Flash issue 45 Cover date December 1, 1990

New Jersey, downtown Perth Amboy there is a RiteAid near the end of Smith Street blocks away from the waterfront where the stores start to fade and the legendary pizzeria Booger Hut rests near the corner of High Street.  That is where I purchased my first comicbook, Flash 45.  I may have received comics earlier in my life but this was the first time my mother gave me some money and let me choose any book I wanted.  I do not remember the specifics of why we were there, obviously picking up medicine for someone, but I do remember the spark that was ignited.  The comics were on a metal spinning rack and I searched and was struck by the cover to FLASH 45....


I did not know who the Flash, Grodd, or any of the other characters were but looking back I can see why this was my choice or at least make a very good assumption.  One of my earliest memories is of a dog charging at me.  I was very young playing on the sidewalk while my father and uncle worked on a car on the street in front of our home.  Our neighbor's dog had gotten loose and for some reason targeted me. Everything happened in the blink of an eye.  I remember the barking, my father scooping me up, loud yelling while my uncle confronted the dog.  I was surprised, shocked and scared to death.

Looking at this comicbook cover I can see why it would have evoked an emotional response from me.  From that point forward the Flash was my favorite character and every time I was at that RiteAid I searched for the latest issue.  Especially since the story ended with Flash being swarmed by dogs.  At the time I had no idea that "the hero always wins" or that comics continued for years.  The cliffhanger ending left me in suspense wondering what happened.  I remember being confused by seeing Flash completely healed in other comics, no mention of the dogs or even the giant talking gorilla Grodd.  Something that had been so important to me had been wrapped up in the following issue and comics continued on to the next adventure.  It took a while to figure out the rules of comics but that is part of the appeal I guess.  This unsuspecting standard fair story left a lasting impression, sparked a passion for art, and was the gateway to years of exciting adventures.

It's funny, I recently asked my 3 year old daughter what comic she wanted on my weekly trip to the comic shop.  I was surprised she chose an issue of DOC SAVAGE.  I questioned her decision suggesting a more age appropriate cartoony book but she insisted on this particular comic with Doc Savage stuck in a web as a giant spider crawled towards him.  I was reminded of my own choice of a comic with the scary cover.  These "Hero In Danger" images, especially with monsters, must trigger some instinctual response.  The initial fear turns to curiosity as the young reader conquers the danger in the safe environment of a comic guided by a hero.  I'm proud of her and hope my little girl doesn't have some kind of traumatic spider memory that I don't know about.

And in case you were wondering how that legendary pizzeria at the end of Smith Street in Perth Amboy, NJ got the nickname Booger Hut... well, the store was a family business that had existed for as long as I could remember.  The cooks were large beer belly Italian guys that always wore stained sweaty white t-shirts and they were notorious for wiping and picking their nose while pounding and tossing pizza dough into the air.  This is the type of thing children notice and discuss while their parents main concern is the price.

Until next time, Dan











*images are copyrighted and belong to their respective comic companies*