Flamebird
{{Short description|DC Comics superhero}}
{{Infobox comics set index
|image =
|imagesize =
|noimage = yes
|caption =
|publisher = DC Comics
|debut = Superman #158
|debutmo = January
|debutyr = 1963
|debutyr1 =
|debutyr2 =
|debutyr3 =
|debutyr4 =
|debutyr5 = 2008
|writer1 = Edmond Hamilton
|artist1 = Curt Swan
|characters = Jimmy Olsen
Ak-Var
Bette Kane
Lois Lane
Kara Zor-El
Thara Ak-Var
|seealso =
|cat = super
|subcat = DC Comics
|hero = y
|villain =
|sortkey = Flamebird
}}
Flamebird is the name used by six different fictional comic book characters who have appeared in books published by DC Comics, specifically from the Superman and Batman mythos.
The primary character to use the Flamebird name is Bette Kane, who was the pre-Crisis hero Bat-Girl. However, the original pre-Crisis Flamebird was Jimmy Olsen, who was later succeeded by a Kandorian scientist. In post-Crisis, a Kryptonian hero used the name Flamebird, and in a "One Year Later" storyline, so has Kara Zor-El.
Flamebird characters are also often associated with characters who use the name Nightwing.
Pre-Crisis history
===Jimmy Olsen===
File:Flamebird (Jimmy Olsen circa 1963).png.]]
In pre-Crisis continuity, Flamebird is an alias used by Jimmy Olsen in adventures shared with Superman in the shrunken Kryptonian city of Kandor.Superman #158 (January 1962)World's Finest Comics #143 (August 1964)
In Superman #166 (January 1964), the imaginary sons of Superman go to Kandor, and take on the Flamebird and Nightwing personas.
===Ak-Var===
Van-Zee is a Kandorian scientist who becomes Nightwing to rescue a captured Superman. His assistant Ak-Var later becomes Flamebird.Superman Family #185 (September–October 1977); first appearance as Flamebird in #184.Superman Family #188 (March–April 1978)
Post-Crisis
=Bette Kane=
File:Flamebird Nightwing.jpg as Flamebird and Dick Grayson as Nightwing, from JLA/Titans #2; art by Phil Jimenez.]]
For a brief time in the 1970s, Bette Kane joins Titans West as "Bat-Girl". In post-Crisis on Infinite Earths continuity, Kane never becomes Bat-Girl and instead assumes the Flamebird moniker.{{Cite book | last=Beatty | first=Scott | author-link=Scott Beatty | contribution=Flamebird | editor-last=Dougall | editor-first=Alastair | title=The DC Comics Encyclopedia | page=128 | publisher=Dorling Kindersley | location=New York | year=2008 | isbn=978-0-7566-4119-1 | oclc=213309017}} Furthermore, Superman and Jimmy Olsen never became Nightwing or Flamebird.{{cite book |last1=Greenberger |first1=Robert |title=The Essential Batman Encyclopedia |date=2008 |publisher=Del Rey |isbn=9780345501066 |page=137}}{{Cite comic | writer=Schultz, Mark | penciller=Mahnke, Doug | inker=Nguyen, Tom | story=Return to Krypton, Part Three: The Most Dangerous Kryptonian Game | title=Superman: The Man of Steel | issue=#111 | date=April 2001 | publisher=DC Comics | location=New York}}
=Kara Zor-El=
In Supergirl #6, Kara Zor-El assumes the Flamebird identity to fight crime in Kandor, alongside Power Girl as Nightwing.{{Episode needed|date=February 2024}}
=Thara Ak-Var=
In Superman: New Krypton, Thara Ak-Var and Chris Kent become Flamebird and Nightwing, serving as the avatars of their namesake entities.{{cite book |last1=Greenberger |first1=Robert |last2=Pasko |first2=Martin |title=The Essential Superman Encyclopedia |date=2010 |publisher=Del Rey |isbn=978-0-345-50108-0 |pages=94–96}}Action Comics #875 (May 2009)Action Comics Annual #12 (2009)
=New 52=
Following the events of Infinite Crisis, it is revealed that Bette Kane is the cousin of the current Batwoman, Kate Kane. After being injured in battle, she acquires pyrotechnic technology and becomes Hawkfire.Detective Comics #863Batwoman #1
In other media
The Bette Kane incarnation of Flamebird appears in Teen Titans Go! as a potential recruit for the eponymous group.
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Batman characters}}
{{Superman characters}}
{{Set index article|comics}}
Category:Batman characters code names
Category:Characters created by Curt Swan
Category:Characters created by Edmond Hamilton
Category:Comics characters introduced in 1963
Category:DC Comics extraterrestrial superheroes
Category:DC Comics male superheroes
Category:DC Comics female superheroes