Comic Title: Essential Showcase 1956-1959 TPB
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: 1993
On Sale Date: December 1, 1992 Shipping Date December 1, 1992
Source: Previews, Vol. 2 #9 (#45)

Shipping Date December 1, 1992
Source: Direct Currents, #58

Shipping Date December 3, 1992
Source: Advance Comics, #47

Copyright Date December 22, 1992
Source: Library of Congress, Copyright Office 1992

Direct Market Date December 3, 1992
Source: Comic Shop News, #277

Cover Price: $19.95
Page Count: 192
Editor: Bob Kahan

See Also: The Guide to Graphic Novels and Collected Editions

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 From:
Showcase #13 (1958)

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.