FLASH OF TWO WORLDS - COVER HOMAGE

Shall we start a new tour? I say let's do it. All aboard! This will be a quick look at covers that have paid homage to the iconic cover of The Flash (vol. 1) #123, featuring "The Flash of Two Worlds". In case you might be unfamiliar with this particular issue, it is the first time the Silver Age Flash meets the Golden Age Flash. The story establishes the notion of the multiverse, a concept that's now universally utilized in all forms of comic books and science fiction. This issue is one of the most iconic comic books of all time. It ushered in a resurgence of the Justice Society of America, and provided a concept the DC could utilize when introducing many of the characters they would later acquire from Fawcett Comics, Quality Comics, and Charlton Comics into the DC universe.

The Flash #123, cover art by Carmine Infantino and Murphy Anderson

The covers that pay homage to this classic tale will be presented in no particular order.  Enjoy!

THE CATWOMAN LIVE-ACTION TOUR

Batman has had many female villains over his 85 years being published.  Should you ask any comic book reader, or non-comic book reader, to name Batman's primary female villain, odds are quite high that their answer will be... Catwoman.  She's been around almost as long as the Caped Crusader himself.  As of 2024, there have been 11 actors who have portrayed Catwoman on television or in film.  On this tour, we will present each of these actors and look at the projects that they appeared in.

Grab your ticket, and jump on board!  Let the Catwoman tour commence!

THE "BEFORE DC COMICS PRESENTS" TOUR

In 1978 (the same year the Superman movie debuted), DC Comics began publication of a new title, DC Comics Presents.  This new title was dedicated to teaming Superman with other heroes each month.  After all, Batman had been enjoying this monthly team-up format since 1966 (the same year the Batman television show debuted) in the pages of The Brave and the Bold.  DC Comics Presents had an impressive 97-issue run, ending in 1986.  The cancellation was due to the events of the Crisis on Infinite Earths maxi-series that redefined the DC Universe. 

This was not Superman's first time being given a monthly team-up opportunity though!  Through most of its years in publication, World's Finest Comics served as a title that teamed Superman and Batman (and Robin) each month.  However, for a very short period from 1970 through 1972 World's Finest Comics served as a vehicle for Superman to team with other heroes instead. 

In this tour, we will look at Superman's monthly team-ups from before DC Comics Presents!

THE ORIGINAL JUSTICE SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP TOUR

The Justice Society of America holds the distinction of being the first superhero "group" or "team" ever published in comic books.  Their first appearance was in All-Star Comics #3 (January 1941).  The team's adventures were published through the end of the DC Golden Age, with their last adventure published in February 1951.   

When DC's Silver Age began in 1956, it wasn't long before the Justice Society made a grand return!  In this tour, we will look at all the Justice Society of America members from the team's debut through the publication of DC's Crisis on Infinite Earths maxi-series, which forever altered the Society's continuity.

THE ORIGINAL BATWOMAN COVER TOUR

When I was 12 years old, I discovered a coverless giant-sized Batman comic in one of the boxes of outdated comics sold for a nickel or dime (depending on size) at Andrews Tobacco Stand in my hometown of Calais, Maine.  This particular comic was filled with reprinted tales originally published in the 1950s.  Among the many tales was one containing a character called Batwoman.   From the story, it was obvious this was not her first appearance.  In fact, Batman and Robin treated her as part of their "team".  Who was this woman?  Why had I never heard of her before now?  What happened to her?

I became obsessed with finding out all I could about this intriguing woman... clad in shadowed yellow and red, who at some point before I began reading comics, had been a regular partner of the caped crusader! 

In this tour, I'll take a look at every comic book that featured the original Batwoman (Kathy Kane) on its cover.  Along the way, I'll provide some narrative to provide some insight into her character and some of her adventures with Batman and Robin.

THE ADULT LEGION TOUR

In 1967, new Legion of Super-Heroes scribe, Jim Shooter, wrote a story where, rather than a teen Superboy traveling 1000 years into the future to visit a teen-centric Legion of Super-Heroes.... instead an (adult) Superman travels 1000 years into his future to visit an "Adult Legion".

This story foretells the fates of nearly all the existing Legion of Super-Heroes members of the era, as well as predicting some heroes destined to eventually join the team.

In this tour, we will look at the many events this "Adult Legion" tale (Adventure Comics #354 and #355) would predict, and examine how many actually came to be!   Get some popcorn, then sit back and enjoy the Adult Legion Tour!

THE 12 LABORS OF WONDER WOMAN TOUR

In 1968, Wonder Woman entered what is commonly referred to as her "mod" era.  Writer Denny O'Neil took over as the writer on her title, and promptly stripped her of her powers by having Paradise Island phase into an alternate dimension.  Because of this, she resigned her membership in the Justice League of America.

In 1973 the Amazons and Paradise Island returned from their dimension hopping.  As a result, Princess Diana regained her powers and soon began operating again as Wonder Woman. When she is asked to return to active membership in the Justice League, Diana doesn't remember ever taking a leave of absence.  It soon becomes clear that Diana has no memory of the time she spent powerless.  Because of this, she expresses concern about returning to the team because she worries her faltering memory might prove to be a danger to herself and the team.  As a way of making sure she is fit, Diana is inspired by the 12 Labors of Hercules and asks if the Justice League members will monitor her next twelve adventures, and judge whether they find her fit to serve on the team.

This tour will briefly review The 12 Labors of Wonder Woman which were featured in Wonder Woman (vol. 1) #212 through #222.