Today in Comics History, October 12: An eight-month-iversary isn't a thing, Barry

from The Flash (2016 series) #74 (DC, August 2019), script by Joshua Williamson, pencils and inks by Howard Porter, colors by Hi-Fi, letters by Steve Wands

Today in Comics History, October 12: Iris West is really, really bad at bedroom talk

from The Flash (2016 series) #73 (DC, August 2019), script by Joshua Williamson, pencils and inks by Howard Porter, colors by Hi-Fi, letters by Steve Wands

Today in Comics History, July 8, 1776: The Founding Fathers lament the end of their four-day holiday weekend

from The Flash #795 (DC, May 2023); script by Jeremy Adams; pencils by Roger Cruz, George Kambadais, or Fernando Pasarin; inks by Wellington Diaz, George Kambadais, or Oclair Albert; colors by Luis Guerrero or Matt Herms, letters by Rob Leigh

Today in Comics History, December 9, 1966: The economy crashed so quickly even this guy was taken by surprise

from The Flash (1959 series) #167 (February 1967), script by Gardner Fox, pencils by Carmine Infantino, cover inks by Joe Giella, interior inks by Sid Greene

Today in Comics History, October 8: The Day That Goes By in a Flash

Happy Flash Day! It's the day we all get together and celebrate Really-Quick Guy Barry Allen!



from Flash: The Fastest Man Alive (2020 digi series) #8 (DC, June 2020), script by Dave Wiegosz, art by Davis Lafuente, colors by Luis Guerrero, letters by Rob Leigh

The Super DC Calendar for 1977 2022: September Skyscraper Siege

Because naturally, if you're having a superhero fight at the top of the Empire State Building, you naturally call the flyingest, climbingest hero of them all: The Flash. Yeah, I know he's fighting a gorilla, but still. C'mon, Barry — when's it gonna be Congorilla's time to shine? Anyway, hang this on your wall all month, the way you shoulda had two apes hanging off this building!

"September" from Super DC Calendar 1977 (DC, 1976), art by Irv Novick
(Click picture to King Kong-size)

Today in Comics History, August 29: I don't care how much you update him, I'll never believe the Turtle is a match for the Flash

from The Flash (2016 series) #72 (August 2019), script by Joshua Williamson, pencils and inks by Howard Porter, colors by Hi-Fi, letters by Steve Wands

Today in Comics History, August 28: When Flash runs away from home, he really...runs away from home.

from The Flash (2016 series) #70 (DC, July 2019), script by Joshua Williamson, pencils and inks by Howard Porter, colors by Hi-Fi, letters by Steve Wands

Today in Comics History, August 16: Happy birthday, Professor Ira West!

According to the 1976 DC Super Calendar, it's the birthday of Professor Ira West, the dad of Iris ("Mrs. Flash") West!


from Super DC Calendar 1976 (DC, 1975), letters by Ben Oda
Happy birthday, Professor!




from "The Threat of the Absent-Minded Professor!," Prof. West's first appearance, in The Flash (1959 series) #134 (DC, February 1963), script by John Broome, pencils by Carmine Infantino, inks by Joe Giella
Uh, go easy on Barry, woncha, Prof?

Today in Comics History, July 4: Iris West reminisces about condiments

from The Life Story of the Flash graphic novel (DC, February 1998), script by Mark Waid and Brian Augustyn, pencils by Gil Kane and Joe Staton, inks by Tom Palmer, colors by Lovern Kindzierski

Today in Comics History, June 16: Giant tree goes right next to highway for no apparent reason

from The Flash (2016 series) #70 (July 2019), script by Joshua Williamson, pencils and inks by Howard Porter, colors by Hi-Fi, letters by Steve Wands
I got the attention of artist Howard Porter when I first posted this on Twitter! Luckily he was a good sport about it!


Twitter conversation from June 17, 2021; retrieved June 16, 2022

Today in Comics History, June 15: Barry Allen continues to have trouble with food

from The Flash (2016 series) #70 (July 2019), script by Joshua Williamson, pencils and inks by Howard Porter, colors by Hi-Fi, letters by Steve Wands

Today in Comics History, May 24: Happy birthday, Carmine Infantino!

Born today in 1925: legendary comics artist, editor, and publisher Carmine Infantino, who co-created Batgirl, The Flash (Barry Allen and Wally West), Black Canary, Animal Man, Bat Lash, Phantom Stranger, Deadman, and more! He's drawn pretty much everybody in books like Detective Comics and Batman, Star Wars, Adventure Comics, The Avengers, Mystery in Space, Spider-Woman, The Brave and the Bold, Iron Man, Green Lantern, Nova, Phantom Stranger, Daredevil, and so much more!


from Fifty Who Made DC Great one-shot (DC, 1985)

Today in Comics History, April 25: Happy birthday, Peter Sanderson!

Born on this day, as Jim Salicrup helpfully informs us in the middle panel below: Peter Sanderson, comic book historian and continuity archivist, vital researcher and writer on the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe and Marvel Saga projects!


from Marvel Age #52, 88, and 100 (Marvel, July 1987, April 1991, and April 1991); text by Mike Carlin (#52) and Chris Eliopoulis and Barry Dutter (#88 & 100); pencils and inks by Ron Zalme; colors by Paul Becton (#52), Gregory Wright (#88) and Renee Witterstaetter (#100)

Today in Comics History, March 29, 1979: Barry Allen Gets Mad at the Internet (one in a series)

from The Flash (1959 series) #282 (DC, February 1980), script by Cary Bates, pencils by Don Heck, inks by Frank Chiaramonte, colors by Gene D'Angelo, letters by Ben Oda
See this post for more about the death of Iris West. And don't worry, she got better in the end. Doesn't everybody? Sit down, Uncle Ben.

Today in Comics History, March 13: Happy birthday, Heat Wave!

We're havin' a Heat Wave!


No, no, not one'a those: one'a these: Mick Rory, one of Flash's Rogue's Gallery, better known as Heat Wave, is having a birthday today! Happy birthday, Heat Wave, ya big fiery galoot! Be sure to blow out the candles on your cake and...oh, he's set the entire cake on fire.


from Super DC Calendar 1976 (DC, 1975)

Today in Comics History, February 18: Not wishin' you a happy birthday, Reverse-Flash!

Born on this day sometime in the 25½th century: Eobard Thawne (the sort of name you'll see in the future, according to the writers of Legion of Super-Heroes), the super-villain known as Professor Zoom (giggle) and the slightly less silly Reverse-Flash. Hey wait, why isn't he named Hsalf?


from DC Super Calendar 1976 (DC, December 1975), letters by Ben Oda

Today in Comics History, January 22: Happy birthday, Top!

Born on this date in the DC Universe: super* villain The Top! (*Your mileage on the adjective "super" may vary.)


from Super DC Calendar 1976 (DC, 1975), letters by Ben Oda
As the story begins, our attention is drawn to suspect new arrival to Central City, Anton Previn. Don't let your adopted daughter marry her stepfather, Anton!


from "Beware the Atomic Grenade!" in The Flash (1959 series) #122 (DC, August 1961), script by John Broome, pencils by Carmine Infantino, inks by Joe Giella
Wait, is the Top's birthday 1/22 because he debuted in issue #122?

Soon after, mild-manned police scientist Barry Allen ACAB discovers a new criminal at large in Central City. Ya might as well face it, Flash: things were okay until you came along. You're attracting a new super class of crook!


The Top tries his tremendous twirling talents and terrible trick toy tops to toxically terrorize the townspeople! Also, rob banks, but there's not much alliteration there.



Aha! I've got this story figured out. New arrival in town (and mackin' on Iris too!), new criminal in town...this could only mean one thing: a predictable Silver Age ending! JUST LIKE ALL THE OTHERS.


Barry apprehends the Top! Using, I dunno, super speed or somethin'. I wasn't paying attention.

Wow, he's running so fast the page edges are burning up!


So now the Flash unmasks the Top and finds out that he actually is AntOH FOR CRYING OUT LOUD STORY


Ooh, you got me this time, John Broome. You caught me out. Very sneaky. But I shall have my revenge at guessing your twist endings later this year, yes I shall! (cackles insanely) Oh, and happy birthday, Top! (returns to bwah-ha-haing)

Today in Comics History, January 13: Happy birthday, ya big smelly ape! (He considers that a compliment, actually.)

Please join me in wishing a happy birthday to America's only ape, the fiendish and fleaish Gorilla Grodd! In fact, might I suggest...KNEEL BEFORE GRODD!


from Super DC Calendar 1976 (DC, 1975), letters by Ben Oda

365 Days of Power and Responsibility, Day 7: Wally's new powers go to his head

Panel from "Meet Kid Flash!" in The Flash (1959 series) #110 (December 1959-January 1960), script by John Broome, pencils by Carmine Infantino, inks by Joe Giella, letters by Ira Schnapp (?)