"FLASH" FINNEGAN
Real Name: Finnegan (first name unrevealed)
Identity/Class: Human (Post-World War II Era)
Occupation: Army photographer
Group Membership: US Army
Affiliations: Combat Casey, Percival P. Pennington, Captain Stone
Enemies: The Chinese military
Known Relatives: None
Aliases: "Torchy"
Base of Operations: Mobile in Korea
First Appearance: Combat I#7 (December, 1952)
Powers/Abilities: "Flash" Finnegan was an excellent photographer who was unfazed at snapping her pictures in a war zone. She sometimes used the powerful flash bulbs in her camera to blind enemies.
Height: Unrevealed (approximately 5'6")
Weight: Unrevealed (approximately 111 lbs.)
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Blonde
History:
(Combat I#7 (fb) - BTS) - "Flash" Finnegan was out in a combat zone
taking photographs when she found what seemed to be a water well but
when she tried to take a drink, she tasted gasoline. She was discovered
at the well by Chinese soldiers.
(Combat I#7) - Realizing that the soldiers Combat Casey and Percival P. "Penny" Pennington were nearby, "Flash" suggested to the Chinese that she take a group photograph of them. When she took the photograph, her flash bulb temporarily blinded them, giving Casey and "Penny" an opportunity to burst into combat and kill most of the soldiers. However, both men's rifles were wrecked during the resulting fight. With the enemy troops dead, "Flash" introduced herself to Casey and "Penny," explaining that her "special pals" called her "Torchy." When she mentioned the well, Casey and "Penny" recognized it as the source of gasoline being used by the Communists in molotov cocktails. "Flash" led them to the site of the well and, as they had no weapons to destroy the well, "Penny" used "Flash"'s camera to heat up a bulb then Casey threw it into the well, causing it to explode. Casey and "Penny" led "Flash" back to safety and she kissed Casey then suggested she'd like him better without his beard. "Penny" opined that Casey was "okay" as he was so Casey kept his beard.
(Combat Casey I#7/4) - Having been promised by Casey's superior Captain Stone that she could remain with their company until she'd had enough, "Flash" followed Casey and "Penny" on patrol and photographed them as they destroyed a Chinese tank. "Flash" asked Casey to pose in front of a sign for her, again remarking he'd look better without his beard. As the two squabbled, Casey noticed three enemy soldiers creeping nearby. Drawing his rifle, he fired at the three men and killed them, frightening "Flash," who had no idea they were there. Blaming "Flash" for drawing the enemy towards them, Casey placed her over his knee and spanked her. Casey ordered "Flash" to return to their lines and she slunk away. However, "Flash" soon came back and followed at a distance as Casey and" Penny" were captured by Chinese troops. To make the enemy think they were surrounded by the army, "Flash" began throwing her flashbulbs to simulate gunfire. The enemy troops surrendered, releasing Casey and "Penny." Casey was forced to eat crow, as "Flash" had now proven herself.
Comments: Created by Hank Chapman and Robert Q. Sale.
In Combat Casey I#7 her surname is spelled "Finnigan."
Profile by Prime Eternal.
CLARIFICATIONS:
"Flash" ("Torchy") Finnegan should not be confused with:
images: (without ads)
Combat Casey I#7/4, page 3, panel 3 ("Flash" Finnegan, main)
Combat Casey I#7/4, page 3, panel 2 ("Flash" Finnegan, face)
Appearances:
Combat I#7 (December, 1952) - Hank Chapman (writer), Robert Q. Sale (artist), Stan Lee (editor)
Combat Casey I#7/4 (March, 1953) - Hank Chapman (writer), Robert Q. Sale (artist), Stan Lee (editor)
First posted: 07/08/2025
Last updated:
07/08/2025
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
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