Firebug is the name of three supervillains appearing in media published by DC Comics, primarily as enemies of Batman. All three are insect-themed arsonists, similar to Firefly. Firebug has made limited appearances in media outside comics, with Tom Kenny voicing the Joe Rigger incarnation of the character in Batman: Caped Crusader.

Publication history

The Joe Rigger incarnation of Firebug debuted in Batman #318 and was created by Len Wein and Irv Novick. The Harlan Combs incarnation of Firebug debuted in Gotham Central #3 and was created by Ed Brubaker and Michael Lark. The unnamed Firebug debuted in Deadshot (vol. 2) #1 and was created by Christos Gage and Steven Cummings.

Fictional character biographies

Joe Rigger

Joe Rigger is a soldier and demolitions expert who returns to Gotham City when several family members are killed in building-related accidents. Using his military training and a costume containing tanks of napalm, he becomes Firebug and attempts to destroy the buildings to prevent further accidents. He is defeated by Batman atop the Gotham State Building and believed dead after his tank explodes. Firebug later resurfaces and becomes a rival of Firefly before being scarred in an explosion and retiring. He returns to villainy in The New 52 continuity reboot.

Harlan Combs

The second Firebug, Harlan Combs, is a civilian and thrill-seeker who succeeds Joe Rigger following his retirement. He is later implicated for the murder of his family babysitter Bonnie Lewis and arrested.

Unnamed

An unnamed character using the name Firebug debuted in Deadshot - Urban Renewal #1 (February 2005). He had won the name and costume from an Internet auction. After taking on the Firebug name, he enters the costume business. Firebug later appeared in a flashback revealing that he teamed up with Mr. Freeze, but was defeated by Batman and Harvey Dent prior to Batman leaving Gotham City for a year.

In other media