Flash Origins Part 1



The First Three Flashes: Garrick, Allen and West



The Flash Origins

The Flash is a DC Comics superhero who possess the ability to move at super speed. There have been 4 Flashes, Jay Garrick, Barry Allen, Wally West and Bart Allen. The original Flash first appeared in Flash Comics #1, January 1940. The character was created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Harry Lampert. The hero was nicknamed The Scarlet Speedster all incarnations of the Flash have possessed super-speed, superhuman reflexes, the ability to vibrate through solid objects and accelerated healing

Jay Garrick: Golden-Age Flash

The character first appeared in the first issue of the anthology series Flash Comics in 1940, published by All-American Publications and created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Harry Lampert. As a boy Jason "Jay" Garrick would often read comics about a speedster named Whip Whirlwind. Little did he realise that he too would be given the power of superspeed. Later in life Garrick would double-major in physics and chemistry at Midwestern University in Keystone City. Whilst conducting an experiment to purify hard water Garrick was given his powers. An accidental spilled test tube of water caused fumes to knock Garrick out. Later in hospital Garrick wakes up to find he has been given superhuman speed by the accident. The ability also gives Garrick an increased metabolism, accelerated healing, decelerated age, the ability to phase and superhuman endurance, to name but a few.

  Garrick's Flash costume comprised of a red shirt with a yellow lightening bolt, blue trousers and a stylised metal helmet. The helmet had wings on either side was based on the ancient Greek messenger god, Hermes. The helmet all so belonged to his father, who fought in WW1. As the Flash, Garrick fought criminals such as the Faultless Four, the Fiddler, the Thinker and the Shade. In early version Garrick made no effort in keeping his identity. It was only in later stories that Garrick would vibrate his face in order to blur. However his girlfriend, Joan Williams, was still able to recognise him.

  Garrick was a close friend of Alan Scott, his time's Green Lantern. However Scott was not the only hero Garrick knew as he was an active and founding member of the Justice Society of America. The group, first appearing in All Star Comics #3 in 1940, included Doctor Fate, Hour-Man, the Sandman,the Spectre, Atom, the Flash, Green Lantern and Hawkman. Garrick left in issue #6 to be replaced by Johnny Thunder.

  Later, Garrick would be seen helping later versions of the Flash. Notably His rescue of the second Flash from his enemy Professor Zoom. Garrick would go on to retire but is seen giving advice to the Flash and even helping in difficult situations.

 

Nightwing Origins

Nightwing Symbol



Nighwing 2012



Nightwing Origins

Nightwing- Richard "Dick" Grayson was first introduced in Detective Comics #38 in 1940. Grayson was an eight year old child acrobat, who along with his parents, formed the group the Flying Graysons for The Haley Circus. However one night a gangster named Tony Zucco tampers with the trapeze equipment used by the Graysons causing Dick's parents to fall to their deaths. 

  After witnessing this Bruce Wayne, Batman, decides to adopt Grayson having also lost his parents at a young age. Grayson learns of Wayne's identity as The Batman. After this he becomes Robin the Boy Wonder, Batman's partner in fighting crime. His costume was inspired by the American rd-breasted robin as well as the medieval hero Robin Hood. The original Robin costume was had a yellow cape, a red vest over a green tunic, green gloves and of course a utility belt.

  Grayson continued to work as Robin until an argument with Batman causes him to leave him as his sidekick in favour of a solo career. An organisation set up by Grayson, The Teen Titans, while he was still Robin welcome him as their leader. It is at this time that Grayson moves into the persona of Nightwing. The "nightwing" was a bird native to the planet Krypton and Grayson takes the name after talking with Superman. Grayson's relationship with Bruce Wayne is damaged further by Wayne taking on a second Robin, Jason Todd. It is while he is leading the New Titans, Grayson is approached by Tim Drake who believes he should return to the Robin mantle. After this Grayson is convinced to return to Gotham to repair his relationship with Wayne and convince him to take Drake on as Robin 3 .Wayne was left distraught and angry after the apparent death of Jason Todd. Wayne eventually takes Drake on and Grayson's relationship with him improves. 

  Grayson becomes the hero of Bludhaven, After seeing the city is as problematic as Gotham Grayson relocates there. He leaves the Teen TItans as leader. Before going to Bludhave Grayson takes the mantle of Batman for a time earning Wayne's respect. After working in Bludhaven Nightwing's character becomes much darker and grittier than he was originally.



Original Nightwing Suit 1984

  Nightwing's costume is primarily black with a blue or red strip running across the shoulders down to the middle two fingers. The suit is light sensitive, turning darker in bright light, triple kevlar weave and has more movability than Batman's suit. Grayson also wears a black domino mask to cover his eyes. Nightwing's suit is full of hidden gadgets in his utility belt, gauntlets and boots. His equipment includes a rebreather, modified batarangs-"Wing-Dings"-, sonic/smoke pellets, look-picking tools, forensic testing tools and a 100,000 volt stun gun. Though he is an expert in martial arts and hand-to-hand combat Nightwing will also use weapons. These includ a stun gun, Wing-Dings and two shatter-proof polymer Escrima sticks.

  Dick Grayson's character was invented by Bob Kane and Bill Finger in 1940. His Nightwing persona as introduced in 1984 by writer Marv Wolfman and artist George Pérez Through these changes Grayson has remained, personally, one of DC's greatest superheroes.

CoderDojo

"Above All: Be Cool"

CoderDojo was set up in early 2011. It was founded by James Wheaton and Bill Liao. It is a non-profit organisation that teaches young people computer coding, HTML, developing websites, apps, programs and games. The Dojos are run by volunteers, who a sides from teaching the course also organise trips and guest speakers. The clubs provide a unique way of learning about computers.

  The idea began when Wheaton hacked the iPod Nano and his students asked about learning to code. After this he set up a small club in Co. Cork teaching HTML and CSS. Entrepreneur Bill Liao showed interest in helping to expand the project and so the first CoderDojo began in the National Software Centre, Co. Cork. It was because of this Dojo's success saw a second Dublin Dojo being launched in Google's Montevetro building. Today there are many more Dojos in Ireland and around the world.

  If you are interested in joining or starting your own Dojo, you should visit: http://coderdojo.com/