List of DC Comics characters: P

P

Pozhar
List of DC Comics characters: P
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearance(August 1987)
Created byJohn Ostrander (writer)
Joe Brozowski (artist)
In-story information
Abilities
  • Superhuman strength, endurance, speed, durability and Self-Sustenance
  • Quark Vision
  • Flight
  • Gestalt Transformation
  • Elemental Manipulation
  • Density Manipulation
  • Regenerative Healing Factor
  • Matter Manipulation
  • Nucleokinesis/Radiokinesis
  • Energy Absorption
  • Matrix Memory Recall
  • Pozhar acts as an energy transformer, absorbing massive amounts of energy or radiation, and firing it back out in the form of fire, heat, or nuclear blasts. He also retains some of the powers of the original Firestorm, such as flight and density control, though they were not part of his power set initially. He no longer uses a power suit, as he can now create his costume out of pure energy.
Firestorm
Series publication information
Genre
Publication date(Firestorm, The Nuclear Man)
August 1987
(The Fury of Firestorm: The Nuclear Men)
2012
Main character(s)Mikhail Arkadin

Pozhar (Пожар or "Fire") is a Russian superhero in the DC Universe. The character, created by John Ostrander and Joe Brozowski, first appeared in Fury of Firestorm Vol. 2 #62, (August 1987).[1] Within the context of the stories, Mikhail Arkadin is a nuclear technician who worked at the Chernobyl nuclear power generating plant. As a result of the accident at the plant's #4 reactor, he is imbued with the ability to convert matter into energy. He is recruited by Major Zastrow of the Red Shadow as one of the Soviet Union's official superheroes. A Russian victim of Chernobyl who acquired the ability to act as a living energy transformer, and has played a crucial role in the life of Firestorm.[2][3]

Fictional character biography

Mikhail Denisovitch Arkadin originally was an intellectual attached to the Chernobyl power plant, and was present during its catastrophe; his metagene was activated, and he gained the ability to create an all-consuming fire. Unfortunately, that same fire destroyed most of his body, and he was forced to wear a containment suit in order to prevent himself from destroying everything he touched.[3] The Russian government then maneuvered him into position to be one of its premier heroes, placing him into a battle against the original Firestorm, who was then calling for complete nuclear disarmament.[3]

The battle raged for a time between the two heroes, until a nuclear weapon was dropped on the duo while they fought in the Nevada desert. From that debacle arose a new Firestorm, in which Mikhail played a crucial role, along with the original two members of the Firestorm Matrix, Martin Stein and Ronnie Raymond. He continued as a member of Firestorm in another incarnation, as an Elemental, but was eventually removed from the Firestorm Matrix so that Martin alone could bear the powers. Ronnie and Mikhail returned to their homes, depowered.[4]

During the "In My Father's House" storyline in the most recent Firestorm series, it was revealed that Mikhail is, in fact, once again in control of his former abilities. He was re-powered by a nuclear test gone wrong in Russia. After going by the name of Firestorm for a time (not knowing that a new Firestorm made up of Jason Rusch and Martin Stein had been in operation for some time), he has now changed his super identity back to Pozhar.[5][6]

The New 52

In "The New 52," a reboot of the DC Comics universe, Professor Mikhail Arkadin helped Professor Martin Stein invent the Firestorm Protocols.[7][8]

In the "Watchmen" sequel "Doomsday Clock," Pozhar appears as a member of the People's Heroes. He appears on TV announcing that Russia closing their borders to all foreigners, be they meta-human or not. During his interview on "The Superman Theory," Firestorm used a profanity to describe it and even used another profanity to insult Pozhar much to the dismay of Martin Stein.[9]

Powers and abilities

Pozhar acts as an energy transformer, absorbing massive amounts of energy or radiation, and firing it back out in the form of fire, heat, or nuclear blasts. He also retains some of the powers of the original Firestorm, such as flight and density control, though they were not part of his power set initially. He no longer uses a power suit, as he can now create his costume out of pure energy.

In other media

Mikhail Arkadin appears in Legends of Tomorrow He appears in the episode "Fail Safe" and "White Knights." plays a guard in the Russian prisons, he's portrayed by Voytek Skrzeta.

References
  1. Wallace, Dan. "Firestorm". In Dougall, Alastair (ed.). The DC Comics Encyclopedia. p. 123.
  2. Pohzar Comic Book Database
  3. Pohzar Comics.org
  4. Pohzar (New Earth) DC Wikia Pohzar
  5. Firestorm, the nuclear men Vol.3 #27 (September, 2006)
  6. Firestorm, the nuclear men Vol.3 #29 (November, 2006)
  7. The Fury of Firestorm: The Nuclear Men #4 (February, 2012)
  8. The Fury of Firestorm: The Nuclear Men #8-12 (June–August, 2012)
  9. Doomsday Clock #5 (May 2018). DC Comics.
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