Firestorm/Infinite Crisis FAQ (version 1.2 - updated for IC #4)

What does Firestorm have to do with the Infinite Crisis mini-series?

On Firehawk's recommendation, Firestorm was summoned by Donna Troy to be part of her team to confront a mysterious challenge in outer space. See Firestorm #19 (current series).

Who is this Firestorm? What's his story?

Jason Rusch is the new Firestorm. Jason is an 18-year old from Detroit, Michigan finding his way into adulthood. The original Firestorm, Ronnie Raymond, was stabbed by Shadow Thief during Identity Crisis. His containment field ruptured but his essence survived to enter an unsuspecting Jason, thereby granting Jason his powers.

That's the ridiculously short version. For a complete biography of Jason Rusch, see this page.

What are his powers?

I don't know that we understand the full extent of his abilities, but we do know that he can:

• Become Firestorm with a partner
• Manipulate matter and energy
• Shoot energy beams
• Fly
• Take a lot of punishment in his Firestorm form

Who is Mick?

Mick is Jason's long-time best friend. When Firestorm was summoned to help with the Crisis, Mick happened to be part of Firestorm and decided to stay on. See Firestorm #19 for that story and this biography for a closer look at Mick.

What's with Mick's floating head?

That head isn't really there in physical space, but that's the traditional way to represent Firestorm's secondary partner. There have been many versions of Firestorm, but the most commonly remembered is the one formed by two people merging together. One of the two has a more dominant role and controls Firestorm physically. Firestorm more or less takes on the appearance of the person in charge. The other person can observe and speak to the one in charge.

That secondary position was held by Professor Martin Stein for a long time. There's a fun story in Justice League of America #205 where Stein takes on Hector Hammond and saves the JLA from inside this mental plane.

Who is the Firestorm that showed up in Infinite Crisis #3?

That is Martin Stein AKA the Firestorm Elemental. Read his biography here. In Firestorm #19, he was shown fighting a group of Thanagarians. Suddenly, he had a vision of the future in which something terrible happens to Firestorm (Jason). He quickly left the battle and flew out to meet Firestorm. He contacted Jason mentally in Firestorm #20, but Infinite Crisis #3 is when the two first truly meet.

Why does he refer to Firestorm as "Ronald"?

Ronald Raymond, of course, was Stein's original partner in Firestorm. Stein's version of the Firestorm Elemental has often been portrayed as being a little out of touch with his human side. He may simly not recognize that a change has taken place. Of course, the possibility exists that he knows something that we do not.

How or why does Mick "burn out"?

The secondary partner in this version of Firestorm can be consumed like a battery when Firestorm exerts too much energy. This first happened to Stevie Golek, who met a gruesome death as a result. More recently, Ronnie Raymond faded into the Firestorm matrix as a result of this phenomena when Firestorm was nearly killed by The Thinker. Stevie, Ronnie and now Mick are now presumed dead, or at least it is safe to assume that their bodies are dead.

What is the Elemental Firestorm going to do with Jason?

As seen in Firestorm #21 and #22, Martin begins to instruct Jason in the use of Firestorm and begins rebuilding a new and improved version of the hero.

Is the Firestorm title any good?

Of course, I'm going to tell you it's the best book out there today because I love it. It's without a doubt the most unpredictable book I'm reading - something happens every few issues to turn Jason's situation on its ear. I loved the intensity and human drama in the early issues by Dan Jolley and I'm having a great time with the humor and character growth in Stuart Moore's current issues. The art is also a big draw. From the pencillers to the colorists, I've seen things in this book that I've never seen before.

You don't need to take it from me, though. I've heard from two sources and from the horse's mouth that Geoff Johns is a big fan of the book and of the character. Mark Millar is also a fan.

Is now a good time to jump onto the title?

Yes! Stuart has spent much of his career in comics as an editor. Because of this, he's very conscientious about making stories accessible to readers. If you're looking for an issue designed specifically to be a starting point for new readers pick up #14 and start there. The recent #19 was also designed as a place for people coming over from IC to start. Of course, I'd tell you to go back to #1 but you can also catch up with these issue summaries.