Classic Covers: The Flash (v.2) #97

Ad Run: The Flash #159 (1966)

Onomatopoeia: FWAM

FWAM: Another attack delivered at astonishing super-speed, this particular blow carries added weight for we are witnessing the one and only Jay Garrick assault his esteemed successor! Given the great energy of Greg LaRocque's artwork, given the shocking display involving two such classic characters, a single four-letter onomatopoeia, artfully placed, is all that's required to leave the reader reeling. This may be our most powerful instance of onomatopoeia yet. Of course, as this panel is taken from the climax of Mark Waid's mind-bending "The Return of Barry Allen" storyline, there's more to this scene than meets the eye...

Issue: The Flash (v.2) #78 (July 1993)

Find the Flash: Anaheim Comic Con

A pair of speedsters--one scarlet, the other deathly--flank our good friend Kelson Vibber in this photograph from Wizard World's Anaheim Comic Con. As he's clad in his Black Flash t-shirt, on this particular occasion it looks as if Kelson's in league with the villain! Visit Speed Force for a write-up detailing the events of the recent convention or to see Kelson's own gallery of photos from the event.

Flash Facts: Stapp's Rocket Sled

"On his famous rocket-sled ride of December 10, 1954, Colonel John P. Stapp was brought to a full stop from a speed of more than 600 mi/hr in just 1.4 seconds. This is the equivalent of driving an automobile into a brick wall at a speed of 120 mi/hr."

Issue: The Flash #134 (February 1963)

Classic Covers: The Flash #197

Ad Run: All-Flash #2 (1941)

Onomatopoeia: WHROOO

WHROOO: When we refer to the exploits of the fastest man alive as whirlwind adventures, we're not always speaking metaphorically! Here, the Flash attempts to counteract a threatening tornado with his own crimson cyclone, creating an incomparable cacophony in the process. In the evocative verbiage of John Broome, "The roar of a thousand freight-trains slashing across broken rails is but a whisper compared to the roar of the tornado." (Sound familiar? That'd be because this particular effect seems to be something of a trademark of the era, the sort of sound Mr. Broome associated with the scarlet speedster's superpowers. It's the same distinctive device discussed in our very first installment of Onomatopoeia, from The Flash #182!)

Issue: The Flash #190 (August 1969)

Upcoming: The Flash #4

DC Comics has unveiled its Brightest Day books for the month of July. Among them is The Flash #4, which features a story that will continue to embrace writer Geoff Johns's stated focus for the scarlet speedster's modern adventures--namely, time travel. Prepare to meet the Renegades, rogue law enforcers from the twenty-fifth century! The issue also boasts a beautifully designed cover by artist Francis Manapul. This one is an instant Classic Cover, folks! For further details on this and other Brightest Day solicitations, visit DC's The Source.

Written by Geoff Johns; Art and cover by Francis Manapul; Variant cover by Scott Kolins. The original Captain Boomerang returns as Brightest Day continues. Meanwhile, Barry must prove his innocence to the Renegades, cops from the 25th century. Discover what connection they have to the Rogues and what travesties have occurred in the future. On sale July 14, 2010. 32 pg. FC. $2.99 US.

Flash Facts: The Saluki

"The champion speedster of the dog kingdom is the Saluki, an Arabian breed of greyhound that can attain a speed of forty-three miles an hour."

Issue: The Flash #156 (November 1965)

Classic Covers: All-Flash #11

Ad Run: Impulse (1994)

This week's Ad Run feature, an ad for the Impulse ongoing monthly series that debuted in the wake of The Flash's "Terminal Velocity" story arc, was graciously submitted by our good friend Kelson Vibber of Speed Force and Those Who Ride the Lightning. Thanks, Kelson!

On Sale: The Flash #1

The Flash returns as a regular series today with an all-new first issue! Written by Geoff Johns with art by Francis Manapul, The Flash #1 features the first chapter of Barry Allen's latest case, the tantalizingly-titled "The Dastardly Death of the Rogues." The issue also contains an intriguing preview for Flashpoint, which--in the wake of Blackest Night, with Brightest Day dawning--just might prove to be the next big event for the DC Universe! Visit DC Comics's The Source for a five-page preview of this landmark issue and a chance to win a signed copy.

Written by Geoff Johns; Art, cover and variant cover by Francis Manapul; Variant cover by Tony Harris. A Brightest Day tie-in! Get in on the ground floor of DC's next epic in the making! The Flash races out of Blackest Night and into his own monthly title as the all-new adventures of the Fastest Man Alive start with "Case One: The Dastardly Death of the Rogues!" Barry Allen runs back to his life in Central City, but when one of the Rogues turns up murdered under mysterious circumstances, it's up to the Flash to not only solve this bizarre crime, but protect those that are still targeted by the elusive killer. Plus, don't miss a peek into the future of the Flash universe in this special, extra-sized starting point issue! DC Universe. 40pg. Color. $3.99 US. On Sale April 14, 2010.

Design and Win!

Though the competition is well underway, I wanted to be sure to direct some attention to a unique contest being hosted by Speed Force, that extraordinary shrine to the scarlet speedster maintained by Kelson Vibber and Devin Johnson. Speed Force and ArrobaSilver have teamed-up to present fans with an opportunity to expand the manufacturer's line of DC Comics-themed silver jewelry. Seeking creative input from true comic fans, Arroba is in search of your design for a ring inspired by the fastest man alive...



"I know there are a tons of fans out there who would love to have their own custom Flash memorabilia and now is the perfect chance to get a custom-designed, high-quality, ultra-detailed, officially-licensed Flash ring for free! The ring design can be hand-drawn, digitally produced or even a model. Be creative but stay within reason. Using the many ring designs available on ArrobaSilver.com as a base to build off of is a surefire way to guarantee entry... The contest ends Monday, April 26, 2010 at 11:59:59 a.m. Eastern Time."

One Grand Prize winner will receive a copy of their ring, free of charge, and the opportunity to have the ring produced as part of the ArrobaSilver DC Comics line as a Limited Edition item! For complete contest rules and guidelines, be sure to visit the official contest page hosted at Speed Force.

Just over a week remains, so think fast. And good luck to all those who have entered!

Flash Facts: Fluid Movement

"Generally speaking, the power required to move an object through liquids at varying speeds is proportional to the cube of the speed. (Thus, if it requires one horsepower to propel a ship a knot, it'd take eight horsepower to propel it two knots.)"

Issue: The Flash #149 (December 1964)

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

Ad Run: 80-Page Giant #4 (1964)

Onomatopoeia: Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z

Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z: There are few real life heroes in our society more selfless than the firefighter. Even when tragic circumstances prompt Jay Garrick to step into the role of a volunteer firefighter, the fleet-footed hero displays undeniable respect for the helmeted heroes he's working alongside. Manning a fire hose in an effort to douse a deadly blaze, the fastest man alive fights fire with a shower of hyphenated zeds. This might not be the most imaginative or evocative of comic book onomatopoeia but, like the Keystone City Fire Department, it gets the job done!

Issue: All-Flash #6 (September-October 1942)

Quick Quiz: Favorite Black Lantern?

With the cosmos-churning Blackest Night crossover event consuming comic stands and comic fans everywhere, our regular Quick Quiz feature turned its attention to the grim, villainous horde of undead tormenting the denizens of the DC Universe. In addition to allowing Barry Allen to assume the dazzling mantle of a Blue Lantern, Blackest Night: The Flash resurrected a number of his fallen foes--including Golden Glider, the Top, Rainbow Raider, Captain Boomerang--in terrifying new guises. Of these deceased members of the Flash's Rogues Gallery, who was your favorite Black Lantern?

Golden Glider, deceased since the release of The Flash (v.2) #113 back in May of 1996, picked up 9% of all votes. The Top--a villain who seems to alternate between life and death on a regular, rotating basis and has surely faced his end more often than most comic book characters--leapt into the lead with an impressive 27% of the vote. Sam Scudder, the original Mirror Master, earned the attentions of 14% of all respondents. The one and only Rainbow Raider, now robbed of his precious colors, took another 9% of the tally. James Jesse, the original Trickster, seized 14% of the vote. 9% of the blog's readers chose Digger Harkness, the original Captain Boomerang. Last, but certainly not least, at least 18% of all respondents selected Professor Zoom, the Reverse Flash. A meager twenty-two readers participated in this particular poll.



By now, of course, Blackest Night has been brought to its close. Of all those classic comic heroes and villains who were brought roaring back to life, who was your favorite Black Lantern to feature in the event? Which of the scarlet speedster's Rogues earned your vote? Be sure to take a moment to let us know using the comment facility below.

Flash Facts: The Jet Stream

"The speed of air in the central part (core) of the jet stream may be as great as 250 mph, which diminishes to less than 100 mph at the edges."

Illustration: "Shifting patterns of the jet stream."

Issue: The Flash #209 (September 1971)

Easter Sunday

Classic Covers: The Flash #152

April Fools' Day