Fireball

Background

Fireball is asuperhero published by Archie Comics. He has had few appearances, but still is among the members of the Mighty Crusaders. The Version appearing in Pep Comics #12-21 is in the Public Domain.

Fireball was also part of the Impact Comics lines from 1991, when Archie Comics licensed the Red Circle characters to DC comics. There, rechristed Josh Hawkins, he was a member of the Crusaders.

Character history

Ted Tyler (Archie/MLJ)

While doing his duty Fireman Ted Tyler is doused with chemicals, knocked out and left for dead by an arsonist. Instead of dying Ted finds that the combination of the mystery mix of chemicals and the fire has given him the power to absorb heat and control flames. He is also able to heat his body to such an extent that he can melt bullets fired at him. His ability to control heat also, for some reason, seems to make him slightly lighter than normal while using it so he is able to make prodigious leaps.

Deciding to get in on the growing superhero trend Ted comes up with a costume and, calling himself Fireball, goes after crime with a special focus on arsonists for hire, and crazed fire bugs.

The only person who knows he is Fireball is his girlfriend Hedy Harris, the fire chief’s daughter.

Black Circle Comics

The story of the character was expanded in Mighty Crusaders: The lost Crusade.

During a celebration of his work as chief of firemen, Ted Tyler remembers how he became Fireball and how in oe of his adventures an innocent bystander suffered deep wounds because of his powers. This event caused Fireball to retiring from adventuring and concentrating into be a chief of firement, accepting bribes from shady bussinessmen, money he gave always to the victim of his powers. Only one time he returning to adventuring along with Steel Sterling and the Shield to stop a out of control Redstone, but only briefly and again returning to the civil life.

The only confort for the tired hero is to be an example for his nephew, Alex Tyler, orphan of his brother and his only surviving family. With that in mind, accepted the prize.

His joy sadly was shortlived. When he along other retired heroes participated in a reunion, the Brain Emperor attacked them, causing several deaths, most of the heroes and with Ted among the fallen. His title was reclaimed briefly by his nephew Alex.

Josh Hawkins (Impact Comics)

Josh Hawkins was the Impact Comics version of Fireball. A native from Missisippi, he became in a superhero when his powers appeared, taking example from the Fly, becoming the resident hero from the city of Manchester, Alabama.

After an encounter with The Fly and the unfriendly Comet (Rob Connors), He joined the Crusaders in their first mission against the monstrous Kalathar, becoming pivotal to defeat the titanic monster. Later, recruited by W.E.B. Agents for the new superheroic team, the Crusaders. He helped to stop a group of american extremists to cause world war three in russian territory.

Fireball had many doubt about still being with the Crusaders but before he could quit, he was with the team when they were stranded in an alien world, victim of the machinations of the Tomorrow Men, a group of conspirators residing in a station out of time and space called The Crucible.

Josh and the Crusaders passed eight years on an hostile alien world before being accidentally brought to the Crucible, where they encountered who really was behind they being marooned. After escaping the destruction of the Crucible, Josh retired himself to the country, to live a more peaceful life.

Powers & abilities

The powers of Josh Hawkins as Fireball were different from the original Fireball. He also could generate fireballs from his hands but also he could move at superspeed, levitating some inches from the ground, leaving a fire trail at his wake.