Flash (Allen)

Creation & Design

Barry Allen was created by writer Robert Kanigher and artist Carmine Infantino, debuting in 1956 as a modernized version of the Golden Age Flash, Jay Garrick.

Early Years

Barry Allen, a forensic scientist, gains super-speed abilities after being struck by lightning and doused in chemicals. He becomes the Flash, protecting Central City from various villains.

Character Development

Over the years, Barry Allen has evolved from a simple superhero into a complex character dealing with themes of legacy, sacrifice, and the consequences of time travel.

Cultural Reception

Barry Allen has been well-received by fans and critics alike, often regarded as one of the most iconic superheroes in comic book history.

Character Details

Real Name:
Barry Allen
Aliases:
The Flash, Scarlet Speedster
Species:
Human
Gender:
Male
Affiliations:
Justice League, Flash Family, Central City Police Department
Abilities:
Super speed, Time travel, Phasing, Enhanced reflexes
Equipment:
Speed Force, Flash suit
Weight:
175lbs
Height:
5' 10"
Eye Color:
blue
Hair Color:
blonde

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Showcase #4

DC 1956 Vol. 1
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1st appearance and origin of the second Flash, Barry Allen

1st appearance of Iris West, the wife of Barry Allen

This issue is credited for ushering in the Silver Age of comics

Showcase #8

DC 1957 Vol. 1
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2nd appearance of the Flash, Barry Allen

Showcase #13

DC 1958 Vol. 1
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3rd appearance of the Flash, Barry Allen

1st appearance and origin Mr. Element, later becomes Dr. Alchemy

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1st appearance and origin of Mirror Master

Barry Allen appears for the first time in the Flash title

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1st team appearance of the Justice League of America: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman

1st appearance of Starro the Conqueror

Flash #120

DC 1961 Vol. 1
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First team-up of Kid Flash and Flash

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1st appearance of the Golden Age Flash in the Silver Age

Key issue of the Mutliverse concept

2nd appearance of The Shade

First mention of Earth-2, home of the Golden Age superheroes

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Reprinted origin stories:

Adam Strange (Showcase #17)

Green Lantern (Green Lantern #1)

Challengers of the Unknown (Showcase #6)

J'onn J'onzz (Detective Comics #225)

The Flash (Showcase #4)

Wonder Woman (Wonder Woman #105)

Superman/Batman team-up (World's Finest #94)

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"Death of Superman" story written by Jerry Siegel -non-continuity story

1st appearance of The Flash aka Barry Allen in the Superman title

Flash #125

DC 1961 Vol. 1
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Debut of the Cosmic Treadmill, a device invented by Barry Allen that allowed time travel

1st team appearance of the Ornitho-Men, a race of creatures with avian bodies and human heads

Flash #126

DC 1962 Vol. 1
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Introduction of Mirror World

1st appearance of Henry and Nora Allen, parents of the Flash, Barry Allen

Flash #129

DC 1962 Vol. 1
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First team-up of the Golden Flash, Jay Garrick and the Silver Age Flash, Barry Allen

1st appearance of the Golden Age Green Lantern, Alan Scott in the Silver Age

1st team appearance of the Justice Society of America in the Silver Age

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First meeting of Flash, Barry Allen and Green Lantern, Hal Jordan

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Collected reprints of early key issues

Flash #165

DC 1966 Vol. 1
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Marriage of Barry Allen and Iris West

The cover artist on this issue, Murphy Anderson spelled his last name on the bible pages

Flash #167

DC 1967 Vol. 1
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Origin of the Flash, Barry Allen retold

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First Superman versus the Flash race, resulted in a tie

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1st appearance of The Tornado Twins, descendants of Barry Allen

Flash #200

DC 1970 Vol. 1
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Anniversary of The Flash issue #200

Flash #215

DC 1972 Vol. 1
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Crossover story featuring the Golden Age Flash and the Silver Age Flash

Flash #267

DC 1978 Vol. 1
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Origin of Flash's costume

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Death of Iris Allen

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Battle of Flash vs Professor Zoom

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"Crisis on Infinite Earths" part 8

Death of Flash, Barry Allen

Quasar #17

Marvel 1990 Vol. 1
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1st appearance of 'Buried Alien,' appears once more in a Marvel comic as Fast Forward in Quasar #58

The Runner challenges all of Earth's speedsters to a race that is won by a stranger who bursts through a dimensional rift, crowning him 'the fastest man alive'

The stranger has amnesia but vaguely remembers his name sounds something like 'Buried Alien' - Barry Allen, The Flash

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1st appearance of Cobalt Blue, the lost twin brother of Barry Allen who has the power to siphon the Speed Force

1st appearance of Max Mercury as Whip Whirlwind, a persona used in the late 1800s

Action Comics #892

DC 2010 Vol. 1
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Variant cover art by Ivan Reis, celebrating DC's 75th anniversary

Cover inspired by Superman #199 (1967)

Flash #7

DC 2011 Vol. 3
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Variant cover art by Darwyn Cooke

DC 75th Anniversary cover

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1st appearance of Danny West, becomes Reverse-Flash

Origin of Barry Allen

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Team-Up featuring the Flash

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Begins The Flash: Year One

1st appearance of a war-scarred Barry Allen from the future

Nightwing #94

DC 2022 Vol. 4
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Variant cover art by David Talaski

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