The Flash #199
The Flash #199 holds a quiet but structurally significant place in the Barry Allen era as the final issue of the title before a major creative changeover: it marks the last chapter of Robert Kanigher's 1970 return run as scripter, with Gil Kane also departing after his brief penciling stint on the book, making it a true end-of-an-era transitional installment. Its lead story — in which a chemical serum renders Barry Allen apparently dead while a stand-in assumes the Flash identity — typifies the oddball suspended-animation conceits that defined the late Silver Age Flash, sitting at the precise hinge point where that era gave way to the Bronze Age. The issue also captures a curious footnote in comics history: its letters column includes early contributions from future professional writers Martin Pasko and Alan Brennert, both of whom would go on to become significant DC Comics voices, visible here as engaged fan correspondents before their careers began.
In "Flash? — Death Calling!", the Flash is plunged into suspended animation by accident, leaving the world mourning a hero presumed dead. Dr. Hollister steps into the spotlight, taking on the Flash identity to honor the legacy—though not everyone believes the new hero is the real deal. Written by Robert Kanigher and brought to life by Gil Kane’s dynamic art and Vince Colletta’s inks, this 1970 classic features a cover by Gil Kane that captures the mystery and urgency of a hero’s absence.
When Dr. Hollister accidentally traps Flash in suspended animation, the world mourns the loss of its fastest hero—only for the scientist to take on the Flash identity to preserve the legend. As the Justice League watches from the shadows, a young man named David Goodkind and a mysterious figure named Keech begin to unravel a secret tied to the man who’s wearing the red suit.
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The issue was written by Robert Kanigher, who had originally scripted the Silver Age Flash's debut in Showcase #4 and returned to the character for a run beginning in 1970 after John Broome retired from comics. Pencils and cover art were provided by Gil Kane, with inks by Vince Colletta; the Grand Comics Database notes that pencil credits were initially misattributed to Don Heck before being corrected by researcher Jerry Fuentes using Julius Schwartz's editorial records. The issue was edited by Julius Schwartz and published under the National Periodical Publications indicia, going on sale June 4, 1970, with an August 1970 cover date.
Trivia · 8 facts
- Cover date: August 1970; on-sale date: June 4, 1970 — published by National Periodical Publications (DC Comics) under editor Julius Schwartz.
- Two stories: 'Flash?—Death Calling!' (script: Robert Kanigher; pencils/cover: Gil Kane; inks: Vince Colletta) and 'The Explosive Heart of America!' (same creative team), in which Flash must locate and stop a Chinese 'Y-missile.'
- Lead story synopsis: Dr. Hollister accidentally administers a serum that places Barry Allen into suspended animation; believing Flash dead, Hollister secretly assumes the Flash identity to preserve the hero's legacy until he can revive him.
- Justice League members appear in cameo roles — Hawkman, Batman, Superman, Green Lantern, and Black Canary — alongside Iris Allen and recurring supporting characters David Goodkind and Dr. Hollister.
- Letters column features early fan letters from future professional DC writers Martin Pasko and Alan Brennert, as well as a letter from prolific fan correspondent Guy H. Lillian III.
- Pencil credit was originally listed as Don Heck; corrected to Gil Kane using Julius Schwartz's own editorial records, as documented by the Grand Comics Database.
- This issue is the final one collected in The Flash: The Silver Age Omnibus Vol. 3 (DC, September 2018), which reprints The Flash #164–199 with a foreword by Flash writer Mark Waid.
- The issue was also reprinted internationally — in Norwegian anthology Gigant #1/1971, the French Flash (Arédit-Artima) #36 (1978), and the Arabic Al-Barq Kawmaks #20.
Full credits
Reprints
Reprinted in Flits Classics #2618 (1971), Gigant #1/1971 (1971), Flash #2/1971 (1971), Flash #36 (1978), The Flash: The Silver Age Omnibus #3 (2018), البرق [Al-Barq Kawmaks / Flash Comics] #20, Top Comics Blitzmann #112
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