| The Flame | |
|---|---|
 The Flame, on the cover ofWonderworld Comics #3 (1939). | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Fox Feature Syndicate |
| First appearance | Wonderworld Comics #3 (July 1939) |
| Created by | Will Eisner (writer) Lou Fine (artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Gary Preston |
| Species | Human |
| Abilities | Fire and heat manipulation Teleportation via fire Carries a pistol-sized flamethrower |
The Flame is asuperhero that appeared inAmerican comic books published byFox Feature Syndicate. The Flame first appeared inWonderworld Comics #3 (July 1939) and was created by writerWill Eisner and artistLou Fine.[1] The Flame becameWonderworld's primary character.[2]
The Flame's first appearance was in Fox'sWonderworld Comics #3, dated July 1939, (issues #1 & #2 being titledWonder 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 titularBig 3, appearing in that periodical alongsideBlue Beetle andSamson.[4] Fox Publications folded in 1942, being forced to declare involuntary bankruptcy owing its creditors some $175,000.
The Flame's secret identity is Gary Preston. When Gary was a baby, his father Charteris Preston worked as amissionary inChina. 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 toTibet, where Gary was rescued by a group oflamas. 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] InWonderworld 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 toJess Nevins' Encyclopedia of Golden Age Superheroes, the Flame "battles arsonists, dictators, German mad scientists, an enormous creature called the Beast, and river pirates".[7]
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-sizedflamethrower.
The Flame is one of the manypublic domain Golden Age characters appearing inProject Superpowers, a series released byDynamite Entertainment.