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Entry #11Issue #5Rating: 5Flash stars in “Menace of the Vandal”King in “Get the King” Hawkman in “The Kidnapping of Ione Craig” Johnny Thunder in “G-Man Johnny”Rod RianCliff Cornwall in “The Snow King”“You Can’t Get Away With It” Flash picture novelette The Whip in “Judge Frawd’s Court” Gardner Fox must have been experimenting with omitting Joan and Shiera from the main features. Although the stories in this issue are top notch, without the regular inclusion of the female support; the solo superhero stories would not have survived the decade long run. The Flash story continues to develop the character as a whimsical superhero that has fun in frightening criminals into confessoins. Shelly effectively creates the right mood for the adventure that the Hawkman is led on in helping the mysterious Ione Craig. The back-up stories really do not hold up through the test of time. It is unknown how they rated with the readers of the day. Since Johnny Thunder was a member of the All-Star Society, he must be considered a headliner for the series. Perhaps it’s the artwork that is not of noteworthy quality, along with retread story lines. As difficult as it is to read sometimes, the stories are just not interesting. In particular in these early issues -- the Whip, Rod Rian, and Johnny Thunder. Maybe they are just holdovers from the previous decade. I like the King. He is paired with his beautiful arch-enemy in the works, the Witch. As the character develops, she is the proto-Black Canary.

Newsreel 03/40It would take about a year before DC Comics saw the value of U-Boats in scripts. From March 6, 1940, German U-Boat 48 captain and crew receiving a heros welcomes around the time Flash Comics #4 was on the newsstands. Herbert Schultze was a German U-boat commander of the Kriegsmarine during World War II. He commanded U-48 for eight patrols during the early part of the war, sinking 169,709 tons and earning him eighth place on the Aces of the Deep list. Due to several incidents of openly broadcasting his sinkings to alert the Allies of the plight of the crews, he became quite a celebrity even on the allied side. Youtube provided by 'A Newsreel History of the Second World War'.Music Entry 03/40 My! My! by Tommy Dorsey & his Orchestra, vocal by The Pied Pipers, recorded March 4, 1940. Youtube provided by MusicProf78

Entry #10 Issue #4 Rating: 5 The Flash in“The Gambling Ship” and Hawkman in “Thought Terror” (Moldoff’s 1st Hawkman feature) are what makes this issue a 5 rating. The Flash terrorizes the bad guys into turning themselves in. Although playful in his appearance in dealing with crooked gambling ship proprietors, the Flash uses terrifying tactics to get them to submit to his will. The full page house ad for Issue #4 puts the Flash amongst the ‘BIG SIX’ Headline Features. Superman, Batman, Sandman, the Spectre, and the Ultra-Man The Hawkman draws inspiration from “Perseus and the Gorgan Medusa” to conquer the hypnotist – without having to use deadly force. . Moldoff’s use of panels in his layouts is what makes these early ‘40s stories golden. It is easy to see why he was a natural to have a long run with the strip. Reading these early Hawkman stories reminds me of the Poverty Row movies of the period – The Devil Bat, and The Corpse Vanishes comes to mind. George Zucco is another character actor from this period that transfers easily into comic book mad scientist roles: These movies starring Bela Lugosi and George Zucco in some macabre role makes good uses of secret entrances, ghoulish assistance, and never misses an opportunity to seduce a young attractive woman to fall into their sway. Cliff Cornwall in “The Stolen Message” by Fox\Moldoff serializes the counter espionage activity of Agent Cornwall. In this installment, a Panamanian industrialist tries to make an arms deal with Sofia (some mysterious fascist country) and then attempts to create an international incident to get Sofia to declare war against the USA.

The following are panels from the Hawkman story in issue #3. It is important to note the violent horror elements of 1940 comics. Along with the pre-Robin Batman, also occasionally written by Gardner Fox, the vigilantly sub-culture personas were much darker than that which evolved later in the decade with the advent of a editorial board of psychologist, educators, and military dignitaries overseeing the content of comics.

Entry #9 Issue #3 Rating: 4 It took me countless times of looking to finally recognize Cliff Cornwell on the cover. The action is a recap of from the previous story in issue #2. The editors must have thought he was recognizable enough that they need not print his name on the cover. Issue #3 features “The Romance of Cliff Cornwall” by Fox and Sheldon Moldoff. This strip starts to take the look and feel of the Hawkman stories that Fox\Moldoff will team up on in starting in the next issue and running up to issue #61. Flash stars in “The Trial of Major Williams,” written by Gardner Fox, art by Everett E. Hibbard. Hawkman in “The Secret of Blendon” by Fox and Dennis Neville (more to follow). “Johnny vs. Gunpowder Glantz” by John B. Wentworth and Stan Aschmeier; King in “The Terror of the Underworld” by Fox and William A. Smith. Although the King starts off as a Clock clone, he will develop into one of my favorite characters when Harry Lampert begins drawing the strip. “The Scarlet Scarab” Flash picture novelette by Ed Wheelan. An ad for All-American Comics #12 pegs the newstand date to mid-January 1940

Entry #8Issue #2Rating: 4Recorded in December 1939, Will Osborne’s ‘The Man Who Comes Around’.(link courtesy of MusicProf78) Incredibly the Flash story is not one of the stronger strips in this issue. The Hawkman story, “The Globe Conquerors”, is excellent. I also liked the Whip. Cliff Cornwell, Rod Rian, and the Johnny Thunder stories were ok. The “The Demon Dummy, Pt. 2” Flash Picture Novelette by Ed Wheelan was very bizarre and sets the tone for the run of the strip. Much more will be discussed and panels posted on these back up stories in later entries. The ad for All-American Comics #11 verifies that this issue was on the newsstands in December 1939. The Flash hurls a rarely used lightning bolt . . . “The Globe Conquerors” may have taken its inspiration from the Bombing of London. New Weapons: Net and Trident Death Count = 2

Entry #8 “A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man.” -- Joseph Campbell. The Hero with a Thousand Faces. Although Gardner Fox created the Hawkman ten years before Joseph Campbell’s book was released, the Hawkman represents Joseph Campbell’s hero. Flash Comics #1: I can’t help but think that the character of Carter Hall must have been self-reflective of the times. With war in Europe started in the autumn of 1939, he must have wrestled with a sense of helplessness in a world that is on a destructive course. A collector of exotic curios of the ancient world, frequent guest at socialite galas, he is ready to embark on a hero’s journey that will change his life forever. I particularly like how Gardner Fox handles the mythological aspects of the story of the Hawkman origin. Making an Egyptian god blonde is right. The blending of different gods and goddesses further creates an American folk hero. The ninth metal! Quarterstaff, wings, hood, crossbow; we are introduced to one of the Hawkman’s mythos, the use of weapons of war. Death Count = 1

Thanks, for the feedback! (thumbs u The Flash Comics Journal is two years in the making. Going back and reading every issue of the title of the forties is great to see how the genre of superhero comics evolved. Flash Comics, like the rest of the titles of that era, mutates from pulpy circus strongmen in tights crushing mobsters to nazi\nip hunters. Followed by post war three stooges setup comedies and finally stylistic prototype silver age superheros; before the industry fragmenting into a multiplex of genres.

Entry #7 Issue #1 Rating: 5 Artie Shaw’s Shadows from November 1939 (from youtube channel MusicProf78) I can’t imagine what it would have been like to read the headlines in the newspapers of Nazi Germany’s invasion of Poland and the declaration of war in Europe in the Fall of 1939. It had to be terrifying to imagine the possibilities that war could come to the US. The news in November 1940 included FDR’s 3rd re-election, Nazi Germany and Soviet Union are allies, and Germany bombing English cities. And then, without warning, there is Flash Comics #1! If the world was going insane, here was the cure. You got superheroes that draw their powers from science, mythology, mystical, and legendary sources. Along with a crime story with a twisted sense of humor and a FBI agent saving Alaska from mysterious foreign saboteurs, this comic book had it all! What really stands out for me with the origin of the Flash story is that the motivating purpose of Jay’s desire to be a superhero is to be near Joan Williams. It’s right there in the very first panel. She is not very interested in him, until his superhero qualities are revealed. Then it is a shared secret between them. Unlike Lois Lane, who in Superman #3 wouldn’t mind seeing Clark Kent die in order to advance her career, Joan Williams becomes as valuable to Jay as does to Bruce. I never understood why the Silver Age Flash Barry Allen would be interested in Iris West. To me, she was a high maintenance Ice Princes that wasn’t worth the time. Joan is self-confident, but needs Jay to protect her. Jay, at times lacks self-confidence but has that special ability to provide for Joan when she needs him the most. The perfect ying-yang of comic book folklore.

Before I proceed with the review of the issues, a note about the grading system. The 5 star system is broken down into the following triads: Flash Story - 2 star maximum. Hawkman Story - 2 star maximum. Backup Stories - 1 star maximum. Hence, if the Flash\Hawkman stories are well written and the art is good, they will receive a 2 star rating respectively. If the backup stories are entertaining enough that I actually read them and didn't find myself fidgeting to get past them, they collectively get a 1 star rating. Most issues I found entertaining through out and received 5 stars.

Entry #6 Other DC Comics with a January 1940 cover date:Action Comics #20Adventure Comics #46All-American Comics #10Detective Comics #35Double Action Comics #2More Fun Comics #51Superman #3Flash Comics #1FIRST STORY(Origin of the Flash)(15 pages)Synopsis:Jay Garrick, student at Midwestern University, is involved in a lab accident and inhales the fumes of hard water gas. The fumes cause Jay to develop tremendous speed, enabling him to move and think at super-human rates. Jay graduates from college and moves to New York to become an assistant professor at Coleman University. There, he begins a career as the Flash, a super-hero who battles gangsters. Jay’s college sweetheart, Joan Williams, visits Jay and enlists his help in locating her missing father. Joan’s father, Major Williams, has been kidnapped by the Faultless Four, a group of scientists working for a foreign power. Jay rescues Williams from the villains who want the secret of the Atomic Bombarder. In the process, the Four are all killed, leaving Williams safe.THIRD STORY(The Origin of Hawkman)(12 pages)Synopsis:Weapons collector Carter Hall receives an Egyptian dagger from his friend, Jim Rock. Touching the dagger causes Hall to relive his former life as Prince Khufu in ancient Egypt. Khufu and his love, Shiera, are both killed with the dagger by Khufu’s longtime enemy, Hath-Set. At the moment of his death, Khufu promises to be reincarnated in order to avenge his own murder. Carter awakens from the experience with knowledge of his previous unknown life. Soon after he meets Shiera for the first time fleeing a subway accident. Shiera has been plagued by dreams of her previous life as well. Carter then fashions wings and a belt of ninth metal, an anti-gravity material with special properties. He also dons a hawk-shaped headpiece to appear as the Hawk-God Anubis. As Hawkman, he sets out to find the source of the subway disturbance. Hawkman soon locates the laboratory of Doctor Hastor, electrician extraordinary. Hall realizes that Hastor is the reincarnation of his ancient foe, Hath-Set. After a short battle, Hastor summons Shiera using a strange hypnosis to use against Hawkman. The winged hero throws a protective sheet of ninth metal over Shiera to protect her, then shoots Hastor with a crossbow. Hastor appears to die and the laboratory is destroyed. Finally, Hawkman returns Shiera to her home.

My Flash Comics Collection #70-104 flipped to Helen Carroll & Satisfiers - 'Ole Buttermilk Sky'and Vaughn Monroe - 'Who Told You That Lie?' (1946)Next post, Flash Comics #1 reviewed![/color]

Here is my Flash Comics Collection. Issues 1 thru 39. Flipped to Barry Wood's 'Any Bonds Today' (1941).

(thumbs u Music has always been a companion to my comic book reading as far back as the early '70's. I'm not familiar with the '40's era of pop music. I thought it would be fun to listen to how the music changed along with the style of the comics over the course of the eight year run of Flash Comics (1939-47). The newsreel snippets will be contemporary with the comic book issues as well -- using sources probably not familiar to most U.S. residents that grew up with a distinctly American perspective of the war. Now that the background info has been posted, I'm ready to post issue #1. The style will be lots of pictures and my personal review of the issue. As I prepare for the first issue, I've just finished scanning and reviewing issue #68. So I have alot to share with everyone.

Moving to the chronological release of each issue of Flash Comics, I'm also going to post a youtube datelines of world events and popular music recording of the day.The Winter War was a military conflict between the Soviet Union and Finland. It began with a Soviet offensive on 30 November 1939 -- two months after the start of World War II and the Soviet invasion of Poland -- and ended on 13 March 1940 with the Moscow Peace Treaty. provided by curiosity of WirbelwindStudios youtube channel. All The Things You Are by Frankie Masters & his Orchestravocal by Harlan Rogers.Recorded November 7, 1939.provided by curiosity of MusicProf78 youtube channel.

Entry #5 Splash Page from Flash Comics #22 Johnny Thunder John L. Thunder was born in the Bronx on July 7, 1917, a Saturday – the seventh day of the seventh month in a year ending in a seven, on the seventh day of the week. This coincided with the Seventh Circle of the Moon Lashseen in the calendar of the small Asian country of Badhnisia. Knowing that this would give such a child great potential, the High Priest of Aissor sent agents to kidnap a child born at that time. Disguised by having his hair and skin darkened, Johnny was spirited away to Badhnisia. There was a ceremony in which a belt bearing the Eternal Zone of the Zodiac was placed on him and the secret words "Cei-U" (pronounced "Say You") spoken seven times. The spell thus cast would take effect on the child’s seventh birthday. But the neighboring nation of Agolea learned of the child who would one day have the power to conquer the world and launched a war to capture him. The High Priest had Johnny taken by a nurse to a hiding place in a fishing village north of Brunei, Borneo. One day he slipped away and was playing in a small boat when the tides and winds took him out to sea. He was picked up by an American freighter that brought him to New York. There he was identified by a strawberry mark on his left shoulder and returned to his parents (who by now had two younger children). During the week of his seventh birthday, torrential rains fell all over the world – except on the Thunder home. The High Priest knew this meant that Johnny (who still wore the Zodiac Belt), now had the power. He sent agents to abduct him, but by then Simon Thunder had moved and changed jobs. They didn’t find Johnny until 1939, when he was 22. Though he didn’t yet know it, he could command a magic Thunderbolt. With his power, Johnny became Heavyweight Champ, but vacated the title to please his girl, Daisy Darling. His one-day career as a rodeo rider was at Madison Square Garden, when he saved the life of a little blond orphan girl who fell in the path of a rampaging steer. Soon after, he adopted the girl, named Peachy Pet. Johnny was present at the first meeting of the Justice Society of America and became a sort of mascot – until the Flash resigned his active membership and Johnny was chosen to replace him. During World War II, Johnny joined the U.S. Navy. When the conflict ended, Johnny was 28 (4 x 7) – a power high. Thus the High Priest waited a year, then cast a spell that gradually reduced the hero’s power over the Thunderbolt, till he was only answering about one call in four. This caused Johnny to resign from the JSA, to be replaced by his friend the Black Canary, whom he had a crush on. Finally, Johnny’s power vanished entirely. By this time, the King of Badhnisia was dying. The High Priest had Johnny abducted again and cast a spell that forced him to obey the priest’s commands and forbade him to use the Thunderbolt against him. Only then did he restore the power. And when the King died, Johnny was placed on the throne, and the High Priest announced his plans for world conquest. But Johnny found an out. He sent the Thunderbolt for Superman, who, with the aid of his wife, Lois, overcame the priest. Johnny remained in Badnisia to teach the people about democracy. When their first President was elected, he returned home. What happened to the Zodiac Belt has not been determined. POWERS AND WEAPONS When he speaks the words "Say You" (Cei-U), Johnny has absolute power over the genie-like Thunderbolt (who is smarter than Johnny) for one hour.

Entry #4 In the days of ancient Egypt, Prince Khufu was the foe of the high priest of the god Anubis, Hath-Set, who intended to conquer the world. Hath-Set’s soldiers captured Khufu and his beloved, Shiera, and Hath-Set fatally stabbed Khufu. Before his death, Khufu predicted that both he and Hath-Set would one day live again, and that next time Khufu would be the victor. Many centuries later, the wealthy scientist Carter Hall came into the possession of the very knife with which Khufu had been murdered. Hall then had a dream about Khufu’s death and realized that he was Khufu’s reincarnation. Shortly afterwards, Hall first met Shiera Sanders, the reincarnation of Khufu’s beloved. Hath-Set also had been reincarnated, as the scientist Dr. Anton Hastor, and still planned to conquer Earth. Hall garbed himself in the guise of the Egyptian hawk-god, including large artificial wings and a belt of "ninth metal," a discovery of Hall’s that could defy gravity. Using the belt and wings, Hall could fly. As Hawkman, Hall tracked down Hastor and prevented him from killing Shiera. Hastor apparently died, but he later returned to battle Hawkman again. Hawkman launched a career as a super-hero, and Shiera became his partner as Hawkgirl. A founding member of the Justice Society of America, Hawkman became its third chairman, a position he has held ever since. He was also a member of the war-time All-Star Squadron. In 1946 Hawkman discovered Feithera, a hidden city of bird-people in Greenland. He became a frequent visitor there, and he and Hawkgirl became the godparents of Norda, now known as the super-hero Northwind, who is the son of a human and a Feitheran. Hawkman and Hawkgirl both retired after the Justice Society disbanded in 1951. Hall married Shiera, and they had a son, Hector, who later became the super-hero known as the Silver Scarab. Hall returned to his career as Hawkman when the Justice Society was reactivated, and he serves as its chairman to this day. His true identity is now publicly known. POWERS AND WEAPONS Hawkman can fly at great speed using artificial wings and an anti-gravity belt made of "ninth metal." The belt also enables him to lift great weights aloft. In addition, he wields ancient and medieval weapons from his extensive collection in battle and can communicate with birds. Hawkman is a superb hand-to-hand combatant. He retains unusual physical vitality even today, thanks to having absorbed temporal energy from the villainous Ian Karkull decades ago. (reprinted from various internet sources)

Entry #3 For those unfamiliar with the series, as I was just a couple years ago, I would like to introduce some of the many characters that appeared in the Flash Comics series throughout the decade (reprinted from various internet sources). Jay Garrick (the Flash) Jay Garrick and his future wife, Joan Williams, were students at Midwestern University. One day while there, Garrick accidentally tipped over a beaker full of an experimental form of "hard water" he had been studying. The spilled liquid gave off fumes that rendered Garrick unconscious, and he lay inhaling the fumes all night. Afterward he discovered that the fumes had given him the power to move at superhuman speed. He became the costumed crimefighter known as the Flash. At first only Joan Williams knew that the Flash was really Jay Garrick. (Although Garrick wore no mask as the Flash, he maintained waves of vibrations over his face while he was in costume, thereby preventing anyone from clearly seeing his features.) The Flash became a founding and the first chairman of the Justice Society of America. During the war, Jay work for the War Department was classified. This is a rare instance that he revealed any involvement with the war (Issue #48). Garrick retired as the Flash in 1951 as a result of his refusal to reveal his true identity to a congressional committee. Eventually, he married Joan Williams. Years later Garrick resumed his career as the Flash as a result of meeting the Flash of a parallel world, and in order to battle his three old foes the Fiddler, Shade, and Thinker. The original Flash also returned to service with the reactivated Justice Society, and in recent years has publicly revealed his true identity. POWERS AND WEAPONS The Flash possesses the power to move at superhuman speed, and can attain velocities equal to that of the speed of light (186,000 miles per second). His superhuman endurance enables him to run great distances without tiring. The Flash’s endurance has diminished somewhat with age, although, due to the effects of the temporal energy he absorbed from the villainous Ian Karkull, he retains far more physical vitality than he otherwise would. The Flash possesses an aura of unknown energy that protects him from friction heat and the other adverse effects of movement at super-speed. The Flash also has absolute mental control of his body’s atoms and molecules. He most often uses this power to vibrate his atoms at such high speeds that they can slip past atoms of solid object, enabling the Flash to pass through such objects without damaging them. He can also travel to other dimensions through varying the vibratory rate of his atoms. The Flash can also vibrate his clothing and even another human he is holding through a solid object or into another dimension with him.

Entry #2 What got me interested in Flash Comics? I grew up on Bronze Age DCs. Also ‘Conan The Barbarian’ had a sway on this once skinny boy envious of the all the interest girls shown the bigger boys. I was introduced to Flash Comics through the CGC GA boards. My first purchase was #40. I like the series because it represents the early days of the pre-hero DC universe with the back-up stories, along with ‘new’ superhero characters the Flash and the Hawkman. Unlike Superman and Batman, these superheroes have private lives that they share with their female companions, and occasionally with old friends. As a plot devise, this frees Gardner Fox from the obstacles that at times makes Superman and Batman stories redundant. World events creep into the stories – although it isn’t until 1944 that both the Flash and Hawkman hints at a world at war in their regular monthly strips. The backup stories like Johnny Thunders and the Ghost Patrol are lighthearted comedic adventures that can be enjoyable to read. Like the Sunday Funnies section of old, to read Flash Comics is similar in that each story has a distinct flow to it, month-after-month. It was after reading about three or four issues that I got curious to learn more about DC Comics during the 1940s. By the end of the decade, Flash, Hawkman, and Black Canary reveals glimpses of what Silver Age superheroes will look\feel like in the future. It seems odd after reading the last 12 issues of the series why it ended. Those are some of the best issues of the whole series.

Just a programming note, I'm planning to discuss 1 issue per week. Probably released on a Saturday afternoon. If that pace seems too slow, here are couple blogs on GA comics I found a couple weeks ago that are excellent sources for daily fixes: Four Color Shadow Adventure Comics Blog Pappys Golden Age These sites motivated me to buy an ipad2!

Thanks. I've got 70 issues reviewed and waiting to be released.

Thanks for posting the ashcan. I've never seen that before.

Entry #1 Flash Comics made its debut 73 years ago today on 10 November 1939. Here is the house ad from Adventure Comics #45: The Flash Comics Journal is dedicated to the 104 issues of DC comics that ran from the fall of 1939 thru the spring of 1948. Covering the dawn of the Superhero phenomenon and leading towards its decline and near extinction. The reason why I like to collect golden age comics, in particular Flash Comics, is that they allow me to forget about my middle-aged physical pains, mundane daily tasks – cleaning up after two little boys, and mentally draining responsibilities of maintaining an internet business. Comics back in 1940 offered a way to cope with the real world threat to the countries very survival. They also served as the ethical handbook of what Right was and how to avoid the Wrong. Holding a golden age comic book in my hands allows me to leave modernity and teleport on a zeta beam into a fantastical world where no matter what strange things occur, there will be a favorable resolution. Seventy-three years removed from the real world threats facing the USA – and in particular, the mind of an adolescent – these stories are fun to read. It is also is a great joy to watch the art evolve over the course of the decade. After reading nearly every issue, often more than once, I'm going to start posting my collection and comments for each issue. OK . . . enough with the talk, where is the group shot??? Here is a small sampling of what is to come:

Link To Comics Market Forum [font:Comic Sans MS]Batman #9 (6.0) Batman #12 (7.0) Batman #13 (7.0) Batman #23 (8.0) [/font] Link To Comics Market Forum

still got that issue?