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The Flash (1959-1985) #105-108
The Flash Archives, Vol. 1
In the late 1950s, DC introduced a new version of the Flash, paving the way for a major super-hero revival. These are the fast-paced adventures that introduced police scientist Barry Allen to a generation of readers.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published May 4, 1998
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About the author
John Broome
432 books14 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Bro...
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Bro...
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 8, 2015
This week's buddy read with the Shallow Comic Readers is all about RED.
In this inaugural volume of The Flash Archives, the Silver Age Flash, Barry Allen, speeds into the scene with the force of a whirlwind, ushering in the new age of super-hero comics. First appearing in Showcase #4, The Flash was the first new super-hero concept to be tried out in nearly six years, since the end of the Golden Age of comics in 1949 or so. Although Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and Green Arrow still had their own features, either in their own magazines or as backup strips, super-heroes had gone by the wayside, no longer popular with the comic book reading public.
Showcase was designed to be a comic mag that would offer tryouts for new ideas, and if sales warranted, allow them to graduate into their own series. The first three issues of Showcase were all about firefighters, scuba divers, and "tales of the wild." DC's editorial offices brainstormed and thought to bring about a new Flash, with many of the same creative talents that produced the original Flash, and the rest is history. The new Flash was a huge success and inspired the introduction of new, updated versions of previous super-heroes who were no longer being published.
The first story in this volume is actually the origin of the original Flash, Jay Garrick. What's surprising is how the art is so different from the first appearance of Barry Allen, even though it's the same penciller. During the six years between publications, somehow Carmine Infantino grew from a rather crude artistic style to the sleek and realistic style he became known for. His Flash is kinetic and his Barry Allen stolid. Girlfriend Iris West, picture editor at a local newspaper, is glamorous and beautiful.
None of these stories are what we now think of as full-length. At either ten or twelve pages, the reader got two stories per issue of Showcase, and later of Flash's own magazine, which incidentally did not start over at number one, but picked up the previous title's numbering at 105 (even thought the older comic was called Flash Comics, but why be picky). Therefore, there is little character development other than the usual male/female spats that seemed to be so popular in comics during the early years of the Silver Age. Iris especially seems to enjoy berating Barry Allen as being the "slowest man alive" because he is frequently late to their dates, although she doesn't seem to have the ardor for the Flash that Lois Lane had for Superman.
These tales introduce a good number of classic Flash villains: Captain Cold, Pied Piper, Mr Element/Dr Alchemy, Mirror Master, and Grodd, who appears (unfortunately) in three separate stories. As with most Silver Age stories, the Flash relies on a good number of pseudo-scientific principles to defeat his enemies, all of whom tend to be more interested in robbing banks than killing people or assuming power (Grodd being the one exception). The sci-fi elements in editor Julius Schwartz's other books (Justice League of America, Green Lantern, Atom, Hawkman, Adam Strange) are not as prevalent here, although the Flash does have a few extra-dimensional conflicts to sort out.
I can't say the stories are all that exciting, though, even by the standards of their day. They're a bit breezy and rather neat, with few moments of tension as the Flash attempts to escape his various traps. All-in-all, I liked these stories, but I feel a three star is the best rating I can give them, and most of that is for the art. Writers John Broome and Robert Kanigher just weren't as inventive here as they usually were elsewhere.
In this inaugural volume of The Flash Archives, the Silver Age Flash, Barry Allen, speeds into the scene with the force of a whirlwind, ushering in the new age of super-hero comics. First appearing in Showcase #4, The Flash was the first new super-hero concept to be tried out in nearly six years, since the end of the Golden Age of comics in 1949 or so. Although Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and Green Arrow still had their own features, either in their own magazines or as backup strips, super-heroes had gone by the wayside, no longer popular with the comic book reading public.
Showcase was designed to be a comic mag that would offer tryouts for new ideas, and if sales warranted, allow them to graduate into their own series. The first three issues of Showcase were all about firefighters, scuba divers, and "tales of the wild." DC's editorial offices brainstormed and thought to bring about a new Flash, with many of the same creative talents that produced the original Flash, and the rest is history. The new Flash was a huge success and inspired the introduction of new, updated versions of previous super-heroes who were no longer being published.
The first story in this volume is actually the origin of the original Flash, Jay Garrick. What's surprising is how the art is so different from the first appearance of Barry Allen, even though it's the same penciller. During the six years between publications, somehow Carmine Infantino grew from a rather crude artistic style to the sleek and realistic style he became known for. His Flash is kinetic and his Barry Allen stolid. Girlfriend Iris West, picture editor at a local newspaper, is glamorous and beautiful.
None of these stories are what we now think of as full-length. At either ten or twelve pages, the reader got two stories per issue of Showcase, and later of Flash's own magazine, which incidentally did not start over at number one, but picked up the previous title's numbering at 105 (even thought the older comic was called Flash Comics, but why be picky). Therefore, there is little character development other than the usual male/female spats that seemed to be so popular in comics during the early years of the Silver Age. Iris especially seems to enjoy berating Barry Allen as being the "slowest man alive" because he is frequently late to their dates, although she doesn't seem to have the ardor for the Flash that Lois Lane had for Superman.
These tales introduce a good number of classic Flash villains: Captain Cold, Pied Piper, Mr Element/Dr Alchemy, Mirror Master, and Grodd, who appears (unfortunately) in three separate stories. As with most Silver Age stories, the Flash relies on a good number of pseudo-scientific principles to defeat his enemies, all of whom tend to be more interested in robbing banks than killing people or assuming power (Grodd being the one exception). The sci-fi elements in editor Julius Schwartz's other books (Justice League of America, Green Lantern, Atom, Hawkman, Adam Strange) are not as prevalent here, although the Flash does have a few extra-dimensional conflicts to sort out.
I can't say the stories are all that exciting, though, even by the standards of their day. They're a bit breezy and rather neat, with few moments of tension as the Flash attempts to escape his various traps. All-in-all, I liked these stories, but I feel a three star is the best rating I can give them, and most of that is for the art. Writers John Broome and Robert Kanigher just weren't as inventive here as they usually were elsewhere.
February 17, 2020
I was never a regular reader of The Flash until the Crisis on Infinite Earths, when Barry Allen made the most heroic sacrifice and left the mantle of the red and yellow to his nephew, Wally West (I stayed with Wally's series until 2006).
I had always been familiar with Wally's predecessor from other books, but had the lingering impression that Barry Allen's Flash was the "scientific character", and after reading his earliest adventures, that turns out to be an accurate assessment. But it's a good thing!
The earliest Flash tales are of course filled with villains, aliens and the like, but are interestingly supplemented by scientific facts that I chalk up to genuine enthusiasm on the part of the writers and editor. Do you know the speed of light? Or what an item that has been struck by lightning is called? If you read these tales you will. And along the way you'll see Barry Allen grow into his role as one of DC's most beloved heroes and see first appearances of members of his Rogues Gallery (the Flash's array of villains rivaled that of his colleague in Gotham City).
Great fun!
I had always been familiar with Wally's predecessor from other books, but had the lingering impression that Barry Allen's Flash was the "scientific character", and after reading his earliest adventures, that turns out to be an accurate assessment. But it's a good thing!
The earliest Flash tales are of course filled with villains, aliens and the like, but are interestingly supplemented by scientific facts that I chalk up to genuine enthusiasm on the part of the writers and editor. Do you know the speed of light? Or what an item that has been struck by lightning is called? If you read these tales you will. And along the way you'll see Barry Allen grow into his role as one of DC's most beloved heroes and see first appearances of members of his Rogues Gallery (the Flash's array of villains rivaled that of his colleague in Gotham City).
Great fun!
March 11, 2010
Barry Allen was my favorite super-hero as a kid because he fought crime with science. I knew, of course, that the earth wasn't really hollow and full of bird people, but I liked that Gorilla Grodd had an "evolution ray" and that Barry had to know things like the molecular density of materials to vibrate through them. Reading these stories as an adult has kind of killed a little portion of my childhood.
I mean, Mr. Element is so obsessed with pure elements that he made a special mask so he breathes only pure oxygen. This might actually explain why he goes crazy, but it's presented like a superpower.
Oh pseudoscience, together we can plug the hole in forever.
I mean, Mr. Element is so obsessed with pure elements that he made a special mask so he breathes only pure oxygen. This might actually explain why he goes crazy, but it's presented like a superpower.
Oh pseudoscience, together we can plug the hole in forever.
November 15, 2022
These first stories of Barry Allen, the Flash, are monumental in the history of superhero comic books, because they cracked open in 1956 what we now call the Silver Age of comics. If you want a copy of the first Flash story in its original printing in Showcase #4, you'll be spending tens of thousands of dollars to become its proud owner. The cover price on this "Archives" volume which reprints that book and the next seven featuring the Flash was $49.95, thus very much a tempting proposition if you'd just like to read the stories and don't crave the prestige of owning a collector's item.
Reading these now, some two-thirds of a century later, I'm experiencing a credibility gap. Oh, I know, I realize, I get it, if your saga starts with a lightning bolt that just randomly miraculously knocks a bunch of chemicals off the shelves by the window in Barry Allen's laboratory and splashes on him and the result is that he now has super-speed.... you've got to dish out a generous helping of suspension of disbelief. But there's a lot of "science" in here that's just silly. In nearly every story there's a "No, that wouldn't really work" moment.
Also silly is how every super-villain who pops up out of nowhere in Central City seems to have developed his incredible powers mainly by thinking about them a lot. Here's Mr. Element in flashback: "I can only succeed as a criminal if I defeat the Flash! And there's only one way I can do that -- by elements! The elements contain the answer to everything -- even to the Flash! I shall gain complete mastery over the elements! ... I carried out my idea with my usual thoroughness, secured an adequate hide-out, and designed my own uniform...." Oh yeah, these guys always design their own uniforms.
So, in sum, let's just say the stories (some written by John Broome, some by Robert Kanigher) don't hold up very well. But the wonderful artwork by Carmine Infantino is as terrific to behold as ever. There's a lot of stuff from the 1950s that doesn't hold up very well. Have a grain of salt and enjoy.
Reading these now, some two-thirds of a century later, I'm experiencing a credibility gap. Oh, I know, I realize, I get it, if your saga starts with a lightning bolt that just randomly miraculously knocks a bunch of chemicals off the shelves by the window in Barry Allen's laboratory and splashes on him and the result is that he now has super-speed.... you've got to dish out a generous helping of suspension of disbelief. But there's a lot of "science" in here that's just silly. In nearly every story there's a "No, that wouldn't really work" moment.
Also silly is how every super-villain who pops up out of nowhere in Central City seems to have developed his incredible powers mainly by thinking about them a lot. Here's Mr. Element in flashback: "I can only succeed as a criminal if I defeat the Flash! And there's only one way I can do that -- by elements! The elements contain the answer to everything -- even to the Flash! I shall gain complete mastery over the elements! ... I carried out my idea with my usual thoroughness, secured an adequate hide-out, and designed my own uniform...." Oh yeah, these guys always design their own uniforms.
So, in sum, let's just say the stories (some written by John Broome, some by Robert Kanigher) don't hold up very well. But the wonderful artwork by Carmine Infantino is as terrific to behold as ever. There's a lot of stuff from the 1950s that doesn't hold up very well. Have a grain of salt and enjoy.
January 18, 2019
So, if all you know about the Flash is that he's pretty mopey, all his bad guys wear black jackets and his girlfriend is African-American, then this book will come as a bit of a shock.
The art is bright and beautiful, Barry is good natured, smart and heroic, his villains are fun and wear actual colored outfits and his girlfriend is stylishly dressed, but very pale.
The science is still every bit as unbelievable as the TV show.
So great to see the original Rogues Gallery and just have them be crafty thieves with gadgets.
The stories are short, so some of the endings are abrupt, characterization is light and yeah, a few of them don't hold up to much deep thought, so just go along for the ride and have fun.
Plus, I find it really entertaining how bitchy Iris is to Barry and how he just gives her that "I'm gonna marry that woman' smile.
The art is bright and beautiful, Barry is good natured, smart and heroic, his villains are fun and wear actual colored outfits and his girlfriend is stylishly dressed, but very pale.
The science is still every bit as unbelievable as the TV show.
So great to see the original Rogues Gallery and just have them be crafty thieves with gadgets.
The stories are short, so some of the endings are abrupt, characterization is light and yeah, a few of them don't hold up to much deep thought, so just go along for the ride and have fun.
Plus, I find it really entertaining how bitchy Iris is to Barry and how he just gives her that "I'm gonna marry that woman' smile.
February 16, 2021
Welcome to the Cringe Festival!!!!
🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
Do YOU like to have your characters narrating and describing every single thing you're looking at the panels ?
Do you like feeling like an idiot after reading a story so simple and weird and dumb, you'll think if that's the comics from the 50s-60s; I don't even wanna think about the comics in the 40s!!
🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
THIS IS YOUR LUCKY DAY!
🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
Do YOU like to have your characters narrating and describing every single thing you're looking at the panels ?
Do you like feeling like an idiot after reading a story so simple and weird and dumb, you'll think if that's the comics from the 50s-60s; I don't even wanna think about the comics in the 40s!!
🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
THIS IS YOUR LUCKY DAY!
February 13, 2017
Super silly storylines, same gag between Barry and Iris in EVERY issue, and obviously written for kids. Would have rated this lower had it not been for the concept of The Flash itself and possibly the second best Rogue Gallery (after Batman, of course). What the plots lacked in real science was made up for in imagination, tiny bits of mystery and adventure, and even a little sense of humor.
Also liked seeing the origins of a lot of the villains and heroes from the current Flash television show on the CW.
Also liked seeing the origins of a lot of the villains and heroes from the current Flash television show on the CW.
March 4, 2011
Assuming your library has fifty dollars to spend... This Archives edition reprints the first eight comic books featuring the silver-age Flash, and the last starring the golden-age Flash.
Comic book history is devided into several "ages." The first, the Golden Age, is from 1935ish to 1948ish, these are the comics w/the first generation of super-heroes ie Superman, Batman, Captain America, The Shield etc. By the late forties all the super-heroes except Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman had been cancelled. The second age of comics was "the Silver Age" from 1956 until 1970 something. This was the second generation of superhero comics starting w/either The Martian Manhunter back-up stories in Detective Comics (the purist's definition) or Showcase #4, the first appearence of a new Flash.
These comics hold up wonderfully and could easily be used to get kids reading. They are clear super-hero stories w/adults in them.
DC also prints $15 or $16 reprint paperbacks w/more stories in them.
Comic book history is devided into several "ages." The first, the Golden Age, is from 1935ish to 1948ish, these are the comics w/the first generation of super-heroes ie Superman, Batman, Captain America, The Shield etc. By the late forties all the super-heroes except Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman had been cancelled. The second age of comics was "the Silver Age" from 1956 until 1970 something. This was the second generation of superhero comics starting w/either The Martian Manhunter back-up stories in Detective Comics (the purist's definition) or Showcase #4, the first appearence of a new Flash.
These comics hold up wonderfully and could easily be used to get kids reading. They are clear super-hero stories w/adults in them.
DC also prints $15 or $16 reprint paperbacks w/more stories in them.
May 25, 2015
I expected to like this collection more than I did, for childhood memories are not reliable. Nothing is as fine or fun as I remember. I also remember a longer range of Flash stories, where in this collection Julius Schwartz is still finding his way and somewhat unevenly. The celebrated "Rogue's Gallery" has barely begun to be assembled, and perhaps a third of the stories are about aliens from space or other dimensions, and these stories are not the stories one remembers for they are not as good as the old fashioned super hero/villain stories. The feature had promise, at this point, and that does come through.
April 16, 2016
I have never known too much about superhero's. But after seeing season 1 of The Flash, I thought I should totally check this out. And of course he became my new favorite superhero. I mean, he's fast AND he beats the bad guys with SCIENCE (my personal favorite subject)!!! Based on my rating, I'm sure you have come to the conclusion that yes, I did enjoy this book, and yes, he is still my favorite superhero.
May 28, 2016
Considerably more fun than I expected...the Silver Age Flash stories, for all their goofy elements, are actually energetic, delightful reads, with characters that seem to be having a ball. The science is terrible, of course, but on the other hand you even have Gorilla Grodd looking as though he's having a good time.
May 25, 2016
If you're expecting nuance or careful, deep discussions on the human condition, this certainly isn't the comic for you. This is pure silver age, corny adventures: meant to be enjoyed for its simplicity and joy only.
might-read
April 8, 2015Showcase #4, 8, 13, 14
Flash #104-108
1956-59
In color, HB, OOP
Silver Age Flash (Barry Allen)
First appearance of Silver Age Flash = Showcase #4
Beginning of Silver Age = Showcase #4
Flash #104-108
1956-59
In color, HB, OOP
Silver Age Flash (Barry Allen)
First appearance of Silver Age Flash = Showcase #4
Beginning of Silver Age = Showcase #4
April 9, 2017
Obviously written for kids. Great backstories for the villains!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews