Review by Frank Plowright
The Silver Age heads back to the earliest days of Barry Allen as the Flash, offering a more generous selection of his 1950s and then 1960s adventures than the earlier Flash Chronicles series. It also combines the content covered in The Flash Archives Volume 1 and Volume 2, although only supplies half the content of The Silver Age Omnibus Volume 1.
Jay Garrick, DC’s original Flash, ran his last in 1949 as the market for superhero comics all-but disappeared. Few survived the cull. In 1956, though, DC initiated an extremely tentative revival, redesigning the fast-running Flash and his world for a new generation, and testing the concept over four comics in anthology title Showcase published over twenty months. It now seems incredibly quaint that when DC considered the concept had proved itself they thought there was greater value in Flash’s own title continuing the numbering of his predecessor than being relaunched entirely.
The team of John Broome and Carmine Infantino produced the final appearance of Allen’s 1940s predecessor, but the approach of both leapt forward considerably in seven years. Broome’s new method, likely with considerable input from editor Julius Schwartz, was initially inventive SF stories educating with the use of science alongside Flash’s super speed. Infantino’s leap was equally great. In the Flash’s first appearance from 1956 (sample spread left) there’s still a holdover from the heavily inked kinetic newspaper style of the 1940s with Joe Kubert inking the pencils. However, the change just under two years later (sample spread right) involves far more than the switch of inker to Frank Giacoia. It’s altogether smoother art, less fussy and distinctly modern for the times. Take a look at the cleverly inked cityscape in the final panel’s background, a signature technique for Infantino.
For some reason the only story Broome doesn’t write is the first, Flash’s origin, which is the work of Robert Kanigher. In the 1950s an origin was less important than costumed deeds, so Flash is formed via a vague chemical cocktail aided by a lightning bolt. Improbable as that may seem, it’s repeated by Broome for the creation of Kid Flash before this volume finishes. While characterisation is largely superficial, Broome does introduce the idea of the fastest man alive constantly turning up late for his dates with journalist Iris West, and she’s a formidable character from the start, not a secret identity snoop.
The system of the era was to provide young readers with value for money by including two stories in each issue, so alongside the SF adventures, Broome introduced the colourful villains who’ve sustained the series for decades, each with their own gimmick. In order of appearance we meet Captain Cold, Mirror Master, Pied Piper, Gorilla Grodd, Weather Wizard and the Trickster, along with Mr Element, less popular despite a great design and Dr Alchemy who has a still surprising secret for anyone who doesn’t already know. Also introduced is the stretchable sleuth Elongated Man, who’d share many adventures with Flash.
It wouldn’t be true to say these are timeless stories, but they have a quirky charm and what was once the sleek modern look of Infantino’s strongly designed pages has become a sleek retro-future style. The content has been issued in so many formats in the 21st century it’s difficult to imagine nostalgic buyers still remain, yet DC aren’t in business to supply love and contentment, so they must exist, and surely picked up Volume Two also.
