Firestorm 2 HQ

In a brief couple of pages of this week’s Countdown #12, we see that Martin has gone from being Desaad’s captive to an OMAC. Some days it’s just not easy being an Nobel-winning physicist, is it?

Outside of that new issue, I’ve updated the issues page to cover the recent JLoA, Green Lantern and Countdown appearances. Many thanks to those of you who keep me honest and let me know about those appearances. Keep’em coming!

On the merchandise front, Mattel announced that it’s changing its Firestorm action figure plans a little, so that the Ronnie/Jason mix will be 50/50. Look for those in a few months.

Finally, if you enjoy watching people like me trying to out-nerd everyone, there’s an interesting discussion on the DC boards about Jason’s age. My vote: he’s 19, maybe 20. All of this helps motivate me to make that comprehensive Jason bio I’ve been kicking around in my head.

Happy New Year, everyone!

Comic Book Resources has posted an interview with Dwayne McDuffie where he touches on a number of things, including some upcoming intrigue with Firestorm. The language of the article left a few of us concerned that Dwayne wasn’t up to speed on Martin Stein’s recovery in Countdown to Final Crisis, but he assured me otherwise:

“Either I mispoke, or the reporter misheard me. I’m well aware that he’s back, that was planned before I even agreed to write Firestorm. The future Firestorm storyline I’m referring to is about Stein refusing to reenter the Matrix with Jason again, not Jason looking for Stein.”

Martin’s been a little moody lately, but it’s hard to blame him. I’m certainly looking forward to that storyline.

JLoA #15 Spoilers Ahoy!

Well, it’s been discussed, hinted, teased since Jason appeared on the scene, but today it’s finally official - he’s a Leaguer!  Gehenna might technically be, too, but what do I know?  I’m excited.  I’ve long thought that this was the right move.  Jason now has a book to call home and is in the hands of a writer with obvious affection for the character.

And that’s two you owe him now, Big Blue!

Today also brought a bit of clarification in the form of Countdown to Final Crisis #21, where we see that Stein isn’t MIA.  He’s back and recovering from being kidnapped, which isn’t exactly new territory for him lately.  It will be interesting to see what role he will take going forward.

So the conclusion to Firestorm’s Countdown arc was a bit of a head-scratcher, but if the Newsarama preview is any indication, Firestorm has a nice role to play in the final issue of Dwayne McDuffie’s first story arc.  At this point, don’t look at it if you haven’t already.  Ed Benes certainly does the character justice.

Now we’re in the unusual position of not knowing where he’ll show up next.  Membership offer?  Let’s hope so. I do know that he at least makes a cameo in future issues of Countdown.

As an update to Jamal’s new art rep, they’ve now posted quite a bit of original art for sale. Make sure Santa knows.

And where is Jason? Did anyone else catch themselves asking those questions on the last page of Countdown #25? Interesting choices by the penciller and colorist there, but I realized that it was Jason by process of elimination.

SPOILERS AHOY!

It’s great that we’re back on track to resolving the cliffhanger from the end of the series. Desaad pulled a Luis Salvador (see Firestorm #7) and took control of the matrix with Jason and Gehenna inside. Martin is found. It’ll be interesting to see where it’s heading, and we only have to wait one week to see the next chapter!

I bailed on Countdown a few weeks ago, but they found a way to reel me in again. Firestorm will have a significant part in this week’s #25, as seen in this preview. He’s even on the cover, even if it’s not my favorite image of him. Don’t miss it!

Speaking of appearances, I’ve been working on the issues page which is now relatively complete. There’s a new section for post-series appearances, which so far includes a grand total of two issues. Some recent cameos and mentions have been added to the cameos section, too. Thanks to those of you who pointed out appearances that I was missing!

Today’s issue had a nice little Firestorm bit in it thanks to Geoff Johns and Pete Woods. It was just a few panels but a fun appearance nonetheless. Great comic overall, though, so pick it up if you haven’t already! Yet more catching up to do on the issues page - I’ll get there!

In former creator news, Jamal Igle recently let everyone know that he’s updated his site and found a new art rep. His issue of Teen Titans came out today and it really looks great. Best of all, he’s going to be a Papa come spring. Congratulations to Jamal and Karine! Being a Dad is one of the best things you can get out of life.

Today’s DC Solicitations include an interesting bit about Firestorm in the information for Suicide Squad: Raise the Flag #4:

“Amanda Waller unveils her latest strategy for controlling the troops: a big dose of Chemo with a dash of Firestorm!“

I wonder what that could mean. Can John Ostrander just not get the character out of his blood? If you read the first issue of the Suicide Squad miniseries this past week you will have noticed some of Firestorm’s old Russian adversaries - Zastrow and Stalnoivolk. Ostrander is a great writer so I look forward to what he has in mind.

Today’s Justice League of America Wedding Special was really the kickoff to Dwayne McDuffie’s JLA run. Not in my wildest dreams did I imagine that Firestorm would be featured so prominently in it. It’s almost as if Firestorm #36 were dropped into the middle of the issue, but it also works very well in the larger story.

I won’t spoil it with plot details (I’ll add a summary to the Issues page in a few days) but there are a good dozen pages dedicated to a run-in that Firestorm (Jason/Gehenna version) has with some baddies. Perhaps even more interesting is the surprising outcome. Nicely done, Dwayne.

Also, for the record, Mike McKone draws an incredible Firestorm.

Just in case anyone needed more confirmation, today’s panel report spelled out the fact that Firestorm was joining the team:
“DiDio confirmed that Dwayne McDuffie will be bringing Firestorm to Justice League of America.”

Again, I think that’s the right move for the character. I can’t wait to see what Dwayne does with him. Thanks to Phantomblot on the DC boards for the heads up!

Notice the new curtains and paint job? Since the news has been slow I made some updates last night. I’m no designer and it’s simple, but I think it works.