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|imagesize= <!-- numeral only, defaults to 250 -->
|imagesize= <!-- numeral only, defaults to 250 -->
|converted = y
|converted = y
|caption = Ronald Raymond from ''[[Firestorm (comics)|Firestorm, The Nuclear Man]]'' vol. 3, #9, art by [[Jamal Igle]]
|caption = Ronnie Raymond from ''[[Firestorm (comics)|Firestorm, The Nuclear Man]]'' vol. 3, #9, art by [[Jamal Igle]]
|character_name = Firestorm
|character_name = Firestorm
|real_name = Ronald Raymond
|real_name = Ronald "Ronnie" Raymond
|publisher=[[DC Comics]]
|publisher=[[DC Comics]]
|debut = ''Firestorm'' (vol. 1) #1</br> (March [[1978 in comics|1978]])
|debut = ''Firestorm'' #1</br> (March [[1978 in comics|1978]])
|creators = [[Gerry Conway]] (writer)</br>[[Al Milgrom]] (artist)
|creators = [[Gerry Conway]] (writer)</br>[[Al Milgrom]] (artist)
|Base of operations =
|Base of operations =
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|partners = <!-- optional -->
|partners = <!-- optional -->
|supports = <!-- optional -->
|supports = <!-- optional -->
|aliases = Ronnie, Ron, Ron Ray
|aliases = Ron, Ron Ray
|powers = <ul><li>Ability to rearrange the atomic and molecular structure of matter</li><li>Can alter the density of objects, including his own body, and render them intangible</li><li>Can project bolts of nuclear energy</li><li>Flight</li><li>Absorb explosive force and radiation in to his body harmlessly.</li></ul>
|powers = <ul><li>Ability to rearrange the atomic and molecular structure of matter</li><li>Can alter the density of objects, including his own body, and render them intangible</li><li>Can project bolts of nuclear energy</li><li>Flight</li><li>Absorb explosive force and radiation in to his body harmlessly.</li></ul>
|cat = super
|cat = super
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}}
}}


'''Firestorm''' ('''Ronald "Ronnie" Raymond''') is a [[fictional character]], a [[comic book]] [[superhero]] published by [[DC Comics]]. He first appeared in ''[[Firestorm (comics)|Firestorm, The Nuclear Man]]'' vol. 1 #1 (March [[1978 in comics|1978]]), and was reated by writer [[Gerry Conway]] and artist [[Al Milgrom]].<ref name="dc-ency">{{Citation | last = Wallace | first = Dan | author-link = | contribution = Firestorm | editor-last = Dougall | editor-first = Alastair | title = The DC Comics Encyclopedia | pages = 123 | publisher = [[Dorling Kindersley]] | place = New York | year = 2008 | ISBN = 0-7566-4119-5 | oclc = 213309017}}</ref>
'''Firestorm''' ('''Ronald "Ronnie" Raymond''') is a [[fictional character]], a [[comic book]] [[superhero]] published by [[DC Comics]]. He first appeared in ''[[Firestorm (comics)|Firestorm, The Nuclear Man]]'' #1 (March [[1978 in comics|1978]]), and was reated by writer [[Gerry Conway]] and artist [[Al Milgrom]].<ref name="dc-ency">{{Citation | last = Wallace | first = Dan | author-link = | contribution = Firestorm | editor-last = Dougall | editor-first = Alastair | title = The DC Comics Encyclopedia | pages = 123 | publisher = [[Dorling Kindersley]] | place = New York | year = 2008 | ISBN = 0-7566-4119-5 | oclc = 213309017}}</ref>


==Publication history==
==Publication history==
The first ''Firestorm'' series was short-lived, canceled abruptly in a company-wide cutback (the "[[DC Implosion]]")<ref name="Hot-headed Hero" /> with #5 (the first part of a multiple-issue story) the last to be distributed, and #6 included in ''[[Cancelled Comic Cavalcade]]''. Writer Conway added Firestorm to the roster of ''[[Justice League|Justice League of America]]''. This led to a series of 8-page stories in the back of ''[[Flash (comics)|The Flash]]'' (with art by [[George Pérez]]), and a revival of a monthly Firestorm comic in 1982. ''The Fury of Firestorm'' (later called ''Firestorm: the Nuclear Man'') lasted from [[1982 in comics|1982]] until [[1990 in comics|1990]].
The first ''Firestorm'' series was short-lived, canceled abruptly in a company-wide cutback (the "[[DC Implosion]]")<ref name="Hot-headed Hero" /> with #5 (the first part of a multiple-issue story) the last to be distributed, and #6 included in ''[[Cancelled Comic Cavalcade]]''. Writer Conway added Firestorm to the roster of ''[[Justice League|Justice League of America]]''. This led to a series of 8-page stories in the back of ''[[Flash (comics)|The Flash]]'' (with art by [[George Pérez]]), and a revival of a monthly Firestorm comic in 1982. ''The Fury of Firestorm'' (later called ''Firestorm: the Nuclear Man'') lasted from [[1982 in comics|1982]] until [[1990 in comics|1990]].


In ''Firestorm, The Nuclear Man'' vol. 1 #1 (March 1978) Ronald Raymond is named for the very first time when Martin Stein calls him "Ronald", later Raymond introduces himself to Doreen Day and [[Thinker (DC Comics)#Clifford Carmichael|Clifford Carmichael]] as Ronnie, afterwards while Martin Stein refers to him only as Ronald everyone else calls him Ronnie. In ''[[Who's Who in the DC Universe]]'' vol. 1 #8 his name is listed as Ronald (Ronnie) Raymond, originally Ronald Rockwell.<ref>As seen in ''Who's Who in the DC Universe'' vol. 1 #8 (October 1985) </ref> The same pattern continues in Firestorm (volume 2) until John Ostrander takes over with ''Fury of Firestorm'' #58 and continuing through to the series finale in issue #100, he has everyone refer to him him Ronald or Ron except for family and friends.<ref>As seen in ''Fury of Firestorm'' #58 (April 1987)</ref> In ''Who's Who Update '88'' #1 he is also listed as Ronald (Ronnie) Raymond.<ref>As seen in ''Who's Who Update '88'' #1 (August 1988)</ref> In ''Who's Who in the DC Universe'' #10 Martin Stein is listed as Firestorm, and the entry refers to Ronald as "Ron Raymond".<ref>As seen in ''Who's Who in the DC Universe'' #10 (June 1991)</ref> In ''[[Extreme Justice]]'' #4 and for several issues after that he is the supermodel known as "Ron Ray".<ref>As seen in ''Extreme Justice'' #4 (May 1995)</ref> In ''Firestorm'' vol. 3 #6 and in later issues he is referred to as Ronnie Raymond.<ref>As seen in ''Firestorm'' vol. 3 #6 (December 2004)</ref> Most recently in the ''DC Comics Encyclopedia'' (ISBN 0756641195, 2004) he was listed only as Ronnie Raymond.<ref>http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/DC_Comics_Encyclopedia</ref>
In ''Firestorm, The Nuclear Man'' #1 (March 1978) Ronnie Raymond is named for the very first time when Martin Stein calls him "Ronald", later Raymond introduces himself to Doreen Day and [[Thinker (DC Comics)#Clifford Carmichael|Clifford Carmichael]] as Ronnie, afterwards while Martin Stein refers to him only as Ronald everyone else calls him Ronnie. In ''[[Who's Who in the DC Universe]]'' #8 his name is listed as Ronald (Ronnie) Raymond, originally Ronald Rockwell.<ref>As seen in ''Who's Who in the DC Universe'' #8 (October 1985) </ref> The same pattern continues in Firestorm (vol. 2) until John Ostrander takes over with ''Fury of Firestorm'' #58 and continuing through to the series finale in issue #100, he has everyone refer to him him Ronald or Ron except for family and friends.<ref>As seen in ''Fury of Firestorm'' #58 (April 1987)</ref> In ''Who's Who Update '88'' #1 he is also listed as Ronald (Ronnie) Raymond.<ref>As seen in ''Who's Who Update '88'' #1 (August 1988)</ref> In ''Who's Who in the DC Universe'' #10 Martin Stein is listed as Firestorm, and the entry refers to Ronald as "Ron Raymond".<ref>As seen in ''Who's Who in the DC Universe'' #10 (June 1991)</ref> In ''[[Extreme Justice]]'' #4 and for several issues after that he is the supermodel known as "Ron Ray".<ref>As seen in ''Extreme Justice'' #4 (May 1995)</ref> In ''Firestorm'' vol. 3 #6 and in later issues he is referred to as Ronnie Raymond.<ref>As seen in ''Firestorm'' vol. 3 #6 (December 2004)</ref> Most recently in the ''DC Comics Encyclopedia'' (ISBN 0756641195, 2004) he was listed only as Ronnie Raymond.<ref>http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/DC_Comics_Encyclopedia</ref>


==Fictional character biography==
==Fictional character biography==
===Ronald Raymond / Martin Stein===
===Ronnie Raymond / Martin Stein===
The original Firestorm was distinguished by his integrated dual identity. [[High school]] student Ronald "ROnnie" Raymond and [[Nobel Prize]]-winning [[physics|physicist]] Martin Stein were caught in a nuclear accident that allowed them to fuse into the "nuclear man" Firestorm. Due to Stein's being unconscious during the accident, Raymond was prominently in command of the Firestorm form with Stein a voice of reason inside his mind. Banter between the two was a hallmark of their adventures.<ref name="dc-ency"/>
The original Firestorm was distinguished by his integrated dual identity. [[High school]] student Ronnie Raymond and [[Nobel Prize]]-winning [[physics|physicist]] Martin Stein were caught in a nuclear accident that allowed them to fuse into the "nuclear man" Firestorm. Due to Stein's being unconscious during the accident, Raymond was prominently in command of the Firestorm form with Stein a voice of reason inside his mind. Banter between the two was a hallmark of their adventures.<ref name="dc-ency"/>


After the accident that created him, Firestorm took to defending [[New York]] from such threats as [[Multiplex (comics)|Multiplex]] (created in the same nuclear accident that produced Firestorm) and [[Killer Frost]]. The 1982 series began with the teenaged Raymond adjusting to his newfound role and later delved into the issue of the [[nuclear arms race]] and Firestorm’s role as an "[[elemental]]." Written initially by Conway and drawn mainly by [[Pat Broderick]] and [[Rafael Kayanan]], ''The Fury of Firestorm'' slowly developed the lives of Raymond and Stein, as the teenager struggled with high school and moved towards graduation and the scientist found a life outside the lab. A second nuclear hero, [[Firehawk (comics)|Firehawk]], was added as a love interest for Firestorm in 1984. The series also tried to create a sense of fun, something that Conway felt was missing during his years writing [[Spider-Man]];<ref name="Hot-headed Hero">Conway, Gerry. "Nuclear Reactions: Just Your Average Hot-Headed Hero," ''The Fury of Firestorm'' #1 vol. 1, #1 (June 1982).</ref> the banter between Ronald Raymond and Martin Stein contributed to this. Upon graduation from high school, Raymond entered college in [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania|Pittsburgh]], where Stein had been hired as a professor.
After the accident that created him, Firestorm took to defending [[New York]] from such threats as [[Multiplex (comics)|Multiplex]] (created in the same nuclear accident that produced Firestorm) and [[Killer Frost]]. The 1982 series began with the teenaged Raymond adjusting to his newfound role and later delved into the issue of the [[nuclear arms race]] and Firestorm’s role as an "[[elemental]]." Written initially by Conway and drawn mainly by [[Pat Broderick]] and [[Rafael Kayanan]], ''The Fury of Firestorm'' slowly developed the lives of Raymond and Stein, as the teenager struggled with high school and moved towards graduation and the scientist found a life outside the lab. A second nuclear hero, [[Firehawk (comics)|Firehawk]], was added as a love interest for Firestorm in 1984. The series also tried to create a sense of fun, something that Conway felt was missing during his years writing [[Spider-Man]];<ref name="Hot-headed Hero">Conway, Gerry. "Nuclear Reactions: Just Your Average Hot-Headed Hero," ''The Fury of Firestorm'' #1 #1 (June 1982).</ref> the banter between Ronnie Raymond and Martin Stein contributed to this. Upon graduation from high school, Raymond entered college in [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania|Pittsburgh]], where Stein had been hired as a professor.


Firestorm's list of enemies included such generally forgotten foes as the [[Hyena (comics)|Hyena]], [[Zuggernaut]], [[Typhoon (comics)|Typhoon]], and [[Black Bison]]. One Firestorm enemy, [[Plastique (comics)|Plastique]], would later play a major role in DC's [[Captain Atom]]; she later reformed and married Atom. He also fought Killer Frost, who was forced by the [[Psycho-Pirate]] to fall in love with him during the ''[[Crisis on Infinite Earths]].''
Firestorm's list of enemies included such generally forgotten foes as the [[Hyena (comics)|Hyena]], [[Zuggernaut]], [[Typhoon (comics)|Typhoon]], and [[Black Bison]]. One Firestorm enemy, [[Plastique (comics)|Plastique]], would later play a major role in DC's [[Captain Atom]]; she later reformed and married Atom. He also fought Killer Frost, who was forced by the [[Psycho-Pirate]] to fall in love with him during the ''[[Crisis on Infinite Earths]].''


===Ronald Raymond / Martin Stein / Mikhail Arkadin===
===Ronnie Raymond / Martin Stein / Mikhail Arkadin===
{{see also|Pozhar}}
{{see also|Pozhar}}
In 1986, Conway abruptly left the series, and [[John Ostrander]] (with artist Joe Brozowski) took over the reins. Ostrander, a more politically aware writer{{Fact|date=April 2008}}, sought to make Firestorm more relevant to the world and a good deal grittier. His first major story arc pitted Firestorm against the world, as the hero (acting on a suggestion from a terminally ill Prof. Stein) demanded the [[United States|U.S.]] and the [[Soviet Union]] destroy all of their nuclear weapons. After tussles with the Justice League and most of his enemies, Firestorm faced off against a Russian nuclear man named [[Pozhar]] in the [[Nevada]] desert, where they had an [[nuclear weapon|atomic bomb]] dropped on them.
In 1986, Conway abruptly left the series, and [[John Ostrander]] (with artist Joe Brozowski) took over the reins. Ostrander, a more politically aware writer{{Fact|date=April 2008}}, sought to make Firestorm more relevant to the world and a good deal grittier. His first major story arc pitted Firestorm against the world, as the hero (acting on a suggestion from a terminally ill Prof. Stein) demanded the [[United States|U.S.]] and the [[Soviet Union]] destroy all of their nuclear weapons. After tussles with the Justice League and most of his enemies, Firestorm faced off against a Russian nuclear man named [[Pozhar]] in the [[Nevada]] desert, where they had an [[nuclear weapon|atomic bomb]] dropped on them.
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By the series' hundredth issue, Stein learned that he was destined to be the true fire elemental and would have been were it not for Ron Raymond also being there by circumstance. Raymond and Arkadin were returned to their old lives, and Stein, now Firestorm, was accidentally exiled to deep space in the process of saving the Earth. He thereafter spent many years traveling through space as a wanderer, returning to earth on only two occasions: the ''War of the Gods'' crossover event, and again in ''[[Extreme Justice]]'' #5, where Stein cured Raymond of his [[leukemia]] and allowed Raymond to retain the original Firestorm persona on his own.
By the series' hundredth issue, Stein learned that he was destined to be the true fire elemental and would have been were it not for Ron Raymond also being there by circumstance. Raymond and Arkadin were returned to their old lives, and Stein, now Firestorm, was accidentally exiled to deep space in the process of saving the Earth. He thereafter spent many years traveling through space as a wanderer, returning to earth on only two occasions: the ''War of the Gods'' crossover event, and again in ''[[Extreme Justice]]'' #5, where Stein cured Raymond of his [[leukemia]] and allowed Raymond to retain the original Firestorm persona on his own.


After the transition to the elemental Firestorm, all of the main characters from the series vanished from the comics for some time after the cancellation of the ''Firestorm'' comic in 1990 (except for a brief cameo in the ''War of the Gods'' crossover event). Raymond eventually returned in the pages of the JLA [[Spin-off (media)|spin-off]], ''[[Extreme Justice]]''.<ref name="dc-extr">{{Citation | last = Beatty | first = Scott | author-link = Scott Beatty | contribution = Extreme Justice | editor-last = Dougall | editor-first = Alastair | title = The DC Comics Encyclopedia | pages = 117 | publisher = [[Dorling Kindersley]] | place = New York | year = 2008 | ISBN = 0-7566-4119-5 | oclc = 213309017}}</ref> Raymond, who at the time was undergoing treatment for leukemia, regained his original powers after a chemotherapy session. It took the combined might of the Justice League, led by [[Captain Atom]], and the returned elemental Firestorm to restore Ronald's health. Firestorm began to appear regularly in a number of DC titles, though lacking the guidance and knowledge necessary to use his skills wisely. He would play a role in several company-wide crossovers and, in 2002, returned to active duty with the Justice League and also appeared briefly in [[Kurt Busiek]]'s heroes-for-hire comic ''The [[Power Company]]'',
After the transition to the elemental Firestorm, all of the main characters from the series vanished from the comics for some time after the cancellation of the ''Firestorm'' comic in 1990 (except for a brief cameo in the ''War of the Gods'' crossover event). Raymond eventually returned in the pages of the JLA [[Spin-off (media)|spin-off]], ''[[Extreme Justice]]''.<ref name="dc-extr">{{Citation | last = Beatty | first = Scott | author-link = Scott Beatty | contribution = Extreme Justice | editor-last = Dougall | editor-first = Alastair | title = The DC Comics Encyclopedia | pages = 117 | publisher = [[Dorling Kindersley]] | place = New York | year = 2008 | ISBN = 0-7566-4119-5 | oclc = 213309017}}</ref> Raymond, who at the time was undergoing treatment for leukemia, regained his original powers after a chemotherapy session. It took the combined might of the Justice League, led by [[Captain Atom]], and the returned elemental Firestorm to restore Ronnie's health. Firestorm began to appear regularly in a number of DC titles, though lacking the guidance and knowledge necessary to use his skills wisely. He would play a role in several company-wide crossovers and, in 2002, returned to active duty with the Justice League and also appeared briefly in [[Kurt Busiek]]'s heroes-for-hire comic ''The [[Power Company]]'',


===JLA===
===JLA===
{{see also|Justice League}}
{{see also|Justice League}}
After the Justice League of America had traveled 3,000 years into the past to search for a missing Aquaman. [[Batman]] puts together a new Justice League to be earth's protectors while the Justice League of America is gone. Firestorm is among the nine heroes chosen by Batman to be members in this new Justice League. After the Justice League of America returns to the present, the new Justice League disbands. However, several members of the new Justice League, including Firestorm, opt to join the Justice League of America. While a member of the JLA, Raymond acts as a junior member and is constantly cautious of upsetting his teammates and making mistakes in the field; he states vocally a few times that he is afraid of losing his position. While in the League, Ronald developed a close friendship with [[Manitou Dawn]] while he was attempting to teach her the English language.
After the Justice League of America had traveled 3,000 years into the past to search for a missing Aquaman. [[Batman]] puts together a new Justice League to be earth's protectors while the Justice League of America is gone. Firestorm is among the nine heroes chosen by Batman to be members in this new Justice League. After the Justice League of America returns to the present, the new Justice League disbands. However, several members of the new Justice League, including Firestorm, opt to join the Justice League of America. While a member of the JLA, Raymond acts as a junior member and is constantly cautious of upsetting his teammates and making mistakes in the field; he states vocally a few times that he is afraid of losing his position. While in the League, Ronnie developed a close friendship with [[Manitou Dawn]] while he was attempting to teach her the English language.
[[Image:BlackLanternFirestorm.jpg|thumb|right|100px|Promotional art for Blackest Night Firestorm.]]
[[Image:BlackLanternFirestorm.jpg|thumb|right|100px|Promotional art for Blackest Night Firestorm.]]


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===Blackest Night===
===Blackest Night===
{{main|Blackest Night}}
{{main|Blackest Night}}
In ''Blackest Night'' #1, Ronald Raymond is called by a [[Power ring (DC Comics)#Black|black power ring]] to join the [[Black Lantern Corps]]. In the following issue, his resurrected corpse is shown confronting [[Flash (Barry Allen)|Barry Allen]] and [[Hal Jordan]] alongside [[Hawkman (Carter Hall)|Hawkman]], [[Hawkgirl#Kendra Saunders|Hawkgirl]], [[Elongated Man]], [[Sue Dibny]], and [[Martian Manhunter|J'onn J'onnz]].<ref name="bn2">''Blackest Night'' #2 (August 2009)</ref>
In ''Blackest Night'' #1, Ronnie Raymond is called by a [[Power ring (DC Comics)#Black|black power ring]] to join the [[Black Lantern Corps]]. In the following issue, his resurrected corpse is shown confronting [[Flash (Barry Allen)|Barry Allen]] and [[Hal Jordan]] alongside [[Hawkman (Carter Hall)|Hawkman]], [[Hawkgirl#Kendra Saunders|Hawkgirl]], [[Elongated Man]], [[Sue Dibny]], and [[Martian Manhunter|J'onn J'onnz]].<ref name="bn2">''Blackest Night'' #2 (August 2009)</ref>


==Powers and abilities==
==Powers and abilities==
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==Other media==
==Other media==
*Firestorm appeared in [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC's]] ''[[Super Friends: The Legendary Super Powers Show]]'' and ''[[The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians]]'' (the last two ''Super Friends'' series). [[Mark L. Taylor]] provided Ronald Raymond's voice while [[Olan Soule]] provided Martin Stein's voice. The crew responsible for the first series depicted the flames on Firestorm's head as a static, fire-shaped ornament. The second series' authors made another change, transforming the hair into a waved haircut.
*Firestorm appeared in [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC's]] ''[[Super Friends: The Legendary Super Powers Show]]'' and ''[[The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians]]'' (the last two ''Super Friends'' series). [[Mark L. Taylor]] provided Ronnie Raymond's voice while [[Olan Soule]] provided Martin Stein's voice. The crew responsible for the first series depicted the flames on Firestorm's head as a static, fire-shaped ornament. The second series' authors made another change, transforming the hair into a waved haircut.
*Firestorm was among the myriad planned guest stars in [[Cartoon Network]]'s ''[[Justice League Unlimited]]'' [[List of animated television series|animated series]]. JLU writer/producer [[Dwayne McDuffie]] said the producers had permission from DC Comics to use Firestorm, but the show's creators could not come up with a story using him that they liked.{{Fact|date=May 2009}} In ''[[Wizard (magazine)|Wizard]]'' magazine #197, McDuffie revealed that the producers intended to use the Raymond and Stein version of Firestorm for the series. Firestorm has appeared in issues #3 and 16 of the ''[[Justice League Unlimited|JLU]]'' tie-in comic. He was to have been the focus character for the episode "The Greatest Story Never Told", but was replaced by Booster Gold.<ref>[http://jl.toonzone.net/episode33/episode33.htm The Justice League Watchtower: The Greatest Story Never Told]</ref>
*Firestorm was among the myriad planned guest stars in [[Cartoon Network]]'s ''[[Justice League Unlimited]]'' [[List of animated television series|animated series]]. JLU writer/producer [[Dwayne McDuffie]] said the producers had permission from DC Comics to use Firestorm, but the show's creators could not come up with a story using him that they liked.{{Fact|date=May 2009}} In ''[[Wizard (magazine)|Wizard]]'' magazine #197, McDuffie revealed that the producers intended to use the Raymond and Stein version of Firestorm for the series. Firestorm has appeared in issues #3 and 16 of the ''[[Justice League Unlimited|JLU]]'' tie-in comic. He was to have been the focus character for the episode "The Greatest Story Never Told", but was replaced by Booster Gold.<ref>[http://jl.toonzone.net/episode33/episode33.htm The Justice League Watchtower: The Greatest Story Never Told]</ref>
*Through recently taken photos, it has been revealed that the [[Firestorm (Jason Rusch)|Jason Rusch]] version of Firestorm will appear in the new series ''[[Batman: The Brave and the Bold]]''. Former Firestorm writer [[Jamal Igle]] later confirmed this.<ref>[http://dcboards.warnerbros.com/web/thread.jspa?messageID=2005282793 "''Batman: The Brave and the Bold'' For May," DC Comics Message Boards (May 1, 2009).] Accessed May 7, 2009.</ref> A voice artist is yet to be confirmed.{{Fact|date=May 2009}}
*Through recently taken photos, it has been revealed that the [[Firestorm (Jason Rusch)|Jason Rusch]] version of Firestorm will appear in the new series ''[[Batman: The Brave and the Bold]]''. Former Firestorm writer [[Jamal Igle]] later confirmed this.<ref>[http://dcboards.warnerbros.com/web/thread.jspa?messageID=2005282793 "''Batman: The Brave and the Bold'' For May," DC Comics Message Boards (May 1, 2009).] Accessed May 7, 2009.</ref> A voice artist is yet to be confirmed.{{Fact|date=May 2009}}


==Other versions==
==Other versions==
*Ronald Raymond has appeared as Firestorm in the ''Justice League Unlimited'' spin-off comic book. His appearances are in issues #3, 8, and 16
*Ronnie Raymond has appeared as Firestorm in the ''Justice League Unlimited'' spin-off comic book. His appearances are in issues #3, 8, and 16
*On [[List of DC Multiverse worlds#The 52|Earth-37]], Ronald Raymond and [[Captain Atom|Nathaniel Adam]] were fused to become "Quantum-Storm," a Firestorm/Captain Atom hybrid.
*On [[List of DC Multiverse worlds#The 52|Earth-37]], Ronnie Raymond and [[Captain Atom|Nathaniel Adam]] were fused to become "Quantum-Storm," a Firestorm/Captain Atom hybrid.
*The [[Worlds of the 52 multiverse#Earth-12|Earth-12]] version of Firestorm is a [[Batman Beyond|futuristic]] descendant of the original.
*The [[Worlds of the 52 multiverse#Earth-12|Earth-12]] version of Firestorm is a [[Batman Beyond|futuristic]] descendant of the original.
*On Earth-9, the Secret Society Nightwing uses armed agents called Firestorm Troopers.
*On Earth-9, the Secret Society Nightwing uses armed agents called Firestorm Troopers.
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==References==
==References==
*{{comicbookdb|type=character|id=285|title=Firestorm (Martin Stein/Ronald Raymond)}}
*{{comicbookdb|type=character|id=285|title=Firestorm (Martin Stein/Ronnie Raymond)}}
*{{comicbookdb|type=character|id=7821|title=Firestorm (Raymond/Arkadin/Stein)}}
*{{comicbookdb|type=character|id=7821|title=Firestorm (Raymond/Arkadin/Stein)}}
*{{comicbookdb|type=character|id=15423|title=Firestorm (Martin Stein)}}
*{{comicbookdb|type=character|id=15423|title=Firestorm (Martin Stein)}}

Revision as of 20:23, 23 August 2009

For the third Firestorm, see Firestorm (Jason Rusch).
Firestorm
File:Firestorm raymond.jpg
Ronnie Raymond from Firestorm, The Nuclear Man vol. 3, #9, art by Jamal Igle
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceFirestorm #1
(March 1978)
Created byGerry Conway (writer)
Al Milgrom (artist)
In-story information
Alter egoRonald "Ronnie" Raymond
Team affiliationsJustice League
Power Company
Notable aliasesRon, Ron Ray
Abilities
  • Ability to rearrange the atomic and molecular structure of matter
  • Can alter the density of objects, including his own body, and render them intangible
  • Can project bolts of nuclear energy
  • Flight
  • Absorb explosive force and radiation in to his body harmlessly.

Firestorm (Ronald "Ronnie" Raymond) is a fictional character, a comic book superhero published by DC Comics. He first appeared in Firestorm, The Nuclear Man #1 (March 1978), and was reated by writer Gerry Conway and artist Al Milgrom.[1]

Publication history

The first Firestorm series was short-lived, canceled abruptly in a company-wide cutback (the "DC Implosion")[2] with #5 (the first part of a multiple-issue story) the last to be distributed, and #6 included in Cancelled Comic Cavalcade. Writer Conway added Firestorm to the roster of Justice League of America. This led to a series of 8-page stories in the back of The Flash (with art by George Pérez), and a revival of a monthly Firestorm comic in 1982. The Fury of Firestorm (later called Firestorm: the Nuclear Man) lasted from 1982 until 1990.

In Firestorm, The Nuclear Man #1 (March 1978) Ronnie Raymond is named for the very first time when Martin Stein calls him "Ronald", later Raymond introduces himself to Doreen Day and Clifford Carmichael as Ronnie, afterwards while Martin Stein refers to him only as Ronald everyone else calls him Ronnie. In Who's Who in the DC Universe #8 his name is listed as Ronald (Ronnie) Raymond, originally Ronald Rockwell.[3] The same pattern continues in Firestorm (vol. 2) until John Ostrander takes over with Fury of Firestorm #58 and continuing through to the series finale in issue #100, he has everyone refer to him him Ronald or Ron except for family and friends.[4] In Who's Who Update '88 #1 he is also listed as Ronald (Ronnie) Raymond.[5] In Who's Who in the DC Universe #10 Martin Stein is listed as Firestorm, and the entry refers to Ronald as "Ron Raymond".[6] In Extreme Justice #4 and for several issues after that he is the supermodel known as "Ron Ray".[7] In Firestorm vol. 3 #6 and in later issues he is referred to as Ronnie Raymond.[8] Most recently in the DC Comics Encyclopedia (ISBN 0756641195, 2004) he was listed only as Ronnie Raymond.[9]

Fictional character biography

Ronnie Raymond / Martin Stein

The original Firestorm was distinguished by his integrated dual identity. High school student Ronnie Raymond and Nobel Prize-winning physicist Martin Stein were caught in a nuclear accident that allowed them to fuse into the "nuclear man" Firestorm. Due to Stein's being unconscious during the accident, Raymond was prominently in command of the Firestorm form with Stein a voice of reason inside his mind. Banter between the two was a hallmark of their adventures.[1]

After the accident that created him, Firestorm took to defending New York from such threats as Multiplex (created in the same nuclear accident that produced Firestorm) and Killer Frost. The 1982 series began with the teenaged Raymond adjusting to his newfound role and later delved into the issue of the nuclear arms race and Firestorm’s role as an "elemental." Written initially by Conway and drawn mainly by Pat Broderick and Rafael Kayanan, The Fury of Firestorm slowly developed the lives of Raymond and Stein, as the teenager struggled with high school and moved towards graduation and the scientist found a life outside the lab. A second nuclear hero, Firehawk, was added as a love interest for Firestorm in 1984. The series also tried to create a sense of fun, something that Conway felt was missing during his years writing Spider-Man;[2] the banter between Ronnie Raymond and Martin Stein contributed to this. Upon graduation from high school, Raymond entered college in Pittsburgh, where Stein had been hired as a professor.

Firestorm's list of enemies included such generally forgotten foes as the Hyena, Zuggernaut, Typhoon, and Black Bison. One Firestorm enemy, Plastique, would later play a major role in DC's Captain Atom; she later reformed and married Atom. He also fought Killer Frost, who was forced by the Psycho-Pirate to fall in love with him during the Crisis on Infinite Earths.

Ronnie Raymond / Martin Stein / Mikhail Arkadin

See also: Pozhar

In 1986, Conway abruptly left the series, and John Ostrander (with artist Joe Brozowski) took over the reins. Ostrander, a more politically aware writer[citation needed], sought to make Firestorm more relevant to the world and a good deal grittier. His first major story arc pitted Firestorm against the world, as the hero (acting on a suggestion from a terminally ill Prof. Stein) demanded the U.S. and the Soviet Union destroy all of their nuclear weapons. After tussles with the Justice League and most of his enemies, Firestorm faced off against a Russian nuclear man named Pozhar in the Nevada desert, where they had an atomic bomb dropped on them.

When the smoke cleared, a new Firestorm was created who was made up of Raymond and the Russian, Mikhail Arkadin (the Russian superhero Pozhar), but controlled by the disembodied amnesiac mind of Prof. Stein. The stories featuring this version of the hero were highly political, with a good deal of action taking place in Moscow. Perhaps coincidentally, the first names of the characters comprising Firestorm were the same as the leaders of their nations: Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev.

File:Firestormv285.jpg
The elemental Firestorm. Cover to Firestorm (vol. 2) #85. Art by Tom Grindberg.

Fire Elemental

The Raymond/Arkadin Firestom proved to be a transitional phase, as in 1989, writer John Ostrander fundamentally changed the character of Firestorm by revealing that Firestorm was a "Fire Elemental". Taking his cue from Alan Moore's Swamp Thing (an earth elemental), Firestorm now became something of an environmental crusader, formed from Raymond, Arkadin, and a Soviet clone of the previous Firestorm, but with a new mind. Prof. Stein, no longer part of the composite at all, continued to play a role, but the focus was on this radically different character.[1] New artist Tom Mandrake would create a new look to match. It was during this phase that Firestorm met and befriended Shango and the Orishas, the elemental gods of Africa. He also met their chief deity and Shango's older brother Obatala, Lord of the White Cloth. This was also the situation in which the Shadowstorm entity first appeared.

By the series' hundredth issue, Stein learned that he was destined to be the true fire elemental and would have been were it not for Ron Raymond also being there by circumstance. Raymond and Arkadin were returned to their old lives, and Stein, now Firestorm, was accidentally exiled to deep space in the process of saving the Earth. He thereafter spent many years traveling through space as a wanderer, returning to earth on only two occasions: the War of the Gods crossover event, and again in Extreme Justice #5, where Stein cured Raymond of his leukemia and allowed Raymond to retain the original Firestorm persona on his own.

After the transition to the elemental Firestorm, all of the main characters from the series vanished from the comics for some time after the cancellation of the Firestorm comic in 1990 (except for a brief cameo in the War of the Gods crossover event). Raymond eventually returned in the pages of the JLA spin-off, Extreme Justice.[10] Raymond, who at the time was undergoing treatment for leukemia, regained his original powers after a chemotherapy session. It took the combined might of the Justice League, led by Captain Atom, and the returned elemental Firestorm to restore Ronnie's health. Firestorm began to appear regularly in a number of DC titles, though lacking the guidance and knowledge necessary to use his skills wisely. He would play a role in several company-wide crossovers and, in 2002, returned to active duty with the Justice League and also appeared briefly in Kurt Busiek's heroes-for-hire comic The Power Company,

JLA

See also: Justice League

After the Justice League of America had traveled 3,000 years into the past to search for a missing Aquaman. Batman puts together a new Justice League to be earth's protectors while the Justice League of America is gone. Firestorm is among the nine heroes chosen by Batman to be members in this new Justice League. After the Justice League of America returns to the present, the new Justice League disbands. However, several members of the new Justice League, including Firestorm, opt to join the Justice League of America. While a member of the JLA, Raymond acts as a junior member and is constantly cautious of upsetting his teammates and making mistakes in the field; he states vocally a few times that he is afraid of losing his position. While in the League, Ronnie developed a close friendship with Manitou Dawn while he was attempting to teach her the English language.

File:BlackLanternFirestorm.jpg
Promotional art for Blackest Night Firestorm.

Death

See also: Identity Crisis (comics)

Subsequently, Raymond was killed during the Identity Crisis mini-series. It was revealed in Identity Crisis #5 and Firestorm (vol. 3) #6 that during a battle with a villain called the Shadow Thief, Raymond was impaled by the Shining Knight's sword, which the Shadow Thief had stolen. The magical sword ruptured the nuclear man's containment field, resulting in Firestorm's body exploding and his residual essence funneling into the body of Jason Rusch, the new host of the Firestorm Matrix.[1] His name was featured posthumously on Rip Hunter's chalkboard in Booster Gold (vol. 2) #1 in the statement "Ronnie Raymond + X = Firestorm".

Blackest Night

Main article: Blackest Night

In Blackest Night #1, Ronnie Raymond is called by a black power ring to join the Black Lantern Corps. In the following issue, his resurrected corpse is shown confronting Barry Allen and Hal Jordan alongside Hawkman, Hawkgirl, Elongated Man, Sue Dibny, and J'onn J'onnz.[11]

Powers and abilities

Firestorm has the ability to rearrange the atomic and subatomic structure of matter, rearranging subatomic particles to create objects of different atomic characteristics of equal mass. He can not only change the atomic composition of an object (e.g., transmuting lead into gold of equal mass) but he can also change its shape. He cannot, however, affect organic matter. If he does there may be painful, even lethal, feedback. This organic limitation does not extend to his person as he can change himself at will, allowing him to regenerate tissue, to shapeshift, and to survive indefinitely without food, water and air. Much like a Green Lantern's limitations, Firestorm can only create items the "driver" of the Firestorm matrix is able to understand the workings of. Unlike a Green Lantern's creations, Firestorm's alterations are permanent unless he reverses them.[1]

Other media

Other versions

  • Ronnie Raymond has appeared as Firestorm in the Justice League Unlimited spin-off comic book. His appearances are in issues #3, 8, and 16
  • On Earth-37, Ronnie Raymond and Nathaniel Adam were fused to become "Quantum-Storm," a Firestorm/Captain Atom hybrid.
  • The Earth-12 version of Firestorm is a futuristic descendant of the original.
  • On Earth-9, the Secret Society Nightwing uses armed agents called Firestorm Troopers.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e Wallace, Dan (2008), "Firestorm", in Dougall, Alastair (ed.), The DC Comics Encyclopedia, New York: Dorling Kindersley, p. 123, ISBN 0-7566-4119-5, OCLC 213309017
  2. ^ a b Conway, Gerry. "Nuclear Reactions: Just Your Average Hot-Headed Hero," The Fury of Firestorm #1 #1 (June 1982).
  3. ^ As seen in Who's Who in the DC Universe #8 (October 1985)
  4. ^ As seen in Fury of Firestorm #58 (April 1987)
  5. ^ As seen in Who's Who Update '88 #1 (August 1988)
  6. ^ As seen in Who's Who in the DC Universe #10 (June 1991)
  7. ^ As seen in Extreme Justice #4 (May 1995)
  8. ^ As seen in Firestorm vol. 3 #6 (December 2004)
  9. ^ http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/DC_Comics_Encyclopedia
  10. ^ Beatty, Scott (2008), "Extreme Justice", in Dougall, Alastair (ed.), The DC Comics Encyclopedia, New York: Dorling Kindersley, p. 117, ISBN 0-7566-4119-5, OCLC 213309017
  11. ^ Blackest Night #2 (August 2009)
  12. ^ The Justice League Watchtower: The Greatest Story Never Told
  13. ^ "Batman: The Brave and the Bold For May," DC Comics Message Boards (May 1, 2009). Accessed May 7, 2009.

References

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