They stretched this story out to two issues...sorry.

The last time we checked out a classic Flash back-issue, I didn't have the next one. Still don't! Nor do I have the next issue after this one: the Flash #252, "Double-Dose of Danger!" Written by Cary Bates, pencils by Irv Novick, inks by Frank McLaughlin.

This issue guest-stars Ralph Dibny, the Elongated Man, and his wife Sue, who's looking for the missing sleuth. Sue goes to the Allens for help, even though an editorial footnote points out Sue doesn't know Barry is the Flash here. Ralph was going to stretch his face into a disguise to go undercover and try and infiltrate the criminal Chane Gang, but as he was going to toast his wife with the gingold extract that gave him his powers, he disappeared. After Sue leaves, Barry sheepishly has to explain to Iris he knows how Ralph disappeared: he picked him up on the fly to go after the Chane Gang as they escaped from a bank robbery, on foot. It's a little more effective than you'd think, since the gang members are phantoms, Flash and E-M can't grab them! They quickly deduce 3-D holograms, of course, and catch one with a projection rig in his jacket. So obvious! Except, when they return the money, it's only half-there: who got away with the rest? Elongated Man goes to investigate, and that was the last Flash saw of him.

Flash searches the city, but didn't know Ralph would be in disguise. With a classified ad, Ralph sets up a meet with the Chane Gang: identical twins, both using the holographic projectors. Chane intends to kill to protect his secret, but Ralph twists his gun like taffy? How? The next day, on the news Sue sees Ralph's disguised face in the crowd at the arrival of a supersonic transport; Flash catches the same report, as someone melts the plane, with his "elastic touch!!" Calling himself the Molder, he gives Flash a good fight, but when punched out reverts to Ralph. Then reverts back to the Molder when he recovers, and pounds Flash into jelly! Almost literally, in this case.

It's obvious drinking Gingold while being carried at super-speed didn't do Ralph any favors, but I still want to see how this wraps up! Another next issue to watch out for.