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The Blue Flame: The Complete Series
A cosmic action adventure for fans and readers of Watchmen, Strange Adventures, and Hawkeye, The Blue Flame tells the story of a blue collar working man/DIY vigilante/cosmic hero, who must defend Earth with an answer to the question: “Is humanity worth saving?”
Repairman. Vigilante. Cosmic Hero.
The Blue Flame is a cosmic hero. The Blue Flame is a DIY vigilante that fights crime on the streets of Milwaukee. The Blue Flame is a blue collar HVAC repairman named Sam Brausam.
In the wake of a horrific tragedy, the boundaries of the Blue Flame’s identity blur even further. Now, before a universal trial, the Blue Flame must prove that humanity is worth saving. But in order to do that, Sam Brausam has to save himself. Can he? An odyssey for answers at the heart of the universe.
Collects the entire series.
“The Blue Flame …is a triumph” SYFY Wire
"A perfect 10. " Comics Bookcase
"...a vital modern superhero story." Comicbook(dot)com
“…one of the most thought-provoking stories in comics all year.” – SYFY Wire
Repairman. Vigilante. Cosmic Hero.
The Blue Flame is a cosmic hero. The Blue Flame is a DIY vigilante that fights crime on the streets of Milwaukee. The Blue Flame is a blue collar HVAC repairman named Sam Brausam.
In the wake of a horrific tragedy, the boundaries of the Blue Flame’s identity blur even further. Now, before a universal trial, the Blue Flame must prove that humanity is worth saving. But in order to do that, Sam Brausam has to save himself. Can he? An odyssey for answers at the heart of the universe.
Collects the entire series.
“The Blue Flame …is a triumph” SYFY Wire
"A perfect 10. " Comics Bookcase
"...a vital modern superhero story." Comicbook(dot)com
“…one of the most thought-provoking stories in comics all year.” – SYFY Wire
256 pages, Paperback
Published April 25, 2023
5 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 14, 2024
Really enjoyed this read. It reminded me of Tom King’s Strange Adventures. Honestly I’d have given it 4 maybe 5 stars if it wasn’t for the ending. It just didn’t do it for me.
July 1, 2023
The Blue Flame by Christopher Cantwell is about an HVAC repairman who creates a suit that allows him to travel into space. Sam Brausam is a blue collar repairman during the day and at night, he is Blue Flame, a vigilante, who fights crime.
At a local convention to showcase the acts of Blue Flame and his fellow vigilantes, an unexpected and horrific tragedy occurs. The tragedy leaves many people hurt and killed, including Sam and all of his friends. While Sam is trying to come to terms with the aftermath, he is given an impossible task.
There is another story arc, where Sam uses his special suit to visit another planet. While there, he is captured by the native inhabitants. His captors put him on trial and tell him that he must prove why humanity is worth saving, otherwise they will wipe Earth of all humans. Sam isn’t sure if he is able to help humanity when he is barely able to help himself overcome his grief. Will Sam be able to pull himself together to help humanity one more time?
I thought the graphic novel was a confusing read. I normally don’t read sci-fi novels but the premise of this one seemed interesting. The story did have a few twists but I had a hard time following the two different timelines: 1) where Sam survived a shooting and 2) the timeline where the world depended on Sam. I didn’t understand why he was on trial to defend humanity. Was this a test that his conscience came up with or is this actually happening? I felt that the ending was a bit abrupt and didn’t really let the audience know what humanity’s faith was. Were we supposed to read between the lines? The book was boring and it didn’t help that the author didn’t flesh out the story to help understand why Blue Flame specifically was on trial.
At a local convention to showcase the acts of Blue Flame and his fellow vigilantes, an unexpected and horrific tragedy occurs. The tragedy leaves many people hurt and killed, including Sam and all of his friends. While Sam is trying to come to terms with the aftermath, he is given an impossible task.
There is another story arc, where Sam uses his special suit to visit another planet. While there, he is captured by the native inhabitants. His captors put him on trial and tell him that he must prove why humanity is worth saving, otherwise they will wipe Earth of all humans. Sam isn’t sure if he is able to help humanity when he is barely able to help himself overcome his grief. Will Sam be able to pull himself together to help humanity one more time?
I thought the graphic novel was a confusing read. I normally don’t read sci-fi novels but the premise of this one seemed interesting. The story did have a few twists but I had a hard time following the two different timelines: 1) where Sam survived a shooting and 2) the timeline where the world depended on Sam. I didn’t understand why he was on trial to defend humanity. Was this a test that his conscience came up with or is this actually happening? I felt that the ending was a bit abrupt and didn’t really let the audience know what humanity’s faith was. Were we supposed to read between the lines? The book was boring and it didn’t help that the author didn’t flesh out the story to help understand why Blue Flame specifically was on trial.
December 17, 2023
Meh. I thought this was OK. I liked the art well enough, and it had a nice redemptive theme. But it felt too long; I spent a lot of time confused about what was happening, the timeline, and the abrupt ending. Plus, it lacks any true conclusion. So, meh.
July 11, 2023
A man who lost everything is the same man who's defending humanity from total annihilation.
It dark look into humanity and what people are capable of, both good and bad. What motivation gives us the will to push on despite circumstances that usually destroy us. As humans we are selfish but does that mean we deserve to be destroyed? Our superhero, The Blue Flame, is up for trial to make sure humanity is worth not wiping away but at the same time we visit events of a mass shooting that has left him crippled and missing his friends who were killed during it.
I personally REALLY dug this a lot. It took awhile to get the groove and understand what was happening but by the end I really dug it. A 4 out of 5.
It dark look into humanity and what people are capable of, both good and bad. What motivation gives us the will to push on despite circumstances that usually destroy us. As humans we are selfish but does that mean we deserve to be destroyed? Our superhero, The Blue Flame, is up for trial to make sure humanity is worth not wiping away but at the same time we visit events of a mass shooting that has left him crippled and missing his friends who were killed during it.
I personally REALLY dug this a lot. It took awhile to get the groove and understand what was happening but by the end I really dug it. A 4 out of 5.
June 7, 2023
I saw THE BLUE FLAME as a cross between John Carter and The Watchmen when reading "The Complete Series," which consists of all ten issues. There are two plotlines: one takes place on Earth, focusing on Sam Brausam, a repairman turned vigilante, while the other is set in space and involves the superhero Blue Flame being captured by aliens and put on trial.
Christopher Cantwell has masterfully created a superhero story with depth and vulnerabilities. The narrative focuses more on the consequences of acting as a vigilante. For those who haven't read THE BLUE FLAME, I'm trying to avoid giving away too much, but the first issue has a huge shock that establishes the Earth plot and is one of the most realistic superhero portrayals. Earth is more of a character-study drama, so don't anticipate much action. The interstellar setting includes more of what you desire from a superhero story: action—excellently emphasized by Adam Gorham's colorful artwork.
THE BLUE FLAME is best read as an omnibus since the storylines play out better read at once. Near the end, the two plotlines eventually converge, but I couldn't help but question whether Sam imagined the intergalactic trial to cope with his trauma. At any rate, that's how I perceived it.
For mature superhero lovers seeking more than the usual hero vs. villain story, THE BLUE FLAME is a must-read. It's undoubtedly worthwhile reading. ╌★★★★★
Christopher Cantwell has masterfully created a superhero story with depth and vulnerabilities. The narrative focuses more on the consequences of acting as a vigilante. For those who haven't read THE BLUE FLAME, I'm trying to avoid giving away too much, but the first issue has a huge shock that establishes the Earth plot and is one of the most realistic superhero portrayals. Earth is more of a character-study drama, so don't anticipate much action. The interstellar setting includes more of what you desire from a superhero story: action—excellently emphasized by Adam Gorham's colorful artwork.
THE BLUE FLAME is best read as an omnibus since the storylines play out better read at once. Near the end, the two plotlines eventually converge, but I couldn't help but question whether Sam imagined the intergalactic trial to cope with his trauma. At any rate, that's how I perceived it.
For mature superhero lovers seeking more than the usual hero vs. villain story, THE BLUE FLAME is a must-read. It's undoubtedly worthwhile reading. ╌★★★★★
September 2, 2025
Very Solid read!
A vigilante is forced to retire when his friends are gunned down and he is crippled in a shooting. Throughout the story we see two narratives taking place.
An intergalactic trial where humanity as a whole as the defendant and fighting for their right to exist, and what's really happening. The crippled hero, a shell of his former self, living out of apathy. This story tackes themes of depression, redemption and delusion. It can be a little confusing for the first few issues, but after that it all clicks together.
The more I thought about this book the more I began to think that the Trial for humanity was really just a visual expression of his battles with suicidal thoughts. He sees this vision usually when he's drunk or asleep, but as the story goes on and tragic things happen to him and the family he has left those visions start to blur into his reality. This also makes the seemingly abrupt ending a little more palatable with the birth of his niece being signifying his choice to live.
Or maybe he's just mentally ill. Probably both, but that's just my interpretation.
Art was pretty great, recommend this book to anyone who likes things left up to interpretation. 8/10
A vigilante is forced to retire when his friends are gunned down and he is crippled in a shooting. Throughout the story we see two narratives taking place.
An intergalactic trial where humanity as a whole as the defendant and fighting for their right to exist, and what's really happening. The crippled hero, a shell of his former self, living out of apathy. This story tackes themes of depression, redemption and delusion. It can be a little confusing for the first few issues, but after that it all clicks together.
The more I thought about this book the more I began to think that the Trial for humanity was really just a visual expression of his battles with suicidal thoughts. He sees this vision usually when he's drunk or asleep, but as the story goes on and tragic things happen to him and the family he has left those visions start to blur into his reality. This also makes the seemingly abrupt ending a little more palatable with the birth of his niece being signifying his choice to live.
Or maybe he's just mentally ill. Probably both, but that's just my interpretation.
Art was pretty great, recommend this book to anyone who likes things left up to interpretation. 8/10
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 30, 2024
A science fiction commentary on the state of humanity and if any of us deserve anything.
“Is humanity worth saving?”
Sam Brausam (aka the Blue Flame) must answer that question to save earth, but can he even save himself?
A book about a superhero but also about humanity, our love and destruction of each other. I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of the main character and the heartbreaking situation he finds himself. The action was simple, and the layout wasn’t emotionally driven but the writing is great. The ideas about what makes us worthy were solidly presented.
“The stories we as humans have told and continue to tell ourselves. The stories we lose ourselves in, the stories we lie to ourselves with, the stories we use to keep going, one day at a time. Heroes and villains. Doom and hope. Each of us as special and individual, and sovereign, and absolute. We’re swallowed by the delusions of who we are and what we deserve. We are diseased with stories. Identities. But we need this disease and embrace it because it’s the only method of survival we have. Because it is dark, and we are alone…”
Way to call us all out.
“Is humanity worth saving?”
Sam Brausam (aka the Blue Flame) must answer that question to save earth, but can he even save himself?
A book about a superhero but also about humanity, our love and destruction of each other. I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of the main character and the heartbreaking situation he finds himself. The action was simple, and the layout wasn’t emotionally driven but the writing is great. The ideas about what makes us worthy were solidly presented.
“The stories we as humans have told and continue to tell ourselves. The stories we lose ourselves in, the stories we lie to ourselves with, the stories we use to keep going, one day at a time. Heroes and villains. Doom and hope. Each of us as special and individual, and sovereign, and absolute. We’re swallowed by the delusions of who we are and what we deserve. We are diseased with stories. Identities. But we need this disease and embrace it because it’s the only method of survival we have. Because it is dark, and we are alone…”
Way to call us all out.
August 31, 2024
My ratings of books on Goodreads are solely a crude ranking of their utility to me, and not an evaluation of literary merit, entertainment value, social importance, humor, insightfulness, scientific accuracy, creative vigor, suspensefulness of plot, depth of characters, vitality of theme, excitement of climax, satisfaction of ending, or any other combination of dimensions of value which we are expected to boil down through some fabulous alchemy into a single digit.
September 22, 2023
Great story…… the ending?
I very much enjoyed reading this story. I was highly impressed with the writing and art. Great job on that, for sure!
The ending, well, honestly, since I enjoyed the story so much and how it was told, I anticipated a fantastic ending. However, it just kinda ended very abruptly. I would have given a 5 star, for sure, if it wasn’t for that.
I very much enjoyed reading this story. I was highly impressed with the writing and art. Great job on that, for sure!
The ending, well, honestly, since I enjoyed the story so much and how it was told, I anticipated a fantastic ending. However, it just kinda ended very abruptly. I would have given a 5 star, for sure, if it wasn’t for that.
March 11, 2025
A story told in two parts. The Blue Flame has been chosen to defend humanity in a galactic trial to determine if humanity should continue to live or not. At the same time, he's in Wisconsin recovering from a horrible tragedy that happened to his superhero team. It was really good. I do with the ending was a little less ambiguous but I get it.
June 12, 2023
Solid Read
This was a solid story. It’s more of a philosophical debate rather than a superhero story.
I was surprised at how much religious talk/verbiage was in here.
I like that we see Sam grow throughout the book, and he learns a lot throughout the trial.
This was a solid story. It’s more of a philosophical debate rather than a superhero story.
I was surprised at how much religious talk/verbiage was in here.
I like that we see Sam grow throughout the book, and he learns a lot throughout the trial.
August 7, 2023
I absolutely loved it. The only minor quibble I might have would be inconsistencies with the artwork, but such is the peril of a monthly publication schedule. Overall, a tremendous book - highly recommended.
April 21, 2023
Overall good but could've been better
November 25, 2023
Maybe 3.5
April 6, 2024
I really loved this.
The ending felt hollow to me and unsatisfying but the build up to that was fantastic.
The ending felt hollow to me and unsatisfying but the build up to that was fantastic.
August 30, 2024
Really thought provoking.
March 5, 2025
Fantastic book. I highly recommend.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews