FLASH ANNUAL #1 REPLICA EDITION

By: Arnold T. Blumberg
Date: Saturday, October 06, 2001

I know I've said this a lot whenever one of these wonderful reprint issues crosses my desk, but these are some of the most carefree pleasure-filled reads in all of comicdom. Sure, it's a bit sad that the best in comics seems to reside some 30-40 years in the past (and it's not really true, there's plenty of good stuff out there if you look hard enough), but it's a joy to know that we can revisit these glorious tales again and again thanks to the concerted efforts of present day publishers who provide a steady flow of reprint material for fans both old and new.

In this replica edition of FLASH ANNUAL #1 from 1963, we have another strong collection of escapist tales scripted by DC stalwarts like John Broome and Robert Kanigher. Barry Allen has his hands full dealing with the narrow-minded (and very stereotypical) Iris, the girlfriend who doesn't seem to be able to put two and two together and deduce the real reason why Barry always misses dinner. But Allen has bigger fish to fry after all, in his alter ego as the Flash he has to duke it out with folks like Gorilla Grodd and Mr. Element. Surely keeping a date with Iris is low down on his list of priorities. But never fear, we know that one day Iris will see her way clear to marry the fleet-footed fellow before she dies at the hands of Professor Zoom (you did know that already, right?).

The sexist gender roles and simplistic storytelling is now a refreshing sample of morals and manners now lost to us. There are no shades of grey here - he bad guys are really bad, and Flash is our sworn protector. He plows into Katmos, the Metal Monarch, tussles with intelligent gorillas, and even takes on a partner dubbed Kid Flash in reality Iris' nephew Wally. Just for kicks, try to read the scene in which Iris completely fails to make the obvious connection between the new Kid Flash and the only boy in sight without shrieking at the top of your lungs. That's right folks, this was an era when all a guy had to do was slip on a pair of specs and fool the world. Why should Kid Flash have it any harder?

There's even a Golden Age treat with the original Jay Garrick Flash, but the real delights here are those pseudo-scientific Silver Age tales, all illustrated with clean, enticing art by Carmine Infantino and company. Thrill to the adventures of the Fastest Man Alive, but try not to let the pages fly by too quickly.

FLASH ANNUAL #1 REPLICA EDITION

Grade: A-

Issue: No. 1

Author(s): John Broome, Carmine Infantino, Joe Giella, Frank Giacoia, Robert Kanigher, Lee Elias, Moe Worthman

Publisher: DC Comics

Price: $6.95