Captain Atom of Earth 2? (Earth 2 Annual 2013)

Tags

Andy Kubert, Batman, Brad Anderson, CAFU, Cam Smith, Carlos Mangual, Earth 2, James Robinson, Julius Gopez, Pete Pantazis, The Atom

>>>>>>>>>>SPOILERS<<<<<<<<<
(You’ve been warned)

Earth 2 Annual #1: “Secrets and Origins”

• Writer: James Robinson
• Pencils: CAFU & Julius Gopez
• Inks: CAFU & Cam Smith
• Colors: Pete Pantazis
• Letters: Carlos M. Mangual
• Cover: Brad Anderson & Andy Kubert

This is either a new version of Captain Atom or a throwaway joke I’m taking way too seriously.  The character of Atom that we have seen in the pages of Earth 2 (issues 0, 1, 4-5, and 9)  is Captain Al Pratt of the World Army.  I never thought much about the character.  The original Golden Age Atom was also Al Pratt, a pugilist who ended up with atomic-based powers (radiation immunity, superhuman durability, speed, stamina, and strength) and was a founding member of the Justice Society of America.  In the New 52, the JSA has been moved back to Earth 2 (their pre-Crisis on Infinite Earths home).

In the Earth 2 annual, we get the Atom’s origin story.  He was a soldier for the World Army who somehow survived the epicenter of a nuclear explosion.  He later found he was given atomic powers by the blast (he has the ability to deliver an atomic-super punch and can grow into a giant).

The similarity between Captain Atom’s origin and the Atom’s origin are obvious.  They both got their powers in a nuclear blast (to be fair, so did Firestorm).  But this is not a new spin on the Atom, really.  Although the Golden Age Atom started out as just a boxer, he did later survive nuclear fallout and found himself with new powers.

The reason I thought this might be a new version of Captain Atom is this:

Major Sonia Sato refers to Al as “Captain Atom.”

Of course, this can be interpreted a few ways.  Perhaps she was about to say “Captain Pratt” but caught herself in time (protecting his secret identity and all that).  Perhaps James Robinson was having a laugh, breaking the fourth wall a bit and reminding us this is a comic book.  Maybe this is the New New 52 Captain Atom.  Maybe he’s just Captain Atom in name and nothing else.  Maybe it is just a nod to Steve Ditko.  Who knows?  Well, James Robinson knows.  And probably Dan DiDio, Geoff Johns, Jim Lee, and whoever else is running DC these days.  And soon enough, the rest of us I suppose.

I’m not the only one who latched on to this.  Andy Hunsaker at Crave Online calls Pratt “Captain Atom” throughout his review (but is also quick to point out this is “not the Captain Atom you know”).

I’m not going to give a detailed review of this book.  It gets a mention on this blog because of the Captain Atom thing.  He isn’t even the entire focus of the annual (see the cover).  So that’s all the spoilers I’m willing to share. I will say, however, that Earth 2 Annual #1 was pretty damn awesome – art and story are top-notch.  I am really enjoying the series.  I give this annual an A.

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The Fury of Firestorm: The Nuclear Man #20 (July 2013)

Tags

Black Bison, Dan Jurgens, Firestorm, General Eiling, Hi-Fi Design, Jason Rusch, Killer Frost, Major Force, Multiplex, Norm Rapmund, Plastique, Professor Martin Stein, Ronnie Raymond, Superman, The Hyena, Travis Lanham, Typhoon

>>>>>>>>>>SPOILERS<<<<<<<<<
(You’ve been warned)

“Problems Multiplied Part Three”

• Writer: Dan Jurgens
• Pencils: Dan Jurgens
• Inks: Norm Rapmund
• Colors: Hi-Fi Design
• Letters: Travis Lanham
• Cover: Dan Jurgens & Ray McCarthy

I had not intended to review this book on this blog.  It is a Captain Atom blog, and the only reason I let myself get away with this whole “Firestorm Appreciation Month” was because each of the books I reviewed featured Captain Atom.  This book, this final issue of The Fury of Firestorm: The Nuclear Man, does not feature Captain Atom at all.  But it does introduce Major Force into the New 52 continuity.  And based on the fact that Force is working with General Eiling, it is a safe assumption that the New 52 Major Force is somehow tied in with the New 52 Captain Atom.  So I decided to slap this issue up on my blog after all.  I think that maybe that was Dan Jurgens’ goal all along, to trick me into reviewing his book.

Okay, probably not.

Anyway, this issue opens up at the Continuum, where Eiling is monitoring a battle between Firestorm and his rogues (Hyena, Multiplex, Killer Frost, Black Bison, Typhoon, and Plastique) on a monitor.  This is a battle continuing from The Fury of Firestorm: The Nuclear Man #19.  An aide tries to tell Eiling he has a visitor but the General is far too busy.

Jason Rusch’s dad and Ronnie Raymond’s sort-of girlfriend Tonya drag Firestorm’s semi-conscious body into an alleyway (Ronnie and Jason, for the uninitiated, are the two dudes who combine to form Firestorm).  The three are attacked by Hyena (which Tonya says is a werewolf – sort of a running gag with the character).  Hyena is about to rip Alvin Rusch to shreds when a mysterious newcomer grabs his arm and throws him against a lightpost.

It is none other than Major Force.  Regular Captain Atom readers know Major Force all too well.  An anti-hero of the worst kind, the modern age Major Force was created as part of the Captain Atom project in the 1960s. Unlike his predecessor Nathaniel Adam, Clifford Zmeck (Major Force) was guilty of the crime he had been accused of.  And with his new-found powers he became even worse.  Remember Green Lantern’s girlfriend Alex?

(DC Comics can have a thousand “New 52″s and keep bringing back Major Force but they can never erase the stink of this act.  Ron Marz had Major Force murder Kyle Rayner’s girlfriend Alex and then stuff her dead body in the refrigerator. This act prompted Gail Simone to compile a list of dead female comic book characters and a corresponding web site.)

Major Force tells the now-conscious Firestorm that Eiling sent him to help.  Firestorm doesn’t trust Eiling and Mr. Rusch warns the boys to be careful what they say to the government.  Killer Frost attacks with a blast of ice.  Back at the Continuum, General Eiling’s impatient visitor punches in a thick metal door.

Major Force tells Firestorm to go see about the hostage (Ronnie’s mom) while he takes on Killer Frost, Black Bison, and Multiplex.  Down on the dock, Plastique is holding Ronnie’s mom.  As Firestorm approaches, he is body slammed by a tidal wave generated by Typhoon.  But Ronnie is super pissed and one good punch sends Typhoon flying.

At the Continuum, Eiling’s guest turns out to be Superman (who is younger and brasher in the New 52), and Professor Martin Stein.  Stein says “there are plans for Firestorm that supercede any notion of his falling under your control.”

(In the previous, Post-Crisis Pre-New-52 continuity, Martin Stein was originally the other half of Firestorm, along with Ronnie Raymond.  In this current continuity, he was the brains behind the Firestorm Protocols that gave Ronnie and Jason their powers, as well as Jason’s friend.  He was believed to be dead.)

Jason and Ronnie are formulating a plan to take down Plastique when Alvin Rusch clocks the villain from behind with a board.  Firestorm and Major Force then take out the other rogues together – except for Multiplex, who manages to skip away.  Major Force leads Firestorm to his ride, a military vehicle of some sort.  Force asks Firestorm to pose for a picture, but the “camera” turns out to be some sort of neural shocker that knocks the boys both out.

They come to (as Firestorm) at the Continuum, where Eiling, Stein, Superman and Major Force are arguing.  Stein says he came out of hiding when he learned of the military’s plans for Firestorm, and sought the help of the Justice League.  Major Force tells Superman that the two of them have no authority there.  Superman flicks Major Force in the chest, sending him flying through a wall.

Firestorm and Superman leave together, with Superman offering Firestorm a position with the Justice League.

And that is the end of The Fury of Firestorm: The Nuclear Man.  Beautifully drawn and inked by Dan Jurgens and Norm Rapmund, the issue naturally left me wanting more.  The story was wrapped up far too quickly (but to be fair, Dan had to condense a whole storyline into just a couple of issues).  As much as I love Captain Atom and his universe, I think the New 52 could’ve done without Major Force.  His new costume is better than the old one, for sure.  But I never really was a fan of the character.  Taking into consideration the rush job on the story, I give this issue a B+.

That also wraps up Firestorm Appreciation Month at Splitting Atoms.  Thanks for joining me.  Thanks also to Luke Daab for the picture I used as an avatar this month, and a big huge thank you to The Irredeemable Shag for organizing and pulling off the social media event that was #FirestormFarewell.

FAN THE FLAME!

The Fury of Firestorm: The Nuclear Man #15 (February 2013)

Tags

Captain Adym, Captain Atom, Dan Jurgens, Dataxen, Dr. Megala, Firestorm, General Eiling, Hi-Fi Design, New 52 Captain Atom, Ray McCarthy, Scott Alexander, Taylor Esposito

“Takeover, Part Three”

• Writer: Dan Jurgens
• Pencils: Dan Jurgens
• Inks: Ray McCarthy
• Colors: Hi-Fi Design
• Letters: Taylor Esposito

This story opens on Jason Rusch (half of the New 52 Firestorm) waking up in a black void.  He is in the Firestorm matrix, and should be able to see whatever Firestorm sees.  The last thing he remembers is Firestorm being pulled inside the Dataxen robot in The Fury of Firestorm: The Nuclear Man #14.  Jason calls out to Ronnie Raymond, who controls the Firestorm body, then realizes he is not alone.  Ronnie is in the matrix with him.  The boys quickly realize a third party is controlling Firestorm.

It is Dr. Megala who has taken over Firestorm.  Ever since he was briefly freed from his wheelchair in Captain Atom#12, he has longed for more power.

Back at the Continuum, Dr. Megala’s team isn’t sure what he hopes to gain from this takeover.  Scott Alexander says, “He’s spent years imprisoned in a wheelchair.  For him, this is about freedom.”  Which is pretty much what I just said, but maybe most Firestorm readers didn’t follow the Captain Atom series (and shame on them).

Megalastorm flies to South Dakota and changes the faces on Mt. Rushmore to Galileo, Newton, Einstein, and himself.  Inside Firestorm’s head, Jason figures there must be a way for him and Ronnie to push Megala out.

Back at the destroyed lab (from the previous issue), General Eiling is having a discussion with Captain Atom.  He refers to Cap as Nathaniel Adam and reminds him (or the reader) that Cap’s atoms are constantly splitting and reassembling, that he can cause and cure cancer, and that “we’re supposed to trust that you’ll always be benevolent and kind?”

Captain Atom says he was far away but the multiple Firestorms and their activities drew him back (see The Fury of Firestorm: The Nuclear Men #1-12).  With the news that Mt. Rushmore has been defaced and now includes Dr. Megala, Captain Atom realizes Firestorm is now under Megala’s control.

Meanwhile, Qurac launches a nuclear missile.  Megalastorm turns it into a giant Rubik’s Cube while Ronnie desperately tries to get Megala’s attention.

Out in the Pacific, aboard the American aircraft carrier Independence, a Quraci loyalist sets off an IED.  Eiling realizes it is payback and orders the instant response flight group to “find Firestorm and do whatever it takes to remove him as a threat.  Permanently.”

Back at the Continuum, Scott is surprised by the sudden appearance of Captain Atom.  He finds Megala’s inert body and says he knows what must be done.  He instantly zaps himself to Megalastorm’s location over Bikini Atoll.  He smacks Megalastorm and  has a brief discussion with him.  He actually lectures Megala.  He tells Megala that he will become the monster he was afraid Cap would become.  Megalastorm is not pleased.

Megalastorm trash talks Nate as he blasts him.  Inside his heads, the boys can feel Firestorm firing off a tremendous amount of energy.  Megala believes he’s killed Atom, but Cap reappears behind him and reaches through his chest.  Nate reckons that, like himself, Megala has trouble maintaining his form while under a great deal of stress.

Megalastorm goes nearly critical, creating a tsunami that almost capsizes the Independence.  At this point, Ronnie and Jason manage to make contact.  Megala does his best to ignore them, and contacts the Continuum.  His cohorts send the Dataxen droid out to assist Megalastorm against Captain Atom.

Megalastorm blasts Cap with enough power to obliterate a city.  Nate says no one man should have that much power.  He says when he realized that about himself, he left the planet.  The boys feel Megala’s hold weaken further as Cap blasts Megalastorm again.

Megalastorm shrugs the blast off.  He and Captain Atom both charge up and then begin to fly toward each other at top speed.  At this point, the boys pull Megala’s conscience into the Firestorm matrix.  Back at the Continuum, his body begins to seize.  Scott tries to pull him back into his body as Ronnie decks the old man.  This leaves Megala’s body comatose.  Ronnie takes control of Firestorm.

Firestorm calls out to Captain Atom, convincing him Megala is gone.  But Cap has built up too much speed and can’t pull up in time.  He crashes into Firestorm.  When they collide, Cap absorbs as much of the energy as he can.  It is too much for him to handle.  He begins to break up.

Fragments of Cap spread out across the time stream as he comes apart.  He appears to be disintegrating across time and space.  One shard of his body finds itself in 31st century Metropolis, where is seems to take the form of a man.

Back in the present, Firestorm passes out and plummets into the ocean.

I absolutely love Dan Jurgens.  I enjoyed his run(s) on Booster Gold and Superman.  He is a great artist and everything I read that he’s written is thoroughly enjoyable.  This is no exception.  I’m bummed that Captain Atom was essentially killed off in this issue, but I know how comics work and I’m sure we haven’t seen the last of him.  Dan was taking Firestorm in a whole new direction, and it would have been awesome to see where he went next, but five issues after this, the series was cancelled.  I give this one a B+.

Saturday Morning In Front Of La Salle De Justice

Tags

Aquaman, Batgirl, Batman, Batwoman, Captain Atom, Catwoman, Deadman, Fire, Firestorm, Green Lantern, Ice, Krypto, Martian Manhunter, Mera, Nightwing, Robin, The Flash, Wonder Woman

Saturday Morning In Front Of La Salle De Justice by Rey Taira (2013)

An homage to Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte by Georges Seurat, this piece by Rey Taira is meant to “call to mind that as the original painting was comprised of points of color, so too are these characters from the DC Universe today. [Rey Taira]’s intent was to show how iconic DC Super Heroes were, by minimizing them to their most basic colors and shapes and have them still retain their recognizability.”  It features, among many other DC icons, Firestorm and Captain Atom.  Below is the original work by Georges Seurat.

A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte by Georges Seurat (1884)

Extreme Justice #5 (June 1995)

Tags

Amazing Man, Blue Beetle, Booster Gold, Captain Atom, Dan Vado, Firestorm, Ken Branch, Kevin Cunningham, Lee Loughridge, Marc Campos, Maxima, Modern Age Captain Atom

“Atomic Nights”

• Writer: Dan Vado
• Pencils: Marc Campos
• Inks: Ken Branch
• Colors:Lee Loughridge
• Letters: Kevin Cunningham

In previous issues of Extreme Justice, we learned that Ronnie Raymond (formerly one half of the super-hero Firestorm) is dying of leukemia.  In Extreme Justice #3, he was sitting on a park bench in Pittsburgh with Oberon (formerly of Justice League International) and Skeets (Booster Gold’s old robot buddy from the future) when he suddenly burst into flames.  In Extreme Justice #4, Captain Atom, Booster Gold, Blue Beetle, and Amazing Man caught up with Ronnie.  They were able to siphon off his excess energy, leaving him in the form of Firestorm once again.  At the end of Extreme Justice #4, Ronnie received a telepathic message from Martin Stein (the other half of Firestorm), who said he was returning to Earth from his space explorations (see Firestorm the Nuclear Man #100).

As the Elemental Firestorm (Stein) approaches Earth, Ronnie suffers an almost-crippling headache.  Stein is speaking to Ronnie but only Ronnie can hear him.  As he gets closer, the whole team can hear Stein.

The Elemental Firestorm’s arrival over Pittsburgh causes an earthquake.  He is gigantic, easily as large as most of the surrounding downtown buildings.  Stein also generates so much heat, Captain Atom is afraid he’ll melt the whole city.  Cap and Booster Gold set out to create a fire break while Ronnie tries to get his old partner under control.

Stein wants to share his experiences in space with Ronnie but Ronnie’s primary concern is getting the Elemental Firestorm to turn down the heat.  Amazing Man and Blue Beetle seek refuge in Beetle’s Bug, which they discover has heat shields.

Booster flies to the rescue of a city bus that is too close to the fire.  He makes a reference to Keanu Reeves, which is a reference that is now horribly dated (of course it wasn’t at the time).  The bus’ gas tank ruptures, so Booster rips a hole in the side so the passengers can flee.  A kid Booster shelters from the ensuing explosion tells him his new armor sucks.

Booster wants to get the Firestorms out of town, but Cap wants to give Ronnie more time to talk Stein down.  Meanwhile, Stein is telling Ronnie how he’s discovered exceptions to Einstein’s rules and that there is a complete lack of rules and order in the universe.  Ronnie finally gets through to Stein, who looks around at the devastation and says “Oh, my.”

Stein shrinks down to normal size and the flames dissipate.   Amazing Man doesn’t know how his teammates can handle their jobs and asks Beetle if he ever gets scared.  “Almost constantly,” is Blue Beetle’s reply.

The Elemental Firestorm tells Ronnie he wants to take Ronnie back to space with him.  Stein tells him once the two Firestorms merge, Ronnie’s leukemia will disappear.  He also says it won’t be like it was in the past.  Ronnie will be absorbed into Stein, and will be part of the Elemental Firestorm.  Firestorm turns Stein down.

When Stein says he needs Ronnie and they must be together again, Captain Atom steps in and tells the Elemental Firestorm that no means no.  Stein bats Cap away like he’s a fly.  He then drags Ronnie up into orbit with him.

When Ronnie asks why Stein needs him so badly, Stein says he has lost what little humanity he had.  He needs his old friend’s sense of humanity so he can feel the awe and wonder of the cosmos.  When Ronnie again refuses, Stein points out he gave himself over to the Firestorm persona so Ronnie could “play hero.”  Of course, Ronnie points out, that isn’t the same.  Stein still had a life to go back to at the end of the day.

Seemingly resigned, the Elemental Firestorm says there is only one other thing he can do.

Back at the Bug, Cap, Amazing Man and Beetle are looking for signs of Ronnie when the instruments pick up something speeding toward them.  The two Firestorms blast back to the surface and Cap flies out to meet them.  Ronnie apologizes to Stein.  Stein says he isn’t angry with his old friend, merely disappointed.  “It may even be that in that disappointment I will find some trace of my humanity,” he says.  “For that I shall be in your debt.”

Then Stein blasts Ronnie.  He assures Cap that he hasn’t harmed his old friend.  He also tells Captain Atom that he expects Nate to watch over Ronnie in his absence.  The Elemental Firestorm says Cap needs to get over his differences with Ronnie.  He tells Ronnie that he has removed the illness and he will miss his friend.  He then leaves Earth again.

Watching the Elemental Firestorm fly away, Captain Atom asks Ronnie to join the team.  They agree to put aside their differences and work together.

And with that, the classic Firestorm returns to the DC Universe.
This issue gives the term “hot mess” a whole new meaning.  I was not always particularly fond of Campos’ take on Captain Atom (it was hit-or-miss), although I am liking his Firestorm.  And Dan Vado manages to pull off a 22 page comic in which very little happens.  Sure, Booster got to be all heroic and Ronnie’s sickness was cured, but the story left me wanting so much more.  And I agree with the kid, Booster’s new costume sucked.

Honestly, at the time this book came out, I was just happy Captain Atom and Firestorm had a regular series.  It was good to see Ronnie and Professor Stein finally get some kind of closure.  Also, Cap and Firestorm burying the hatchet was way overdue.  I’d say this was a B story with C art.  A really great comic is just right off to the side somewhere.

The Fury of Firestorm: The Nuclear Man comes to an end…

Tags

Dan Jurgens, Firestorm, Ray McCarthy

Put down whatever you are doing right now and go to your local comic shop.  Today is the day for the final issue of The Fury of Firestorm: The Nuclear Man.  All of the entries in the Splitting Atoms Blog this month have been Firestorm-centric in celebration of this amazing character (well, except for that one entry on Injustice: Gods Among Us #18).  Always a fixture in Captain Atom’s life (and sadly cancelled too soon just like Cap himself), Firestorm’s solo title will be missed on the comics landscape.  But at least he’s still in the Justice League!

Action Comics #666 (June 1991)

Tags

Andy Kubert, Bill Oakley, Captain Atom, Ed Hannigan, Firestorm, Glenn Whitmore, James Hudnall, Modern Age Captain Atom, Superman, Will Blyberg

“Red Glass Part Three: Picking Up the Pieces”

• Writer: James Hudnall
• Pencils: Ed Hannigan
• Inks: Will Blyberg
• Colors: Glenn Whitmore
• Letters: Bill Oakley
• Cover Artist: Andy Kubert

In this comic, Captain Atom and Firestorm have teamed up to take down Superman.  It is a brief cameo.  The man of steel has been killing folks left and right, including the Justice League.  When confronted by Firestorm and Cap, Superman obliterates the nuclear heroes.  Ultimately it turned out to be a hallucination, but somewhat prophetic.  Twelve years after this was published, Captain Atom was sent by the government to take down Superman in Superman/Batman.

Injustice: Gods Among Us #18 (May 14, 2013)

Tags

Aquaman, Batman, Batwoman, Black Canary, Black Lightning, Captain Atom, Captain Marvel (Shazam), Catwoman, David Lopez, Green Arrow, Green Lantern, Huntress, Injustice Captain Atom, Jheremy Raapack, Mico Suayan, Santi Casas, Superman, Tom Taylor, Wes Abbott

>>>>>>>>>>SPOILERS<<<<<<<<<
(You’ve been warned)

“Chapter Eighteen”

• Writer: Tom Taylor
• Artist: Jheremy Raapack
• Colors: David Lopez and Santi Casas of Ikari Studio
• Letters: Wes Abbott
• Cover Artist: Mico Suayan

I know that it is Firestorm Appreciation Month on this blog, but I didn’t see this one coming and simply could not sit on it until June.  This series – although it is based on a video game and therefore could have potentially been awful – is completely awesome.  The art is beautiful, the story is compelling.  I usually don’t really go for digital books; I tend to wait until their paper versions are out.  But this one had me from the first issue.

Basically, Superman is going over the edge.  The Joker used Scarecrow’s fear toxin mixed with kryptonite on the man of steel, causing him to believe he was fighting Doomsday.  He wasn’t.  It was Lois Lane.  And he killed her.  The Joker had a trigger connected to Lois so that when her heart stopped, a nuclear device went off in Metropolis and flattened the city.  Eleven million dead.  And to add insult to injury, Lois was pregnant with Superman’s child.

So Superman has decided not to go soft on criminals anymore.  He started this by putting his fist through the Joker’s chest.  He has been taking down despotic world leaders (for example, the leader of Bialya, Rumaan Harjavti).  Flash and Wonder Woman have been working with Superman (among others), but Batman refuses to back his friend up.

This issue opens in Gotham City with Batman and Catwoman responding to the bat signal.  But it isn’t Commissioner Gordon waiting on the rooftop, it is the U.S. President.  The president begins by saying he saw the footage of what happened in Arkham Asylum and offers his condolences (Damien Wayne – Robin – accidentally killed Dick Grayson – Nightwing).  The president leads Batman and Catwoman to a room in the police station that has been fitted so Superman can’t see or hear them.

Meanwhile, Superman and Green Lantern are taking down spy satellites in orbit around Earth.

The president tells Batman that since the incident at Arkham, Superman and his crew have been inserting themselves into world conflicts.  Superman forced the leaders of Palestine and Israel to agree on a peace plan.  Wonder Woman has been fighting in Burma while Shazam and Green Lantern have been in Syria.  Raven terrified warring Sudanese tribes into submission.

While the president agrees that stopping bloodshed is a good thing, he is worried about what Superman will do once his attention is focused on the United States.  He’s worried Superman will take over the world and asks Batman if he can stop the man of tomorrow.  Batman says he can.  Catwoman says they will go to bat for the president but he needs to do his job better (she lists, “Health.  Education.  Gun control.  Poverty.  The environment.  Not telling people who they can and can’t love.”).  The president says he won’t accept their help in exchange for another set of costumed vigilantes telling him what to do.  Catwoman points out she isn’t telling him what to do, just asking him to do better.

The president gives Batman a file containing info on super-heroes not aligned with Superman who may be willing to stand against the last son of Krypton.  The top of the list is Huntress, whose file says she has “probable daddy issues.”  The bemused Catwoman points out the file fails to mention Huntress is an alien spy.  Batman and Catwoman split up to form their team.

Catwoman calls on Black Canary in Starling City.  Batman meets up with Black Lightning in Washington.  The next day, the newly formed team meet up in the bat cave.  Assembled are Huntress, Black Canary, Green Arrow, Black Lightning, Batwoman, Aquaman, and (you’ve probably already guessed this) Captain Atom.

They sit down to plan their attack.

This new version of Captain Atom looks like a cross between the Modern Age Captain Atom and the Kingdom Come/Armageddon/Earth-22 Captain Atom.  I’m really looking forward to seeing this new take on the character.

I really love this series.  I’m not usually prone to doing this, but I’m giving Injustice: Gods Among Us #18 an A+.  I really need to play this video game.

Firestorm: The Nuclear Man #68 (February 1988)

Tags

Arisia, Captain Atom, Dennis Janke, Dr. Fate, Driq, Firestorm, Green Lantern, Harbinger, Hawkman, Hawkwoman, Janice Chiang, John Ostrander, Katma Tui, Martian Manhunter, Modern Age Captain Atom, Nansi Hoolahan, Richard Howell, Steve Mitchell, Superman, The Manhunters

“Planetfall”

• Writer: John Ostrander
• Pencils: Richard Howell
• Inks: Steve Mitchell, Dennis Janke
• Colors: Nansi Hoolahan
• Letters: Janice Chiang

Millennium was a comic book crossover event that ran through an eight-issue, self-titled, limited series and various other titles cover dated January and February 1988. The limited series was published weekly and was written by Steve Englehart, and with art by Joe Staton and Ian Gibson.  Guardian of the universe Herupa Hando Hu, and his Zamaron mate, Nadia Safir, traveled to Earth and announced to the world that they would select ten people who would become the new Guardians of the Universe, and give birth to a new race of immortals. They gathered Earth’s superheroes and sent them to find the chosen persons, who came from various parts of the world.  The robotic cult known as the Manhunters (precursors to the Green Lantern Corps) had found a sphere that Harbinger had used to store all the information she had gathered about the universe after the Crisis on Infinite Earths. Because of it, they knew the secret identities of Earth’s heroes, and had planted their agents (including androids, willing human agents, and mind-controlled ones) close to them. On finding out about the search for The Chosen, the Manhunters decided to prevent it, and had their agents reveal themselves and attack the heroes.

Captain Atom #11 was a Millennium crossover that paired Captain Atom with Firestorm.  At this point in Firestorm’s history, the Nuclear Man has undergone a “rebirth” and is very childlike.  This issue falls after the events of Captain Atom #11, in week 5 of the Millennium event.

This issue opens with a group of Earth’s heroes gathered on an asteroid above the Manhunters’ homeworld.  In attendance are Firestorm, Captain Atom, Green Lanterns Hal Jordan, Katma Tui, and Arisia, Hawkman, Martian Manhunter, Dr. Fate, Superman, and Hawkwoman and they are planning a strategy.  Firestorm is not paying any attention to the heroes.  Captain Atom tries twice to get Firestorm’s attention before the Nuclear Man simply takes off and heads for the Manhunter homeworld.  Captain Atom goes after him, telling Superman, “Firestorm seems to have become my personal problem lately.”

Beneath the surface of the Manhunter homeworld, Harbinger is on the run having been captured once by the Manhunters and then released by Green Lantern Driq.  She creates duplicates of herself to distract and attack the robot drones that are after her.  Just as one of the drones gets the drop on her, Driq shows up and blasts it with his ring. Then Driq himself is blasted.

Driq was blasted by Firestorm, who thought the zombie Green Lantern was attacking Harbinger.  Hot on Firestorm’s heels is Captain Atom, who tells Harbinger to lighten up on the nuclear man, as he is new to the duper-hero game.  Harbinger says, “New? Firestorm I know: you I don’t.”

Firestorm creates a fire extinguisher to put out Driq while Harbinger and Captain Atom chat about Driq (Driq was a Green Lantern killed in the line of duty whose ring would not let his spirit leave his body).  Firestorm apologizes to Driq, shaking his hand and knocking some of the GL’s fingers off in the process.  Firestorm quickly uses his powers to fuse the fingers back on.

Harbinger bitches at Captain Atom while Firestorm attempts to make small talk with Driq.
There is a rumble as four of the drones descend on the four super-heroes.  Firestorm creates a bridge that causes the drones to crash into each other.  As the heroes blast away at more and more oncoming drones, they cause the cavern walls to collapse.  Firestorm is knocked out as they are buried by the avalanche.

When he wakes up, he finds he is in the bayou and his friend (and Manhunter agent) Ferguson is with him.  They are outside the Sonic Temple on Earth.  Ferguson tells Firestorm that the destruction of the sonic temple was a delusion.  He thanks Firestorm for bringing him a “new ally,” Captain Atom.

Captain Atom and Ferguson tell Firestorm that he must kill their enemies.  Firestorm does not like the idea of killing anyone.  He realizes that this isn’t the real Captain Atom and that he is still on the Manhunter planet.  When the Manhunters tell him, “No man escapes the Manhunters” Firestorm responds with “I have not come to escape, but to end,” before he starts blasting the androids.

Ferguson warns that the planet is being destroyed.  He promises to reveal secrets to Firestorm if he sides with the Manhunters.  He tells the Nuclear Man that Firestorm is made up of two different beings (a fact Firestorm seems unaware of).  He rejects Ferguson, but realizes there is truth to the Manhunter’s words.

Firestorm makes contact with Ronnie Raymond and Mikhail Arkadin, the two men who are inside his head (what will later be referred to as the “Firestorm matrix”).  He seems to be on the verge of freeing them when Driq, Harbinger, and Captain Atom show up and distract him.  They blast through the planet’s crust as it shakes apart and then meet up with the other heroes up in outer space.

The comic ends with Firestorm’s inner monologue: “There is more to me… to my life… than I had imagined.  But not more than I can imagine.  This… existence – this life – begins to make sense to me, at last.  It is a wonderful thing – this life I have.  I shall strive to be worthy of it.  I cannot wait to see what happens next.”

As far as crossovers go, Millennium was okay.  Not the greatest.  With this particular issue, I was far more interested in what Firestorm was up to than the Manhunters or the New Guardians.  Richard Howell’s art is fine and John Ostrander’s story is a little flat – but good considering what he had to work with.  I give Firestorm: The Nuclear Man #68 a C.

Firestorm: The Nuclear Man #63 (September 1987)

Tags

Amanda Waller, Batman, Blue Beetle, Captain Atom, Captain Boomerang, Captain Marvel (Shazam), Chief Ferguson, Deadshot, Dick Giordano, Dr. Fate, Firestorm, Guy Gardner, Joe Brozowski, John Ostrander, John Workman, Killer Frost, Martian Manhunter, Martin Stein, Mikhail Arkadin, Mister Miracle, Modern Age Captain Atom, Multiplex, Nansi Hoolahan, Oberon, Parasite, Pozhar, Rick Flag, Ronald Reagan, Ronnie Raymond, Slipknot, Superman

“Rogue Hero”

• Writer: John Ostrander
• Pencils: Joe Brozowski
• Inks: Dick Giordano
• Colors: Nansi Hoolahan
• Letters: John Workman

In the previous issue of Firestorm, the titular character (whose secret identity is Ronnie Raymond and Martin Stein) interrupted a press conference being held by Vice President George H. W. Bush.  He has announced that he has begun to disarm nuclear weapons around the world, belonging to both the United States and the Soviet Union.  It is his intention to force the two super powers into nuclear disarmament.  This decision has proven to be unpopular with world leaders.  Already the president has contacted Amanda Waller, who says Belle Reve Prison can hold Firestorm (presumably meaning she will send the Suicide Squad after the nuclear man).  Firestorm has warned the governments, “…disarm your nuclear weapons or I will.  And next time I won’t transmute the warheads, I’ll detonate them.”

Cut to Nathaniel Adam, General Eiling, and Dr. Megala watching the story unfold on television (Nathaniel’s hair is brown rather than white).  Eiling is pissed off, naturally, but Nate seems somewhat sympathetic to Firestorm’s cause.  Both Megala and Eiling argue that Firestorm’s plan will do more harm than good.  Nate says that Firestorm may be a fool, but a well-meaning one.

At the Justice League’s New York headquarters, Green Lantern Guy Gardner is itching to go after “that commie scum.”  Martian Manhunter says, “Not unless we all agree.”  Dr. Fate, Captain Marvel, Blue Beetle, and Mister Miracle attempt to stop Guy from going after Firestorm, but it is Oberon who stops the agitated Green Lantern (using an oversize mallet).

In the Oval Office, President Reagan has asked Superman to go after Firestorm.  The man of steel declines, indicating he is also sympathetic to Firestorm’s plight.  Reagan then addresses the nation, saying he and Premier Gorbachev are neither accepting or declining Firestorm’s ultimatum.  They want a face-to-face meeting with the super-hero.

Watching the address on television, Professor Stein seems quite pleased with the outcome.  As he tells Ronnie, “they have no idea we’re bluffing.”  Ronnie says it sounds like a trap to him, but goes along with the Professor.  As Firestorm, they go to police chief Bernard Ferguson and ask him to pass along word that he’ll meet Reagan the next day at the Statue of Liberty at noon.  He wants Reagan to come alone.

Meanwhile, in the Soviet Union, Mikhail Arkadin is demonstrating the powers he obtained in the Chernobyl disaster.  Mikhail was introduced in Firestorm #62, but is now wearing a modified Rocket Red suit and is being called “Pozhar.”  Arkadin will play an important role in Firestorm’s life in the next few issues.

Noon the next day, Firestorm arrives at the Statue of Liberty.  Reagan is there, and asks that the hero touch down and talk with him.  Ronnie feels like something is wrong, and indeed it is.  He is bum rushed by Captain Atom.

Cap tells Firestorm he’s caused an international incident.  He reminds Firestorm that he took the nuclear man down once before, and is capable of doing it again.  Firestorm brushes off Cap’s atomic blast and says he won’t be stopped by “some headline-hunting glory hog.”  He then punches Cap right in the silver face.  He tells Stein he thinks he broke his hand, to which Stein replies that Ronnie is using the same tactics he did last time he fought Captain Atom, and those tactics failed him.

Firestorm conjures up a kryptonite bat, hoping Captain Atom shares the same weakness as Superman (he does not), and Cap is knocked back.  Firestorm then rains bricks on Cap, who calls Firestorm a “brat.”  Firestorm then smashes Cap between two boulders, momentarily stopping Atom.  Stein warns Ronnie that he feels a seizure coming on (Professor Stein has a brain tumor and is dying).  Captain Atom realizes there is something wrong with Firestorm, but is still resigned to bring him in.

Captain Atom grabs Firestorm from behind, and Firestorm fires a blast at Reagan.  Atom quickly flies down to intercept the blast, which turns out to be a huge ball of harmless daisies.  Firestorm takes off towards the city and Captain Atom follows.

The chase leads them through the offices of a comic book publisher in New York City (an unnamed comic book publisher, specifically the office of a comic book writer that may or may not be John Ostrander).  There is a miscolored panel at the bottom of page 18 in which Captain Atom’s head is not silver.  The two heroes cut a path of destruction through DC’s offices, passing (among other people) Joe Brozowski and Denny O’Neil talking about Joe drawing the very page they are on (meta!).

Leaving the DC offices, Captain Atom blasts Firestorm into another building.  When he goes down after him, Firestorm is nowhere to be found.  Captain Atom sees and weak old man and a young redheaded jock and asks, “Where is he?!”  The redhead says Firestorm flew through the floor.  Captain Atom curses and flies off looking for Firestorm.  Of course, the old man and the jock were Professor Stein and Ronnie Raymond (Captain Atom does not know Firestorm’s secret identities).  I really liked that move.

As Ronnie helps Professor Stein home, Reagan addresses the nation on television.  He says the U.S. will not “accede to the ultimatums of terrorists.”  At Belle Reve Prison, Amanda Waller is on the phone with some government big wig (possibly General Eiling).  She says she has the Suicide Squad ready to bring Firestorm in.  On her desk are pictures of Killer Frost, Rick Flag, the Parasite, Captain Boomerang, Deadshot, Slipknot, and Multiplex.

I loved this issue.  I was always fond of Captain Atom/Firestorm stories, whether they were fighting together or against each other.  Over the years, I’ve gone back and forth on John Ostrander.  Some of his stuff I really loved but some of it I really hated.  This story is an A+.  It sets up a lot of big changes coming Firestorm’s way.  I also really liked the way Joe Brozowski drew Captain Atom.  Except for the couple of coloring mistakes, this was a beautiful book.  An A- for art gives this issue of Firestorm an A rating.