Hellion for Hire: One Of Comics' Greatest Rivalries

Due to looming deadlines, my return to Hellion For Hire will be a bit short this week, but hopefully, like a bowl of Halloween candy, it’ll be real sweet.  I’ve been traveling a lot lately and hitting some great conventions these past few weeks.  Thanks to Sgt. Rock, I’ve met many DC fans and all seem to ask the same question, “so what’s this new project I’ve been hearing about?”

DC Comics has been very good to me this past year, and I was thrilled that my second pitch to the company was accepted by editors Eddie Berganza and Adam Schlagman for the 2009 DCU Halloween Special.  My story, “To The Finish Line!” allows me to take a stab at yet another personal “dream project” the hallowed races between The Flash and Superman!

Though I’ve been a lifelong fan, and a professional comic writer/artist for 15 years now, I’ve never had the opportunity to delve into the DC Superhero universe, and must admit though I was incredibly excited to tackle this legendary rivalry I was also quite anxious.

Over 40 years ago, Jim Shooter and Curt Swan changed the comics industry forever with their astonishing Superman #199 (August 1967) and created an heroic rivalry that has since become comics’ canon.  That issue is so ground breaking and so brilliant in every respect, that its numerous (and in some cases, amazing) “sequels” by such masters as Adams, Andru, Esposito, Garcia-Lopez, Johns, Jurgens, Nowlan, O’Neil and Van Sciver seem, in my humble opinion, to forever live in its shadow.

After all, Superman #199 was the first race, and it created a sensation among comics fandom that still resonates to this day.  Think of it, here you have the Man of Steel, just about perfect in every way, a selfless alien brought to Earth to become America’s, nay, the World’s greatest champion.  While in the other corner, we have, well, Barry Allen, a not-quite, spectacular “police scientist” who after being washed by some insane chemical agent (and almost getting struck by lightning) gains super-speed and adopts the moniker The Flash after his four-color hero, Jay Garrick.  Wow, comic book characters acknowledging comics!  The Flash, now billed as “the Fastest Man Alive!” will finally get his chance to prove it – buckle up and welcome to the Silver Age of comics! (I know it had started back in 1956, but just go with me on this, please.)

And what happens in the end, well, the vaunted and much anticipated race ends in a tie!  
A blasted tie For Jiminy Crickets sake!!!

But allow me to digress (I’ve always wanted to write that,) and get back to today’s race.  First and foremost, I’m a fan of the DCU and in particular (along with Batman) a HUGE Flash fan.  I’ve always had a soft spot for this Human Whirlwind, his, brashness, his innocence and his many, many faults. To me he’s just so, human.  Heck, I even pull a George Castanza every few years and try to convince friends to give me the nickname, “Flash” but like George’s “T-Bone” it has never stuck.  Regardless, I promise not to let my personal affections serve as any sort of factor in the script, but it is told from point of view and let’s be honest, speed is everything to The Flash. After all, what else does he have?

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Oh man, how do I do this and  make this new race original, interesting and entertaining? An iconic race featuring legendary characters told by master creators can make one quite nervous.  But comics are supposed to be fun, so I had some fun.  I bought those really nice DC Direct 1:6 scale collector Flash and Superman figures (since taken hostage by my two sons, William and Matthew), and I got to draw many of my favorite heroes and villains.  But most important, I’ve been afforded that rare privilege of writing history. 

So in closing, I hope you all have as much fun reading it as I had writing and drawing it. I also want to give props to Brian Miller and everyone at Hi-Fi Design for an amazing coloring job!

Oh, some of you might be wondering just which Flash will take on Kal-El?  Could it be, Barry Allen?  Dare I say it’s Wally West?  

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Well, for that, you’ll just have to pick up the 2009 DCU Halloween Special. But I promise Justice will be served, and one thing is for sure, in this issue, in this race WE WILL HAVE A WINNER!

Here’s a little bit of Flash trivia for those who care. Check out Barry Allen’s hot, dimension-hopping ally, Doralla Kon.  Kind of makes you wonder if her black donut-spiral hair-do had any influence on a 20-year old aspiring filmmaker named George Lucas back in June of 1964 (Flash #145), doesn’t it?  

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Getting back to conventions, at the Baltimore Comic Con, I had the honor of once again seeing my personal comic book idol, Joe Kubert and had him sign several thing s for my personal collection including the original cover art (also signed by many 442nd Veterans) to Sgt. Rock – The Lost Battalion #2 for my son, William!

Until next time, it’s To The Finish Line!

Billy Tucci