Written by Gerry Conway
Art by Rafael Kayanan; Alan Kupperberg; Philip Felix; & Nansi Hoolahan
Cover Art by Rafael Kayanan & Dick Giordano
SUMMARY:
Published for April 1985 by DC Comics, this standard-length issue is entitled “The Big Freeze!” A terrorist-related catastrophe high above Manhattan is Firestorm’s priority. Among the onlookers are some of Ronnie Raymond’s high school classmates, i.e. his would-be girlfriend, Doreen.
The other half of Firestorm, Martin Stein, ponders a needed career move to Pittsburgh. Stein is soon contacted by the New Jersey police re: a missing Dr. Louise Lincoln. At New York’s Daily Express HQ, Felicity Smoak floats the idea of suing Firestorm for heroic ‘malpractice’ to its editor-in-chief — Ronnie’s own father. Ronnie is ripped away from a confused Doreen by Stein as Firestorm to investigate a suspicious emergency at Lincoln’s worksite. A new Killer Frost emerges.
Note: The ending is a precursor to a Firestorm/Killer Frost/Harbinger sequence in Crisis in Infinite Earths # 1.
REVIEW:
Once again, short of possibly Marv Wolfman, co-creator Gerry Conway proves he’s the best at writing at the Raymond/Stein Firestorm. Considering how Fury of Firestorm was structured after Conway’s popular run on Amazing Spider-Man, this issue’s kid-friendly entertainment remains considerable. Its introduction of DC’s best Killer Frost is another reminder why Firestorm was such a reliably fun Justice Leaguer in the early-to-mid-80’s — long before Booster Gold, Ted Kord’s Blue Beetle, and Wally West’s Flash assumed the role of providing Spider-Man-style joking.
Considering how, post-Crisis, DC Comics squandered the Raymond/Stein Firestorm, Issue # 34 is evidence that the character’s unique entertainment value is derived from Conway’s ace storytelling. With excellent visual support by the art squad (including a spot-on cover image), The Fury of Firestorm: The Nuclear Man # 34 merits a chance for re-discovery.
Note: Firestorm’s other co-creator is artist Al Milgrom.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
Doubling as the series editor, Conway handles the two-page “Nuclear Reactions” letters-and-answers column. Dick Giordano’s “Meanwhile …” column is on the inside back cover.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
Note: On DVD, both Super-Friends: The Legendary Super Powers Team and its sequel – The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians from the mid-80s are ideal re: seeing an animated Firestorm. Far more recently, the Justice League Action TV cartoon series restores the Raymond/Stein version of Firestorm pretty close to Conway’s vision.
