Warning, the following contains SPOILERS for Brightest Day #22.
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Okay seriously, we’re about to discuss some HUGE Firestorm-related spoilers. If you haven’t read the issue, I strongly encourage you to avoid reading what follows.
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After several issues with no Firestorm appearance, this time we’re treated to an entire issue devoted to our favorite Nuclear Man! The general premise of the issue is Firestorm trying to rescue the White Lantern from the Anti-Monitor. A lot happens and Firestorm’s subplots are wrapped up to make way for the big Brightest Day finale.
THE BIG SHOCKER
This is the comic book I never wanted to read – the death of Professor Martin Stein. Ouch, it’s not pleasant to type either. Old school fans will be quick to point out that we watched the Professor die back in 1987 in Firestorm Annual #5, but I never really believed he was dead (and I was eventually proven correct). This time it looks like a definitive death for him. In my 30 years reading comics, I’ve seen several characters die. For whatever reason this one is bothering me more than most. In fact, this is bothering me more than Ronnie’s death back in 2004.
I reached out to Firestorm co-creator Gerry Conway to ask his thoughts on the death of Professor Martin Stein. This is what he had to say:
Well, not to be too cavalier about it, but it isn’t the first time he’s died, as I recall. I’m sorry they decided to kill him off but I understand why they did it — to clear the way for the Ronnie/Jason duo, and to put some emotion behind it, as well as balance the death of Jason’s other half. Honestly, I prefer having Martin die heroically rather than being written out the way they dealt with him in the past.
Anyway, for me, the important result is the return of Ronnie Raymond and the basic dynamic of ordinary jock fused with extraordinary intellectual. Having them both be teenagers, with the complicated history they now share, seems like a smart idea. I just hope it results in a successful revival of the character.
As for Martin being dead… Being dead in comics ain’t as permanent as it used to be, right?
I think Gerry touched on several good reasons why DC decided to kill the Professor in Brightest Day. While I grasp the storytelling reasons for killing Martin, it still saddens me. I believe with the amazing creativity of Geoff Johns and Peter Tomasi they could have found another way to push Ronnie and Jason forward as a team without killing the Professor. Great characterization doesn’t always have to stem from another characters death. Martin’s role throughout Brightest Day demonstrated that he was still a viable supporting character. Professor Stein has had such a difficult life (check out Mark Baker-Wright’s blog to see exactly how hard Stein’s life has been), it’s sad to see it end so tragically. Heck, I find him so interesting I would have read a monthly comic about a powerless Martin Stein and his scientific mis-adventures!
While I understand their reasons for killing Professor Stein and respect their right to make that decision, I’m still disappointed. With that said, I gotta admit the death scene itself is very well-written. It really pulls on the heartstrings. Ronnie’s attempt to save Jason, and Martin’s attempt to save them both was touching. Stein’s last line was exactly what it should have been.
I DON’T KNOW MUCH ABOUT ART, BUT I KNOW WHAT I LIKE
The art in this issue is exceptional! Scott Clark and Dave Beaty really outdid themselves this time! Just to clear up any possible confusion caused by the credits, the entire issue is penciled by Scott Clark and inked by Dave Beaty (with the exception of the last two pages that were done by Ivan Reis and Joe Prado). My thanks to Dave Beaty for providing me the straight scoop on that.
Compared to Clark and Beaty’s earlier issues of Brightest Day, this one is a lot darker. The use of heavy shadows and darker backgrounds sets a bleak and claustrophobic mood. The action scenes are very dynamic and contrast the aura of impending doom. You really get the sense that the entire story has been building to this moment and everything is on the line.
Some of my favorite artistic moments include: the opening splash page of the Anti-Monitor over the White Lantern (see below), Firestorm shadowy splash page as he begins his attack, the Anti-Monitor without his helmet (LOL!), the giant match, and Professor Stein’s entire death scene. Truthfully I love every panel, but those are some that jump out at me.
Below you’ll find the standard cover by Gary Frank and Nathan Eyring and the variant cover by Ivan Reis. While both covers are nice, I really wish they’d let Scott Clark and Dave Beaty draw a cover for this one. They’ve earned it.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
Several issues ago the White Lantern entity spoke to both Ronnie and Jason giving them a mission. “Ronald Raymond of Earth, you need to study. Jason Rusch of Earth, you need to get your head out of the books. Learn from each other so you can stop him. Don’t let him destroy me.” In this issue, Ronnie and Jason work together really well and save the White Lantern. Then White Lantern declares their mission accomplished. Here is where I’m confused a little. If their mission is to prevent the Anti-Monitor from destroying the White Lantern, then shouldn’t their mission be accomplished the moment Firestorm gets a hold of the lantern? Instead the White Lantern waits seven pages to declare their mission accomplished. In the meantime Professor Stein is murdered. Nothing changes with the lantern itself during this time, so really it should have declared the mission accomplished the moment Firestorm grabbed the White Lantern. Does this make sense to anyone else? I understand the delay from a storytelling perspective, but not from the mechanics of the mission.
POINTS TO PONDER
The ending feels somewhat anti-climatic. In the blink of an eye, the White Lantern defeats the Anti-Monitor, Deathstorm, and the Black Lanterns. Additionally, Alvin Rusch is safely whisked away home. This deus ex machina robs us of a big showdown between Firestorm and Deathstorm. After 22 issues, I feel we deserve to see Firestorm totally stomp Deathstorm. I can’t help but wonder if this was always planned or was a shortcut taken due to the recent page reduction from 22 to 20 pages.
I believe it’s safe to say we’ll see Deathstorm again some day. In fact, Brightest Day Editor Eddie Berganza said at the C2E2 convention this past weekend when asked about the Black Lanterns, “One of my rules is that if you see a toy of a character in Wal-Mart, it’s pretty likely they’ll stick around.” He noted that Deathstorm had appeared in a two-pack with Firestorm.
Over at The Indigo Tribe, our buddy liquidcross points out in his review of Brightest Day #22 that we still don’t know where Deathstorm originated. Great observation! Was he a creation of the Anti-Monitor? Was he the original Black Lantern Firestorm that killed Gehenna? If so, how did he survive the end of Blackest Night? It is looking like Brightest Day will end with these questions unanswered. Hopefully whatever spin-offs come from Brightest Day will provide us with a rematch between Firestorm and Deathstorm and some answers.
CONCLUSION
Overall I really enjoyed this issue! Great action, lots of drama, and multiple subplots resolved. The death of the Professor stings, but the best thing we can do is keep moving and look forward to future adventures with Ronnie and Jason. Things are really ramping up for the big Brightest Day finale! I can’t wait to see where things go from here!
Support Firestorm! Fan the flame!
