Flash (Barry Allen) Flash (Barry Allen) The Flash (Bartholomew Henry Allen) is a superhero who appears in comics published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in "Showcase" #4 (October 1956), created by writer Robert Kanigher and penciler Carmine Infantino. Barry Allen is a reinvention of a previous character called the Flash, who appeared in 1940s comic books as the character Jay Garrick. His power consists mainly of superhuman speed. Various other effects are also attributed to his ability to control the speed of molecular vibrations, including his ability to vibrate at speed to pass through objects. The Flash wears a distinct red
Alley Award The Alley Award traces its origin to "a letter to Jerry dated October 25, 1961" by Roy Thomas, in which he suggested that Jerry Bails' fanzine "Alter-Ego", which had debuted in March 1961, create an award for fandom's "favorite comic books in a number of categories." Initially suggested as the "Alter-Ego Award," the name evolved into the Alley Award after comic strip caveman Alley Oop, since, as Thomas reasoned, "surely a caveman had to be the earliest superhero chronologically." Comics historian Bill Schelly notes that no one "bothered to ask the NEA [newspaper] syndicate for permission to utilize V. T.