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This page is about the Garfield Lynns version of Firefly. For others, see: Firefly (Disambiguation)

Firefly is a pyromaniacal serial-arsonist and recurring enemy of Batman. Originally a pyrotechnics expert, Garfield Lynns turned to crime by carrying out arson attacks and torching huge parts of Gotham in the process. True to his name, Firefly was originally conceived as a light-based enemy of Batman and Robin. However, the modern incarnations are depicted as fire-based, often using gadgets and weapons with pyrotechnical means. Firefly is rarely seen without a suit capable of protecting him from heat, jetpack and flamethrower. In some stories, he is depicted as having an obsession with fire, with his pyromaniacal tendencies often controlling his actions.

Initially intended as a single-appearance villain in the 1950s, Firefly became a recurring enemy during the 1990s. He has frequently appeared in Batman media since The New Batman Adventures and is often considered a fan-favorite enemy. In addition to Lynns, other characters have used the identity, including Ted Carson and Bridgit Pike.

History

Killer Moth-Firefly 01

Firefly as the protégé of Killer Moth.

Garfield Lynns was originally a pyrotechnic expert for motion pictures, but became a victim of Gotham City's severe poverty and turned to crime, displaying signs of pyromania. Lynns was captured by Batman and Robin after his first robbery. Lynns took up arson as a hobby, but it soon turned to an obsession; he believes he can see visions in the flames. Inspired by actual fireflies, he built a suit and became a professional arsonist. Early in his criminal career Firefly became the protégé of Killer Moth, looking to duplicate the success of crime-fighting duo Batman and Robin. The alliance fell apart when Killer Moth realized the full extent of Firefly's madness and feared for his well-being.

Once Bane broke the criminals out of Arkham Asylum. Firefly's plan was to burn down all the places he didn't go to as a child. These plans were furthered by Joker and Scarecrow forcing the mayor to cancel the firemens' pensions. In consequence the fire service went on strike. Firefly burnt down his first target and escaped when Batman arrived. When he burned down his second target Batman arrived again and Firefly escaped from him again. At his third target, Gotham Zoo, Batman arrived again and their fight ends up on a bridge where Batman captures Firefly and leaves him hanging on a bridge over the crocodile exhibit.

In a recent attempt to burn Gotham to the ground, Firefly was horribly burned when a chemical factory he set erupted in an explosion. Ninety-percent of his body was burned, and he began his recovery in Blackgate Prison.

At some point afterwards, he was made a member of Black Mask's Gang, beating out his arsonist rival, Firebug.

He made a short appearance in the JLA story arc "Crisis Of Conscience" (JLA #115-#119) fighting Catwoman in Gotham City over a diamond before Batman turned up. Although an epic battle between the Secret Society and the Justice League ensued, Firefly was knocked out and stayed down during the entire battle.

He made another short appearance in the 2005 mini series Villains United, when the Secret Six attempted to escape the Society's grasp.

Firefly was among the numerous heroes and villains apparently slain by the OMACs in the pages of DC's The OMAC Project, though he later managed to survive and appeared alive in Villains United: Infinite Crisis Special.

In the Gotham Underground limited series, he allies himself with Killer Moth, Lock-Up, and Ventriloquist II in an ill-fated attempt to kill the Penguin when the Scarecrow reveals that the Penguin is secretly in the employ of the Suicide Squad.

Prime Earth

In the New 52's Nightwing series, Garfield Lynns is a known pyromaniac, though only a small-time criminal. Rather than becoming Firefly, he was instead killed by Ted Carson, who used his body to fake his death and used him as a scapegoat to his crimes as Firefly. Nightwing and Batgirl soon discovered the truth and subdued Carson.

In his recount of the War of Jokes and Riddles, Batman recalled that Lynns was actually the first Firefly, hereby retconning Carson to be the second. He took part in the battles, siding with the Riddler's crew. Firefly was among the villains subdued by Batman and Kite Man.

Following a later rewrite of history, Lynns returns from the dead and begins working alongside Carson. In the aftermath of Fear State, he leads an attack on the Billionaires Ball, hiring henchmen to disguise themselves amongst the guests and stealing Mr. Freeze's gun from Arkham's ruins to use in the heist. However, Batman infiltrates the party and subdues the group, using the Freeze Gun to disable his flamethrower.[1]

Powers and Abilities

  • Expert in pyrotechnics and explosives.
  • Thorough knowledge of inflammable agents.

Paraphernalia

  • Equipment: Insulated battlesuit, and wings that allow flight
  • Transportation: Jetpack
  • Weapons: Flamethrower, grenade launchers, extensive arsenal of fire-creating weapons, flaming sword

Gallery

In Other Media

Animation

DC Animated Universe

See: Firefly (DC Animated Universe)

Firefly first appears in The New Batman Adventures voiced by Mark Rolston. He appears in the episodes "Torch Song" and "Legends of the Dark Knight". Firefly also appears in the Justice League episode "Only a Dream".

The Batman

See: Firefly (Matsudaverse)

Firefly appears as a recurring villain in The Batman, voiced by Jason Marsden.

Batman: The Brave and the Bold

Firefly made a cameo appearance in the Batman: The Brave and the Bold episode "A Bat Divided!" among many other villains at the "8 Bar", a haunt for third-rate costumed criminals in Gotham City. The bar was crashed by three atomic counterparts of Batman, as well as the hero Firestorm. Vaulting onto a table, Firefly charged one of the Batmen, making the mistake of panicking on high ground. The doppelganger Batman simply pulled the legs of the table out from under the villain, sending him crashing to the floor. Firefly was far from defeated, however, rising up with his fists to rejoin the barrom brawl. One of the Batmen then hurled Firefly across the bar, where he crashed directly into a wall. Lynns proved to be the last villain standing, however, attempting to sneak up behind another Batman counterpart after all of the other defeated villains had beaten senseless on the floor. The Batman he targeted, however, sensed Firefly behind him and slammed his fist backwards into Garfield's face, before flipping him over his back and onto the floor. Firefly also appears in the beginning of "Emperor Joker" before the intro, but is easily defeated by Batman and Robin.

Live-Action

Arrow

See: Garfield Lynns on the Arrowverse Wiki.

Garfield Lynns appears in Arrow's first season during the episode "Burned", played by Andrew Dunbar. The show depicts him as a former firefighter and member of "the Fireflies" crew, who was left for dead during a tower fire. Seeking revenge, Lynns targets his former comrades. He is eventually stopped by "the Hood", after which he commits suicide by walking into the flames.

Video Games

Batman: The Video Game (NES)

Firefly makes an appearance as the first level boss in the NES video game Batman, which is based on the 1989 film. He is fought in front of Gotham's City Hall, and flies back and forth the top of the screen, occasionally dashing down in an attempt to tackle the player. His main method of attack is shooting several fire balls from above.

LEGO Video Games

Firefly LBTVGDS

Firefly in LEGO Batman: The Videogame.

Firefly appears in portable versions of LEGO Batman: The Videogame. He later appears in LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham as a member of the Legion of Doom, becoming a playable character when they and the Justice League join forces against Brainiac. Firefly also returns in LEGO DC Super-Villains as a playable character. Lynns is voiced by Robin Atkin Downes in LEGO Batman 3 and Crispin Freeman in DC Super-Villains.

Batman: Arkham Series

Firefly appears in both Batman: Arkham Origins and Batman: Arkham Knight, voiced by Crispin Freeman. He also features as an unlockable character bio in Batman: Arkham Asylum and is mentioned in several stories in Batman: Arkham City.

References

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