If you're new to Barry Allen, you may not know that he was famous for finding himself in strange situations... strange even for a DC superhero in the Silver Age.
But even in the strangest of situations, Barry seldom lost his composure, and faced his role as a lightning rod for Silver Age lunacy with remarkable acceptance and equanimity. A perfect example is one of his most famous quotes:
"I've got the strangest feeling I'm being turned into a puppet." Yes, Barry; that is certainly one of the strangest feelings. But there are others...
"I've got the strangest feeling...I'm being characterized as an enormous geek."
He works in a lab. He talks to himself. About comics books. While drinking milk. With a straw. All this you know before you even see him. What more could they do, put him in a bow-tie?
The second you let down your guard, BANG! You're the center of a paranoid delusion about inanimate objects, specifically, the traveling staircases from many a surrealist joke book ("A traveling staircase goes into a bar, and when the watch melted, the chicken died.")
"I've got the strangest feeling...Zahi Hawass is going to kick my ass."
I sure hope Barry has Josh Bernstein's number; now, that's a Brave & the Bold issue I want to see!
"I've got the strangest feeling... I'm in a Katsushika Hokusai painting."
Now, that is one classy swipe.
"I've got the strangest feeling... I should be wearing a red handkerchief in my back pocket."
Who knew that Barry had given the FFA (um... that's...Flash Fans of America, for you kiddies) its slogan, "If you can't fit a keyhole, make it fit you"?
Next Wednesday, April 22, Big Monkey is having a benefit party to raise money for donating comic books to the ailing children and soldiers in two local D.C. hospitals.
For every dollar raised (either through purchases or direct donations), Big Monkey will match with an equivalent amount of merchandise sent to Children's Hospital and Walter Reed Army Hospital. Help give hundreds of comics and toys -- and hours of needed enjoyment -- to those in need.
Meet new characters, both real and fictional! And the Big Monkey staff will be on hand to find you comics and graphic novels you'll love. Catering by Harryfeatures, music by Big Monkey Radio. The party is from 7PM to 10PM at Big Monkey (1722 14th St. NW Washington DC; that's on 14th between R & S, near the U St. metro station).
IF YOU CAN'T ATTEND BUT STILL WANT TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE CAUSE, you can PayPal a donation to scipio@bigmonkeycomics.com with a message saying that it's for the benefit... we'll add it to the tally!
Vibe! Break-dancing sensation, every little step he takes One thrilling combination, every move that he makes One smile and suddenly nobody else will do You know you'll never be lonely with you-know-who
One moment in his presence and you can forget the rest
For the boy is second best to none, son Oooh! Sigh! Give him your attention Do I really have to mention he's the one He walks into a room and you know he's uncommonly rare, very unique
peripatetic, poetic and chic
He walks into a room and you know from his maddening poise, easy elan (One thrilling combination, every move that he makes he's a special man) strolling
Can't help all of his qualities extolling Loaded with charisma is my jauntily, sauntering, ambling, shambler
Vibe, and you know you must
Shuffle along, join the parade he's the quintessence of making the grade This is whatcha call trav'ling!
Oh strut your stuff! Can't get enough! Ooh! Sigh! Give him your attention
Yes, Barry; that is certainly one of the strangest feelings. But there are others...
I'm being characterized as an enormous geek."
I'm under attack from surrealism in comics."
Zahi Hawass is going to kick my ass."
I'm in a Katsushika Hokusai painting."
I should be wearing a red handkerchief in my back pocket."
