Who's faster: Superman or Flash? Reverse Flash: A Brief History of the Character.

Hero Characteristics

  • Real name: Bartholomew Henry Allen
  • Nicknames: Barry Allen, Black Flash, Parallax, The Fastest Man Alive, The Monarch of Motion, The Scarlet Speedster, Sultan of Speed (The Sultan of Speed), The Crimson Comet, The Crimson Cavalier
  • Identity: Hidden
  • Universe: New Earth, Earth One
  • Gender: Male
  • Position: Good
  • Height: 183 cm (6 ft)
  • Weight: 89 kg (195 lb)
  • Eye Color: Blue
  • Hair Color: Blonde
  • Relatives: Henry and Nora Allen (parents, deceased), Malcolm Thone (brother), Iris Allen (wife), Don Allen (son), Dawn Allen (daughter), Bart Allen (grandson), Jenny Ognats (granddaughter), Wally West (nephew)
  • Group affiliation: Flash Family, formerly: Justice League of America, Blue Lantern Corps
  • Place of Birth: Fallville, Iowa
  • Citizenship: USA
  • Family status: Married

Biography

Life does not set our goal. We set the purpose of life.

Barry Allen is the Flash of the Silver Age and, according to some, the very first hero of the Silver Age. He became the Flash after Jay Garrick and before Wally West.

Story

Origin


Barry Allen and his twin brother were born to Henry and Nora Allen in the small town of Fallville, Iowa, two weeks later than planned. According to the doctor, the brother of the future Flash was stillborn. However, in reality he was born healthy and then given to another family, the Thawnes, whose child died during childbirth. Barry's belated birth foreshadowed his habit of being late in everything. The boy grew up reading about the adventures of his favorite superhero, Jay Garrick, the first Flash, and playing his adventures with his girlfriend, future actress Daphne Dean.

When he was little, his mother was killed, and suspicion fell on Barry's father. The desire to prove Dad's innocence gave Barry a strong belief in justice.

At school, Allen had a reputation as a slow, easy-going guy. On his first date he went to a carnival. The date was supposed to bring movement into his life, and he and his girlfriend visited a roller coaster for the first time. From then on, he became afraid of roller coasters. He got rid of his fear a long time later.

Barry with early years loved chemistry, and this helped develop his abilities as a farmer. He won first place in the Fallville County Fair Agricultural Competition ( Fallville County Fair Agricultural Competition ). The prize was a scholarship to Sun City University. He graduated from the University in three years with degrees in organic chemistry and criminology.

Growing up, Barry helped the authorities apprehend a robber, and then he was offered a job as a police officer in the Scientific Bureau of the Central City Police Department (Central City Police Department Scientific Detection Bureau). Looking to work in Keystone City's sister city ( Keystone City) the city of his childhood hero, he accepted the offer.


After moving to Central City and getting an apartment with a laboratory, he began dating a reporter from Picture News ( Picture News) named Iris West ( Iris West), whom he met while investigating a murder scene she was reporting on. She was fascinated by his honesty and consistency.

On the night of the storm, Barry returned to the experiment after a short break. Suddenly, lightning struck through the window and shattered the flasks, dousing Barry in electrified chemicals. Amazed, he decided to take a taxi home. However, the taxi drove off without noticing him. Barry ran after her and ran past her as if she hadn't moved at all. He decided to have dinner and collect his thoughts. The waitress accidentally dropped the food from the trays onto Barry, who surprisingly caught it all in the air and put it back on the tray. The next day, he saved Iris from a stray bullet. Now there was no doubt: the incident with lightning and chemicals gave him super speed!

Deciding to use his powers for the benefit of humanity, Barry came up with a special suit for himself. He used a special polyester he got in college that allowed him to mold himself into miniature clothing in the form of a liquid material that, when immersed in a special liquid, became sensitive to hydrogen, expanding upon contact with it in the air. The charge from the charged battery ring he wore on his finger caused the material to eject additional hydrogen and contract within the ring. He later revised the process to make the material sensitive to nitrogen. He named himself The Flash as a tribute to his favorite childhood superhero. He briefly considered wearing a suit that wouldn't cover his face like Jay's, but eventually decided to wear a mask to hide his true identity. The first enemy he faced was Turtle Man ( Turtle Man).

Hero's Story

Flash became one of the founders of the superhero team called the Justice League of America. Then he met a Green Lantern named Hal Jordan, with whom he became friends and had many adventures both within and outside the League. He later learned that Jay Garrick really existed and became friends with him as well.

One summer, Iris's nephew Wally decided to visit her in Central City. He was a devoted Flash fan and knew that her aunt's boyfriend was a "friend" of the Scarlet Runner, so they were meant to meet. Flash had to answer all the fan's questions. When Wally asked about the experiment in the lab, Barry set everything in the office the same as the night of the incident. Much to his surprise, the unfortunate incident happened again, dousing Wally with the same electrically charged chemicals. After receiving the Flash's powers, Wally wore a smaller version of the Scarlet Runner's costume, becoming the superhero Kid Flash.

Eventually, Barry proposed to Iris on a Ferris wheel at a fair. She agreed and they got married, despite the anger of Professor Zoom, who tried to sabotage the ceremony. Allen hid his superhero identity from Iris for a year, although she found out about everything first because he talked in his sleep on their honeymoon. Barry feared that the incident had made him less human, which would prevent them from having children. However, after testing for a year, he realized that this was not the case. Then he officially revealed his secret to her.

It wasn't long before Zoom took Iris's life at a masquerade ball. Barry drove him into the time stream, where he left him.

Barry met another woman, Fiona Webb, and began dating her. However, on the day they were supposed to get married, Zoom reappeared and wanted to kill Flash's wife again. Barry chased him around the world and missed his wedding. In the end, Zoom almost succeeded in killing Fiona, but Barry accidentally killed him. Flash was accused of murder and had to stand trial.

In a fight with Big Sir, Barry's face was severely disfigured. He went to Gorilla City to restore it. Ever since Barry Allen was reported missing, the Scarlet Runner decided to give himself a new face to keep his old identity dead.

Barry later found himself in the thirtieth century, where Iris was alive and well. They lived happily for about a month. Iris bore him two children: Don and Dawn.

Barry stopped in time while traveling to the future and faced Wally West in a fight with Professor Zoom. There were two Zooms in time, and each Flash began to fight with one. Allen managed it faster than Kid Flash, and sent “his” Zoom into the time stream. It is not known what happened to him, but last time it appeared in the thirtieth century.

Crisis on Infinite Earths

The Crisis of Infinite Earths forced Flash back to work. The thirtieth century began to decline: natural disasters occurred despite technologies designed to stop them. Reality itself was collapsing. Flash returned to the twentieth century to warn his friends. When he wanted to warn Batman, he was thrown by the Anti-Monitor into the Antimatter Universe, where the Psycho-Pirate inflicted psychological torture on him. Eventually, he used the Psycho-Pirate to turn the Anti-Monitor's servants, the Thunderers, against him. This gave him enough time to destroy the villain's weapon - the antimatter cannon - by running around it and destroying the outer casing. He ran so fast that he entered the Speed ​​Force forever.

Barry's empty grave was located in New York.

The Specter, Hal Jordan, apparently erased from the entire world, except the closest people, knowledge of the identity of Barry Allen.

Infinite Crisis

Barry Allen's soul emerged from the Speed ​​Force along with Johnny Quick and Max Mercury to help his grandson Bart defeat Superboy-Prime, dragging the madman into the Speed ​​Force. Later, Bart Allen emerged from there dressed as his grandfather; he showed up in Tokyo to warn the heroes about Prime's escape. Bart once again faced off against the insane Superboy. Barry spent four years in an alternate Keystone City with Max Mercury, Fast Johnny, and an alternate Jay Garrick. He then met Bart and Wally West and joined them in another fight with Prime. As Superboy escaped, Barry theorized that one of the still-living runners must absorb the entire Speed ​​Force and cross the dimensional bridge leading to Post-Crisis Earth. Bart volunteered and his grandfather gave him the suit as a going away gift.

Final Crisis

Barry Allen reappeared during the Final Crisis. He was chasing the bullet that killed Orion, sent back in time, while Black Racer was chasing him at that time. He simply shouted to Wally and Jay, “Run!” Allen and Wally accelerated and found themselves in the future, having passed a month and learned that Darkseid had conquered the world. They were soon discovered by a group of Female Furies, consisting of Wonder Woman, Batwoman, Catwoman and Giganta, who had been absorbed by Anti-Life. After passing the Furies, they headed to Iris's apartment, where Barry was able to break the Anti-Life Equation imposed on her with a kiss, assuring his beloved that everything would be fine.

Jay Garrick soon found his way to Iris's house, where he teamed up with Barry and Wally. Allen then revealed his plan: since Black Racer was following him, Allen would lead him to Darkseid and help him destroy the villain. Although Barry wanted to go alone, Wally asked to go with him. Allen agreed and asked Jay to keep an eye on Iris. Having achieved the speed of light, the Flashes brought Black Racer to Darkseid's base in Bludhaven. Knowing about posing a threat runners, Darkseid fired Omega Beams, but the Flashes simply overtook them. The next moment, Allen asked West to save himself, but the two were left alone, running past Superman (who was very surprised to see Barry) and "vibrating" through Darkseid, causing his Omega Beams to hit him. Black Racer separated Darkseid's essence from Dan Turpin.

Return to the world

Soon after, although family and friends were very happy to have him back, Barry himself was worried because he could not explain how he left the Speed ​​Force on his own while the same Max Mercury and Fast Johnny were trapped there. Determined not to waste his second chance, Allen went to the Flash Museum to find out what he had missed. There he met his old friend, Hal Jordan, who also died and was resurrected. Flash discussed his anxiety about returning with Hal, as well as his feeling that he shouldn't have returned. He then asked Jordan to inform Wally and Jay that he would not be attending the parties held in his honor, and then went on patrol. While running, an evil runner named Savitar somehow escaped the Speed ​​Force through Barry. When Flash managed to catch it, it disintegrated before his eyes.

Barry and Wally soon determined that Black Flash was "presumably dead." After this, Allen became the new Black Flash. When he realized that his presence could harm or even kill innocent people, Barry traveled back to the Speed ​​Force, where he met Johnny and Max. Max tried to explain to Allen that becoming the Black Flash was not his fault, and when he and Barry ended up in another part of the Speed ​​Force, the real culprit became known - Professor Zoom.

Zoom revealed his plan: after Barry allowed Kid Flash to fight Superboy-Prime during the Infinite Crisis, Zoom injected a subconscious impulse into the Speed ​​Force to bring back what was left of Barry's self-awareness. This led to the hero's return during the Final Crisis. Subsequently, it turned out that Zoom transformed into “ the new kind Runner" and created the Negative Speed ​​Force to smear Allen and other runners. Before Barry could fight, Zoom disappeared. Wally entered the Speed ​​Force to bring back his uncle, and after attempting to delve deeper into it, Max revealed to Barry that it was he, Allen, who created the source of the runners' power, the Speed ​​Force. Soon the united heroes, led by Barry, met with Professor Zoom again. Even though he was outnumbered, he managed to separate Barry from the others. He said that all the tragedies in Allen's life, including the death of his mother, were his (Zuma's) fault. Then he decided to completely destroy Flash's life by killing his wife before they even met for the first time.

Flash began to pursue Zoom and was joined by Wally, who told him to run as fast as he could to break the time barrier. Having done this, they caught up with Thawne and prevented Iris from being killed. Together, the Flashes sent Zoom back to the present and discovered that the Justice League, Justice Society and Outsiders had built a special device for Thawne. Barry threw it there and activated the device, severing the villain's connection to the Negative Speed ​​Force. The Flashes immobilized Zoom so he couldn't run. With the threat over, everyone welcomed the return of Barry and the other runners. Allen closed the case regarding his mother's death and took on other cases that were filed after his death. Barry spent time with Iris before heading to Washington to celebrate his return with the Justice League and apologize for being late.

Don't worry anymore, Hal. Everything will be fine.

Blackest Night

Several months later, at Bruce Wayne's grave in Gotham, Hal and Barry discussed the death of their mutual friend and the hero community's refusal to associate Wayne's identity with Batman.

Their reflections led them to talk about their own deaths, comparing the sadness that Flash's death brought to the anger caused by Hal's death. Hal summed it up by saying, “I died a sinner. You died a saint." The conversation led to speculation that "the world has become more dangerous" since Barry's death, and that the deaths of Arthur Curry and Martian Manhunter cost the Justice League its "heart and soul." As they left the cemetery, Flash expressed hope that their dead comrades would return to them. He mentioned Batman, stating, "...if there was a way out, I bet Batman would have already put it in his plan."

The Flash reappeared alongside Hal in the July issue Green Lantern, continuing to participate in events. Later, in a fight with Black Lantern D'jon D'jonzz, he felt the mystical influence of Bruce Wayne's grave take control of him and disintegrate his skin and muscles. The Martian Manhunter who fought them intended to kill their old friends, seeing them dead and believing that they both must die to restore balance to the universe.

Having fought off the undead with Hal and the arrivals of Mera, Atom and Firestorm(Firestorm), as well as two members of the Indigo Tribe, Barry and Wally and Bart decided to cross the entire Earth to warn every superhero on the planet. His message accidentally reached the Rogues, who knew that their dead comrades would come for them, and then the Rogues decided to strike first, but did not know that the Mirror Master, in the form of a Black Lantern, was watching them. Barry, in a short battle, met with another undead in the person of Professor Zoom. Flash decided to flee to Gorilla City to seek the help of the ruler there, Solovar, but he did not know that Solovar had been killed many years ago. Seeing that the city was already under attack, Flash began to suspect Grodd, but to his horror he discovered that Solovar had also become a Black Lantern. The fight was not destined to last long because Barry ran to Coast City.

In the city, he witnessed the arrival of a Black Lantern lord named Nekron and his students: Scar and Black Hand. The Justice League, Titans, Wally and Bart arrive to help Flash. Nekron said that the resurrected superheroes are connected to him because he allowed them to rise again. He then used the black rings to turn Superman, Green Arrow, Bart and other resurrected heroes into Black Lanterns. Flash discovered that one of the rings was meant to be his, and he was forced to flee to avoid joining the Necron Corps. When it was decided to recruit new members into the Lantern Corps for 24 hours, Flash was chosen as a member of the Blue Lantern Corps. During the battle, Flash had to fight his own grandson, whom the ring identified as still alive, but gradually dying due to the black ring. Barry has shown the ability to manipulate the ring and create energy constructs using his imagination (possibly due to his understanding of Hal's ring). He was able to create images of Impulse and Kid Flash to make Bart feel again. The plan would have worked if not for the appearance of the Black Lanterns: Professor Zoom and Solovar. Wally and Saint Walker came to their friend's aid. Bart then tried to kill West. Realizing that they general communication with the Speed ​​Force able to save Bart, Barry used his powers to break the black ring's connection and free him. In the end, the heroes defeated Nekron with the help of the Life Essence, which turned many of the heroes into members of the White Lantern Corps.

Rise and fall again

Later, Barry and Hal began to search for Prometheus, who escaped after the destruction of Star City during the event Justice League: Cry for Justice. The partners went to Shadow, who then stated that he had helped Oliver track down Prometheus, and that he had killed the villain. Later, after Green Arrow's encounter and escape, Barry promised that he and the League would find Oliver before he killed again.

With Hal and Dinah at his back, Barry scoured the city for Green Arrow and told Connor Hawke about his father's crime. Having finally tracked down Oliver, Barry told him that he hated him more and more every time he saw him. Flash made the stupid mistake of trying to grab Oliver and was electrocuted when he touched Arrow's quiver.

Return to Central City

After the events The Flash: Rebirth, Barry returned to Central City. Once in the witness protection program, Allen returned to the Central City Police Department's crime lab and the Flash's career. Soon, a man dressed as the Mirror Master, Flash's enemy, was found dead on a city street.

When Barry began investigating, he learned that the deceased was neither the first Mirror Master, Sam Scudder, nor the current Rogue, Evan McCalloch. Hearing about the new arrival from the portal, Barry transformed into the Flash and began investigating. When he arrived, a group of people in rogue-like outfits calling themselves The Renegades claimed to be from the 25th century and Barry was arrested for the murder of the "Mirror Monarch". The Renegades called themselves the defenders of the 25th century, the destruction of which, according to them, Barry and the Justice League are to blame. Flash managed to get rid of them and save full of people a building they inadvertently destroyed. Flash devoted himself to finding the real killer, but his investigation was interrupted by the Renegades, who, along with Flash himself, were later attacked by Captain Boomerang. Eventually, Allen was arrested by the Renegades and sent to the 25th century. He realized that this was all part of Top's plan, who wanted to prevent Allen from revealing his criminal ancestor. After escaping from custody, Allen chased and defeated Top, after which he called him to justice and became convinced of the accusations against his criminal ancestor.

Flashpoint

Barry Allen woke up in a universe that was very different from the one he knew. Many of the heroes here were unknown (like Flash), his mother is alive, and Batman is Thomas Wayne. He encountered Wayne in a small cave, where he attacked him. Barry explained that he was apparently from another universe where he was a superhero. The unexpected return of his memories convinced him that this was his universe. He tried to activate the ring with the Flash costume, but instead of the expected clothes, he received the Reverse Flash costume. He decided that he had to regain his strength in order to correct the situation. To do this, he and Wayne constructed a device that resembled an electric chair. Lightning struck and Allen was engulfed in flames. After extinguishing the fire, Wayne saw Barry unconscious and suffering from numerous burns.

Barry later woke up in the Batcave covered in bandages. Thomas told him he had third-degree burns that consumed three-quarters of his body. Despite the failure of the first attempt, Barry stated that the experiment should be repeated. Before he could sit down in his chair, the lightning on the roof struck again, causing Touma to fall down and Allen regaining his powers. He rescued Thomas and they went to the Batcave to make the Flash costume from Zoom's costume.

Hoping to return things to normal, Thomas and Flash contacted Cyborg to once again try to bring the Justice League back together. Flash remembered the approximate date of Superman's arrival on Earth and asked Thomas to look for data on the ship's landing. Thanks to Cyborg, they learned that the ship was taken by the government, and its contents were hidden and called "Project Superman". Flash and Batman convinced Cyborg to hack government databases in hopes of finding out where they were hiding the Kryptonian. They arrived at military base, where they found a frail guy locked up who certainly didn’t look like The Man of Steel. Barry decided that he looked like that because he didn't have sunlight. They took the prisoner and made it to the surface when Kal-El was immediately affected by the sun. Superman then flew off, leaving his saviors to fight alone. The company was saved by Elemental Woman, who arrived to help and subsequently joined them. Suddenly, Flash was captured by memories from the life that was stolen from him by the culprit of Flashpoint - Professor Zoom. Flash said that he didn't have much time left before his memories disappeared completely. Batman and the others led him to the children, who together, at the word “Shazam” (Shazam), turned into Captain Marvel (Captain Marvel). They helped Flash wake up. Then Barry heard on TV that Hal Jordan, a combat pilot, had died in a fight with invisible planes Amazons. This was the last straw. Then Barry decided to gather everyone he could to save the world and stop Zoom. However, Allen was reluctant to take the children with him, even though they were a formidable force. They were also joined by the Enchantress, who later during the battle inexplicably turned Captain Marvel back into children, allowing one of the Amazons to kill one of them, Billy Batson. Then Professor Zoom himself showed up to gloat. The outcome was close.

After Flashpoint

It is already known that Barry will return after Flashpoint in the series Flash, where new adventures and dangers await him.

A note about personality(author's thoughts)

Barry Allen is a classic superhero. He doesn’t have that “ dark side”, which is inherent in many popular heroes of our time. He is kind and selfless, conservative, with a strong sense of right and wrong and a strong belief in justice. There is also a strong sense of hope in Allen, as demonstrated by Blackest Night. He is a devoted friend and a faithful family man who is always ready to help not only family and friends, but also complete strangers. After returning, it is difficult for him to settle into the age of technology, but he tries and learns.

Powers and abilities

Powers

Speed ​​Force Channel: The Speed ​​Force is a poorly understood interdimensional energy from which most super-speed heroes draw their strength. The Speed ​​Force serves as the ultimate dimension of speed in the DC Universe. They are usually considered as barriers: sound barrier, light barrier, time barrier, space barrier, and Speed ​​Force Barrier. In Final Crisis, using the Speed ​​Force, Barry broke the Anti-Life Equation's control over Iris. Barry found himself not only connected to the Speed ​​Force, but its main source, creating it with every step he took. He also presumably possesses some, if not all, of the Speed ​​Force-related abilities that other runners have demonstrated (such as stealing and granting speed), although he has yet to demonstrate them.

  • Slow aging: Runners are able to give their loved ones eternal youth. Examples include Jay and his wife, and Barry and Iris.
  • Speed ​​Force Aura: Flash's body is surrounded by a so-called "speed force aura". The aura protects him and those running near him or whom he carries from the effects of using speed. The aura, for example, protects against friction and airborne particles. It can also protect him from injury. Flash has shown a level of superhuman resistance to injury, but this level is not much higher than that of a human.
  • Phasing: Flash has the ability to control his speed and angular momentum at the molecular level. Being in an almost intangible state, he is not susceptible to airborne viruses and can breathe regularly. It can oscillate so quickly that light does not reflect off it, making it invisible. Barry is unique among the Flash and most DC characters in general because he has complete control over every molecule of his body.
  • Vision of vibrations: Barry is able to see invisible objects that vibrate so quickly that they are invisible to the human eye, such as the barrier hiding Gorilla City.
  • Regeneration:Flash, using the Speed ​​Force, is able to accelerate his healing factor to heal from any injury.
  • Superhuman Stamina: Can run at enormous speeds for long periods of time without getting tired.
    The extent of his endurance is unknown, as he showed no signs of fatigue at all.
  • Superhuman Speed: It turned out that Barry Allen can run at almost any speed, even breaking the light barrier on his own. After returning to life, Barry admitted to Superman that the reason for the latter's victories in races with him was only for charity. Theoretically, speeds exceeding 3403 meters per second are dangerous for people and the environment. This speed is approximately two miles per second, allowing him to cross the United States in 23 minutes or circumnavigate the globe in three hours. The Flash rarely moves at this speed in populated areas. Its “walking” speed is subsonic (less than 1239, 2 kilometers per hour). It's fast enough to run in cities near people without causing damage. He can also run through water and up buildings. Nowadays, Barry is considered the fastest being in the universe and the fastest Flash due to his time spent in the Speed ​​Force and his status as its (Speed ​​Force) creator (although fans of Wally West still dispute his primacy - author's note).
  • Traveling in time and space: Barry can travel through time and space. Previously, he used the Cosmic Treadmill for this ( Cosmic Treadmill ), but recently proved that he can do it without her help.
  • Limited flight: Rotating like a helicopter propeller, it can perform limited flight. Since his power became a quantum/molecular phenomenon, it is possible that he can fly as easily as other superhumans (Fast Johnny could fly, by the way) because he can control all of his molecular energy as well as the direction and strength, and direct it all in the direction he needs.
  • Enhanced Perception: Flash has the ability to change his perception, so he can catch falling objects and put them back so quickly that an ordinary person will not even notice the fall. He can hit one opponent hundreds of times per second, or multiple opponents two or three times per second. He can disarm or prevent any number of opponents from being shot before they even notice his movement, and can also throw small objects at supersonic speeds.
  • Supercharged brain activity: Flash's psychological powers were also enhanced by speed, allowing him to perform simple calculations at lightning speed. His ability to perform ordinary actions at enormous speeds allows him to perform incredible actions. Barry can also read at super speed. He is able to avoid the effects of telepathy by accelerating his brain activity.
  • Creating vortexes: By running in circles at a certain speed, Barry is able to create vortices with a variety of effects. One effect is to remove air from the center of the vortex to suffocate the opponent. Another is to make what (or that) is in the center fly. Also, by running around someone or something, Barry is able to send the object to another dimension. Some other effects act as barriers or funnels for toxic gases. Allen can spin his arms rapidly, creating targeted vortices that can destroy barriers or reduce the speed of falling objects. Fighting with forest fire, Flash created a tornado while running around the perimeter. Rising air currents lowered the temperature inside the crater and knocked the fire off the ground.

A couple of other interesting abilities granted by the Speed ​​Force that Barry has not yet demonstrated:

  • Infinite Mass Impact: This ability was demonstrated by Wally West. Moving almost at the speed of light, he achieved the transfer of the mass acquired at this speed into an impact that carries the energy of a “white dwarf star”. This move was used on a White Martian (similar to a normal Martian, such as D‘zhonnu D’ zhonzzu - approx. author), knocking him out and sending him from Mount Rushmore to, if I remember correctly, the African continent.
  • Borrowing/Stealing Speed: Since the Speed ​​Force regulates movement, the Flash can strip objects of their kinetic energy, movement or momentum (stopping bullets in mid-flight or turning living beings into statues) and use this energy to accelerate yourself. Likewise, he can lend speed to living beings or inanimate objects, allowing them to move as fast as himself for a period of time. This ability was demonstrated by future Wally West and Bart Allen.

Capabilities

Detective Master: Barry is an experienced forensic specialist.

Chemist:Allen, as a forensic scientist, is an expert in the field of chemistry.

Criminal psychologist: As a police officer, Barry is an expert in criminal psychology and often discusses such topics with Batman.

Hope:Barry has the ability to instill hope in the hearts of others, which is why he was chosen by the Blue Ring.

Power level

Barry has shown the ability to carry multiple people while rescuing them from danger zone. It is unknown whether he did this while the adrenaline was flowing. Allen has the strength level of someone his age (although he is younger than most people think), height and weight who trains intensely. He can at least raise his own weight. However, his speed abilities allow him to strike with superhuman strength.

Weaknesses

Although Barry (like many other runners) is able to travel through time, he cannot change the past at will, unlike Reverse Flash, who takes advantage of this and ruins Barry's life.

Adaptations

Equipment

Ring with suit

Police scanner: built into the mask.

Moving

Space treadmill

Weapon

Blue Ring of Power (previously)

Notes:

After Flashpoint, Allen's physical attributes will apparently change to the following values:

Height: 185 cm (6 feet and one inch)

Weight: 75 kg (165 lb)

Barry Allen has driver license, but no means of transportation.

Batman regards Barry Allen as one of the smartest men.

First appearance

Who is faster: Quicksilver or Flash? There are superheroes in both the Marvel universe and DC comics who can move at incredible speeds and have extraordinary abilities. Theoretically, they should not meet in films (unless both film companies end up in the hands of one person), but the question “Who is faster: Quicksilver or the Flash?” has been worrying fans for decades. Let's try to figure it out. So Flash vs Quicksilver: who will win?

Mercury (Quicksilver)

Pietro Maximoff (this is the real name of the superhero) first appeared in the Silver Age of comics. His body is adapted to move at high speeds, food gives Quicksilver more energy than an ordinary person, and his chemical processes are improved so much that the body does not produce "fatigue poisons" - toxic alkaloids.

Adapted physiology allows Pietro to move at great speed without harm to his health, for example, he can run across Atlantic Ocean in less than an hour or climb Everest in a fraction of seconds. Since childhood, mercury has been able to move faster than the speed of sound (1235 km/h), but this is far from the limit. It is mentioned that Pietro is capable of exceeding the speed of sound 8200 times, i.e. his speed will be more than 10 million km/h. At the same time, the limits of the superhero's capabilities have not yet been revealed.

Quicksilver also heals wounds quickly, has superhuman strength, is many times more durable than other people, is not affected by telepathy, can destabilize the molecular system of objects, and has some ability to control magnetism.

Science says that running at the highest possible speed is theoretically possible only at open space, otherwise you need to have a super reaction to obstacles at the same time as super speed. In addition, approaching the speed of light is associated with enormous temperatures, so Mercury, if you follow scientific arguments, should also be invulnerable to fire.

Flash Abilities

Several fictional characters in the DC Universe bear the name Flash. This superhero can think, react and move through space at superhuman speeds. The Flash's speed exceeds Superman's. The character is more resilient ordinary person, he practically does not need food, but he often eats sweets to make up for the lack of glucose. Flash is not affected alcoholic drinks and drugs, since his body eliminates these toxins instantly. There is no exact data on the Flash's speed, but fans cite a reference to it being 13 times the speed of light. The speed of light is 1.078e+9 km/h, while the Flash's speed is 1.4027e+13 km/h.

Modern science claims that the speed of light is unattainable. An ordinary person without radiation protection will die from radiation long before approaching the speed of light. Flash, on the other hand, has superpowers, so these human problems are unknown to him. Scientists have suggested that when the speed of light reaches 99.99%, the superhero will observe the entire world in X-rays.

Who is faster: Quicksilver or Flash?

So who is faster? The speed of Flash and Quicksilver in comparison: 1.4027e+13 km/h and more than 10 million km/h, respectively. Based on this indicator alone, it turns out that Flash is much faster than Quicksilver. True, the answer to the question “Who is faster: Quicksilver or Flash?” is not as clear-cut as it might seem. If superheroes clash, the one who pleases the audience will win. In addition, the authors can provide both Quicksilver and Flash with additional gadgets that will radically change the balance of power.

Captain Boomerang, Professor Zoom, Mirror Master

Special powers
  • Ability to move at extreme speeds
  • The ability to travel through time and parallel worlds
Equipment
  • A special suit that can withstand high speeds
Flash

Issue cover The Flash vol. 1#105 (February-March 1959).
Story
Publisher
Format

Permanent series

Periodicity

(volume 1)
twice a month (105 -113, 217-232)
8 times a year (114-157, 233-246)
9 times a year (158-216)
monthly (247-350) (volume 2)
monthly
The Fastest Man Alive
monthly

Publication dates

(volume 1)
February-March 1959 - October 1985
(volume 2)
June 1987 - May 2006; October 2007 - February 2009
The Fastest Man Alive
August 2006 - August 2007

Number of issues

(volume 1)
246 + 1 yearbook
(volume 2)
249 + 13 yearbooks
The Fastest Man Alive
13

Characters

(volume 1)
Barry Allen
(volume 2)
Wally West
The Fastest Man Alive
Bart Allen

Creators

Flash has the ability to reach supersonic speeds and use superhuman reflexes, which violates some laws of physics. There are still four characters who have the ability of super speed and acted under the Flash alias: Jay Garrick (1940-present), Barry Allen (1956-1985, 2006-present), Wally West (1986-2006, 2007-present). time) and Bart Allen (2006-2007, 2009-present). Before donning the Flash costume, Bart Allen and Wally West were protégés of the then-current Flash and went by the alias Kid Flash.

The second incarnation of the Flash, Barry Allen, is considered the first hero of the Silver Age of Comics, and he remains one of DC Comics' most popular heroes. Each version of the Flash has been a key member of at least one of DC's three main teams: the Justice Society of America, the Justice League, or the Teen Titans. Wally West recently reunited with the Justice League, and Barry Allen returned to life in the pages of a crossover series Final Crisis.

A version of Barry Allen (with elements of Wally West) was featured in the 1990 television series, where he was portrayed by actor John Wesley Shipp. Wally West (with many Barry Allen traits) appeared in the Justice League animated series.

Flash is a close friend of several superheroes who go by the alias Green Lantern. The most notable friendships are between Jay Garrick and Alan Scott (Golden Age Green Lantern), Barry Allen and Hal Jordan (Silver Age Green Lantern), Wally West and Kyle Rayner (Modern Green Lantern), and between Jordan and West.

Publication history

Golden age

Jay Garrick was a popular character in the 1940s; appeared in all issues Flash Comics and in quarterly issues All-Flash Quarterly(which later became published twice a month under the title All-Flash); appeared as a supporting character in the comic series Comic Cavalcade; was one of the members of the Justice Society of America - the first team of superheroes whose adventures began to be published in All Star Comics. After the war, the popularity of superheroes began to decline and Flash Comics was canceled after issue #104 in 1949. The final ending of the Justice Society of the Golden Age of Comics came in All Star Comics#57 in 1951 (and the series itself continued to be published under the name All Star Western).

Silver Age

In 2009, Bart Allen returned as Flash in the series The Flash: Rebirth, written by Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver.

Character biography

Although the Flash alias was used by many characters, they either existed in parallel worlds or in the future. Most famous characters Under the name Flash are Garrick, Allen and West.

Jay Garrick

Jason Peter "Jay" Garrick was a college student in January 1940 who accidentally inhaled heavy water vapor (water in which the light isotopes of hydrogen have been replaced by deuterium) after falling asleep in a laboratory where he was smoking. He then discovered that he could develop super speed and similarly enhance his reflexes. After a short career as an American football star, he donned a red shirt with a zipper and a stylized metal helmet with wings on the sides, based on the image greek god Hermes. Garrick took the alias Flash and became a crime fighter. For a long time Jay has managed to keep his identity a secret without wearing a mask, as his rapid movement makes it impossible to see or photograph his face. Originally from the Earth-2 universe, it was later included in the history of New Earth after the events of Crisis on Infinite Earths. Garrick still operates under the alias Flash, resides in Keystone City, and is a member of the Justice Society of America.

Barry Allen

Main article: Barry Allen

Bartholomew Henry "Barry" Allen was a scientist working for the police and had a reputation for being slow and often late, disappointing his fiancée, Iris West. One night, before he left work, lightning struck a set of chemicals and landed on Allen. He soon discovered that he was able to develop supersonic speed and his reflexes. He donned a red tight suit with tights and named himself Flash - after his childhood hero Jay Garrick. Allen became an active crime fighter in his city.

In 1985, Allen sacrificed his life in the episode Crisis on Infinite Earths and has been dead for twenty years since the story's publication. In 2008, in storyline Final Crisis, Allen was revived and returned as the main Flash in the 2009 series The Flash: Rebirth, followed by new volume series The Flash, which publishes Allen's adventures to this day.

Wally West

Wally Rudolph West married nephew of Iris West and Barry Allen, appeared in The Flash (vol. 1)#110 in 1959. When he was about ten years old, he visited his uncle's police laboratory, and the accident that previously gave Allen his powers happened again: West was hit by charged chemical substances. Having the same powers as his uncle, West donned a copy of his uncle's costume and became a young crime fighter under the alias Kid Flash. Following the events of Crisis on Infinite Earths, when Barry Allen was killed, Wally West took over the role of the main Flash. Following the events of Infinite Crisis, Wally, his wife Linda, and their two children withdrew from the Legion of Super-Heroes and left Earth for an unknown dimension.

Wally's return happened after the release of the last issue The Flash: Fastest Man Alive#13 and subsequent ones All Flash#1 and series The Flash (vol. 2), which resumed with #231 from August 2007, where he already served as Bart Allen's replacement. The series subsequently ended with issue #247, and West, along with all the other heroes who bore the pseudonym, appeared and played an important role in The Flash: Rebirth.

Bart Allen

Main article: Bart Allen

Bartholomew Henry "Bart" Allen II is the grandson of Barry Allen and his wife Iris West. Bart suffered accelerated aging, and West was forced to help him travel back in time to the Flash of that time, Wally West. Wally helped Bart and he took an alias Pulse. After being shot in the kneecap by Deathstroke, Allen changed his costume and became Kid Flash. After the Crisis on Infinite Earths, the Speed ​​Force organization Speed ​​Force- The Speed ​​Force) disappeared, taking with it all the owners of super speed, except Jay Garrick. Bart Allen returned 4 years later, claiming that he had been depowered. It turned out that the Speed ​​Force did not disappear, but was absorbed into Bart Allen's body and he contains all the speed of the group.

Bart's Flash costume was a clone of his grandfather's costume, and slightly stylized after Wally West. Shortly after accepting the role of Flash, Bart was killed by the Rogues in the final, 13th issue. The Flash: The Fastest Man Alive. However, it was later revived in Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds#3, in the 31st century by Brainiac 5 to fight Superboy Prime and the Legion of Super-Villains. After Bart Allen returned to the past and played an important role in The Flash: Rebirth.

Other characters who have worn the Flash costume

Jesse Chambers

Jesse Chambers

Johnny Quick's daughter, Jessie Chambers, received super speed from her father and became a superheroine. Later, she meets Wally West, who asks her to be his replacement in case something happens to him. She briefly wore the Flash costume and was a member of the Speed ​​Force.

Selah Allen's father in the 23rd century

Selah Allen's father, his wife and daughter were captured by Cobalt Blue. Sela's father was forced to watch his wife die and his daughter become crippled. He and Max Mercury kill Cobalt Blue, and the child takes the stone and kills Allen. This Flash was one of two Flashes targeted to kill Cobalt Blue.

Selah Allen

Sela Allen was an ordinary girl in the 23rd century before Cobalt Blue took away her electrical impulses. Hoping to restore his daughter, her father takes her to the Speed ​​Force. When her father is killed, she becomes the embodiment of the Speed ​​Force, capable of giving super speed to others, but unable to contact the outside world.

John Fox

When Manfred Moth is discovered in the 27th century, John Fox, a tachyon scientist, travels back in time to get the help of three other Flashes who have encountered Manfred Moth before. He fails to find them, but time travel gives him super speed. He uses a combination of various costumes from past Flashes and creates his own costume.

Blaine Allen and Jace Allen

Blade Allen and his son lived in the Petus Colony in the 28th century when Cobalt Blue introduced a virus into Blade's son Jace. Lacking superspeed, Jace was unable to cope with the virus and, in desperation, his father accepted him into the Speed ​​Force in the hope that he would gain power. Jace gains super speed and is freed from his illness. In memory of his father, Jace dons the Flash costume and confronts Cobalt Blue.

Criad

After Earth is invaded by an alien creature, a historian named Criad travels to the 98th century to obtain a Green Lantern's power ring. After he fails, he tries to gain Flash's speed. After beating Barry Allen, he travels back in time and uses chemical composition Allen's suit and the substance on it, and gains super speed. He later sacrifices his life to defeat the alien creature.

Bizarro Flash

Bizarro Flash was created when Bizarro cloned Flash. His costume color was the opposite of Flash's (red instead of yellow, yellow instead of red). The modern version of the Bizzaro Flash features a lightning bolt logo on the chest, stylized as a mustard stain.

Powers and abilities

All incarnations of The Flash are capable of moving, thinking and reacting at superhuman speeds. Some, specifically later versions, are capable of oscillating so quickly that this gives them the ability to pass through solid objects, travel through time, and also lend their speed to or take someone else with them. In addition, they are all surrounded by an invisible field around their bodies, which allows them to avoid friction with the air when moving at high speeds.

Flash's speed exceeds even that of Superman - they competed in this several times, and after the Crisis on Infinite Earths, Flash managed to successfully defeat Superman during another race in Adventures of Superman#463, explaining that Superman is not used to constantly working at high speed, but most often flies, which requires less stress. After the Final Crisis, in Flash: Rebirth#3 shows Flash easily outpacing Superman.

The Flash is able to read and perceive information at super speed, as well as speak super fast to other Flash, giving them some sort of immunity to telepathy. Martian Manhunter was unable to expose Flash to his telepathic abilities, saying that their thoughts were too fast. By placing his hands on a building and starting to vibrate, Flash is able to destroy the building to the ground in a matter of seconds. Placing your hands on the ground or vibrating your feet causes a small earthquake. Also, capable of making huge jumps after strong acceleration.

Flash is significantly more durable than a normal human, as his muscle and bone structure is designed to withstand the enormous stress caused by his speed. Also, it has a significantly accelerated metabolism. Flash also recovers very quickly from injuries, but this cannot be called “regeneration” in the sense in which it is usually used in science fiction - the process of healing wounds for Flash is the same as for all people, it just happens much faster, due to that he is able to accelerate his molecules. Because of this, he is forced to consume huge amounts of food; he especially often consumes sweets, as he uses a lot of glucose. Flash is not affected by alcohol and narcotic substances, due to his accelerated metabolism - his liver burns them out instantly. Despite all this, Flash is not subject to premature aging and wear and tear of the body (although Barry Allen feared this when he first received his abilities) - his cells have fully adapted to the changes.

Other versions

In the last issue of the series "52", a new Multiverse appears, initially consisting of 52 identical parallel realities. One of these realities is called “Earth-2”. As a result of Mister Mind having absorbed much of this reality, he takes on some visual aspects of pre-Crisis Earth-2, including the Flash among other members of the Justice Society of America. The characters' names and the name of the group they are in are not mentioned, but Flash is similar in appearance to Jay Garrick. The emergence of the Multiverse explains the fact that in the world of Barry Allen, comics were published about Jay Garrick, who was considered a fictional character.

One variant of the Flash - a super-fast college student named Mary Maxwell - was seen in the book "Just Imagine Stan Lee Creating The Flash".

Tanaka Rei

Tanaka Rei, Flash of Earth-D

Flash in Universe Earth-D There was a Japanese man, Tanaka Rei, who idolized Barry Allen, whose stories were published in his universe in the form of comics. Rey and Allen met during the Crisis on Infinite Earths, when Barry, returning from the 30th century, arrived in the wrong universe. On Earth-D, he was attacked by demons of darkness and called for help from the Justice League, which included Tanaka. They were able to evacuate a large part of Earth-D, and the planet died in 39 seconds.

Rey appeared in Legends of the DC Universe: Crisis on Infinite Earths in February 1999. The story was written by Marv Fulfman and illustrated by Paul Ryan and Bob McLeod.

Leah Nelson

Girl, a female version of the Flash hailing from the Tangent Universe, does not possess super speed, but can control light, giving her the ability to move at the speed of light, effectively making her faster than pre-Crisis versions of the Flash. Appeared in Justice League of America#16, and also in Countdown:Arena, where she confronted the Flash of two Earths in the Multiverse. In the Multiverse, the Tangent Universe is designated Earth-9.

IN Superman & Batman: Generations 2 three Flashes appear at once: Wally West as Kid Flash in 1964, his cousin Carrie as Kid Flash in 1986, and Jay West, the son of Wally West and his wife Magda, in 2008. In 1964, Barry Allen makes a cameo appearance.

Green Lightning

Ali Rayner-West, Green Lightning, is the descendant of both Wally West and Green Lantern Kyle Rayner, and possesses a power ring and super speed, as shown in .

Outside of comics

Animation

  • In the animated series The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure Barry Allen appeared as the Flash, as did Wally West as Kid Flash. They were voiced by Cliff Owens and Tommy Cook, respectively.
  • IN Super Friends(1973-1985) Barry Allen would be one of the main characters.
  • In the animated series Superman: The Animated Series Flash appeared in one episode and was voiced by Charlie Slatter.
  • In the Justice League series, Wally West is voiced by actor Michael Rosenbaum.
  • Appeared in the animated series Justice League Unlimited.
  • Barry Allen appeared in several episodes of the animated series The Batman as one of the members of the Justice League.
  • In the animated series Teen Titans was featured by Kid Flash and voiced by Michael Rosenbaum.
  • Jay Garrick, Barry Allen and Wally West appeared in Batman: The Brave and the Bold.
  • In the animated series Young Justice Wally West appears as Kid Flash and Barry Allen appears as the Flash, Jay Garrick appears briefly.
  • In the animated films Justice League: The New Frontier and Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths, Flash was one of the main characters.

A television

  • In the 1979 TV series Legends of the Superheroes The role of Flash was played by actor Rod Haas.
  • The 1990-1991 television series The Flash (TV series) follows Barry Allen as the Flash.
  • In the 1997 CBS TV movie Justice League of America, Barry Allen was played by actor Kenny Johnston.
  • Young Bart Allen appeared in the television series Smallville and was played by actor Kyle Gallner.

Mentions in pop culture

Awards

In addition, the character was repeatedly included in various ratings of comic book characters and was repeatedly nominated for various awards in the field of comic book publications.

Notes

  1. Numbering continued from the series Flash Comics, which ceased publication in 1949
  2. Toi was canceled in 2006 and replaced by a third volume entitled The Fastest Man Alive, but it was canceled after issue 13. Then the second volume was returned with the same numbering.
  3. Jimenez Phil The DC Comics Encyclopedia. - Dorling Kindersley, 2008. - P. 124–127. - ISBN 0-7566-4119-5
  4. DC Universe Zero, Final Crisis #01-07, Flash: Rebirth #01-06
  5. Rogers, Vaneta Mark Waid Returns to The Flash. Newsarama (July 15, 2007). Archived from the original on July 2, 2007. Retrieved July 15, 2007.
  6. (May 2007) DC Universe. Previews 17 (5).
  7. (June 2007) DC Universe. Previews 17 (6).
  8. SDCC News: Johns and Van Sciver Announce Flash Rebirth: News Bulletins. Comics Bulletin (July 24, 2008). (inaccessible link - story)
  9. SDCC "08 - Johns & Van Sciver Talk Flash: Rebirth. Newsarama.com. Archived
  10. The Flash Vol. 3#1 (April, 2010)
  11. Justice League of America(vol. 2) #10
  12. . Comicbookresources.com. Archived from the original on April 3, 2012.
  13. Flash(vol. 2) #97-99.
  14. Speed ​​Force#1 (November 1997)
  15. Flash v2#145 (February 1999)
  16. The Flash (vol. 1)#309 (May 1982)
  17. Green Lantern: Circle of Fire#1 (October, 2000)
  18. Edgar Church/Mile High Flash Comics #1 Sells for $450,000. Itsalljustcomics.com (March 16, 2010). Archived from the original on April 3, 2012.
  19. "The Alley Awards for 1961: A Report from Roy Thomas, Secretary of the Academy of Comic Book Arts and Sciences", Alter Ego#4 (October 1962), reprinted in Thomas, Roy, and Bill Schelly, editors, Alter Ego: The Best of the Legendary Comics Fanzine(TwoMorrows Publishing: Raleigh, North Carolina, 2008), pp. 48-49. ISBN 1-893905-88-8, ISBN 978-1-893905-88-7

Links

  • Official page on the DC Comics website (English)
  • Flash's profile on IMDb
  • More information on the DC Comics Database website
  • List of Flash episode numbers
  • Analysis of Flash Comics by Alan Kistler
  • Catalog of releases featuring Barry Allen in the Earth-1 universe (English)
  • (English)

Today we will tell you who Flash is. A list of characters who bore this name will be given in our article. In addition, we will discuss his various incarnations on screen and in comics.

From English flash is translated as “lightning” or “flash”. Why was the mentioned hero called that way?

general characteristics

The character Flash first appeared on the pages of comic books published by DC Comics. Its creators are considered to be the author Gardner Fox and Harry Lampert. They gave their superhero the opportunity to develop colossal speed, as well as use superhuman reflexes and violate certain laws of physics.

The character Flash first appeared in a comic book issue in January 1940 and was immediately loved by readers.

Publication history

So far it has been represented by four heroes. The first one is a college student. He gained super speed after inhaling vapor from heavy water. This character from the Golden Age of Comics was part of the Justice Society of America, the first superhero team.

It's about about a scientist who worked in the police. He gained super strength from being exposed to special chemicals when struck by lightning, and took on the alias Flash after reading Golden Age comics.

Joined a new team of superheroes - the Justice League. By the way, the plot of Flash of Two Worlds deserves special attention. It follows that Barry Allen and Jay Garrick lived in parallel universes. Using their abilities, they managed to overcome a special space-time barrier, and after meeting they became friends.

Wally West became the third Flash. We are talking about Allen's nephew.

The Flash Season 3: New Characters

The character we are interested in appeared not only in comics, but also on television. They started with “The Flash” - a series that was first published in 1979. The named hero was played by Rod Haas. In 1990-1991 There was a film coming out dedicated to Barry Allen.

A project called Flash III, created in 1992, deserves special mention. In the final part of the trilogy, our character is opposed by the villain Phantom, and the hero of retirement age, Nightshade, helps.

After many years, The Flash returned to television screens. A series dedicated to this character was launched in 2014. In this film adaptation, he was played by Grant Gustin. According to the plot, Flash first appears as a simple forensic expert and an ordinary person.

In addition to the classic representatives who received the same name, there are a number of new characters who called themselves the same. Plus they wore a Flash costume:

  1. First in this series is Jessie Chambers. We are talking about Johnny Quick's daughter. She received super speed from her father, thereby becoming a superheroine. For some time she was the owner of the Flash costume. Sela's father was also awarded this title.
  2. Next on the list of new characters is John Fox. We are talking about a scientist who studies tachyons and travels through time. As a result, he gains super speed and creates his own Flash costume using a combination of elements worn by previous heroes.
  3. Next we should discuss a heroine named Sela Allen. She was an ordinary girl from the 23rd century. However, Cobalt Blue took away her electrical impulses. As a result, she became the embodiment of Speed ​​Force, gained the ability to give super speed to others, but lost contact with the outside world.
  4. Also among the new characters are Blaine Allen and Jace, his son. They are residents of the 28th century Petus Colony. Jace was accepted into the Speed ​​Force thanks to his father. As a result, he gained super speed. He wore the Flash costume and faced off against Cobalt Blue.
  5. The next character is Criad. We are talking about a historian. He goes to the 98th century. His goal is the Green Lantern's power ring. He is trying to gain the Flash's speed and uses chemicals and substances on Barry Allen's suit to achieve this.
  6. The next hero is Bizarro Flash. The modern version of this character has a lightning bolt logo on his chest.

Animation

Animated versions of the adventures of the superhero we are interested in are also very common. In the 1996 Superman cartoon, Flash appears in one of the episodes. He was voiced by Charlie Schlatter. Batman: The Brave and the Bold featured Wally West, Barry Allen and Jay Garrick. The Flash also appears in the Superman/Aquaman: Adventure Hour project. And in the animated series called Young Justice, Wally West, Jay Garrick and Barry Allen appear.

Flash is also represented in the Teen Titans project. Barry Allen appears as one of the main characters in the Super Friends series. He also appears in a number of episodes of the cartoon "Batman", which was created from 2004 to 2008. Flash is also in the Justice League: The New Frontier project. In addition, Barry Allen is a character in the cartoon “LEGO. Batman: DC Super Heroes Unite."

Capabilities

The Flash character can react, think and move at superhuman speeds. Later he learned to pass through solid objects. Flash is able to perceive information and read at super speed. It is incredibly hardy and does not need large quantities food, although he loves sweets very much.

Flash is able to slow down his own aging, and it seems that this has become true, since the named comic book hero is not subject to time.

(2006-2007, 2009 - present)
Jacob Rhode (2016 - present)

Nicknames Fastest man on Earth
Scarlet Runner
Flash
Impulse (Bart Allen)
X-Flash
FTL Speedster (Jacob Rhode) View Human Height Jay Garrick - 180 cm
Wally West - 183 cm
Barry Allen - 180 cm Weight Jay Garrick - 81 kg
Wally West - 79 kg
Barry Allen - 81 kg Family status married (Barry Allen, Wally West, Jay Garrick) Occupation student (Jay Garrick), forensic scientist (Barry Allen) Teams and organizations Speed ​​Force, Justice Society of America, Justice League, Teen Titans Allies Kid Flash, Vibe, Supergirl, Green Arrow, Green Lantern, Superman, Batman, Green Arrow, Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter, Aquaman. Enemies Professor Zoom, Zoom, Captain Cold, Captain Boomerang, Gorilla Grodd, Reverse Flash, Savitar, Weather Wizard, Mirror Master, Trickster, Godspeed. Special powers
  • Ability to move at superluminal speeds
  • Superhuman strength, speed, durability, endurance
  • Ability to travel in time and parallel worlds
  • Control your body at the molecular level
  • The ability to pass through objects and transfer this ability to objects and people
  • Speed ​​Force Field
  • Accelerated thinking
  • Superhuman reflexes
  • Accelerated regeneration
  • The ability to use ultra-fast vibrations to kill with one blow
  • Ability to steal the speed of other speedsters
  • Ability to throw lightning
Equipment
    • A special suit that can withstand high speeds
    • Ring of Power
    • Cosmic treadmill
Images on Wikimedia Commons

Flash has the ability to travel faster than the speed of light and use superhuman reflexes, which violates several laws of physics. Until now, there have been four characters who have had the ability to develop super speed and acted under the Flash alias: Jay Garrick (1940), Barry Allen (1956-1985, 2017 present), Wally West (1986), Bart Allen (2006). Before donning the suit and taking the name The Flash, Wally West was Barry Allen's protégé and went by the name « Kid Flash » (serial and cartoon version).

The second incarnation of the Flash, Barry Allen, is considered the first hero of the Silver Age of Comics, and he remains one of DC Comics' most popular heroes. Each version of the Flash has been a key member of at least one of three main DC teams: Justice Society of America, Justice League or Teen Titans. Wally West recently reunited with the Justice League, and Barry Allen returned to life in the pages of a crossover series Final Crisis .

A version of Barry Allen (with elements of Wally West) was featured in the 1990 television series, where he was portrayed by actor John Wesley Shipp. Wally West (with many of Barry Allen's traits) appeared in the Justice League animated series.

Publication history

Golden age

Jay Garrick was a popular character in the 1940s; appeared in all issues Flash Comics and in quarterly issues All-Flash Quarterly(which later became published twice a month under the title All-Flash); appeared as a supporting character in the comic series Comic Cavalcade; was one of the members of the Justice Society of America - the first team of superheroes whose adventures began to be published in All Star Comics. After the war, the popularity of superheroes began to decline and Flash Comics was canceled after issue #104 in 1949. The final ending of the Justice Society of the Golden Age of Comics came in All Star Comics No. 57 in 1951 (and the series itself continued to be published under the name All Star Western).

Silver Age

In 2009, Barry Allen returned as the Flash in the series The Flash: Rebirth, written by Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver.

Fictional biographies

Although the Flash alias was used by many characters, they either existed in parallel worlds or in the future. The most famous characters under the name Flash are Garrick, Allen and West.

Jay Garrick

Jason Peter "Jay" Garrick was a college student in January 1940 who accidentally inhaled heavy water vapor (water in which the isotopes of light hydrogen, protium, have been replaced by deuterium) after falling asleep in a laboratory where he was smoking. He then discovered that he could develop super speed and similarly enhance his reflexes. After a brief career as an American football star, he donned a red shirt with a zipper and a stylized metal helmet with wings on the sides, based on the Greek god Hermes. Garrick took the alias Flash and became a crime fighter. For a long time, Jay managed to keep his identity secret without wearing a mask, since his rapid movement makes it impossible to see or photograph his face. Originally from the Earth-2 universe, it was later included in the history of New Earth after the events of Crisis on Infinite Earths. Garrick still operates under the alias Flash, resides in Keystone City, and is a member of the Justice Society of America.

Barry Allen

Bartholomew Henry "Barry" Allen was a scientist working for the police and had a reputation for being slow and often late, disappointing his fiancée, Iris West. One night, before he left work, lightning struck a set of chemicals and landed on Allen. He soon discovered that he was able to develop supersonic speed and his reflexes. He donned a red tight suit and tights and named himself Flash - after his childhood hero Jay Garrick. Allen became an active crime fighter in his city.

In 1985, Allen sacrificed his life in the episode Crisis on Infinite Earths and has been dead for twenty years since the story's publication. In 2008, in the Final Crisis storyline, Allen was revived and returned as the main Flash in the 2009 series The Flash: Rebirth, followed by a new volume in the series The Flash, which publishes Allen's adventures to this day.

Wally West

Wally Rudolph West, married nephew of Iris West and Barry Allen, appeared in The Flash (vol. 1)#110 in 1959. When he was about ten years old, he visited his uncle's police laboratory, and the accident that previously gave Allen his powers happened again: West was exposed to charged chemicals. Having the same powers as his uncle, West donned a copy of his uncle's costume and became a young crime fighter under the alias Kid Flash. Following the events of Crisis on Infinite Earths, when Barry Allen was killed, Wally West took over the role of the main Flash. Following the events of Infinite Crisis, Wally, his wife Linda, and their two children withdrew from the Legion of Super-Heroes and left Earth for an unknown dimension.

Wally's return happened after the release of the last issue The Flash: Fastest Man Alive#13 and subsequent All Flash#1 and series The Flash (vol. 2), which resumed with #231 from August 2007, where he already served as Bart Allen's replacement. The series subsequently ended with issue #247, and West, along with all the other heroes who bore the pseudonym, appeared and played an important role in The Flash: Rebirth .

Bart Allen

Bartholomew Henry "Bart" Allen II is the grandson of Barry Allen and his wife Iris West. Bart suffered accelerated aging, and West was forced to help him travel back in time to the Flash of that time, Wally West. Wally helped Bart, and he took an alias Pulse. After being shot in the kneecap by Deathstroke, Allen changed his costume and became Kid Flash. After the Crisis on Infinite Earths, the Speed ​​Force organization disappeared, taking with it all the owners of super speed, except Jay Garrick. Bart Allen returned 4 years later, claiming that he had been depowered. It turned out that the Speed ​​Force did not disappear, but was absorbed into Bart Allen's body and he contains all the speed of the group.

Bart's Flash costume was a clone of his grandfather's costume and slightly stylized after Wally West. Shortly after accepting the role of Flash, Bart was killed by the Rogues in the final issue, issue 13. The Flash: The Fastest Man Alive. However, it was later revived in Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds#3, in the 31st century by Brainiac 5 to fight Superboy-Prime and the Legion of Super-Villains. After Bart Allen returned to the past and played an important role in The Flash: Rebirth .

Other characters who have worn the Flash costume

Jesse Chambers

Johnny Quick's daughter, Jessie Chambers, received super speed from her father and became a superheroine. She later meets Wally West, who asks her to be his replacement in case something happens to him. She briefly wore the Flash costume and was a member of the Speed ​​Force.

Sela Allen's father in the 23rd century

Selah Allen's father, his wife and daughter were captured by Cobalt Blue. Sela's father was forced to watch his wife die and then his daughter become crippled. He and Max Mercury kill Cobalt Blue, and the child takes the stone and kills Allen. This Flash was one of two Flashes targeted to kill Cobalt Blue.

Selah Allen

Sela Allen was an ordinary girl in the 23rd century before Cobalt Blue took away her electrical impulses. Hoping to restore his daughter, her father takes her to the Speed ​​Force. When her father is killed, she becomes the embodiment of the Speed ​​Force, capable of giving super speed to others, but unable to contact the outside world.

John Fox

When Manfred Moth is discovered in the 27th century, John Fox, a tachyon scientist, travels back in time to get the help of three other Flashes who have encountered Manfred Moth before. He fails to find them, but time travel gives him super speed. He uses a combination of various costumes from past Flashes and creates his own costume.

Blaine Allen and Jace Allen

Blaine Allen and his son lived in the Petus Colony in the 28th century when Cobalt Blue introduced a virus into Blaine's son Jace. Lacking super speed, Jace was unable to cope with the virus, and in desperation his father takes him into the Speed ​​Force in hopes that he will gain the power. Jace gains super speed and gets rid of his disease. In memory of his father, Jace dons the Flash suit and confronts Cobalt Blue.

Criad

After Earth is invaded by an alien creature, a historian named Criad travels to the 98th century to obtain a Green Lantern's power ring. After he fails, he tries to gain Flash's speed. After beating Barry Allen, he travels back in time and uses the chemical composition of Allen's suit and the substances on it and gains super speed. He later sacrifices his life to defeat the alien creature.

Bizarro Flash

Bizarro Flash was created when Bizarro cloned Flash. His costume color was the opposite of Flash's (red instead of yellow, yellow instead of red). The modern version of the Bizzaro Flash features a lightning bolt logo on the chest, stylized as a mustard stain.

Powers and abilities

Flash is capable of moving, thinking and reacting at superhuman speeds. Some, particularly later versions, are capable of oscillating so quickly that this gives them the ability to pass through solid objects. In addition, all Flashes (their molecules and atoms) are protected from air friction due to their superpowers (characterized by Speed ​​Force).

Flash's speed exceeds even that of Superman - they competed in this several times, and after the Crisis on Infinite Earths, Flash managed to successfully defeat Superman during another race in Adventures of Superman#463, explaining that Superman is not used to constantly working at high speed, but most often flies, which requires less stress. After the Final Crisis in Flash: Rebirth#3 shows Flash easily outpacing Superman.

The Flash is able to read and perceive information at super speed, as well as speak super fast with other Flash. Martian Manhunter was unable to expose Flash to his telepathic abilities, saying his thoughts were too fast. By placing his hands on a building and starting to vibrate, Flash is able to destroy the building to the ground in a matter of seconds. By placing your hands on the ground (or vibrating your feet), it causes a small earthquake. Also capable of making huge jumps after strong acceleration.

Flash is significantly more durable than a normal human, as his muscle and bone structure is designed to withstand the enormous stress caused by his speed. It also has a significantly accelerated metabolism. Has fast regeneration. However, a strong connection with the Speed ​​Force eliminates the need for large amounts of food, since the Speed ​​Force's aura absorbs energy from the Flash's friction and collision with everything he encounters on his way and transfers this energy to the Flash. However, Flashes love food, especially often consuming sweets, as they consume a lot of glucose. Flash is unaffected by alcohol and drugs due to his accelerated metabolism - his liver burns them instantly. Despite all this, Flash is not subject to premature aging and wear and tear of the body (although Barry Allen feared this when he first received his abilities) - his cells have adapted to the changes. Moreover, his connection to the Speed ​​Force allows him to control his age and significantly slow down the aging of his loved ones.

Other versions

In the last issue of the series "52" a new Multiverse appears, initially consisting of 52 identical parallel realities. One of these realities is called “Earth-2”. As a result of Mister Mind absorbing much of this reality, he takes on some visual aspects of pre-Crisis Earth-2, including the Flash among other members of the Justice Society of America. The characters' names and the name of the group they are in are not mentioned, but Flash is similar in appearance to Jay Garrick. The emergence of the Multiverse explains the fact that in the world of Barry Allen, comics were published about Jay Garrick, who was considered a fictional character.

One variant of the Flash - a super-fast college student named Mary Maxwell - was seen in the book "Just Imagine Stan Lee Creating The Flash".

Tanaka Rei

The Flash in the Earth-D universe was the Japanese Tanaka Rei, who idolized Barry Allen, whose stories were published in his universe in the form of comics. Rey and Allen met during the Crisis on Infinite Earths, when Barry, returning from the 30th century, arrived in the wrong universe. On Earth-D, he was attacked by demons of darkness and called for help from the Justice League, which included Tanaka. They were able to evacuate most of Earth-D, and the planet died within 39 seconds.

Rey appeared in Legends of the DC Universe: Crisis on Infinite Earths in February 1999. The story was written by Marv Fulfman and illustrated by Paul Ryan and Bob McLeod.

Leah Nelson

Girl, a female version of the Flash hailing from the Tangent Universe, does not possess super speed, but can control light, giving her the ability to move at the speed of light, effectively making her faster than pre-Crisis versions of the Flash. Appeared in Justice League of America#16, and also in Countdown:Arena, where she confronted the Flash of two Earths in the Multiverse. In the Multiverse, the Tangent Universe is designated Earth-9.

IN Superman & Batman: Generations 2 three Flashes appear at once: Wally West as Kid Flash in 1964, his cousin Carrie as Kid Flash in 1986, and Jay West, the son of Wally West and his wife Magda, in 2008. In 1964, Barry Allen makes a cameo appearance.

Green Lightning

Ali Rayner-West, Green Lightning, is the descendant of both Wally West and Green Lantern Kyle Rayner and possesses a power ring and super speed, as shown in Green Lantern: Circle of Fire .

Outside of comics

Animation

  • In the 1996 Superman Animated Series, Flash appeared in one episode and was voiced by Charlie Slatter. Barry Allen has technically never appeared in the DCAU (DC Animated Universe), but the episode "Speed ​​Demons" (Season 2 Episode 4) featured Barry Allen's version of the Flash.
  • Jay Garrick, Barry Allen and Wally West appeared in Batman: The Brave and the Bold.
  • In the animated series The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure Barry Allen appeared as the Flash, as did Wally West as Kid Flash.
  • The Young Justice animated series features Wally West as Kid Flash. Barry Allen, known as the Flash, and Jay Garrick, the former Flash, also appear in the series. In the second season, Bart Allen arrives from the future, taking the name Impulse.
  • Wally West appeared in the animated series "Justice League" / "Justice League. Without Borders" as Flash and was one of the main superheroes of the Justice League.
  • Wally West appeared in the Teen Titans animated series as Kid Flash.
  • Barry Allen appeared in the animated series Super Friends(1973-1985) and was one of the main superheroes.
  • Barry Allen appeared in several episodes of the animated series "Batman" (2004-2008) as one of the members of the Justice League.
  • Barry Allen was in the cartoon DC Super Friends(2010) and was one of the main superheroes.
  • Justice League: The New Barrier." At the end of the cartoon, Wally West appears.
  • Barry Allen was in the cartoon "Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths". In this cartoon, Barry Allen appeared as the Flash and was one of the main characters.
  • Barry Allen was in Justice League: Doom.
  • Barry Allen was in LEGO Batman: DC Super Heroes Unite.
  • Barry Allen was in the cartoon "LEGO DC Super Heroes: Justice League vs. Bizarro League".
  • Barry Allen was in the cartoon "" as the main superhero.
  • Barry Allen was in the Justice League: War cartoon.
  • Barry Allen was in the cartoon "Justice League: Trapped in Time".
  • Barry Allen was in Justice League: Throne of Atlantis.
  • Barry Allen was in Batman Unlimited: Animal Instincts and Batman Unlimited: Robots vs. Mutants.
  • Barry Allen was in the Justice League vs. Teen Titans cartoon.

A television

Movie

Mentions in pop culture

  • In The Simpsons, Comic Book Guy dressed like the Flash and said that "no one can beat the Flash."
  • In the 2002 film Catch Me If You Can, Leonardo DiCaprio's character takes on the pseudonym Barry Allen when he eludes a manhunt, thereby indicating to Tom Hanks' character his love of comic books.
  • In the 2003 film Daddy Day Care-(Daddy Kindergarten) actor Jimmy Bennett plays a boy who thinks he is the Flash and refuses to take off his suit.
  • At the group Jim's Big Ego there is a song called "The Ballad of Barry Allen"(rus. The Ballad of Barry Allen), which talks about the Flash.
  • In the television series Lost, Walter Lloyd reads the Spanish-language version of the comic. Green Lantern/Flash: Faster Friends#1, saying he found her in the wreckage of the plane. And in the third season episode "