Burning Dark

The following is a story I pitched to the Sacramento Observer and I finally got around to finishing it. In case it doesn't see print there, here it is:

DC Comics ignites 'Firestorm' of controversy by reintroducing popular hero as Black teen

Fans of the comic book character Firestorm were excited when DC Comics announced the superhero would once again be starring in his own series. But that excitement turned to concern and outright anger when they learned the character they remembered – White high school student Ronnie Raymond – would be supplanted by a previously unknown Black teenager.

Dan Didio, DC's editorial vice president, says the impetus for a new Firestorm series was based on the character's ongoing popularity, unique powers and the urge to draw in younger readers.

"We've always believed Firestorm should have his own series again, but we wanted to do a new take. We wanted to take the character and make him interesting to a younger audience," Dido said. "In examining the character, we came to the conclusion that this would be an excellent opportunity to introduce a strong African American character into DC's pantheon using an existing franchise."

The character first debuted in the late 1970s as high school student Ron Raymond, who was duped into protesting the opening of a nuclear power plant. The protesters turned out to be eco-terrorists who attempted to blow up the plant. During the incident, Ron and Dr. Martin Stein, one of the plant’s designers, were bathed in radiation. The should-have-been-deadly experience instead granted superpowers and merged the two characters into one: Firestorm, The Nuclear Man.

The new hero could fly, had a level of invulnerability, could shoot energy blasts from his hands, and transmute materials on a nuclear level. With a wave of his hand, bullets could turn into flowers.

Also, the top of his head was a pot of fire, and his costume featured puffy sleeves that would be at home during Carnival in Rio.

Although the character’s original series lasted only six months, a second series in the mid-’80s ran for 100 issues, thanks in part to his recurring appearances in the various DC-based Saturday morning cartoons, such as “Superfriends.”

The new Firestorm is African American Jason Rusch, an abused, downtrodden 17-year-old who agrees to do a "little job" for a local criminal - only to become mysteriously infused with the power of Firestorm.

"The fact that he's African American is an important part, but we really want to play to the fact that it's a young lead, it's a contemporary story," Didio added.

According to Didio, series writer Dan Jolley came up with the Rusch character with series editor Peter Tomasi. Both felt the DC universe needed more diversity in regards to its cast of characters and the idea piqued the interest of veteran African American comics artist ChrisCross, who Didio says latched onto the character.

“I waffled a bit when I was first asked to do the project,” Cross said. “But after reading the first script I was hooked. It definitely made me want to draw it.”

“Jason Rusch’s personality brings more realism to the character of Firestorm. We also pay a lot of attention to his ethnicity, which can be very important to the motivation of the character,” Cross said, also noting that Rusch “talks like a real kid. His speech pattern doesn’t sound like bad hip hop slang or ebonics.”

Cross signed on as the book's lead artist and redesigned the costume.

“While his ability to transmute objects always fascinated me and attracted me to the character, I didn’t love his appearance. He looked more like a flamenco dancer that plays the maracas and salsa music than a superhero,” Cross said.

But before a single issue was released, fan reaction on the company’s online message boards was largely negative. Jolley thinks the response has less to do with race than it does with nostalgia.

"The original Firestorm had, and still has, a very solid, dedicated, loyal following, and — as they’ve expressed to me very clearly — they’re not happy that the character they grew up with isn’t the star of the new series," Jolley said. "I think it’s a pretty natural human reaction; people grow comfortable with something, and they don’t want it to change. They don’t even want to hear about the possibility of it changing.

"But, y’know, at the same time, I’m very, very proud of the new series, and I think it’s going to find its own audience. If some of the original series’ fans are among the new readership, that’ll be even better."

One aspect of the book that hasn't drawn criticism is Cross' art, which has been praised by even those critical of the character’s direction.

At San Francisco's Wondercon in May, Jeph Loeb, writer of DC’s top-selling Superman/Batman series, who had seen the comic before it was released, said Cross' work on the title was impressive and that the artist "decided this book will make him a star."

That elevation in status would likely be a welcome one for African American comic book writer Christopher Priest, who has worked with Cross and called him "one of the most inspired and gifted artists I know" and "one of the greatest living comic book storytellers working today."

"Cross has an unparalleled instinct for dramatic storytelling, one that is wholly underappreciated by the major companies," said Priest, who recently wrote a Black Panther series for Marvel Comics (See 10 Notable Black Superheroes) and has been critical of the industry’s treatment of both its Black characters and talent.

"Being an enormously tall Black man with big fists and a deep voice doesn't help Cross much in this, a business dominated by short, pudgy white guys who never dated much in high school," Priest said.

Jolley and Cross will continue as the regular creative team on the series, detailing Rusch's ensuing struggle to control his new powers and cope with the new life they offer him on a monthly basis.

The "Eye Contact" story arc introduces the new incarnation of Firestorm during the first three issues, which shipped in May, June and July to comic book retailers nationwide.

Now that the book is available, Didio said the feedback has been mostly positive, especially from stores in urban cities where a lot of Black readers have embraced the book.

"We're pretty proud of this book," Didio added. "We're very happy with what we're putting on the shelf.”

Cross said, “I hope that everyone has fun with the book and looks at the comic for what it is and not for what it used to be.”

The comic book store nearest you can be found by calling the toll-free Comic Shop Locator Service at 1-888-COMIC-BOOK (266-4226) or visiting http://csls.diamondcomics.com