In this article, Jenette reveals quite a bit about the soon-to-appear Firestorm, as well as his alter-egos Ronnie Raymond and Professor Charles (?!?!) Stein.  She then goes on to explain the creative process in developing new characters.  It’s a very interesting piece and was probably very enlightening for the fans at the time.  Click the image below to enlarge the article to readable size.

Thanks to my FIRE AND WATER PODCAST co-host Rob Kelly for sending me this scan!  I’d never even heard of this editorial prior to Rob sending it my way.  Thanks, Rob!

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Right out of the gate I wanted to tackle one of DC’s biggest, baddest villains of all – DARKSEID!  Believe it or not, Firestorm has gone toe-to-toe with Darkseid on a few occasions and somehow managed to survive!

First up is a scene from Justice League of America #185 (Dec 1980) written by Gerry Conway and drawn by George Perez & Frank McLaughlin.  In this scene Firestorm gives Darkseid a taste of his own medicine!

Now admittedly, the comic above was published back before Darkseid was THE big bad of the DC Universe.  Nowadays, Firestorm probably wouldn’t be able to pull off such a simple stunt against Darkseid.  In fact, the next time Firestorm was face-to-face with Darkseid, things went very differently.  Below is a scene from Firestorm the Nuclear Man vol III #35 (June 2007) written by Dwayne McDuffie and drawn by Pop Mhan & Steve Bird.

Yeah, that’s right.  Darkseid just showed up and literally ripped Firestorm apart.  Wow.  That’s serious power!

Let’s tally up the two battles… looks like the final scores between Firestorm and Darkseid were: One victory each!  I don’t know about you, but I’d gladly accept a tie with Darkseid.  Heck, I’d gladly accept just surviving against Darkseid!

Watch for more UNUSUAL SUSPECTS in the weeks to come!

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Justice League of America #179 – “The Siren Song of the Satin Satan” (June 1980)
Justice League of America #180 – “A Beautiful Evil” (July 1980)
Writer: Gerry Conway
Pencils: Dick Dillin
Inks: Frank McLaughlin
Covers: Jim Starlin

JLA #179 was Firestorm’s induction into the League, so technically this was his first case as a JLA member. For your first JLA case, you’d hope to fight a really well-known villain, right? Like Amazo, Despero, Kanjar Ro, or even the Shaggy Man. Well, sorry Ronnie, you got … The Satin Satan.

The Satin Satan was also known as Sabrina Sultress, a high paid fashion model. Check out that cool hair!

In addition to being a fashion model, we discovered she was also a sorceress! Prowling popular New York discotheques (yes, that’s right discotheques), the Satin Satan looked for young men to bewitch and steal away for her own nefarious purposes. She had the ability to control the minds of young men and transform humans into animated mannequins.

She made the mistake of abducting Rosco Remington, the brother of one of Ronnie Raymond’s friends. Firestorm investigated and of course got himself captured by the Satin Satan. Oh, Ronnie, always a fool for the ladies. Thankfully, Firestorm did manage to activate his JLA emergency signal. The Justice League of America responded and confronted the Satin Satan at a roller disco called Hell on Wheels (a roller disco!!!)! It was revealed that Sabrina Sultress was the host for an evil demon called Sataroth, the daughter of Satanni (whoever that is).

The battle concluded with Zatanna casting the demon Sataroth out of Sabrina Sultress. We’re left thinking Sabrina was just an innocent victim in all this, until the final panel…

Shockingly, Firestorm never encountered the Satin Satan again. Given Sabrina’s devious smile at the end, perhaps she’s still out there preying on young men at modern-day raves. Watch yourself boys…

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If you’ve never read Firestorm The Nuclear Man #1 (Mar. 1978) written by Gerry Conway and drawn by Al Milgrom, then you probably don’t know who I’m talking about.  Eddie Earhart was a 1970s hipster who sported gold chains, a receding hairline with a Mike Brady-like perm, and thick mutton chops with connecting ‘stache.  I’m sure you can tell by the description he was a real class act.  Eddie was the leader of an environmentalist group known as the Coalition to Resist Atomic Power (yes, the acronym is C.R.A.P. – well played, Mr. Conway).  The Coalition held protest rallies at power plants in the attempt to slow the spread of nuclear power. After watching Clark Kent interview Eddie Earhart on television, Ronnie Raymond decided to join the Coalition in the hope of impressing Doreen Day.  Ronnie did a lot of dumb things in his teenage years and I’d say joining a nuclear protest group to win a girl’s heart is pretty high on that list.

Ronnie joined the Coalition and soon discovered that Eddie and his group had a darker agenda.  That evening several members of the Coalition broke into the Hudson Nuclear Power Plant with the intention of blowing it up.  Eddie had the idea to bring Ronnie along to take the blame from the authorities for their terrorist actions.  Eddie knocked Ronnie unconscious when the teenager attempted to stop the Coalition.  Meanwhile, Professor Martin Stein (sporting a friggin’ cool pipe!) was in the process of bringing the power plant online.  Stein discovered Eddie and his gang, which resulted in being knocked out himself.  I tell ya, Eddie should’ve been a boxer the way he knocked people out with one punch.  Next, Eddie set the explosives by the atomic pile and the unconscious forms of Ronnie and the Professor.

The resulting explosion transformed Ronnie Raymond and Professor Martin Stein into Firestorm the Nuclear Man (but you probably already knew that part).  After briefly testing his new powers, Firestorm tracked Eddie and the Coalition to another nuclear power plant in Jersey.  Firestorm made quick work of the Coalition members and managed to punch Eddie Earhart twice — once for the Professor and once for Ronnie I suppose.

There you have it, Eddie Earhart is the man who single-handedly created Firestorm.  Eddie conned Ronnie into joining the Coalition on their bombing attack of the Hudson Nuclear Power Plant, he punched out both Ronnie and the Professor, and he set the explosives himself that blew up the nuclear reactor.  If it weren’t for Eddie, Firestorm may never have been created!  Thanks Eddie… I guess.  Kinda weird thanking such a rotten dude.

Surprisingly, Eddie Earhart never appeared in comics again.  Sure you’d see him in flashbacks of Firestorm’s creation, but he never returned to plague the Nuclear Man.  Considering how often other Firestorm villains reappeared, I’m shocked we never saw Eddie again.  If we’re lucky, perhaps Ethan Van Sciver and Gail Simone will figure a way to incorporate this dastardly dude into the new Firestorm continuity.

For the full story of Firestorm’s creation, pick up the Firestorm the Nuclear Man trade paperback by Gerry Conway and Al Milgrom!

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The supervillain team-up took place during a crossover between THE FURY OF FIRESTORM #45-47 and BLUE DEVIL #23.  In addition to my unhealthy devotion to the Nuclear Man, I’m also a huge fan of Blue Devil!  Click here for all the Blue Devil content on my other blog, ONCE UPON A GEEK (including exclusive content and an interview with the Blue Devil creators)! You can imagine I was absolutely thrilled when my two favorite fun-loving heroes teamed-up.  While The Nuclear Nemeses was an interesting collection of villains, personally I would have made some adjustments to showcase Firestorm’s most threatening foes.  My supervillain team-up would have consisted of the most celebrated Firestorm rogues, such as: Eddie Earhart, Satin Satan, Kriss-Kross, Goldenrod, and Le Flambeau.  … Okay, just kidding.  I was making sure you were paying attention.  Truthfully, my Firestorm rogues team given the time period would have consisted of: Multiplex, Killer Frost, Typhoon, Hyena, Plastique, and Hector Hammond (from Firestorm’s JLA days).  That’s just my two cents.

Here are a few pages from the crossover featuring our villains…

Below is a page from THE FURY OF FIRESTORM #46 (April 1986), written by Gerry Conway, penciled by Joe Brozowski (a.k.a. J.J. Brozowski and J.J. Birch), and inked by Mike Machlan.  This was Joe Brozowski’s first issue.  He remained on the book for a few years, eventually leaving after issue #79.

Below is another page from THE FURY OF FIRESTORM #46 (April 1986).  On this page, Firestorm is being defeated by … a rope.

Below is a page from BLUE DEVIL #23 (April 1986), written by Gary Cohn & Dan Mishkin, penciled by Alan Kupperberg, and inked by Bill Collins.  On this page Blue Devil gets to mix it up with Firestorm’s baddies.

Below is a page from THE FURY OF FIRESTORM #47 (May 1986), written by Gerry Conway, penciled by Joe Brozowski, and inked by Mike Machlan.   Blue Devil’s conflict with Firestorm’s rogues continues on this page, and things don’t look very good for old horn-head.

Below is the final page from the crossover in THE FURY OF FIRESTORM #47 (May 1986).

This crossover had some great covers!  I’ve posted all four covers below.

The cover to THE FURY OF FIRESTORM #45 is particularly interesting.  The cover was penciled by Denys Cowan and inked by Dick Giordano.  From an artistic approach, this is a really beautiful cover!   Lots of energy, it conveys the story, and is very exciting.  From an accuracy approach, it’s got some problems.  First, in the bottom right corner you can see the Firestorm villain Stratos, who originally appeared in THE FURY OF FIRESTORM #29 (Nov. 1984).  While Stratos looks super-cool on this cover, he doesn’t actually appear within the issue.  Whoops!  Second, notice how Firestorm’s headpiece tapers into red sideburns?  What’s up with that?  That wasn’t part of Firestorm’s costume at the time.  Ironically enough, two years later those same headpiece-sideburns would become a trademark of the “Blank Slate” Firestorm.

Below is the cover to THE FURY OF FIRESTORM #46 by Joe Brozowski and Rick Magyar.

Next up is the cover to Blue Devil #23 (April 1986) by Paris Cullins and Gary Martin.  I LOVE this cover!  Both Firestorm and Blue Devil look seriously cool.  Paris really outdid himself on this piece.  The Firestorm Kirby-Krackle is a great touch!!!

Finally, below is the cover to the crossover conclusion, THE FURY OF FIRESTORM #47 (May 1986) by Joe Brozowski and Rick Magyar.  I’m not sure I can explain it, but I’ve always liked the composition and colors on this cover.  It just works for me.

That’s it for Rogue’s Gallery Week here at FIRESTORM FAN!  Thanks for sticking with us all week!

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FIRESTORM: THE NUCLEAR MAN

Written by GERRY CONWAY; Art by AL MILGROM, GEORGE PEREZ, KLAUS JANSON and others; Cover by AL MILGROM

For the first time, the stories that introduced Firestorm are collected from issues #1-5 of his 1970s series, plus stories from THE FLASH #289-293. After Ronnie Raymond is tricked into nearly blowing up a nuclear reactor, he and Professor Martin Stein are caught in a nuclear incident. Their personalities merge, forming the being called Firestorm!

DC Universe | 176pg. | Color | Softcover | $17.99 US

As we heard from Al Milgrom, this collection will include the unpublished Firestorm the Nuclear Man #6 and some other bonus artwork!

For those of us that already own these issues, I strongly encourage you to buy the trade paperback anyway. First, it’s a great read and will be a nice collection. Second, let’s send a clear message to DC that we’ll buy classic Firestorm comics in trade paperback form. After this trade, I want THE FURY OF FIRESTORM collected!

Support Firestorm!  It’s not just a slogan!  Seriously, SUPPORT FIRESTORM by buying this trade paperback! Fan the Flame!

Back in 1977, Gerry Conway and Al Milgrom created the character of Firestorm the Nuclear Man.  Now seemed the ideal time to sit down with Gerry and Al as the Firestorm: The Nuclear Man trade paperback is due in stores on August 3rd.  For the first time, the stories that introduced Firestorm are collected from issues #1-5 of his own 1970s series, plus the Firestorm back-up stories from The Flash #289-293. As you’ll hear in this interview, perhaps some more items will find their way into the collection as well.

Gerry Conway was one of the most prolific comic book writers of the 1970s and 80s. His writing credits go on for miles! He’s probably best known for co-creating the Punisher and Firestorm, as well as scripting the death of Gwen Stacy in the Amazing Spider-Man. He also wrote for and produced such TV series as Law & Order and Diagnosis Murder. Gerry recently returned to comics after an almost 20 year absence. He wrote the insightful mini-series The Last Days of Animal Man, and has a one-shot coming this August entitled DC Retroactive: Justice League of America – The ’80s.

Allen “Al” Milgrom is a man who has worn many hats. Al has worked as a comic book penciller, inker, writer and editor since the 1970s.  He’s been extraordinarily prolific, working on many books including most of the Marvel Comics’ line at one point or another. He’s well known for his ten-year run as editor of Marvel Fanfare; his long involvement as writer, penciller, and inker on Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man; his four-year tenure as West Coast Avengers penciller; and his long stint as the inker of X-Factor.  More recently Al has been inking for Archie comics.

Gerry and Al were extraordinarily generous with their time sitting down with me for over two and a half hours (that’s right, 2 1/2 hours)!  Surprisingly, this interview was the first time Gerry and Al had verbally chatted in about 30 years.  It was a real thrill listening to them catch-up and reminisce.  Topics covered include: discovering comics as a child; breaking into the business; working together on different projects; several editors, writers, and artists from the Silver and Bronze Ages; the creation of Firestorm; the DC Implosion; favorite Firestorm characters; changes in the comic industry; and much, much more!  Ever wonder why Firestorm has puffy sleeves?  Find out in this interview!

You may play the interview right here on the FIRESTORM FAN site with the handy-dandy player below! I apologize for not offering the interview in text format, but transcribing an interview that long would have taken months.

Alternatively, you may download the file and listen to it on an MP3 player or your computer. You may download the interview by right-clicking here, choosing “Save Target/Link As”, and selecting a location on your computer to save the file (114 MB).

My thanks to both Gerry Conway and Al Milgrom for being so generous with their time!

To keep up with Gerry, follow him on Twitter and Facebook. If you’re interested in hearing more from Gerry, I’ve interviewed him on two previous occasions.  Click here for an interview with Gerry specifically about Firestorm.  Click here for an interview with Gerry about his careers in comics and television.

If you’re interested in original artwork, Al does some great commissions.  I’ll always treasure the sketch I commissioned from Al of Firestorm.  One of the cool things Al offers are commissions inside your trade paperbacks.  He can draw them either on the blank pages in the back, or on a separate sheet of paper which could be attached inside the cover.  To get in touch with Al, drop him an e-mail at: allenmilgrom@gmail.com.

Don’t forget, pick up your copy of the Firestorm: The Nuclear Man trade paperback on August 3rd!

Support Firestorm!  It’s not just a slogan!  Seriously, SUPPORT FIRESTORM by buying this trade paperback! Fan the Flame!

This gorgeous two-page spread comes from ole flamebrain’s first appearance – Firestorm the Nuclear Man #1!  Story by Gerry Conway and art by Al Milgrom.

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Personally, I recommend you also buy the upcoming Firestorm trade paperback.  It includes several Flash back-ups, and some possible surprises.  Additionally, if we want to see subsequent Firestorm collections, we need to support this first trade paperback.

My thanks to Doug Zawisza (of Comic Book Resources, the Doom Patrol blog, and the Red Tornado’s Path blog) for the heads-up about this comiXology listing.

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Even if you already have the issues, order a copy of this trade!  Let’s send a clear message to DC that we’ll support Firestorm comics in trade paperback format!   If you want to see further Firestorm reprints, such as collected editions of The Fury of Firestorm series, then order this trade! By purchasing a copy you’re also supporting creators like Gerry Conway and Al Milgrom!  Order today!

Support Firestorm!  It’s not just slogan!  Seriously, SUPPORT FIRESTORM by ordering this trade paperback! Fan the Flame!