The piece before you is a special one. It is a memorial piece in recognition of the passing of a comics creator who gave the world a most unique hero, one which has endured the test of time for over 60 years....

The creators name ....Harry Lampert

....his creation....the original (Golden Age) "Flash".

Actually, Harry Lampert was a co-creator along with Gardner Fox in producing the first scarlet speedster....Jay Garrick. "Flash" first appeared on the scene within the pages of his own "Flash Comics" on January/1940 and was one of the first "superhero" crime fighters and was a huge success for DC Comics who just a year before introduced the world to "Superman" and "Batman".

I first met Mr. Lampert at Orlando's MegaCon convention in 2000, at that time I was just looking around like most fans who visit, and as an "fellow" artist. I brought samples of my work to show to some professionals. Now most aspiring artists would probably flock towards the "hot" artists of the day to have there work critiqued, but I chose a different route. I decided to show my work to some of the veterans, the pioneers of the medium. Folks like; Dick Giordano, Irwin Hasen, Dick Ayers, Marty Nodell, and Harry Lampert.

Harry and his wife Adele looked over my work and gave me a fair and pleasantly positive critique. He was even nice enough to be "shocked and surprised" that I had not, as of yet, worked professionally in comics. The Lampert's were very nice people, outgoing and kind, somewhat of a rarity in the world these days. In the last few years before his death, I got to meet them at a few of the cons that we happened to both be at and they always welcomed me with a warm smile and greeting.

I was shocked to hear of his death in 2004, as I always remembered him as full of life, even exuberant at times.. but always the professional.

This piece was created not long after his passing, I chose to keep it rather simple in design to enhance the powerful impact of a distraught Jay Garrick reduced to tears.

The phrase "Gone in a Flash" was added to further illustrate the shocking suddenness of Mr.Lampert's passing.