The Flame

Character History

History & Public Domain Status

"The Flame" was published by Fox Feature Syndicate, debuting in Wonderworld Comics #3 (July 1939), just ahead of Marvel's Human Torch. Created by writer Will Eisner and artist Lou Fine. The Flame's secret identity is Gary Preston. As an infant, he was saved from a flood in China and carried to Tibet, where he was raised by Tibetan lamas who trained him in mystical arts and control over fire. He possesses the ability to control fire and heat, can raise his own body temperature to melt bullets, and can teleport by materializing inside any existing flame.

Under the Copyright Act of 1909, which was in effect at the time, works were granted an initial copyright term of 28 years. To secure the full protection, the copyright had to be renewed during the last (28th) year of that first term, 1967. No such renewal was filed as far as we have been able to determine. This places him in the public domain.

Current Incarnation (PDSH)

In our stories, Gar Ypres-Ston is a prince of the planet of Pyrodania. Exiled to the Marine Moon of Mongo, he is forced to survive in brutal gladiatorial combat, just to be able to eat. Everything changes when Crash Corrigan arrives!