Firefly (DC Comics)

Firefly (Garfield Lynns) is a fictional supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by France Herron and Dick Sprang, he made his debut in "Detective Comics" #184 (June 1952). Initially portrayed as a criminal who utilized lighting effects to commit robberies, Firefly was later re-imagined as a sociopathic pyromaniac with an obsessive compulsion to start fires following "Crisis on Infinite Earths" reboot of the DC Universe in the 1980s. This darker depiction of the character has since endured as one of the superhero Batman's most recurring enemies and belongs to the collective of adversaries that make up his central rogues gallery.
Firefly has been featured in various forms of media, including several shows set within the DC animated universe, "The Batman" cartoon series, The CW's live-action Arrowverse television series "Arrow" in the first season played by Andrew Dunbar, and the ' video game franchise. Firefly also appeared as original character Bridgit Pike"' in the television series "Gotham", played by Michelle Veintimilla and Camila Perez.
Fictional character biography.
Pre-"Crisis".
Garfield Lynns was a down-and-out film special effects expert whose plan to rob a theater by faking a fire was foiled by Batman and Robin. As Lynns fled the scene, Batman mistook a distant firefly for Lynns' lit cigarette and gave chase in the wrong direction. Lynns saw this as a sign of fate and became the Firefly, a costumed criminal who utilized various lighting effects and optical illusions during heists.
Post-"Crisis".
Following "Crisis on Infinite Earths" reboot of the DC Universe, Firefly was re-imagined as a much darker and more violent character.
After being taken away from their abusive parents, Garfield Lynns and his sister, Amanda, grew up at the St. Evangelina Home for Orphans. Unlike his relatively normal sister, Garfield was a problematic child whom nobody wanted to adopt. As an adult, Lynns became a pyrotechnics and special effects expert in the film industry, but eventually fell victim to Gotham City's severe poverty issues and turned to a life of crime as a result. While he initially only committed arson during his robberies as a hobby, Lynns' compulsion to start fires soon turned into a pyromaniacal obsession as a result of his abusive and troubled childhood; he believed that he could see visions in the flames he created.
Lynns then becomes a professional arsonist known as the "Firefly", and allies himself with fellow supervillain Killer Moth in an attempt to kill Batman and Robin. Their alliance falls apart, however, when Killer Moth realizes the full extent of Firefly's madness and feared for his own well-being. The two villains are then taken into custody. During the "" storyline, Firefly escapes from Arkham Asylum and attempts to burn all of the places that he lacked the privilege to go to as a child. After successfully destroying a pier and a theater, Firefly is stopped by Batman as he tries to scorch the Gotham Zoo. In his next attempt to burn Gotham to the ground, Firefly is horribly scarred when an uncontrollable fire that he starts at a chemical factory causes it to explode; over 90 percent of his body is burned, so he designs a fireproof battle suit to protect himself from his own flames from this point on.
During the "No Man's Land" story arc, Firefly is one of the inmates at Blackgate Penitentiary when it is taken over by Lock-Up. When Nightwing is captured after trying to retake the prison from Lock-Up, Firefly attempts to kill him and wear his skin over his burned body.
During the "DC One Million" crisis, Firefly nearly burns down Gotham while infected with the Hourman virus, requiring Nightwing and Robin to work with the future Batman to stop him.
Firefly makes a short appearance in the Justice League of America story arc "Crisis of Conscience" fighting Catwoman in Gotham City over a diamond before Batman arrives. Although an epic battle between the Secret Society and the Justice League ensues, Firefly is knocked unconscious and remains that way during the entire battle. He makes another short appearance in the 2005 miniseries "Villains United" when the Secret Six attempts to escape the Society's grasp.
Firefly is among the numerous heroes and villains apparently murdered by the OMACs in the pages of DC's "The OMAC Project", although he later appears alive in "Villains United: Infinite Crisis Special" and "Gotham Underground".
Firefly appears with Mr. Freeze facing Batman (though Firefly is wearing the same uniform as the Firefly design of "The Batman"). He and Mr. Freeze are again shown as having worked together a month after the events of the Crisis, Batman working with the currently-redeemed Harvey Dent to take them down before he takes his year of absence while leaving Dent to guard Gotham.
Following the "Final Crisis", Firefly was with Cheetah's Secret Society of Super Villains at the time when Genocide was created. He was defeated by Wonder Woman alongside Shrapnel, Phobia, and T. O. Morrow.
Firefly is recruited by a new Black Mask to be a part of a group of villains that are aiming to take over Gotham, but he follows his own agenda. Inspired by the chemicals that Black Mask used on him, Firefly inserts chips into Gothamites in order to make them burn. Not long after the identity of the new Black Mask was revealed to be Jeremiah Arkham, Firefly was arrested and put into Arkham Asylum. A short time later, Firefly is broken out of Arkham Asylum by Dick Grayson, who has assumed the mantle of Batman, to assist him in gaining access to Sebastian Blackspell's closest friends. Batman (Dick) desires to know what Blackspell's true intentions are in regards to killing the Riddler.
Powers and abilities.
Following "Crisis on Infinite Earths" reboot of the DC Universe, Firefly's depiction was drastically altered from that of a mere criminal who utilized colored lights and optical illusions to that of a violent sociopath with intense pyromania. Even prior to becoming Firefly, Garfield Lynns was already an expert in pyrotechnics and explosives with a thorough knowledge of flammable agents. After he is horribly scarred by a blaze at a chemical factory, Lynns mechanically engineered an insulated, fireproof battle suit to protect himself. This specialized outfit is equipped with an extensive arsenal of fire-creating weapons, including a military-grade flamethrower, various incendiary devices (such as grenades, napalm, and smoke bombs), and a sword-like blade of superheated plasma for close-ranged hand-to-hand combat. A high-tech, winged jet pack is also mounted on the back of the armor to allow for high-speed flight.
Other characters named Firefly.
Ted Carson.
A man named Ted Carson becomes the second character to adopt the identity of the "Firefly". Created by Bill Finger and Sheldon Moldoff, he first appeared in "Batman" #126. Carson was an ostentatiously wealthy gold mine heir who gambled his family fortune away and subsequently turned to a life of crime as the second Firefly. Carson then goes on a robbery spree before being apprehended by Batman and Batwoman.
In "The New 52" reboot, Carson is a former high school teacher who tries to incinerate everything that will separate him from his ex-girlfriend Cindy Cooke, though he is ultimately defeated by Nightwing and Batgirl.
In the "DC Rebirth" relaunch, Ted Carson and Killer Moth attempt to kill Batman to collect Two-Face's multi-million dollar bounty. Carson is later seen as one of the many villains that Bane pummels in his quest to reach Batman at Arkham Asylum. During the gang war between the Joker and the Riddler, Carson is shown siding with the Riddler's faction.
Bridgit Pike.
Ted Carson's protégé Bridgit Pike (a character introduced in the TV series "Gotham") adopts the identity of "Lady Firefly". She first appeared in "Detective Comics" #988 (September 2018), and was created by James Robinson and Stephen Segovia. She and Carson are hired by Kobra to kill Batman while he investigates a murder.
Other versions.
"Smallville Season Eleven".
Firefly appears in the "Smallville Season Eleven" comic. A yellow ring of Parallax finds its way to Lynns and attaches itself to him, transforming him into a powerful Yellow Lantern. However, Firefly's ring is ultimately confiscated by Batman and he is returned to Arkham Asylum.
"Flashpoint".
In the alternate reality created during "Flashpoint", Firefly is seen as a member of Canterbury Cricket's Ambush Bugs, and is killed in battle against the Amazons.
"Batman: The Brave and the Bold".
Firefly appears as one of the villains attacking Batman and Wonder Woman's wedding, during which Lynns battles the Martian Manhunter.
"Batman v Superman".
Firefly is introduced to the DC Extended Universe via the tie-in prequel comic to the 2016 film "". When Lynns attempts to bomb a warehouse full of valuables, the vigilante Batman appears and subdues him before leaving him to be apprehended by the police. Lex Luthor ominously watches all this unfold through security footage.
In other media.
Film.
Firefly appears in the DC Animated Movie Universe film "" (2016), voiced by Steve Blum. This version is one of Talia al Ghul's assassins and his appearance is based on his design in the video game "Batman: Arkham Origins".
Video games.
"Batman: Arkham".
Garfield Lynns / Firefly appears in the " video game series, voiced by Crispin Freeman. This version is depicted as an unhinged and obsessive pyromaniac with burns on 90 percent of his body.
Merchandise.
DC Collectibles released a 7-inch action figure of Firefly in Series 2 of their "Batman: Arkham Origins" line based on his design in the 2013 video game. This statue was sculpted by Gentle Giant Studios.