SUMMARY:
Entitled “Make Way for Firestorm!,” DC Comics published this debut issue for March 1978. Doubling as the character’s origin, in flashback, transfer student Ronnie Raymond’s rough first day at a new high school endears him to a new friend, Doreen. It also sets off a perpetual rivalry with a classmate jerk named Cliff Carmichael.
Seeking inspiration to prove he isn’t merely a dumb jock, Ronnie inadvertently crosses paths with nuclear physicist Dr. Martin Stein that night. With both Raymond and Stein rendered unconscious, New York City terrorist Eddie Earhart and his flunkies intend to sabotage Stein’s Hudson Nuclear Power Plant before it opens.
In a fluke explosion, Raymond and Stein merge as a composite nuclear being: Firestorm. First up is finding Earhart’s gang before they attempt knocking off another nuclear plant. Meanwhile, the origin of an imminent arch-enemy occurs in the same blast that creates Firestorm.
Note: This first series was short-lived. Kept relevant by occasional guest spots and joining the Justice League, Firestorm’s second series was launched in the early 80’s as The Fury of Firestorm, The Nuclear Man.
REVIEW:
Aside from the contrivance re: Ronnie naively joining Earhart’s protest group as a new volunteer, writer Gerry Conway devises a neat beginning for Firestorm. Not only are the core cast members plausibly introduced, Conway makes Ronnie a likable lead (essentially, a well-intentioned Flash Thompson), with Martin Stein as his curmudgeonly new mentor.
While the visuals don’t age too well, what’s most remarkable is how Firestorm’s co-creators: Conway and artist Al Milgrom make him a fun instant star in the DC Universe. Reading Firestorm # 1 is something of a revelation, as its hip potential is evident – particularly, as DC’s possible answer to Marvel’s success with teenage phenoms (i.e. Spider-Man).
Hence, it’s no surprise why this burst of fresh energy transformed into a popular mid-80’s Justice Leaguer, including a memorable stint revitalizing TV’s animated Super-Friends. For old school fans, this issue proves a raw gem worth finding.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
There is a single-page “Daily Planet” news-and-notes column.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars
