Issue 196 - Firestorm - Capes on the Couch

Issue 196 – Firestorm

Intro
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Intro from Murewa Ayodele
WE BACK
Background
Firestorm created by Gerry Conway & Al Milgrom in Firestorm #1 (March 1978)
Firestorm is (originally) the combination of physicist Martin Stein & student Ronnie Raymond – both were caught in an accident that gave them powers and fused their minds in Firestorm’s body, in addition to giving them the powers of elemental manipulation, energy projection, and flight
Sharing two identities is a hallmark of the Firestorm matrix – whoever is in “charge” of the matrix makes the decision – since Martin was unconscious when the accident happened, he is passive when Firestorm is around, and Ronnie makes all decisions
Initially, Martin got amnesia whenever Firestorm emerged, but he eventually learned to control his memory better
Firestorm encounters Felicity Smoak, who sues him for the damage he caused to her computer business – she ends up marrying Ed Raymond, Ronnie’s dad, without knowing Ronnie’s secret identity
Ronnie goes to college in Pittsburgh where Martin is teaching, and the two of them try unsuccessfully to sever the bond between them
Stein becomes terminally ill, and in a battle with the Russian superhero Pohzar a nuclear bomb is dropped on them – the Firestorm matrix then becomes Ronnie, an amnesiac Stein, and Pohzar
Stein later learns he was supposed to be the sole Firestorm, as a Fire Elemental – Stein heads off into space to help the galaxy, and he takes the powers with him, so Ronnie becomes depowered
Ronnie gets his powers back from chemotherapy while being treated for leukemia, and joined the JLA
Ronnie dies during Identity Crisis, and Jason Rusch becomes the new Firestorm
Jason later partners with Martin, who returns as the Elemental
Ronnie is resurrected during Brightest Day
New 52 – Ronnie and Jason are classmates who get powers from Martin Stein’s work; they can operate as Firestorm independently or merge to become Fury
Rebirth – restores Ronnie & Martin as Firestorm, but it’s revealed that Martin deliberately created the situation that led to the accident so he could study metahumans – Ronnie then gets taken over by the sentient Firestorm matrix
Issues
Loss of singular identity
Regular amnesia for Martin at start is disorienting
Learning things about yourself that were previously unknown
Break
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Treatment
In-universe
Out of universe
Skit
Hello Firestorm, I’m Dr. *pause* Issues…I’m sorry, this is awkward. -What’s so awkward about it?
I’m not accustomed to talking to a patient in their, um, super…form. Like, some people come in that way, but they know that I’m here for the person underneath all of that stuff. Well, one guy I realized that WAS who he was, but turns out lots of people knew that before I did. Anyhoo, if this is how you want to stay -*interrupting the ramble* Yeah, it’s probably the best for us. All of us.
Sure. So, what can I do for you? -So boom…I got a complicated situation. I didn’t expect to have all of these powers, right, and so when I got them, I was like, cool, I can do stuff, and I can help people, and I can fly, and all of this energy stuff, right? And I’m like, man this is gonna be awesome. But then all of the stuff starts happening, and I have to worry, like, whoa, I’m not trying to die right now. But I got this figured out. I think. But SOMEBODY keeps getting in my head that makes me second guess myself.
Ah. Well, I deal with that all the time. Just to clarify, some people are talking about that inner voice, like the classic conscience that makes them ruminate. Other times, it’s someone that you know, and their advice pops into your head at an inconvenient time. Which is it for you? – Yes.
*pause* Ok, so which one gives you the bigger problem, so we’ll deal with them one at a time. -I don’t think that’s possible. This is a package deal. I want to keep this simple. If I’m supposed to make this work, I guess I have to ignore every excuse, even when it comes from a good place. Too smart for my own good.
You don’t come across that way at all. You’re actually down to earth from what I can tell so far. Maybe a little unsophisticated about the psyche, but that’s expected. -*Martin’s voice in Firestorm’s head* Unsophisticated? You don’t have to take that. Let him know that these powers are based on physics that he never got to study beyond the MCAT. But don’t be too forceful. *Firestorm answers* I may not know that much about the brain, but I do know that nuclear physics is something that you shouldn’t take for granted.
Should I be wearing a radiation suit then? -*Firestorm* ooh, I never thought of that. Am I giving people low doses of radiation poisoning? *Martin* NO! This is FUSION based. We are the…ugh, the safe kind. You can say that. *Firestorm* No, it’s safe. It’s fused together.
You mean, fusion? -*Firestorm* Yeah, yeah *Martin* Well, that could have gone better. Perhaps I should treat this scenario like a classroom.
You really seem to have an internal struggle going on -*Firestorm* well you would too, if someone kept talking over your head while they’re in you’re head *Martin* oh that tears it!
*Special effect of splitting into Ronnie and Martin,* Doc reacts “WHAT THE…” *Martin, trying to smooth things over* Well, you took biology courses, just think of this as meiosis. Martin Stein, doctor. *Ronnie* And Ronnie…uh, just call me Ronnie, alright? I know this looks freaky.
Freaky doesn’t cut it. What am I supposed to do? Can you give me a moment? *Doc starts mumbling and engages in self dialogue*
Martin: I think he’s in a state of confusion. You must be all too familiar with that.
Ronnie: Har har har…I didn’t think you had humor based on how serious you act all the time. But man, did we mess this up? I try to keep my mouth shut just for that reason.
Martin: what are you talking about? You’ve been leading this the whole time, and don’t give me the light of day!
Ronnie: The hell I don’t! That’s Firestorm man! I can feel the difference. So I kind of…I dunno…fake it? Then you really know what to do.
Martin: I’m not sure that’s correct, either. You can’t be silent in your own body. The same way I can’t be silent in our head.
Ronnie: But you were for a while. Like…you weren’t around at all. Then you’d be all like “who is this?” and it would be crazy, and then I’d say “it’s you,” but you wouldn’t know what I was talking about. But you figured it out. I didn’t even know you like that!
Martin: so you’re saying I was confused. That DOESN’T sound like me. Curious, maybe, but never confused.
Ronnie: So we really don’t have a way to make this work? You don’t want me involved at all?
Martin: *exasperated* This whole…situation works BECAUSE you make it work. If you don’t have the will, I don’t have the way. I thought you would be a burden…but you…carried me. It’s shameful to admit that.
Ronnie: Not be selfish, but, eh, when do you carry me? Two-way street.
Martin: Simple answer, I speak up when it’s necessary. *pause* this is the first time I’m hearing you talk like this…outside
Ronnie: same. It’s awkward.
Martin: the edge of progress is always askew. We’ll push forward.
Ronnie: that’s worth something I guess.
Martin: So…I know a way we can make this less awkward.
Ronnie: I’m with ya…literally *fusion sound effect*
Doc: Okay, I managed to rearrange my schedule and the billin OH COME ON!
Firestorm: This has been quite the session! Who knew that I could have so much to learn from myself…selves. You are truly a gifted psychiatrist to mediate the most important conversation in our…my life? You know what I mean.
Doc: But then…if they…but you…and then…WHICH ONE OF YOU IS PAYING FOR THIS?
Firestorm: We can discuss payment at our next session. Now then, we must be off, but we’ll contact you to schedule the follow-up.
Doc: Flames… flames on the sides of my face…
Ending
Recommended reading:The Fury of Firestorm, the Nuclear Man
Next episodes: Who knows?
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