Comic Title: Showcase #13
Publisher: DC (National Comics Publications, Inc.)
Address: 480 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY
Cover Date: Mar/Apr 1958
Approx. On Sale Date: January 21, 1958 Copyright Date January 19, 1958
Source: Library of Congress, Periodicals 1958
Until 1958 DC did not report actual on sale dates to the copyright office
The publication dates listed in LoC records are NOT release dates.

Frequency: Bi-monthly
Cover Price: $0.10
Page Count: 32
Editor: Julius Schwartz

Title: "Master of the Elements"
Pages: 12

Feature(s):
Flash (Barry Allen of Earth-1)

Writer: John Broome
Penciller: Carmine Infantino
Inker: Frank Giacoia

Reprinted In:
Flash Annual #1 (1963)
Essential Showcase 1956-1959 TPB (1993)
Flash Archives Vol. 1 HC (1996)
Flash Annual Replica Edition #1 (2001)
Showcase Presents:The Flash Vol. 1 TPB (2007)
Flash Chronicles Vol. 1 TPB (2009)
Showcase Presents:Showcase Vol. 1 TPB (2012)
Flash Omnibus Vol. 1 HC (2014)
Flash:The Silver Age Vol. 1 TPB (2016)

Feature Character(s)

• Flash (last appearance in Showcase #13; next appearance in Showcase #14)

Supporting Character(s)

• Iris West (last appearance in Showcase #13; next appearance in Showcase #14)

Villain(s)

• Mr. Element (first appearance; next appearance in Showcase #14)
• Argon, Krypton, Xenon, Radon and two other men (Mr. Element’s henchmen; no further appearances)

Synopsis:
A new criminal, Mr. Element, and his henchmen are robbing the Palladium Jewelry store. Flash learns of the break-in and races to stop the criminal. Mr. Element is prepared for him though and has strung gold wire to prevent Flash from reaching him.

At his hideout, Mr. Element divides the loot with his henchmen and explains his methods. He has determined that elements are the answer to everything so he has mastered them. He has learned all he can and even believes his mastery will prevent Flash from interfering with his plans as a criminal.

When the Flash arrives at the scene of his next caper, a wall of vanadium prevents Flash from reaching his foe. However Flash creates heat using friction which melts the vanadium and allows him access to Mr. Element. Element does escape with the help of an explosion created by sodium and water.

Mr. Element continues to plague the city and eventually issues a final challenge to the Flash. Barry Allen excuses himself from a dinner date with Iris to deal with the challenge. When he confronts his foe, Mr. Element uses a newly created element, elemento to propel Flash into space. Flash returns quickly to Earth and apprehends the crooks. He escaped his doom by orbiting the moon and slingshoting back to Earth.