According to Batman, the most powerful man on Earth isn’t Superman – in fact, he’s a truly underrated member of the Justice League.
The justice league have recruited a huge number of heroes over the years, but that is no excuse for essentially ignoring the one member who Batman theorized is the most powerful man on the planet – firestorm, The Firestorm character is typically the product of two participants being fused together by means of the Firestorm Matrix, giving their final form immense power in the process. In the case of Jason Rusch, he’s the dominant half of the fusion while his girlfriend Gehenna remains the voice of reason in his head.
Because the Firestorm name isn’t as widely known as Superman or Black Adam, he’s often overlooked in DC’s biggest stories. Even in the mid-2000s run of the Justice League of America comics (where he’s a member), he was rarely the focus of stories. In JLA #2, when the aforementioned Trinity are deciding on new Justice League recruits, Jason’s Firestorm gets brought up at the suggestion of Superman and Wonder Woman. Because he had only just become Firestorm at the time, Batman was quick to say, “Not until he gets the experience. No more tryouts,” despite Diana bringing up how powerful she is.
Firestorm Is Justice League’s Ultimate Powerhouse
That early exchange is especially interesting in retrospect when considering what transpires later in the series. Justice League of America Wedding Special #1 by Dwayne McDuffie and Mike McKone. After Firestorm is hospitalized following an attack from Killer Frost, Joker, Lex Luthor, and Cheetah all at once, Batman and Red Arrow investigate the scene of the crime. After Red Arrow comments there was a hell of a fight, Batman responds it’d have to be, because “Firestorm’s potentially the most powerful man on the planet.”
Firestorm’s Powers Have Infinite Applications
Firestorm has the ability to rearrange the molecular structure of essentially anything, so long as he understands it on a scientific level. For example, Firestorm can turn lead into gold, but only if its composite parts understand the molecular structure of both substances. At his best, Firestorm is almost unlimited in his powers – even against someone like Superman, he’s capable of turning the air in his lungs into Kryptonite. Despite this, Firestorm isn’t discussed often in “most powerful” conversations among fans, but the comics have consistently confirmed he has godlike abilities. Even in the recent DC vs Vampires #7he exhibited incredible feats of power, with even his death triggering a nuclear explosion of power.
The key word in all of this is “potential.” The power of any Firestorm really boils down to the knowledge they bring to the table – and in a similar way, the scientific insight of the writer. Rather than superstrength or flight, Firestorm’s powers are hard to write, since he technically has the potential to do almost anything. firestorm hasn’t achieved the same iconic status as other justice league recruits, despite Batman vouching for his unprecedented power.