
'The Flash' # 275 hit the spinner racks July of 1979 with a cover that promised something bad and thanks to writer Cary Bates...bad is what we got!
In the issues leading up to this one, Barry Allen and his wife Iris were having some issues and here they come to a head. But the two work things out and decide an addition to the family is in order. But this will have to wait because the Allen's are heading to a costume party.
If you weren't reading the Flash at this time, than much of the issue won't make a lot of sense. The big event in this story is when, at the masquerade party Barry is shot up with drugs and while Iris takes him to a room to help him recover, she is struck down. The last few pages are an emotional ride that sees Barry Allen go where no one, comic books or real should ever have to go.
The amazing cover by Dick Giordano drew you in, and the pencils by Alex Savilik (with inks by Frank Chiaramonte) made this book as visually stunning as it could be. In my opinion this issue was the pinnacle of the uninterrupted Cary Bates run that started in 'The Flash'# 118 (October 1971) and ended in 1985 with 'The Flash' # 350.
In the next few issues we find out that it was Professor Zoom who killed Iris because she said no to his advances. Much would happen to the speedster leading up to the final issue of the Barry Allen run, but this issue for me stands out as the best Flash story ever.