Closing out the War

While Red Tornado had a prominent role throughout "The Elemental War," issue #93 of Firestorm really set the Elemental Android back on the path towards heroism.

The issue opens with Reddy scaring some pilots over Tokyo. As promised, here's that special moment between Firestorm and Red Tornado with a little Swamp Thing on the side (kinda like parsley - yeah, I went there).

From here, Reddy splits and eventually seeks out Captain Atom, more of which will be investigated in the near (or not-so-near) future. Of note, since this is the absolute last entry in "The Elemental War" crossover, be sure to check out Diabolu Frank's post over at the Power of the Atom. Frank provides a funny, unbridled assessment of Reddy's new threads.

More Elemental War

So Shag started this whole thing going - and by whole thing I mean the retrospective crossover analysis of the "The Elemental War" story from Firestorm in 1989 - with his inital thoughts on "The Elemental War." I added some initial thoughts on Red Tornado's involvement in the war, but left you all hanging, waiting for more.

In the interim, Shag revisited the War, specifically Firestorm's encounter with Maya - the spirit of the Earth itself. Following that, Shag shared his thoughts on Firestorm's chat with Swamp Thing. Ah, the good ol' days of DC Comics where Swamp Thing could make an appearance or two and not be considered a licensing risk.

Along the way, Frank Delano - over on his Power of the Atom blog - shared some funny thoughts about Reddy's new shell such as it is at the end of issue #93.

Meanwhile here, however, let's take a look at the fury that spins out from Red Tornado during the War.

Teaming up with Naiad, Red Tornado moves in to put the hurt on Nohana, and there's no escaping a ravaging BADAM! 

Following a successful and hideously destructive strike on Nohana, the duo set their sights on Tokyo. As they plod along, Firestorm meets Maya (previously mentioned, be sure to check it out over at Firestorm Fan) and the two discuss the origin of Red Tornado.

There's an asterisk in Maya's word balloon that doesn't have any creidt attached to it, so I'm curious as to what exactly it is that she's saying about Red Tornado and his beginnings. Those beginnings, as described here, seem to fly in the face of what was established shortly before in the pages of Justice League of America.

Naturally Red Tornado's continuing story goes elsewhere from here, but the next issue features a special moment between Firestorm and Reddy.

Elemental War

You all know my friend, Shag, right? He of Firestorm Fan and Once Upon a Geek, Shag, suggested to run a mini crossover of sorts between Firestorm Fan, and the Power of the Atom - a blog that frequently features Captain Atom, THE Atom, and even Red Tornado on occassion. 

Shag got it all started covering the first segment of the "Elemental War." Be sure to check out his coverage there as he shares his thoughts about the Naiad and Firestorm splash pages (get it? Yeah, it's a good pun, but it's Shag's not mine) that get the story to a boiling point (OK, that one is mine).

That said, here's some pages from when Red Tornado enters the fray. Images are brought to you courtesy of Shag.

 

"I have heard a voice in the wind, I have felt a wound upon the Earth! Whoever or whatever thing you be, if you harm the planet you must answer to the Red Tornado!"

 

Tom Mandrake was really given a chance to shine during this storyline, and he took full advantage of it. Nansi Hoolahan stepped up to the plate and tried to drop some high-class ethereal colors on the art. Unfortunately, limits of technology kept the book from being as amazing as today's coloring would have enabled it to be. Imagine, if you can, Naiad colored with ripples and sea foam patterns. This certainly would have been a different looking book.