Mikhail Arkadin (New Earth)

Mikhail Arkadin
Mainstream Universe‎, 1986‎-2011‎
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Real Name	Mikhail Denisovitch Arkadin
Main Alias	Mikhail Arkadin
Other Aliases	Firestorm · Pozhar
Relatives	Serafina Arkadin (niece)
Affiliation	Red Shadows · formerly Firestorm Matrix, Rocket Red Brigade
Base Of Operations	Moscow, Russia
Status
Alignment	Good
Identity	Secret Identity
Citizenship	Russian
Marital Status	Married
Occupation	Nuclear technician
Characteristics
Gender	Male
Height	6' 0"
Weight	190 lbs (86 kg)
Eyes	Blue
Hair	Black
Origin
Universe	New Earth
Creators	John Ostrander · Joe Brozowski
First Appearance	Firestorm Vol 2 #64 (October, 1987)

Mikhail Arkadin was a Russian superhero named Pozhar.

History

He along with the JLA and the Suicide Squad came into conflict with Firestorm (Ronald Raymond), who demanded a total disarmament of the world's nuclear weapons. At the climax of this battle, Pozhar and Firestorm were caught in another nuclear explosion and merged to form a new Firestorm. This being contained Arkadin and Raymond. But although the two of them could communicate from within the matrix, Firestorm himself behaved somewhat independently, like a passionless third party. Professor Martin Stein was not a part of this matrix (though he'd unconsciously shaped the new Firestorm).

Soon, the Russians tried to clone Firestorm and instead created a soulless creature called Svarozhich. A mysterious man named Rasputin informed Firestorm that he was truly a fire elemental and the only way to beat Svarozhich would be to bond with it "permanently." This he did, and a new Firestorm was made of Svarozhich, Raymond and Arkadin. The human hosts were submerged and sacrificed their wills to this new Firestorm; they were no longer capable of reverting back to their human forms. In the process, it was revealed that Firestorm was meant to be Earth's fire elemental. Martin Stein had originally been fated for that role only to have the matrix corrupted by the unexpected presence of Ron Raymond. This elemental Firestorm participated in an "Elemental War", teaming up with the Swamp Thing to stop the rampage of Red Tornado and Naiad.

During this time, Martin Stein became deranged. He convinced Firestorm to willingly dissolve its matrix when Earth's sun was threatened by the entity known as Brimstone. The professor suggested a desperate experiment to recreate the Firestorm entity with himself in sole command. Stein then took an experimental rocket into space and, with Svarozhich in tow, blew himself up. He succeeded in becoming the sole Firestorm, and Raymond and Arkadin resumed their normal lives.

Powers and Abilities

Powers

• Firestorm Matrix
  • Density Control: Elements tied to the Firestorm Matrix have complete control over molecules and as such can change the density of solids, liquids and gases to as light as hydrogen or as heavy as uranium.
  • Eidetic Memory: Also called "Matrix Memory Recall", elements tied to the Firestorm Matrix can access the memories of each and every single being that has ever been fused into the Matrix. New elements are allowed to automatically download surface information.
  • Energy Absorption: Elements tied to the Firestorm Matrix can absorb massive amounts of energy as well as being able to absorb many different types of energy. Most commonly the elements and energies associate with life and the human body are absorbed. Also solar energy is a possible source of energy that can work as a "emergency battery" for elements out of power.
  • Energy Projection: Elements tied to the Firestorm Matrix can project massive amounts of different amount of energies. Naturally occurring energy projected by Firestorm are "Nuclear Blasts" however elements can project a number of different energies at will.
  • Enhanced Vision: Also called "Quark Vision", elements tied to the Firestorm Matrix have access to enhanced vision due to their nuclear nature. Different visions experienced are X-Ray Vision, Microscopic Vision, and Thermal Vision.
  • Flight: Elements tied to the Firestorm Matrix can soar through the sky at amazing speeds. At first it may be difficult to achieve flight through Firestorm's nuclear nature though most master it quickly. Firestorms have been clocked at over 600mph theoretically they can fly much faster.
  • Molecular Reconstruction Elements tied together into the Firestorm Matrix to create Firestorm have one main ability which all other stem from. Their "atomic fusion" or "nuclear nature" stem from nuclear physics tempering with the user's mixture of psychic energies as well as physical properties. Users accessing Firestorm or the Firestorm Matrix are called "elements" as they individually make up the Matrix. Firestorms can break down and reapply subatomic particles as well as break up the molecular structure of elements and rearrange them. To do this the element must know the exact elemental make-up of the object or human. Most Firestorms cannot affect living tissue but it is possible though very unstable.
  • Phasing: Elements tied to the Firestorm Matrix can phase their bodies through solid objects. Although they have direct control over an object's density they can use this ability on themselves and only themselves and affect living tissue to pass through objects.
  • Psychic Link: Sometimes called "floating heads", elements that embody the Firestorm Matrix appear mostly as floating heads to represent their psychic link to the other human being or other element in the Matrix. They can be represented however they'd like but the Matrix defaults them to a disembodied head. Even disconnected an element may have latent psychic traces of the previous user.
  • Regeneration: Though a majorly untested power as well as being as much a reaction from shape-shifting and a direct result of molecular reconstruction; nonetheless, Firestorm elements can regenerate large sections of misplaced or destroyed physical properties.
  • Self-Sustenance: Elements tied to the Firestorm Matrix can survive in space unaided, never need to eat to sustain life and never truly need another element to be processed or broken down by their bodies. Although users may feel these needs and would enjoy producing such bodily functions it is unnecessary.
  • Superhuman Durability: Elements tied to the Firestorm Matrix receive an increased amount of physical resistance and durability. They can survive bullets and stab wounds as well as the physical damage of exploding constantly.
  • Superhuman Strength: Elements tied to the Firestorm Matrix receive an increased amount of physical strength and muscle mass. Certain elements can tap into this energy and become large hulking entities however such strength can be quite destructive to the host if not used sparingly.
  • Transformation: Elements tied to the Firestorm Matrix can transform from their "normal" human forms into Firestorm, the Nuclear Man. However other entities may take whatever form they want; such as, Black Lantern Firestorm and Fury. Furthermore, elements can transform their body or body parts at will with concentration with an unknown level of restraint.

Related

• 41 Appearances of Mikhail Arkadin (New Earth)
• 2 Images featuring Mikhail Arkadin (New Earth)
• Quotations by or about Mikhail Arkadin (New Earth)
• Character Gallery: Mikhail Arkadin (New Earth)