We finally got to meet Ronnie! He and the Professor are really good together, they really nailed that tbh. The art is pretty and I do wonder where they are going with this. The cover sus me out.
Spoiler version under the cut.
The "Huh" was really my thoughts on it tbh. But lets break this down so I can figure it out.
We finally got to see Ronnie and when I remember the author saying in an interview that he didn't think Ronnie had a personality/character arch I sat there and thought "Did we read the same comic?"
Let's compare notes here.
In the original version Ronnie was a sports guy, he was really good at that and that alone. He was good at Basketball and Football and even though his father was kind of living through him in the sports, he really was good at them. As someone who also does sports I saw a lot of people with that same thing going on, they didn't care for the sport but their parents made them, but eventually some did also love the sport. This made Ronnie very much represent this group, that does tend to get ignored because they "Have it all" and really show their struggle. And how he and his dad had arguments and such about it really brought the "Dumb Jock" into view as a person as well.
Anyways they got rid of that. Nothing special.
2. In the Original it started when Ronnie was in High School, and he didn't really know what to do with his life other than sports. He wasn't good at anything other than sports. But because of Firestorm he actually got really good at Chemistry! And eventually went into that in College! It was an over time thing where he relied on Professor Stein a lot at the beginning and it got to a point that he was good enough to be okay on his own!
In this we start in College. And the only reason Ronnie went into Chemistry was to impress a girl. (Doreen Day)
I do like how Ronnie admits to the Professor, that does sound like something OG Ronnie would do. And I love how Professor Stein decides to teach him anyway! He is a lot kinder than the start of OG Stein was. (But knowing he had an anterior motive kinda doesn't sit right with me)
3. The Protests outside the Nuclear Power Plant. OG Ronnie would be out there with them and accidentally joining a terrorist group just to get caught in the blast because HE CARES ABOUT THE ENVIROMENT.
This one doesn't know anything about the protest. And how the Professor talks about the protestors is just... Hm. Shows his hand a bit.
4. Ronnie protected the Professor from the blast.
Martin protected Ronnie from the blast.
I think the difference here is that we know Ronnie always put up a tough guy act, but when stuff hit the fan he would be the first to stand up for something or someone regardless of who they were.
But in this one he's just confused and doesn't understand whats going on. And the Professor has to protect his experiment, which could be why he protected Ronnie. Or he actually cared about the kid, but we don't know yet!
---
Anyways this issue was a lot of backstory. I see what they are trying to do, which is make Ronnie more relatable, but in doing so gets rid of the group that did relate to him.
I will say, even though this was a Ronnie backstory thing, it did focus on the relationship between Ronnie and Martin, which I always feel like Martin got left behind in the past, where here they are a lot more equal.
OKAY POSITIVE STUFF
Ronnie does seem very sweet, as he tries his best and Martin also is very kind. They are both very kind. I do think Ronnie and Martin's friendship before the Firestrom stuff happened was very well done. It showed them working together and Martin actually teaching him. They have a much better relationship than at the start of the OG comic, where they really only somewhat became friends after years of working together. (They "Admitted" they were friends after years of working together, even though they always looked out for on another.)
I think it is a well written backstory, but why did they have to get rid of Jock Ronnie!? Literally we could have both, just be like "I am only good at the ball game but the girl I like only likes smart guys- Looks at Cliff as a rival again-" Like why does he have to be bad at everything?
It still feels like Ronnie, but only like, half of Ronnie. Gotta wait for the next Issue to see if he has his Fight or Fight mentality. (You know the one, like he doesn't start a fight, But he'll end it. (Looks at Cliff.))
At least we have been blessed with a baby Ronnie
That cover though is still super sus. I don't trust it until I see the sketch or line are layers.
I really liked it, the story line so far is really interesting and I can't wait to see where it's going to go! The art is amazing and I really liked one very specific few pages as it really showed the people making the comic really do love Firestorm. I have high hopes for this one!
Go read it!
Firestorm has classically had bad sales, so if you can, please buy a copy!
Now the Spoiler thoughts under the cut!!!!!!!!!
SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS
ALRIGHT. SPOILER TIME!
DUUUUUUUUDE-
Okay so, this went over my head, but my friend who also ready it was like "Book of Genesis ref" right at the beginning, which like- Cool!
I like Lorraine Rielly's intro, I like how she makes jokes(?):
I like how she messes with them! :)
We also get confirmation that the different version of Firestorm have already happened!
Which, I'm really happy about tbh! I thought they may go for a full reboot (Like new 52) BUT THEY DIDN'T! It feels more like a continuation but with a step to the left, so we aren't 100% sure of all the events that happened, but you can still ref the old comics to get more context on whats going on!
Also from this line up and the fact Lorraine lives alone, I'm shooting for this being around College age Ronnie.
I love how Lorraine immediately defends Ronnie. Its said they are currently Ex's, so I wonder what happened there!
It's also confirmed that it's only Ronnie in there, which is interesting because I always felt the era Ronnie was there alone to be one we never got to see a lot of. I mainly remember Extreme Justice as the main point there.
Anyways, time for some HORRORS
This Firestorm is a contender for WTF HOW TF WHO LET YOU BECOME SO BEEFY!? As he does this-
Didn't even have to snap JESUS-
Anyways, the long and short of it is that RONNIE ISN'T IN THE DRIVERS SEAT.
But where is Ronnie? You may ask- WELLLLL
He is in lala land.
I actually really love this, this is 100% something trapping Ronnie's mind here, but what really got me was the fact that this entire section is in the old art style!? I FLIPPEN LOVE THAT-
And you wanna know something that makes this even better????
Throughout the entire comic, it has perfect lines, and perfect coloring, but in this section you can actually see where the lines go out of the panel or some coloring mistakes as if it was hand colored!
I love this.
Now your probably wonder wtf happened to Ronnie-
WELLL YOU SEE-
The long and short of it basically is that the Matrix is Sentient.
mhm
Oh no.
I actually really like this, because in the original series and all this was just hand waved away. "Yeah the Matrix doesn't like the Professor anymore, so it haaas to be Ronnie and Jason." - "Oh the Matrix doesn't like seeing Ronnie and Jason fight and it could destroy the universe if they do"
Casually.
But I like how they took 2 things we never really explored, and made it main plot.
Now things I noticed;
Lorraine had a panty shot... But we also see naked Prof Stein so like... Equal Opportunity.
We get 2 pages of Ronnie and I can't wait to see more. I like his outfit, I may have accidently wore something similar to the Comic Book Store and only realized when I cracked it open to read in the car.
Theory Wise;
I think this is the Matrix talking to Ronnie, but the reason they stopped was because he locked Ronnie away in the mind space.
I also think that the reason he boke free a little isn't by accident, it could be because Lorraine is there???
Idk he's crashing out, but it could have happened with the Professor and him stopped talking?? Considering Martin is naked and burning things I feel like the man is also crashing out about the Matrix.
I can't wait to see the crazy stuff that's going to be revealed.
Final Thoughts:
I love it. I like how they took stuff from the other series and added to it. It really feels like a love letter. The art is amazing, I love the older style being used to show the illusion Ronnie is trapped in. I love the mind space and how spooky it looks. I cannot wait for the next Issue.
And one last thing, this is my favorite part in any Firestorm (any tbh) Comic- The little guys.
We only for 4 in this first issue, but I love these lil dudes.
Did.... Did the author and I read the same comic series??? Long story short everything we've ever known was a lie and everyone is upset. It also seems we are getting ready for the final battle (Prob because there was originally only going to be 6 issues, but now there's 9)
Okay! Spoilers under the cut!
SPOILER TIME
Martin tortured Lorraine to become a way to control Ronnie :) :) :)
WTF.
And Martin has a device that could stop the Matrix.
Okay.
........
Its going to break immediately isn't it?
Then Martin is going to say sorry, only for the Matrix to try and kill him.
Then either Ronnie is going to stop it because he's a good person and he'll be like "It was real Ronnie! You WERE like a Son to me!" and they are going to fuse and everything will be okay, and maybe Ronnie and Lorraine will kiss.
OR- Lorraine is going to save Martin right before being killed, and Ronnie and her are going to end up Kissing after a fight scene and through the power of Love he will be saved.
OR OR- Martin DOES die, and Ronnie crashes out on the Matrix for that, and Lorraine fights Firestorm to help Ronnie take back control.
There is a non-zero chance Lorraine ends up in the Matrix with Ronnie.
...
Anyways Firestorm is in Pittsburgh now.
That's all that happened.
It felt very empty.
Remember when we would get a full adventure in 1 issue??? Maybe 2 if it's a little long??? I think everyone talks too much and too little all at the same time.
Thats honestly all I can think about for this Issue, thats why I wait a month to actually do these, so I can let it sit for a time. I just really don't like what they did to Lorraine.
Real tempted to make that fanfic.... This could have been so interesting.
I was honestly not excited to pick this up today, But I'll get them all, mainly because I have a goal to own every Firestorm issue. (Missing 39 issues of the 70s era and like 90% of Jason's era, because I just never find them, I was gifted all of new 52 Firestorm so I don't have to look for that anymore.)
Forgot to do this last month, so we gonna do this one then in a bit we'll out up Issue 4's thoughts-
NO SPOILERS
Yup. That was a comic!
Okay in all seriousness, they really did Stein dirty. And this issue feels really short tbh. Also Jason is here now, and I am happy for him.
Okay spoiler version under the cut!
SPOILERS NOW
Wtf did they do to my favorite Comic book father figure!? Ronnie is my favorite character in media, and they took Martin and made him FLIPPEN SUCK. What is this CW Martin!?- wait sorry that's an insult to the CW.
Okay so. They gave him a dead son, which I'm guessing he also is either divorced or has a dead wife too. Also, Martin was 43 when Ronnie was 17 in the old comics (if I remember correctly,) He looks old af in this (And a lot of later stuff, they just keep making him older) I did laugh when it was revealed he slept his way to the top.
Then the way he messed with Ronnie!? Wtf!?!?!?!?!?!?!
AND ALSO- AGAIN-
From my Issue 2 reactions, Ronnie would 100% know wtf is going on outside, HE WOULD HAVE JOINED THEM.
Then the Professor protecting Ronnie really takes a LOT of Ronnie's agency away.
On Lorraine's part, we do get to see her visit Jason! And honestly, yeah, I could see him having a kid tbh... (Thinking about how in new 52 he went and had fun with girls while Ronnie was getting tortured.) Anyways, I'm happy for him, let him have a wife and kid, I hope he is a good dad (Like og Martin was!)
Also I do find it really funny that there was a secret Firestrom hideout. That only Martin, Ronnie and Jason knew about.
Anyways, going back to the interview the writer did for this series, he said "Should Ronnie be redeemed!?" Um..... This isn't one of those stories, it's a "We need to save Ronnie" type of thing.
And lastly " "I created god..." "
Thanks I hate it.
At least the art is pretty. Honestly this is making me want to write a fanfiction on how I would have approached the idea "The Matrix is Alive" and Ronnie is alone with it.
