Today I'm going to give you a sensory overload of comic book covers, with a minimum of my usual rambling. (You're welcome.) Almost no background, just an overview, coupled with purty pictures!
The star of the day is The Flash. DC Comics' second Flash, actually, whose secret identity was Barry Allen.
The original Flash was Jay Garrick, who debuted in Flash Comics #1 in 1940. Failing sales killed the series in 1949.
In 1956, however, DC Comics introduced a new Flash in the pages of Showcase #4. The story was written by Robert Kanigher, and illustrated by Carmine Infantino. Barry (The Flash) Allen was a hit!
How'd he get his powers? I'll let Barry tell you himself!
In those days, comic book collectors -- those few readers who were proper "collectors," that is -- didn't care about #1 issues as they do today. So the new Flash series, once given its own title, resumed with #105, since the old series had ended at #104.
Of course, it wasn't long before Jay Garrick came out of retirement, in this landmark issue which established a parallel universe where DC's Golden Age characters lived!
The Flash's villains were often showcased in little team-ups of two or more. They became known collectively as the Rogues Gallery.
Barry Allen's best friend ended up being Green Lantern!
How does one feel when one is being turned into a puppet?
This issue featured the third team-up of the two Flashes, and gave us a cameo appearance of the Justice Society of America...
...which paved the way for these two issues, and many more JLA/JSA team-ups to come!
MY first issue of The Flash!
And right around the same time came this treasure trove of early Flash stories! One of the best annuals
ever!
This baddie became Barry's worst enemy!
One of my favorite Flash villains, for whatever reason.
Okay, this premise is more than a bit odd...!!!
And I finally got to read "Flash of Two Worlds!"
Here's the story that everyone hated! A "Heavenly Help-Mate" named Mopee reveals that he gave the Flash his super-speed powers. This story has been universally ignored ever since, and rightfully so!
This was a biggie. It established a parallel universe called "Earth-Prime." That's where you and I live, fellow babies! A world where superheroes exist only in comic books!
Shortly before artist Carmine Infantino stopped drawing the Flash, I kinda lost interest ol' Barry anyway... for a few years, that is. So the remainder of this post will only feature a handful of major events.
Poor Barry! First his wife gets killed by the Reverse-Flash...
...and then The Flash accidentally kills his greatest enemy, before the Reverse-Flash could kill the bride at Barry's second wedding!
He's convicted of murder...
...and then his title ends!
And then, Barry himself DIES!
But don't worry, folks. These are
comic books. Barry eventually
returned from the
dead, albeit several years later!
And now, as a final treat, here's a little something by The Flash's primary artist, the late Carmine Infantino! (Click on the image to see it in a larger size!)
And thanks for your time.
