October 15, 2009 

I Like Joan

The Golden Age Flash’s girlfriend, Joan, is a lot of fun. She has the same nose for trouble as other Golden Age comic women, but there are a few differences.

Firstly, she knows Jay’s secret ID (as does half the world at first, it seems), so there’s none of that “unmasking” nonsense:

She also brings him cases, which is cool.

But the main reason I like Joan?

Early Superman stories would be much, must shorter if Lois just packed heat like Joan. Sure, Jay rescues her before it can become a shootout, but at least she had the brains to come prepared.

I bet National got all kinds of letters complaining about Joan’s “unladylike” behavior.


  • Naryldor

    What? They just blew up Koyak's undercover op, and on top of that, they hit him afterwards!!

  • http://sezaarsez.wordpress.com/ sezaar

    Joan has a lazy eye!

  • Eric L. Sofer, the Bad Clown

    Um… was it supposed to read “Early Superman stories would be much, much shorter if Lois just packed heat like Joan”? Otherwise, I can't quite make sense of it.

    And yeah, I thought it was cool that she was practical. None of that “Oh, Superman, my hero… and it's about damned TIME you showed up to save me!”

  • typolad

    Excellent catch, Eric! Fixed.

  • Michael

    Of course, the last time I recall Joan being used as anything but a prop in modern times, it was the old “The villain's going after my loved one, will I get there in time” plot. Which is kind of a dumb one to use with the Flash, because yes, he *will* get there in time, that's his freaking power.

  • madwoman

    Good grief, Naryldor, that really is Kojak! They even gave him an occipital lobe! (That's the ridge at the bottom of his head and the reason he should never have shaved it.) And the sound effect *ugh*; do people really make that sound when clocked?

    Who loves ya baby? Now get me a lollipop!

  • jonsnow

    What's wrong with her eyes?

  • Eric L. Sofer, the Bad Clown

    “would be much, _must_ shorter “…

    Well, at least it's closer.

    x<]:o){

  • madwoman

    @Jonsnow: She has a lazy right eye. If you notice, it is closed in every panel in which she appears. Normally, a lazy eye looks in a different direction than where the other eye is looking, but perhaps Joan keeps it closed for aesthetic purposes.

  • Dierna

    Hey now… lazy eyes don't always look in other directions. She's got a weak muscle bone in her eye lid. My eyes are the same way. :P

    But seriously Flash…. beating up Telly Savales??? How rude!

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  • philippos42

    I love that Joan was in on the secret. It's the only sane way to go.