Firestorm

Firestorm…The Nuclear Man… The Hot Head… The Ultimate Reactor

Ronnie was an impressionable young high school student in love with a girl.  The girl, Doreen, had joined an anti-nuclear group and planned a protest at the Hudson Nuclear Plant in which Dr. Martin Stein was in charge of getting up and operational.

During the protest, Ronnie learned that the group actually had planned on blowing up the plant.  Not wanting anyone hurt, Ronnie protested and the leader of the protest knocked Ronnie unconscious as he had done with Dr. Stein earlier.

When the explosion went off, Ronnie and Dr. Stein merged together and became Firestorm, the Nuclear Man.

Firestorm embarked on a remarkable career, endowed with powers beyond most individuals conception, Firestorm quickly gained the attention of and admission into the Justice League of America where he served with distinction for a while until other concerns took over and he would leave the League.

Ronnie was eventually joined in crime fighting by his girlfriend Lorraine Reilly who gained powers and became Firehawk.

While Ronnie and the Professor are fused together, Ronnie’s personality is the dominant one and the Dr. Stein is typically drawn as a disembodied head floating near Ronnie’s head.

First Appearance

Created By:  Gerry Conway and Al Milgrom

Powers

Atomic Restructuring/Transformation – Firestorm can break down the bonds of matter and atoms and remake it into different forms.  Some of his simple tricks include changing projectiles into flowers, air into cages to trap opponents, and so forth.

Energy/Radiation Absorption – Firestorm is able to absorb harmful radiation and blasts of energy to keep that energy from harming others.

Energy Blasts – Firestorm can project powerful bolts of energy from his hands to damage objects and opponents as needed.

Fire Hair – Firestorm’s hair is actually fire, while not a power in the traditional sense, its definitely a trademark.

Flight – Firestorm can break the bonds of gravity and fly under his own power, his top speed has not been gauged, however it is quite possible that he is as fast as an electron traveling around an atom.

Instant Changing – Either Ronnie or Dr. Stein can willfully pull the other man towards them to change into Firestorm.  The other man has roughly 10 – 30 seconds to get away from anyone they are near in order to keep their identity secret.  So while this is a handy power, it does not come without certain disadvantages.

Phasing – Firestorm can change the bonds of his own body to change and allow him to pass through solid objects.  This is the only exception for the rule that he cannot use his powers on organic material, other than himself.

Vulnerabilities

Cooperation – Firestorm as a fused hero requires cooperation in order to be effective, and occasionally there are wrinkles in the relationship between Dr. Stein and Ronnie.  Overcoming simple human foibles is a constant issue for Firestorm.

Piercing – Firestorm is a living nuclear reactor, should he be injured in a manner that pierces his skin sufficiently, he could conceivably go to a meltdown status and explode.

Skills

Genius – Scientist – Nuclear Physics/Engineering – Dr. Stein is the brains in the operation, as a result Ronnie frequently consults with Dr. Stein on solutions to criminal problems.  Dr. Stein is one of the foremost nuclear scientists/engineers on the planet and his opinion is well thought of throughout the scientific community.