Flash Annual
The Flash Annual #1,
Published by D.C. Comics,
48 pages
Original cover price $1.25.

File this one under "great works forgotten." I'm referring to the first ten issues and first annual of the 1987-88 run on D.C. Comics' Flash series, by Mike Baron and Jackson Guice.

Before Mark Waid initiated the concept of the Speed Force, Flash's interdimensional power source, Baron developed the concept that Wally West's (a.k.a. The Flash) speed came a hyperactive life force, or "chi." This was highlighted in the first Flash annual, in 1987.

The annual begins with the Flash foiling a hold-up at a Chinese restaurant. Having disarmed the crooks, he snatches the mask off of one of them, only to have him hit the ground, as if struck. Shaken, West confers with Marshall Lau, a former master of the "healing arts," who educates him on how the old masters used to project their internal power towards others, causing injury or death. A far cry from the "Speed Force" idea. Then again, there were quite a lot of things different about this Flash "run." Instead of the speed of light, the Flash had a top speed of about 700 miles per hour. Not an especially altruistic hero, Wally West was a bit of a womanizer. He was even a millionaire for a few issues.

One thing that was not different, however, was the entertainment value. Mike Baron's characterization skills shine brightly in this series. The character of West was not of the cookie-cutter variety, as mentioned above. He came across as just a "regular joe" with super powers, living very much in the shadow of his dead mentor.

Artist Jackson Guice also put his mark on the character. He drew the Flash long and lean, just as you would expect a runner to look. Where many older Flash fans consider Carmine Infantino the character's definitive artist, Guice gets my vote.

This forever-fresh take on a classic character is recommended for those who enjoy great superhero action and characterization.

Mark Allen

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