Comic Title: Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #73
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: July 1988
On Sale Date: March 15, 1988 Shipping Date March 15, 1988
Source: Direct Currents, #2

Shipping Date March 15, 1988
Source: Amazing Heroes, #137

Newsstand Date April 7, 1988
Source: Amazing Heroes, #137

Copyright Date March 15, 1988
Source: Library of Congress, Copyright Office 1988

Cover Price: $0.75
Page Count: 32
Editor: Dennis J. O'Neil

Title: "Blood Red Square"
Pages: 22

Feature(s):
Firestorm (Post-Crisis)

Writer: John Ostrander
Penciller: Joe J. Brozowski
Inker: Sam DeLaRosa
Letterer: Duncan Andrews
Colorist: Nansi Hoolahan

Feature Character(s)

• Firestorm (last appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #72; next appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #74)
• Mikhail Arkadin (last appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #72; next appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #74)
• Martin Stein (behind-the-scenes; last appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #72; next appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #74)

Guest Star(s)

• Soyuz (last appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #72; next appearance in Invasion #2)
• Firebird (last appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #72; next appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #74)
• Ilya Trepliov (Perun; last appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #72; next appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #81)
• Mashenka Medviedenko (Rusalka; last appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #72; next appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #81)
• Igor Medviedenko (Morozko; last appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #72; next appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #81)
• Feodor Piotrovich (Vikhor; last appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #72; next appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #81)

Villain(s)

• Zuggernaut (last appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #72; no further appearances)
• Zastrow (last appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #72; next appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #74)
• Stalnoivolk (last appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #72; next appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #81)
• Matvei Rodor (dies in this story; last appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #72; no further appearances)
• Soliony (last appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #72; next appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #74)

Comments:
This story is continued from Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #72.

Synopsis:
Firestorm forms a protective bubble around himself and Stalnoivolk to protect them both from an explosion caused by the Zuggernaut. He takes to the air, where the Russian hero tries to kill him. Firestorm drops Stalnoivolk from high above the Earth and allows him to crash into the ground. The Russian survives the fall. Driven by Ronnie's anger, Firestorm picks up his opponent, takes to the air, and repeatedly crashes to Earth in an attempt to kill Stalnoivolk.

Meanwhile inside the KGB facility, Soliony tries to report what he has learned about Mikhail's connection to Firestorm. At the same time, Zastrow tries to summon aid for Stalnoivolk. Neither succeeds as they are interrupted by Zuggernaut who is out to kill Soliony.

Before the alien creature can finish the job, Soyuz arrives to fight him. The young heroes are clearly outmatched, and Serafina accidentally gives her identity away to Zastrow. However, their interference delays Zuggernaut long enough for the battle outside to conclude.

While Firestorm is close to killing Stalnoivolk, a battle of minds rages inside of him. Mikhail finally convinces Ronnie not to become a murderer, and Firestorm breaks off the attack. He then confronts Zuggernaut while Stalnoivolk lays unconscious. The alien is forced to flee. His host body belonging to Matvei Rodor is dying, so the alien splits from it leaving Rodor to die alone.

Back inside the facility, Serafina uses her powers to wipe Soliony's mind of his knowledge of Firestorm's nature. She also compels him to leave Mikhail and his family alone. Firestorm requests that she also plant a suggestion in his mind that will allow either Mikhail or Ronnie the ability to refuse the merge into Firestorm should either of them be caught at an inconvenient moment.