You can find the seventh episode of THE FIRE AND WATER PODCAST on iTunes. While you’re there, please drop us a review on the iTunes page. Every comment helps! Alternatively, you may download the podcast by right-clicking here, choosing “Save Target/Link As”, and selecting a location on your computer to save the file (52 MB).

Thanks again to my co-host Rob Kelly, Sea King of THE AQUAMAN SHRINE, for doing all the post-production on these episodes! Additionally, special thanks to Daniel Adams and his band The Bad Mamma Jammas for our super-cool outro theme!

Thanks for listening! Send your feedback to: firewaterpodcast@comcast.net

Support Firestorm and Aquaman! Fan the Flame and Ride the Wave!

Like us on Facebook

Heads-up Facebook users, I’ve launched a Facebook page for FIRESTORM FAN!  Please stop by, check it out, and “Like” the page!  In addition to announcing new posts, I’ll also share links to various Firestorm-related items that don’t merit an entire post here.  Click here to visit the Facebook page for FIRESTORM FAN!

I believe finding the content from FIRESTORM FAN should be convenient for you.  That’s why in addition to the primary site I’m trying to make the content accessible across several social media platforms.  Even if you already have a reliable way of getting FIRESTORM FAN content, please take a look at the delivery methods below, show your support, and spread the word. Your support is always appreciated.

Follow on Twitter

If you’re on Twitter, please “follow” @firestormfan.  There’s a lot of buzz surrounding the Nuclear Men right now and Twitter is an easy way to cover the excitement.  Like Facebook, I’ll also tweet links to various Firestorm-related items that don’t merit an entire post here.

RSS

As always, you can subscribe directly to the RSS feed.  This option provides you with the most flexibility as there are numerous ways to get RSS feeds.  Click here for the FIRESTORM FAN RSS feed.

Subscribe via E-mail

By choosing to subscribe via e-mail, new FIRESTORM FAN posts will be delivered right to your inbox!  How convenient is that?!?!  Click here to subscribe to FIRESTORM FAN via e-mail.

Identify yourself as a “Follower” on the site

It’s easy to show your support by choosing to “Follow” with Google Friend Connect.  You may use a pre-existing account from Google, Twitter, Yahoo, AIM, or OpenID to “Follow”.  By choosing to “Follow”, it will list you amongst the followers of FIRESTORM FAN.  It will also allow you to read FIRESTORM FAN content in Blogger under “Blogs I’m Following”.  Click here or look on FIRESTORM FAN in the right-hand sidebar towards the bottom and you’ll see an option to “Follow” with Google Friend Connect.

I recommend the “Follow” feature to anyone wishing to show their support of the site, or to anyone who keeps up with blogs through Blogger (a really handy way to keep up with several different blogs).

LiveJournal

If you’re a LiveJournal user, you can keep up with FIRESTORM FAN there.  All posts to the blog are cross-posted to the ONCE UPON A GEEK LiveJournal page.

.

I hope at least one of these ways proves to be convenient for you.  Thanks again for reading!  It’s an exciting time to be a fan of Firestorm!

Support Firestorm (and FIRESTORM FAN)! Fan the flame!

I want to make it convenient for you to keep up with FIRESTORM FAN.  That’s one of the reasons I recently launched a Twitter account specifically tracking Firestorm.  Even if you already have a reliable way of getting FIRESTORM FAN content, by choosing to “Follow” the blog it helps show your support and spread the word. Your support is always appreciated.

Follow on Twitter

If you’re on Twitter, please “follow” @firestormfan.  A few days ago I started this new Twitter account with the express purpose of keeping up with Firestorm.  There’s a lot of buzz surrounding the Nuclear Man right now and Twitter is an easy way to cover the excitement.  In addition to announcing new posts, I’ll also tweet links to various Firestorm-related items that don’t merit an entire post here.

Identify yourself as a “Follower” on the site

It’s easy to show your support by choosing to “Follow” with Google Friend Connect.  You may use a pre-existing account from Google, Twitter, Yahoo, AIM, or OpenID to “Follow”.  By choosing to “Follow”, it will list you amongst the followers of FIRESTORM FAN.  It will also allow you to read FIRESTORM FAN content in Blogger under “Blogs I’m Following”.  Click here or look on FIRESTORM FAN in the right-hand sidebar towards the bottom and you’ll see an option to “Follow” with Google Friend Connect.

I recommend the “Follow” feature to anyone wishing to show their support of the site, or to anyone who keeps up with blogs through Blogger (a really handy way to keep up with several different blogs).

Follow on Facebook using NetworkedBlogs

If you are a frequent Facebook user, you can follow FIRESTORM FAN with the NetworkedBlogs application.  By choosing to “Follow” this way, FIRESTORM FAN topics will be posted to your Facebook “Home” page as they are published.  Click here to check out the NetworkedBlogs application.

I would recommend the NetworkedBlogs feature to anyone that is a frequent Facebook user, or to anyone who has a Facebook account and wishes to show their support of the site.

LiveJournal

If you’re a LiveJournal user, you can keep up with FIRESTORM FAN there.  All posts to the blog are cross-posted to the ONCE UPON A GEEK LiveJournal page.

RSS

As always, you can subscribe directly to the RSS feed.  This option provides you with the most flexibility as there are numerous ways to get RSS feeds.  Click here for the FIRESTORM FAN RSS feed..

.

I hope at least one of these ways provides you with a convenient way to get this content.  Thanks again for reading!  It’s an exciting time to be a fan of Firestorm!

Support Firestorm (and FIRESTORM FAN)! Fan the flame!

• A few weeks back I did a post on the 2003 Ronnie Raymond Firestorm series that almost was.  I’m over-the-moon happy to report that I received very nice notes about my post from both writer Mike Carey and artist Lewis LaRosa.  Great guys! Be sure to support their projects!
• Check out this amazing Firestorm sketch on eBay by Ed Benes (Justice League of America, Birds of Prey, Superman).  Gorgeous sketch!  It sold for $374.  Wow!

• Brightest Day #3 came out last week and there is a good Firestorm-related scene.  Not going to spoil it for you.  Visit your local comic book shop and check it out!
• DC Comics has created a Brightest Day mini-site and Firestorm has his own page.  Not much to see there yet, but check it out by clicking here.  Also, you can get some Brightest Day desktop wallpapers and buddy icons on their Download page by clicking here.
• Peter Tomasi gave an interview to Newsarama about Brightest Day in early May.  Click here for the entire interview.  Below is an excerpt that included Firestorm:

Nrama: Then let’s switch our attention to this new Firestorm. Ronnie Raymond is obviously still irresponsible, and Jason already despises him. Are you hoping to explore the contrast between the two characters by throwing them together as Firestorm?

Tomasi: Ronnie and Jason’s characters are polar opposites in the truest sense of the word, and that makes them incredibly interesting to read about. All you need to do is put them in a room together and the tempers run high – put them in each other’s head and you’ve got a battle royale. Ronnie and Jason have a pretty epic storyline in place that will test them both and bring them right to the emotional edge of who they are and what they believe in.

• During the DC Nation panel at HeroesCon this past Saturday, an audience member asked about Firestorm.  Click here for the entire DC Nation rundown at Newsarama.  Below is an excerpt that included Firestorm:

An audience member wanted to thank DC for using Firestorm again. [Ian] Sattler replied that he is fascinating and has so much planned for him. Long term stuff.

• Back in early May, Chris Sims wrote a post over at Comics Alliance on “The Racial Politics of Regressive Storytelling”.  The editorial makes the observation that DC is replacing legacy heroes that happen to be racially-diverse (such as Jason Rusch/Firestorm and Ryan Choi/Atom) with the classic iconic versions.  It just so happens that all the classic iconic versions are white Americans, therefore DC is eliminating their racially-diverse characters.
  Now this editorial was written in early May.  Since then, a legacy superhero that happens to be non-white has been murdered in the pages of DC Comics (being vague on purpose so not to spoil it for anyone that doesn’t know).  Combine this editorial with the recent death and you’ve got a literal fandom firestorm on the net (no pun intended… well, maybe a little bit).  Just go to any comic message board and this topic is being argued.  I’ve also stumbled across dozens of comic news sites and blogs discussing this issue.  There are valid arguments on every side of this issue.  I’m not going to comment on the issue, but I encourage you to check out what everyone is saying.
• David Wolkin did a review of Brightest Day #1 on his blog Wolkin’s House of Chicken and Waffles (and Comics!).   The review is very humorous and worth your time.  Additionally, he referred to Ronnie and Jason as “The New Odd Couple” and included a link to the following Twitpic he posted.  Friggin’ hilarious!

• Our good buddy Jon over at the Firestorm-themed blog FIZZIT has posted several really cool Firestorm-related items in recent months.  Check these out!
  Firestorm sketches by Nicola Scott (Secret Six, Birds of Prey) and Francis Manapul (Flash)
  Firestorm sketches by Mike Allred (Madman) and Agnes Garbowska (Peter Porker, Spider-Ham)
  Original art for Firestorm v2 #45 page 12 and analysis of the editorial marks
  Batman: The Brave and the Bold toys of Orion and Firestorm have some words
  Jon’s funny rendition of Shadow Thief’s trial for the murder of Firestorm from Manhunter.
• I found some more Firestorm fan fiction on the web.  If you enjoy adventures in prose of our favorite Nuclear Man by your fellow fans, check out the Firestorm stories on DC2: New Adventures of the DC Heroes.
• Click here for a cute Jason Rusch Firestorm lego custom.  Adorable!
• As always, if you are looking for some lively discussion on our favorite nuclear man, head over to the DC Comics Message Board Firestorm forum.  There is always some good Firestorm talk going on over there.
• And just for fun, click here for a recipe to a drink called the Firestorm.  It has nothing to do with the Nuclear Man, but what the heck.  Let’s toast Ronnie Raymond resuming the path to alcoholism!  Cheers!

Support Firestorm! Fan the flame!

Welcome to FIRESTORM FAN’s part of the Crisis on Earth-Blog: The DC Challenge! FIRESTORM FAN is the source for DC Comics’ Nuclear Man! You’ll find anything and everything Firestorm-related here. Things such as merchandise, comics, toys, apparel, cartoons, news, creator interviews, and commentary about the character. If this is your first time here, welcome aboard! If you’re a regular, I think you’ll enjoy this crossover event.

Today and throughout the next few weeks on comic book-themed blogs across the internet, DC Comics characters are being spotlighted in a series of challenges. In my case I’ll be representing Firestorm, my all-time favorite superhero. Your DC Challenge, if you choose to accept it, involves visiting each of these various blogs and tackling their particular challenge.

The objective of these challenges is to go from blog to blog until you reach the goal-page featuring a lush scan from an obscure George Pérez pin-up of every major character involved in this crossover event. We all hope you enjoy this online scavenger hunt, and the new comic blogs you’ll be exposed to! Many thanks go out to mastermind Frank Lee Delano (of the blogs: Idol-Head of Diabolu, Justice League Detroit, and …nurgh…) for coordinating this massive effort! Way to go, Frank!

Your FIRESTORM FAN challenge is the crossword puzzle below. I couldn’t embed the crossword puzzle itself, so you’ll have to click the image to be taken to the interactive puzzle.  Each question in the puzzle relates to either Firestorm or a character participating in this crossover. Just a heads-up, I removed any spaces or hyphens from the answers. For example “Captain Amazing” would simply be “CaptainAmazing”; or “Locust-Man” would simply be “LocastMan”. Once you’ve finished the challenge, be sure to investigate the other links beneath the puzzle. Have fun!

Hope you enjoyed the crossword puzzle! Now you’ll have to work your way through a few of the blogs below if you want to reach the goal-page featuring an obscure George Pérez pin-up of every major character in this crossover. Some of these blogs are participating in the crossover today, others will be in the coming weeks. Visit them now, visit them later, visit them often!

• The Aquaman Shrine
• The Atom: Tiny Titan
• Hawkman/Hawkwoman at Being Carter Hall
• Metal Men at Comics Make Me Happy
• Flash at Crimson Lightning
• Green Arrow at Dispatches from the Arrow Cave
• Black Lightning and Unknown Soldier at El Jacone’s Comic Book Bunker
• Firestorm Fan
• Black Canary at Girls Gone Geek and Wonder Woman at Girls Gone Geek
• I Am The Phantom Stranger
• Martian Manhunter at The Idol-Head of Diabolu
• Elongated Man and Zatanna at Justice League Detroit
• Captain Comet at …nurgh…
• Doctor Fate at Once Upon a Geek
• He-Man and Battle Cat at Pretty, Fizzy Paradise
• Mister Miracle at random picture day
• Adam Strange at Reilly2040′s Blog
• Supergirl Comic Box Commentary
• Sgt. Rock at when is evil cool?
• Batgirl at The Anti-Didio League of America
• Plastic Man at The Continuity Blog
• General support from Toyriffic

If you enjoy blog crossovers, then you may want to check out the previous comic blog crossovers we’ve done. The first major Crisis on Earth-Blog celebrated the gorgeous George Pérez/Alex Ross painting from the Crisis on Infinite Earths 1998 hardcover. The next blog crossover was a celebration of the Super Powers Collection’s 25th Anniversary.

Support Firestorm! Fan the flame!

Blackest Night #4

• Thanks to Dispatches from the Arrowcave (The Green Arrow blog), the Aquaman Shrine, and Patrick for the heads-up about a t-shirt featuring several DC superheroes, including the Jason Rusch Firestorm.  It’s available at Wal-Mart, and may possibly be the only t-shirt to ever include the Jason Rusch Firestorm.  Thanks to Adama from Dispatches from the Arrowcave for the photo!

• I stumbled across two great Firestorm wallpapers designed by Roger over at the Sensor Sweep blog.  The art is by Dick Dillin (long-time JLA vol I artist) and Mike McKone (Teen Titans, JLA Wedding Special).  Click the thumbnails below to be taken to the Sensor Sweep page where you can download each full-size wallpaper.

…….……….

• Below is a cute Firestorm M&M I found on the Baggy Pants and Bravado blog.  It was originally posted by Hugh Cherry on the John Byrne Message Board back in 2006.  Check out either link for tons more superhero M&Ms.

• The Captain’s JLA Blog recently featured an alternative Justice League team shot drawn by Rafael Albuquerque (Blue Beetle, Superman/Batman).  It included the Jason Rusch Firestorm and is worth a look.
• Firestorm made a cameo back in 2006 in The Order of the Stick webcomic.  Thanks to Adama for pointing me in that direction.

Support Firestorm! Fan the flame!

• Black Lantern Firestorm made his first appearance in Blackest Night #2.  Admittedly it was just a cameo, but he was there.  If you haven’t picked up the issue yet, you may still be able to find copies.
• Blackest Night #3 is scheduled to be released on September 16.  This issue is of particular importance for Firestorm fans because the Jason Rusch Firestorm comes face-to-face with the Black Lantern Firestorm!  There is even a variant cover by Ethan Van Sciver depicting their encounter.  Be sure to tell your comic shop retailer to hold you a copy of that variant cover.  It’s phenomenal!
• DC has announced a release date for the Black Lantern Firestorm action figure.  The figure is scheduled for release on April 14, 2010.  I know, that’s like forever away.  Tell me about it.
• I’m heading to Dragon*Con in Atlanta this coming weekend.  George Perez is scheduled to be there.  I’m hoping to get him to sign some old Flash comics in which he drew the Firestorm back-up stories.
• I stumbled across a Firestorm fan page on Facebook.  Click here to visit the site and then become a “fan”.  I’m not affiliated with this fan site, but I think it’s pretty cool.
• Eric over at Shonborn’s Carpal Tunnel did a great drawing of Firestorm reimagining him as a Kirby-esque New God.  Eric was kind enough to grant permission to reprint the drawing here.  I think he did a really good job capturing the New Gods spirit while paying tribute to Firestorm’s costume.

• Remember those old Capcom arcade games where two characters fight?  Turns out lots of people have been playing and developing customizable versions of those old games.  Over at CVG United they’ve put together a downloadable Firestorm skin for these games.  I don’t play them myself, but it sure looks like fun!  You can see screen shots of Firestorm flying, blasting, turning intangible, transmuting projectiles, and even transforming from two people into Firestorm.  There are skins for the classic Firestorm, Jason Rusch, and the Black Lantern Firestorm.  I especially like that you can see the floating face of Professor Stein in the “winning pose”.  Click here for more.
• Andrew over at the Comics Bronze Age blog recently did a review of Firestorm vol. I #1 from 1978.  He was fairly critical of the issue in his review, but he admitted that he is a fan of the character.  Hopefully his review  in September of Fury of Firestorm The Nuclear Man vol. II #1 (1982) will be more complimentary.
• Want to read an issue of DC Comics Presents starring Firestorm, Superman, and Captain Atom?  Check out this post from Mail It To Team-up and enjoy!
• Our friend Jon over at the Firestorm-themed Fizzit blog shared a recent acquisition of his.  He picked up a hip-hop CD on eBay featuring Firestorm on the cover.  The disc itself is called, “Walker Presents Firestorm”.  Below is an image of the cover.  Clearly this wasn’t authorized, but it’s still interesting.  Click here to view the eBay entry listing the various songs.  Thanks for sharing, Jon!

• Also, be sure to check out Jon’s recent Fizzit blog entries.  He’s made some astute observations about the consistency of Black Lantern Firestorm’s costume, and he’s put together his own awesome Black Lantern Firestorm shirt.  Click here to visit the Fizzit blog.

Finally, a couple weeks ago I asked for feedback on the FIRESTORM FAN site.  My thanks to everyone who sent in their thoughts!  The one thing that was requested the most was more news on upcoming Firestorm appearances and merchandise (hence today’s post).  The rest of the results were a bit of a mixed bag, which tells me a variety of posts are probably the best plan.  Some items that stuck out as popular requests were: villain character studies, summaries of old issues, creator interviews, and art/sketches.  I’ll do my best to keep cranking out posts for you match-heads to enjoy!

Support Firestorm! Fan the flame!

Remember months ago when I said that no one else had done a Firestorm-specific blog?  Turns out I was wrong!  Jon from New Zealand did quite a few fantastic Firestorm-related posts on his blog Fizzit back in 2007 & 2008.  You’ve gotta check out his site!  I’m totally envious of his brilliant posts.

One of his regular features was a hilarious segment entitled, “How Not To Treat Girls, featuring Firestorm“.  These segments showed exactly how much of an asshat Ronnie and the Professor could be towards girls.  Too funny!

In fact, Jon beat me to the punch (literally) on a post I’ve been planning.  In one particular issue of Firestorm, Ronnie actually punched out his step-mother in order to protect his secret identity! Seriously, he clocked her!  Fizzit did a post on this already, so instead of reinventing the wheel and doing my own post on it, I recommend you check his out by clicking here.  As a step-parent myself, I hope my step-son never knocks me out in order to protect a secret of his.

Be sure to check out Fizzit!  Jon’s got over 50 Firestorm-related posts and it’s well worth your time.

Support Firestorm! Fan the flame!

• Trinity #35 just hit the stands yesterday. As I’ve mentioned previously, Firestorm (Jason/Gehenna) has been featured regularly in the Trinity series.  I can’t vouch for issue #35 (as I haven’t read it just yet), but Firestorm has played an important role throughout the series.
• Justice League of America #29 shipped last week.  While it’s a flashback issue and doesn’t feature Firestorm, it was drawn by CrissCross.  CrissCross was the first artist on Firestorm volume III, and therefore the first artist to draw the Jason Rusch Firestorm.
• The Justice League of America team is about to go through a major shake-up.  They will be losing Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern.  Here is an article at Newsarama with writer Dwayne McDuffie discussing the changes.  Let’s hope Firestorm stays on the team through these changes.
• Justice League of America: The Second Coming HC reprints Justice League of America #22-26 and is scheduled for release on May 6, 2009.  This volume includes a brief appearance by an alternate reality Firestorm known only as “WE ARE FIRESTORM”.
• Dwayne McDuffie recently stated on his own forum that we will see more of Jason Rusch and Martin Stein in a future story line.  Additionally, he said that “WE ARE FIRESTORM” will appear again.
• According to Dwayne McDuffie’s blog, this summer will see the release of a softcover edition of Justice League of America: The Injustice League.  This softcover will reprint the JLA Wedding Special and Justice League of America #13-16.  This is the story where the Jason Rusch Firestorm is “recruited” by Batman for the Justice League.  The hardcover of this story was released last summer.
• Furious Firestorm is a new website from Mr. Jamester.  The site is dedicated to our favorite match-head and features lots of images, pictures, and even a few videos.  Check it out!
• As we’ve noted here previously, Ronnie Raymond will return as a Black Lantern during the Green Lantern story, Blackest Night.  DC has solicited a few Blackest Night action figures already.  Over at Frank Delano’s Martian Manhunter blog, The IDOL-HEAD of DIABOLU, you can see a glimpse of the Black Lantern Martian Manhunter.  Wow, icky.  Makes me somewhat nervous about how Ronnie Raymond will look as a Black Lantern.
• Also over at The IDOL-HEAD of DIABOLU, Frank has put together a great resource covering the relationship between Martian Manhunter and Firestorm.  He discusses their interactions as well as provides a number of links to other Firestorm-related posts on IDOL-HEAD.  Definitely worth your time to check this out!
• Pat Broderick (the first artist on Firestorm volume II) is scheduled to appear at Florida Supercon in Miami JUNE 5-7, 2009.
• As always, check out the Firestorm section of the DC Comics Message Board for Firestorm-related discussion.

WE ARE FIRESTORM

Support Firestorm! Fan the flame!

Special thanks to “Coming Super-Attractions!” blog for allowing me to reprint this advertisement from their site.  Be sure to head over there and check ‘em out.  The site is lots of fun, but will be coming to an end in about a month.  A blow to the comic book blogging community. 

Interesting observation about this ad… It shows the covers for both Firestorm (drawn by Joe Brozowski) and Blue Devil (drawn by Paris Cullins).  However, the break-out images of the characters are stock images by different artists.  Not earth-shattering, but strange.

UPDATE: Last night, I happened upon this advertisement myself in Justice League of America #249 (April 1986).  Since I just got a new scanner, I thought I would try it out.  So below you’ll find the ad I scanned myself, however, I left the link to “Coming Super-Attractions” which inspired this post.

I also wanted to take a moment to thank everyone for the warm reception FIRESTORM FAN has gotten.  I have received several kind e-mails and comments about the site.  You people are so friggin’ wonderful!

I didn’t realize until this week how fantastic the superhero-specific blog community is.  There are a number of blogs out there that are dedicated to just one character (like FIRESTORM FAN is).  I was shocked at how kind and supportive the folks running these sites have been.  Many of them have featured FIRESTORM FAN in one of their posts, several have posted comments here already, while others added it to their blogroll without me even asking.  I feel like I’ve joined an exclusive club of really nice people!

Here are just a few of the ‘shout-outs’ FIRESTORM FAN has received.

• Aquaman Shrine – Check out the cartoon!  It’s Nuclearrific!
• El Jacone’s Comic Book Bunker
• Speed Force

Here is a list of superhero-specific blogs that you should be checking out.  Most of these are in my blogroll permanently, but I thought they deserved a shout out here too.

• Aquaman Shrine
  
• Flash – Crimson Lightning
• Flash – Speed Force
• Plastic Man Platitudes
• Green Arrow – Dispatches from the Arrowcave
• Martian Manhunter – Idol-Head of Diabolu
• Hawkman – Being Carter Hall
• Justice League Detroit
• Justice League of America
• I am the Phantom Stranger
• Captain America – Let’s Rap With Cap
• Team-up books from the 60s to the 80s – Mail it to Team-up
• Millie the Model
• Teen Titans – Titans Tower Monitor Room
  

Also, thank you to everyone else that has been visiting, leaving comments, and adding FIRESTORM FAN to your links/blogroll.  Your support is truly appreciated and I’ll do my best not to let you down!

Support Firestorm! Fan the flame!