Comic Title: Flash #196
Publisher: DC (National Periodical Publications, Inc.)
Address: 909 Third Avenue, New York, NY
Cover Date: Apr/May 1970
On Sale Date: February 10, 1970 Newsstand Date February 10, 1970
Source: Comic Reader, #77

Copyright Date February 10, 1970
Source: Library of Congress, Periodicals 1970

Newsstand Date February 12, 1970
Source: House Ad, Phantom Stranger #6, Page 10

Frequency: Monthly, (with the exception of Jan., July and Oct.)
Cover Price: $0.25
Page Count: 64
Editor: Julius Schwartz

See Also: The Guide to DC Giants

Notes:
This issue is labeled Giant #G 70.

Title: "The Mightiest Punch of All Time"
Pages: 25

Feature(s):
Flash (Barry Allen of Earth-1)

Writer: John Broome
Penciller: Carmine Infantino
Inker: Joe Giella

Reprinted From:
Flash #153 (1965)

Feature Character(s)

• Flash (last appearance in Justice League of America #35; next appearance in Justice League of America #36)

Villain(s)

• Reverse-Flash (last appearance in Flash #147; next appearance in Flash #165)
• Mr. Element (last appearance in Flash #147; next appearance in Flash #165)

Other Character(s)

• Rita Desmond (last appearance in Flash #147; next appearance in Flash #165)
• 25th century prison officials and the Central City Municipal Council (no further appearances)

Synopsis:
Professor Zoom is released from prison in the 25th century when he fools the officials and passes an electronic psychological examination. Zoom returns to his lab where he perfects a machine that will enhance a person's tendency towards evil. Zoom tries to use the machine across the centuries to affect Al Desmond and force him to become Mr. Element again. Al contacts the Flash for help.

Zoom's machine fails to function properly when used from the 25th century, so he constructs his own cosmic treadmill and returns to the 20th century. A side-effect of the machine gives Professor Zoom temporary control over the residents of Central City. He forces the Municipal Council to pass a law which forbids the use of super speed within Central City. Flash is unable to use his own powers legally to battle Zoom. He tries to leave town, but Zoom captures him.

Zoom then brings Mr. Element to his hide-out to kill the Flash. Before returning to his criminal ways, Desmond has hypnotized himself. When he sees the Flash, the he succumbs to the hypnotic suggestion to release his foe. Once free of Zoom's trap, Flash punches Zoom. The punch counteracts the effects of Zoom's cosmic treadmill sending the villian back to the 25th century where he is again incarcerated. Desmond however has returned to his criminal ways, so Flash takes him to the future where scientists are able to rehabilitate him.