It’s a Spotlight episode of JSA in the 90s covering JAY GARRICK THE FLASH! Martin Gray and The Irredeemable Shag discuss Jay (and Joan’s) significant appearances across the 1990s – including THE RETURN OF BARRY ALLEN (from FLASH #74-79 in 1993), JUSTICE LEAGUE AMERICA #78-79 (1993), AQUAMAN #44 (1998), and with special focus on FLASH #134 (1998). Finally, we wrap up with YOUR listener feedback!
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Another fantastic episode! I love the way DC does relationships like Joan and Jay. You really can feel the love and affection. With others like, Ralph and Sue, Kent and Inza, Atom and Jean Lor… maybe not that one. Needless to say DC does relationships better than Marvel. P.S. Can we retire the term “Mort”?
Great episode! Love Jay & Joan so this was enjoyable from end to end.
Something of note: I understand this was a “Jay in the 90s” spotlight, but the Garrick’s involvement in Wally’s Flash book starts in the late eighties, in Flash #24, one of my favorite single issues of all time. In it, Tine McGee is contacting different people as research on Wally’s erratic-at-the-time powers and how to fix them. She speaks to Lois Lane about Supe’s super speed and then she calls Joan Garrick, who gets a wonderful one page spotlight talking about the recently missing Jay. It made me love the character, who from that point on becomes the grandmother figure of the book, on her own, before Jay’s eventual return. She’s also part of the whole Wally leaving NY for Keystone thing. All the kudos in the world for William Messner-Loebs.
Also, in that issue 24 she is wary of Tina being a reporter or a fan, I guess Jay’s identity was public already.
First off I think the boom and rest of the new characters are great and I hope some day we get a red bee mini series because I think I speak for all us we need more ladybug and his bee buddy as well come guys use the power of Fire and Water to make it happen with same writer of Jay Garrick flash series . You he’d do a great job with the red bee and lady bug .
Great episode, as always! I loved your choice to focus on Flash 134. It spotlights Jay’s heroism and heart.
When I think of Jay Garrick, I think of Brave and the Bold 13 (2008). This is a team-up with Jay and Batman and you can see how much respect Bruce has for Jay and how Jay, who served with the Spectre, is totally not intimidated by Bats.
The second thing I think of when I think of Jay is premature ejaculation. See All-Star Squadron Annual 3 and Joan’s playful threat to Jay to tell the JSA that running isn’t the only thing he does at super speed.
Oh yes, BatB 13 is wonderful! In fact, it was covered in JLMay 2023’s big Brave and the Bold event, by Al Sedano and some other guy. https://asedano.podbean.com/e/episode-175-jlmay2023-brave-and-the-bold-13-american-samuroids/
What a great issue to cover for Jay. And I’m glad you mentioned Faster Friends, as the second issue is featuring Jay’s health is an all-time favorite of mine. Plus it features a Kyle-Wally Freaky Friday plot, so what’s not to love?!
I hope somebody has done a podcast covering The Return of Barry Allen! It’s classic and deserves a deep dive.
For Nightwing’s ponytail, IIRC it was cut off during a fight in the first issue of his miniseries (1995), and part of changing his look and costume from the glider wings to the black and blue bodysuit that endures to today. So it was juuuuust before Dixon started writing the ongoing series (1996). Yes, I looked up the years, but I think that’s permitted.
Great episode, and ready for next month’s festivities!
Martin referred to Jay as “Solid, dependable, and fun like your favorite uncle.” I think there’s something to that. When I think of Jay Garrick, I have the same feelings I have when I see my favorite relatives. It’s that instant comfort and feeling like everything is going to be alright. When you see that silver helmet and red shirt coming their way, whether it’s a battle, reunion, or for a coffee and donut at a diner, you know you’re safe. That’s Jay Garrick to me, and I like to think that’s Jay Garrick to the rest of the DC Universe.
“Yeah!”, Captain Entropy agreed, inarticulately.
I’m halfway through, but commenting now. This is a great episode, because it features a great character, a great guest (Hi, Mart!), a great comic–and heck, I’ll even admit a great host. When I go through my books to trim them down, not only does this one survive every culling, I stop to read it every time. And great description of how old enemies become comfortable companions who know you well and then finally friends. Looking forward to the rest! I’m betting you two ace the back nine as well.
Great episode as usual. It did remind me of how much I loved Alan and Molly as a couple. There was an issue of Green Lantern where Alan recruited Kyle to literally go to hell to save Molly’s soul. He loved her. That’s why I had so much trouble with his later stories. He loved her.
Great episode!
Jay has always been my second favorite speedster after Wally.
I really discovered them together. after having watched the 90’s Flash TV series, one of the first books I bought was the paperback edition of the Greatest Flash stories ever told.)
Martin made a comment against the white lenses in Wally’s mask at one point that sounded very familiar….
It came from Thawne/Barry in issue 74!
Wally: Umm….about the costume…. I can explain…
“Barry”: About what? Maybe the eyes’ll take some getting used to….
…Me, I think people trust you more when they can see your eyes….
The funny thing about The Return of Barry Allen storyline is that at the end of it, when all was said and done… my big takeaway was “Well, at least we still have Jay back!”
Good spot. Shag and I did reread that storyline in our research Michael, so the comment likely stuck. I never liked the white eyeholes, though – untrustworthy and goofy!
Wonderful episode. Always great to hear Martin (and you Shag).
I have this issue but I haven’t read it in forever.
As you say, the frenetic pace of the issue is what makes it so wonderful. This must be what life is like for a speedster, every day filled with things since you get stuff done so fast. So three issues of events is stuffed into one.
And I also love that Jay and Joan are still smitten and frisky. Gives me some hope!
Impressive podcast most impressive. Ah Jay is kind of cool. Though yeah heavy water is not giving you super speed. Definitely not while smoking. But it was the golden age so meh. I like him and his wife having a kid now. Works for them.
That issue of the Flash ware Wally cemented himself as the Flash of Earth 1. Was great and yeah Jay was great in it. A lot of seeing him and Joan together is Awsome. Probably a relationship goal for most folks. cause wow. Then together are great.
Also seeing him in action is great. And I can see why he was the OG flash. And yeah seeing Max mercury in these stories was great. But, even better along this line was saying Jesse quick get her powers. Are the impressive ways Jay and Max used their powers. But when they beat whom it was it was glorious. I wonder if that episode on the Flash show ware a different speed villain pretending to be Jay was based on that comic?
Ah there’s Johnny Thunder ware he belongs as a side character. Any way cool episode can’t wait for the next one. Tootles.
It’s always a good show when Martin Gray guests. Truly, Jay and Joan Garrick might be one of the most underrated couples in DC Comics. And count me as someone who greatly enjoyed the recent mini-series featuring their daughter Judy aka The Boom.
The generational community of speedsters in the 90s Flash book is a big part of what makes it so special. As Gus Casals mentions above, it all started with William Messner-Loebs.
I can’t think of Jay w/out also remembering his nemesis The Rival. When he was brought back in the early 2000s, he was as creepy and crazy as any Reverse-Flash. And given the standard of Eobard Thawne and Hunter Zolomon, that is a high bar indeed.
And Shag, thanks again for this show and for your work in putting together and publicizing JSApril.
Thanks for running the long promo for the DC Secret Files podcast. The one-minute version is now available. I like Jay Garrick. I will expand on this sentiment somewhat on the debut episode of the DC Secret Files podcast. However, it’s a dense episode, and there are multiple Jay Garrick secret files entries, so I’ll leave gas in the tank for future episodes of the DC Secret Files podcast.
Sorry to be late to the party, but I thought you’d like to know that the “Watch This! SPACE!” podcast is doing an episode on “Justice Society: Word War II” for JSApril.
Thanks to everyone for the lovely comments, they’re hugely appreciated.
Great episode gents! Jay is one of my favorite comic characters, and it depends on what day of the week it is whehter he or Wally are my favorite Flashes. When they cast John Wesley Shipp as Jay on the CW series, I was elated. When we got to meet him, I had him sign a print that with him as 90s Barry on one side, and Jay on the other. Flash of Two Worlds!
I believe Jay went public with his secret identity in DC Special Series #11 from 1978, “The Flash Spectacular”, which teamed him, Barry, Wally (as Kid-Flash of course) and Johnny Quick. I’d bet money our pal Paul Kien will be covering that on his DC Special Podcast series. I think I may know the guy who is supposed to help him cover it!
Thanks for the the trip down memory (fast) lane with these 90s Jay adventures. I bought most of these off the stands, although I was unaware of the Aquaman issue as I’d dropped out of that book by then. I’ll have to check that one out. I kind of liked Alan’s Sentinel look too! A nice update to the original.
Flash (Vol. 2) #134 is one of my favorite comics from that era. I cosign everything you said about it. I think I fan-casted Mickey Rooney as Johnny Thunder at some point, and old Johnny really looks like him here. The set-up for Jakeem was masterful, and I remember being gobsmacked when Morrison came back around to that innocuous moment in JLA a while later!
I did understand that the Thinker died in this issue, but you’re right, that last word baloon should have been left out of that last panel. It would have made it much more clear, and poignant. Still, a wonderful issue! You guys did a great job covering it!
I had a lot of fun with this one. These Spotlight episodes are great for someone like me who isn’t familiar with the 90s JSA and has limited exposure to these characters. I hope these continue because it feels like my way into this show without getting too lost.
I’ve alway liked the Jay Garrick Flash, and I think I only really read him sparingly, but the look is so iconic and endearing. Also, getting to see him in live action helped make him someone I was interested in getting more background on.
I don’t have much to add to the discussion, just wanted to thank you for doing these.
Great episode as always. Ever since I started reading DC comics, I have like Jay. He’s such a great spirit and his marriage with Joan is a cornerstone for DC comics, at least for me. This episode definitely inspired my recent bin diving trip as I sought out and found a copy of Aquaman #44. Sadly I couldn’t find a copy of The Flash #134, but there’s always next time.
So, despite all the times I read Flash #134, I didn’t realize the Thinker died until — you told me in this podcast. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
The trade paperback the Flash by Grant Morrison and Mark Milllar has Flash# 134
Great show, guys (Shag’s grandma fetish aside),
Jay Garrick has always been my favorite JSA member. He has the best golden age costume in my book. Bright colors, efficient style for a runner, and the awesome messenger of the gods helmet to set him apart. If you had to narrow down the golden age to one item, it would be Jay’s helmet. Plus his sense of honor, courage, and commitment sets him as the standard bearer for the hero set. This Flash is like if Captain America was never frozen.
I know I’ve mentioned this before, but those Superman comics were my first real introduction to the DC universe, and especially the JLI. So for better or worse lovely Martin is the reason I’m here today!
I’m relatively new(ish) to the JSA but Jay was one of those that I just instantly loved (Alan and Ted are the others), like mentioned he’s just a solid dependable guy that even early-stage Power Girl couldn’t bring herself to sass!