DC Comics

Our #speedforce5th photo challenge has some great entries so far! It’s open until Friday: Just follow @speedforceorg on Instagram, then post a photo of your favorite Flash item tagged #speedforce5th. We’re also getting some great entries in our fifth anniversary contest! Write in to year5@speedforce.org and tell us why you like the Flash for a chance to win prizes. The contest is open through Monday. The post Reminders: Photo Challenge & Write-In Contest appeared first on Speed Force.

Eaglemoss, the folks who gave us the Firestorm & Deathstorm collectible lead figures, are currently producing pieces for a Justice League Chess Set. So far we’ve seen solicits for pieces such as: Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Supergirl, Lex Luthor, and Deathstroke. Thanks to eagle-eyed Match-head, Ray Tigner, we now know that a Firestorm piece is in the works for this chess set! Check out the inside cover to the recent DC Chess Collection Magazine! Each hero listed represents a future chess set piece. If the placement below is accurate, it appears Firestorm will be the Queen’s Bishop Pawn. If you are unfamiliar with Eaglemoss’ DC chess sets, below is their own description plus a photo of the recently completed Batman Chess Set. The DC Chess Collection is a new fortnightly series offering the comic fan and chess lover alike the chance to collect fantastic and unique chess pieces, vivid representations of some of DC’s greatest characters. Each chess piece is accompanied by a fascinating magazine featuring superb DC artwork plus vital chess tips. Totally psyched to hear about Firestorm in the chess set! Be sure to watch for the eventual solicitation on the Eaglemoss website! My thanks to Ray Tigner for sharing all this info with us! Support Firestorm! Fan the flame!

The Shrine has been getting flooded (no pun intended...maybe) with pics of merchandise showing up at Target that features Aquaman in one way or the other. Despite my complaints about him being left out of the big Justice League line, the Sea King has been appearing on some of the more arts-and-crafts-type stuff, like these "Velv-Its", which are pretty much what they look like!A bunch of people sent this in, but F.O.A.M.er Jake Johnston was first out of the gate. Thanks Jake!

As Speed Force marks its fifth birthday, we decided to take a look back at where each of the Fastest Men Alive were in the fifth year of their original titles.  Happy Fifth Anniversary, Speed Force! Join us after the jump, as we journey back to 1944, 1963 and 1992 in search of Flash history, original artwork and more! JAY GARRICK: Flash Comics #1 went on sale November 10, 1939, introducing super-speedster Jay Garrick to the world.  Five years later, Jay appeared in the first story of Flash Comics #61, the “The Magic of Ultra-Speed” by Gardner Fox and Martin Naydel. Here is a synopsis of “The Magic of Ultra-Speed” from the DC Comics Database: The Flash disguises himself as a magician to perform feats of “magic” for children in a hospital ward. While using his speed to grant the wishes of his young audience, he unwittingly stops crimes in progress perpetrated by his old nemesis, Midget Joe. Midget Joe, repeat Golden Age Flash villain and World War II icon! Jay also appeared in the one-shot Big All-American Comic Book, published around October – December 1944 (depending on where you look).  The whole comic, including the then-new Flash story “The Million Dollar Apple” by Gardner Fox and E.E. Hibbard, is reprinted in the amazing DC Comics Rarities Archives, Vol. 1.  Featuring the Three Dimwits, here’s a synopsis from Mike’s Amazing World of DC Comics: Jay Garrick prepares to meet his explorer friend Robert Cromwell, who is returning from an expedition where he discovered a million dollar emerald. Cromwell hides the emerald inside an apple to protect it from thieves. When the gang of Jocko Wolfe tries to find the gem, the Flash interrupts them. However, in the scuffle the apple is lost. While Flash and the police search for the missing apple, the crooks continue to search among Cromwell’s possessions. However, the emerald has really fallen into the hands of a fruit peddler. While attending a stage show, the peddler throws the apple at Winky, Blinky, and Noddy, whose stage performance is terrible. The dimwits find the gem, then are nearly swindled out of it by Wolfe. Flash arrives in time to recover the gem and capture Wolfe. November of 1944 was a busy month for Jay, as he also appeared in the Comic Cavalcade #9 story “The Tale of the Winged Horse,” by Gardner Fox and Jon Chester Kozlak.  Could not find a full synopsis on this one, but this page states that the plot involves the Liars Club.  All-Flash #17 came out in early December and had three more new stories by Fox! BARRY ALLEN: Not counting the Showcase issues, Barry Allen’s own series began with Flash #105 on December 23, 1958.  Five years later, Barry appeared in two stories in Flash #142, out December 9th. In the first, “Perilous Pursuit of the Trickster,” we have a classic James Jesse tale by Gardner Fox, Carmine Infantino and Joe Giella.  “Puzzle of the Phantom Plunderers” follows, this time with John Broome on script.  Both of these stories have been reprinted in the Flash Archives (volume six) and Showcase Presents: Flash (volume three). Check out the following pages of amazing original art, via Comic Art Fans: page six, page seven, page eight, page nine, page 10, page 11, page 12, page 14 and page 23. Over in Justice League of America #25, Gardner Fox handles writing duties for a change as Mike Sekowsky and Bernard Sachs deliver the classic “Outcasts of Infinity“.  Here is the original splash page, also via Comic Art Fans. WALLY WEST: Flash #1, kicking off the third volume of the series, was released on March 5, 1987 with Wally West in the wingtips.  Five years later, Flash #65 and the fourth story of Born to Run appeared, courtesy of Mark Waid, Greg LaRocque and Jose Marzan, Jr.  I wasn’t able to find any original art online, but if you find some please post in the comments!  A fitting tale for an anniversary, Flash #65 was a modern look at

With "Man of Steel" already breaking box office records and well on it's way to a phenomenal run both state side and world wide, Warner Bros. Pictures have already begun the process of fast-tracking a sequel to the Superman film-franchise reboot. In seperate interviews, director Zack Snyder and screenwriter David Goyer discuss what has to happen in the sequel and how Superman's responsibilities will certainly change.

Actor Terence Stamp recently sat down with the New York Post to offer his views on "Man of Steel" and his opinions on how the film stacks up against "Superman: The Movie" in which he portrayed General Zod. Here's an excerpt: "I'm kind of ambivalent about it, that it's being made at all really," stated Stamp. "I think the movies that (director Richard) Donner shot... they were the benchmark for every one of those comic-book movies that were made afterwards. So, in a way, it's sad, although it's a great compliment they're being made."

Warner Bros. Consumer Products has announced a brand collaboration between DC Entertainment and Sanrio which will feature a new Hello Kitty line that sees the popular character dressed as a range of DC Comics Super Heroes including Wonder Woman, Superman and Batman. Set to debut in 2014, the dressed up Hello Kitty will appear on apparel, accessories and footwear, stationery, publishing, personal care, promotional products and food products.

In Man of Steel, director Zack Snyder (300, Watchmen) and producer Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight Trilogy) have delivered a stunning new vision of Superman that is both fresh and familiar. "Man of Steel: Inside the Legendary World of Superman" explores the remarkable creative process behind the movie and showcases the exceptional concept art that shaped its unique visual style. From the stark alien vistas of Krypton to the down-to-earth warmth of Smallville, this book uncovers the intensive world-building process that makes Superman's universe both thrilling and believable. Also featuring in-depth interviews with the cast and crew, and candid on-set photography, "Man of Steel: Inside the Legendary World of Superman" is the ultimate insider's look at one of the most electrifying movies in recent memory. "Man of Steel: Inside the Legendary World of Superman" features a foreword by Christopher Nolan and an intrduction by Zack Snyder. The book hits bookshelves today and retails for $45.00 (hardcover).