Cliff Carmichael

Clifford Carmichael debuted as a sharp-tongued, arrogant classmate of Ronnie Raymond at Bradley High School, serving as a recurring antagonist who delighted in tormenting Ronnie with cutting wit and intellectual condescension — no superpowers required.

Few characters in the Bronze Age DC universe made their mark through sheer antagonism the way Cliff Carmichael did — debuting in the very first issue of Firestorm in 1978, crafted by Gerry Conway and Al Milgrom with obvious relish. A fixture across The Fury of Firestorm and the broader Firestorm mythos for over three decades, Cliff is that rare supporting character who earns genuine notoriety, sharing pages with Ronnie Raymond, Professor Martin Stein, Doreen Day, and even the villain Multiplex. With 30 catalog appearances, four of them collector-recognized key issues, and a publishing footprint stretching all the way to 2011, he's proof that you don't need a cape to leave a lasting impression in comics.