In this feature we examine comic book stories and ideas that were not only abandoned, but also had the stories/plots specifically "overturned" by a later writer (as if they were a legal precedent). Click here for an archive of all the previous editions of The Abandoned An' Forsaked. Feel free to e-mail me at bcronin@comicbookresources.com if you have any suggestions for future editions of this feature.

Today, we take a look at one of the most bizarre retcons in comic book history, the introduction of...Mopee!! The imp from another dimension who REALLY gave the Flash his speed powers!

The origin of the Flash is a familiar one to most fans. Here it is from Showcase #4 by Robert Kanigher, Carmine Infantino and Joe Kubert...

Over a decade later, though, in 1967's Flash #167 by Gardner Fox, Carmine Infantino and Sid Greene, that origin was abandoned an' forsaked by the REAL origin of the Flash! Are you ready for the shock-surprise of the year?

I love the term "shock-surprise."

Anyhow, Flash is taking care of some crooks when suddenly...

After extinguishing the flames...

What the heck?! Explain yourself, Mopee!!

That is one asinine rule!

So after brainstorming for awhile, they figure out a solution (a solution that doesn't really make all that much sense, but a solution)...

Of course, Mopee can't help but "help" some more...

In the end, the Flash gets the money to buy the chemicals and Mopee recreates the accident and everything is fine and dandy (although Barry thinks as Mopee leaves, "But Mopee DIDN'T create the same exact accident happening to Wally West, so I guess that was actually a coincidence."

So anyhow, this story was then not referenced in the Flash comic again, and it was pretty much just ignored. So it was definitely abandoned itself.

However, it would not be until the mid-80s Who's Who that the story was officially forsaked...

Here is a detail on the forsaked aspect...

Amusingly enough, when Mark Waid and Brian Augustyn later did the Life Story of Barry Allen, they included a bit that Barry was investigating a drug called "Mopee" when the accident occurred (art by Gil Kane)...

I am sure a few of you are thinking of ANOTHER alternate Flash origin story that appeared in an issue of Secret Origins. Don't worry, we'll get to that one in the future (either here or over in Abandoned Love)!

Okay, that's it for the 100th Abandoned an' Forsaked! If YOU have a suggestion for a future installment, e-mail me at bcronin@comicbookresources.com.