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Issue: Flash Comics #1
Publication Date: January 1940
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Disclose Detail
Issues: #1 of 104 Issues (105 Printings)
Title:
Variant: unnamed
Rating:
Publisher: FlagDC
Brand: none
Indicia Publisher: All-American Comics, Inc.
On Sale Date: 11/20/1939
Volume: 1
Pages: 68
ISBN: none
UPC/EAN: none
Price: $0.10 USD
Indicia Frequency:
Content Items: 12 (7 stories, 1 cover)
Editor(s): M. C. Gaines (managing); Sheldon Mayer (assistant)
Disclose Notes: The on-sale date of November 20, 1939 is the publication date reported in filings with the U. S. Copyright Office. However, a house ad in Action Comics #19 states the issue was to be on sale on November 10.
  Does this data need corrections? Become an editor.
Disclose Format
Publication Type: Comic Book
Color: color
Dimensions: standard Golden Age US
Paper Stock: glossy cover; newsprint interior
Binding: saddle-stitched
Publishing Format: was ongoing series
Format Notes:  
Disclose Reprinted In32
Disclose Reprinted From0
There is currently no data for this Issue being reprinted from anywhere.
Disclose Images1
Cover, Front
Original Artwork
Digital Edition
Adult Image
Title Page
Indicia on this Page
 
 
Assets1
Indicia
 
 
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Disclose Content Items (12 total)
Disclose Issue Images
Introducing The Flash... Fastest Man Alive!

Illustration  on  Cover, Front
Credits
Penciller(s): Sheldon Moldoff
Inker(s): Sheldon Moldoff
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Feature(s): The Flash
Character(s): The Flash [Jay Garrick]; Joan Williams; Hawkman [Carter Hall] (inset); Johnny Thunder (inset); The Whip [Rodney Gaynor] (inset); Cliff Cornwall (inset)
Reprinting
In Issue: FlagGolden Age Hawkman Archives #1 published February 2005
In Content Item: FlagAll Star Comics [ashcan] #1 published January 1940
as [untitled] [Illustration on Cover, Front]in black and white
In Content Item: FlagFlash Annual #1 published January 1963
as Famous Flash-Cover Firsts! [Cover Reprint (on Interior Page) on Interior Page(s)]
In Content Item: FlagFamous First Edition #F-8 published August 1975
as [untitled] [Illustration on Cover, Front]
In Content Item: FlagGolden Age Flash Archives #1 published November 1999
as Cover - Flash Comics #1 [Cover Reprint (on Interior Page) on Interior Page(s)]
In Content Item: FlagMillennium Edition: Flash Comics No. 1 #[nn] [Direct Sales] published September 2000
as The Fastest Man Alive Makes His Golden Age Debut [Illustration on Cover, Front]
In Content Item: FlagFlash Annual No. 1 Replica Edition #1 published December 2001
as Flash Comics #1 [Cover Reprint (on Interior Page) on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: The cover artist was mis-credited as Harry Lampert in the Millennium Edition, but corrected in the corrections page in Millennium Edition: Superboy #1 (2001 series), and also correctly credited in the two Archives. Flash has lightning bolts on his trousers and on his belt buckle.
Disclose
[untitled]

Promotional Material (from Publisher)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Feature(s): All-American Comics
First Line: Boys & girls: If you like Flash Comics...
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: Inside front cover.
Disclose
Origin of the Flash

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): Gardner Fox (signed)
Penciller(s): Harry Lampert (signed)
Inker(s): Harry Lampert (signed)
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): Harry Lampert (masthead by-line)
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Feature(s): The Flash
Character(s): The Flash [Jay Garrick] (introduction, origin); Joan Williams (introduction); Professor Hughes (introduction); Major Williams (introduction, Joan's father); Bull Tryon (introduction); The Faultless Four [Sieur Satan (villain, introduction, death); Serge Orloff (villain, introduction, surgeon, death); Duriel (villain, introduction, death); Smythe (villain, introduction, death)]
First Line: Faster than the streak of lightning in the sky... swifter than the speed of light itself... fleeter than the rapidity of thought... is the Flash, reincarnation of the winged Mercury...
Synopsis: The Scarlet Speedster must face the threat of the Faultless Four, a group of brilliant but deadly scientists who kidnap Joan William's father in order to get his invention: the atomic bombarder!
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagThe Great Comic Book Heroes #[nn] published January 1965
as The Origin of the Flash [Story on Interior Page(s)]
In Content Item: FlagFamous First Edition #F-8 published August 1975
as Origin of the Flash [Story on Interior Page(s)]
In Content Item: FlagSecret Origins of the Super DC Heroes #[nn] published January 1976
as Origin of the Flash [Story on Interior Page(s)]
In Content Item: FlagThe Greatest Flash Stories Ever Told #[nn] published February 1991
as The Faultless Four [Story on Interior Page(s)]
In Content Item: FlagThe Greatest Flash Stories Ever Told #[nn] published June 1992
as The Fastest Man Alive [Story on Interior Page(s)]
In Content Item: FlagGolden Age Flash Archives #1 published November 1999
as Origin of the Flash [Story on Interior Page(s)]
In Content Item: FlagMillennium Edition: Flash Comics No. 1 #[nn] [Direct Sales] published September 2000
as Origin of the Flash [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 15
Disclose Notes: First line is "But before he became known and feared as 'the fastest thing on Earth,' Jay Garrick was an unknown student at Midwestern University..." The Flash has lightning bolts on his belt buckle and trousers.
Disclose
The Disappearing Plane

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): Gardner Fox
Penciller(s): Sheldon Moldoff (signed)
Inker(s): Sheldon Moldoff (signed)
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: adventure
Feature(s): "Cliff" Cornwall
Character(s): Cliff Cornwall; un-named Army General; Lys Valliere
Synopsis: Cliff is on vacation from the FBI, but the Army nabs him for a special assignment in Alaska to put an end to phantom plane attacks on military aircraft.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagFamous First Edition #F-8 published August 1975
as The Disappearing Plane [Story on Interior Page(s)]
In Content Item: FlagMillennium Edition: Flash Comics No. 1 #[nn] [Direct Sales] published September 2000
as The Disappearing Plane [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 6
Disclose Notes: Story was originally untitled. First line is "A fleet of U.S. bombers wing their way toward Alaska..." The Millennium Edition incorrectly credits Sheldon Moldoff for the writer.
Disclose
The Origin of Hawkman

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): Gardner Fox
Penciller(s): Dennis Neville
Inker(s): Dennis Neville
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Feature(s): The Hawkman
Character(s): The Hawkman [Prince Khufu aka Carter Hall] (introduction, origin, Khufu dies but is reincarnated); Shiera Sanders (introduction, later Hawkgirl] (Shiera dies but is reincarnated); Hath-Set (villain, introduction); Kolar (villain, introduction); Doctor Hastor (villain, introduction, death, reincarnation of Hath-Set)
Synopsis: Young Carter Hall, wealthy collector of weapons and research scientist, discovers that he is the re-incarnation of an anicient Egyptian, Prince Khu-fu. He is further amazed that his lady love, Shiera Sanders, and his murderer, Hath-Set, have been re-incarnated too!
Reprinting
In Issue: FlagGolden Age Hawkman Archives #1 published February 2005
In Content Item: FlagFamous First Edition #F-8 published August 1975
as The Origin of Hawkman [Story on Interior Page(s)]
In Content Item: FlagSecret Origins of the Super DC Heroes #[nn] published January 1976
as The Origin of Hawkman [Story on Interior Page(s)]
In Content Item: FlagMillennium Edition: Flash Comics No. 1 #[nn] [Direct Sales] published September 2000
as The Origin of Hawkman [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 12
Disclose Notes: The title here was given in Golden Age Hawkman Archives Vol. 1 where this story was reprinted. First line is "In the weapon-lined library of Carter Hall, wealthy collector of weapons and research scientist..."
Disclose
The Kidnapping of Johnny Thunder

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): John B. Wentworth
Penciller(s): Stan Asch
Inker(s): Stan Asch
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Feature(s): Johnny Thunderbolt
Character(s): Johnny Thunder (introduction, origin); Thunderbolt (introduction); Simon B. Thunder; Mildred Thunder; Priest of Aissor
Synopsis: Young Johnny Thunder is kidnapped from his home, given Badhnisian sacred rites and would become the most powerful person in the world at age 7. By a weird chance, Johnny is reunited with his parents, but is sought out once again by the Badhnesians, who are on the receiving end of a new, strange power Johnny has by saying the words "Say You."
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagFamous First Edition #F-8 published August 1975
as The Kidnapping of Johnny Thunder [Story on Interior Page(s)]
In Content Item: FlagMillennium Edition: Flash Comics No. 1 #[nn] [Direct Sales] published September 2000
as The Kidnapping of Johnny Thunder [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 10
Disclose Notes: First line is "One night in August, 1918, Simon came home from the bank and found a crowd around his house..." Thunderbolt appears as a yellow streak of lightning and as a pink cloud in this story.
Disclose
Warfare in Space, Part One

Text Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): Gardner Fox [as Gardner F. Fox] (credited)
Penciller(s): Sheldon Mayer (spot illustrations)
Inker(s): Sheldon Mayer (spot illustrations)
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Genres: science fiction
Character(s): Billy Morton; Keith Morton; Port Commander Worth; Ralph "The Ruthless" Farnham (villain)
Synopsis: Billy's Dad has created a weapon that can be effectively used in interstellar space....and he wants to volunteer to use it against the space pirate, Ralph Farnham!
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagFamous First Edition #F-8 published August 1975
as Warfare in Space, Part One [Text Story on Interior Page(s)]
In Content Item: FlagMillennium Edition: Flash Comics No. 1 #[nn] [Direct Sales] published September 2000
as Warfare in Space, Part One [Text Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 2
Disclose Notes: Story continued in Flash Comics (1940 series) #2. There are three small ads for fireworks at the end of page 2 for Baltimore Fireworks Co., Spencer Fireworks Co., and The Brazel Novelty Manufacturing Co.
Disclose
[untitled]

Text Article  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Genres: informational
Feature(s): Flash Stamps
Synopsis: Includes a history of Polish postage stamps, as well as classified ads from 6 stamp dealers.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagFamous First Edition #F-8 published August 1975
as [untitled] [Text Article on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose
The Demon Dummy, Part 1

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): Ed Wheelan (signed)
Penciller(s): Ed Wheelan (signed)
Inker(s): Ed Wheelan (signed)
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): Ed Wheelan
Subject Matter
Genres: crime
Feature(s): "Flash" Picture Novel
Character(s): The Great [Harry] Dunstan; Madge Devere; Sam; Red (a dummy); Jim Devlin (villain); Tim (villain); Slim Grimes (villain)
Synopsis: Private detective Devlin, in love with Madge Devere, who in turn is loved by ventriloquist Dunstan, tries to pin a murder on Dunstan in order to get the woman he loves.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagFamous First Edition #F-8 published August 1975
as The Demon Dummy [Part 1] [Story on Interior Page(s)]
In Content Item: FlagMillennium Edition: Flash Comics No. 1 #[nn] [Direct Sales] published September 2000
as The Demon Dummy, Part 1 [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 8
Disclose Notes: Story continued in Flash Comics (1940 series) #2.
Disclose
Origin of the Whip

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): John B. Wentworth (signed)
Penciller(s): George Storm (signed)
Inker(s): George Storm (signed)
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: western
Feature(s): The Whip
Character(s): El Castigo [aka The Whip] [Don Fernando Suarez] (introduction, in flashback); group of wealthy rancheros (villains, introduction for all, in flashback); The Whip [Rodney Elwood Gaynor] (introduction); Mr. Dillon (newspaper publisher, father of Marissa, introduction); Marissa Dillon (introduction); unnamed Padre (introduction); Sheriff Todd (villain, introduction); Carlos (villain, introduction); group of vigilantes (villains, introduction for all)
Synopsis: Learning of a famed adventurer for justice in the past, El Castigo: The Whip, Rod Gaynor decides to assume that disguise to help the poor, who are being denied jobs and food, as well as being hit by high rents by unscrupulous vigilantes.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagFamous First Edition #F-8 published August 1975
as Origin of the Whip [Story on Interior Page(s)]
In Content Item: FlagMillennium Edition: Flash Comics No. 1 #[nn] [Direct Sales] published September 2000
as Origin of the Whip [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 10
Disclose Notes: The Whip is Eastern playboy Rod Ellwood Gaynor. The strip is set in the southwest. First line is "He was known as Don Fernando Suarez, a patrician descended from the Grandees of Spain..."
Disclose
[untitled]

Advertisement  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Feature(s): Johnson Smith & Co.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagFamous First Edition #F-8 published August 1975
as All-American Comics [Promotional Material (from Publisher) on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: Inside back cover.
Disclose
[untitled]

Advertisement  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Feature(s): Home Recording Co.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagFamous First Edition #F-8 published August 1975
as [untitled] [Advertisement on Interior Page(s)]minus company's address
In Content Item: FlagFamous First Edition #F-8 published August 1975
as Make Your Own Records at Home [Advertisement on Interior Page(s)]minus company's address
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: Back cover.

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