Flash Comics #1

Flash Comics

by Gardner Francis Fox (Writer), Sheldon Moldoff (Writer), John B. Wentworth (Writer)

In this exciting first anthology comic issue for the Flash Comics of the Golden Age, we are given many stories to feast our eyes upon. This issue includes:

1. Origin of the Flash (15 pages in length)
2. The Disappearing Plane (6 pages in length)
3. The Origin of Hawkman (12 pages in length)
4. The Kidnapping of Johnny Thunder (10 pages in length)
5. Warfare In Space: Part One (2 pages in length)
6. The Demon Dummy: Part One (8 pages in length)
7. Origin of the Whip (10 pages in length)

Genres: Comics, Dc Comics, Comic Book, Classics

68 pages, Paperback

Published November 20, 1939

About the author

Gardner Francis Cooper Fox was an American writer known best for creating numerous comic book characters for DC Comics. Comic book historians estimate that he wrote more than 4,000 comics stories, including 1,500 for DC Comics.
Fox is known as the co-creator of DC Comics heroes the Flash, Hawkman, Doctor Fate and the original Sandman, and was the writer who first teamed those and other heroes as the Justice Society of America. Fox introduced the concept of the Multiverse to DC Comics in the 1961 story "Flash of Two Worlds!"

Pseudonyms: Gardner F. Fox, Jefferson Cooper, Bart Sommers, Paul Dean, Ray Gardner, Lynna Cooper, Rod Gray, Larry Dean, Robert Starr, Don Blake, Ed Blake, Warner Blake, Michael Blake, Tex Blane, Willis Blane, Ed Carlisle, Edgar Weston, Tex Slade, Eddie Duane, Simon Majors, James Kendricks, Troy Conway, Kevin Matthews, Glen Chase

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Down and dirty: anyone interested in the history of comics needs to read this book for two reasons - 1st appearance of Flash (F) and Hawkman (HM). This book is also the first appearance of Johnny Thunder (JT), a character that I think has a lot of potential if written by the right person (Neil Gaiman comes to mind). This is a GA 'super key' because of F and HM, (and might be a 'sleeper key' for JT) that that should be on collectors radar - if you have enough money!

[Sophia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first story of the original Flash, Jay Garrick! This was a really interesting and great first story! Really enjoyed reading this character as a young man and would love to read more of his stories.

The origins of Hawkman and Hawkgirl! I loved how you saw their first lives, somewhat briefly but still pretty cool. What I didn't like was that Carter Hall suddenly had a Hawkman costume. Like, why would he have made one before realising his past? Anyway, after the flashbacks to the past, the story gets a bit choppy and confusing. Overall, an alright first story that I did enjoy reading!

[scribble · Rating 3 out of 5]

If it weren’t for the The Flash, I’d give it a lower rating.
I loved how they ‘explained’ how the Flash could stop bullets. “When two bodies travel along together at equal speed even tho they meet, there is absolutely no friction -and therefore no injury!!!” I mean, that’s neat.
I also quiet enjoyed The Hawkman. However, I found the other stories quite boring.
Now, The Demon Dummy I just did not like.

[Francesco · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm here for the first appearance of Flash. I really like this first volume, full of good stories and nice situations.
I'm going to say opinions in order:

The Flash: Very good debut for the fastest man alive, these pages are iconic, they introduce Jay Garrick and the classic accident that explains his change. It's crazy to think how changed The Flash during these years, reading this is an amazing experience. Good starting.

Cliff Cornwall: I wasn't so interested, but this story is good, according to me not excellent, but I would like to know more.

The Hawkman: Simple and effective story, this superhero is interesting and I was surprised because I didn't know at all his attitude.

Johnny Thunderbolt: Interesting story about Johnny, kidnapped when he was a kid and become a special human. One of the most interesting stories inside this volume, I would like to know more about his destiny.

The Demon Dummy: Great story about a particular ventriloquist, surely interesting and surprising.

The Whip: DC's personal version of Zorro. Good story about this enigmatic character. Maybe it's not authentic, but it's interesting and dynamic.

[Nẹdu · Rating 4 out of 5]

The origins of Jay Garrison's Flash and Hawkman.

[Alayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ahora sí, el primer cómic de Flash.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Whip” is worth the price of admission all by itself: it’s a story about the return (by reincarnation, perhaps) of a Mexican Robin Hood born to the aristocracy, but bonded to the peasantry, who fights (in two different centuries) for the rights of penniless Latino agricultural workers against corrupt landowners and lawmen who use an unjust legal system and mob violence to keep the poor in their place. Great Depression-era social issues aren’t beneath the surface of the tale: they’re right at center stage. Sure, maybe The Whip was a Zorro rip-off, but who cares? His could make his horse back-kick the front door of a county jail into splinters in front of a lynch mob of screaming racists.

By the way, “The Hawkman” is one of the best comic book first appearances you’ll ever read. It’s a psychedelic mix of Abraham Merritt’s “The Ship of Ishtar”, Universal’s “The Mummy”, and Flash Gordon, with some Weird Tales vapors wafted in for good measure (e.g., Dr. “Hastor”). Prime escapism for a lazy Saturday afternoon.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a a fantastic read, all four stories that I read were great. Jay Garrick as the first Flash is a fun read, the first Hawkman story is pretty tripy and what you would expect of later superhero stories. I also read Johnny Thunder and The Whip both very fun and unique especially when your used to reading Action Comics and Detective Comics.

[Ronald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beginning of the original "Flash" The Flash accidentally breathes in a mixture including heavy water.
.He helps bring down The Faultless Four, who have been pressuring Joan Williams's dad for the formula for his Secret Bombarder.
'

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I put off reading this because I was worried I'd ruin my Batman streak. I was very wrong i just love reading the Flash comics. This is a part of my childhood that I missed.

[josh hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic

Great classic .... Beginning of the flash where it all started with jay garrick.. Before barry allen good read !

[Lser · Rating 4 out of 5]

it's more than 17 pages. It also includes the hawkman story.

[Davidus1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

a classic read. Old school comics!

[Canavan · Rating 2 out of 5]

✭½

[Caleb Abel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slowly checking off all the main Flash issues and arcs

[Marcos_e.e · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nota 4,75.
Bem bobinha e não vai a lugar nenhuma.
A origem também é muito preguiçosa kkkk
Ainda assim é uma aventurinha divertida pra se ler na época q foi lançada.

[Susan Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

Just as good as when I read it as a child. Classic early comic with the original Flash. Well worth the price.

[Vijay Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how happy Jay is to just be The Flash, not a care in his world except Joan not even his secret identity. Love how Joan plays along with his secret too

[Guido · Rating 3 out of 5]

Revisitando nada menos que la primera aparición de Flash (Jay Garrick), Hawkman y Johnny Thunder.

[Kiara Formilleza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never followed the original flash but this one was a good read.

[Bob Nadal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great fun

A great origin story for the Golden age Flash. Jay goes from being a leadfoot to the fastest man alive with a lab accident.

[Sam Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Only Read The Flash Story. Had No interest In The Other Storys

[Matt Elliott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than early superman and batman. Hawkman was a bit odd, but entertaining enough

[Skum Back · Rating 3 out of 5]

not the best flash origin :D

[Javier González Rincón · Rating 3 out of 5]

La verdad es muy bueno para la época en que fue publicado, debo admitir que es un clásico de los cómics pero como es uno de los primeros y su historia no es muy intrigante pienso que no fue tan entretenido que digamos. Sin embargo si me gustó ver cómo empezó todo.

[Mev · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so good and so simplified. It's so nice to compare it the the more recent ones. I recommend it to all Flash fans who want to know when and how was the Flash truly created.

[Alan Lewis · Rating 1 out of 5]

Simple first story of the original Golden Age Flash from 1940.