Fanning The Flames And Riding The Waves

Sometimes, I find other media can inspire my reading choices.  For example, in preparation for last summer's release of "Man of Steel", I read probably MORE of a buttload of Superman-related comics than I normally would.  Another example would be the inspiration the Marvel Cinematic Universe gives me to explore... most of their worlds.  (Captain America, Thor, Hulk, and the Avengers have been the most successful on that front.  Sorry, Iron Man, but sometimes your comic material can be kind of boring to me.)  However, I can't often say that... of all things... a PODCAST can inspire my reading choices!  Not only does today's subject illustrate that point, but I also wanted to give credit to said podcast for partially inspiring me to write this blog to begin with!

The Fire and Water Podcast is THE place to stop if you want a fun show... hosted by Rob Kelly and Shagg Matthews... featuring two of DC's more interesting "non-Trinity" characters in Firestorm the Nuclear Man and Aquaman.  As if that wasn't enough to whet your appetite, Rob also maintains his own site, The Aquaman Shrine, while Shagg holds up his end for the nucleic side of the team-up on his site, Firestorm Fan.  Not only does their "Network" feature their regular show about the teaming of elemental heroes, they also have other shows to sink your teeth into.  Let me present you with a menu:

• Power Records, which offers up whole Power Records adventures to listen to, along with some commentary.
• The Hero Points RPG Podcast, which is all about the Mayfair Games DC Universe campaign.
• Who's Who: The Definitive Guide to the DC Universe... which will be touched upon a bit more in detail for my subject, tomorrow...

Now, aside from Rob and Shagg being very funny and entertaining fellows, they also brought my attention towards exploring more about the characters they cover on their main show proper.  Allow me to divulge some of my salient points about each side of the #fwpodcast coin.

Birthed in 1978 in his very own title, Gerry Conway and Al Milgrom presented us with the origin tale of the fusioned form of Professor Martin Stein and high-schooler Ronnie Raymond.  They were unfortunate to be caught in the middle of a terrorist action against a new nuclear plant, and in trying to contain the explosion, the awesome energies unleashed caused Stein and Raymond to transform into the super being, Firestorm.  His powers include flight AND the unique ability to alter any inorganic object.  Basically, the entire world is his "power ring" construct, that is only limited by his imagination and knowledge of chemical compounds. 

Firestorm's first series was part of the DC Implosion, but after appearing two times in "DC Comics Presents", Firestorm gained enough popularity to re-emerge with his own ongoing title in the early 80's.  As if that wasn't enough, he was ALSO included in the ranks of the Justice League of America during this time span!  Not bad for a character that was essentially "fizzled out" by his original seventh issue.  However, the curse of Firestorm... as it will be with the other character of the featured podcast... is that they both seem to have difficulty maintaining a long-lasting series.  I believe the original "Fury of Firestorm" title didn't last to see triple-digit issue numbers, and to date the character has undergone three other separate relaunches.  (Not counting the time where he was a backup feature in "The Flash".)  While his solo time in the "New 52" was all too brief, he DID make the transition to the new universe!

I known, and have been getting to know, Firestorm best as the fusion of Stein and Raymond.  The title is potentially the most "Marvel" book DC was releasing in the 80's, with imperfect characters and continuing drama among the players.  Firestorm was so strong of a player, he even maintained his own rogues gallery of such interesting characters as Killer Frost, Black Bison, Multiplex... and, sigh... Slipknot.  However, to balance that out, you sometimes have to wade through Raymond's rather... irksome... cast of fellow students.  Oh, don't get me wrong; his relationship with Lorraine Reilly AKA Firehawk, but she didn't go to school with him.  And his basketball team buddy Jefferson was a pretty cool guy.  But what did he EVER see in Doreen Day?  And I'm not a violent person... but every time Cliff Carmichael shows up on page, I want to punch him.  Hard.  But that shouldn't stop you from trying out the classic period of Firestorm's existence in the DC Universe!

I do know there was a time where the character was a Russian citizen, and he became the Fire Elemental.  The only other time I regularly followed Firestorm, previous to the podcast, was when the being was a fusion of Jason Rush and his girlfriend... and I met them around the time of "Blackest Night".  ... So if you know that particular story, you'll understand why the current fusion form is actually Jason and Ronnie.  But between "Blackest Night", "Brightest Day", and the Fire and Water Podcast, I've grown to appreciate fanning the flame of Firestorm!

Next up, the King of the Seven Seas... And a long-maligned character of the DC Universe, Arthur Curry AKA Aquaman.  I'd say up until the "Blackest Night", "Brightest Day", and "New 52" stories, Aquaman has been the "joke" character.  (That's not to demean his previous comic book appearances.  I am REALLY growing to enjoy the Peter David 90's relaunch, and he was a well-deserved integral part in the Justice League history, ESPECIALLY under Grant Morrison's run.)  But what did people usually think of when they first considered Aquaman?  "Guy who talks to fish and swims" is probably the first answer you would earn.  And how wrong you would be...

Born... again, based on my past period knowledge... as a product of a relationship between a human male and an Atlantean sorceress, Arthur Curry has been cursed with some unfortunate weaknesses from time to time.  (He could only endure one hour without some form of moisture in his system, at a time.  Who is he, ME?!?  And if that's the case, does Aquaman end up using the restroom as often as I do when I take in excess moisture?)  But even from the beginning, he was MORE than just the guy who spoke to salmon.  Think about it; he's able to perform physical feats of power near the bottom of the ocean.  You know, the parts that could CRUSH most submarines from pressure.  Depending, also, on the era, he has control of water as a physical attack device.  As if that wasn't enough, he can be.. given the period... Lord and Master of a realm that covers THREE-FOURTHS of the Earth.  Yeah... Try telling Arthur face-to-face that all he's good for is sharing gossip with the tuna.

What makes Aquaman truly special is that, while he's undergone more than a few series cancellations, he's been a part of the DC Universe for close to 75 years.  And he's not been a MINOR part of the DC Universe!  He's a FOUNDING MEMBER of the Justice League of America.  He's also been part of multiple animated series... both of his own, and as a member of the "Super Friends", and most currently a highlight character in "Batman: The Brave and the Bold", along with a forthcoming JLA animated feature that will focus strictly on an Atlantean storyline he was featured in!

It's not often that I thank specific creators on this blog, but I believe that Geoff Johns' passion for the character helped launch him to new heights in the "New 52" era of Aquaman.  Arthur's so popular these days, he's actually being featured in TWO series!  Both his own self-titled book, along with a team book, "Aquaman and the Others"!  Still, if I had to give three particular Aquaman legacy shout-outs of credit, they shall be the following:

• Peter David, whose concepts kept Aquaman alive and fresh for the 90's and early 2000's.  (And also gave Arthur a beard, which always looks cool on the character.)
• Ramona Fraydon, for not only being a true legend in the area of female comic creators, but for also providing her own magic touch to the Atlantean's adventures.
• Jim Aparo, for giving me... as a reader... a visual Aquaman that rivals his powerful Batman renditions.

So, you see, sometimes you can gain the inspiration for a reading project that's not just based on movie exposure, or television exposure, or even being anal-retentive about crossover titles!  Sometimes all you need is a podcast hosted by individuals whose passion about their subject proves to be infectious.  Again, due credit to Rob Kelly and Shagg Matthews for giving me another way to "find my comic book love". 

To wrap up, the link line-up is represented!
Fire and Water Podcast
Firestorm Fan
Aquaman Shrine