If someone were to ask me to recommend a superhero comic book to them, I would point them in the direction of DC Comics book “Firestorm.”
To me, it’s the title out of all the mainstream DC and Marvel Comic books that does traditional superhero tales the best.
Without suffering from a leaden backstory or morose storylines, “Firestorm” keeps delivering quality stories month after month.
Like many of the DC heroes, this Firestorm is only the latest to take the title, but except for a few lingering elements, Jason Rusch doesn’t have a lot to do with his predecessor Ronnie Raymond. This is a good thing, because the first Firestorm (– and the second Firestorm, who I know very little about –), has a long, storied career in the DC Universe.
Instead, the this title is all about Firestorm, his costumed allies, his friends, his family and lots of cool looking costumed supervillains. Please note that I said costumed allies and supervillains, because more and more, writers are opting to toss out the costume convention in comic books, and it’s a trend I don’t much like.
Sure, costumes are a little bit goofy. They always have been, in fact. But if you’re going to offer me a full-color hand-drawn story about guys with superpowers, then why not have costumes? They’re just more fun to look at than jeans, t-shirts and long overcoats.
So, if you’re interested in the general convention of superheroes, I can’t suggest a better comic book than Firestorm. In fact, allow me to explain in detail:
Its got a likeable lead with amazing powers. (Jason Rusch is a 19-year-old college student learning to use his nuclear powers which allow him to fly, fire blasts of energy and tranform one substance into another.)
Its got a bit of angst. (Jason is troubled by his father’s attempts to reunite their broken family.)
Its got some moments of humor. (Aside from Jason being a bit of a smart-mouth, his super-powered girlfriend is a ball of nervous energy.)
Its got romance and the troubles with romance. (Gehenna, his aforementioned girlfriend, struggles with not getting enough attention from Jason.)
Its got colorful costumes. (Aside from Firestorm’s costume, nearly all of his allies and foes wear comic-appropriate and vividly colored costumes)
Its got an enjoyable supporting cast. (Speaking of allies, Rusch melds with a brainiac professor Martin Stein to create Firestorm. Aside from him, there’s the heroine Firehawk and the Russian hero Pozhar)
Its got plenty of action. (In the latest issue, Firestorm battles human-sized ameboas and coming next issue … a giant robot launched from outer space!)
Quite frankly, “Firestorm” is what a comic book is supposed to be. Give it a try and let me know what you think.
Here’s a cool Firestorm Web site: http://firestorm.mandlo.com/index.php
From Russia with love)