Review- THE FLASH CHRONICLES VOL. 3 TP

THE FLASH CHRONICLES VOL. 3 (DC, 2012; Softcover)

Collects The Flash Nos. 113-118 (cover dates July, 1960- February, 1961)

Writer: John Broome

Artist: Pencils by Carmine Infantino, Inks by Joe Giella or Murphy Anderson

Aside from the Super Friends cartoon series, I don't know much about The Flash. I didn't read any Flash comics as a kid, and aside from these Chronicles trade paperbacks, I haven't read many as an adult, so this is all new to me. I read this to my 7 year old son and he really enjoyed these as well. I wish that modern DC Comics were appropriate for my son but they are not. And yes, I know that they have all ages lines, but my son knows that those aren't “the real ones” as he motions to the “real” comics across the aisle.

The zany faux science of Silver Age DC is on display here, with things being fun so long as you don't overthink them. While I enjoyed every story, the ones with Captain Cold and Captain Boomerang were my favorites. I really enjoyed Carmine Infantino's artwork here.

In an era where pretty much all superhero comics are dark and gritty and “realistic” it was refreshing to read lighthearted escapist fun comic books like this. I know, I know, cynical fanboys (term used in the original pejorative) would call me a nostalgic obsessive, but riddle me this then: If these corny old comics suck so bad then why do folks keep coming back to them? Why are these the reference points?

I look forward to giving this book to my son when I double dip and buy The Flash Omnibus Vol. 1 this fall. I just hope that DC doesn't screw the book up like they usually do.

Junk Food For Thought rating: 5 out of 5.

The OCD zone- These Chronicles books are an inexpensive way to acclimate oneself to historically significant DC Comics. Unfortunately they seem to have dwindled to a trickle, with the line seemingly dead in the water.

DVD-style Extras included in this book: None.

Linework and Color restoration rating: 4.5 out of 5. The interiors of each issue look great, while the covers are spotty. The original color palette is maintained for the most part.

Paper rating: 3.75 out of 5. Pros- This lightweight uncoated stock mando paper closely replicates the paper found in the original comic books. It is cheap and helps keep costs down. Cons- This paper closely replicates the paper found in the original comic books and will yellow in time. The earliest Batman Chronicles books have already started to yellow on the top, so I have little to no reason to believe that this paper won't. Another con is that the MSRP of this book is no different than books of similar page counts with better paper.

Binding rating: 4 out of 5. Perfect bound trade paperback.

Cardstock cover coating rating: 5 out of 5. Thick laminated cardstock, a marked improvement over the screen printed spot varnished chalky feeling atrocity that was Volume 2.

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