Original Golden Age Firebrand (Rod Reilly) & sister Danette appreciation thread

[MajorHoy]

In May of 1941, Quality Comics gave us the first issue of Police Comics. Among the characters featured were

* Plastic Man!
* Phantom Lady!
* Human Bomb!
* Chic Carter!

But the character who had the main spot on the cover was
Rod Reilly, The Firebrand!

There wasn't anything terribly special about the character himself. He was "a millionaire society scion" and "playboy" who was the son of a wealthy man and had decided to fight crime dressed all in in red (including a sheer red shirt!).
After being the main character featured on the first four covers of Police Comics, he lost that spot to Plastic Man with issue #5, and was dropped from the comic book completely after issue #13.

Here are the first two pages from his debut story in Police Comics #1:

to be continued . . .

[MajorHoy]

Here's more from Police Comics #1:

(more coming in a future post)

[JLH]

Great art with interesting/surprising layouts for that time period.

[MajorHoy]

Great art with interesting/surprising layouts for that time period.

The artist, Reed Crandall, did a lot of fantastic artwork for Quality Comics back during that time, including later on in the runs of Doll Man, The Ray, and Blackhawk.

[MajorHoy]

As promised, more from Police Comics #1:

(the thrilling conclusion is still to come in a future post!)

[Johnrevenge]

I really liked Danette, the best Firebrand ever!!!!!!! Shame that she wont make a comeback

[MajorHoy]

I really liked Danette, the best Firebrand ever!!!!!!! Shame that she wont make a comeback

Well, we don't yet know whether she might still make a comeback or not.
If/when DC ever resolves what the story is with the missing JSA, maybe we'll find out if/how much of their related Golden Age-era is being brought back or not.

[Johnrevenge]

Well, we don't yet know whether she might still make a comeback or not.
If/when DC ever resolves what the story is with the missing JSA, maybe we'll find out if/how much of their related Golden Age-era is being brought back or not.

Counting that there is already a Firebrand in the Unexpected, I don't have very high hopes for a comeback
Maybe the Reilly's siblings could be mentioned or made a small cameo in flashback at much (like Libby Lawrence when she was mentioned in Doomsday Clock #3 in that article after the main story).

[MajorHoy]

Counting that there is already a Firebrand in the Unexpected, I don't have very high hopes for a comeback
Maybe the Reilly's siblings could be mentioned or made a small cameo in flashback at much (like Libby Lawrence when she was mentioned in Doomsday Clock #3 in that article after the main story).

Then again, how long will the Firebrand in The Unexpected be around? (Besides, it's not as if DC hasn't reused that name over time when both WWII-era Firebrands were still in continuity.)

[MajorHoy]

And now for a little on Danette:



first appearance of Danette: All-Star Squadron Preview in Justice League of America #193 (August 1981)


But it isn't until All-Star Squadron #5 (January 1982) that she becomes the new Firebrand.

[Clairaudient Freedom Soldier]

I am imagining an All-Star Squadron/Society of Super-Heroes movie ...

The roster I envision is as follows:
1> Commander Steel
2> Firebrand Danette Reilly
3> Tarantula
4> Robotman Robert Crane
5> The Immortal Man Anthro
6> Phantom Lady Sandra Knight

The world needs an All-Star Squadron movie!