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Firestorm
Jason Rusch as Firestorm. Art by Jamal Igle
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceFirestorm (vol. 3) #1 (July 2004)
Created byDan Jolley
ChrisCross
(based on the Firestorm character created by Gerry Conway and Al Milgrom)
In-story information
Alter egoJason Thomas Rusch
Team affiliationsLexCorp
Justice League
S.T.A.R. Labs
Abilities
  • Superhuman strength and durabilty
  • Energy projection and manipulation
  • Intangibility
  • High-speed flight
  • Energy absorption
  • Matter transmutation
  • Density control
  • Molecular reconstruction
  • Eidetic memory
  • Enhanced vision
    • X-ray vision
    • Microscopic vision
    • Thermal vision
  • Regeneration
  • Self-sustenance
  • Phasing
  • Psychic link
  • Transformation

Jason Thomas Rusch is a superhero in the DC Comics Universe, and the second character known as Firestorm. He first appeared in Firestorm (vol. 3) #1 (July 2004), and was created by Dan Jolley and ChrisCross.[1]

Publication history

[edit]

The Jason Rusch incarnation of Firestorm was introduced in 2004 following the death of the original Firestorm, Ronnie Raymond, in Identity Crisis.

Ronnie and Jason star in The New 52 title The Fury of Firestorm: The Nuclear Men, initially written by Gail Simone and Ethan Van Sciver and drawn by Yıldıray Çınar.[2] Joe Harris replaced Simone starting in issue #7, while Van Sciver provided art for issues #7 and 8.[3] Dan Jurgens took over the series as both writer and artist from issue #13 in 2012 until the final issue, #20, in 2013.

Fictional character biography

[edit]

Jason is a 17-year-old living in Detroit who wants nothing more than to escape his home city. He lives with his father Alvin Rusch, who had turned abusive after losing one of his hands in an industrial accident. His mother left the family sometime after the accident. With the loss of a job he needed for college tuition, Jason turns to a local thug for money, accepting a job as a courier. He later encounters the Firestorm matrix, searching for a new host after the death of Ronnie Raymond, the previous Firestorm. In the aftermath, Jason struggles to cope with his new identity and powers, leading to the death of the man who had hired him.

Shortly after Jason's 18th birthday, he is kidnapped by the new Secret Society of Super Villains for use as a power source in a hidden complex. There, Jason meets the mysterious girl Gehenna. The two are freed when the new Secret Six raid the complex.[4]

In One Year Later, Jason and Gehenna search for Martin Stein after his former pupil Adrian Burroughs kidnaps him. Later, Jason and Stein meet Shilo Norman, who informs them that the Firestorm matrix contains part of the Life Equation.[5] After Darkseid kidnaps Stein, Jason and Gehenna work to find him.

Infinite Crisis

[edit]

The 2006 storyline Infinite Crisis reveals that Stein is alive in space as the "Elemental Firestorm". He had sensed the presence of Jason within the Firestorm matrix, but was unaware of Ronnie's death. When Jason, as Firestorm, is gravely injured, Stein links with him, promising Jason a new Firestorm body to let him return into battle and asking about Ronnie's fate.[6]

Accepting Martin's proposal, Jason asks Stein to become the permanent second member of the Firestorm matrix. Sensing his "errors" are the result of his youth and lack of experience, Jason seeks the experience and maturity of Stein. Stein refuses at first, but later accepts Jason's request, thus ensuring both a new Firestorm body and the reconstruction of human bodies for them both.[1][6][7]

52

[edit]

In the 2006–2007 weekly series 52, it is revealed that Firestorm was fused with Cyborg due to malfunctioning Zeta Beam technology. Unmerged after several weeks, Jason, as Firestorm, attempts to reform and lead a new Justice League, along with Firehawk, Ambush Bug, Super-Chief, and Bulleteer. After failing to handle a time-displacement crisis staged by Skeets, the new League disbands, straining Jason's already shaky friendship with Firehawk. Finally, during the World War III event versus Black Adam, Jason settles all differences with Firehawk, rekindling their friendship and asking for her powers, necessary to activate Firestorm after the mysterious disappearance of Stein.

"One Year Later"

[edit]

As the storyline jumps ahead one year, Stein has mysteriously vanished, and Jason has been merging with Firehawk to become Firestorm, allowing him to use her powers as well. The two decide to look for Stein together and eventually learn that he has been kidnapped and tortured by the Pupil (Adrian Burroughs), his former teaching assistant. Flanked by the D.O.L.L.I.s, a group of cyborg soldiers with limited cognitive ability, the Pupil questions Stein about the secrets of the universe. Jason and Firehawk, along with Gehenna, free the captured Stein and restore him to full health. Jason is a college freshman at New York City's Columbus University and seems to have ties with Dani Sharpe, a member of the senior staff at LexCorp.

The Firestorm team of Jason and Firehawk made several appearances before the search for Martin Stein ended. This included dealing with the latest OMAC and teaming up with Superman in the "Back in Action" story arc in Action Comics. Firehawk later introduces Jason to Pozhar, a Russian superhero who was once part of the Firestorm matrix; together, the trio take on a reborn Tokamak.

Blackest Night

[edit]

In the 2009–2010 Blackest Night miniseries, Ronnie Raymond is resurrected as a member of the Black Lantern Corps and confronts Barry Allen and Hal Jordan alongside Hawkman, Hawkgirl, Elongated Man, Sue Dibny, and Martian Manhunter.[8] Ronnie attacks Jason and Gehenna before absorbing Jason into the Firestorm matrix, ripping Gehenna's heart out, and transforming her body into salt. Ronnie absorbs Jason's anger over Gehenna's death, providing the Black Lanterns with even more emotional energies.[9] Ronnie goes on to attack Barry and co. at the Justice League satellite, but Jason briefly asserts himself, allowing the heroes to escape. Ronnie regains control and proceeds to absorb Jason's willpower.[10] In the final battle against Nekron, Ronnie is restored to life alongside Jason and the two are separated, with Ronnie having no memory of his time as a Black Lantern.[11]

Brightest Day

[edit]

In the 2010–2011 Brightest Day miniseries, Ronnie arrives at Jason's apartment with Stein and Ray Palmer to attend Gehenna's funeral. Stein and Palmer discuss Ronnie's return and how he no longer remembers anything that happened between his death and resurrection. While the two talk about the paperwork needed to have Ronnie's legal status as "dead" reversed, Ronnie approaches Jason and offers an apology about Gehenna's murder. Jason refuses to accept it and argues with Ronnie, which causes them to merge into a new Firestorm form.[12][13] Palmer manages to separate Jason and Ronnie, but not before the Firestorm matrix causes a huge explosion, transforming everything in Stein's laboratory into salt.[14]

Some time after the forceful separation, Ronnie and Jason notice a third entity lurking in the Firestorm matrix.[15][16] As Firestorm, Ronnie and Jason visit Stein in an attempt to find out what is happening to them. Stein reveals to them that the Black Lantern variation still exists in the Firestorm matrix. The Life Entity tells Ronnie and Jason that they must learn from each other and defeat the Black Lantern version before the latter destroys the Entity.[17]

After running a test, Stein reveals the origin of the Firestorm matrix. Stein believes that during his initial experiments, he captured the spark that preceded the Big Bang, thereby making the Firestorm matrix a trigger for a new Big Bang. If Jason and Ronnie continue to experience emotional imbalance, they increase the likelihood of triggering a new Big Bang. After Stein explains this, the voice inside them speaks again and stands before them, now calling itself Deathstorm.[18]

Deathstorm reveals its plan to Stein, stating that it intends to create enough emotional instability between Ronnie and Jason that the Firestorm matrix will trigger another Big Bang, destroying all life in the universe. In order to help accomplish this goal, Deathstorm absorbs Stein's mind to use his knowledge of Ronnie against him; then, to torture Jason, Deathstorm brings his father Alvin to the lab to absorb as well.

Deathstorm teleports to an unknown location, while Jason and Ronnie seek help from the Justice League.[19] Firestorm is placed in a containment chamber while the League search for a way to stabilize the energy. An internal argument between Ronnie and Jason ignites the spark, transporting them to the antimatter universe of Qward.[20][21] Meanwhile, Deathstorm and the Black Lanterns deliver the White Lantern Battery to the Anti-Monitor.[22] When Ronnie and Jason confront him, Deathstorm brings Stein out of the Firestorm matrix to taunt the two with. Deathstorm attempts to turn Jason and Ronnie into salt, but Stein takes the brunt of the attack and dies. Jason and Ronnie decide to truly work together to avenge Stein's death. The Entity declares that Ronnie has accomplished his mission, creating a burst of white energy that obliterates the Black Lanterns, returns Jason's father to his home, and deposits Firestorm in the Star City forest.[23]

The New 52

[edit]

After the events of the 2011 Flashpoint storyline, The New 52 reality altered Firestorm's personal history to the point of being completely restarted; Ronnie Raymond is now introduced as a high school senior and the captain of the football team.[24] During a terrorist attack on their school, Jason Rusch gives his classmate a vial that he obtained from Martin Stein, which contains the "god particle", one of Stein's creations. The particle transforms both Jason and Ronnie into Firestorm, and the two teens briefly battle each other before accidentally merging into a creature known as Fury.[25] Sharing the identity of Firestorm, with Ronnie being the brawn and Jason being the brains, Firestorm is considered for recruitment into the Justice League along with several other heroes.

In the 2016 miniseries Legends of Tomorrow, Jason is separated from the Firestorm matrix after Stein mistakenly believes that it is harming him.[26][27] However, he continues to appear in association with Firestorm and eventually rejoins the matrix.[28][29]

Powers and abilities

[edit]
Main article: Firestorm (character) § Powers and abilities

Other versions

[edit]

An alternate timeline version of Jason Rusch appears in Flashpoint: Legion of Doom #1, where he is killed by Heat Wave.[30]

In other media

[edit]
See also: Firestorm (character) § In other media

Television

[edit]
  • Jason Rusch / Firestorm appears in Batman: The Brave and the Bold, voiced by Tyler James Williams.[31] This version is a high school student who became Firestorm alongside his teacher Ronnie Raymond after they are exposed to supercharged nuclear energy during an explosion created by Doctor Double X. Additionally, his suit is a containment suit that limits his energy and prevents it from harming others.[32]
  • Jason Rusch appears in The Flash episode "Revenge of the Rogues", portrayed by Luc Roderique.[33][34] This version is one of several scientists who worked on Martin Stein's F.I.R.E.S.T.O.R.M. matrix. After the U.S. army takes over the project following Stein's disappearance and S.T.A.R. Labs' particle accelerator explosion, Rusch begins working at Mercury Labs.

Film

[edit]

Video games

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Jason Rusch

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Jason Rusch is a fictional superhero in the DC Comics universe, best known as the second primary host of the Firestorm identity, the Nuclear Man. A young African-American student introduced in Firestorm (vol. 3) #1 in July 2004, Rusch becomes bonded to the Firestorm matrix—a quantum fusion process—following the death of the original Firestorm, Ronnie Raymond, allowing him to merge with the consciousness of Professor Martin Stein or others to access immense nuclear-based abilities. Created by writer Dan Jolley and artist ChrisCross, Rusch's debut relaunched the series (2004–2007), portraying him as a teenager navigating personal challenges, including an abusive home life in , while discovering his powers amid threats like supervillains and cosmic entities. In this matrix, Rusch shares control with his partner, enabling feats such as atomic transmutation, energy projection, flight, and superhuman durability, making Firestorm one of DC's most powerful defenders against global and interdimensional dangers. Rusch's character has evolved across DC continuities, including the New 52 reboot where he bonds directly with Ronnie Raymond as high school students ensnared in a super-science conspiracy, and appearances in team-ups with the Justice League. He has featured in major events like Infinite Crisis and Brightest Day, often exploring themes of identity, cooperation, and responsibility in wielding god-like power. While primarily a comic book figure, Rusch's likeness inspired elements in animated projects, such as the voice portrayal in Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths (2010).

Publication history

Creation and debut

Jason Rusch, the second primary host of the Firestorm matrix, was created by writer Dan Jolley and penciler ChrisCross to revitalize the Firestorm character following the apparent death of the original host, Ronnie Raymond. This new iteration aimed to introduce a more contemporary protagonist while preserving the core concept of nuclear-powered duality originally established by Gerry Conway and Al Milgrom in 1978. Rusch debuted in Firestorm (vol. 3) #1, which bore a cover date of July 2004 and went on sale May 5, 2004. In the issue, written by Jolley with art by ChrisCross and inks by John Dell, Jason Rusch is portrayed as a 17-year-old African American high school from , , navigating personal hardships including an abusive alcoholic father and financial pressures to fund his college aspirations. While working a at a local and reluctantly assisting a neighborhood criminal, Rusch encounters the unstable Firestorm matrix—released after Raymond's demise in the Identity Crisis storyline—and becomes its new dominant host, granting him atomic transmutation and energy projection abilities. This debut issue sets up Rusch's internal conflict, as the matrix's voice of Professor Martin Stein urges him toward heroism amid his chaotic civilian life.

Major series and storylines

Jason Rusch's debut as Firestorm occurred in the 2004 series Firestorm: The Nuclear Man, where the teenager from bonds with physicist Martin Stein to form the nuclear-powered hero, confronting personal struggles including an abusive father and local crime while battling villains like the nuclear terrorist . In this 35-issue run, key arcs explored Jason's growth within the Firestorm matrix, including the "In My Father's House" storyline that delved into family secrets and a mystery surrounding Stein's return, culminating in confrontations with the Nuclear Man and other elemental threats. The series also featured the "Reborn" arc, set one year after , in which Jason averts a nuclear in and engages in a climactic battle against and , extending to the sun's core. During the Infinite Crisis event (2005–2006), Jason's Firestorm merges with an unexpected partner and ventures into space alongside Donna Troy, intersecting with the multiversal conflict and reshaping the hero's cosmic role. Post-crisis, in issue #21 of Firestorm: The Nuclear Man, Jason undertakes a journey through the entity's past, present, and future in the wake of catastrophic events from Infinite Crisis #4. In the weekly series 52 (2006–2007), Jason attempts to assemble a new Justice League during the heroes' "missing year," navigating global chaos and his evolving identity as Firestorm. The Blackest Night crossover (2009) saw Jason merge with Gehenna DeVore to combat the Black Lantern Corps, including a resurrected and corrupted Ronnie Raymond as Deathstorm, who absorbs the Firestorm matrix and forces a confrontation across emotional spectrum conflicts. This led into Brightest Day (2010), where Jason and Ronnie separate from Deathstorm, reclaim the matrix, and explore its deeper secrets, including ties to the white light of life. In the New 52 relaunch, The Fury of Firestorm: The Nuclear Men (2011–2012) reintroduced Jason bonded with Ronnie Raymond, as the duo uncovers a global conspiracy involving rogue Firestorm protocols, battles international variants like Rakshasa, and grapples with unstable powers linked to the Quantum Field. Later developments in DC Rebirth saw Jason mentoring new Firestorms and integrating into team dynamics in Justice League titles, emphasizing cooperation within the matrix.

Fictional character biography

Early life and origin

Jason Rusch was born and raised in , , as an African American teenager facing significant personal and financial challenges in his early life. Growing up in a working-class family, Rusch initially experienced a stable home environment with both parents, but this changed dramatically when his , Alvin Rusch, suffered a severe industrial accident at his workplace, resulting in the loss of a hand. This incident led to his father's unemployment and subsequent bitterness, which manifested as abusive toward . Compounding the family's difficulties, Rusch's mother abandoned them shortly after the accident, leaving Jason to navigate an unstable household marked by emotional and physical hardship. As a high school student at the age of seventeen, Rusch balanced his with part-time work at Bryson's Family Treat to save money for , driven by a strong desire to escape the poverty and turmoil of his neighborhood. He was portrayed as intelligent and level-headed, often dealing with at and the pressures of his circumstances, yet determined to build a better future through academics and self-reliance. These early experiences shaped Rusch's resilient character, emphasizing themes of overcoming adversity in urban environments. Rusch's origin as Firestorm began in the aftermath of Ronnie Raymond's death during the Identity Crisis storyline in 2004. The sentient Firestorm Matrix, a nuclear energy entity that had previously bonded Raymond with Professor Martin Stein, sought a new host to sustain its existence. While on a risky courier job arranged by a local criminal to fund his college aspirations, Rusch encountered the glowing matrix, which had been drawn to him due to his latent potential. The matrix bonded with Rusch, granting him extraordinary nuclear-based powers and transforming him into the new , though he initially struggled with the entity's overwhelming nature and the accidental consequences of his first activation, including the death of his employer. This fusion marked Rusch's abrupt entry into the superhero world, debuting in Firestorm (vol. 3) #1 in July 2004, created by writer Dan Jolley and artist ChrisCross.

Formation as Firestorm and early adventures

Jason Rusch, a 17-year-old high school student and African American from Detroit, Michigan, worked at a local restaurant to save money for college while living with his father in a strained, co-dependent relationship marked by emotional tension. Following the death of Ronnie Raymond during the events of Identity Crisis, the Firestorm matrix—a nuclear-powered entity that enables fusion between individuals—sought a new host and bonded with Rusch, granting him the ability to merge with others to become the new Firestorm. Rusch's transformation occurred during a perilous courier job arranged by a local criminal, Stevie Golek; after a vehicle crash triggered by an explosion, Rusch encountered a dying man amid a gunfight, at which point flames and energy enveloped him, fusing his body with the consciousness of Professor Martin Stein as the initial matrix partner. In this fused state, Firestorm possessed enhanced physical abilities, including flight, energy projection, intangibility, and matter transmutation, though Rusch initially struggled with control, particularly the transmutation aspect, which risked unintended consequences. Stein's presence within the matrix provided guidance but also created internal conflict, as Rusch, the dominant personality controlling the body, navigated the dual existence while hiding his powers from his everyday life. The debut issue focused primarily on Rusch's pre-transformation challenges, culminating in his first manifestation as Firestorm on the final page, setting the stage for his reluctant heroism. Early adventures in the 2004 Firestorm series (vol. 3) emphasized Rusch's adjustment to his dual life, as he balanced high school friendships, family pressures, and emerging threats. In subsequent issues, Rusch experimented with fusing with trusted allies, such as his best friend Mick Wong, to combat local criminals and dangers, including a villainous entity known as the Glow who targeted nuclear-powered beings. These stories explored themes of responsibility and identity, with Rusch often facing moral dilemmas over using his powers for personal gain or protection, while Stein urged a more heroic path. One key early arc involved Rusch's capture by a secretive organization hunting Firestorm research, leading to his temporary alliance with the mysterious , whom he later fused with as a partner after Stein's brief separation from the matrix. Throughout these encounters, Rusch's inexperience led to chaotic battles, such as accidental transmutations during fights, underscoring his growth from an ordinary teen to a defender against nuclear threats.

Infinite Crisis and 52

During the event, Jason Rusch, bonded initially with as , faced severe challenges amid the multiversal conflict orchestrated by . Critically injured in space while combating threats tied to Luthor's plan to dismantle and rebuild reality, Rusch was on the verge of death. Martin Stein, who had survived as a disembodied "Elemental Firestorm" entity in the vacuum of space, detected Rusch's peril and initiated a merge, integrating into the Firestorm matrix as the secondary consciousness with Rusch as the dominant host. This fusion stabilized Rusch and enhanced the duo's capabilities, allowing them to return to . The newly formed Firestorm (Rusch/Stein) played a pivotal role in thwarting Luthor's scheme. In Infinite Crisis #4, they confronted the villain directly, utilizing their nuclear transmutation powers to seal a catastrophic rift in reality that Luthor had opened, which threatened to engulf the universe in antimatter. This intervention helped stabilize the during the crisis, though it left Firestorm exhausted and contributed to the broader reconfiguration of the . The event solidified the Rusch/Stein partnership as the core of the Firestorm identity moving forward. Following , the 52 weekly miniseries depicted Firestorm's involvement in the year-long absence of the core members. A malfunctioning Zeta Beam—intended for —interfered with the Firestorm matrix, causing Jason Rusch and Martin Stein to fuse with Victor Stone () in a grotesque, involuntary hybrid entity. This "Fireborg" amalgamation combined Firestorm's energy manipulation with Cyborg's cybernetic systems but resulted in shared nervous systems, immense pain, and loss of individual control, turning them into a rampaging threat. The fusion lasted several weeks, during which the entity inadvertently aided in battles but struggled with . Eventually, heroes including Nightwing and Batman intervened to separate the trio using technology from S.T.A.R. Labs. Post-separation, (Rusch/Stein) and recovered and collaborated to track down the source of the Zeta Beam anomaly, leading them to confront during his rampage. This ordeal highlighted the vulnerabilities of the Firestorm matrix to external disruptions while reinforcing Rusch's growth as a hero navigating unstable partnerships.

Blackest Night and Brightest Day

During the Blackest Night crossover event, Jason Rusch, operating as Firestorm alongside Professor Martin Stein, visited the grave of Ronnie Raymond in Pittsburgh with his girlfriend Gehenna Hewitt. A Black Power Ring, dispatched by Nekron, selected Raymond's corpse for resurrection, transforming him into a Black Lantern. The undead Raymond then targeted Rusch, murdering Hewitt by ripping out her heart to acquire the emotional energy needed to sustain his reanimated form. Forcing a merger through the Firestorm Matrix, the Black Lantern Raymond absorbed Rusch's body, creating Deathstorm—a necrotic, inverted version of Firestorm with a black costume and the ability to manipulate dark energy alongside nuclear transmutation. Deathstorm subsequently joined the Black Lantern assault on the Justice League, battling heroes including Barry Allen (the Flash) and engaging in widespread destruction before being ultimately defeated through the combined energies of the emotional spectrum Lantern Corps. At the climax of Blackest Night #8, the entity known as the White Lantern intervened, expelling white light that resurrected twelve individuals—including Ronnie Raymond—across the DC Universe, marking the transition into the Brightest Day storyline. In Brightest Day, Raymond's revival activated a white energy construct embedded in his chest, granting him enhanced Firestorm abilities but compelling him to bond once more with Rusch to stabilize the matrix; however, this fusion trapped Rusch's consciousness within a shared psychic space, with Raymond assuming primary physical control of their merged form. Initial tensions arose from Rusch's grief and resentment over Hewitt's death at the hands of the Black Lantern Raymond, leading to internal conflicts that manifested as unstable energy bursts and strained interactions with allies like the Justice League. As the narrative progressed, the duo delved into the Matrix's origins, confronting multiversal threats including echoes of the Black Lanterns and a parasitic entity feeding on their nuclear . Rusch's light quest centered on and , forcing him to confront 's past recklessness while battling villains such as the Nuclear Man. By the series' conclusion in Brightest Day #24, the pair achieved harmony, unlocking the matrix's full potential to allow voluntary switching of control between their consciousnesses and temporary separation without destabilizing their powers. With their purposes fulfilled, the energy dissipated, leaving Rusch and Raymond as a more cohesive entity prepared for future challenges.

The New 52

In continuity, launched after the 2011 Flashpoint event, Jason Rusch is depicted as a 17-year-old high school senior in , working on the school newspaper and living with his abusive father. During a terrorist assault on his school led by his former friend Cliff Carmichael, who seeks revenge and targets research on the "God Particle"—a revolutionary energy source developed by Professor Martin Stein—Jason accidentally activates the particle, granting him nuclear-based powers and transforming him into . At the same time, Ronnie Raymond, a popular athlete from the same school, merges with Stein's consciousness to become a separate Firestorm entity. The duo initially operates independently, with Jason's intellectual approach clashing against Ronnie's more impulsive nature, leading to a confrontation where they briefly battle before merging their forms into the enhanced "Fury" to defeat Carmichael. This partnership forms the core of The Fury of Firestorm: The Nuclear Men (2011–2013, issues #1–12), written by Gail Simone and Ethan Van Sciver, illustrated by Yildiray Çinar, which reveals the God Particle's unintended consequence: the creation of unstable rogue Firestorms worldwide, exploited by shadowy organizations like S.H.A.D.E. for weaponization. Jason and Ronnie must hunt these volatile duplicates—such as the Russian Pozharnin and Chinese Firestorm—while grappling with the particle's corrupting influence and ethical dilemmas over its destructive potential. Beginning with issue #13, writer-artist retitles the series Fury of Firestorm: The Nuclear Man and reverts to the classic merged concept, with Jason and Ronnie sharing a single body and mind, allowing Jason's strategic mind to balance Ronnie's physicality. This run emphasizes their evolving dynamic as reluctant partners, facing classic adversaries like the Flash's Rogues (including and Heat Wave), who pursue to harness his nuclear energy for criminal schemes. The story arcs involve international threats, such as thwarting a rogue attack in and allying with Lorraine Reilly (Firehawk), while uncovering the "Firestorm Protocol"—a containment program tied to Stein's legacy. Jurgens incorporates crossovers, including a team-up with , to integrate into the broader . Firestorm's role expands in major events: during Trinity War (2013), Jason, under coercion from Amanda Waller, generates synthetic kryptonite to test against Superman, highlighting the team's internal conflicts. In Forever Evil (2013–2014), the Crime Syndicate invades; Firestorm confronts the antimatter duplicate Deathstorm (an evil Ronnie Raymond variant from Earth-3), who traps Jason within the Firestorm Matrix, forcing Ronnie to operate solo until Batman and Lex Luthor's alliance liberates him post-Syndicate defeat. The series ends with issue #20 in 2013, leaving Jason and Ronnie as a stabilized hero duo amid ongoing nuclear threats.

DC Rebirth and later developments

In the DC Rebirth era beginning in 2016, Jason Rusch's involvement with the Firestorm matrix shifted dramatically. The six-issue miniseries Legends of Tomorrow depicted Ronnie Raymond being forcibly separated from Jason due to instability in their bond, stemming from Martin Stein's earlier experiments with the Firestorm Protocol. This separation occurred amid a crisis where Danton Black stole Stein's research, forcing Ronnie to seek a new fusion partner. Unable to reconnect with Jason, Ronnie ultimately rebonded with Stein, restoring their classic partnership and sidelining Jason from active Firestorm duties. Post-separation, Jason retained residual powers and knowledge from , including glimpses into the histories of previous hosts, but he stepped back from frontline heroism to focus on his personal life as a young adult in . He made occasional cameos in broader DC events, supporting the Firestorm legacy without re-fusing. For instance, during the storyline (2017–2019), elements of the Firestorm matrix's instability echoed Jason's prior experiences, though Ronnie and Stein handled the central conflicts, such as Ronnie's uncontrolled transmutation of Russian civilians into glass during a confrontation with Pozhar. By the reboot in 2021, Jason was reestablished as an openly character, emphasizing his role as a diverse icon in DC's pantheon while highlighting his ongoing recovery from the matrix's psychological toll. This update integrated him into themes of identity and resilience amid multiversal changes. In later developments, including (2022), Jason remained in the background as Ronnie declined a invitation, underscoring the matrix's evolving dynamics without Jason's direct involvement. As of 2025, Jason continues to be referenced as a pivotal former host, with no major solo arcs but potential for future matrix reconnections in ongoing DC narratives.

Powers and abilities

Powers

Jason Rusch possesses superhuman abilities derived from his integration into the Firestorm Matrix, a quantum energy construct that fuses his consciousness with that of another individual to form the composite hero Firestorm. This matrix enables atomic and molecular manipulation on a fundamental level, granting Firestorm control over matter and in ways that transcend conventional physics. As Firestorm, Rusch demonstrates , capable of lifting massive weights and delivering devastating physical blows, with his power level amplified by the matrix's energy reserves. His is extraordinary, allowing him to withstand bullets, explosions, and extreme environmental hazards without injury, thanks to reinforced molecular structure. Flight is achieved through propulsion via manipulated thermal updrafts or pure energy thrust, enabling speeds exceeding 600 miles per hour and travel into . A core power is molecular reconstruction, where Firestorm rearranges subatomic particles to transmute elements, create objects from raw matter, or heal injuries by reforming tissue—though this is unstable when applied to living beings and requires precise knowledge of atomic composition. Energy projection manifests as potent nuclear blasts or bursts, which can disintegrate targets or power constructs, while energy absorption allows him to siphon electromagnetic, solar, or kinetic forces to replenish his reserves or redirect them offensively. Regeneration facilitates rapid recovery from damage by reconstructing his form at the cellular level. Additional abilities include density control, altering his body's mass to become as light as or dense as for phasing through solids or enhanced protection; enhanced senses such as quark vision, providing , microscopic, and thermal perception; and self-sustenance, eliminating the need for food, air, or rest in hostile environments like vacuum. The matrix also grants eidetic memory recall of past hosts' experiences and a psychic link to bonded partners, often visualized as floating heads during internal dialogues. These powers collectively position Firestorm as a versatile defender against threats ranging from street-level crime to cosmic-scale disasters.

Abilities and equipment

As Firestorm, Jason Rusch demonstrates exceptional scientific acumen inherited through the Firestorm Matrix, particularly drawing from the expertise of nuclear physicist Martin Stein. This connection provides him with advanced knowledge in physics, chemistry, and atomic theory, allowing for precise application of his powers in strategic scenarios, such as analyzing energy patterns or devising countermeasures against scientific threats. Rusch also exhibits strong tactical and leadership skills honed through his experiences in team environments, including his time with the and . His ability to collaborate effectively stems from his role in the fusion , emphasizing cooperation and quick decision-making under pressure. These non-physical abilities complement his role as a defender, enabling him to coordinate with allies and adapt to complex battles. Firestorm relies on no external equipment; all capabilities arise intrinsically from the Firestorm Matrix, a quantum entanglement of consciousnesses that manifests the hero's form and abilities without need for gadgets or weaponry.

Other versions

Flashpoint universe

In the alternate reality of the Flashpoint event, Jason Rusch exists as one-half of the dual-entity hero Firestorm, bonded with Ronnie Raymond through the Firestorm Matrix. This version of Firestorm operates in a war-torn world where Aquaman and Wonder Woman are locked in global conflict, and superheroes navigate a fractured landscape of altered histories. Rusch's primary appearance occurs in the Flashpoint: Legion of Doom miniseries, where he and are targeted by the villain Heatwave, a member of the incarcerated in a high-security prison. Obsessed with and envious of Firestorm's nuclear powers, Heatwave ambushes the duo after they separate from their merged form. He incinerates Rusch, killing him instantly in a brutal attack aimed at eliminating him as a partner so Heatwave can bond with instead. Raymond survives the assault and reforms as Firestorm alone, but Rusch's death underscores the heightened stakes and personal vendettas in the Flashpoint timeline, contributing to the chaotic unraveling of this divergent universe. The event highlights Rusch's vulnerability outside the matrix bond, emphasizing themes of instability in the heroes' altered existences.

Injustice universe

In the Injustice universe, Jason Rusch is a Hudson University student who becomes one half of the superhero after bonding with the Firestorm Matrix during a terrorist attack orchestrated by Cliff Carmichael using Professor Martin Stein's "God Particle" from the Firestorm Protocol. This fusion occurs in the aftermath of Superman's collapse, merging Rusch's consciousness with Stein's to form a single entity capable of molecular manipulation. Recruited by Batman, joins efforts to restore order and rebuild society, serving as a key ally in Batman's against lingering Regime threats. During Brainiac's invasion of Earth, Firestorm, alongside Blue Beetle, is assigned to guard the imprisoned Superman at a secure facility, acting as the final line of defense against potential rescue attempts by Regime loyalists. The duo confronts and subdues attackers including , , as Robin, , and Kara , with Firestorm using his powers to synthesize gold , which weakens and prevents his escape. In a tense moment, Firestorm threatens to transmute into a nuclear bomb but is intervened by Batman, highlighting the internal conflict between Rusch and Stein's differing moral perspectives within their shared mind. Later, Firestorm is captured by Gorilla Grodd's Society and subsequently brainwashed by Brainiac, forcing the hero to serve the alien collector aboard his Skull Ship and battle Batman's forces. Firestorm is eventually freed from Brainiac's control by Batman, resuming his role in the fight against the invasion. In one possible epilogue scenario, Firestorm contributes to Brainiac's defeat by overheating the Skull Ship's systems with the Firestorm Matrix, triggering a chain reaction that destroys the stolen cities—including and City—held captive by the villain. This outcome leaves Rusch and Stein reflecting on the cost of their heroism, as the destruction claims countless lives despite saving Earth from greater peril, underscoring the duo's ongoing struggle to balance power and responsibility. Throughout their adventures, Rusch and Stein maintain a link that often leads to banter and disagreement, with Rusch's youthful idealism clashing against Stein's more cautious, professorial viewpoint.

In other media

Television

Jason Rusch first appeared in animated television as one half of Firestorm in the series Batman: The Brave and the Bold. In this version, Rusch is depicted as a 17-year-old genius high school student who fuses with his science teacher, Ronnie Raymond, following a nuclear explosion caused by the villainous Doctor Polaris during a school field trip. Voiced by Tyler James Williams, Rusch provides the intellectual component of the Firestorm matrix, contrasting with Raymond's more impulsive personality, voiced by Bill Fagerbakke. The character debuted in the episode "A Bat Divided!" (Season 2, Episode 8), where the fusion occurs amid Batman's temporary division into three personas by an explosion, leading to assist in recombining him. Rusch and as also appear in " of , Part One" (Season 2, Episode 22), battling 's mind-controlled heroes, and " Descending!" (Season 2, Episode 24), where they confront and alongside Batman and other members. This portrayal emphasizes 's nuclear energy manipulation and transmutation abilities in team-up scenarios typical of the series._Episode:_The_Siege_of_Starro,_Part_One!) In live-action television, Rusch appears in the Arrowverse series The Flash (2014–2023), portrayed by Luc Roderique. Here, he is reimagined as a graduate student from Hudson University and a former participant in the F.I.R.E.S.T.O.R.M. project under Professor Martin Stein, working as a scientist at Mercury Labs in Central City. Unlike his comic counterpart, Rusch does not become Firestorm; instead, the role is filled by Ronnie Raymond and Jefferson Jackson in the shared universe. Rusch's debut occurs in the Season 1 episode "Revenge of the Rogues" (Episode 4), where he interacts with Caitlin Snow while researching the explosion that created Barry Allen's powers. He is later mentioned in "Fallout" (Season 1, Episode 14), revealing that government officials confiscated his research materials related to the F.I.R.E.S.T.O.R.M. project, tying into the origins of in the series. These appearances establish Rusch as a minor supporting character connected to the scientific backdrop of the Arrowverse's metahuman events.

Film

Jason Rusch first appeared as Firestorm in the animated film Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths (2010), voiced by Cedric Yarbrough. In this story, inspired by the classic DC Comics tale of the Crime , Firestorm is recruited by Batman to join a makeshift against the evil counterparts from a parallel Earth led by . As a member of the team, Firestorm demonstrates his nuclear energy manipulation and flight abilities during confrontations with syndicate members like Johnny Quick and , ultimately contributing to the heroes' efforts to prevent multiversal domination. Firestorm reprises his role in the LEGO-themed animated film LEGO DC Comics Super Heroes: The Flash (2018), with providing the voice. The plot centers on The Flash racing to stop from stealing the Speed Force and unleashing chaos across Central City. Firestorm supports the of , using his pyrokinetic and molecular transmutation powers in team-based action sequences to aid in battles against villains including the Rogues and a mind-controlled . His inclusion highlights the collaborative nature of the in this lighthearted, brick-built adventure. As of , these remain the primary animated film portrayals of Rusch as , with no live-action appearances in theatrical or productions.

Video games

Jason Rusch, as the co-host of the matrix, has appeared in several DC Comics-licensed video games, often depicted as a young hero with nuclear energy manipulation abilities shared with Martin Stein. In Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure (2013), developed by and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, featuring Jason Rusch is available as a summonable character. Players can invoke him to assist in puzzle-solving by using his fire-based attacks and transmutation powers to alter objects in the environment. This portrayal aligns with his role as a versatile capable of rearranging molecular structures. Firestorm (Jason Rusch/Martin Stein) is a playable fighter in (2017), developed by . Voiced by Ogie Banks as Rusch and as Stein, the character serves as an ally to Batman's resistance against Brainiac's invasion. His moveset emphasizes energy projection, flight, and atomic restructuring, including super moves that demonstrate his dynamic. In the game's story mode, Rusch bonds with Stein to become , aiding in restoring order post-Regime collapse. The Jason Rusch version of appears in LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham (2014), developed by for various platforms including consoles and portables. Here, he is a playable character with abilities focused on energy blasts and flight, fitting the game's humorous, brick-building style. (Jason Rusch) returns as a playable character in (2018), developed by . In this villain-centric adventure, he opposes the League of Super-Villains, utilizing his signature abilities like energy absorption and matter manipulation to progress through levels. The depiction emphasizes his heroic contrast to the game's antagonist roster.

References

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