FLASH: THE FASTEST MAN ALIVE!

DC Comics Cover Sketch (Unused), The Flash.

Way back in my early comic book illustrator days at DC, I became somewhat adept at montage-style cover design. I rendered some art classified as "inventory" work, stuff that an editor keeps on file in case of a deadline emergency. This was around the time when DC had killed off the very popular Silver Age Flash, alias Barry Allen, in the epic event maxi-series called CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS. Taking up the Flash mantle was the former Kid-Flash, Wally West. It was an awkward transition, growing pains and such, a lot of self-doubt, and plenty of grief. Wally made some rash decisions during this period. In this montage, I chose to represent his small farm background, his frivolous life after winning the lottery, his rift with the Teen Titans, and through this new struggle, the exhilaration of adopting his newest superhero identity, literally stepping into the speeding shoes of his mentor.