Written by John Ostrander
Art by Joe Brozwski; Sam De La Rosa; Duncan Andrews; & Nansi Hoolahan
Cover Art by Joe Brozowski & Sam De La Rosa
SUMMARY:
Entitled “Journey to Eden,” DC Comics published this opener for a three-parter in November 1988. After successfully double-teaming Brimstone, the new Firestorm ill-advisedly kisses Firehawk without her consent. Separately, Ronnie Raymond and his Russian counterpart, Mikhail Arkadin, concur that they should help Firestorm make a fulfilling life. While Mikhail’s wife comforts him at home, Ronnie accepts his father’s offer to join him on a journalism assignment looking into East African famine relief – specifically, to Ogaden – just south of Ethiopia.
Ronnie & Lorraine Reilly remain a couple, though Lorraine doesn’t reveal possible complications she has experienced as Firehawk. In a brief subplot, Ronnie’s step-mother, Felicity Smoak, meets her new boss: Karen Starr (who is secretly Power Girl). In Eastern Africa, the Raymonds (Ronnie and his father, Ed) witnesses the bleak daily horrors of modern famine. A despondent Ronnie summons Mikhail, so their Firestorm will make an environmental difference.
Note: In this version of Firestorm, Ronnie and Mikhail are both talking heads, with the Nuclear Man a mysterious third entity itself – neither of them know yet it’s an amnesiac Martin Stein.
REVIEW:
Clearly, writer John Ostrander doesn’t deploy Firestorm at his best – unlike the character’s co-creator, Gerry Conway, and, for instance, Marv Wolfman. In the mid-80’s, both Conway and Wolfman capably knew how to convey Firestorm/Ronnie Raymond, Firehawk, Ed Raymond, etc. – Ostrander’s topical style comes off far more heavy-handed.
Ostrander, in fairness, deserves kudos for exploring (rather than exploiting) two huge 80’s issues: humanitarian relief in Africa and an end to Cold War animosity between Russia and the United States. Yet, Ostrander’s convoluted re-imagining of Firestorm, despite his good intentions, just isn’t entertaining. Frankly, it sucks all the charm out of Firestorm‘s world.
Going back a few years, Firestorm (Ronnie Raymond/Martin Stein) and Lorraine Reilly/Firehawk were energetic new stars at the time of 1985-86’s Crisis on Infinite Earths. For that, credit goes to Conway and, for Crisis, Wolfman. Yet, in DC’s post-Crisis reboot, both characters were oddly deemed expendable — presumably, to help make room for Wally West’s Flash, among others, as new DC headliners.
Not knowing what else to do with Firestorm, DC Comics relied upon Ostrander’s wonky adjustments multiple times (i.e. far too quickly aging Ronnie out of college and giving him an awful ponytail/mullet; and Firestorm’s series-killing transformation into a Fire Elemental). The removal of long-time cast members (i.e. Stein, Lorraine/Firehawk, Cliff Carmichael, etc.) for inordinate stretches also numbered among Ostrander’s questionable moves. Yet, that was only half the problem.
Prior to Conway’s departure, regardless of the art squad, Firestorm’s artwork was consistently good/above-average. However, the faded visuals in Firestorm # 77 offer further evidence of a tired, past-its-prime series begging for cancellation. Joe Brozoski’s penciling work is fine, but this issue’s uninspired inking after the first page is just feeble. The spot-on cover image (a different angle of Page 1) presents the only other instance of big-league inking.
Despite its noble plot threads, Firestorm the Nuclear Man # 77 is a regrettable dud. One can only imagine what the energetic Raymond/Stein version of Firestorm could do in Eastern Africa – in either Conway or Wolfman’s hands, the intriguing possibilities might have resulted in a much-needed gem re-invigorating this series.
Note: This series lasted until Issue # 100 in 1990.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
There is a two-page “Nuclear Reactions” letters-and-answers column.
BRIAN’S 10-STAR RATING: 3½ Stars
