My Famous Firsts: Flash - issue 208.

Back in 1971 when my 11-year-old self was deciding on what comic to buy, the subject matter of any comic had to conform to stories about super-heroes batting monsters or super-villains. So, upon seeing a comic cover featuring our hero running past a church with a nun praying in the background was on the face of it, not going to appeal to me. However, that wonderful cover (by Neal Adams) just looked so good to my childhood eyes that I just had to make The Flash #208 my first US Flash comic. The addition of the Elongated Man illo above the Flash logo, made me want this comic even more as I don't think I was aware of this character at this point and new characters at this time fascinated me.

In this issue the Flash seeks to help a young man who worked for a drug dealer. Realising that he wants "out" from the gang he decides that he will try to track down the drug dealer's hidden loot and return it , with the help of his sister, who is a nun and prays for St. Jude to assist them. The Flash assists the young man in tracking down and defeating the gang by vibrating his body at superspeed and thereby not being seen and the event being attributed as a miracle.

Like many of DC's comics from this time they also contained some great fun back-up tales. This issue was no exception and featured a zany Elongated Man tale where criminals dressed up as characters from Alice in Wonderland during a parade in order to steal a rare, first edition of the book. The crooks are caught out by the Elongated Man who recognizes that the crooks are wearing costumes based on the cartoon adaptation and not the original book. Like I said "zany", but a wonderfully illustrated tale by Dick Giordano - I have been an Elongated Man fan ever since reading this story.

In the 1970's we really got value for money as this issue rounded up its 52 pages of content by featuring a classic Flash /Kid FLash tale from 1964. A tale that is now 60 years old but in 1971 was only 7 years old..... I feel so old!

Favourite Comics: Detective Comics # 450 - Walt Simonson & Elliot S Maggin

I had all but forgotten about the above issue of Detective Comics # 450 (cover by Dick Giordano) until very recently when I came across a sale copy in Glasgow last week. As soon as I opened the book and saw that powerful splash page (below) by Walt Simonson, I was instantly transported back to late November 1975 when I picked up my original copy in John Menzies (newsagents) on a shopping trip to Glasgow with my brother.

Elliot S. Maggin offers up an enjoyable story with a powerful twist conclusion. However, the real star of this issue comes from the early art of Walt Simonson who had only recently ended his classic Manhunter storyline with a Batman /Manhunter finale in issue 443. With this issue Simonson’s art had progressed even further and his storytelling and his interpretation of Batman are both striking. Batman crouching with a menacing look on his face and his cape blowing in the wind! Just the way Batman should always look.

One possible criticism of Simonson’s (wonderful) art could be levelled at his interpretation of Bruce Wayne, who doesn’t really look like himself here.

In the story itself Batman searches for the person who assassinated Senator Locksley. He suspects Harcourt a criminal mastermind, who he thinks knows the assassin is Jeremy Wormwood, but not the person who hired the assassin.

Wormwood is invited to Bruce Wayne ‘s office where he finds Harcourt who hires him to steal Batman’s cape and cowl. Wormwood asks why Harcourt wants the cape and cowl and Harcourt offers him a deal, he will tell him his reasons if Wormwood tells him who hired him to kill the Senator. Wormwood reveals that is was Mike Carley (the Senators party boss), then asks Harcourt what he's going to do with the cape and cowl. Harcourt replies "I'm going to wear them."

Wormwood turns to find Batman attacking. After a short struggle, Batman defeats Wormwood and ushers in the awaiting police. Batman had been impersonating Harcourt all along

The final panel with Batman's cowl and cape hanging over a chair was a fantastic visual ending by Walt Simonson from a time comics could be dark and fun.