THE FLASH #224
December, 1973
Having embraced the character of the Flash based on the 100-Page Super-Spectacular I had read, I eagerly went searching for more. And the first regular issue I found was this one, #224. FLASH quickly became the favorite comic and favorite character of my early comics-reading career–by #230, I had a subscription that kept up for several years thereafter.
The 70s is considered something of a down period in terms of quality if you ask the history books, but I didn’t find it so. In the case of FLASH, I came to quickly appreciate the tight, witty writing of Cary Bates (who was probably the first comic creator I knew, based on his actual appearance in FLASH #228.) And Irv Novick’s rendition of the Scarlet Speedster remains seminal in my mind, second only to Carmine Infantino’s.
In addition to being good, this team was also consistent–Cary and Irv continued on the series together through #270, when both Julie Schwartz and Irv departed. But Cary remained on the book through its demise with #350–a staggering run in this day and age. What this meant was that I knew exactly what I was getting when I picked up an issue of FLASH, a sense of security that today’s comics largely just don’t give their readership.
This book also introduced me to my second-favorite DC super hero, Green Lantern.
2014 NOTE: I today own the original printer’s proof to this cover.
The Tom Brevoort Experience 
I wish I had started Flash that early–my first issue was #264. But at least I knew I could count on enjoyable back issues when I found them!
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I love that you’re hitting all these older posts. I never have (and probably never will) so I’m being introduced to new things by you. Thank you.
I think this is a very early issue I bought but I’m going by date andn ot memories. I know I wasn’t turned off by the character of Hal Jordan yet and I also loved Bates and Novick, separately as well, but this run is my golden standard of what the Flash should be.
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Thanks–I think I’d seen Tom’s blog before, but this time when I stumbled across it, I realized his taste in comics (and probably his age) is similar to mine, so I thought I’d wade through the blog and relive my childhood again! 😉
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