Jump to content

Firestorm (Ronald Raymond)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Bledsoep (talk | contribs) at 02:55, 13 October 2011 (→‎Powers and abilities). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

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
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 into his body harmlessly
  • Enhanced strength, endurance, and resilience"Quark vision"

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 created 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. A new Firestorm title starring both Ronnie and his successor, Jason Rusch, was launched in 2011. The series, The Fury of Firestorm: The Nuclear Men is written by Gail Simone and Ethan Van Sciver and drawn by Yildiray Cinar.

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 as 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 0-7566-4119-5, 2004) he was listed only as Ronnie Raymond.

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, Silver Deer 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

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 United States 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.

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.[9] 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

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.

Death

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

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

In Blackest Night crossover, Ronnie Raymond is called by a black power ring to join the Black Lantern Corps. In the following issue, his reanimated corpse is shown confronting Barry Allen and Hal Jordan alongside Hawkman, Hawkgirl, Elongated Man, Sue Dibny, and J'onn J'onzz.[10] He then attacks Jason Rusch (the current Firestorm), and absorbs him into his own version of the Firestorm matrix. Then, using Jason's unique abilities, turns Gehenna into table salt, simultaneously ripping her heart out with a smile. He uses the Firestorm Matrix to absorb Jason's anger over Gehenna's death, providing the Black Lanterns with even more emotional energies[11] He goes on to attack Barry Allen and co. at the Justice League satellite. Jason then briefly asserts himself, allowing the heroes to escape. Regaining control, Ronnie proceeds to absorb Jason's willpower. Like other Black Lanterns, the undead Firestorm mimics the personality of Ronnie Raymond, often wisecracking and exhibiting other stereotypical teenage behavior.[12] In the final battle against Nekron, Ronnie is restored to life alongside Jason, the two separating from Firestorm. Ronnie is confused, asking Atom where Professor Stein is while Jason is upset with Ronnie killing Gehenna. Ronnie, however, apparently has no memory of doing so.[13]

Brightest Day

File:Brightestday0 4-1-.jpg
Ronnie's new costume, which he gains after merging with Jason Rusch. Art by Fernando Pasarin.

In the Brightest Day storyline, Ronnie, still clad in casual clothing from a wild party the night before, arrives at Jason's apartment with Professor Stein and Ray Palmer to attend Gehenna's funeral. Stein and Palmer discuss Ron's return and how he no longer remembers anything since his death at the hands of Shadow Thief. While the two talk about the paperwork needed to have Ronnie's legal status as "dead" reversed, Ron approaches Jason and offers an apology about Gehenna's murder. Jason refuses to accept it, telling Ronnie that he forced him into being an accomplice to the death of his girlfriend, and that he probably doesn't even remember her name. When Ronnie is actually unable to remember Gehenna's name, Jason angrily lashes out and punches him in the face. This causes the two young men to merge into Firestorm, and they begin arguing inside the Matrix while Palmer transforms into his Atom persona in order to help them separate.[14][15]

Palmer manages to separate Jason and Ronnie, but not before the Firestorm matrix causes a huge explosion, transmutating everything in the Professor's laboratory into table salt.[16] While recovering in the hospital, Stein explains to Ronnie that it seems to be very dangerous to fuse into Firestorm again. Also, it is revealed that Ronnie, after quickly leaving the hospital and being threatened by Jason's father to stay away from Jason, lied to everyone, as he seems to perfectly remember murdering Gehenna as a Black Lantern.[17]

Worse yet, some time after the forceful separation, he lies sleeping in preparation of a party, when a previously heard voice prods him awake - a monstrous construct of Gehenna, made totally of salt, which proceeds to throttle and choke him, taunting him to remember her name; while she is interrupted before killing him, Ronnie is left covered in salt.[18] Not too long after, he is lying, recovering from a massive binge, when Jason again forces the merge to help several construction workers endangered when the girders at the site are transmuted without warning to bubble gum. This time, they again hear the mysterious voice taunting them, and Ronnie accepts he remembers killing Gehenna, and they realize something else is lurking from within the Firestorm Matrix.[19]

As Firestorm, Ronnie and Jason visit Stein in an attempt to find out what is happening to them. Stein reveals to them that the Black Lantern Firestorm still exists in the Firestorm Matrix. Firestorm is then told by the Entity that they must learn from each other and defeat the Black Lantern Firestorm, before he destroys the Entity. Somehow, Jason and Ronnie trade places.[20]

After running a test to deduce the new abilities of Firestorm, Professor Stein reveals the origin of the Firestorm Matrix. Stein believes that during the initial experiment he was able to capture the spark that preceded the Big Bang that created our universe. Thereby making the matrix a trigger for a new big bang, if the boys continue to experience emotional imbalance they increase the likelihood of triggering a new big bang. Stein tells Ronnie and Jason that together they are the most dangerous being in the universe. After explaining this to the boys, the voice inside them speaks again. Declaring that it is not the matrix, a pair of black hands reaches out from inside Firestorm. Forcibly separating Jason and Ronnie, Black Lantern Firestorm stands between them, separate from both Ronnie and Jason and apparently calling itself "Deathstorm". Also of note is that Deathstorm does not appear to be wearing a black ring.[21]

Deathstorm reveals its plan to Stein, stating that it intends to create enough emotional instability between Ronnie and Jason that the Matrix will trigger another Big Bang thereby fulfilling the Black Lantern Corps primary objective: the destruction of all life in the universe. In order to help accomplish this goal, Deathstorm absorbs Stein's mind in order to use his knowledge of Ronnie against him; then, to torture Jason, Deathstorm brings his father, Alvin Rusch, to the lab and absorbs him as well. Taking flight Deathstorm beckons Ronnie and Jason (who by now have merged into Firestorm) to follow it. Deathstorm leads them to Silver City, New Mexico and the resting place of the Central Power White Lantern Battery. Deathstorm tries to lift the battery but is unable to until he infects it with black energy, after which he is able to lift it with ease. After he threatens to destroy the White Lantern Battery and therefore prevent Ronnie and Jason to truly live, a voice beckons him not to. The voice, apparently the one who is collecting all the emotional entities, commands him to bring the Central Power White Lantern Battery to the voice as well as an army, at which point Deathstorm brings back the Black Lantern versions of Professor Zoom, Maxwell Lord, Hawk, Jade, Captain Boomerang, Martian Manhunter, Aquaman, Hawkman, Hawkgirl, Deadman and Osiris.[22]

Deathstorm and the Black Lanterns teleport to an unknown location, Firestorm, Jason and Ronnie ultimately seek the help from the Justice League.[23] Firestorm arrive at the Hall of Justice asking for help.[24] Firestorm is placed in a containment chamber while the League search for a way to stabilize the energy. However, an internal argument between Ronnie and Jason ignites the spark, apparently resulting in the destruction of the universe.[25] Ronnie and Jason quickly notice, after defeating an hive of Shadow Demons, that the universe was not destroyed as they thought but they were actually transported to the Anti-Matter Universe. There they are contacted by the Entity who reveals to them that since Boston Brand has not yet found the one who will take the Entity's place, it is Firestorm mission to protect the Entity.[26] Meanwhile, Deathstorm and the Black Lanterns are shown on Qward delivering the White Battery to someone.[27] That someone is revealed to be the Anti-Monitor, who seeks to harvest the life energy within the Lantern to grow stronger. Firestorm takes the White Lantern and attempts to fight the Anti-Monitor, but is defeated. Deathstorm then brings Professor Stein out of his Matrix to taunt the two with. Deathstorm then attempts to turn Ronnie to salt, but the Professor takes the brunt of the attack. Angered, Ronnie decides to truly work together with Jason to avenge the Professor. The Entity then declares that Ronnie has accomplished his mission, returning life to him in a burst of white energy that obliterates the Black Lanterns, returns Jason's father to his home, and deposits Firestorm in the Star City forest. Ronnie angrily attempts to make the Entity resurrect the Professor, but is refused. Deadman then arrives, demanding that he be given the White Lantern.[28]

When the "Dark Avatar", made his presence known, Firestorm is part of the Elementals. Ronnie Raymond was then transformed by the Entity to become the element of fire and protect the Star City Forest from the "Dark Avatar" which appears to be the Black Lantern version of the Swamp Thing.[29] The Elementals are then fused with the body of Alec Holland in order for him to be transformed by the Entity into the new Swamp Thing and battle against the Dark Avatar. After the Dark Avatar is defeated, Swamp Thing brought back Firestorm to normal. Afterward, Ronnie and Jason must find a way to contain their Firestorm matrix from the explosion less than ninety days.[30]

The New 52

After the events of Flashpoint, reality is altered so that Firestom's personal history is completely restarted. Ronnie is now introduced as a high school senior and the captain of the football team. During a terrorist attack on their school, Ronnie's classmate Jason Rusch produces a vial given to him by Professor Stein, which contains the "God Particle", one of Stein's creations. The God Particle transform both Jason and Ronnie into Firestorm, and the two teens briefly battle each other before accidently merging into a hulking creature known as the Fury.[31]

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] Following Raymond's resurrection during Brightest Day, Firestorm gained the ability to switch "drivers" between Ronnie and Jason at will. Firestorm has also demonstrated the ability to fly at fantastic (but unmeasured) speeds, to render himself intangible and thereby pass through solid objects harmlessly, to generate destructive blasts of energy from his hands, and superhuman levels of strength and resistance to injury.

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.[32] Both are subsequently killed by Monarch.[33]
  • 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.
  • A Bizarro version of the merged Ronnie/Jason Firestorm is shown as one of the superheroes of the cube-shaped Bizarro World. Due to the decreased intelligence of the residents of the cube world, Firestorm is shown to be constantly horrified by his flaming hair.
  • In the alternate timeline of the Flashpoint event, Ronald Raymond and Jason Rusch are the current Firestorm. His friend, Jason is subsequently killed by Heat Wave in an attempt to take his place in the Firestorm Matrix, but is defeated by Cyborg.[34]

In other media

Television

  • Firestorm appeared in 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 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.[citation needed] In 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 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.[35]
  • Firestorm appears in the Batman: The Brave and the Bold episode "A Bat Divided!". This version is a combination of Ronnie Raymond and Jason Rusch. Raymond is Bill Fagerbakke, and Rusch is voiced by Tyler James Williams. An uncredited actor voiced a scientist who heavily resembled Professor Stein during the episode's opening. During a field trip, Doctor Double X causes a lab explosion that fuses slacker sports coach Ronnie to his genius pupil Jason, creating Firestorm. Unbeknownst to them, the explosion also divided Batman into three. After he learns what happened, he agrees to help the Dark Knight pull himself together and defuse their bodies. In the end, Firestorm chooses to stay as he is and allow the Batmen to merge back together. In the episode, Firestorm's costume is described as being a containment suit designed by Batman, unlike the comics where Ronnie and Jason designed their respective outfits by using their powers; also, Jason is the primary controller of the Firestorm body, while Ronnie manifests as voice in his head (represented by a floating, translucent version of Ronnie's head, like Martin Stein in the comics). Firestorm later appears in the two-part episode "The Siege of Starro!", revealing that, unlike the comic Firestorm, Ronnie and Jason can separate and refuse into the Nuclear Man at will. Ronnie later appears in the teaser segment of "Darkseid Descending!", where he is now shown working as a chemistry teacher at Jason's school. During a lesson about covalent bonds, he is attacked by Killer Frost, who in this continuity is portrayed as a vengeful ex-girlfriend who seeks revenge on Ronnie for breaking up with her via text message. After forming Firestorm and working with Batman to defeat and capture Frost, Ronnie is chastised by Jason for being a horrible boyfriend.

See also

References

  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. ^ 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
  10. ^ Blackest Night #2 (August 2009)
  11. ^ Blackest Night #3 (September 2009)
  12. ^ Blackest Night #4 (October 2009)
  13. ^ Blackest Night #8 (March 2010)
  14. ^ Brightest Day #0 (April 2010)
  15. ^ Brightest Day #1 (May 2010)
  16. ^ Brightest Day #2 (May 2010)
  17. ^ Brightest Day #3 (June 2010)
  18. ^ Brightest Day #4 (June 2010)
  19. ^ Brightest Day #6 (July 2010)
  20. ^ Brightest Day #7 (August 2010)
  21. ^ Brightest Day #10 (September 2010)
  22. ^ Brightest Day #11 (October 2010)
  23. ^ Brightest Day #12 (October 2010)
  24. ^ Brightest Day #15 (December 2010)
  25. ^ Brightest Day #16 (December 2010)
  26. ^ Brightest Day #17 (January 2011)
  27. ^ Brightest Day #18 (January 2011)
  28. ^ Brightest Day #22 (March 2011)
  29. ^ Brightest Day #23 (April 2011)
  30. ^ Brightest Day #24 (April 2011)
  31. ^ The Fury of Firestorm: The Nuclear Men #1 (September 2011)
  32. ^ Countdown Arena #2 (December 2008)
  33. ^ Countdown Arena #4 (December 2008)
  34. ^ Flashpoint: Legion of Doom #1 (June 2011)
  35. ^ "The Justice League Watchtower: The Greatest Story Never Told". Jl.toonzone.net. Retrieved 2011-04-21.