Photo Source: Pure Fandom
One thing about being a super hero fan is that there are so many different versions of the same hero, different eras, different comics; so much so that it can be hard to join the club! And me being an extrovert in an introverts world, I’m desperate to join the conversation! It’s not enough to like the shows, watch the movies, joining the super powered fandom takes hard work and dedication. Sounding more like a job than a hobby, but stick with me and all you fellow extroverts out there will be able to talk to any super devote in all of Central City!
A good way to get started is to pick a super to get super involved with. There’s so many from every different universe so trying to learn about all of them at once is bit much for a newcomer so maybe pick one with your favorite power, or just base your decision off costume cuteness, they’re usually the best anyhow, and get started! My recommendation: The Flash, he’s an easy character to like, so for just starting to get into supers, you’ll have a great conversation starter and there are plenty renditions of The Flash so you’ll have lots to learn and lots to talk about.
So now that you have your super the first thing you’ll want to do is work your way backwards. Sounds odd I know, but trust me, you’ll be able to dip your toe in and have a good thing to talk about in a new group of people. So using my example, start by watching The Flash television show, coming back for season 4 on Tuesday, October 10th. It’s funny, intriguing, and very popular. The show centers around Barry Allen who’s power is super speed guided by his friends and various mentors along the way. Another plus: it’s on Netflix, and new episodes can be found for free on the CW website. Once your hooked on the intricacies of Central City, now you can move on to the flashy backstory(pun totally intended).
Lots of hero exist in multiple mediums, as in not just in one universe or one story for that matter. Lots of the time the hero will “die” but later on they’ll be “reborn” or the death will simply be disregarded, confusing? Yes. Intriguing? Absolutely! With my example of The Flash, his first appearance was made in a comic called Flash Comics #1 released in January of 1940, but back then he wasn’t “Barry Allen” he was “Jay Garrick”, if you’ve seen the show you’ll recognize the name. He came into popularity because of his all-american characteristics and backstory, he was first a college football star and whilst taking a smoke break at work, he inhaled heavy water vapors giving him the power of speed, and the helmet he wears was his fathers from World War 1, can’t get much more American than that. In 1940, as you may know, the Great Depression had ended and we were heading into WW2. At the time America really needed a hero, someone to show that an everyday person could do extraordinary things and Jay Garrick proved that, along with other popular heroes of the decade (*cough* Captain America *cough*). This was known as the “Golden Age” of super heroes of which Flash was among the most popular.
After 16 years of Jay and all his speedster glory, in comes “Silver Age” Flash, the more widely known, Barry Allen. But even still his story is much different than that of which is portrayed on the show. His first appearance came in October of 1956 in the comic Showcase #4 this was the comic that introduced DC’s Multiverse concept, essentially meaning “Hey! We know you remember the older version of this hero, but… we’ve got a better idea! This is just a new universe, where the older version doesn’t exist!” keeps the old story in tact, while still letting new writers and story artists take their own creative liberties! In the story of Barry, he’s a forensic scientist with a reputation for being tardy and then when chemicals spill all over him, he becomes a speedster like his childhood comic book hero, Jay Garrick. In this rendition of the character, Iris and Barry are engaged from the get-go and Iris’s farther, Ira West, is the creator of Barry’s iconic suit that collapses into a ring when not in use. Another big plot point: Barry’s parents aren’t mentioned, where as in his television version his parents murder is what sets the initial story into motion.
The future of the Flash character is fast approaching, the Flash is a member of the Justice League, sort of like The Avengers of the DC world; almost everyone is in on it at some point but usually consist of the following: Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and The Flash. The next Justice League film is coming out November 17th of this year (eek!) in which Ezra Miller will star in the iconic role. This is not the first time Ezra Miller will be playing the Flash in film, in the 2016 film Batman vs. Superman he appears in a vision of Bruce Wayne’s, he also appears in a flashback sequence in the 2016 Suicide Squad. The Flash film is set to release March 16th of 2018, which will also star Miller.
Now fly my pretties! Go forth with your newfound knowledge and love of The Flash and use the super power you have within you: super knowledge and super confidence! Don’t forget to watch The Flash on the CW Tuesdays at 8pm PST, returning October 10th, and catch the review of the episode Wednesday only here at The Game of Nerds.
Thank you for the history on Jay Garrick I’m so happy the “multiverse “ we get to continue to see the actors we fell in love with from the first season. I don’t like when they are going good then an actor leaves or is replaced. It kinda ruins the charter. Anyways,I also like how when Barry’s dad died the actor that plays his dad ends up being Jay Garrick. Best actors are Jessie Martin & Grant Gustin!!! I love their smiles!! Especially Jessie Martin’s!!!!!
I’m looking forward to seeing Gypsy stay on and her and Cisco stay together. Great couple especially when Cisco’s ex ended up being an Egyptian Preistes (sp) and had to fly away. Cisco is hilarious!!! Catlin has a great heart. I’m so glad she didn’t go full KILLER FROST BC she would not have ever forgiven herself! She has already lost the love of her life Ronnie and then ZOOM tricking her into being a good guy!