DC Finest - The Flash: The Human Thunderbolt

The Flash (1959-1985) #105-123

by Robert Kanigher, John Broome, Carmine Infantino (Illustrator)

The earliest adventures of Barry Allen return in a new comprehensive collection, part of DC’s major new line of collected editions!

Welcome to DC Finest, a major new publishing initiative presenting comprehensive collections of the most in-demand and celebrated periods in DC Comics history, spanning genres, characters, and eras!

DC Finest: The Flash: The Human Thunderbolt collects the adventures of Barry Allen, the second and most iconic Flash, from the very beginning—starting with his debut in 1956’s Showcase #4 by John Broome and Carmine Infantino! This collection also includes the first appearances of famous Flash rogues including Captain Cold, Mirror Master, and Gorilla Grodd!

This volume collects Silver Age Flash stories from The Flash #105-123, and Showcase #4, #8, #13-14.

Genres: Comics, Dc Comics, Graphic Novels

640 pages, Paperback

First published November 26, 2024

About the author

See also as Bob Kanigher

One of the most prolific writers in comics, particularly in the Silver Age. He took over scripting duties on Wonder Woman after William Moulton Marston's death, and handled the character's transition from the Golden to the Silver Age. He also created Barry Allen, the second Flash, for editor Julius Schwartz's superhero revival of 1956, as well as writing and editing DC's pioneering war titles.
His creations include Sgt. Rock, the Unknown Soldier, Barry Allen, Ragman, the Losers, Black Canary, the Metal Men, Poison Ivy, Enemy Ace, the Suicide Squad, and Rex the Wonder Dog.

Reviews

[Jacob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably the worst of the silver age Flash stories purely on the basis of the industry still finding its feet again, but this is still an incredibly fun six years condensed into a single volume - ending with "The Flash of Two Worlds", one of the handful of comic books that redefined the entire industry.

The Turtle, the Top, Gorilla Grodd, Captain Cold, Mirror Master, the Trickster and Captain Boomerang are all introduced here and quickly refined, too. It's impressive how many wild ideas these writers and artists churn out over such a short period of time.

It's also very striking that the one thing these artists like drawing more than monkeys is bald people.

[Matt Fuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is peak comics. The introduction of Barry Allen and the start of the Silver Age this forged the way forward for comic book storytelling especially with the Flash of Two Worlds. Also has some of the best art in comics. Covers 1956-1961. 10/10

[Tommy Pett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly great for 50s comics. I think what really helps their readability is that they are pretty short and to the point sci-fi stories.The chapters are constantly playing at the idea of the flash being the fastest man alive but Barry Allen always being late for things because of the role he has to play as the flash, which is a clever idea but gets tired when Iris can't seem to figure out the obvious connection. Lots of the most iconic members of his rogues galary debut here like Captain cold, Doctor Alchemy, Captain boomerang, and Solovar. Similarly, you get the introduction of the kid flash and the elongated man as allies. You also get the idea of multiple Earth's/dimensions here which leads to the JLA crossovers and eventually crisis. The art is also pretty great: in certain zoomed drawings the movement of Barry or certain objects look like ribbons flowing throughout the city. Overall, goofy at times but enjoyable.

[Drew L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most of the stories were very fun, only a few clunkers. I love Wally but the Kid Flash backups can get a little after school special for my tastes. The art really stands out and feels a little ahead of its time compared to other contemporary silver age DC series. In particular, the way Barry will sometimes race between and through panels does a great job at accentuating his speed. Other more subtle beats like taking the time across a few panels to show the fog clearing from a city without any accompanying dialogue feels very modern. Finally Iris cracks me up so much, I don't get why she puts up with a bum like Barry ;)

[Doug Duncan · Rating 3 out of 5]

some really solid stuff from its time period, this is more of a 3.5/5 but rounded down. this read surprisingly easily and the stories were fairly consistent with their quality.

[Ángel Javier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maravillosa reedición de los primeros años del velocista escarlata; con entretenidísimos (si bien un tanto naif) guiones de John Broome y Robert Kanigher, y espléndidos dibujos de un Carmine Infantino en la cúspide de su talento, este tomo de DC Finest es una maravilla digna de figurar en la biblioteca de cualquier aficionado al cómic.

Realmente, no puedo ponerle ninguna pega: los cómics están reproducidos a la perfección, la relación calidad-precio es inigualable, y, como ya he comentado, los tebeos en sí son muy divertidos. En ellos tendremos la ocasión de asistir al origen de la Rogue Gallery de Flash prácticamente al completo, desde el Capitán Frío hasta el Amo de los Espejos, pasando por el entrañable Capitán Búmeran, el Flautista, el Mago del Clima... y, por supuesto, Gorila Grodd; de hecho, el amor que los lectores de cómics de aquellos tiempos sentían por los gorilas hace de Grodd uno de los villanos más recurrentes de estos años tempranos de la publicación. Y, como guinda del pastel, el imprescindible «Flash of two worlds», episodio histórico en el que se presenta por primera vez el concepto de multiverso en el universo DC.

Realmente, DC Finest es la línea editorial de mis sueños, y espero que la de muchos aficionados más.

[Del · Rating 4 out of 5]

To be more accurate I'd give it a 7/10.

Very fun read, but it can be a little repetitive in places. The highlight is the art and the villains. Would advise skipping the splash page after the cover of each issue to enjoy it more, as they are too spoiler heavy. Also worth skipping the same Barry Allen turns into flash dialogue as it's more or less the same in every issue and can get really repetive, oh and ignore all the editor notes. Skip these bits and it makes the whole issues more enjoyable, and there is a lot to enjoy as the plots are really zany and inventive. Best issue for me is the first Gardner fox issue, hilarious. I was surprised how much I enjoyed the kid flash issues too.

[Robert Pickering · Rating 5 out of 5]

These stories from 1956-1961 mark the beginning of the Silver Age of comics. Gardner Fox wrote the stories of the Golden Age Flash, Jay Garrick, in the 1940s. Then in 1956, Barry Allen as the Flash started for a new generation of readers.

These stories include many members of the Flash’s rogues gallery that we still read about today. This collection concludes with the epic issue 123 where Barry Allen and Gay Garrick meet for the first time.

I do hope DC continues to reprint more of of the Flash, including the golden age series!

[Brody Haley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boy oh boy…. Golden age comics are super fun but also super repetitive in painstakingly explaining every single detail and action. It gets old real fast.. hehe… get it?

Still cool to see origins of famous villains!

[Constantine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this. I love The Flash and I enjoyed reading the classic books

[Russell Moffett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would give this 3 1/2 stars if that was an option.