DCU Comic Book Reviews

FIRESTORM: THE NUCLEAR MAN #33

Old Gods And New

April 2007

Written by Dwayne McDuffie

Layouts by Dan Jurgens

Pencils by Ken Lashley

Inks by Rob Stull

Cover by Brian Stelfreeze

Synopsis

In the midst of a escape routine, Shilo Norman (aka Mister Miracle) receives a message from a mother box.  Elsewhere, Firestorm successfully defeats a gang of white supremacist terrorists.  Afterwards, Jason goes to visit his girlfriend, Gehenna.  When they return to her place, however, Norman is waiting for him.  Norman tells them that Professor Stein’s research has attracted others who are looking to use it for themselves.  At that moment, Orion arrives looking for Professor Stein.  Firestorm and Mister Miracle are able to capture Orion.  Before they can learn more, however, the Female Furies attack, eventually capturing Firestorm and Mister Miracle. They are about to leave via a boom tube when Gehenna arrives with help...Firehawk!

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

I have two questions/problems and one comments regarding this issue, but beyond these two questions, I really enjoyed this issue and I look forward to seeing how this all plays out.  McDuffie handles Jason very well, including the anger that he often displays, while still inserting the humor that had been the hallmark of this series so far. 

My comment is about the beginning portion of the story with the white supremacist terrorists.  I was a little put off with this villain only because Jason is one of the few black heroes out there.  To me, it seemed as if McDuffie was drawing attention to the fact that Jason is black.  I would not want to define Jason because he is black; rather I would like to define him based on who he is.  By putting the racists (or Shooty McBigot, which is a great line) in this issue it draws attention to something that doesn’t need to be pointed to.

Next, I really hope it is somehow explained how Professor Stein of all people stumbled upon the anti-life equation or whatever it is.  While it can be assumed that Stein is an extremely smart person, he has never been portrayed as on the more intelligent persons in the DCU (such as Mr. Terrific).  I am not inclined to think Stein would be able to unlock “the most important equation in the universe.”  Granted, it seems whatever Stein discovered is related to the Firestorm Matrix, so he has at least baseline knowledge of what is going, but it still seems like a leap to me.  I am willing to believe he accidentally stumbled upon it or unknowingly had help, but those two possibilities were not presented her. 

Finally, it was great to see Firehawk back in action, but somehow her presence does not exactly make me feel like Firestorm and Mister Miracle will be saved.  She is not the first person I would have gone to for help. 

This is a quote from the story:  “each embedded in the source of an earth elemental’s power.”  I would think the various elementals would be air, water, fire, earth.  Would air be Red Tornado, water Aquaman (or the Dweller), fire of course is Firestorm, and earth could be the new Terra.  I am curious to see how this plays out. 

Movie Mania

Film director Uwe Boll is most notably known for directing movies based on video games, including Alone In The Dark and BloodRayne and its sequel.  His films are generally poorly received by critics and fail to make any money at the box office. 

 

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