Wildfire (Drake Burroughs)

Wildfire is a superhero appearing in DC Comics, primarily as a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes in the 30th and 31st centuries. Created by Cary Bates and Dave Cockrum, the character debuted in ''Superboy'' #195 (June 1973).

Publication history

Cockrum originally wanted to name the character Starfire, but was rejected because there were already plans to introduce a character named Starfire in the Teen Titans.

Wildfire was immediately popular with readers. At that time, the editors of ''Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes'' held periodic elections in which readers could choose the Legion's leader. Soon after his introduction, Wildfire was elected to that post. In-story, Wildfire lost the election to Superboy, but as no candidate had received a majority of the votes, the membership decided that the Legion needed a member who was available full-time rather than Superboy, who is a part-time member of the Legion.

Fictional character biography

Original

Wildfire is originally Drake Burroughs, a failing astro-engineer student at Metropolis University. While helping with a propulsion system the university is developing, Burroughs is disintegrated by a blast of anti-matter energy and transformed into an anti-energy entity. He gains a special suit to contain his form, but loses his senses.

Calling himself ERG-1 (Energy Release Generator 1), Drake attempts to join the Legion of Super-Heroes, but is rejected because his abilities overlap with other members. He actually had another power which was unique, but chose not to reveal. Drake is apparently killed saving Colossal Boy from a giant robot, but is later revealed to have survived and joins the Legion under the codename "Wildfire".

Post-Zero Hour

Following ''Zero Hour'', Wildfire is absent from Legion comics for some years, and when he returns, he is given a drastically different origin.

Atom'X (Randall Burroughs) and Blast-Off (Jahr-Drake Ningle), members of the Uncanny Amazers and Workforce respectively, are seemingly killed by Mordru. Later, they are discovered to have survived and fused into an energy being who becomes known as Drake Burroughs.

One year later

A new incarnation of Wildfire resembling the original version appears in "The Lightning Saga" crossover storyline. This version's containment suit is made from Red Tornado's robotic shell, giving him access to his memories.

The New 52

In ''Legion Lost'', Wildfire, Dawnstar, Chameleon Girl, Tellus, Tyroc, Gates, and Timber Wolf are stranded in the 21st century while battling a time-travelling terrorist. During this time, he temporarily joins the Justice League.

Powers and abilities

After being disintegrated by an anti-matter wave, Wildfire was transformed into a being composed of it with the ability to manipulate energy, fly at high speeds, and alter his size. However, he is forced to wear a containment suit at all times to maintain his form and prevent his energy from hurting others.

As a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes, Wildfire is provided a Legion Flight Ring, which enables him to fly and protects him from the vacuum of space and other dangerous environments.

Other versions

* An alternate universe variant of Wildfire appears in ''Legion of Super-Heroes'' Annual #5.
* An alternate universe variant of Wildfire appears in ''Legion of Super-Heroes'' Annual #7. This version is the last surviving Legionnaire, his energy powers having rendered him immortal.
* An ancestor of Dawnstar known as Wildstar is a member of the 21st-century hero team R.E.B.E.L.S. She has the combined powers of Dawnstar and Wildfire.

In other media

* Wildfire makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in the ''Justice League Unlimited'' episode "Far From Home".
* Wildfire makes non-speaking cameo appearances in ''Legion of Super Heroes'' (2006). According to producer James Tucker, he would have had a more prominent role in the cancelled third season, replacing Kell-El / Superman X as a member of the Legion.
* Wildfire makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in ''Legion of Super-Heroes'' (2023).
* Wildfire appears as a character summon in '' Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure''.

References

{{Superman characters
Characters created by Dave Cockrum
Comics characters introduced in 1973
DC Comics characters with superhuman strength
DC Comics male superheroes
DC Comics metahumans
Fictional characters who can change size
Fictional characters with energy-manipulation abilities
Legion of Super-Heroes members
Merged fictional characters