The Millennium Chronicles is a regular column that explores the Millennium Edition reprint series that DC Comics released throughout 2000. Visit the archive for previous installments.

This time we look at:
Showcase #4
(Originally Published October, 1956)

Writers: Robert Kanigher and John Broome
Artists: Carmine Infantino and Joe Kubert
Price: $2.50 US/$3.95 CAN

After the end of WWII, sales of super-hero comics began to drop. The entire industry took a blow in the early 50’s when Congressional hearings looked into a possible connection between comics and juvenile delinquency. The end result was the formation of the Comics Code Authority, a self-censorship board formed by the comics publishers. Comics without the CCA’s seal of approval were not sold. Many publishers, including EC, were driven out of business.

By 1956, the only super-heroes that sold well were Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and Captain Marvel. All other characters and super-hero books were struggling. Other genres, like romance and sci-fi comics, were becoming the bigger sellers. Indeed, the 1950’s, (called by some the “Atomic Age” of comics), were the best decade for sci-fi, horror, war, and other non-hero books.

Julie Schwartz changed all that. Schwartz was an editor at DC comics, who was asked to revive the Golden Age hero The Flash. Schwartz agreed, provided that he could change everything about the character except the name and powers. The result was Barry Allen, a police scientist who was bathed in lightning and chemicals. The accident gave him super-speed. Barry, who read the old Flash Comics series, decided to become a costumed crime fighter. He wore an original, sleek, red costume that was hidden in a ring. In his first two adventures, he is challenged by super-slowness of the Turtle Man, and fights a criminal escapee from the far future.

The new Flash was such a hit with readers he quickly got his own monthly title, (The numbering of this new Flash series picked up where the Golden Age one left off.) Schwartz was asked to reinvent other heroes, resulting in the Hal Jordan Green Lantern, the size-changing Atom, and the Justice League of America. Super-heroes were popular once again. They soon became the biggest selling genre of the comics industry. Even today, the idea that a comic book must include a super-hero is still strong in the minds of readers and the public at large. For better or for worse.

Showcase #4 is considered to be the beginning of the Silver Age of comics for reviving the super-hero genre, and breathing new life into a flagging industry. It also introduced the most famous version of the Flash. Barry Allen would become “the” Flash for all people, thanks to his appearances in the Super-Friends cartoons, and the popularity of his own book.

Some say that Fantastic Four #1 was the true beginning of the Silver Age. Others say it was Detective #225, the first appearance of the Martian Manhunter. But the importance and success of the “new” Flash cannot be easily dismissed. It led to the creation of other famous DCU heroes. It revived interest in a then-dying genre. Showcase #4 did change the entire comics industry, and helped make the DC comics universe what it is today.

History:
Started a whole new chapter in comics history. First appearance of one of the most famous characters in comics. 5/5

Quality:
Well-paced, great art, and handy scientific explanations for how Flash can use his speed. Also, in the second story, the Flash travels through time under his own power. Even in this day and age, it’s a rare feat and damn cool. 5/5.

Total:
A perfect score of 5/5 Slushies! It’s a better read than Action #1.

Related Works:
The early adventures of the Silver Age Flash are collected in the SA Flash Archives.

One of the most memorable Flash stories was when Barry Allen, in the heat of battle, killed his arch-nemesis, the Reverse-Flash. His subsequent trial and banishment from the Justice League ended his series at issue #350.

Barry Allen died saving the Earth in the crossover story, “Crisis on Infinite Earths”. It was later revealed that he was transformed into a time-traveling lightning bolt that went into the past, and caused the accident that gave him super-speed.

Wally West, Barry Allen’s nephew and sidekick, became the new Flash and stars in his own series. In 1991, it seemed as though Barry had returned from the dead, in the story, “The Return of Barry Allen”.

The complete history of Barry Allen and his family is told in the graphic novel, The Life Story of The Flash, credited to Iris West Allen, Barry’s wife.