The Flash: 10 Best Comic Issues of the 1970s

The Flash, The Fastest Man Alive, has been a part of comics in one form or another since 1940. While have been many different people operating as the Flash, Barry Allen (the Silver/Bronze Age Flash) is still the one most people will think of when they think of the character. The Barry Allen Flash of the 1950s and ’60s was a scientist whose powers and adventures were based loosely around science and mostly light-hearted fun. In the ’70s would that trend would continue, mostly.

Flash would hold steady as a title through the ’70s, with stories in the Bronze Age that wouldn’t have been out of place in the Silver Age. The goal seemed to be “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. It wasn’t until the late ’70s that the title would see a shake-up with the death of a major character. Mild as the decade started, it was the events of the ’70s that would lead to the Flash and the speed force we have today.

10 Limited Collector’s Edition C-48, 1976:  Superman Vs. The Flash

It’s Superman vs. The Flash, to see who is really the “Fastest Man Alive”. It is a race that manages to never have a winner. Much like the question of which hero is stronger, DC at the time didn’t really want to have a winner, as both characters had their fans and they didn’t want to disappoint or anger anyone.

This is a ‘treasury’ edition, an oversized line that DC used for reprints and original stories. Both stories here are reprints from earlier stories, but this would not be the last time the two raced.

9 Flash #201, 1970: “Million Dollar Dream”

This is a sentimental piece, with Flash racked with guilt over basketball player Pablo being severely injured. The Flash of the ’60s would often explore sentimental stories, and at times the metaphysical effect of his speed on the world and those around him. This would not be as prominent in the ’70s.

The writer of this story, Robert Kanigher would often write human interest stories, with the heroes interacting with “ordinary” folk to ground them and remind them who they serve. As a bonus in this issue, a second story features a new Jay Garrick adventure.

8 Five Star Super-Hero Spectacular, 1977: “How to Prevent a Flash”

This is the first, and so far the only appearance of “Ms. Flash”, Barry’s lab assistant, about to be splashed with electrified chemicals. The plot is an “Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” variation, with Flash speed imagining how the assistant would be affected by speed powers.

This is a short, side story, something Cary Bates would often write to explore other aspects of Flash away from the continuity of the main title. A fun short story, published in a one-shot special anthology comic with a Neal Adams cover.

7 Flash #228, 1974: “The Day I Saved The Life Of The Flash!”

Regular Flash writer Cary Bates drives into a fog outside of Athens, Ohio, and ends up outside Central City, home of the Flash. Bates has disturbed the multiverse and now has to help Flash battle the Trickster to set things right. This is a play on the continuity of Earth-Prime, Earth 1, and Earth 2, and the crowding of worlds would eventually lead to Crisis on Infinite Earths.

Cary Bates was the primary writer for the Flash for nearly 15 years and would write for many DC titles in his long career. This was a call back to the first Flash story Bates wrote “The Flash—Fact or Fiction?” in Flash #179. In that story, it’s Flash who comes to ‘Earth Prime’, and Flash editor Julie Schwarz must help to get him back. DC in the ’70s did a lot of fun meta stories like this.

6 Flash #229, 1974: “The Rag Doll Runs Wild”

Jay Garrick, the Flash of Earth 2 is having a problem capturing his old villain, Rag Doll. Every time Jay tries, some accident happens and Rag Doll escapes. Jay is starting to question himself and his abilities. Is he too old? The story is a rumination on age, and how long can a hero go on being a hero. When is it time to take off the winged helmet?

The team-ups of the two Flashes were always a highlight of Flash since Earth 2 was discovered in “Flash of Two Worlds”. The two Flashes would make it a semi-annual event, much like the JLA-JSA crossovers in Justice League. The bonus of this issue is it’s a 100 Page Giant and packed with nearly every speedster DC had.

5 Flash #225, 1974: “Green Lantern Master Criminal Of The 25th Century”

Professor Zoom tricks Flash and Green Lantern to travel to his century and pull off a robbery of an art treasure he is unable to do himself without risking the pardon he received. This is a lighter version of Zoom than we’ll see later in the run.

Co-starring Green Lantern, who had a backup series in the title. Professor Zoom, the Reverse-Flash, had been a pain in Flash’s side since The Flash #139, 1963, and he’s not improved over the years. A version of Zoom later would turn on the CW Flash series as a deadly and memorable villain.

4 Flash #243-243, 1976: “If I Can’t Rob Central City, Nobody Can!”

Flash Rogue’s Gallery member The Top discovers that using his powers is actually killing him and he’s seeking revenge against the Flash. It’s a villain team-up: Weather Wizard, Heat Wave, Mirror Master, Captain Cold, Trickster, and Captain Boomerang, all in one issue, trying to stop the Top’s revenge.

Villains as heroes is the theme of this two-issue arc, as a dead villain proves himself a villain to the last. Much like the Silver Age Batman, Flash villains are gimmick-based. The Top, always a fairly minor villain, was no different, he spins. This time he does actually die, but he doesn’t stay that way.

3 Flash #233, 1975: “The Deadly Secret Of The Flash”

Zoom travels back to the 20th Century to kill and replace the Flash, so he can finally have Iris Allen to himself.  Zoom’s obsession with Flash, all that he is and all that he loves is explored here and almost turns deadly. While Zoom is defeated, this is where his obsession for Iris turns from a desire to have her to a desire to make sure no one else has her. We see later in the run how this turns out.

2 Flash #203, 1971: “The Flash’s Wife Is A Two-Timer”

The Flash discovers that his wife Iris Allen was actually born in the 30th Century, to which she has been drawn back by a locket her real parents gifted her. This story is a turning point in Flash, giving Iris Allen an identity beyond being the “wife of the Flash” or someone to kidnap. Iris Allen would go on to become a central focus of the series, and a “love” obsession of Professor Zoom.

This is a sort of reverse Superman tale, with Iris’ parents sending her 1,000 years into the past instead of another planet. The issue also features an interesting cover by Neal Adams, using a photo background and a split scene.

1 Flash #275, 1978: “The Last Dance”

Barry Allen and Iris Allen go to a masquerade party, unknowing stalked to the party by insane criminal Clive Yorkin. During the party, Barry is drugged and lapses into unconsciousness. When Barry awakes he finds Iris dead. The death shocked fans at the time as the reaction in the letter columns showed.

This is where the ‘Death of Iris Allen’ saga begins and would consume the next few years of the title as Flash finds the killer, Professor Zoom, and then is put on trial when he is killed during a fight. It would end with Flash making the ultimate sacrifice in Crisis on Infinite Earths #8. Barry’s death would lead to a new Flash era, with Wally West taking over and a new vision of the Flash and the source of his power.

About The Author

Tom Stewart
(54 Articles Published)

Tom Stewart is an actor, playwright, and writer living in Seattle, WA.

More From Tom Stewart