New WHO’S WHO PODCAST covering WHO’S WHO IN THE DC UNIVERSE #9! A proud member of the FIRE AND WATER PODCAST NETWORK!

It’s the ninth nifty issue of WHO’S WHO IN THE DC UNIVERSE featuring Firestorm’s lady love, FIREHAWK! Plus Black Canary, Blue Devil, Chuck Taine, Doctor Fate, Gim Allon, Hugo Strange, Kalibak, The Legion of Super-Heroes, Deathstroke the Terminator, Universo, Vicki Vale, Vixen, and more!

You can find the latest episode of WHO’S WHO – THE DEFINITIVE PODCAST OF THE DC UNIVERSE on iTunes.  While you’re there, please drop us a review on the iTunes page. Every comment helps! Don’t use iTunes? Click here for the RSS feed to use with your podcast catcher.

Who’s Who in the DC Universe #9 – Firehawk by Barry Kitson

Our fantastic themes are by Daniel Adams and Ashton Burge with their band The Bad Mamma Jammas! http://www.facebook.com/BadMammaJammas.

Have a question or comment? Looking for more great content?

• Leave comments on our website: http://fireandwaterpodcast.com/podcast/wwLL9
• Images from this episode: http://fireandwaterpodcast.com/podcast/wwLL9gallery
• E-MAIL: firewaterpodcast@comcast.net

This podcast is a proud member of the FIRE AND WATER PODCAST NETWORK:

• Visit the Fire & Water WEBSITE: http://fireandwaterpodcast.com
• Follow Fire & Water on TWITTER: https://twitter.com/FWPodcasts
• Like our Fire & Water FACEBOOK page: https://www.facebook.com/FWPodcastNetwork
• Use our HASHTAG online: #FWPodcasts

Who’s Next? Support Firestorm! Fan the Flame!

Remember, to leave comments visit our FIRE & WATER PODCAST website – http://fireandwaterpodcast.com/whoswho 

Here is the description from the TwoMorrows website:

Back Issue! #112
Hunker down in your fallout shelter with Back Issue #112’s explosive “Nuclear Issue,” starring the Fury of Firestorm! Also: Dr. Manhattan, a DAVE GIBBONS Marvel UK Hulk interview, villain histories of Radioactive Man and Microwave Man, Bongo’s Radioactive Man and Fallout Boy, and the one-shot wonder, Holo-Man! With CARY BATES, PAT BRODERICK, GERRY CONWAY, STEVE ENGLEHART, RAFAEL KAYANAN, BILL MORRISON, FABIAN NICIEZA, JOHN OSTRANDER, ROY THOMAS, and more! Featuring a Firestorm cover by Pat Broderick. Edited by MICHAEL EURY.
84 Full-color pages
$8.95
Ships May 8, 2019

Get out there and pick up your copy!

Support Firestorm! Fan the flame!

Ramona Fradon is known by many as THE premier Aquaman artist, having drawn the character for over 10 years and launching Aquaman into the Silver Age of comics. Most of you probably know I’m one-half of the team that produces AQUAMAN & FIRESTORM: THE FIRE & WATER PODCAST.  My podcasting partner, Rob Kelly, is responsible for THE AQUAMAN SHRINE.  Therefore, this recent commission by Ramona Fradon of Firestorm just blew my socks off!  The melding of two of my favorite things!

Love this so much!!  This is not my commission, but it’s featured over on the Catskill Comics website.  Check out their site and you can order your own Ramona Fradon commission! My thanks to Darrin & Ruth Sutherland for the heads-up about this piece!

Support Firestorm (and Ramona Fradon)! Fan the Flame!

*** SPOILER SPACE ***

*** SPOILER SPACE ***

*** SPOILER SPACE ***

*** SPOILER SPACE ***

*** SPOILER SPACE ***

*** SPOILER SPACE ***

*** SPOILER SPACE ***

Reading Doomsday Clock #8 left me concerned that Firestorm might be permanently damaged as a character. Reading Doomsday Clock #9 just left me mad as hell.

Let me start by saying I realize this story isn’t finished yet. Therefore judging the overall story would be wrong; doing that before reading the ending is always a mistake. Instead I’m providing my commentary in regards to Firestorm’s activity in the story so far, and some speculation on the future direction of the Firestorm arc. Fair warning, this is gonna be a long one.

DOOMSDAY CLOCK #8

You should really read the issue itself, lots of Firestorm stuff in there (even Pozhar, now looking like the awesome Elemental Firestorm design!).

The short version is Ronnie Raymond decides, against Professor Stein’s recommendation, to fly to Russia to confront those accusing Firestorm of being part of the “Supermen Theory”.  The “Supermen Theory” is a conspiracy theory finding momentum that many superheroes were created as part of some secret government program.

While in Russia Firestorm battles the People’s Heroes. The Nuclear Man finds himself overwhelmed and (apparently) loses control of his powers and this happens…

Later Firestorm tries to use his power to reverse the glass transmutation…

Superman arrives to talk with Firestorm. Then…

Later at the site of the glass Russian citizens, the situation escalates again. Russian tanks and soldiers attack and open fire on Superman and Firestorm. Collateral damage shatters several of the glass Russian citizens, and presumably destroys any chance of reversing the process for those shattered. At the end, Firestorm nearly lose control of his powers again, but manages to calm down and regain his composure. Simultaneously at the same location, the heroes discover there is a massive amount of energy building but Batman insists it’s not coming from Firestorm. Finally, a massive explosion rocks the area, as Ozymandias watches happily from a secure location.

MY REACTION TO DOOMSDAY CLOCK #8

Whoa. Complete shock. How could this happen? Especially since Firestorm has never exhibited the ability to do this previously. Certainly there has been the occasional story where he impacted something organic, but never anything on a scale like this event.

Doomsday Clock #8 left me thinking this story could cause long term damage to the character of Firestorm. If Firestorm really did turn all those people to glass, then how does he come back from this? He is responsible for the death of all those glass people that were shattered by bullets and tanks. Yes, there is a redemptive arc where he turns the child back human and tries to do the right thing, but still so many people died. Firestorm would be responsible for involuntary manslaughter on a massive scale. It’s such a terrible action, future writers simply won’t be able to ignore these events. It will hang around the character’s neck like an albatross until the next major reboot. Think of characters forever changed by a story line, such as: Hank Pym hitting his wife, Speedball causing the destruction of an elementary school in Civil War, and Hawk becoming Monarch in Armageddon 2001. These stories forever changed the characters and these events hung around the characters like an albatross impacting future stories for years. Our friend Dr. Anj recently wrote an interesting piece about the comic book albatross over on his Supergirl blog, Comic Box Commentary.

I do have thoughts on what may have really happened, but I’m saving those for the section below, “Where does the story go from here?”

After all that, I had no idea what was in store for me in Doomsday Clock #9…

DOOMSDAY CLOCK #9

Again, you should really read the issue itself. Lots of interesting stuff in there, especially with Dr. Manhattan.

The general public have turned on Superman and there are protests against the Man of Steel. Meanwhile, the explosion last issue has left Superman comatose. The President of the United States puts out a statement condemning Superman’s actions in defending Firestorm.

Ronnie Raymond and Professor Stein awake on a spaceship to discover they’ve been framed for the explosion at the end of issue #8. The heroes of Earth believe the explosion was actually caused by a source on the planet Mars, and they are heading that way to confront whomever responsible.

Batman reaffirms that Firestorm wasn’t responsible for the explosion in Russia, but also suggests the heroes have been deceived into believing the answer is on Mars.

Meanwhile on the spaceship, Professor Stein is very angry about being taken from Earth…

Ronnie and the Professor continue to conflict over just about everything. The heroes confront Dr. Manhattan on the surface of Mars, and Manhattan blasts Ronnie into some sort of mindscape…

In the end, it appears Dr. Manhattan devastates the Earth’s heroes. The back matter of the issue includes this memo from Professor Stein..

MY REACTION TO DOOMSDAY CLOCK #9

What the holy hell?!?!? And I thought issue #8 would leave a negative legacy for Firestorm!?!?

Reading this issue for me was a roller-coaster of curiosity, then discomfort, then shock, then horror, then anger and finally cursing. Lots of cursing.

Two pages that change Firestorm forever (maybe). So we’re supposed to believe that Professor Stein secretly manipulated Ronnie Raymond and orchestrated the creation of Firestorm? The purpose of Firestorm was so Stein could infiltrate the collection of superheroes to learn their darkest secrets? Stein also has a previously unrevealed son, which we’re left to assume died when his metagene activated? Those are some pretty big pills to swallow.

In 41 years of Firestorm comics, not once has there been a hint of Professor Stein being manipulative. This is a drastic and sudden departure from the Professor Stein we’ve known. He’s always been a guiding force for Ronnie and shown to be a genuinely good person. To be specific, this is technically the New 52/Rebirth version of Professor Stein, which we don’t know all that well. In the New 52, he was somewhat controlling about the Firestorm Protocols, but let’s be honest with ourselves that most people pretend that story never happened. I find it hard to believe that the New 52/Rebirth version of Professor Stein is that drastically different from the classic version.

Another way to look at this is… the death of Professor Martin Stein’s son led him to these reprehensible acts. Really? Because the internet needs another excuse to accuse Geoff Johns of “daddy issues” in his comics?

I’m not buying into this origin retcon, and I’ll explain further below.

WHERE DOES THE STORY GO FROM HERE?

I’m hoping future issues will reveal Firestorm’s activities (both in present day and the newly-revealed origin) are essentially a Captain America “Hail Hydra” plot. Meaning that Dr. Manhattan or Ozymandias (or perhaps both) have retconned history and events to produce this inexcusable behavior from Professor Martin Stein and Firestorm. There are already precedents in Doomsday Clock for “wibbily wobbly timey wimey” nonsense from Dr. Manhattan; moments where he adjusted the timelines to produce different futures related to superheroes. So it’s quite possible before the end of the mini-series that history will be put back on it’s proper track and Firestorm will be absolved. It also seems likely that DC would want to retcon away the “Supermen Theory” as it could have a negative impact on many of their characters in the long-term.

There have been other precedents in the story for misleading events, like the misdirection of the explosion in Moscow that was rigged to frame Firestorm. It’s possible turning Russian civilians to glass was caused by someone other than Firestorm, which would make sense since Firestorm had never used his power in that way previously. There were scenes in issue #8 suggesting Ozymandias was orchestrating the entire Russian fiasco. Also, the flashback showing Professor Stein’s evil plan to create Firestorm may have simply been a lie by Dr. Manhattan to manipulate Ronnie Raymond. In fact, that seems fairly likely. If so, both of these reveals would absolve Firestorm and Professor Stein.

The main villain of Doomsday Clock is likely either Dr. Manhattan, Ozymandias, or even Lex Luthor. It would make sense if one of them manipulated Firestorm so the general public (and other heroes) would respond in a desired fashion. In that case, Firestorm wouldn’t be the villain but instead the unwitting pawn of the main antagonist.

AT THE END OF THE DAY

Did I enjoy reading these comics? No, not really. What happened to Firestorm was pretty upsetting for me. However, was I intrigued by the developing story? Yes, I was.

Next question, is Firestorm ruined as a hero forever? Hopefully not; we’ll have to wait and see. Keep in mind that Geoff Johns truly loves the character of Firestorm. He’s mentioned his affection for the character in various interviews. I doubt Johns is planning to turn Professor Martin Stein into DC’s version of “Ultimate” Reed Richards. Personally, I wasn’t a fan of Johns’ retcon in Brightest Day that Firestorm was formed from, “the spark that triggered The Big Bang, the creation of the universe.” With that said, I still believe that retcon was coming from Geoff Johns’ love for the character.  The events involving Firestorm in Doomsday Clock don’t feel like they are coming from a place of love, which lends credence to my hope these events will be undone.

Something else to remember, Geoff Johns stories often follow the idea of, “darkest before the dawn.”  Lots of dark, horrible things happen, which leads to a positive and uplifting ending. I hope that’s the case with Doomsday Clock and for Firestorm. Lets all hope so.

Assuming the Firestorm related events are somehow undone, then no harm, no foul. If that’s the case, then Doomsday Clock is great exposure for the Nuclear Man in a very high profile book. This might begin to drum up support for the character which could lead to another ongoing series. If these plot threads are not undone, then sadly DC has lost their way with this character and forgotten what made Professor Martin Stein and Ronnie Raymond so wonderful together.

Finally, these were just two issues in a larger story. Two issues that caused me to have an emotional reaction about my favorite character. Any time a comic book effects me emotionally (whether for good or bad), that’s a credit to the book itself. I’d rather be passionate about a comic than apathetic. Therefore, I recommend you go read the issues for yourself and form your own opinion.

I look forward (somewhat apprehensively) to reading the rest of Doomsday Clock.

Support Firestorm! Fan the Flame!

The 227th episode of AQUAMAN AND FIRESTORM: THE FIRE AND WATER PODCAST is now available for your listening pleasure! A proud member of the FIRE AND WATER PODCAST NETWORK!

Shag and Rob take a look at the first episode of 1984’s SUPER FRIENDS: THE LEGENDARY SUPER POWERS SHOW, “The Bride of Darkseid” Parts 1 and 2 — the animated introduction of Firestorm the Nuclear Man!

You can find the 227th episode of AQUAMAN AND FIRESTORM: THE FIRE AND WATER PODCAST on iTunes. While you’re there, please drop us a review on the iTunes page. Every comment helps! Don’t use iTunes? Click here for the RSS feed to use with your podcast catcher.

Opening theme, “That Time is Now,” by Michael Kohler. Closing theme by Hanna-Barbera. This episode brought to you in part by InStockTrades.com!

Join the conversation and find more great content:

• Leave comments on our FIRE & WATER PODCAST website: http://fireandwaterpodcast.com/podcast/fire-water-227/
• E-MAIL: firewaterpodcast@comcast.net

This podcast is a proud member of the FIRE AND WATER PODCAST NETWORK:

• Visit the Fire & Water WEBSITE: http://fireandwaterpodcast.com
• Follow Fire & Water on TWITTER: https://twitter.com/FWPodcasts
• Like our Fire & Water FACEBOOK page: https://www.facebook.com/FWPodcastNetwork
• Use our HASHTAG online: #FWPodcasts

Thanks for listening! Support Firestorm and Aquaman! Fan the Flame and Ride the Wave!

Remember, to leave comments visit our FIRE & WATER PODCAST website – http://fireandwaterpodcast.com/podcast/fire-water-227/

Mark played the character of Fred King, a resistance fighter that helped Juliet Parrish after she unmasked John on national television! Click here for a clip featuring Mark Taylor as Fred King!

I love Firestorm! I love “V”! Two great tastes that taste great together!

Mark L. Taylor has also appeared in a zillion other favorites, such as CHiPs, Moonlighting, M*A*S*H, West Wing, Tail Spin, Pup Named Scooby Doo, the 1988 Ruby Spears Superman animated series, and so much more!

Support Firestorm! Fan the Flame! And V for Victory!

Order yours today from Retropolis!

Support Firestorm! Fan the Flame!

The 225th episode of AQUAMAN AND FIRESTORM: THE FIRE AND WATER PODCAST is now available for your listening pleasure! A proud member of the FIRE AND WATER PODCAST NETWORK!

Shag and Rob have the difficult task of identifying just ten of their favorite Firestorm and Aquaman covers! So many gorgeous pieces of art over the decades to choose from, but only ten covers for each hero may be selected! Featuring work by some of the greatest comic book artists of all time!

You can find the 225th episode of AQUAMAN AND FIRESTORM: THE FIRE AND WATER PODCAST on iTunes. While you’re there, please drop us a review on the iTunes page. Every comment helps! Don’t use iTunes? Click here for the RSS feed to use with your podcast catcher.

Opening theme, “That Time is Now,” by Michael Kohler. Special thanks to Daniel Adams and Ashton Burge with their band The Bad Mamma Jammas for our fantastic original closing theme! This episode brought to you in part by InStockTrades.com!

Join the conversation and find more great content:

• Leave comments on our FIRE & WATER PODCAST website: http://fireandwaterpodcast.com/podcast/fire-water-225/
• Images from this episode: http://fireandwaterpodcast.com/podcast/fire-water-225-gallery
• E-MAIL: firewaterpodcast@comcast.net

This podcast is a proud member of the FIRE AND WATER PODCAST NETWORK:

• Visit the Fire & Water WEBSITE: http://fireandwaterpodcast.com
• Follow Fire & Water on TWITTER: https://twitter.com/FWPodcasts
• Like our Fire & Water FACEBOOK page: https://www.facebook.com/FWPodcastNetwork
• Use our HASHTAG online: #FWPodcasts

Thanks for listening! Support Firestorm and Aquaman! Fan the Flame and Ride the Wave!

Remember, to leave comments visit our FIRE & WATER PODCAST website – http://fireandwaterpodcast.com/podcast/fire-water-225/

Created by Stuart Moore & Jamal Igle in FIRESTORM #14 (August 2005), Dr. Phaedon is an ill-tempered scientist working for STAR Labs specializing in nanotechnology and miniaturization. When we first meet him, he works for STAR Labs Detroit, and later STAR Labs San Francisco. And the STAR Labs Detroit office is hilariously low rent! I love that they worked in the STAR Labs sloping front into a shopping center facade — Bwah-ha-ha!! Beneath the dentist and Pizza Tent on the marquee too! LOL!

The Detroit office is small, so they combine anti-gravity technology with office space efficiency! Clever!

Because of the anti-gravity work stations, Dr Phaedon always wears a belt with flying jets. He’s also always seen with magnifying tech goggles, usually resting on his forehead.

Dr Phaedon is probably best known for his stormy relationship with his wife, Nanette. They often argue openly in the STAR Labs office. Usually the arguments are about money, or that STAR Labs Detroit was laying off all their employees. Nanette is furious with her husband and STAR Labs. It’s worth noting that Phaedon is really an unpleasant and brusque guy, bordering upon rude. No wonder his wife hates him. In a private conversation with Dr Phaedon’s boss, Jason Rusch referred to Dr Phaedon as a “tool” (and the boss agreed with him).

While in the San Francisco office, one of the arguments between Dr Phaedon and his wife gets out of hand. In his anger, Dr Phaedon blasts her with some tech that accidentally miniaturizes Nanette. While shrunken inside the computers, Nanette begins sabotaging STAR Labs systems. Then in her miniature state, she helps defeat an OMAC that is terrorizing the STAR Labs San Francisco office. Husband and wife begin to make amends, but Nanette abandons him when it was over with OMAC.

To see Dr. Allen Phaedon in animation, be sure to check out the new YOUNG JUSTICE: OUTSIDERS season over on DC UNIVERSE!

Support Firestorm (and Dr. Allen Phaedon)! Fan the Flame!

The 224th episode of AQUAMAN AND FIRESTORM: THE FIRE AND WATER PODCAST is now available for your listening pleasure! A proud member of the FIRE AND WATER PODCAST NETWORK!

Shag and Rob concentrate on the “fire” part of the Fire and Water Podcast by talking about some classic Firestorm comics! They take a look at FURY OF FIRESTORM ANNUAL #3, FURY OF FIRESTORM #41-47, and BLUE DEVIL #23! Revisiting the CRISIS tie-ins, return of Typhoon, and the Blue Devil crossover! Plus YOUR Listener Feedback!

You can find the 224th episode of AQUAMAN AND FIRESTORM: THE FIRE AND WATER PODCAST on iTunes. While you’re there, please drop us a review on the iTunes page. Every comment helps! Don’t use iTunes? Click here for the RSS feed to use with your podcast catcher.

Opening theme, “That Time is Now,” by Michael Kohler. Special thanks to Daniel Adams and Ashton Burge with their band The Bad Mamma Jammas for our fantastic original closing theme! This episode brought to you in part by InStockTrades.com!

Join the conversation and find more great content:

• Leave comments on our FIRE & WATER PODCAST website: http://fireandwaterpodcast.com/podcast/fire-water-224
• Images from this episode: http://fireandwaterpodcast.com/podcast/fire-water-224-gallery
• E-MAIL: firewaterpodcast@comcast.net

This podcast is a proud member of the FIRE AND WATER PODCAST NETWORK:

• Visit the Fire & Water WEBSITE: http://fireandwaterpodcast.com
• Follow Fire & Water on TWITTER: https://twitter.com/FWPodcasts
• Like our Fire & Water FACEBOOK page: https://www.facebook.com/FWPodcastNetwork
• Use our HASHTAG online: #FWPodcasts

Thanks for listening! Support Firestorm and Aquaman! Fan the Flame and Ride the Wave!

Remember, to leave comments visit our FIRE & WATER PODCAST website – http://fireandwaterpodcast.com/podcast/fire-water-224/