"The Flash"-The Carmine Infantino Era

Artist Carmine Infantino and the rest of "The Flash" co-creators were given the task by DC Comics (National Periodical Publications) to update and change the version of "The Flash", who was created in the 1940's. This task they accomplished with "Showcase"#4 (Oct., 1956), and a new legend was born!

Police scientist, Barry Allen was working late in the police lab, when a bolt of lightning struck a rack of chemicals, that engulfed his body. Barry soon dicovered that he had super-speed to run wherever he wanted in a "flash"; he could run on the surface of water; and vibrate through solid objects, as well as walls. He adopted his name "The Flash", after reading a comic book of his hero,the original "Flash" from the 1940's. Barry had a fiance, Iris West, who he would eventually marry and reveal his identity to.

Carmine Infantino and the writers would also usher in an exciting, colorful, dynamic array of super-villains--- (just to list a few):  Mirror Master; Gorilla Grodd; The Top; The Trickster; Captain Cold; Heat Wave;and Professor Zoom (The Reverse Flash).

The Flash would also gain a young side-kick in his wife Iris' nephew, Wally West. Wally faced an identical incident, like his uncle Barry had, and gained the same powers of super-speed. He donned his own costume and fought crime as "Kid Flash". He eventually joined the "Teen Titans" with Robin,Wonder Girl, Aqualad,and Speedy.

Infantino drew "The Flash" for several issues of Showcase,as well as "The Flash" #105-174. His amazing style put readers right into the action with his multi-images of The Flash, as he was running; around,through,and over and under everything. He conveyed it well, in his own unique way.

In "The Flash" #123, comic book history was made, ("Flash of Two Worlds"), when the current Flash would meet and team-up with the original Flash, who was from Earth 2. The story won the 1961 Alley Awards for both art and story. Later, in "The Flash" #148 ("Doorway to the Unknown"), would also win Infantino the 1964 Alley Award for art, and the writer would win the story award for that year. Quite an accomplishment!!!

Carmine Infantino later became publisher at DC Comics. Irv Novick (another great and memorable artist) took over the duties of drawing "The Flash" for many years after Infantino stopped. Infantino was named as one of the "Fifty Who Made DC Great" in 1985. He more than lived up to that legacy.