The Flash Companion
The Flash is one of comic-books’ longest-running superheroes, at least conceptually. Since 1940, the title has been shared by various characters endowed with superspeed. The original, golden-age version lasted a decade. His successor, fondly remembered by baby boomers, started in 1956, kicking off what became known as comics’ silver age. Thirty years later, that Flash was ignominiously killed off and immediately replaced by the current title holder, his predecessor’s girlfriend’s nephew. Several years ago, a fourth character briefly took the role, too. The histories of all the Flashes are chronicled in this fan-oriented guide that includes interviews with or profiles of some two dozen writers and artists involved with the characters over the years; a Rogues’ Gallery of such colorful Flash nemeses as Captain Cold, the Mirror Master, and Professor Zoom; and an account of the short-lived, early-1990s Flash TV adaptation. The artwork adorning every page, most of it taken from the original stories, vividly evokes each era of the comic. The durability and enduring popularity of the Flash warrant this exhaustive compendium. --Gordon Flagg