The Flashs origin?

[Stu]

Now then

I was wondering what the origin of the Flash was. I know he (one of them) got struck by a bolt of lightning, but I keep hearing about this Barry Allen character when I'm lead to believe Wally West is the Flash? And where does Impulse fit into all this? I'm sorry if this sounds stupid but I am thinking about picking The Flash up and wanted to know the basics.

Anyone?

[Barb Gordon]

There's a line of Flash's...and that's an understatment. Jay Garrick was the very first Flash. But the one that comes to mind for most is Barry Allen, who is uncle to Wally West, the third Flash. I suggest going here: Flash! (http://www.hyperborea.org/flash/)
for all your Flash related inquiries, it'll explain EVERYTHING concerning those crimson sprinters.

~Barb

[Anthonynotes]

Originally posted by The Red Bird
Now then

I was wondering what the origin of the Flash was. I know he (one of them) got struck by a bolt of lightning, but I keep hearing about this Barry Allen character when I'm lead to believe Wally West is the Flash? And where does Impulse fit into all this? I'm sorry if this sounds stupid but I am thinking about picking The Flash up and wanted to know the basics.

Anyone?

The "Golden Age", original Flash, Jay Garrick, first appeared in 1940's "Flash Comics #1", where he got his powers by accidentially breathing in fumes from...wait for it...a "hard water" experiment in a lab. (Yeah, I know, I know...). His title was cancelled in 1949, with his last appearance (with the JSA) in "All-Star Comics" in 1951.

Barry Allen, the second (and longest-running) Flash first appeared in 1956's "Showcase #4". As a Central City police scientist, he got his powers by standing next to a cabinet of chemicals during a lightning storm; a lightning bolt struck the chemicals, which splashed on him, and granted him his super-speed powers. Later on, Wally (in a c. 1960 tale) got his powers the same way. Barry served as the Flash through his death in 1985/86's "Crisis On Infinite Earths," at which time Wally (who was serving as his sidekick, Kid Flash) took up the role, and has been Flash ever since.

Impulse is Barry Allen's grandson from the 30th century; before his death, Barry moved there with his wife, and spent enough time there to have (unknown-to-him) children (the "Tornado Twins", inheriting their dad's super-speed powers). They had kids of their own, natch, one of 'em being Impulse. Bart Allen (his name) got sent back to the present by his mother in the hope of Wally (or someone) honing his superspeed/until-then-accelerated growth rate and such...

-B.
-B.

[Jor-El]

I'll second Barb's suggestion to go to the site she recommended, "Those Who Ride the Lightning." It's an excellent site and (most important in choosing a good character website,) very well documented.

As for some Flash recommended reading:

Flash Archives, whichever ones you can get a hold of
Born to Run
The Life of Barry Allen
The Return of Barry Allen
Terminal Velocity
Race Against Time*
Dead Heat*
Blood Will Run
Rogues

* I always confuse the order of these two. I can't even tell you if that order is correct. :)


Basically, nearly every Flash book currently available on the market. It's the most enjoyable book being published today.