Alvin Rusch

Alvin is the tall, muscular, forty-something father of Jason Rusch. As a child, Jason idolized his Father. Alvin, in return, adored Jason.

About ten years ago, Alvin lost his his left hand just above the wrist in an industrial accident. While there are hints that family life wasn't great before that incident, the disability soured Alvin. Eventually, his wife left him and Jason.

By Jason's late teens, Alvin was far from an ideal parent. Alvin has been known to hit Jason. While Jason loves his father, those times that he's been afraid of Alvin aren't far from his mind today. Alvin was also a very strict parent, requiring that Jason pay rent for his room. He wasn't afraid to humiliate Jason in public. At the same time, Alvin displayed genuine tenderness towards Jason from time to time, and it was clear that Alvin was going to miss Jason when he moved on to college.

Based on the home, its furnishings and vehicles belonging to the family, the Rusches are firmly in the middle class. Alvin's unemployment has caused major financial stress on the family. He receives disability, but it is no longer enough to make ends meet. Compounding the problem was a series of poor investment choices. Alvin hid the family's financial troubles from Jason until they could no longer be hidden. The family was nearly broke.

A major change took place in their relationship when Luis Salvador came for Jason, Alvin was also taken. Jason freed them by turning into Firestorm in Alvin's view. After the incident, Alvin refused to talk about it for some time. Eventually, he revealed that the revelation had done more harm than good. Alvin did not want a dangerous metahuman for a son and asked Jason to move out. While the abuse stopped, their relationship reached a new low.

Things changed, however, when Jason was nearly killed by Killer Frost, Alvin kept vigil over him in the hospital and Jason's importance in his life finally sunk in. When Jason awoke, Alvin was in tears, seemingly regretting all that he had said. The two had another heater conversation or two, but Alvin was now fully committed to being a better father.

When Jason turned 18, Alvin threw a little party for him. While sincerely grateful, Jason took the opportunity to tell Alvin that he was moving into an apartment with his friend Mick. This was not good news to Alvin, but he knew it was inevitable. Even at a distance, there's no doubt that Alvin will take further steps to build a closer relationship and try to make up for the rough times.

Character Milestones
First Appearance: FS3 #1
Sees Jason turn into Firestorm: FS3 #7
Seems to reconcile with Jason: FS3 #10
Jason moves out: FS3 #14