The Fury of Firestorm #20 Review

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Black Bison, Dan Jurgens, DC Comics, Firestorm, General Eiling, Hi-Fi, Hyena, Jason Rusch, Karl Kesel, Killer Frost, Multiplex, Ray McCarthy, Ronnie Raymond, The Fury of Firestorm The Nuclear Man, The New 52, Travis Lanham, Typhoon Plastique

The Fury of Firestorm the Nuclear Man #20

Review by Paul Bowler

[Contains Spoilers]

Firestorm Farewell

The final issue of The Fury of Firestorm the Nuclear Man begins with General Eiling monitoring events near the warehouse in Pittsburgh, where Firestorm had been beaten to within an inch of his life by Multiplex, Hyena, Killer Frost, Black Bison, Typhoon, and Plastique. As he prepares to issue more orders to his special operative in Pittsburgh, the General receives a very special visitor, and its someone who wont take no for an answer.

With Firestorm unconscious Jason’s dad and Tonya have to drag him to the safety of an alley, but Hyena suddenly leaps from the shadows and attacks them. Fortunately for Al and Tonya the General’s operative, Major Force, is on hand to deal with Hyena and give Firestorm enough time to recover from the explosion. After a few quick introductions Firestorm and Major Force are attacked by Killer Frost and Black Bison.

With Firestorm unconscious Jason’s dad and Tonya have to help him

Major Force holds off Killer Frost and Black Bison while Firestorm leaves to rescue Ronnie’s mother, who is still being held captive by Plastique at the dockside. Typhoon attempts to stop Firestorm by engulfing him with a tidal wave, but Firestorm makes the water boil and defeats him. As Firestorm rushes to save Ronnie’s mother, Al sneaks up on Plastique and knocks her out to rescue Joanne.

With everyone safe, Firestorm rushes to help Major Force, who has been knocked out and frozen in ice. Firestorm smashes the ice and frees Major Force, who takes out Black Bison while Firestorm uses his transmutation powers to trap Killer Frost in the concrete pavement. He then faces Multiplex who threatens Firestorm’s family before fading away, warning him not to try and follow him.

Major Force arrives and renders Firestorm unconscious with a Neural Shock so he can take him to General Eiling at the military base. Firestorm recovers as the General’s guests arrive, Superman and Professor Stein, who are here to stop the militaries plans for Firestorm. It seems that Professor Stein faked his own death to escape his enemies, now he has returned to help Firestorm by contacting Superman and the Justice League.

Danger strikes when Hyena suddenly leaps from the shadows and attacks!

Superman is pleased to meet Firestorm, as they fly away he asks if Firestorm would like to join the Justice League, and Firestorm is happy to accept Superman’s invitation to meet with the rest of the Justice League, and a new era for Firestorm the Nuclear Man begins…

This incredible final issue brings Dan Jurgen’s brilliant run on Firestorm to an end. With a story featuring nearly every member of Firestorm’s rogues gallery, we really get a sense of how well Ronnie and Jason work together now, and see just how vital a role their parents, Al and Joanne, and Tonya have to play in helping him. There are some wonderful scenes after Joanne is rescued by Al, where Ronnie and Jason have to assure both of them that he is ok, and that he has to return to help Major Force to deal with Multiplex and his allies.

Dan Jurgens art for Firestorm #20 is as spectacular as ever, the intense action is inked by Norman Rapmund, along with Hi-Fi’s vivid colours, and lettering provided by Travis Lanham, each explosive set-piece is perfectly intercut with some great personal moments between Firestorm and his parents. Every one of Firestorm’s enemies also gets showcased in Firestorm #20, with their unique powers and abilities being creatively used. It’s also interesting to see how quickly Ronnie and Jason are now able to formulate strategies against each individual threat, tailoring their abilities, and using their unique shared conspicuousness to outwit their enemies.

The General receives a very special visitor who wont take no for an answer!

There is a fantastic scene where Superman takes out Major Force with just a flick of his finger that really puts General Eiling in his place. It was a real surprise to see Professor Stein return as well, having faked his own death to escape from his enemies. With this final issue Dan Jurgens has really excelled himself, by brining Professor Stein back into the fold; it offers a wealth of potential for the future. As we watch Firestorm and Superman fly away into the distance, this great moment is tinged with sadness, but I am really pleased that the series has ended on such a positive note.

Firestorm returned in September 2011 as part of The New 52 reboot of the DC Universe, it was co-written by Gail Simone and Ethan Van Sciver, with art by Yildiray Cinar. The immense power of Firestorm was divided between physics student Jason Rusch, who acquired the ability to transmute matter, while the football team’s quarterback Ronnie Raymond was able to throw flaming bolts of nuclear energy. After Simone and Sciver left the title Joe Harris took over, resolving the ongoing storylines involving Rogue Firestorms, before the Zero issue of Firestorm brought Harris and Cinar’s run to an end as Firestorm became a fused entity again.

This final issue brings Dan Jurgen’s brilliant run on Firestorm to an end

The Fury of Firestorm The Nuclear Man took an entirely new direction when Dan Jurgens took over as the new writer / artist for the series, recapturing the essence of fun and adventure that was welcomed by fans of Firestorm as it brought the series closer to the original premise created by Gerry Conway and Al Milgron during the 70’s. As Firestorm continued to learn about his powers, with Ronnie providing the brawn and Jason advising him from within their shared conspicuousness, Dan Jurgens also had the chance to develop the supporting cast.  Dan Jurgens assembled a great team to work with him on Firestorm: with inks by Ray McCarthy and Karl Kesel, Hi-Fi’s colours, and lettering by Travis Lanham, the explosive action set-pieces that graced the pages of Firestorm were perfectly complemented by Ronnie and Jason’s everyday lives as high school students.

The news that Firestorm was going to be cancelled came as something of a shock. Although sales were not still not as good as was hoped, Firestorm still had a very loyal fan base that had supported the title since it debuted at part of The New 52. Fortunately we have Dan Jurgens and his team to thank for taking Firestorm in a new direction, thereby raising the characters profile in the New 52 DCU, with Captain Atom and the Teen Titans guest staring in his own title while Firestorm went on to appear in the Throne of Atlantis crossover event as a reserve member of the Justice League.

To mark the final issue of Firestorm many fans have taken part in an event organised by The Firestrom Fan Website (After the idea was suggested by Keith G. Baker and Hector Negrete), where fans  changed their social media avatars to say goodbye to Firestorm’s ongoing series and show their support across various social media platforms. Those participating used a brilliant drawing of Firestorm provided by Luke Dabb , which summed up how many fans felt about the cancellation, using it as their avatar on Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, Printrest, and Blogs along with hash tags and comments including #FirestormFarewell in their tweets and messages.  By changing their Social Media avatars in this way fans wanted to show how much Firestorm means to them, and to celebrate the fantastic work done by everyone who has been involved on the title to ensure that Firestorm ends on a high.

Fans changed their social media avatars to say goodbye to Firestorm with this brilliant drawing of Firestorm by Luke Dabb. to show their support for Firestorm

The flame may have flickered slightly, but it will never die. It’s been brilliant to see Firestorm appearing in so many comics over the last few months, and I’m really looking forward to seeing even more of Firestorm’s adventures with the Justice League. I’ve had tremendous fun reviewing Firestorm and sincerely believe that he will have his own title again one day. You can also keep up to date with all things Firestorm over at Firestrom Fan , and enjoy the Fire and Water Podcast made by Firestrom Fan and Aquaman Shrine, it’s a brilliant podcast and I urge all of you all to go and give it a listen and check out their twitter pages and websites. Finally I’d just like to thank all the readers of Sci-Fi Jubilee who have also enjoyed reading Firestorm with me and shared my reviews, be sure to support Firestorm over in Justice League #20 as well, cheers everyone!

The Fury of Firestorm #19 Review

Tags

Black Bison, Dan Jurgens, DC Comics, Firestorm, General Eiling, Hi-Fi, Hyena, Jason Rusch, Karl Kesel, Killer Frost, Multiplex, Plastique, Ray McCarthy, Ronnie Raymond, The Fury of Firestorm The Nuclear Man, The New 52, Typhoon

The Fury of Firestorm the Nuclear Man #19

Review by Paul Bowler

 

After the super villain Multiplex kidnapped Ronnie’s mother, Joann, Firestorm tracked them to a disused warehouse, where Multiplex tried to use a machine to siphon away the Nuclear Man’s powers to enhance his own abilities. Firestorm created a feedback that disabled the machine and knocked Multiplex out. Now that Ronnie’s mother is free, Jason advises Ronnie not to call her “mom” as the building could be under surveillance, but before they can escape from the warehouse they are attacked by Multiplex’s super powered allies: Hyena, Killer Frost, Black Bison, Typhoon, and Plastique.

Firestorm tries to escape Killer Frost’s deadly ice shards, doing his best to protect Ronnie’s mother, but a surprise attack by the feral Hyena and a freak storm summoned by the Shaman  called Black Bison drags Joann back and blasts Firestorm out through a window. As Firestorm plunges unconscious into the water by the riverfront warehouse, Jason’s dad and Tonya drive to the scene, realising that Ronnie and Jason have walked into a trap.

Having recovered quickly Firestorm attempts to return to the surface, but he is attacked underwater by Typhoon, who creates a whirlpool that punches Firestorm out of the water, where he manages to free Joann from Hyena’s clutches only to be frozen in ice by Killer Frost. With the ice disrupting Firestorm’s power to transmute matter, Ronnie is horrified when Killer Frost begins to suffocate his mother with ice, and Multiplex arrives and demands more power from Firestorm.

Unaware that General Eiling has just dispatched a secret operative to finish Firestorm off, Jason gets Ronnie to amplify Firestorm’s power through his eyes so they can escape from the icy trap. They free Joann from the ice and attack Multiplex, but he has absorbed more power, and is stronger than ever, so Jason devises a way to shrink Multiplex’s masks to make it hard to for his duplicates to breathe. But before Firestorm can escape with Joann he is surrounded by the others, where Plastique and Black Bison work together and attack him. Jason’s dad and Tonya arrive at the warehouse, but as they get out of the car a huge explosion rips through the area. Firestorm is sent flying from the heart of the explosion and crashes into their car, they back away in horror when they see the Nuclear Man‘s motionless body, believing he must be dead…

The Fury of Firestorm #19 is a terrific issue by Dan Jurgens that sees the Nuclear Man facing not just Multiplex, but almost nearly every member from Firestorm’s rogue gallery! It’s great to see these classic villains return at last. Individually they are Typhoon, who can manipulate water, the deadly and alluring Killer Frost, master of the elements, Black Bison, the savage Hyena, and the explosive Plastique, who together with Multiplex, make up one of the most formidable threats that Ronnie and Jason have ever faced as Firestorm.

The art by Dan Jurgens positively jumps off the page as this issues explosive action set-pieces unfold, each blending seamlessly into the other, with Jurgens taking the time to highlight each one of Firestorm’s enemies and their incredible powers. This issue is inked by Ray McCarthy and Karl Kesel, with Hi-Fi’s brilliant colours, and lettering by Travis Lanham

Its great to see so many of Firestorm’s classic foes in one issue, only Slipknot is missing, and it looks like Jurgen’s has gone all out to include as many members as he can from Firestorm’s Rogues Gallery before the titles cancellation.

It would seem that General Eiling has been true to his word, perceiving Firestorm to be a threat, and has dispatched another operative to take Firestorm out. However, we will have to wait until next issue for this climatic final battle. This issues cliffhanging ending is one of the series most explosive yet.  After the devastating explosion at the warehouse we have no idea if Joann has survived, or who General Eiling has sent after the Nuclear Man, but I’m sure Dan Jurgens will have a few more surprises in store for Firestorm before the series ends.

Every book released by DC in April has been given a special pull out cover to really showcase the art and storyline of each individual comic. This issues fantastic gatefold cover by Jurgens, McCarthy, and Hi-Fi is also another highlight of Firestorm #19, and its one my favourite covers released this month by DC Comics.

Although I’m still saddened by DC’s decision to cancel Firestorm, I think Dan Jurgens and his talented team have done a fantastic job with the book, and have ensured that Firestorm the Nuclear Man will go out in fine style!

The Fury of Firestorm #17 Review

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Dan Jurgens, DC Comics, Firestorm, Hi-Fi, Jason Rusch, Justice League, Karl Kesel, Kid Flash, Ray McCarthy, Red Robin, Ronnie Raymond, Solstice, The Fury of Firestorm The Nuclear Man, The New 52, The Teen Titans

The Fury of Firestorm the Nuclear Man #17

Review by Paul Bowler

With the Continuum Facility destroyed Ronnie and Jason are determined to clear Firestorm’s name. They make a start by repairing the damage done to Mt Rushmore by Dr Megala, but they come under attack by a helicopter sent by General Eiling, who is still convinced that Firestorm is a threat to national security.

Firestorm tries his best to avoid a direct confrontation, even phasing himself into the helicopter cockpit to talk to the pilot, but they refuse to listen so Firestorm decides to leave, unaware that the Teen Titans are monitoring him from Lex Towers in New York. Firestorm returns to Ronnie’s house in Walton Mills, changing back into their civilian identities just as Ronnie’s mother is about to leave for another date with Jason’s dad. Ronnie and Jason meet up with Tonya, who wrote a history paper for Ronnie while he was busy being Firestorm, and she tells him how that same paper has now won first prize in a young scholars competition.

Jason isn’t impressed that Tonya’s work won’t get the recognition it deserves. Ronnie feels bad about it as well and promises to make it up to her, but first Ronnie and Jason have to use their Firestorm powers to try and rebuild the S.T.A.R Quantum Physics Lab they destroyed. Firestorm arrives at the demolished building and is attack by Kid Flash, Solstice, and Red Robin from the Teen Titans who believe he is working for N.O.W.H.E.R.E.

Tired of being pushed around, Firestorm deflects the Teen Titans attacks with a devastating energy blast that knocks them senseless, before focusing his transmutation powers at the lab. But try as he might he cannot rebuild the entire building, it collapses again, leaving Firestorm exhausted by the effort. The Teen Titans realize that they were wrong about Firestorm and rush over to help. Red Robin says he believes he didn’t cause all the damage, he warns Firestorm about N.O.W.H.E.R.E, and even offers the Nuclear Man a place on the Teen Titans.

Firestorm politely declines the Titans offer for now, but says he will keep in touch. Later that day Ronnie goes back to High School and tells Mrs Schmidt the truth about his history paper, revealing how he cheated, and got Tonya to write it for him. As he told the truth Mrs Schmidt decides to give Ronnie a second chance to write his own paper and hand it in on Monday. As he rushes home to share the good news, Ronnie is shocked to find the house ransacked and his mother his mother missing…

The Fury of Firestorm #17 is one of Dan Jurgens best issues yet. It features some great banter between Ronnie and Jason as they restore Mt Rushmore to its original state, with Ronnie teasing Jason that he might uses their combined powers as Firestorm to carve The Simpson family onto the monument instead! There are some nice character building moments for Ronnie as well in Firestorm #17, particularly when he tries to reason with the helicopter crew, and even the Teen Titans bit of more than they can chew when they make Ronnie angry.

Ronnie also has to face up to the fact that even Firestorm’s powers have limits, when Firestorm is unable to rebuild S.T.A.R. Labs. There is also a nice moment when the Teen Titans offer Firestorm the chance to join the team, and it certainly leaves things open for the future. After Firestorm’s recent appearance in the Throne of Atlantis issues of Justice League and Aquaman, it was good to see the Teen Titans guest staring in Firestorm #17. Ronnie also finally comes clean about his history paper to Mrs Schmidt, it’s a great scene by Dan Jurgens, and it clearly shows just how well he understands these characters.

Dan Jurgens art for Firestorm #17 is as consistent as ever, with inking duties handled by Ray McCarthy and Karl Kesel; with everything dynamically coloured by Hi-Fi, and lettering provided by Travis Lanham. Sadly, after publishing my review of Firestorm #16 last month, DC revealed that Firestorm, along with a number of other titles, would be cancelled. I am bitterly disappointed that Firestorm has been cancelled after all the hard work put in by the new creative team.

But I don’t want to end this review on a negative note. We still have a few issues left to enjoy, so let’s take this chance to celebrate the fantastic work by this creative team, and make sure that Firestorm ends on a high. The flame may flicker, but it will never die. Its been great to see Firestorm featuring in so many comics over the last few months, and I’m really looking forward to seeing even more of Firestorm as a member of the Justice League!

The Fury of Firestorm #16 Review

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Aquaman #16, Dan Jurgens, Daxaxen, DC Comics, Dr Megala, Firestorm, Hi-Fi, Jason Rush, Justice League #16, Karl Kesel, Ray McCarthy, Ronnie Raymond, The Continuum, The Fury of Firestorm The Nuclear Man, The New 52, Travis Lanham

The Fury of Firestorm the Nuclear Man #16

Review by Paul Bowler

After being possessed by Dr Megala and being blasted to the depths of the ocean when Captain Atom exploded, Firestorm manages to regain consciousness and return to the surface where Ronnie and Jason realizes that Captain Atom must’ve forced Megala’s mind out of their body before sacrificing himself to save them. Leaving the scene so Ronnie can take part in the Homecoming match, Firestorm is unaware that The Continuum are still determined to lean the secrets of his powers, and have dispatched the robot Daxaxen to capture him again.

Later as Jason and Tonya are watching Ronnie play in the football game, Jason is still upset by a news report that says the government are blaming Firestorm for the destruction at S.T.A.R Labs and the explosion on the U.S.S. Independence, when Daxaxen suddenly flies overhead. With Ronnie’s mom and Jason’s dad sitting a few rows behind them, Jason decides to switch off the field lighting to let  everyone can get clear so he and Ronnie can turn into Firestorm unnoticed.

With everyone thinking they’ve just seen a firework going off to celebrate their teams victory, Firestorm engages Daxaxen, where Jason suggests they allow themselves to be captured so they can take out whoever is controlling the robot. Once they have been pulled inside Daxaxen the robot returns to The Continuum’s underground base, where Firestorm melts his way free of his bonds and fights  Relay, Skull Crusher, and Black Star as Dr Megala wakes from his coma with amnesia. Firestorm destroys The Continuum’s computers to erase all the data they have collected about him, before helping everyone escape after the facilities power core begins to overload. Afterwards Firestorm is confronted by General Eiling, who is far from impressed with Firestorm’s actions. Firestorm assures Eiling that he isn’t a threat as he takes to the sky, but the General doesn’t believe him, and as Firestorm leaves it would seem that another team of superheroes also share General Eiling’s concerns…

Writer and artist Dan Jurgens delivers another flaming hot issue of Firestorm, with issue #16 providing an action packed showdown with The Continuum. His art is inked superbly by Ray McCarthy and Karl Kesel, with everything gloriously coloured by Hi-Fi, and lettering provided by Travis Lanham. This issue sees Ronnie and Jason really beginning to explore the full potential of their unified powers: its fun to see them wondering about how they can breathe underwater, or contemplating if they could survive in space, or even if they need to breathe at all as Firestorm. We also get to see Firestorm race off at incredible speed, so fast that The Continuum cannot even track him, and then later when he cuts loose in their base, his powers set of a chain reaction that destroys the facility.

Firestorm #16 sees Dan Jurgens strike the perfect balance between Ronnie and Jason’s personal lives and their life as a superhero. It was also nice to see how Ronnie reassured Jason when they were in the ocean and Jason was afraid of drowning because he can’t swim. They then have to face up to the fact that they may have inadvertently killed Captain Atom, as well as not letting anger cloud their judgment when fighting Relay, Skull Crusher, and Black Star – opting instead to help everyone escape before the power core explodes.

After Firestorm’s surprise appearance in The Throne of Atlantis crossover in Justice League #16, and now Aquaman #16, it would seem that the Nuclear Man has also caught the attention of the Teen Titans, who we see in Firestorm #16, with Red Robin now determined to track down Firestorm! Its great to see Firestorm meeting other characters in The New 52 continuity, and with Firestorm featuring in The New 52 Justice League, it looks like Firestorm is well and truly on the way to becoming a integral part of the DCU once more!

The Fury of Firestorm #15 Review

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Captain Atom, Dan Jurgens, Daxaxen, DC Comics, Dr Mengala, Firestorm, Hi-Fi, Jason Rush, Legion Lost, Ray McCarthy, Ronnie Raymond, The Fury of Firestorm The Nuclear Man, The New 52

The Fury of Firestorm the Nuclear Man #15

Review by Paul Bowler

 

Weakened by the battle at S.T.A.R Quantum Physics Lab, Ronnie and Jason ignore their injuries to become Firestorm, only to be attacked by in mid air by Daxaxen. Trapped by a mass of cables infused with quantum energy, Firestorm is drawn inside the giant robot, where the crippled Dr Megala uses a transfer device to take over Firestorm’s body.

As Dr Megala begins to experiment with his new powers, flying through a jumbo jet and defacing Mount Rushmore, Jason and Ronnie wake to find themselves in a black void where they must try and find a way to regain control of Firestorm from Dr Megala. Back at the ruined lab General Eiling encounters Captain Atom, who has returned to Earth to investigate the multiple Firestorms, but as Eiling confronts Captain Atom reports come in about Dr Megala’s possession of Firestorm and his recent incursion into Qurac airspace.

Captain Atom travels to the Continuum Facility as a Qurac Agent on board the U.S.S. Independence in the Pacific Ocean detonates a bomb in response to Megala’s attack on their missile test. On finding Dr Megala’s crippled from hooked up to the transfer device, Captain Atom teleports to confront Megala over Bikni Atoll – an old nuclear test site – where the two old enemies clash explosively. As Captain Atom disrupts Dr Megala’s structural integrity his control over Firestorm’s body begins to fail, and The U.S.S. Independence is caught in a Tsunami caused by the explosive aftermath.

Ronnie and Jason seize their chance to fight back as Megala’s mental barriers collapse, arguing with the bemused scientist as he struggles against Captain Atom, distracting him enough to finally let Ronnie take control of Firestorm again. However, at that precise moment Firestorm finds himself on a collision course with Captain Atom. Ronnie has only moment to explain what has happened before they collide in mid air, Captain Atom manages to absorb the brunt of the impact, but the energy he absorbs causes his powers to spiral out of control. He explodes, his body fragmenting into tiny pieces that rip through the quantum field and disperse into the timestream. Firestorm is knocked unconscious by the incredible shockwave generated by Captain Atom’s apparent demise, and he plummets into the Pacific Ocean.

The Fury of Firestorm the Nuclear Man #15 is another great issue by writer / artist Dan Jurgen’s that sees the story involving Dr Megala, Captain Atom, and the Continuum Facility really kick into overdrive as Ronnie and Jason struggle to wrest control of their Firestorm persona from Dr Megala. Realizing that some outside force has trapped them inside their own quantum field, Jason and Ronnie recall how similar this black void is to the one they experienced when they first transformed into Fury (Firestorm #2). I really like the way Dan Jurgen’s gets the two friends to work together against Megala, haunting the power crazed scientists thoughts and badgering him with inane chatter until they force him to relinquish control of Firestorm.

It shows just how far the series has come since it was launched as part of The New 52. Dan Jurgen’s has skilfully steered this title back towards the original concept of Firestorm, the characterization between Ronnie and Jason is central to this success, and Firestorm #15 clearly illustrates how Jurgen’s has brought a great sense of fun and adventure back to the series.

Firestorm #15 also sees a titanic showdown between Captain Atom and his nemesis Dr Megala. It seems that Captain Atom has retuned just in time as Megala is running amok as Firestorm, and their final confrontation over the Pacific Ocean ends in a spectacular fashion, offering some closure for the characters and their unresolved storylines. It’s also interesting to see how Ronnie manages to get through to Captain Atom before they collide, wisely taking Jason’s advice to try and avoid conflict, he reveals their identities in a bid to get him to break off his attack. In a sense, Captain Atom sacrifices himself to absorb the energies unleashed by their collision, his body overloading like a nuclear reactor before shattering into crystal shards of pure energy – one of which is flung through time to Metropolis in the 31^st Century where it takes on the form of Adym; a character who has recently appeared in Legion Lost. Issue #16 will be the last issue of Legion Lost, so we will no doubt find out what role Adym will play in that series final issue when its released on January 16^th.

The action sequences in Firestorm #15 are incredible. Dan Jurgen’s brilliant artwork is inked by Ray McCarthy and coloured by Hi-Fi, and I am constantly impressed by how much care and attention to detail Jurgen’s fantastic team has put into every issue of Firestorm. Hi-Fi‘s work in particular on this issue is outstanding, every scene featuring Firestorm and Captain Atom is richly coloured, giving you a real sense of the raw energies unleashed as they fight

Firestorm #15 brings this first storyline to a close with a suitably action packed finale. The additional cast may have been sidelined this issue, but the sight of seeing Firestorm and Captain Atom locked in combat more than makes up for it – even though Firestorm is possessed by Dr Megala for most of the issue. After waiting so long for Firestorm to live up to the potential offered by The New 52, its great to see this book flourish with its new creative team. Three issues in and I can’t wait to see what Jurgen’s, McCarthy and Hi-Fi have in store for Firestorm, long may they reign.

The Fury of Firestorm #14 Review

Tags

Captain Atom, Dan Jurgens, Daxaxen, DC Comics, Dr Megala, Firestorm, Hi-Fi, Jason Rusch, Ray McCarthy, Ronnie Raymond, The Fury of Firestorm The Nuclear Man, The New 52

The Fury of Firestorm the Nuclear Man #14

Review by Paul Bowler

After investigating a break in at the S.T.A.R Quantum Physics Lab, Firestorm is attacked by a new team of super powered criminals, but he quickly recovers and begins to fight back against Relay, Skull Crusher, and Black Star. Firestorm uses his power to transmute matter to quickly neutralizes Black Star and Skull Crusher, unaware his abilities are being monitored by the horribly crippled Dr Megala back at The Continuum underground research facility. Dr Megala orders Relay to use her telepathic powers to scan Firestorm and she senses that he is actually two being in one body – detecting Ronnie and Jason’s separate personalities. Before she can learn too much, Firestorm knocks her out, but not before Dr Megala activates the labs quantum field.

Firestorm is left in agony as the machinery disrupts his structural integrity, it feels like they are being torn apart, in sheer desperation Jason instructs Ronnie to unleash the strongest burst of explosive energy he can. Firestorm lets rip, destroying the equipment, and blasts his way out of the building. As they return home and transform back into their civilian identities, Firestorm vanishes from Dr Megala’s sensors. Dr Megala has been monitoring the multiple sightings of the various other Firestorms around the world for some time now, although he is uncertain why they have all suddenly disappeared, Megala is determined to study this Firestorm in the hope that he might replicate the brief instance when Captain Atom freed him from the limitations of his disease ridden body to soar amongst the stars.

The next day at High School it seem like the effects of the battle have yet to wear off, Ronnie and Jason are still exhausted and in pain. Luckily for Ronnie, he doesn’t have to worry too much as Tonya has finished his History Paper for him, something which causes Jason to react angrily over Ronnie’s flippant attitude towards his studies. Later, when Jason goes home, he walks in on his dad arranging a date over the phone with Ronnie’s mother – Joanne. Before he can even begin to deal with this news, Jason doubles up in agony. As his father tries to help, Ronnie arrives, having also been affected by painful spasms. They turn into Firestorm and fly off to try and find out what is happening to them, but as Jason tells Ronnie about Al and Joanne they are suddenly attacked by the giant robot Daxaxen.

In his weakened state Firestorm is unable to put up much of a fight, and the robot easily snares him using cables infused with quantum energy that cancel out his powers. Firestorm is helpless to avoid being drawn inside Daxaxen, once he is imprisoned Dr Megala initiates the transfer device he has constructed, and after a blinding flash of energy the crippled scientist transplants his mind into Firestorm’s and takes over his body. While Dr Megala relishes his stolen bodies incredible powers, General Eiling assesses the damage at the lab, but before he can investigate further he receives an unexpected is visit from Captain Atom!

The Fury of Firestorm the Nuclear Man #14 continues to expand on writer/artist Dan Jurgens brand new direction for the series. It’s great to see just how quickly Ronnie and Jason are adapting to their shared existence as Firestorm. In combat their combined abilities are enhanced by their different personalities: while Jason calmly transmutes the floor beneath Black Star to gas, Ronnie hilariously changes Skull Crusher’s armoured form into a giant bunny suit, an equally blunt approach stops Relay from scanning their minds, but in the end they selflessly rely on teamwork to escape from the lab when the quantum field begins to tear them apart.

Back in their everyday lives at High School tensions are beginning to rise between the two friends as Ronnie’s indifferent attitude towards his studies being to annoy Jason, especially as Ronnie had to rely on Tonya to complete a paper for him, and its becoming clear that Jason is starting to feel jealous about Ronnie is spending time with Tonya. This is further compounded when Jason finds out his dad is dating Ronnie’s mother, although Ronnie and Jason don’t have much time to digests this news before they have to rush into action as Firestorm again.

It’s also nice to see Captain Atom return from the abyss of cancellation; his title was one of The New 52’s most innovative yet, and the character seems like a natural choice to guest star in Firestorm. After the events of Captain Atom #11 its not surprising that Dr Megala wants to escape his twisted body again. Although the body swap idea is nothing new, it is given a nice twist here as Firestorm himself is a combined being, so it will be interesting to find out what has happened to Ronnie and Jason now that Megala has taken over their body.

Dan Jurgens art on Firestorm #14 is inked by Ray McCarthy and vibrantly coloured by Hi-Fi, together they make a great team, bringing as much depth and substance to the more domestic aspects of the book as they do the big action sequences with Firestorm. The Fury of Firestorm #14 is another fantastic issue in this new series, everything feels fresh and exciting and I can’t wait to see how Ronnie and Jason cope with being taken over by Dr Megala.

The Fury of Firestorm #13 Review

Tags

Al Milgran, Dan Jurgens, Dataxen, DC Comics, Firestorm, Grey Conway, Hi-Fi, Jason Rusch, Ray McCarthy, Ronnie Raymond, The Fury of Firestorm The Nuclear Man, The New 52

The Fury of Firestorm the Nuclear Man #13

Review by Paul Bowler

The new direction established for The Fury of Firestorm The Nuclear Man continues to build on bringing the series closer to its original concept as we join Ronnie Raymond and Jason Rusch’s parents, Al Rusch and Joanne Raymond, as they bump into each other at Walton Mills High School for a parent-teacher conference only to find Ronnie and Jason have failed to show up. The two of them compare notes about their kids new life as the merged entity known as Firestorm, worrying that their studies may be effected, but resigned to the fact that they have been somewhat sidelined by Ronnie and Jason’s newfound life as a superhero.

Sure enough, Firestorm is trying to take down a giant robot called Dataxen that has attacked an air force instillation. Unfortunately Ronnie’s overconfidence almost proves their undoing, ignoring Jason’s warnings, after Dataxen seems almost unaffected by their combined powers of explosive energy and transmutation. As the battle between Firestorm and Dataxen intensifies, General Eiling prepares to retaliate by scrambling bombers, but after Firestorm stops a wave of missiles launched by the robot – transmuting them into tin cans to avoid innocent casualties – Dataxen mysteriously disappears.

As Dataxen returns to a secret underground base for the data it has collected about Firestorm to be analysed by a secret organization, Firestorm changes back into Ronnie and Jason at the High School, but they have missed the conference. Jason’s girlfriend Tonya, the only other person beside their parents who knows they are Firestorm, is there to meet them as Coach Conway gives Ronnie a dressing down for missing the conference and letting his grades slip.

They all go to Ronnie’s house so Tonya can help him catch up on a history paper due for the next day, but an attack on S.T.A.R Labs by a new team of villains: Black Star, Relay, and Skull Crusher means they have to leave their studies to tackled the threat as Firestorm. The new trio of enemies attack Firestorm as soon as he arrives at S.T.A.R Labs, the fight doesn’t go well for Firestorm: he is battered by Skull Crusher, his energy blasts have little effect on the living black hole called Black Star, and Relay uses her telekinetic powers to drop some machinery on him. As Firestorm struggles to fight back, every moment is being monitored by the secret underground organization, while somewhere a mysterious figure watching the computer screens begins to emerge from the shadows…

The changes wrought by Zero Month begin to seriously fan the flames of nostalgia as this new era gets under way with Firestorm #13. Right from the outset Writer/Artist Dan Jurgens successfully captures the fun fuelled spirit of adventure that will have many fans of Firestorm welcoming the return of the series leaning more towards the original premise created by Grey Conway and Al Milgran during the 70’s. Its also great to see the rivalry between Ronnie and Jason evolving into something more light hearted, its also somewhat ironic that Ronnie now seems to relish being Firestorm much more than Jason, who missed his powers when they were gone. Now they are teamed up as the newly merged Firestorm, with Ronnie in the driving seat and Jason proving the intellectual back up. They are both polar opposites, one worried about dating and sports, the other concerned about grades and science projects, but both are still typical teenagers who are slaves to their mobile phones – checking their text messages the instant the superhero work as Firestorm is done!

By casting off the global espionage and brining the series back to a High School environment, Dan Jurgens has the opportunity to flesh out some of the supporting cast, setting up a possible love triangle between Ronnie, Tonya, and Jason. There is a real fan pleasing moment when Coach Conway (A great reference to Gerry Conway) berates Ronnie for neglecting his studies, as well as some nice scenes between Joanne Raymond and Al Rusch who also seem to be getting very close, and its great to see Firestorm smiling again after being so consumed by rage and angst for the majority of the previous story arc.

New villains Black Star, Relay, and Skull Crusher have some interesting powers, and the robot Dataxen is equally impressive. We don’t really learn much about the secret organization they work for during the course of Firestorm #13, but they seems to be studying Firestorm to assess his powers, for reasons as yet seemingly known only to a shadowy figure behind the organization.

The art by Dan Jurgens really stands up to the high bench mark set by Yildiray Cinar,  Firestorm #13 feels like a step in the right direction, enhancing what has gone before while giving it a subtle makeover for the new storyline. Jurgens works is superbly inked by Ray McCarthy and swathed in Hi-Fi’s glorious colours. I really like Firestorm’s new costume, established in Firestorm #0, and the way Ronnie and Jason are starting to learn collectively about their shared powers. The action in Firestorm #13 is pretty frenetic, throwing us straight into the battle with Daxaxen, but the interludes of everyday life, and action packed cliff hanger certainly puts Firestorm back on track for some amazing new adventures.