Category Archives: Annotations

The Zoom Room: Flash #237, “The Thousand-Year Separation!”

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Welcome back to the Zoom Room, where we break down classic stories featuring Professor Zoom, the Reverse-Flash!

After last week’s look at Flash #186, we’re jumping forward to Flash #237 and “The Thousand-Year Separation!”, a Tale of the Multiverse by Cary Bates, Irv Novick and Frank McLaughlin.  It is the conclusion of a three-part story featuring Jay Garrick, Doctor Fate, and a desperate search for Iris Allen.  Links to artwork and research are included throughout this post.  For previous annotations, click here!

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The Zoom Room: Flash #186, “Three Times Three Equals — ?”

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Welcome to our newest series of Flash annotations!  Following our breakdown of the “Death of Iris Allen” story from 1979 and 1980, we’ll be looking at some classic, perhaps lesser-known stories featuring Professor Zoom!  This week features a great issue by a writer not normally linked with the Silver Age Flash title, with a complex plot and ties to the Golden Age. Links to research and artwork are included throughout this post.  For a list of issues we’ve hit so far, click here!

EVERY ROSE HAS ITS THAWNE:  Prior to Flash #186, Zoom’s previous appearance was in Flash #175.  In that story, he masqueraded as one of the alien gamblers in the second Superman/Flash race.

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Annotations: Flash #284, “Run, Flash…Run for Your Life!”

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Welcome to the final installment in our 15-part series of annotations on “The Death Of Iris Allen”!  Halved by our two-part interview with author Cary Bates, previous issues can be found here!  Links to artwork and research are included throughout this post.

UP TO SPEED:  Trapped aboard a runaway time-machine with the murderous Professor Zoom, Flash has chosen to take on the flow of time himself in a desperate attempt to avoid certain doom…

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Annotations: Flash #283, “Flashback”

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We’re back with our look at the “Death of Iris Allen” story from the 1979-1980 issues of Flash!  This issue marks the penultimate chapter of a year’s worth of Flash stories by writer Cary Bates that changed the core of the title and the future of DC Comics’ super-speedster.  Links to research and artwork are included throughout this post.  For previous weeks, click here!

UP TO SPEED:  Flash has been lured into the future with the false hope of discovering his wife’s killer.  Masquerading as Flash in the present, Professor Zoom incarcerates Chief Paulson for his role in the confiscated heroin smuggling operation that has made Barry Allen a moving target.  Zoom also clashes with, and easily defeats, Green Lantern.  On his return trip, Flash materializes onto an exploding Cosmic Treadmill…

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Annotations: Flash #282, “Mishmash!!”

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We’re back with our series of notes and commentary on Cary Bates‘ “Death of Iris Allen” story from 1979-1980!  We’re leading up to the release of Showcase Presents: The Trial of the Flash, due in stores August 9th.  Links to artwork and research are included throughout this post.  For previous issues, click here!

UP TO SPEED: Iris Allen’s killer remains at large.  Professor Zoom has returned.  As he dispatches Flash, Zoom reveals that he knows the killer’s identity…

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Annotations: Flash #281, “Deadly Games!”

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Welcome back to our series of Flash annotations, focusing on Cary Bates’ “Death of Iris Allen” story.  This issue begins the third act of this arc, a key stretch of issues that would further redefine Flash and his relationship with his archenemy, Professor Zoom.  Links to artwork and research are included throughout this post.  For previous issues, click here!

UP TO SPEED: The psychic monstrosity known as Clive Yorkin is no more, buried alive during last issue’s climactic confrontation with Flash.  However, any peace of mind Barry Allen drew from Yorkin’s demise was shattered by a phone call from Detective Frank Curtis: Allen’s friend, fellow cop, and fellow target of heroin smugglers…

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