Post #98

Issue #86
August 1947

Rating: 5

Robert Kanigher scripts start to take flight with the Flash, Hawkman, and the introduction of the Black Canary in the Johnny Thunder strip. The Flash cover and story "Stone Age Menace!" is drawn by Lee Elias and inked by Kubert.

The Black Canary’s dangerous beauty also brings to mind Lauren Becall from the Big Sleep, which was released several months earlier.

Try as hard as he could, the Thunderbolt knows that his bolts are soon to vanish forever.

Carmine Infantino makes his Flash Comics debut with the pen and pencils of The Ghost Patrol. His style of fluent action will become the industry standard for a whole new generation of artist to come.

 <hawkman>

Another excellent proto-SA villain in costume yarn.

Post #97

Issue #85
July 1947

Rating: 4

E. E. Hibbard’s splash page evolves from the last issue. The new splash is less boxy and more blown-up with joined in progress action. This new style will carry the title to its final issue.

Joe Kubert returns with the Hawkman cover and art. With the ‘Lasso’ in the Hawkman and ‘The Impressario’ in the Flash, Robert Kanigher who wrote both stories continues to nurture his young storytelling career. His formula would be the norm for comic books for decades to come.

Interesting to note that the Thunderbolt does not make an appearance at all in this issue and Peachy Pet would make her last. John B. Wentworth and Stan Aschmeier team up for the last time on the strip. Making way for the updated style of Robert Kanigher, Carmine Infantino and Joe Giella with the next issue introduction of the Black Canary. The magic word cei-u will soon be forever silent.

Post #96

Issue #84
June 1947

Rating: 3

This makes two issues in a row for the dreaded '3' tabcom rating.The rating system works like this, I have a 5 point rating system. The Flash and Hawkman stories have a potential of +2 each, if good. Because the backup stories expectations are lower, they can achieve a +1 bonus to the issue if any of them are good enough ‘The Changeling’ cover story script, perhaps by Robert Kanigher, would have been good enough for a full 22 page blow out if it were the Silver Age. Confined to a GA 12-pager, it is too condensed to really blossom.

Lineup is:

Flash

Ghost Patrol

Rockhead McWizzard

Johnny Thunder

Hawkman – Art by Jon Chester Kozlak

Fortunately, the series is not damaged by this misfire. More Kubert is to come. Plus a new character is introduced.

Post #95

Issue #83
May 1947

Rating: 3

It has been a long while since a below average issue appeared. The stories and art are second rate for Flash Comics standards. The bait on the cover metaphorically represents what you get inside. The bait, Joe Kubert cover artist. However, when you turn to the Hawkman story, he did not draw the strip.

Not a problem, really. The next 20 issues are some of the most beloved issues of the 104 issue run.  

Post #94

Issue #82
April 1947

Rating: 5

Robert Kanigher uses the flashback technique with great success in the Flash story. Also is a reenactment of the famous issue #1 cover.

The radio ad in the Ghost Patrol is worth posting here . . . 

Post #93

Issue #81
March 1947
Rating: 5

Robert Kanigher began his writing credits to Flash Comics with both the Flash and the Hawkman strips – later the Black Canary.

The relationship between Joan and Jay acts as a marker for me. This relationship quirk is different than anything previously scene to the reader.

The Hawkman strip also uses a background story page that is new to the style. This issue begins the transition from what I describe the Golden Age of Flash Comics to the Proto-Silverage. The stories, in this issue with the Hawkman, become less about solving crimes and more adventures into the sub-conscious. The gratuitous bad guys are still there as a link to the familiar. However, the glimpse into the next generation of comic book themes begins here.

Peachy Pet and Johnny Thunder strip makes for an enjoyable filler.

Post #91

Issue #79

Jan. 1947
Rating: 5

This issue features the last appearances in the GA from the three dimwits (they will continue to appear in All-Flash thru out 1947). Their next appearance in this series is as the SA back up story from Flash Comics #117.

Kozlak’s art is used again with the Hawkman strip when the birds revolt. Johnny Thunder and Ghost Patrol are average strips for this issue.