Firestorm (comics) - Publication History

Publication History

The first Firestorm series was short-lived, canceled abruptly in a company-wide cutback (the "DC Implosion") with #5 (the first part of a multiple-issue story) the last to be distributed, and #6 included in Cancelled Comic Cavalcade. Writer Conway added Firestorm to the roster of Justice League of America. This led to a series of 8-page stories in the back of The Flash (with art by George Pérez), and a revival of a monthly Firestorm comic in 1982. The Fury of Firestorm (later called Firestorm: the Nuclear Man) lasted from 1982 until 1990.

In Firestorm, The Nuclear Man #1 (March 1978) Ronnie Raymond is named for the very first time when Martin Stein calls him "Ronald", later Raymond introduces himself to Doreen Day and Clifford Carmichael as Ronnie, afterwards while Martin Stein refers to him only as Ronald everyone else calls him Ronnie. In Who's Who in the DC Universe #8 his name is listed as Ronald (Ronnie) Raymond, originally Ronald Rockwell. The same pattern continues in Firestorm (vol. 2) until John Ostrander takes over with Fury of Firestorm #58. Continuing through to the series finale in issue #100, he has everyone refer to him as Ronald or Ron except for family and friends. In Who's Who Update '88 #1 he is also listed as Ronald (Ronnie) Raymond. In Who's Who in the DC Universe #10, Martin Stein is listed as Firestorm, and the entry refers to Ronald as "Ron Raymond". In Extreme Justice #4 and for several issues after that, he is the supermodel known as "Ron Ray". In Firestorm vol. 3 #6 and in later issues he is referred to as Ronnie Raymond. In the DC Comics Encyclopedia (ISBN 0-7566-4119-5, 2004) he is listed only as Ronnie Raymond.

Another Firestorm series began in 2004 with a new character, Jason Rusch, in the role. Like his predecessors, Jason had a sense of humor which he often used to hide his insecurities.

Yet another Firestorm title was launched in 2011. Starring both Ronnie and his successor, Jason Rusch, it was one of the new titles launched in the wake of DC's Flashpoint crossover event. The series, The Fury of Firestorm: The Nuclear Men, was initially written by Gail Simone and Ethan Van Sciver and drawn by Yildiray Cinar. Joe Harris replaced Simone starting in Issue 7, while co-writer Van Sciver is also providing the art for Issues 7 and 8 before Yildiray returns.