Danette Reilly
Volcanologist Danette Reilly is the sister of Rod Reilly, the first Firebrand. First introduced in a special "All-Star Squadron" preview in Justice League of America #193 (August 1981), Danette was studying volcanos north of Hawaii when she was kidnapped by the time-travelling villain Per Degaton and the sorcerer Wotan. During her escape, Wotan hit her with a magical blast and hurled her into a pit of lava. The combination of his magic and the lava not only allowed her to survive, but gave her the power to control heat and project fire blasts. Her powers surfaced after she discovered her brother Rod's costume and put it on. As Rod had been injured during the attack, Danette decided to become the new Firebrand.[8] Due to Degaton going back to future when he was defeated, the All-Star Squadron forgot his attack. Originally, she was quite racist towards the Japanese, but she visited her brother in hospital and he revealed he had been saved from death by a soldier whose parents were from Japan, and who later died from his wounds. Firebrand realized she had been racist and would show more respect towards those from Japan.
Danette appeared in Crisis on Infinite Earths, wherein she was briefly rejoined by her former lover, the reluctant supervillain Cyclotron. Cyclotron, although deceased, phased into her time to assist her. Danette assumed partial custody of his daughter Terri, along with fellow hero the Atom.
In Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. (2000), Firebrand was revealed to have been killed by the Dragon King.[8][9] She has largely remained dead since. During the Absolute Power event (2024), Firebrand's spirit is revealed to be held inside the Well of Souls in Themyscira and is used as a power source by the Amazo android Paradise Lost.[10]
Her name is a homage to creator Roy Thomas' wife, Danette Thomas.[11]
The Quality Comics heroine Wildfire was originally intended to play a major role in the All-Star Squadron but DC objected on the basis of her name, which she shared with the Legion of Super-Heroes member. Instead, Danette Reilly was introduced into the series.[12]
Firebrand was ranked 67th in Comics Buyer's Guide's "100 Sexiest Women in Comics" list.[13]
