Classic Covers: Impulse #35

Ad Run: National Comics (1965)

Onomatopoeia: SCREEEECCH!

SCREEEECCH!: Here we have a classic piece of onomatopoeia, the high-pitched squeal of a car's wheels grinding against asphalt as it careens out of control at high speed. In this case, the scream has been caused by the scarlet speedster slapping the getaway car's tires! "The rubber will get so old--instantly--that it'll become brittle and shatter!" Next time you happen to hear a similar sort of screech whilst happily motoring, just be glad you're not trying to escape the fastest man alive!

Issue: The Flash #146 (August 1964)

On Sale: The Flash: Rebirth #6

It's been a long time coming, but the finale of the epic mini-series that brought Barry Allen screaming back to life is finally upon us. The Flash: Rebirth concludes with its sixth and final issue, on sale tomorrow. The tale promises high-stakes drama, high-speed action, and a crash course in the paradoxes inherent to temporal mechanics. Who could ask for more? As ever, visit DC Comics for further details.

Written by Geoff Johns; Art and covers by Ethan Van Sciver. In a battle along the outskirts of time, the secrets of the Speed Force have been revealed! The new arch-nemesis of those who ride the lightning is coming for Iris Allen. And the Barry Allen you knew is gone forever... or is he? What change does Wally West face? What destiny will Kid Flash choose? Prepare to meet a Flash Family that's both familiar and different...and get to the starting line for the next epic adventures of the Speed Force! DC Universe. 32pg. Color. $2.99 US. On Sale February 24, 2010.

Flash Facts: Stamina of the Cheetah

"Although the cheetah is the fastest of all land animals--estimates range as high as 84 miles per hour--it can maintain this amazing speed only over a very short distance. When subjected to a 500-yard test on an oval track, a cheetah was clocked at an average speed of only 44 mi/hr (about equal to that of the fastest race horse)."

Issue: The Flash #156 (November 1965)

Classic Covers: The Flash #200

Ad Run: All-Flash #1 (1941)

On Sale: Blackest Night: The Flash #3

"In fearful day, in raging night, with strong hearts full our souls ignite. When all seems lost in the War of Light, look to the stars--for hope burns bright!" On sale today from DC Comics is the third and final installment of Blackest Night: The Flash. As the colorful cover from Scott Kolins reveals, the issue follows the exploits of Barry Allen, Blue Lantern! The crimson-turned-cerulean comet, emblematic of hope to all in the DC Universe, will be chasing down the Black Lantern Reverse-Flash, whose paradoxical origin is tied to the forthcoming final chapter of The Flash: Rebirth. (Confused yet? I'm betting you will be even when all of this is over!) Visit DC Comics online for more details on this week's new releases.

Written by Geoff Johns; Art and cover by Scott Kolins; Variant cover by Francis Manapul. It's a case of the chicken-or-the-egg as Barry Allen takes on the Black Lantern Reverse-Flash and seeks answers to the very nature of Professor Zoom's impending resurrection. Plus, the Rogues witness an act so horrifying that it changes one of their own forever. DC Universe. 32pg. Color. $2.99 US. On sale February 17, 2010.

Upcoming: The Flash #2

If you can tear your eyes from the expectation-raising cover for Brightest Day #1 (Aquaman is dead; long live Aquaman!), you'll find that a solicitation for The Flash #2 has been released along with information on all of DC Comics's Brightest Day books for the month of May. The second issue of the new volume seems to promise a classic run-in with Captain Cold. Given the relentless snow that's been buffeting the east coast, we can sympathize, Barry! Visit DC's The Source for a closer look at all of the upcoming comics.

Written by Geoff Johns; Art and cover by Francis Manapul; 1:10 variant cover by Ryan Sook. Brightest Day shines its light on the continuing saga of Barry Allen--The Fastest Man Alive! The Flash continues his investigation into the “Dastardly Death of the Rogues” as the case takes a dramatic turn and Barry corners a suspect… and can’t believe who it is! On sale May 12, 2010. 32 pg. FC. $2.99 US.

Flash Facts: Jupiter's Rotation

"The rotational speed of Jupiter is so great at its equator (27,000 mi/hr) that there is a noticeable bulge at the planet's equator (and consequently a flattening at the poles)."

Illustration: "Jupiter's rapid rotation--two views of the planet taken one hour apart."

Issue: The Flash #134 (February 1963)

Valentine's Day

Classic Covers: Flash Comics #97

Ad Run: The Flash #160 (1966)

Onomatopoeia: SLAP!

SLAP!: There is an art to onomatopoeia, a poetic blending of the verbal and the visual that is capable of instantaneously conveying great power and emotion. And, like any art form, onomatopoeia has its nuances. Simply presenting the literal term for a given comic book action in a bold font and bright colors would be missing the point completely, of course. There's no doubt about that.

Issue: All-Flash #28 (April-May 1947)

The Flash Soundtrack

Listen up, fanboys and fangirls! La-La Land Records, specializing in soundtrack releases, has recently unveiled a special edition of the score to The Flash television series! Limited to 3,000 units, the two-disc album will include tracks from eight separate episodes of the scarlet speedster's live action television series starring John Wesley Shipp and Amanda Pays. "Building off of Danny Elfman’s rousing theme, acclaimed composer Shirley Walker composes and conducts an exhilarating orchestral super-hero score that chronicles the thrilling adventures of one of DC Comics’ most beloved superheroes, the Flash. Produced by Ford A. Thaxton and mastered by James Nelson, this two-disc release features over two hours of astounding music and includes in-depth liner notes by Randall D. Larson."

Anyone who has perused the episodic reviews of this blog's Live Action feature knows precisely how I feel about this announcement. Shirley Walker's incredible soundtrack work on the series stood out and unquestionably served to help the scarlet speedster's adventures stand apart from other televised fare. Indeed, on more than one occasion, her enticing, jazzy, energetic compositions single-handedly raised the caliber of an otherwise unremarkable story. Walker was a truly gifted composer and this is truly wonderful news. I can't wait to get my hands on this album!

Visit La-La Land Records for further release details and ordering information. The complete track listing for the two-disc album is as follows...

DISC ONE

1. Main Title Theme† (Danny Elfman) 1:32

"PILOT"

2. The Flash – Pilot Main Title Theme / Street Danger† 2:44
   
3. Explosion 1:46
   
4. Dark Rider Den / Rick Dies 2:18
   
5. Meeting Tina / Treadmill 2:08
   
6. Riders Embarrass Police 1:29
   
7. Track Running Test 1:18
   
8. Barry's Brother† 3:53
   
9. Funeral / Father & Son 1:20
10. First Flash Attack† 4:34
    
11. Tina Meets Iris / Iris Comes Over 2:32
    
12. The Flash Toys With Riders 1:26
    
13. Barry's Breakdown 1:26
    
14. Invasion / The Fighting Starts 2:32
    
15. The Flash Joins The Fight† 1:34
    
16. Pike Beats The Flash / Flash Beats Pike 8:28
    
17. Barry & Tina / Barry & Sean† 1:05
    
18. THE FLASH: Pilot End Credits† 1:03

"CAPTAIN COLD"

19. Hot Spell 0:43
    
20. Solid Stiffs / Bomb Squad / The Cold Hand Of Death 2:57
    
21. Snow Dome / Iced Stiff† / Hypothermia 3:11
    
22. No Witnesses 0:43
    
23. The Ice Man Cometh / The Frozen Bus & Frozen Cops /
    The Big Chill† / Julio, THE FLASH? 2:07

"THE TRICKSTER"

24. Car Phone Call / Megan In Distress 2:34
    
25. The Flash Saves Megan 1:35
    
26. Hypertoss And Turn / Not Too Tired For Hyperlove /
    Tricky Escape 3:11
    
27. Skitoid Trickster 1:21
    
28. Gag Me With A Flash† 1:03
    
29. The Lounge Lizard† 2:33
    
30. Barry Gets Hung Up 3:28
    
31. Murph The Flash† 0:27
    
32. The Real Flash† 0:55
    
33. Baked You A Cake / Flash Struggles† / That's All Folks††† 2:33
    
34. The Flash Shot Down 1:18
    
    
35. THE FLASH: End Credits† (Danny Elfman) 1:01

Disc One Total Time: 77:05

DISC TWO

1. Main Title Theme (w. FX)† (Danny Elfman) 1:32

"WATCHING THE DETECTIVE"

2. Megan Lockhart, P.I. 1:43
   
3. Fire / Rescue / Megan’s Theme 1:55
   
4. Lounge Lizard / Man Behind The Mask 1:41
   
5. Star Labs Van / The Lock / Megan Installs Camera 1:45
   
6. Casino / Everybody Wins 1:05
   
7. Nice PJ’s /Get It† / Take Out Megan Lockhart 1:39
   
8. Campaign Worker† / Watch For Radiation 1:39
   
9. The Fire Bug† / Megan Gets Caught† /
   Flash To The Rescue† / Secret Lives 3:01
   
10. That’s All For Now 0:49

"GHOST IN THE MACHINE"

11. At The Stroke Of Twelve 4:39
    
12. It’s About Time 0:27
    
13. The Ghost Show† / Nightshade 1:45
    
14. Special Bulletin / Get On With The Show† 2:14
    
15. Flash Meets The Nightshade 1:14
    
16. On Line / Just A Memory / Wired 3:02
    
17. The Flash Gets Programmed / Don’t Touch That Dial /
    Nightshade Hangs Up His Gun 3:20

"DONE WITH MIRRORS"

18. Beautiful Battery / Barry Gets Kissed / She’s Got The Touch 2:55
    
19. Two Bit Town / Urban Cowboy 2:38
    
20. Crystal Caper / No Smoke, No Fire 1:44
    
21. Double Jeopardy 3:08
    
22. Mothers, Got To Love’ Em / Anything But The Mime 0:56

"FAST FORWARD"

23. Back To The Future† 2:56
    
24. Pike City / Where Did You Get That Red Suit?† /
    Barry Finds Tina / Cops From Hell 5:15
    
25. Maximum Power / On The Move / Flash, The Legend† 2:31
    
26. The Flash Returns† / I’m Back† 2:47
    
27. Back Through Time† / Pike’s Confession / Words To Live By 4:25

"TRIAL OF THE TRICKSTER"

28. Center City Crime 1:52
    
29. When You Care Enough / The Trickster Bear 2:14
    
30. Clark Toys/ Bigger Kicks / Prank 2:45
    
31. The Merry-Go-Round Broke Down†† 0:18
    
32. Flash, The Executioner† / The Great Trickster Escapemobile /
    Exploding Cars† 4:07
    
33. Padded Cell / Home Of The Flash 1:08
    
    
34. THE FLASH: End Credits (w. FX)† (Danny Elfman) 1:01

Disc Two Total Time: 77:09

† Contains THE FLASH theme by Danny Elfman,
†† Written by Dave Franklin and Cliff Friend
††† - Music by Carl Stalling, published by Warner Bros. Inc. ASCA

Flash Facts: Glacial Movement

"The central parts of a glacier travel more rapidly than the sides--and the top portion moves more rapidly than the bottom. (The rate of movement of the alpine glacier Mer de Glace is from 20-27 inches a day at the center, and from 13-19 1/2 inches at the sides.)"

Illustration: "Showing how the center of a glacier moves more quickly than the sides. After a time, a row of stakes originally driven in a straight line would become curved, for the center stakes would move faster than the outside ones."

Issue: The Flash #196 (April 1970)

Classic Covers: The Flash (v.2) #133

Ad Run: The Flash (1994)

Onomatopoeia: WAAAK, etc.

WAAAK, etc: WAAAK. WOK, WOK, WOK. THOOK. KRUNNCH. These are the brutal, stomach-churning noises of a life-or-death struggle taking place at inhuman speed. Given that no less than five speedsters are engaged in the attack, to an eyewitness of this battle pitting the Flash, Lady Flash, and the Kapitalist Kouriers against the Soviet super-soldier Proletariat, those grim sounds would likely be all that could be discerned of the event. This chaotic panel also goes to show that, despite the necessity for onomatopoeia in comic book storytelling and the inherent fun in such wordplay, you can definitely have too much of a good thing!

Issue: The Flash (v.2) #51 (June 1991)

Speed Limit

Designer Chow Hon Lam created this hilarious image of the fastest man alive in an uncomfortable encounter with a traffic cop as an installment of his "Flying Mouse 365" project. We've all been there at one time or another, Barry! The image was briefly made available on a (presumably unlicensed) t-shirt as part of the project's goal to produce "seven news designs each week only sold for seven days." Hopeless comic geek that I am, when I gaze upon the graphic I can only think of The Flash #153. Have a look at the image over at Design You Trust, or peruse Hon Lam's latest work at Flying Mouse 365. Thanks to King Megatrip for sending this one in!