Flash Comics #1 - One of the Rarest Comics

We have been discussing in recent posts which comic would be the fourth most important. See those that we have looked at already, Which is Fourth?

Flash Comics #1 is one of the legendary rarest comics in the world. Published in January 1940, Written by Gardner F. Fox, penciled & inked by Harry Lampert, Flash Comics #1 featured the first appearance of the Flash, along with the first appearance of Hawkman. It was printed in a very limited number of copies, and over the years has become sought after by collectors.

Like most comics of the 1940's Flash Comics was an anthology book, it contained an assortment of different stories which contained different characters.

Here are a list of the stories contained in Flash Comics #1

"Origin of the Flash", Written by Gardner F. Fox, penciled & inked by Harry Lampert. This 15 page story sees The Flash face the Faultless Four, who have kidnapped Joan Williams' father. We also see how Jay Garrick becomes the Flash.

Origin of the Flash

"The Disappearing Plane", Written by Gardner F. Fox, penciled & inked by Sheldon Moldoff. This 6 page story stars Cliff Cornwall

"The Origin of Hawkman", Written by Gardner F. Fox, penciled & inked by Dennis Neville. A 12 page story that is the first appearance of Hawkman, in the story weapons collector and research scientist Carter Hall discovers that he is the re-incarnation of an ancient Egyptian. Shires Sanders who would become Hawkgirl also makes her first appearance in this story.

"The Kidnapping of Johnny Thunder" Written by John B. Wentworth, penciled & inked by Stan Aschmeier. 10 page story about Johnny Thunder.

"Warfare in Space, Part 1" a two page text story Written by Gardner F. Fox, penciled & inked by Sheldon Mayer.

"The Demon Dummy, Part 1"  Written, penciled & inked by Ed Wheelan.

"The Origin of the Whip"  Written by John B. Wentworth, penciled & inked by George Storm. 10 page story about the Whip,  Rod Gaynor decides to take on the guise of the Whip a famed adventurer from the past in order to help the poor from unscrupulous viglantes.

On March 12, 2010, a CGC highest graded Flash Comics #1 so far with a Near Mint plus grade (9.6) was sold at an auction for $450,000. Lower grades can be added to your collection for much less, a 5.0 sold for $14,000. 

This issue contains the first appearance of three key DC comic characters, The Golden Age Flash, Hawkman and Hawkgirls secret identity. One of the most important comics in history but is it the fourth most important. You tell us? Leave an opinion below or email us at Farleyclan003@yahoo.com

Good Luck on Your Hunt!
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DC Lego Variant Covers - Hitting Shelves in November

Dc will continue its use of variant themed covers this coming November, following on the heals of the Octobers Halloween/Horror Variant Covers.

The Lego theme is being used to celebrate the LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham video game being released in November. The Lego renditions on each cover mirror the covers from each issues #0 which were released in September 2012, I have included an image of Batman #0 for comparison.

Action Comics #36

Aquaman #36

Batgirl #36

Batman #36

Batman & Robin #36

 

Batman/Superman #16

 

Catwoman #36

 

Detective Comics #36

 

 

 

Flash #36

 

Grayson #4

 

Green Lantern #36

 

Green Lantern Corps #36

 

Harley Quinn #12

 

JLU #6

 

Justice League #36

 

Justice League Dark #36

 

New Teen Titans #4

 

Sinestro #7

 

Supergirl #36

 

Superman #36

 

Superman/Wonder Woman #13

Wonder Woman #36

These variant should be very popular and hard to find. Our suggestions. Is to request them from your local comic shop or begin hunting them down throughout November.

I also hope they make some Lego figures to go along with the covers.  Who doesn't want a Frankenstein Lego figure in their collection?

Good Luck on Your Hunt!
#jointhehunt

General Wade Eiling to appear on New Flash TV series

With each passing day anticipation for the new Flash television series grows as new characters and possible story lines are announced. We want to help you prepare for the show so we will be looking at the background of each character set to appear, we have already reviewed Plastique and Vibe. Today we look at General Wade Eiling and we can guess wether he will be based on the comic version or the Justice League Unlimited version.

General Wade Eiling first appeared in Captain Atom #1 (1987), he was created by Cary Bates, Pat Broderick and Greg Weisman. You can pick up a nice copy for less than $5.00. General Eiling appears throughout the Captain Atom series, so why not start buying all 57 issues.

First Appearance

Wade Eiling works for the military. He blackmails Nathaniel Adam into participating in an atomic experiment that turns Nathaniel into the nuclear being Captain Atom. Shortly after the experiment Captain Atom disappears for 18 years. As a result of his disappearance General Eiling would attempt the experiment again, which ends up with the creation of Major Force, which occurs later Inte Captain Atom series.

About General Wade Eiling

For a large part General Wade Eiling is the main adversary of Captain Atom, he appears throughout the series which begins afte he creates Captain Atom who disappears for 18 years. During the 18 years in which Captain Atom is gone, Eiling marries Adam's wife and acts as father to his two children. Eiling also manipulates Captain Atom into serving the military.

Eiling also battles the Justice League of America during which time he transfers his brain patterns into the indestructible body of the Shaggy Man.

On the Flash Series
General Eiling will be played by veteran actor Clancy Brown. Many comic book fans may remember Brown as the vioce of Lex Luthor for over twelve years. He has also voiced many other comic book characters including Parrallax in the Green Lantern Movie.
On the Flash TV show it appears that General Iling will resemble the version of the character that has appeared on Justice League Unlimited (see below)

Justice League Unlimited In the Justice League Unlimited cartoon series, which we are big fans of, a significantly altered version of General Wade Eiling that resembled Marvel character General 'Thunderbolt' Ross. In the series he works very closely with Cadmus Chief Amanda Waller.
General Eiling also had an action figure made from the series. You should all know by now that we collect these, check out the entire Justice League Unlimited Checklist.

Good Luck on Your Hunt!
#jointhehunt

Vibe on New Flash TV Series

No it's not the feeling everyone is showing in anticipation of the new series it is an actual character that will appear on the show. Vibe, whose real name is Paco Ramon has already made a guest appearance on Arrow.
 So like we did with Plastique previously, we will take a look at Vibes history in comics and other media so you can go out and hunt down some of his appearances.

Vibe was created by Gene Conway and Chuck Patton, he made his first appearance in Justice League of America Annual #2  which was released in October 1984. I recently picked up a copy in a dollar bin at a local comic convention, well worth it.

First Appearance

Paco Ramon's career as the superhero Vibe began shortly after the original Justice League of America was  disbanded by Aquaman. When Paco heard that a new Justice League was being formed in his own hometown of Detroit, he decided to give up his position as the leader of a local street gang, Los Lobos, to join up. Vibe made the team as a result of his metahuman ability to emit powerful vibratory shock waves.

About Vibe
Vibe placement on the new Justice was put into question early on when his actions resulted in the league fighting a street gang. He would prove himself valuable during many battles including defeating Despero during the Crisis of Infinite Earths.  Vibe was killed after an attack by Professor Ivo's androids during the Legends story-line. The  Martian Manhunter brought Vibe's body back to the League's mountain sanctuary, where Vibe was laid to rest in a cryogenic chamber. However, Paco's dead form was resurrected as a member of the Black Lantern Corps.

Vibe was brought back to life as part of the New 52 and again was a member of the Justice League.

On the Flash
Carlos Valdes portrays Ramon on the Flash as he did in Arrow.

Paco Ramon battling Deathstroke on Arrow

Vibe also made a number of appearances on the Justice League Unlimited cartoon and was part of the toy line. If you have read any of our older posts you know how much we like the JLU line, we have been hunting for a Vibe figure.

So now that you know about Vibe go out and pick up JLA Annual #2 and the 10 issues of his solo comic, which came out in 2013. What are you waiting for?

Good Luck on Your Hunt!
#jointhehunt

Comic Shop Review - Zap! Comics, Orlando

When you enter Zap! comics in Orlando Florida a life-size Yoda statue greets you at the door, looking like he is ready to battle Count Dooku. Be careful not to get him angry.

Zap! is a very welcoming shop. Comic characters are penciled into the walls and it looks like you are inside a comic book. Walls are very DC Universe heavy, Batman, Superman and the Flash to name a few.

The store carry's  the regular run of current toy lines, including some high end figurines. They have all the latest titles and trade paper backs. The display of the new issues is one of the best I have seen. An entire wall is lines with black metal basket shelves and all the titles are lined up across. Could DC comics have more Batman titles right now.

Not to much in the way of back issues, a couple of boxes in the back of the store but mostly recent issues, no silver or Bronze Age stuff here.

I was impressed with a Deathstroke helmet they had for sale. I have never seen the piece before and am planning of doing more research to find out where I can get one at a reasonable price. It looked like the owners of the store defeated one of Slade Wilson's soldiers during the battle of Starling city and kept his helmet.  I need me of these.

Zap! Also has a nice selection of art prints showing characters as their alter egos and as the hero. Yet another item I have never seen before, if they had a Flash one I would have bought it. These really looked great. This is why I love visiting new comic shops you never know what you'll find that you didn't know existed.

Comic Shop Grade = B

We didn't buy anything on this hunt not because we didn't see anything we liked it was just most of the stuff was new or a little out of our price range. We did learn about some new things which is always good, always learning and improving our craft.

One of the best things about Zap! was its soda machine. It was a replica of the TARDIS, we are big Doctor Who fans. The sodas in the machine had a Doctor Who spin to them. This is the best looking soda machine I have ever seen, a truly unique idea.

Good luck on your hunt!
#jointhehunt

Favorite Russian Superhero - Rocket Red

On a recent hunt at Special Edition- NYC I had Keith Giffin sign a copy of Justice League Europe #1. The Justice League Europe roster of heroes was an excellent mix of personalities which of
throughout the series led to comedy. One of the most interesting characters and my favorite
Russian was Rocket Red.

Rocket Red from the Justice League Europe run was Dmitri Pushkin who was Rocket Red #4. He formed a connection with Buddy Baker, Animal Man, during his time with the JLE. Dimitri was the only European on the team initially. He retired from the JLE for a many year before coming out of retirement and being killed in The Omac project. Rocket Red self-destructed in-order to save the other members of the old JLI. His last words to Booster Gold were "My wife and children, Michael ... tell them I love them." He came back as a Black Lantern during the Blackest Night story arc.

Along with appearing in comics Rocket Red was also on the Justice League Unlimited cartoon and had an action figure as a result.

If you are a fan of the greatest Russian hero go hunting for Rocket Red in the pages of Justice League Europe and also Captain Atom Annual #2 (1988), Booster Gold (vol. 2) #20 (July 2009), Blackest Night #3 (September 2009), Justice League: Generation Lost #4, 8, 21, 24 (2010), Justice League International (vol. 3) #1, 5, 7(2011) 

Good luck on your hunt comrades!
#jointhehunt

Sunday Salute to the Troops- World's Finest #8

Each Sunday we will look at an issue that in some way pays tribute to the troops. This week we look at the issue I personally think of when I imagine a comic book cover that was created to salute the troops- World's Finest #8.

Released on October 39, 1942, which was right smack  in the middle of World War II, this issue of World's Finest does contain a couple of stories that directly relates to the troops overseas and one fantastic cover that advised those of us who were still at home to buy War Bonds. The cover shows Batman, Superman and Robin inside a stand handing out war bonds to a group of boys.

If you haven't heard of war bonds before, War bonds are debt securities issued by the government to finance military operations and other expenditure during World War II and at other times of war. Basically the government is asking civilians to help finances of the war effort. During World War II
Bond rallies were held throughout the country with famous celebrities, and comic books were used to reach out to children to also play their part in helping our troops. A true sulfate to the troops. Over the course of the war 85 million Americans purchased bonds totalling approximately $185 billion.

DC comics played a large role in helping sell War Bonds, they used many of their most popular characters in the effort. The cover of World's Finest #8 is a prime example. 

If your ever on the hunt for this issue, which original sold for .15 on the newsstand, it will cost you based on recent sales between $400 and $600. 

The issue contains 11 separate stories. 1. Talent Unlimited (Superman) -- 2. Tanks For The Memory (Drafty) -- 3. The Magic Lantern (Zatara) -- 4. Private Pete -- 5. Stripesy, Solo Sleuth Inc. (Star Spangled Kid and Stripesy) -- 6. The Luck of the Lepparts (Boy Commandos) -- 7. The Unluckiest Man In The World (Green Arrow) -- 8. The Minuteman Answers the Call -- 9. Smoked Out -- 10. A Double For Trouble (The King) -- 11. Brothers In Law (Batman)

I includee an image of the first page of the Boy Commandoes story the Luck of Leeparts because it was done by Jack Kirby and Joe Simon, two kings of the comics.

Good luck on your hunt.
#jointhehunt