girl and Firestorm romantic flirting - Justice League of America #219 by Chuck Patton

Well… he got knocked unconscious trying to impress Power Girl, but he could have ended up in worse places than leaning against her chest. Too bad he slept through it.

While Firestorm and Power Girl appeared in other scenes and stories together, those really cover the ones with romantic undertones.  Two years later Crisis on Infinite Earths came along and wiped out the whole Multiverse.  After that Firestorm and Power Girl existed on the same Earth, but they never really connected again romantically.  They did spend some time together during the Invasion event a few years later while Firestorm was in his “Blank Slate” incarnation.  At first she seemed bothered when he gave her the cold shoulder, but when he eventually started flirting with her it was awkward and not reciprocated.  The “Blank Slate” Firestorm was not known as a ladies man, that’s for sure.

I recently had the opportunity to ask Gerry Conway what were his long-range plans for Firestorm and Power Girl back when he was writing JLA.  He said it made sense there would be a natural affinity between the two characters as each was the youngest member of their respective teams.  He went on to say that given Ronnie’s other romantic interests (i.e. Firehawk and Doreen Day), it probably wouldn’t have gone much further with Power Girl.

Suppose you had to choose between Doreen Day and Power Girl… not really much of a choice, is it?

Nowadays Ronnie Raymond is part of Firestorm again and Power Girl is a major player in the DC Universe.  Who knows, perhaps some sparks could fly between these heroes once again.  I’m not counting on it, but it would be fun to read!

Support Firestorm! Fan the flame!

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Posted in: Comic books, Firestorm #01: Original (Ronnie/Martin), Firestorm #02: Blank Slate (Ron/Mikhail/Stein), George Perez, Gerry Conway, Justice League of America, Ronnie Raymond.
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