Firestorm debuted in the second wave of DC Universe Classics and came with the right leg of Gorilla Grodd, the Collect-and-Connect figure of that wave. The initial version released was the classic Ronnie Raymond version seen here, with a modern Jason Rusch version as Ronnie’s running change.
Firestorm’s comic life began as part of the DC explosion in the 1970s, when they dumped a ton of new titles and concepts onto the spinner racks. Unfortunately, explosion led to implosion, and almost all of the new titles were then cancelled, with Firestorm’s very short run being an unfortunate casualty. However, he proved popular with fans and made a few appearances in other titles before graduating to his own ongoing title at the beginning of the ’80s, along with receiving full-fledged JLA status.
I was not quite at the right age to have gotten in on the ground floor of Firestorm’s comic debut, but I immediately became fond of the character upon my first exposure to him in his appearance in the issue of DC Comics Presents that featured his team-up with Superman. He has one of the most visually distinctive designs with his bright primary reds and yellows, and, with that uniquely flaming head, he leapt off the comic page. His comic could be called a quasi-Peter Parker story: high school student with personal troubles ends up acquiring super powers; however, where Parker was a bookish nerd, Ronnie Raymond was a good-hearted yet sometimes unlucky jock. Firestorm was a fusion entity who required the uber-smart Professor Stein in order to form the Firestorm persona, which added an entirely new dynamic. I almost wish a clear floating Professor Stein head had been included to simulate their internal conversations.
With all of that interpersonal turmoil and a power set that makes him one of the most powerful of the DC heroes, Firestorm deserved a great toy, and a great toy did he get. All the standard DCUC articulation is present and works well. Wave 2 was before a large majority of quality control issues started creeping into the line, beginning with the weird “white dust” of wave three, so Firestorm has no issues with frozen hips or strange powder residue. He’s a solid, well-done toy with all the requisite new tooling.
Firestorm’s prototype originally featured a screaming head sculpt; however, that was scrapped in favor of this more neutral look. I’m glad the other was scrapped. While it was expressive to be sure, I like the grim determination in this face more than the open-mouthed scream he would have been stuck with for eternity. If possible, I tend to prefer neutral in my toys.
Firestorm came with a pair of clip-on effects to simulate his atomic powers. Ordinarily these are the things that, while I appreciate their inclusion, go right into a bag and into storage without a second look; however, this particular effect is so iconic to Firestorm’s powers that I actually really like it, and think it adds a lot to his dynamics.
Firestorm features clear plastic flames erupting from his head sculpt that allow for a cool effect if light is filtered in just the right way.
While even mentioning the “SP” words can evoke a ton of weird anger in reference to this line, Firestorm was one of my favorite Super Powers figures, and it was great to get an updated version super-early in the line. Firestorm was one of a handful of DC Direct figures I bought, but that was hampered by their usual articulation limitations. DCUC’s version was fully playable, visually striking, and a welcome addition to the collection.