Entry #19

Issue #12
December 1940
Rating: 5


Although Flash Comics #14 gets the ‘classic cover’ designation, I think this issue is worthy of classic distinction.

By the end of 1940, The Flash story has now focused on the looming war in a far off land. Although the name of the countries is imaginary, the content of the story is not lost on the readers. After witnessing the raging war for too long, the Flash proclaims, “This has finally brought home to me how evil war really is – and how everyone should do everything in their power to help stamp it out!!’ With Flash style, coming to the aid of the the Kurtavians, their enemies, the Nuralians, weapons and uniforms are whisked away. Their U-boats disabled. Along with their power stations destroyed – peace is finally won.
Following the Flash story is a new strip. Les Watts: Radio Amateur. Where as the Flash is called to duty in war, Les Watts represents the American spirit of innovation and progress in technology. Or as the police officer in the last panel proclaims, ‘. . . real American boys – the kind all boys want to be.’

Having read the twelve installment of Johnny Thunder, I see a strong similarity between his powers and the popular sixties TV show ‘Bewitched’. Much like the comical spell casting of Samantha and her family on the helpless mortals, Johnny can turn ordinary people into animals or make them do things against their will, all for his simple minded whimsical desires.

Here is a sample of the the Whip by Homer Fleming.

“He keeps coming to the club and making violent love to me! Doctor, I tell you the man’s insane!!” “Well, I’ll admit, Miss Lewis, that he is very erratic. But there is no one in the field of Bio-Chemistry who can equal him. So please humor him a bit or he may have another stroke – Now I must say ‘Good Night’”, says Dr. Ray. I thought I would quote this particular panel from the first installment of “Minute Movies”, by Ed Whelan. Mad Doctor in search of a Bio-Chemical serum that makes young women do whatever he commands them to do, ‘make violent love’.

The Hawkman story continues the mythos making hero of the murky underworld themes.