Firebrand
Rod created by Reed Crandall & Jerry Iger
Danette created by George Perez & Gerry
Conway. Firebrand II created by Rich Buckler & Roy Thomas
+ History
Bored with his life of perpetual leisure, millionaire playboy Rod Reilly created the masked identity of Firebrand to pursue adventure and excitement. His secret was known only to his best friend "Slugger" Dunn, an ex-heavyweight boxer that trained him for his new career. Firebrand took on a vicious crime syndicate that had virtually taken over NY, but found himself mistakenly accused of being that syndicate's leader. (Police Comics #1)
Though wanted by both the police and the mob, Firebrand continued to fight crime until the early days of WWII, when he and Slugger enlisted in the navy. He was critically wounded during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and lay bedridden for many months while his sister Danette assumed the identity of Firebrand II. After recovering he joined the All-Star Squadron and fought against the Axis. After the war he became a member of Uncle Sam's Freedom Fighters. His final fate is unknown.
Danette Reilly was a vulcanologist studying volcanos that popped up north of the Hawaiian Islands in 1941. She was kidnaped by Per Degaton and Wotan; while fleeing through the cavern she was struck by a bolt of mystic energy by Wotan and fell into a vat of lava. Somehow she survived, and was rescued by the Justice Society of America.
When Danette's brother Rod was severely injured at Pearl Harbor, he sent her a key to his NYC penthouse. She found a note revealing that her brother was the mysteryman Firebrand. Intrigued she decided to continue her brother's legacy as Firbrand II. After discovering the accident in Hawaii had given her flame-based powers she applied to the All-Star Squadron and was accepted as a member.
After the former villain Cyclotron sacrificed his life to defeat the Ultra-Humanite and save the All-Star Squadron, Firebrand decided to raise his daughter Terri Curtis Rothstein as her own. She quit her adventuring career and raised the boy with Atom I.
After WWII ended Firebrand and Shining Knight became closer. She assisted him in his quest for the Holy Grail, which led to Blue Valley, Nebraska and the headquarters of the Dragon King. The Dragon King badly injured Shining Knight and supposedly murdered Firebrand. (Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. #12) But recently, the Shining Knight has been given reason to doubt the veracity of the Dragon King's claim. Whether he has investigated this possibility remains unknown.
Rod remained active through the war but sometime after that he was killed in battle with the Silver Ghost. (Canceled Comics Cavalcade #2, 1978).
From Uncle Sam & the F. F. v.2 #1 (2006). Art by Daniel Acuña.
From
Notes
Firebrand was originally published by Quality Comics, which DC obtained the rights to in 1956.
In pre-Crisis continuity Firebrand lived on Earth 2. In this continuity, after Firebrand joined the Freedom Fighters he travelled to Earth-X, a world without superheroes where the Third Reich was in power and WWII raged for over 30 years. The war finally came to an end through the combined efforts of the Freedom Fighters, Justice League and Justice Society.
Rod's sidekick, "Slugger" Dunn, first appeared in Police #1 (Aug. '41)
+ Powers
Rod was an Olympic-level athlete and superb combatant. He had trained to the height of physical perfection.
Danette was a metahuman who could project fire from her hands, surround herself in a field of fire and fly. She could control any flame in her immediate vicinity, and could absorb fire into her body harmlessly.
Appearances + References
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Firebrand I:
Firebrand II:
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Firebrand II:
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