Posted in: Comics, Heritage Sponsored, Vintage Paper | Tagged: flash, gardner fox

Flash Comics #5 and the Dynamics of Collecting, Up for Auction

Published Sun, 17 Oct 2021 11:12:09 -0500

I'm a complete sucker for vintage collectible comics that have storylines about the concept of collecting itself, and Flash Comics #5 is a fun example of that. The Flash story written by Gardner Fox and drawn by Everett E. Hibbard gets straight to the point: the Flash rescues a painter from the middle of the desert and explains the bewildered artist that he has one an award that has made him famous overnight. The Flash further explains that, "The few pictures you have ever sold belong to a vulture named Vandal… he collects rare art pieces, and to make his collection more valuable will even kill. If you are dead, your works immediately increase in value, since you can't paint anymore…" An early All American / DC Comics issue that's not easy to get in any grade, there's a Flash Comics #5 (DC, 1940) CGC Apparent GD/VG 3.0 Slight (P) Cream to off-white pages available at the 2021 October 17-18 Sunday & Monday Comic Books Select Auction #122142 at Heritage Auctions.

Flash Comics #5 does not feature the Flash on its cover, which is a reflection of this moment in American comic book history. Publishers had only the slightest idea as to what kind of characters and stories would be successful in the comic book format. Of the first five issues of Flash Comics (which was an anthology title, and not a solo title for the Flash character), only the first issue actually featured the Flash. Early issues of Action Comics would test out cover features in a similar way in its initial months. Flash Comics #5's cover by Jon L. Blummer features King Standish, a master of disguise who was created by Gardner Fox and William Smith, and who had first appeared in Flash Comics #3. King Standish was "Terror to the underworld and police alike because of his unorthodox style of helping the good while appearing to be bad."

Early issues of Flash Comics are often a little overlooked by collectors, and this one is no exception. There are only 29 entries for this issue on the CGC Census, and this Flash Comics #5 (DC, 1940) CGC Apparent GD/VG 3.0 Slight (P) Cream to off-white pages might be your chance to get an affordable copy. It's available at the 2021 October 17-18 Sunday & Monday Comic Books Select Auction #122142 tonite at Heritage Auctions.

#5 (DC, 1940) CGC Apparent GD/VG 3.0 Slight (P) Cream to off-white pages. The King cover. Sheldon Moldoff art. CGC notes, "Restoration includes: tear seals, spine splits sealed, reinforced." Overstreet 2021 GD 2.0 value = $295.

View the certification for CGC Certification ID 39384006 and purchase grader's notes if available.