Greeting friends, family and followers, it’a time yet again for a new RETRO REVIEW, and this week I’ve pulled out one of my first reviews from way back in 2010; The Flash #131, cover dated September 1962.
It’s been such a busy week, I’ve not had time to do a new review, so I went back to a time when most of you likely didn’t see this one and bring it to light once again, almost eight years later.
This issue of the Flash features the second of the very collectable Flash / Green Lantern team-ups from DC Comics. The first being in printed in Green Lantern #13, cover dated, June 1962. This Flash comic is written by John Broome, pencilled by Carmine Infantino and inked by Joe Giella and is entitled; “Captives of the Cosmic Ray!”
Here’s the cover to that issue:
Flash # 131 September 1962
The story begins with Barry Allen (the Flash) and Hal Jordan (Green Lantern) hanging out on a park bench. They get up and go to a department store to buy arrows so they can compete against each other in an archery contest, as they are attempting to see which is the better “weekend warrior”. Previously, Hal has topped Bary in golf and billiards and Barry has beaten Hal in tennis and swimming, prior to the opening of the story.
But before they can determine the outcome of their “contest of sportsmen”, a flying saucer appears and after our heroes change to their alter egos, the aliens capture the Flash. Green Lantern is forced to follow them to a far off planet, where the two heroes battle one of the aliens. The twist is that they were removed from Earth so that the aliens could conquer the Earth in their absence.
After defeating the alien, they return to Earth only to have to submit to the conquering race of Myrmiton’s, who threaten to destroy the earth with a cosmic death ray!!! They force Green Lantern to give up his power ring and they take away the Flash’s super powers via their cosmic rays (hey, don’t ask me how, that’s what Broome wrote, so I’m reporting it). Of course, the Flash out-thinks the Myrmiton’s (the race of aliens) and saves the day with a little help from Green Lantern and his restored power ring.
The thing I liked about this story, and I did enjoy both the excellent story, as well as, the fine artwork, is that the two heroes actually used their brains more than they did their powers. I mean, they did use their powers, but it was their brain power which enabled them to overcome the alien Myrmitons and reverse their conquest of the Earth.
Then the story ends with Hal and Barry completing their contest, with each trying to let the other win and finally declaring neither a winner, much to the surprise of Iris West and Carol Ferris, Barry and Hal’s girlfriends!
Thanks for stopping by for this week’s RETRO REVIEW and please return next Friday for a new Fabulous Find.
be seeing you …
