Tom versus the Flash number 157, or let's take a peek into Dexter Miles' fake bearded trunk.

Welcome back for the Flash number 157, the December 1965 issue featuring a cover pencil by Carmine Infantino and inked by Murphy Anderson.

Our first story is who stole the Flash's super speed. Now, writing's a little

controversial here. Some websites and sources I've seen have listed as John Broom writing both

stories. Some has Gardner Fox's writing both stories. I'm going to split the difference here.

I think John Broom wrote this story. Penciled by Carmine Infantino, inked by Joe Giella, and edited by

Julie Schwartz. We start with Barry, sitting at work, getting ready to meet Iris out for lunch again.

God knows how much money he spends on taking her out for meals constantly. When he gets a phone call,

it's Iris canceling their lunch date.

She has an exclusive interview with The Flash who is sitting in her office.

This obviously confuses Barry, who starts stammering and starting,

then pulls himself together on the phone saying, well, I'll see you later.

Of course, he knows something's up.

Someone's pretending to be the Flash. He's got to show up as the real flash and make sure that everything gets settled okay. He pops the costume of the ring, notices he's having a little bit of a hard time getting it on in the same smooth motion he usually does. As he says, he's all thumbs and toes. He starts running towards the wall to vibrate out into the public when bam, he hits it. Like any mortal man, he cannot run through walls. He can break the plaster on the walls and fall in his ass like a fool, but he doesn't seem to have super speed anymore. He's going to have to confront this fake flash as just regular old Barry Allen. He shows up at Iris's work, The Picture News.

There's the Flash standing next to her, or the fake Flash, I'd say.

Looking a little bit like him.

Even duplicating the fake voice he uses to cover up who he really is.

Now, I don't think it's sort of the Christian Bale style,

I am the Flash.

I think it's more of sort of like an aristocratic, like, oh, yes, I am the Flash. I think it's more of sort of like an aristocratic, like,

oh, yes, I am the Flash, sort of a foppish. Now I'm always going to read these stories in my

head with him using that fake accent. Well, Iris has set up a challenge for the Flash. I don't

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