FIREBRAND (Rod Reilly)	BIOGRAPHY
Created by S. M. Iger and Reed Crandall

PERSONAL DATA

Real Name: Rod Reilly
Occupation: "Playboy", later Ensign, US Navy
Citizenship: American
Marital Status: Single through 1943
Known Relatives: 'Emerald' Ed Reilly (father, deceased), unnamed mother, Danette Reilly (sister)
Base of Operation: New York, NY; later Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
Group Affiliation(s): Freedom Fighters
Gender: Male
Height: 6'
Weight: 185 lbs.
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Black
First Appearance: Police Comics #1 (August 1941) [Quality] "The Firebrand"
Creators: S. M. Iger and Reed Crandall

OVERVIEW

Bored with the life of luxury provided by his steel tycoon father, Firebrand was Rod Reilly's way of seeking adventure. Trained by a boxing friend, he took on a crime syndicate, crippling many of their schemes until joining up in the navy, where he was critically wounded during the attack on Pearl Harbor. When he recovered from his wounds (by which time his sister had become the second Firebrand) he may have joined Uncle Sam's Freedom Fighters. It is possible that he served with them until being killed by the Silver Ghost.

HISTORY

Rod Reilly, playboy and socialite, saw the mystery-man Midnight in action, stealing from the rich to aid the poor. Using his talents learned in college, Rod developed the identity of 'The Firebrand' to fight crime. He was mistaken for a criminal and did nothing to dissuade the public from the notion.

Aided by his confidant and 'Man-Friday', "Slugger" Dunn, The Firebrand fought crime for several months until deciding to re-activate his ROTC rank that he held in college and joined the US Navy. Both he and Dunn were stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The duo were injured in the Japanese attack there on December 7, 1941.

It is known that Reilly and Dunn survived the attack, but it is not known whether they remained in the Navy or whether or not Reilly returned to adventuring full-time as The Firebrand. His sister, Danette, however, used the identity in her own career as Firebrand, as a member of the All-Star Squadron.

The Firebrand operated at least until early 1944, but his current whereabouts and those of "Slugger" Dunn are unknown.

POWERS AND WEAPONS

The Firebrand was an acrobatic adventurer, with excellent hand to hand fighting skills.

CHRONOLOGY

For a definitive list of appearances of Firebrand in chronological order click here

PROFILE REFERENCES

Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe #8 (October 1985)