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Firestorm Sketch by Barry Kitson – 2007

Feb 18th, 2009
by Shag.
1 comment

Here is a fantastic Firestorm sketch from artist extraordinaire, Barry Kitson.  Kitson is known for his work on books like: Amazing Spider-Man, The Order, Empire, Legion of Super-heroes, Adventures of Superman, JLA: Year One, L.E.G.I.O.N., and Titans.  For a complete rundown of his work, visit the Comic Book Database. I particularly like his approach to Firestorm’s hair and the background in this sketch.

A huge THANK YOU to Doug of the Doom Patrol blog for providing me with a scan of this sketch.

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Posted in: Firestorm #01: Original (Ronnie/Martin), Sketch/Art.
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The Fury of Firestorm #32 (Feb. 1985)

Feb 16th, 2009
by Shag.
3 comments

Before reading any further here, jump over to the Phantom Stranger blog and read the excellent recap of The Fury of Firestorm #32.  Then continue reading below for my editorial comments on the issue.

Great recap by Rob over at the I am the Phantom Stranger blog!  Doing issue recaps is one area that I’m lousy at, so I sincerely appreciate people like Rob who have a talent for it.  In fact, Rob’s recap is what inspired me to reexamine this particular issue.  So on with my thoughts…

I didn’t care much for this issue when it was first published.  I remember reading it back in 1985 and thinking it was something of a “throw away” story.  That’s not to say I threw away the comic book, that just means I felt like the story was self-contained, wasn’t relevant to the ongoing plot, and could have been skipped without any confusion on the readers part. That’s the standard description of most guest writer/guest artist comics of that age.  While I probably didn’t realize that the comic was crafted by folks other than the normal creators, there was enough of a departure that my 12 year old mind recognized the tone of the story was different for this issue.

Hindsight being 20/20, I have to reconsider my position on this particular comic.  I now realize there are several elements of this issue that greatly interest me:

  • The guest writer was R.J.M. Lofficier, also known as Jean-Marc Lofficier.  While I didn’t realize it when I read this comic, it just so happens that Jean-Marc Lofficier wrote four of my favorite Doctor Who reference books (The Programme Guide, The Universal Databank, The Terrestrial Index, and the Nth Doctor).  He’s a great writer and also a super nice guy.
  • Alan Kupperberg was the guest artist on this issue.  Again, I didn’t know back then, but he would go on to be the regular penciller on one of my favorite comics of all time, Blue Devil.  While his style was different from the usual Firestorm artist, Rafael Kayanan, it was still quite good.  I especially dig the black “Kirby Dots” in Firestorm’s hair in this issue!
  • I now grasp that the Phantom Stranger is darn cool.  I was pretty new to comics when this issue hit the stands, so I didn’t know the Phantom Stranger’s publication history. He was clearly an enigmatic figure, but didn’t grab my attention all that much.  My mistake.  I now love that this issue opens like a classic Phantom Stranger story.  Very cool.
  • Being fairly new to comics and Firestorm, I wasn’t familiar with the Shoe-Shine/Rockwell subplot surrounding Ronnie’s dad.  As I completed my run of Firestorm, this subplot thread became one of my favorites.  It’s nice to see it revisited here in this issue.
  • This issue features one of the earlier struggles for control of the Firestorm matrix.  This would become a reoccurring theme in later issues of Firestorm, especially Volume III.  It’s interesting that a guest writer took the opportunity to explore this concept.

Overall, a good issue.  I think Lofficier brought a fresh voice to the series, while Kupperberg did an excellent job on the art.  Gerry Conway is still the undisputed King of the early Firestorm stories, but if you are looking for a good stand-alone issue of Firestorm (volume II), I’d recommend this issue.

Again, my thanks to Rob over at the I am the Phantom Stranger blog for inspiring this post!

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Posted in: Comic books, Firestorm #01: Original (Ronnie/Martin), Firestorm comic vol. II.
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Firestorm t-shirt (2009)

Feb 11th, 2009
by Shag.
1 comment

Today features a true gem of Firestorm merchandise.  After finding several Justice League of America t-shirts that include Firestorm (click here and here), I was very surprised and excited to see this.

I didn’t think anyone made one, but here is proof positive that you can own an officially-licensed Firestorm t-shirt!  You can get one of these spiffy shirts from Pop Funk.com by clicking here.   An enormous THANK YOU to Luke from the Hawkman blog, Being Carter Hall, and NSP for directing me to this shirt.  I’m so jazzed about owning it and can’t wait to wear it!

Here is a close-up of the graphic.  I’m not 100% confident who the artist is, but after doing some research and consulting with experts we believe this image was pencilled by Denys Cowan and inked by Dick Giordano.  The logo is from the Firestorm (volume I) series.

To my knowledge, this is the only Firestorm-specific t-shirt out there.  It’s freakin’ awesome! Be sure to order yours today from PopFunk.com!

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Posted in: Apparel, Firestorm #01: Original (Ronnie/Martin), Firestorm comic vol. I.
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Justice League of America t-shirts featuring Firestorm

Feb 10th, 2009
by Shag.
9 comments

Since I posted my JLA t-shirt featuring Firestorm two weeks ago, I’ve come across several other shirts worth looking at.  Today we’ll focus on the JLA-related ones, but tomorrow come back for a special t-shirt that I’m very excited about.

Here is a nice shirt I just got featuring an unusual collection of characters: Red Tornado, Doctor Fate, Green Arrow, Martian Manhunter, and everybody’s favorite Nuclear Man.  Near as I can figure, the artwork on this shirt must have been produced in conjunction with the second wave of Super Powers action figures.  These happen to be the exact five superheroes that were released in that wave.  Otherwise, I can’t think of a time these particular heroes were together for an image like this.  You can order yourself one of these great-looking shirts from Graphitti Designs by clicking here.

Here is a close-up of the graphic.  I’m not 100% confident on the artist, but after doing some research and consulting with experts we believe this image is most likely a Jim Starlin drawing.  I love the clean lines on Firestorm.  Really sharp.  And I get Doctor Fate on the same shirt!  Yay!  If you like Doctor Fate, be sure to check out today’s post at ONCE UPON A GEEK.

My friend Terry was kind enough to loan me this next shirt so I could photograph it for FIRESTORM FAN.  It’s a really cool slate-blue ringer t-shirt featuring the satellite-era Justice League of America.

Here is a close-up of the graphic.  You can see Firestorm directly under the “M” in “America”.  Unfortunately for the logo, it appears to be seconds away from bursting into flames thanks to our favorite match-head.  The artwork on this shirt was done by Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, the man who did much of the DC promotional stock art back in the early 1980s.  My thanks to Terry for the loan!

I don’t own the next three shirts, but I’ve found them for sale online recently.

This next one features the same image as above, but this time in color and with the slogan, “Come Join the Justice League of America”.  Thankfully, Firestorm’s hair isn’t setting anything on fire this time.  You can order this shirt from Popfunk.com by clicking here.

This next shirt features the Justice League of America racing into action.  Firestorm can be found flying on the right-hand side of the group.  The artist on this shirt is most likely Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez again.  You can order this shirt from Popfunk.com by clicking here.

This last shirt features the same image of the JLA as above, but with the trinity in the background.  Personally, I like the look of this shirt better.  You can order this shirt from Graphitti Designs by clicking here.

Remember, come back here tomorrow for one more t-shirt!

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Posted in: Apparel, Firestorm #01: Original (Ronnie/Martin), Justice League of America, Super Powers Collection.
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Secret Origins Advertisement – April 1986

Feb 9th, 2009
by Shag.
No comments yet

Secret Origins was a fantastic series that started back in 1986. This particular ad appeared in comics that were cover-dated April 1986 and was cleverly dressed to look like the front page of the Daily Planet. Check out Firestorm in the bottom right-hand corner. He was featured early on in the Secret Origins series thanks to his popularity at the time.

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Posted in: Advertisements, Firestorm #01: Original (Ronnie/Martin).
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Firestorm & Iron Man Costume Similarities

Feb 4th, 2009
by Shag.
11 comments

In addition to being a fan of Firestorm in the 1980’s, I was also a big fan of Iron Man.  I used to play with my Super Powers Firestorm action figure side-by-side with my Secret Wars Iron Man figure.  As many kids do, I would also draw pictures of my favorite superheroes.  While drawing Firestorm and Iron Man one day, I noticed both costumes used the same colors.  In fact, upon further inspection the colors in their costumes were almost mirror images of one another.

Take a good look at the costumes below.  Here are a few things to notice:

  • Firestorm has a yellow torso, boots, gloves, and briefs.  The same areas on Iron Man are red.
  • Firestorm has red leggings and sleeves.  The same areas on Iron Man are yellow.
  • Both characters have protruding shoulder accents.  Firestorm has pointed shoulder pads, while Iron Man has raised metal bands at the shoulder joints (though not very prominent in the image below).
  • Firestorm has a prominent red circle on his chest.  Iron Man has a prominent yellow circle on his chest.  Both characters have multiple circles on their chest.
  • Both Firestorm and Iron Man have red headgear framing their faces.

For the record, I’m not honestly suggesting that Firestorm creators Gerry Conway and Al Milgrom based the Firestorm costume on Iron Man.  I’m just stating that there are some similarities in costume colors and design elements.  Given that red and yellow are primary colors, it’s not surprising to find costumes using these colors in similar/opposite ways.  There are only so many combinations before you find a mirror counterpart.  Additionally, in comics it’s quite common to see the torso piece of a superhero suit contrast with the leggings and sleeves.

It is interesting to note that about a year before publication of Firestorm #1 [Mar. 1978], writer Gerry Conway completed a run on Iron Man [Iron Man #91 (Oct. 1976) – Iron Man #97 (Apr. 1977)].  However, this is merely coincidence as artist Al Milgrom and Editor Jack C. Harris supposedly developed the look for Firestorm (see “It’s BobRo, the Answer Man” column for Jack C. Harris’ quote on this).  Also, the pieces of Firestorm’s costume that really stand out are the flaming hair and chest emblem; there really isn’t any resemblance to Iron Man in either of those.  The elements of Iron Man’s costume that really stand out are the face-plate and that the entire suit is made of metal; again no overlap with Firestorm in either of these areas. 

Just for fun, check out the covers to Firestorm #1 (Mar. 1978) and Iron Man #110 (May 1978).  These comics were published just a few months apart.  Look at Firestorm and Iron Man’s pose.

Finally, here are the Super Powers Firestorm and Secret Wars Iron Man figures side-by-side.

The Secret Wars Iron Man image comes from the Toyriffic blog.  Check out their excellent review of the Iron Man figure by clicking here.

In conclusion, this is just an interesting coincidence surrounding two popular characters.  Just a crazy observation that has been rattling around in my brain for the last 20+ years.  Nothing more.

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Posted in: Al Milgrom, Firestorm #01: Original (Ronnie/Martin), Gerry Conway, Super Powers Collection.
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DC Direct Currents Advertisement – April 1978

Feb 3rd, 2009
by Shag.
2 comments

Check out Firestorm appearing in a DC Direct Currents advertisement back in April 1978!  Firestorm (volume I) was only on issue #2 at the time, and yet he was already considered enough of a player to appear in this ad.

I wonder what would happen if I sent in a check today with this offer?  :)

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Posted in: Advertisements, Firestorm comic vol. I.
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Firestorm Wallpapers for Your Desktop

Feb 2nd, 2009
by Shag.
1 comment

Today we are presenting a number of Firestorm-related desktop wallpapers to help you customize your computer.  If you’d rather just use a Firestorm comic book cover as your wallpaper, you can get those at the Grand Comic Database by clicking here. The first six wallpapers below come from the DC comics’ web site.  You can see all of DC’s available wallpapers by clicking here.

Firestorm the Nuclear Man #29
800×600
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Countdown to Infinite Crisis #25
800×600
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Justice League of America #25
800×600
1024×768
1280×1024
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World War III
800×600
1024×768
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Justice League of America #1
800×600
1024×768
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Countdown #51
800×600
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Classic Firestorm insignia
1280×1024

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A unique take on the classic Firestorm insignia
1280×1024

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Super Powers cartoon Firestorm at Superhero Universe.com
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Justice League International by Kevin Maguire at The Nuclear Fan
800×600

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JLA/JSA Pin-up by George Perez
1200×831

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Extreme Justice #8
1024×766

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Posted in: Firestorm #01: Original (Ronnie/Martin), Firestorm #05: Ron solo, Firestorm #07: Jason post-Infinite Crisis.
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Nuclear News – 2009.01.29 – JLA, Appearances, Web sites, Martian Manhunter, Creators

Jan 29th, 2009
by Shag.
3 comments

Welcome to the second installment of FIRESTORM FAN’s Nuclear News! Lots of Justice League related news this time around.

  • Trinity #35 just hit the stands yesterday. As I’ve mentioned previously, Firestorm (Jason/Gehenna) has been featured regularly in the Trinity series.  I can’t vouch for issue #35 (as I haven’t read it just yet), but Firestorm has played an important role throughout the series.
  • Justice League of America #29 shipped last week.  While it’s a flashback issue and doesn’t feature Firestorm, it was drawn by CrissCross.  CrissCross was the first artist on Firestorm volume III, and therefore the first artist to draw the Jason Rusch Firestorm.
  • The Justice League of America team is about to go through a major shake-up.  They will be losing Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern.  Here is an article at Newsarama with writer Dwayne McDuffie discussing the changes.  Let’s hope Firestorm stays on the team through these changes.
  • Justice League of America: The Second Coming HC reprints Justice League of America #22-26 and is scheduled for release on May 6, 2009.  This volume includes a brief appearance by an alternate reality Firestorm known only as “WE ARE FIRESTORM”.
  • Dwayne McDuffie recently stated on his own forum that we will see more of Jason Rusch and Martin Stein in a future story line.  Additionally, he said that “WE ARE FIRESTORM” will appear again.
  • According to Dwayne McDuffie’s blog, this summer will see the release of a softcover edition of Justice League of America: The Injustice League.  This softcover will reprint the JLA Wedding Special and Justice League of America #13-16.  This is the story where the Jason Rusch Firestorm is “recruited” by Batman for the Justice League.  The hardcover of this story was released last summer.
  • Furious Firestorm is a new website from Mr. Jamester.  The site is dedicated to our favorite match-head and features lots of images, pictures, and even a few videos.  Check it out!
  • As we’ve noted here previously, Ronnie Raymond will return as a Black Lantern during the Green Lantern story, Blackest Night.  DC has solicited a few Blackest Night action figures already.  Over at Frank Delano’s Martian Manhunter blog, The IDOL-HEAD of DIABOLU, you can see a glimpse of the Black Lantern Martian Manhunter.  Wow, icky.  Makes me somewhat nervous about how Ronnie Raymond will look as a Black Lantern.
  • Also over at The IDOL-HEAD of DIABOLU, Frank has put together a great resource covering the relationship between Martian Manhunter and Firestorm.  He discusses their interactions as well as provides a number of links to other Firestorm-related posts on IDOL-HEAD.  Definitely worth your time to check this out!
  • Pat Broderick (the first artist on Firestorm volume II) is scheduled to appear at Florida Supercon in Miami JUNE 5-7, 2009.
  • As always, check out the Firestorm section of the DC Comics Message Board for Firestorm-related discussion.

WE ARE FIRESTORM

WE ARE FIRESTORM

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Posted in: Comic books, CrissCross, Dwayne McDuffie, Firestorm #07: Jason post-Infinite Crisis, Justice League of America, Links/websites, News, Pat Broderick, Ronnie Raymond.
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Firestorm Baseball Cap (unofficial)

Jan 28th, 2009
by Shag.
1 comment

In the early 1990s, a friend had this baseball cap made for me.  The logo and Firestorm’s appearance are based upon the elemental Firestorm from the John Ostrander & Tom Mandrake run.  I don’t have too many opportunities to wear it, but I love the look of it. Even though it’s not an officially licensed piece of Firestorm memorabilia, I thought it was worth sharing.

Lately my two-and-a-half year old daughter has taken an interest in wearing it.  It warms daddy’s heart!

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Posted in: Apparel, Firestorm #03: Elemental I (Ron/Mikhail/clone), Firestorm comic vol. II, Tom Mandrake.
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