Classic Covers: Green Lantern (v.3) #30

April Fools' Day

Crisis on Earth-Blog: DC Comics Presents #38

DC Comics Presents #38

Title: "Stop The World--I Want To Get Off! Go Home!"
Cover Blurb: "Bonus Feature: 'Whatever Happened To... The Crimson Avenger?'"
"Cover Price: $0.60
Date: October 1981

Story: Martin Pasko
Art: Don Heck
Lettering: John Costanza
Coloring: Gene D'Angelo
Editing: Julius Schwartz
Cover: George Pérez

Guest Review: Frank Lee Delano

Synopsis: Superman was just flying by when he happened to see a truck accidentally run Jimmy Olsen's car off a cliffside road. "He probably couldn't slow down in time--He must've been doing at least 65! As soon as I get him to safety, I'll have a word with him about his reckless driv--HUH?!" Mysteriously, Olsen's car hung motionless in the air, and even the Man of Steel wasn't strong enough to move it.

Meanwhile, Barry Allen patrolled Central City as the Flash, staring down the bullets of a bank robber. Flash was shocked to see the slugs slow to a dead stop in midair, as he found himself surrounded by living statues.

The Last Son of Krypton heard a vaguely familiar sound, "the ultra-sonic tone of Jimmy's Superman Signal-Watch... but slowed down to a frequency that would be audible to 'non-super' ears!" Time hadn't so much stopped as decelerated to the point of being nearly undetectable. The Man of Tomorrow was filled with questions about the matter, as it ran contrary to all physical laws... and should he correct the situation, would he still have time to save Jimmy?

The Flash too could not determine why he alone in all the city seemed exempted from the phenomenon, and how he could address the matter without the unattended bullets passing through the beautiful form of his neighbor, Fiona Webb. At first Allen thought this may be the work of one of his rogues, but a quick inspection showed the whole nation effected, at least.

102 miles from Central City and 322 from Metropolis, an otherworldly craft hovered over Wonderland amusement park. The spaceship projected a beam carrying an alien visitor, which assumed the form of the Fastest Man Alive. This faux Flash called out to Superman as the hero flew overhead. Questions weighed on the Man of Steel's brow almost as heavily as the anachronistic pompadour hairstyle he was still sporting--like why his fellow Justice Leaguer was taking credit for the slowdown in time. "I can't believe that! It doesn't make any sense! What would his motive be--? I'd better catch up with him and demand an explanation!"

The facsimile Flash hid, transforming into a pseudo Superman, then running the same game on the true Scarlet Speedster. An important variation was that this time, "Superman" flattened Flash with a haymaker before disappearing altogether. In predictable Marvel Comics fashion, Kal-Elvis and the Flash had been led into a misunderstanding that was complicated by an accusatory shouting match. "If you think I'm going to stand here and let you sucker me with another 'super-surprise'... you've got Kryptonite rocks in your head! Instead, I'll 'fan' my arms at super-speed-- and create an obstacle... Specifically, that wall of super-compressed air you just hit! I hope it knocked some sense into you!"

When Superman got up off his Posterior of Steel, it was on like Donkey Kong, as Kal-El kicked the Flash across the park. Crimson Lightning landed and streaked across roller coaster tracks, leading Superman into a loop-de-loop turnabout allowing for twin Flash fists to crash against the Strange Visitor's face. The Flash then held onto the Man of Steel's back with a choke hold, as the heroes began comparing notes and calming down. "Wait a minute--! Maybe we're both wrong!" Superman agreed. "I'm getting the same feeling, Flash! It's beginning to look like we've been tricked into fighting each other... by an impostor who first posed as you... then as me!"

Three green-skinned, white-haired aliens looked on from an open platform on the spaceship. Syryna dressed in a purple gown and crown with white cape and gold highlights. Klaanu was stocky, balding and bare-chested in his orange and blue uniform. Minaar was virtually identical, but bore a goatee, and said "The energy-siphoning process has been interrupted, Your Glory! The costumed ones have ceased fighting!" Syryna assumed the jig was up, and ordered Klaanu to capture the heroes. From his sword was emitted an energy net that was too strong for Superman, but couldn't stand up to Flash as a human tornado. Super-breath knocked Klaanu unconscious to the ground, but Big Blue and Scarlet Speedster were distracted by illusory monsters created by Syryna until Minaar's stun-blade caught them both unawares.

"When our heroes regain consciousness, they find themselves under restraint aboard the alien vessel-- and lashed to a bizarre machine that keeps them vibrating at super-speed..." Syryna explained that the heroes would come to know and fear her name as long as they lived. Syryna had the foresight to bind Superman in Kryptonian restraints before launching into her back story.

"I rule the people of Elykaar-- a land in another dimension. A rebel faction which seeks to overthrow me has been making attempts on my life... such as the bomb they hid beneath this vessel! But the rebels miscalculated! Their explosive was not powerful enough to destroy the Flying Fortress... but it did propel the vessel so fast that it ripped open a passageway into another dimension-- yours! My presence here in your universe caused a disruption in its space-time continuum! Its nature remains unknown, but its effect was, I trust, obvious!" Syryna further hypothesized that Flash and Superman were unaffected because they were moving at super-speed during her arrival. Unable to achieve the speed necessary to pierce the dimensional barrier and return home, Syryna meant to siphon off the super-speed energy of our heroes with a device "beyond your comprehension." Once the heroes saw through Syryna's ruse to keep them generating speed by fighting one another, her other option was to enslave them as living super-speed engines for her ship.

Tough cookies for Syryna, as Superman had figured out that the gem on her forehead glowed whenever she used her illusion powers--like when she made them see bonds that weren't actually there! If his chains were really kryptonite, after all, he'd be powerless. Instead, freed, the speedsters were faced with an army of Minaar duplicates. Flash's fleet feet separated the real Minaar from the phonies, while Superman's heat vision made Minaar drop his energy-blade. Afterward, the Man of Tomorrow caught up with Syryna, and shattered her gem in the palm of his hand.

Returning the "flying fortress" to Syryna's home planet, Superman and the Flash turned the evil ruler over to the victorious rebels. In return, Superman needed to know Syryna's original point of departure, so that they could return to Earth exactly where they left it through adjusting their vibratory speed. Unfortunately, Earth was literally the same, still frozen in time. Kal-El realized Klaanu was still on Earth, and responsible for the continued slowdown. Catching the creep and returning him to his world, the twin speedsters had only seconds to get back in time to save Jimmy and Fiona.

Kal-El was glad to finally have a chance to relax, and wanted to pal around with Flash some more at JLA headquarters, but the Scarlet Speedster had appointments to keep, "--and time is flying!" Superman was glad to hear it!

High-Speed Highlight: The centerfold pin-up "From The First 36 Issues... DC Comics Presents Superman And His Co-Stars!"

Classic Covers: Justice League of America #91

Ad Run: Teen Titans #13 (1967)

Classic Covers: The Flash #214

Ad Run: Legends (1986)

On Sale: The Brave and the Bold #28

The fastest man alive is proving remarkably slow of late in meeting his release dates; it looks like we're going to be waiting and waiting and waiting for the concluding chapters of The Flash: Rebirth. (The Flash, shipping late? There are plenty of jokes to be made here, of course, but I'm really in no mood for them.) Fortunately, DC Comics has lined up a little something to tide us over. The Brave and the Bold #28 hits comic shops tomorrow. The time-travel team-up story, written by J. Michael Straczynski, sees Barry Allen joining forces with the Blackhawks! The scarlet speedster will also be appearing in other releases this week, including the DCU Halloween Special. Visit DC Comics for a complete listing.

Written by J. Michael Straczynski; Art and cover by Jesus Saiz. J. Michael Straczynski (Amazing Spider-Man) and Jesus Saiz (OMAC Project) continue their series of unlikely pairings with a match that spans the decades! When an experiment meant to alter the speed of light goes awry, Barry Allen finds himself face-to-face with some surprising allies--World War II's legendary Blackhawks! But Barry isn't the Flash they know, and he's not even the kind of hero they need to help fight history's most grueling war! What must Barry sacrifice to serve his country--and his world? DC Universe. 32pg. Color. $2.99 US. On Sale October 21, 2009.

Ad Run: Justice League Spectacular #1 (1992)

Classic Covers: Green Lantern (v.3) #66

Ad Run: Green Lantern (v.2) #13 (1962)

You Decide... (1984)

Crisis on Earth-Blog: Super Powers 25th Anniversary

Some threats are too big for one hero to handle. Some crises encompass more than one world in the multiverse. Certain epic adventures call for a crossover!

That's right, boys and girls, it's time for another comic blog crossover! And, in true comic book fashion, these events continue to build in size and scope. This particular "Crisis on Earth-Blog" is undeniably epic! In order to celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of Kenner Toys's fondly remembered Super Powers Collection line of action figures featuring the heroes and villains of DC Comics, Crimson Lightning is teaming-up with over a dozen other superhero blogs!

The Super Powers Collection encompassed thirty-four figures, eight vehicles, and one playset released during a three-year period in the mid 1980s. The Flash was a key component in the first of three waves, launched by Kenner in 1984, but, truly, one of the great joys of the Super Powers line was the way in which the sheer number and variety of its figures represented the vastness and intricacy of the great DC Universe itself. Imaginative kids playing with the Super Powers toys in bedrooms and backyards had a chance to put all of their favorite heroes and villains together and participate in epic comic-style storytelling.

This celebratory anniversary crossover intends to achieve a similar effect. Crimson Lightning and Speed Force will be covering the crimson comet's part in the Super Powers line-up but, to learn more, you'll be able to link to a veritable multiverse of blogs, from Bat-Blog to Justice League Detroit to Love Dat Joker, with a dozen sites in between. This particular crossover event is so big, in fact, that it's going to take up several days this week here at Crimson Lightning. Today we'll review The Flash mini-comic packaged with its corresponding action figure. Tomorrow we'll reminisce about those wonderful Super Powers toys themselves. The end of the week will bring a few associated surprises. Do you remember the halcyon days of the Super Powers Collection? Whether you once owned one of these legendary action figures or not, I and the others hope that you enjoy the latest "Crisis on Earth-Blog!"


Super Powers Collection #4: The Flash

Title: N/A
Date: 1984

Synopsis: One sunny afternoon, Superman disappears from the skies above Metropolis after unexpectedly encountering Brainiac's ominous skull ship. Soon, other key members of the Justice League are disappearing from their hometowns as well: Hawkman from Midway City, Wonder Woman from Washington, D.C., and Batman from Gotham. Zeroing in on Central City's fleet-footed defender proves a challenge for the alien android, however. Moving at super-speed, the Flash is not only able to avoid the dangerous beams being emitted by Brainiac's starship but also manages to rescue a number of innocent civilians caught up in several unrelated disasters. The scarlet speedster's humanitarian efforts to save the survivors of a shipwreck, however, slow him down just enough to be captured at last. As the Flash takes his place in Brainiac's menagerie of super-powered heroes, the true extent of the extraterrestrial menace's evil scheme is revealed. Only the quick thinking of the fastest man alive can save his teammates from certain doom!

Commentary: Produced as a tie-in packaged with Kenner's celebrated Super Powers Collection of action figures, the fourth of twenty-three Super Powers mini-comics stars none other than the Flash. Let's make one thing clear up front: this pocket-sized book is little more than a flagrant marketing gimmick, a comic book story written and illustrated in order to encourage kids to both purchase and play with Kenner's extensive line of toys. That being said, the story is masterfully crafted to achieve that effect, thematically echoing and exploring the very acts children would come to associate with the action figures themselves. The story stars the scarlet speedster but, like all other mini-comics in the series, makes sure to include a number of his superfriends as well. If they didn't already own them, any child reading this mini-comic was sure to want to add the likes of Superman, Batman, Hawkman, and Wonder Woman to his or her collection. (I'm living proof. I had them all, though I was particularly fond of the Hawkman figure with its majestic, flapping wings!) In fact, the story's chief villain, the recently redesigned Brainiac, has assumed the role of a collector himself in the pursuance of his evil plans. The alien supervillain is desperate to collect a complete set of superheroes, as is evident when he exclaims upon spying the scarlet speedster, "There is the Flash! He shall be my next prize!" In their glass suspension tubes, the captured members of the Justice League clearly resemble action figures in mint-condition blister packs. Each scene, each individual panel of the adventure imaginatively simulates the sort of play we'd associate with the toys. From a marketing perspective, at least, this is an impressively presented scenario.

Though compact, the story also covers a lot of ground, too. The narrative not only sets-up Brainiac's (admittedly simplistic) scheme but also shows us the scarlet speedster saving lives during not one but two full-scale disasters and makes an effort to showcase a variety of his usual super-speed tricks. As regular readers know, I'm always appreciative of any tale that takes steps to creatively convey the true extent of the Flash's abilities; regardless of the fact that the goal here is simply to make the action figure's "Power Action Lightning Legs" more enticing, I appreciate an adventure that shows the scarlet speedster isn't simply a superhero who "runs fast." The art is detailed, dynamic, and colorful enough for this sort of thing and it's wonderful to see our hero granted the opportunity to face off against Brainiac, one of the man of steel's classic foes. The skeletal, Ed Hannigan-designed Brainiac seen in this book is visually terrifying, a wonderfully horrific creature. I've always loved Brainiac and I particularly appreciate Hannigan's distinctive pre-Crisis design. With a grim visage like this, Brainiac is an impressive villain, even when he's being senselessly tossed about in silly little stories like this. (Could that metallic, tentacled skull ship of his be any more imposing? It outright dominates any story it appears in!)

This Super Powers Collection mini-comic tie-in is slight but it's entertaining in a childish sort of way and, even more amusingly, it cleverly incorporates its marketing ploys into the narrative at just about every level. If you've managed to put down your Super Powers Flash long enough to read this mini-comic, you're sure to snatch the toy right back up following its denouement.

High-Speed Highlight: Demonstrating one of his trademark high-speed stunts whilst striving to save the victims of a maritime disaster, the monarch of motion dashes across the surface of a lake, skipping like a stone, much to the amazement of Brainiac, who covets such a wonderful super power.

Quotable: "What? The Flash runs faster than my light beam! I've missed him!" --Brainiac, despite all of his supposedly superior computational powers, is inexplicably stupefied upon witnessing the Flash's distinctive and well-known super powers and describes them for us quite concisely

Credits: Over at the Aquaman Shrine, Paul Kupperberg offered the following notes regarding the Super Powers Collection mini-comic credits (or lack thereof): "I wrote only one of the Kenner minis, for Steppenwolf (#13). Alas, I have no real memory of having done it. Art looks to be Jose Delbo. The rest were probably written by the likes of Jack Harris, Rozakis, and the like. Wish I could remember more about them: I don't even recall who the project editor was... probably Barry Marx, who worked under Joe Orlando in Special Projects."

Comic Blog Crossover: Wait, there's more! The multiverse-shattering "Crisis on Earth-Blog" doesn't end here! Special thanks go out to the irredeemable Shag Matthews of Firestorm Fan and Once Upon a Geek for making this remarkable event possible. Thanks to Shag's direction, this crossover connects no less than fifteen comic book blogs. Each blog is dedicated to a different character represented in the Super Powers Collection. (Fans should take note that Barry Allen participates in at least two other mini-comics. In Aquaman's tie-in, the fastest man alive and the sea king team-up to defeat the Penguin. In Green Arrow's book, the Flash and Martian Manhunter assist Oliver Queen in fending off the New God Kalibak. Additionally, the Flash has a cameo in the Hawkman mini.) Now that you've heard the thrilling tale of the Flash's Super Powers mini-adventure be sure to visit our team-up partners for their own heart-stopping stories of superheroism, prime merchandising, and terrific toys...

• The Aquaman Shrine
• Bat-Blog
• Being Carter Hall
• Dispatches from the Arrow Cave
• Doom Patrol
• Firestorm Fan
• The Fortress of Baileytude
• The Idol-Head of Diabolu
• Justice League Detroit
• The Legion Omnicom
  
• Love Dat Joker
• ...nurgh...
• Once Upon a Geek
• Speed Force

Show and Tell: Part 2

A couple of years ago, I featured a bit of childlike show-and-tell here on Crimson Lightning when I proudly posted a crayon drawing lovingly crafted by my niece. The illustration was a bit rough around the edges, its details understandably simplified, but it unmistakably featured Superman racing the Flash. Naturally, it's a drawing that I cherish. After arriving for another visit just the other week, it didn't take long for the eager six-year-old comic book fan to demand access to her uncle's action figures and piles of back issues. She was particularly thrilled the day that The Flash: Rebirth #3 arrived in the mail. "Is this one new?" she asked, eyes full of wonder, covetously examining the crisp, shiny cover for the issue. With such materials on hand to provide inspiration, it wasn't long before I grabbed her crayons and a few sheets of paper and commissioned another sketch from her.

The new illustration features the same set-up as before, but my how she's developing as an artist! The Flash is unmistakable in his crimson costume, and his legs are bowed in preparation for a super-speed sprint. I appreciate her conception of the character; with that broad grin, the crimson comet looks so bright, cheerful, and friendly. Now there's a superhero to adore and admire! Conversely, she's done her best to portray Superman with stern, resolute determination--perhaps inspired by Ethan Van Sciver's own work. Her uncle, of course, chooses to interpret the man of steel's dour mug as an expression of bitter defeat. There can be, after all, only one fastest man alive!


Some relatives choose to measure a child's progress by marking off height on a scale along a wall. I, on the other hand, choose to catalog a series of evolving superhero illustrations rendered in crayon. My niece has completed an entire series of illustrations during her latest visit chronicling the adventures of the "SOOPERFRENDS," including individual portraits of Superman and the Flash. I promise to post a few others sometime next week. Stay tuned!

Classic Covers: Superman #199

Superman #199

The Adventures of Superman #463

Classic Covers: Adventures in the DC Universe #14

Sight and Sound: "Secret Origins of the Superfriends"

"Secret Origins of the Superfriends," another sensational installment of Hanna-Barbera's Challenge of the Superfriends featuring Jack Angel as the voice of the Flash, aired on the Saturday morning of 28 October 1978 on ABC. As usual, Stanley Ralph Ross and Don Messick are also on hand to voice Gorilla Grodd and Captain Cold respectively. This episode of the animated series presents a familiar yet fascinating alternate history dilemma which proves quite engaging--that is, if we are able to suspend disbelief in order to overlook a number of gaping plot holes. The Legion of Doom has conspired to erase Superman, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern from history! Lex Luthor, of course, is rather biased in his selection. Fortunately, the tale's conclusion shows that time travel is apparently no problem at all for the likes of the Flash, Black Lightning, and Batman and Robin. Have the superheroes of the DC Universe ever possessed more power than during the average Superfriends adventure, when astonishing new abilities were established for each hero on a whim in order to resolve any and all dangling plot threads? Also, note how eagerly the fastest man alive volunteers for the assignment to travel to Paradise Island, a land populated entirely by beautiful women. I wonder what Iris Allen would have to say about all this?

Classic Covers: World's Finest #198

Ad Run: Superman vs. The Flash (1976)

On Sale: The Flash: Rebirth #3

Who's faster? The Flash, of course. They don't call him the fastest man alive for nothing! It's always fun to see the scarlet speedster race the big blue Boy Scout, though, regardless of the circumstances. Tomorrow, Superman and the Flash find themselves racing each other once again in The Flash: Rebirth #3, and the stakes are sure to be high with the grim specter of death known as the Black Flash involved. Visit DC Comics for a five-page preview of the latest installment in what is shaping up to be a very mysterious mini-series.

Written by Geoff Johns; Art and covers by Ethan Van Sciver. At last, the answer to the question that’s plagued DC fans for decades: Who’s faster, Superman or the Flash? Call your bookie and bet the farm, because you’ve never seen a run like this--and if speedsters keep dying at the pace they’re going, you might never see another one again! On sale June 10. 3 of 5. 32 pg. FC. $2.99 US.