- For the Archie Comics character, see Firefly (Archie Comics).
| Firefly | |
|---|---|
 Firefly in Detective Comics #690 (October 1995). | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Detective Comics #184 (June 1952) |
| Created by | France Herron (writer) Dick Sprang (artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Garfield Lynns |
| Team affiliations | Secret Society of Super Villains
Suicide Squad |
| Abilities |
|
Firefly (Garfield Lynns) is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by France Herron and Dick Sprang, he made his debut in Detective Comics #184 (June 1952).[1] Initially portrayed as a criminal who utilized lighting effects to commit robberies, Firefly was later re-imagined as a sociopathic pyromaniac with an obsessive compulsion to start fires following Crisis on Infinite Earths' reboot of the DC Universe in the 1980s. This darker depiction of the character has since endured as one of the superhero Batman's most recurring enemies and belongs to the collective of adversaries that make up his central rogues gallery.[2]
Firefly has been featured in various forms of media, including several shows set within the DC animated universe, The Batman cartoon series, the first season of The CW's live-action Arrowverse television series Arrow portrayed by Andrew Dunbar, and the Batman: Arkham video game franchise. Additionally, a female version of the character named Bridgit Pike appeared in the television series Gotham, portrayed by Michelle Veintimilla and Camila Perez. The Garfield Lynns version of the character will also appear in the upcoming HBO Max DC Extended Universe film Batgirl (2022), where he will be portrayed by Brendan Fraser.
Fictional character biography[]
Pre-Crisis[]
Garfield Lynns was a down-and-out film special effects expert whose plan to rob a theater by faking a fire was foiled by Batman and Robin. As Lynns fled the scene, Batman mistook a distant firefly for Lynns' lit cigarette and gave chase in the wrong direction. Lynns saw this as a sign of fate and became the Firefly, a costumed criminal who utilized various lighting effects and optical illusions during heists.[2]
Post-Crisis[]
Following Crisis on Infinite Earths' reboot of the DC Universe, Firefly was re-imagined as a much darker and more violent character.[2]
After being taken away from their abusive parents, Garfield Lynns and his sister, Amanda, grew up at the St. Evangelina Home for Orphans. Unlike his relatively normal sister, Garfield was a problematic child whom nobody wanted to adopt. As an adult, Lynns became a pyrotechnics and special effects expert in the film industry, but eventually fell victim to Gotham City's severe poverty issues and turned to a life of crime as a result. While he initially only committed arson during his robberies as a hobby, Lynns' compulsion to start fires soon turned into a pyromaniacal obsession as a result of his abusive and troubled childhood; he believed that he could see visions in the flames he created.
Lynns then becomes a professional arsonist known as the "Firefly", and allies himself with fellow supervillain Killer Moth in an attempt to kill Batman and Robin. Their alliance falls apart, however, when Killer Moth realizes the full extent of Firefly's madness and feared for his own well-being. The two villains are then taken into custody. During the Batman: Knightfall storyline, Firefly escapes from Arkham Asylum and attempts to burn all of the places that he lacked the privilege to go to as a child.[3] After successfully destroying a pier and a theater, Firefly is stopped by Batman as he tries to scorch the Gotham Zoo.[4] In his next attempt to burn Gotham to the ground, Firefly is horribly scarred when an uncontrollable fire that he starts at a chemical factory causes it to explode; over 90 percent of his body is burned, so he designs a fireproof battle suit to protect himself from his own flames from this point on.[2]
During the No Man's Land story arc, Firefly is one of the inmates at Blackgate Penitentiary when it is taken over by Lock-Up. When Nightwing is captured after trying to retake the prison from Lock-Up, Firefly attempts to kill him and wear his skin over his burned body.[5]
During the DC One Million crisis, Firefly nearly burns down Gotham while infected with the Hourman virus, requiring Nightwing and Robin to work with the future Batman to stop him.
Firefly makes a short appearance in the Justice League of America story arc "Crisis of Conscience"[6] fighting Catwoman in Gotham City over a diamond before Batman arrives. Although an epic battle between the Secret Society and the Justice League ensues, Firefly is knocked unconscious and remains that way during the entire battle. He makes another short appearance in the 2005 miniseries Villains United when the Secret Six attempts to escape the Society's grasp.
Firefly is among the numerous heroes and villains apparently murdered by the OMACs in the pages of DC's The OMAC Project, although he later appears alive in Villains United: Infinite Crisis Special and Gotham Underground.
Firefly appears with Mr. Freeze facing Batman (though Firefly is wearing the same uniform as the Firefly design of The Batman).[7] He and Mr. Freeze are again shown as having worked together a month after the events of the Crisis, Batman working with the currently-redeemed Harvey Dent to take them down before he takes his year of absence while leaving Dent to guard Gotham.
Following the Final Crisis, Firefly was with Cheetah's Secret Society of Super Villains at the time when Genocide was created. He was defeated by Wonder Woman alongside Shrapnel, Phobia, and T. O. Morrow.
Firefly is recruited by a new Black Mask to be a part of a group of villains that are aiming to take over Gotham, but he follows his own agenda. Inspired by the chemicals that Black Mask used on him, Firefly inserts chips into Gothamites in order to make them burn.[8] Not long after the identity of the new Black Mask was revealed to be Jeremiah Arkham, Firefly was arrested and put into Arkham Asylum. A short time later, Firefly is broken out of Arkham Asylum by Dick Grayson, who has assumed the mantle of Batman, to assist him in gaining access to Sebastian Blackspell's closest friends. Batman (Dick) desires to know what Blackspell's true intentions are in regards to killing the Riddler.
Powers and abilities[]
Following Crisis on Infinite Earths' reboot of the DC Universe, Firefly's depiction was drastically altered from that of a mere criminal who utilized colored lights and optical illusions to that of a violent sociopath with intense pyromania. Even prior to becoming Firefly, Garfield Lynns was already an expert in pyrotechnics and explosives with a thorough knowledge of flammable agents. After he is horribly scarred by a blaze at a chemical factory, Lynns mechanically engineered an insulated, fireproof battle suit to protect himself. This specialized outfit is equipped with an extensive arsenal of fire-creating weapons, including a military-grade flamethrower, various incendiary devices (such as grenades, napalm, and smoke bombs), and a sword-like blade of superheated plasma for close-ranged hand-to-hand combat. A high-tech, winged jet pack is also mounted on the back of the armor to allow for high-speed flight.
Other characters named Firefly[]
Ted Carson[]
A man named Ted Carson becomes the second character to adopt the identity of the "Firefly". Created by Bill Finger and Sheldon Moldoff, he first appeared in Batman #126. Carson was an ostentatiously wealthy gold mine heir who gambled his family fortune away and subsequently turned to a life of crime as the second Firefly. Carson then goes on a robbery spree before being apprehended by Batman and Batwoman.[9]
In The New 52 reboot, Carson is a former high school teacher who tries to incinerate everything that will separate him from his ex-girlfriend Cindy Cooke, though he is ultimately defeated by Nightwing and Batgirl.[10]
In the DC Rebirth relaunch, Ted Carson and Killer Moth attempt to kill Batman to collect Two-Face's multi-million dollar bounty.[11] Carson is later seen as one of the many villains that Bane pummels in his quest to reach Batman at Arkham Asylum.[12] During the gang war between the Joker and the Riddler, Carson is shown siding with the Riddler's faction.[13]
Bridgit Pike[]
Ted Carson's protégé Bridgit Pike (a character introduced in the TV series Gotham) adopts the identity of "Lady Firefly". She first appeared in Detective Comics #988 (September 2018), and was created by James Robinson and Stephen Segovia. She and Carson are hired by Kobra to kill Batman while he investigates a murder.[14]
Other versions[]
Smallville Season Eleven[]
Firefly appears in the Smallville Season Eleven comic. A yellow ring of Parallax finds its way to Lynns and attaches itself to him, transforming him into a powerful Yellow Lantern. However, Firefly's ring is ultimately confiscated by Batman and he is returned to Arkham Asylum.
Flashpoint[]
In the alternate reality created during Flashpoint, Firefly is seen as a member of Canterbury Cricket's Ambush Bugs, and is killed in battle against the Amazons.[15]
Batman: The Brave and the Bold[]
Firefly appears as one of the villains attacking Batman and Wonder Woman's wedding, during which Lynns battles the Martian Manhunter.
Batman v Superman[]
Firefly is introduced to the DC Extended Universe via the tie-in prequel comic to the 2016 film Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.[16] When Lynns attempts to bomb a warehouse full of valuables, the vigilante Batman appears and subdues him before leaving him to be apprehended by the police. Lex Luthor ominously watches all this unfold through security footage.
In other media[]
Television[]
Live-action[]
- Garfield Lynns appears in the Arrow episode "Burned", portrayed by Andrew Dunbar. This version is a former member of the Starling City firefighting unit "The Fireflies" who was thought to have been killed during a massive building fire. Having survived the blaze despite being left disfigured however, Lynns became a vengeful recluse. After his wife leaves him and takes their children, Lynns dons a firefighter uniform and begins killing his old crewmates for leaving him behind. This attracts the attention of the Hood, who eventually defeats him. Following this, Lynns commits suicide.[17]
- A female version of Firefly named Bridgit Pike appears in Gotham, portrayed by Michelle Veintimilla[18] in season two and the second half of season four and by Camila Perez in season three and the first half of season four. Bridgit is the quasi "stepsister" of arsonists Joe, Cale, and Evan Pike, who abused her and had her work around their apartment in the Narrows. After Evan was killed by James Gordon and Nathaniel Barnes, Bridgit is forced to help Joe and Cale burn down Wayne Enterprises buildings at the behest of Oswald Cobblepot and Theo Galavan.[19] However, she goes to her old friend Selina Kyle for help and the two rob a brothel so that Bridgit can leave Gotham City. When Joe and Cale kidnap and threaten her, Bridgit kills them with a flamethrower. During a confrontation with Gordon, a gas leak results in Bridgit accidentally setting herself on fire. She is brought to Arkham Asylum's Indian Hill facility, where Professor Hugo Strange heals her and gives her a fireproof suit. When Kyle breaks into Arkham, she discovers Bridgit developed amnesia and believes she is the "goddess of fire". Kyle convinces Bridgit to let the former become the latter's servant so they can escape, only to be stopped by Mr. Freeze. Following their fight, Bridgit escapes before the facility explodes. As of season three, she regained her memories and began working at a metal refinery before Cobblepot and Ivy Pepper convince her and Freeze to join them in retaking Cobblepot's criminal empire from the Riddler. Additionally, Bridgit and Cobblepot later thwart the Court of Owls' attempt to destroy the First Bank of Gotham. In season four, Bridgit and Freeze continue to work for Cobblepot. When he sends her to watch over the Sirens while on a mission however, Bridgit is knocked out by Lee Thompkins. She later joins Jerome Valeska's "Legion of Horribles" to assist in their plan to disperse the Scarecrow's fear toxin throughout Gotham. While helping the Legion take Gotham's mayor and his staff hostage however, Bridgit is defeated by Bruce Wayne. When Jeremiah Valeska destroys Gotham's bridges and declares the city a "no man's land" in the season four finale, Bridgit and her gang claim the Bowery district. Following her appearance in the series, Bridgit was added to the comics.
Animation[]
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Firefly in The New Batman Adventures.
- The Garfield Lynns incarnation of Firefly appears in series set in the DC Animated Universe, voiced by Mark Rolston. This version is a former pyrotechnics engineer who was fired by his singer ex-girlfriend Cassidy for botching a pyrotechnics display during one of her concerts.
- He is introduced in The New Batman Adventures. In the episode "Torch Song", Lynns becomes Firefly to kill his ex girlfriend Cassidy, but is foiled by Batman. In the episode "Legends of the Dark Knight", Firefly is hired to burn down a building so its owner can collect the insurance money. However, three kids stumbled onto his plot before they are saved by Batman. The producers had wanted to utilize Firefly in the preceding series, Batman: The Animated Series, but Fox forbade them from using pyromaniac characters.[20]
- Firefly returns in the Justice League episode "Only a Dream". Due to prison overcrowding issues at Stonegate Penitentiary, Firefly was transferred to Stryker's Island in Metropolis. However, a prison riot allows him and several supervillains to escape, after which Firefly joins up with Volcana, whom he shares a casual interest in due to their similar abilities. The pair catch the attention of Justice League members Batman and Green Lantern, who confront and subdue them before returning them to Stryker's.
Firefly in The Batman.
- The Garfield Lynns incarnation of Firefly appears in The Batman, voiced by Jason Marsden. This version's suit bears a hornet-like design, uses a jetpack that buzzes while he is flying, and wields lasers built into the suit's knuckles instead of a flamethrower. Following his introduction in the episode "The Big Heat", he has several encounters with Batman and other Gotham City supervillains over the course of the series, such as Mr. Freeze in "Fire and Ice". In the episode "White Heat", Firefly and Dr. Jane "Blaze" Blazedale steal a phosphorus isotope to upgrade his suit, but an accident causes the isotope to mutate Lynns into the pyrokinetic metahuman Phosphorus resulting in insanity and him being reprehended again to Arkham.
- The Garfield Lynns incarnation of Firefly appears in Batman: The Brave and the Bold, voiced by Robin Atkin Downes. This version is based on the Pre-Crisis version.
- Firefly appears in the web series DC Super Hero Girls, voiced by Khary Payton.
- Firefly is mentioned in the DC Universe adult animated series Harley Quinn episode "Trapped". His flamethrower was retrieved by Doctor Trap, who keeps it hidden in his museum alongside other valuable items until Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy break in and steal it so the former melt her way into Mr. Freeze's lair.
Film[]
Live action[]
Brendan Fraser will portray Garfield Lynns/Firefly in the upcoming movie Batgirl. The film is being developed as a HBO Max Original Film.[21]
Animation[]
Firefly appears in Batman: Bad Blood (2016), voiced by Steve Blum. This adaptation of the character is a mercenary working for the League of Assassins and serves as one of Talia al Ghul's henchmen and Killer Moth's partner.
Video games[]
Lego series[]
- Firefly appears as an unlockable character in the Nintendo DS version of Lego Batman: The Video Game.
- Firefly appears in Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham, voiced again by Robin Atkin Downes. This version is a member of the Legion of Doom and his appearance is based on his design in The Batman animated series.
- Firefly appears as a playable character in Lego DC Super-Villains, voiced again by Crispin Freeman.
Batman: Arkham[]
Garfield Lynns / Firefly in a promotional image for Batman: Arkham Origins (2013).
The Garfield Lynns incarnation of Firefly appears in the Batman: Arkham video game series, voiced by Crispin Freeman.[22] This version is an unhinged and obsessive pyromaniac with burns on 90 percent of his body.[23]
- He first appears in the prequel Batman: Arkham Origins (2013) as one of eight assassins hired by the Joker disguised as Black Mask to kill Batman.[24] Following a meeting with the Joker, Firefly plants explosives on the Gotham Pioneers' Bridge and takes several hostages to draw Batman out, but the vigilante defuses the bombs with Gotham City Police Department Captain James Gordon's help and defeats Firefly before leaving him for the police.[25]
- Firefly returns in Batman: Arkham Knight (2015). The side mission "The Line of Duty" reveals that prior to the game's events, Gotham City Fire Department Chief Raymond Underhill gave Firefly a list of abandoned buildings to burn down in hopes of preventing his firefighters from being laid off. However, the arsonist betrayed Underhill and kidnapped him and his crew during Scarecrow's takeover of Gotham City. Upon discovering what happened, Batman saves the captured firemen from Firefly's thugs and uncovers Underhill's corruption. In the side mission "Gotham on Fire", Firefly attempts to burn down Gotham's firehouses, but Batman pursues, defeats, and imprisons him at the GCPD lockup.
Merchandise[]
DC Collectibles released a 7-inch action figure of Firefly in Series 2 of their Batman: Arkham Origins line based on his design in the 2013 video game. This statue was sculpted by Gentle Giant Studios.
Lego released a Minifigures of firefly in the set bat mech vs poison ivy mech based on his appearance in the Lego DC supervillains game which in turn is based on his appearance in the Batman (2004). [26]
See also[]
References[]
- ↑ Cowsill, Alan; Irvine, Alex; Korte, Steve; Manning, Matt; Wiacek, Win; Wilson, Sven (2016). The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe. DK Publishing. p. 108. ISBN 978-1-4654-5357-0.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Jimenez, Phil (2008), "Firefly", in Dougall, Alastair, The DC Comics Encyclopedia, New York: Dorling Kindersley, pp. 122, ISBN 0-7566-4119-5, OCLC 213309017
- ↑ Booker, M. Keith, ed. (2014). Comics Through Time: A History of Icons, Idols, and Ideas. ABC-CLIO. p. 909. ISBN 9780313397516.
- ↑ Greenberger, Robert (2008). The Essential Batman Encyclopedia. Del Rey. pp. 136-137. ISBN 9780345501066.
- ↑ Nightwing vol. 2 #35–39
- ↑ JLA #115–119
- ↑ Superman/Batman Annual #3
- ↑ Batman: Streets of Gotham #1
- ↑ Batman #126
- ↑ Nightwing vol. 3 Annual #1
- ↑ All-Star Batman #1
- ↑ Batman (vol. 3) #19
- ↑ Batman (vol. 3) #26
- ↑ Detective Comics #988
- ↑ Flashpoint: The Canterbury Cricket #1
- ↑ Whitbrook, James (February 4, 2016). "Everything You Need to Know Going into Batman v Superman, According to Dr Pepper". io9.com. http://io9.gizmodo.com/everything-you-need-to-know-going-into-batman-v-superma-1757084996.
- ↑ New Arrow Promo & Villain Confirmed (October 16th, 2012).
- ↑ "Gotham Launching Season 2 Firefly Arc (and There's a Cool Casting Twist)". TV Line.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ Bruno Heller, Megan Mostyn-Brown (2015-10-19). "Scarification". Gotham. episode 5. season 2. Fox.
- ↑ Allstetter, Rob (August 1997). "The Dark Knight Returns". Wizard (72): pp. 50–54.
- ↑ Kroll, Justin (2021-10-25). "'Batgirl': Brendan Fraser To Play Villain In New Warner Bros And DC Pic Starring Leslie Grace". Deadline. Retrieved 2021-10-25.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ Freeman, Crispin (November 9, 2013). "Yes, that is me as Firefly". Twitter. Archived from the original on November 11, 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2018.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ WB Games Montréal. Batman: Arkham Origins. (Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment). Scene: Black Mask's Assassins Introductory Sequence. (October 25, 2013)
- ↑ Haas, Pete (August 20, 2013). "Batman: Arkham Origins Firefly Trailer Is Full Of Villains". CinemaBlend.com. Archived from the original on December 21, 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2018.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ Guerrie, Brandon (October 2013). "Batman: Arkham Origins Walkthrough- How to Apprehend Firefly at Pioneer's Bridge". Prima Games. Archived from the original on November 13, 2018. Retrieved December 13, 2018.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
- ↑ Brown, Luke (September 12, 2013). "DC Collectibles - Batman: Arkham Origins Series 2 Trailer". Screen Crush. Archived from the original on February 12, 2019. Retrieved February 10, 2019.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
External links[]
- Firefly (Garfield Lynns) at DC Comics Wiki
- Firefly (Ted Carson of Earth-One) at DC Comics Wiki
- Firefly (Ted Carson of Prime-Earth) at DC Comics Wiki
- Firefly (Garfield Lynns) at Comic Vine
- Firefly (Ted Carson) at Comic Vine
- Firefly at the Comic Book DB