Bring on the Bad Guys: The Gamblers

 Real names: Unrevealed 

First appearance: Flash Comics#4 (April 1940)

Abilities: Running a floating casino  

Worst act: Kidnaping, attempted murder

Quote: "What are these people, ghosts-magicians-or what?"

Created by: Gardner Fox (script) and Everett E. Hibbard (art)  

This time out, the Flash plunges into action, literally, when he plucks socialite Marcia Von Doorn out of the ocean. Her tale intrigues our speedy hero, as it seems she ended up in the drink when the owners of a floating casino tossed her overboard. Why?

She was there to rescue her finance Jimmy Norton and it seems the owners took some exception to that. Mostly due to Jimmy's dad trying to outlaw gambling. They're on a boat though, so couldn't they just sail a few miles out?

In any event, the Flash sneaks on board. After causing some mischief, he rescues Jimmy and brings the casino owners to justice. Not terrible but the owners are a tad bit generic, with the main owner even looking like Goll. 

Bring on the Bad Guys: Mr. Berstoff

 Real name: Mr. Berstoff

First appearance: Flash Comics#3 (March 1940)

Abilities: Framing majors and selling secrets 

Worst act: Framing Major Williams as a spy

Quote: "Oh Please Mr. Flash! Please Go Away!"

Created by: Gardner Fox (script) and Everett E. Hibbard (art)   

Bit of a round about yarn. Major Williams comes back and he's in trouble again. Seems he's been accused of selling his latest invention to a hostile power. The Town Cackle, and its ace reporter Mr. Eddens seem convinced that Williams did it.

So the Flash has no choice but to forcibly strip Eddens to his underwear and leave him stranded on a rooftop. Back in the 40's there was no way to access a building's roof you know. After he gets borderline frostbite he confesses and directs the Flash to Mr. Berstoff. He passes himself off as a reporter and gets the spy to confess.

Berstoff also figures out the Flash is Jay Garrick, but that never comes up again. He tries to flee in a car and the Flash freaks him out by keeping pace with the car. Jay caps the caper off by making out with Joan in front of her father. Don't worry, he spins them around so fast they're invisible to the older man, which seems physically dangerous, but what do I know?

Bring on the Bad Guys: Lord Donelin and Goll

 Real names: Unrevealed 

First appearance: Flash Comics#2 (February 1940)

Abilities: Shooting opera singers 

Worst act: Murder

Quote: "But these girls...it's tough on them Goll!"

Created by: Gardner Fox (script) and Harry Lampert (art)   

Moving into the second issue, we open with the Flash's gal pal Joan watching an opera when a shot rings out. This kicks off a panic and Joan tells Jay when he catches up with her taxi. Seems someone has been sniping opera singers all over town and people are starting to freak out. The only connection Joan can find is that the girls all knew Lord Donelin, so this sets off the Flash to Donelin's rooms where he finds the lord taking to his silent partner, Goll.

Seems the shooting of the singers is Goll's idea. Step ONE: Shoot Opera Singers. Step TWO: Cause panic. Step THREE: PROFIT!

Yeah, not seeing how gunning down singers is going to let you corner all entertainment in the world, but the two quickly run afoul of the Flash and go to jail. 

Bring on the Bad Guys: The Faultless Four

Real names: Unrevealed 

First appearance: Flash Comics#1 (January 1940)

Abilities: Super scientists 

Worst act: Attempted theft of the Atomic Bombarder, murder

Quote: "I can see that...you fool! The questions is...where?"

Created by: Gardner Fox (script) and Harry Lampert (art)   

So, for this year of 2021, we'll be taking a look back at the Rogues of the Golden Age Flash, Jay Garrick. And who better than the first group?

The Faultless Four consisted of Sieur Satan, Serge Orloff, Duriel, and Smythe. 

All scientists, they decided to steal the newly developed atomic bombarder by kidnapping the inventor, Major Williams. They failed to count on the major's daughter calling her old college friend Jay Garrick, AKA the Flash!

Satan turns out to be aptly named though, as when the Flash finds their hideout Satan electrocutes the other three and tries to flee... in a car. 

Against the Fastest Man Alive. Can't say he lacks for confidence. 

Not terrible and the story does help establish the Flash, but again the sight of lumpy guys in suits is going to be one that sticks with us for a while. 

Going, Going, Gone: Balsa Wood Model Airplanes

 Moving into the third chapter and also the B section. Balsa wood model airplanes is the focus, and again this is something I would be hesitant to label as 'vanishing Americana'.

They still exist, albeit as a more niche market item. The chapter goes into a good history of the item, from their origins in World War II to their decline in the late 50's with the advent of plastic. 

I've had a few balsa wood planes as a youth, although most of the models I played with were the foam patterns. I've seen the fancier versions with gas engines but frankly those were always out of my price range. I can get the nostalgia over a toy though.  

The Mystery of Mamo (1978)

 The Mystery of Mamo (1978) dir. Soji Yoshikawa, Tokyo Movie Shinsha 

By 1978 Lupin had moved beyond the Green Jacket series and the lived action version. The second series, ('Red Jacket') was already in it's third season and more successful than the previous series. How would the first animated Lupin do?

WWE VS the World XIII

 Not wishing a repeat of last year, so we're starting this off proper on the 1st. Results in about two weeks, so tell your friends 

The votes have been tallied.