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{{Short description|Superhero character}}
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{{Superherobox| <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
{{About|the Fox Feature Syndicate character|the Marvel Comics character|Flame (Marvel Comics)}}
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image=[[Image:WonderworldComics3.jpg|225]]
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{{Infobox comics character <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
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|caption=The Flame, on the cover of ''Wonderworld Comics'' #3 (1939)
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|image=WonderworldComics3.jpg
|comic_color=background:#ff8080
|imagesize=150
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|caption=The Flame, on the cover of ''Wonderworld Comics'' #3 (1939).
|character_name=The Flame
|character_name=The Flame
|real_name=Gary Preston
|real_name=Gary Preston
|species=Human
|species=Human
|publisher=[[Fox Feature Syndicate]]
|publisher=[[Fox Feature Syndicate]]
|debut=''Wonderworld Comics'' #3 (1939)
|debut=''Wonderworld Comics'' #3 (July 1939)
|creators=[[Will Eisner]] (writer)<br>[[Lou Fine]] (artist)
|creators=[[Will Eisner]] (writer)<br>[[Lou Fine]] (artist)
|alliance_color=background:#cccccc
|alliances=
|alliances=
|aliases=
|aliases=
|powers=Control of fire and heat, teleportation (via fire)
|powers=Fire and heat manipulation<br>Teleportation via fire<br>Carries a pistol-sized flamethrower
|}}
}}
'''The Flame''' was a fictional [[superhero]] that appeared in [[comic books]] published by [[Fox Feature Syndicate]]. The Flame first appeared in ''Wonderworld Comics'' #3 (July 1939). He was created by writer [[Will Eisner]] and artist [[Lou Fine]].


'''The Flame''' is a [[superhero]] that appeared in [[American comic book]]s published by [[Fox Feature Syndicate]]. The Flame first appeared in ''Wonderworld Comics'' #3 (July 1939) and was created by writer [[Will Eisner]] and artist [[Lou Fine]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Markstein |first1=Don |website=Don Markstein's Toonopedia |access-date=2 April 2020 |url=http://www.toonopedia.com/flame.htm |title=The Flame (1939)}}</ref> The Flame became ''Wonderworld's'' primary character.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sadowski |first1=Greg |title=Supermen!: The First Wave of Comic Book Heroes 1936-1941 |date=2009 |publisher=Fantagraphics Books |isbn=978-1560979715 |pages=187–188}}</ref>
==Background==
⚫
The Flame's secret identity was Gary Preston. When Gary was a baby, his father Charteris Preston worked as a [[missionary]] in [[China]]. The elder Preston was washed away in a flood, but managed to save baby Gary by placing him in a basket. The basket was washed downstream to [[Tibet]], where Gary was rescued by a group of [[lamas]]. They raised Gary in the lamasary, where they trained him in their mystical ways. Through this training, Gary gained the ability to control fire and temperature, including his own body temperature. He also gained the ability to travel from place to place by materializing inside of flame (even a match flame). When he reached adulthood, Gary returned to America to fight crime as the Flame. In 1940 the Flame was joined by a female sidekick, Flame Girl.


==Publication history==
==Publication history==
The Flame first appearance was in Fox's ''Wonderworld Comics'' #3, dated July 1939. The Flame gained his own title in the summer of 1940; it ran for eight issues. He was one of the titular ''Big 3'', appearing in that title alongside [[Blue Beetle]] and [[Samson (Fox Feature comics)|Samson]].
The Flame's first appearance was in Fox's ''Wonderworld Comics'' #3, dated July 1939, (issues #1 & #2 being titled ''Wonder Comics''). The Flame gained his own title in the summer of 1940; which ran for eight issues until January 1942.<ref name=Mougin>{{cite book |last1=Mougin |first1=Lou |title=Secondary Superheroes of Golden Age Comics |date=2020 |publisher=McFarland & Co |isbn=9781476638607|pages=25–27}}</ref> He was one of the titular ''Big 3'', appearing in that periodical alongside [[Blue Beetle]] and [[Samson (Fox Feature comics)|Samson]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Benton |first1=Mike |title=Superhero Comics of the Golden Age: The Illustrated History |date=1992 |publisher=Taylor Publishing Company |location=Dallas |isbn=0-87833-808-X |url=https://archive.org/details/superherocomicso0000bent |url-access=registration |access-date=8 April 2020 |page=[https://archive.org/details/superherocomicso0000bent/page/151 151]}}</ref> Fox Publications folded in 1942, being forced to declare involuntary bankruptcy owing its creditors some $175,000.


==Fictional character biography==
The Flame's final appearance was in January 1942, when all three titles were canceled.
⚫
The Flame's secret identity is Gary Preston. When Gary was a baby, his father Charteris Preston worked as a [[missionary]] in [[China]]. The elder Preston was washed away in a flood, but managed to save baby Gary by placing him in a basket. The basket was washed downstream to [[Tibet]], where Gary was rescued by a group of [[lama]]s. They raised Gary in the lamasery, where they trained him in their mystical ways. Through this training, Gary gained the ability to control fire and temperature, including his own body temperature. He also gained the ability to travel from place to place by materializing inside of flame (even a match flame).<ref>{{cite book |last1=Mougin |first1=Lou |title=Secondary Superheroes of Golden Age Comics |date=2020 |publisher=McFarland & Co |isbn=9781476638607|pages=25–29}}</ref>

When he reached adulthood, Gary returned to America to fight crime as the Flame. He used a flamethrower-gun, as well as a special car, boat and plane.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Mitchell |first1=Kurt |last2=Thomas |first2=Roy |title=American Comic Book Chronicles: 1940-1944 |date=2019 |publisher=TwoMorrows Publishing |isbn=978-1605490892 |page=31}}</ref> In ''Wonderworld Comics'' #30 (October 1941) The Flame was joined by a female sidekick, Flame Girl. Flame Girl was secretly Linda Dale, who was given similar powers as the Flame when Gary Preston was injured.

According to ''Jess Nevins' Encyclopedia of Golden Age Superheroes'', the Flame "battles arsonists, dictators, German mad scientists, an enormous creature called the Beast, and river pirates".<ref name=Nevins>{{cite book |last1=Nevins |first1=Jess |title=Encyclopedia of Golden Age Superheroes |date=2013 |publisher=High Rock Press |isbn=978-1-61318-023-5 |page=102}}</ref>


==Powers and abilities==
==Powers and abilities==
Due to his training, the Flame had the ability to control fire and heat. He could raise his own body temperature to point where he could burst into flames, or melt bullets. He could control and direct any flame in his presence. He could also [[teleport]] from place to place by appearing inside of any fire source, no matter how small. The Flame's one weakness is water, which can severely weaken him
Thanks to his training, the Flame has the ability to control fire and heat. He can raise his own body temperature to the point where he can burst into flames, or melt bullets. He can control and direct any flame in his presence. He can also teleport from place to place by appearing inside of any fire source, no matter the size. The Flame's one weakness is water, which can severely weaken him.<ref name=Nevins/> In order to provide fire whenever he needs it, the Flame carries a small, pistol-sized [[flamethrower]].


== 2010s ==
The Flame carried a small, pistol-sized [[flame thrower]].
The Flame is one of the many [[public domain]] Golden Age characters appearing in ''[[Project Superpowers]]'', a series released by [[Dynamite Entertainment]].

==References==
<references/>


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.toonopedia.com/flame.htm The Flame at Don Markstein's Toonopedia]
*[https://archive.today/20240525221158/https://www.webcitation.org/66xEzLdf6?url=http://www.toonopedia.com/flame.htm The Flame] at [[Don Markstein's Toonopedia]]. at [[Don Markstein's Toonopedia]]. [https://archive.today/20240525221158/https://www.webcitation.org/66xEzLdf6?url=http://www.toonopedia.com/flame.htm Archived] from the original on April 16, 2012.
*[http://www.comicartville.com/victorfoxpg2.htm History of the Flame and other Fox Feature characters]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110311003113/http://www.comicartville.com/victorfoxpg2.htm History of the Flame and other Fox Feature characters]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20071009204415/http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=121397 The Newsarama article covering the upcoming ''Superpowers'' series]

{{GoldenAge}}
{{Will Eisner}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Flame, The}}
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[[Category:Fox Feature Syndicate superheroes|Flame, The]]
[[Category:Golden Age superheroes|Flame, The]]
[[Category:1939 comics debuts]]
[[Category:Public domain characters|Flame, The]]
[[Category:1942 comics endings]]
[[Category:1939 introductions|Flame, The]]
[[Category:Dynamite Entertainment characters]]
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[[Category:Fox Feature Syndicate superheroes|Fox Feature Syndicate superheroes]]
[[Category:Golden Age superheroes]]
[[Category:Characters created by Will Eisner]]
[[Category:Comics characters introduced in 1939]]
[[Category:Comics characters who can teleport]]
[[Category:Male characters in comics]]
[[Category:Fictional characters with fire or heat abilities]]
[[Category:Comic strip superheroes]]
[[Category:Superhero comic strips]]
[[Category:Vigilante characters in comics]]
[[Category:Public domain comics]]

Latest revision as of 18:51, 2 June 2024

This article is about the Fox Feature Syndicate character. For the Marvel Comics character, see Flame (Marvel Comics).
The Flame
The Flame, on the cover of Wonderworld Comics #3 (1939).
Publication information
PublisherFox Feature Syndicate
First appearanceWonderworld Comics #3 (July 1939)
Created byWill Eisner (writer)
Lou Fine (artist)
In-story information
Alter egoGary Preston
SpeciesHuman
AbilitiesFire and heat manipulation
Teleportation via fire
Carries a pistol-sized flamethrower

The Flame is a superhero that appeared in American comic books published by Fox Feature Syndicate. The Flame first appeared in Wonderworld Comics #3 (July 1939) and was created by writer Will Eisner and artist Lou Fine.[1] The Flame became Wonderworld's primary character.[2]

Publication history

[edit]

The Flame's first appearance was in Fox's Wonderworld Comics #3, dated July 1939, (issues #1 & #2 being titled Wonder Comics). The Flame gained his own title in the summer of 1940; which ran for eight issues until January 1942.[3] He was one of the titular Big 3, appearing in that periodical alongside Blue Beetle and Samson.[4] Fox Publications folded in 1942, being forced to declare involuntary bankruptcy owing its creditors some $175,000.

Fictional character biography

[edit]

The Flame's secret identity is Gary Preston. When Gary was a baby, his father Charteris Preston worked as a missionary in China. The elder Preston was washed away in a flood, but managed to save baby Gary by placing him in a basket. The basket was washed downstream to Tibet, where Gary was rescued by a group of lamas. They raised Gary in the lamasery, where they trained him in their mystical ways. Through this training, Gary gained the ability to control fire and temperature, including his own body temperature. He also gained the ability to travel from place to place by materializing inside of flame (even a match flame).[5]

When he reached adulthood, Gary returned to America to fight crime as the Flame. He used a flamethrower-gun, as well as a special car, boat and plane.[6] In Wonderworld Comics #30 (October 1941) The Flame was joined by a female sidekick, Flame Girl. Flame Girl was secretly Linda Dale, who was given similar powers as the Flame when Gary Preston was injured.

According to Jess Nevins' Encyclopedia of Golden Age Superheroes, the Flame "battles arsonists, dictators, German mad scientists, an enormous creature called the Beast, and river pirates".[7]

Powers and abilities

[edit]

Thanks to his training, the Flame has the ability to control fire and heat. He can raise his own body temperature to the point where he can burst into flames, or melt bullets. He can control and direct any flame in his presence. He can also teleport from place to place by appearing inside of any fire source, no matter the size. The Flame's one weakness is water, which can severely weaken him.[7] In order to provide fire whenever he needs it, the Flame carries a small, pistol-sized flamethrower.

2010s

[edit]

The Flame is one of the many public domain Golden Age characters appearing in Project Superpowers, a series released by Dynamite Entertainment.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Markstein, Don. "The Flame (1939)". Don Markstein's Toonopedia. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  2. ^ Sadowski, Greg (2009). Supermen!: The First Wave of Comic Book Heroes 1936-1941. Fantagraphics Books. pp. 187–188. ISBN 978-1560979715.
  3. ^ Mougin, Lou (2020). Secondary Superheroes of Golden Age Comics. McFarland & Co. pp. 25–27. ISBN 9781476638607.
  4. ^ Benton, Mike (1992). Superhero Comics of the Golden Age: The Illustrated History. Dallas: Taylor Publishing Company. p. 151. ISBN 0-87833-808-X. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  5. ^ Mougin, Lou (2020). Secondary Superheroes of Golden Age Comics. McFarland & Co. pp. 25–29. ISBN 9781476638607.
  6. ^ Mitchell, Kurt; Thomas, Roy (2019). American Comic Book Chronicles: 1940-1944. TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 31. ISBN 978-1605490892.
  7. ^ a b Nevins, Jess (2013). Encyclopedia of Golden Age Superheroes. High Rock Press. p. 102. ISBN 978-1-61318-023-5.
[edit]
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