Comic Title: Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #71
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: May 1988
On Sale Date: January 12, 1988 Shipping Date January 12, 1988
Source: DC Releases, #48

Shipping Date January 12, 1988
Source: Amazing Heroes, #134

Newsstand Date February 2, 1988
Source: Amazing Heroes, #134

Copyright Date January 12, 1988
Source: Library of Congress, Copyright Office 1988

Cover Price: $0.75
Page Count: 32
Editor: Dennis J. O'Neil

Title: "Hammer and Tong"
Pages: 22

Feature(s):
Firestorm (Post-Crisis)

Writer: John Ostrander
Penciller: Joe J. Brozowski
Inker: Sam DeLaRosa
Letterer: Agustin Mas
Colorist: Nansi Hoolahan

Feature Character(s)

• Firestorm (last appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #70; next appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #72)
• Mikhail Arkadin (last appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #70; next appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #72)
• Martin Stein (behind-the-scenes; last appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #70; next appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #72)

Supporting Character(s)

• Ed Raymond (last appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #70; next appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #72)
• Felicity Raymond (last appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #70; next appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #72)
• Captain X (dies in this story; last appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #70; no further appearances)
• Nina Arkadin (last appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #70; next appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #74)

Villain(s)

• Zastrow (last appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #70; next appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #72)
• Stalnoivolk (last appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #70; next appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #72)
• Soliony (last appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #70; next appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #72)
• Rikkard Rynders (last appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #70; no further appearances)

Guest Appearance(s)

• Soyuz (last appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #70; next appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #72)
• Serafina Arkadin (last appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #70; next appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #72)
• Ilya Trepliov (last appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #70; next appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #72)
• Mashenka Medviedenko (last appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #70; next appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #72)
• Igor Medviedenko (last appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #70; next appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #72)
• Feodor Piotrovich (last appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #70; next appearance in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #72)

Cameo Appearance(s)

• Justice League (in flashback)
• Batman (in flashback)
• Booster Gold (in flashback)
• Martian Manhunter (in flashback)
• Black Canary (in flashback)
• Blue Beetle (in flashback)
• Doctor Fate (in flashback)
• Mister Miracle (in flashback)
• Guy Gardner (in flashback)
• Firehawk (in flashback)

Comments:
This story is continued from Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #70.

Synopsis:
While Firestorm's consciousness is trapped in the past by Rikkard Rynders, Ronnie Raymond is assaulted by Stalnoivolk. Richard Dare tries to intercede, by the Soviet Steel Wolf kills him. Simultaneously in the Soviet Union, the KGB has thrown Nina Arkadin from a window. Her niece Serafina and a group of youths known as the Soyuz save her. They then flee before the KGB can find them.

In the past, Rynders demands that Firestorm help to restore his body. However, Firestorm is powerless and can not aid the Flying Dutchman of Time. As a result, Firestorm's mind is stuck in the timestream for more than twenty years. He is able to learn his own history as well as that of Ronnie and Mikhail. He also learns about the world.

As he progresses through time, Firestorm eventually reaches present day. He is then able to manifest when Ronnie summons him. Firestorm then defeats Stalnoivolk, forcing Zastrow to claim diplomatic immunity for his Soviet associate.