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THE BEST SELLERS LIST

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IN COLUMNS

THE BEST SELLERS LIST

*To celebrate Flash Appreciation Day, celebrated on February 11th

In our new column, we have The Best Sellers List. Here, we cover the greatest battles of a particular character in a comic or series, and how it made it a best-seller. In our new sensation for February, is Barry Alen in Life Story of the Flash.

First, let’s reveal a poll on Twitter. Then, let’s show how it was a success.

#Flash has inspired millions of fans worldwide over the decades. Did his #ranking in #Wizard Magazine's "TOP 10 TOUGHEST SUPERHEROES" boost his yearly #sales?#FlashAppreciationDay #TheLifeStoryoftheFlash #dccomics #JLABigSeven #WallyWest #BarryAllen

— Database Comics Museum (@ClarkJosephKe11) February 8, 2024

VISIT THE COMIC BOOK DAY PAGE

WHY FLASH IS ON THE BEST SELLERS LIST

THE CREATIVE TEAM

Namely, the creative team on the story arc is iconic talent. In a few words, late acclaimed writer, editor Mark Waid and the incredible artist Brian Augustyn collaborate on the story arc. For his part, the legendary writer has created iconic DC epics and runs such as the Elseworlds Kingdom Come, Superman: Birthright and The Flash. In fact, the creative team innovated in an incredible way!

“THE LIFE STORY OF THE FLASH”

When Mark Waid and Brian Augustyn created The Life Story of the Flash, it was promoted as a real-life piece of journalism on an iconic DC character. Though DC Comics was undergoing a change with its titles during the period, and Barry Allen was still dead. At the time, Wally West was the Flash in the JLA titles.

With a rare case of Breaking The Fourth Wall, Iris Allen is credited on the cover as the writer of Flash’s biography from the Silver Age to his death during Crisis on Infinite Earths.

Now, follow the story of Barry Allen as he fights to beat Anti-Monitor and his army. Witness why Flash may have been boosted in sales by a notorious comic magazine.

THE RANKING THAT BOOSTED THE FLASH AND WALLY WEST

Importantly, Wizard #70 published in July 1997. With its ranking of The Top 10 Toughest Superheroes, the magazine changed comic fandom for decades. And Wally West was ranked fifth on the list, showing his fan power and strength.

According to Comichron, Flash titles increased within a year from September 1997 to 1998. Though DC planned its editorial, the charts show that Wizard’s popularity contributed to Flash’s sales performance.

In the next phase of Last Man Standing Wizard had #Spawn defeat Prof X with his hellish thoughts, only for Al Simmons to be knocked out by the mystic might pf #DoctorStrange , who gets rocked by the speed of #TheFlash , but then Wally loses out to the stamina of #WonderWoman ! pic.twitter.com/Cuz35hmf1k

— WIZARDS! The Podcast Guide To Comics (@WizardsComics) February 24, 2023

Though Wally West was the main Flash at the time, and Barry Allen was dead. At the same time, The Life Story of the Flash one-shot reveals the mythic importance of the character in DC fandom. Certainly, demonstrating that Flash may be DC’s Most Powerful Hero.

Definitely, this comic changed fans’ perception of the Flash and certified his importance to DC Comics. And we recommend this comic for its storytelling, biography and drama.

Indeed, buy this comic to witness a real-life painting of Barry Allen on the cover credited to Iris West. In the end, the comic answered why Barry Allen is “The Fastest Man Alive” and entertained fans of the hero.

SALES, SALES, SALES

Really, Wizard #70 contributed to Flash sales during the year. According to Comichron, The Life Story of the Flash was ranked 8th in August 1998. Let’s compare to the other best seller Flash comics from September 1997 to August 1998.

RECOMMENDATION:

Definitely, collect The Life Story of the Flash in hardcover format on Amazon.

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And that’s our best seller!

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LINKS

Fantastic Four Vol 1 5 in Marvel Database. Key Comic Books From 1962 in Rare Comics.