Firestorm (Ronnie Raymond / Martin Stein) is a DC Comics superhero created by Gerry Conway and Don Heck, first appearing in 1978. The character is a fusion of two individuals—high school athlete Ronnie Raymond and Nobel Prize-winning physicist Martin Stein—who merge into a single being with the power to transmute matter at the atomic level. This timeline covers key milestones from their creation, major story arcs, and their tenure as Justice League members.
Ronnie Raymond and Martin Stein first appear as Firestorm in Firestorm #1 (March 1978), created by Gerry Conway and Don Heck. The duo merges after a nuclear accident at a power plant, forming a hero with atomic transmutation powers. #comics #dc )
Firestorm becomes a member of the Justice League of America in Justice League of America #179 (June 1978). He serves as a core member during the late 1970s and early 1980s. #justiceleague #dc
The first ongoing Firestorm series, The Fury of Firestorm, begins publication in May 1982, written by Gerry Conway and drawn by Pat Broderick. The series explores Ronnie and Martin's dual-mind dynamic and expands the Firestorm mythos. #comics #dc
The concept of the Firestorm Matrix is formally introduced in The Fury of Firestorm #17 (August 1983), explaining the mental fusion of Ronnie and Martin. This establishes the unique dual-consciousness nature of the character. #comics #dc )
Firestorm appears in the landmark crossover Crisis on Infinite Earths (1985-1986), playing a role in the multiverse-shattering event. The series reshapes DC continuity. #crossover #dc
The original Firestorm series ends with issue #100 (March 1987). A new series, Firestorm the Nuclear Man, launches immediately, continuing the story with a revised origin. #comics #dc
In Firestorm the Nuclear Man #65 (November 1988), Martin Stein is killed, leaving Ronnie as the sole Firestorm. This major event alters the character's dynamic. #comics #dc )
Following Martin Stein's death, Ronnie Raymond becomes the sole Firestorm, learning to control his powers independently. This period explores his growth as a solo hero. #comics #dc )
Ronnie Raymond briefly joins the Suicide Squad in Suicide Squad #47 (July 1990), working under Amanda Waller. This storyline adds complexity to his character. #suicidesquad #dc
The Firestorm the Nuclear Man series is cancelled with issue #100 (February 1991). Ronnie Raymond's story continues in guest appearances. #comics #dc
In the Armageddon 2001 crossover, Ronnie Raymond is killed by the villain Monarch. This death is later retconned. #crossover #dc
A new Firestorm, Mikhail Arkadin, appears in Firestorm #0 (June 1993) as part of the Bloodlines event. This version has a different origin and powers. #comics #dc )
A new Firestorm series starring Mikhail Arkadin begins in August 1994, but it is short-lived, lasting only 12 issues. #comics #dc )
Ronnie Raymond is resurrected in a new Firestorm series (vol. 3) #1 (December 1995), reuniting with Martin Stein. The series explores their renewed partnership. #comics #dc )
Firestorm becomes a member of the Justice League in JLA #1 (May 1996) as part of Grant Morrison's run. He serves as a core member. #justiceleague #dc )
Firestorm teams up with Marvel's Firestar in a crossover issue, DC vs. Marvel #1 (March 1997). This intercompany event highlights both characters. #crossover #marvel #dc
The third Firestorm series ends with issue #22 (October 1998). Ronnie and Martin continue as supporting characters. #comics #dc )
Firestorm appears in the limited series JLA: Year One (2000), which retells the early days of the Justice League. #justiceleague #dc
Firestorm makes a cameo in the miniseries Identity Crisis (2002), which deals with the aftermath of a murder mystery in the DC Universe. #crossover #dc )
Firestorm appears in the Infinite Crisis crossover (2005-2006), playing a role in the multiverse restoration. #crossover #dc
During Infinite Crisis #7 (March 2006), Ronnie Raymond is killed by the villain Superboy-Prime. This death is permanent until later retcons. #crossover #dc
A new Firestorm, Jason Rusch, is introduced in Firestorm #1 (August 2007) as part of the 'One Year Later' event. He is a college student who merges with a new partner. #comics #dc )
A new series, Firestorm: The Nuclear Man, starring Jason Rusch, begins in May 2008. It runs for 20 issues. #comics #dc
Ronnie Raymond and Martin Stein are resurrected as Black Lanterns in Blackest Night #1 (November 2009). They later return to life after the event. #crossover #dc
In Brightest Day #1 (May 2010), Ronnie Raymond and Martin Stein are fully resurrected and become the Firestorm again, with Jason Rusch also merging into the matrix. #crossover #dc
As part of DC's New 52 reboot, a new Firestorm series launches in September 2011, starring Ronnie Raymond and Jason Rusch as a merged entity. The series explores their forced partnership. #comics #dc
Firestorm becomes a member of the Justice League in Justice League #7 (March 2012) during the 'Throne of Atlantis' storyline. #justiceleague #dc )
In the Forever Evil crossover (2013-2014), Firestorm is captured by the Crime Syndicate. This event tests his resolve. #crossover #dc
The New 52 Firestorm series ends with issue #35 (July 2014). Ronnie and Jason continue as supporting characters. #comics #dc
Firestorm appears in the Convergence event (June 2015), which brings back pre-New 52 characters. #crossover #dc )
With DC Rebirth (May 2016), Firestorm appears in various titles, including The Flash and Justice League. The character's history is restored. #comics #dc
The CW's The Flash introduces Firestorm, with Ronnie Raymond (Robbie Amell) and Martin Stein (Victor Garber) as the dual-mind hero. The character appears from season 1 onward. #tv #dc )
Firestorm appears in the Dark Nights: Metal event (2017-2018), fighting against the Dark Multiverse. #crossover #dc
Firestorm is part of the Justice League in the No Justice miniseries (May 2018), which deals with cosmic threats. #justiceleague #dc
During the Year of the Villain event (2019), Firestorm faces new threats and temptations from Lex Luthor. #crossover #dc
Firestorm appears in Dark Nights: Death Metal (2020-2021), the culmination of the Metal saga. He plays a role in the final battle. #crossover #dc
With the Infinite Frontier relaunch (March 2021), Firestorm appears in various titles, including The Flash and Justice League Incarnate. #comics #dc
Firestorm participates in the Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths (2022-2023), a sequel to the original Crisis. #crossover #dc
A new Firestorm series, Firestorm: The Nuclear Man, launches in January 2023, starring Ronnie Raymond and Martin Stein in a new ongoing title. #comics #dc )
Firestorm becomes a member of the new Justice League Unlimited in the 2024 relaunch, solidifying his place as a core hero. #justiceleague #dc )
