Barry Allen
Barry Allen is a comic book character that first appeared in Showcase #4
Barry Allen is the silver age Flash and arguably the first silver age superhero. He is the second Flash in the long lived Flash family tree, and has recently returned to the comic book world after his death in Crisis on Infinite Earths over twenty years ago.
Origin
Barry Allen was a police scientist, with a well known habit for lateness. He lived in Central City and had a steady girlfriend named Iris West (later Iris Allen West). He had a love of comic books, his favorite being the Flash ( Jay Garrick). Working late one night, lightning struck the chemicals in the metal rack next to where he was working.
They exploded over Barry who was knocked over. As he stood up, he realized that he was unharmed. After clearing up, Barry went about his business, but it is not long before he discovered the world around seemed to have slowed. More accurately he had become much faster!
Realizing he had become like his hero, Barry decided to follow in his foot steps and become a hero. He discovers that not only is he fast, but he can also vibrate his molecules, rendering him almost invisible and allowing him to phase through solid objects. He also created a costume and treated it with a special chemical that would shrink so that it can fit inside a ring, allowing him to have it with him ready so that he can change in a moment.
Flash, used this ring to compress and conceal his costume while operating in his civilian identity. By thumbing a small stud on the side, the top of the ring opened, releasing the costume, allowing Barry the ability to change clothes at super-speed
Barry's adventures would not just be confined to Central City. Using his scientific knowledge, he constructed the Cosmic Treadmill. Using his super speed, Barry could use it to travel in time by altering his vibrations (something he would later do to cross into alternate dimensions).
For most of his career, life was good to Barry. He was widely respected and well liked as both the Flash and himself. His abilities and scientific acumen kept him ahead of his enemies. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he "got the girl" and married his long time girlfriend Iris, who conceived the Tornado Twins: Don Allen and Dawn Allen.
Rogues
Barry, like every Flash before and after, had a long list of colorful rogues. These include: Trickster, Captain Cold, Mirror Master, Weather Wizard, Captain Boomerang, Abra Kadabra, Rainbow Raider, and Gorilla Grodd. Some of them had been enemies of Jay and would continue to be a problem for Barry's sidekick and successor, Wally West while some would also help kill Barry's grandson Bart Allen.
In The Flash: Rebirth #4 Barry say that he used to compare notes with Bruce (Batman) on the seemingly endless list of criminals they dealt with. They try to one-up each other: Two face and Captain Cold, Killer Croc and Gorilla Grodd, The Joker and The Reverse Flash.
Wally West
Iris's nephew, Wally West, grew up in a small town called Blue Valley with emotionally distant parents, and dreamed of living in Central City and perhaps one day meeting his hero, The Flash. Wally was only close to one relative, his father's sister Iris.
One summer, Iris offered to let Wally stay in Central City with her. Wally gladly took the chance to get out of his hometown and away from his parents, and looked forward to the excitement of the big city. Iris introduced Wally to Barry, Iris fiance, whom Wally thought was dull and uninteresting , until Barry, trying to impress, offered to introduce Wally to The Flash, saying that they were friends and he was waiting in his laboratory. As Wally went into the room, Barry used some simple super-speed tricks to pull off the double identity, and gave Wally the surprise of his life. Barry sped passed, vibrating through the wall and changing into costume. Wally was surprised to see his hero standing in the laboratory waiting for him.
As the pair talked and storm clouds gathered, Wally asked him how he got his powers. The Flash told Wally about how he had gotten his powers - a stray bolt of lightning that hit a rack of chemicals, which in turn hit him.
As he explained, Barry set up the chemical rack as it had been that fateful night. Just as he was finishing, lightning struck the rack as before and now Wally too was changed.
Barry decided to train his nephew and created a costume for him. Originally, it was identical to Barry's, though later his costume would gain a distinctive look of it's own. The pair would become a crime fighting team for some time until Wally joined the Teen Titans.
Justice League of America
Barry was one one of the founding members of the Justice League of America. The team was founded when Barry, along with Hal Jordan, the Martian Manhunter, Aquaman, and Black Canary united to fight the Appelaxian invasion of Earth. He would remain a key member up until the Crisis on Infinite Earths.
Earth-Two
While demonstrating his abilities at a charity event, Barry accidentally vibrated his body into another reality. Barry discovered a villainous plot to hypnotize and steal from the inhabitants of " Keystone City". He recognized both the city and the villains from his comic books. He deduced that his hero, Jay Garrick, the legend that inspired him must also be real. After finding and talking with Jay, Barry surmised that the comic book creator, Gardner Fox, had been unconsciously tapping into this dimension. This had wider implications for the DC Universe as it bought the golden age comics into silver age continuity. Jay and Barry went on to foil the villains schemes.
Crisis on Infinite Earths
At this moment, Barry Allen was living in the Future, in the 30th Century, with Iris, after the events of ''Trial of the Flash'', after he snaps Professor Zoom´s neck, that caused Barry´s retirement.
As one of the only people who could travel between dimensions unassisted, Barry was captured by the Anti-Monitor and mentally tortured by Psycho-Pirate.
His success came at great personal cost as Barry's body was consumed by the anti-matter weapon leaving behind just his costume and ring.
After, Wally found Barry´s costume ring and at the end of the saga , with a new sense of purpose he took the name and costume of The Flash, and was determined to live up to the example that Barry Allen had set for the world.
Although there were no remains, a grave for Barry was placed in New York City.
In Blitz saga, The Spectre (Hal Jordan) erase the knowledge of the Flash's identity from the minds of the world, including Barry Allen public identity.
Identity Crisis
It is revealed that Barry Allen was one of the heroes who decided to mind wipe Dr. Light and, in fact, Barry was the deciding vote so in a way he decided to take Dr. Light's mind. Barry had just lost his wife and was having a hard time. During the Secret of Barry Allen in the fallout of Identity Crisis, Wally West discovers that Dr. Light was not Barry Allen's only mistake. Roscoe Dillon a.k.a. The Top had died and come back in the body of Barry's father. After getting the Top out of his Dad's body Barry found him digging up his wife's body and snapped. Barry had Zantanna switch The Top to the side of good with her mind tinkering and it drove him insane. Barry left all this in a letter to Wally asking Wally to give The Top his sanity back. A time traveling Barry Allen also comes to Wally West's rescue when Wally is attacked by Dr. Zolomon, the reverse flash. Barry Allen helps Wally change the past and save his twins. Barry mentions he will see Wally again. Upon his return, he snaps Reverse Flash's neck.Post Crisis Appearances
Justice
Alex Ross's books featuring the Justice League, Justice and the tabloid sized Justice League one shot, both feature Barry as the Flash.
Countdown
An alternate version of Barry has been seen in the pages of Countdown (issues 18 and 17, they are numbered backwards). He lives a peaceful life on Earth-51 where most of the superheroes have retired. He is killed in battle with The Monitor named "Bob".
Final Crisis, The return
At the very end of Final Crisis 2, he is seen running from the Black Racer out of a time tunnel created by Metron's Time Chair. Barry was racing to save the new God Orion from a radion (New God killing) bullet fired backwards through time Wally and Jay who had both seen Barry ran to help him but failed Jay fell behind and by the time Barry and Wally had stopped running time around Earth was altered and they stopped weeks after Darkseid's forces had already taken over Earth. After a quick reuinion Barry and Wally searched for Iris who had become a victim of the Anti-Life equation and was a mindless slave Barry kissed his wife and somehow freed her from the Anti-Life equation the loving couple then embraced eachother. Barry and Wally were reunited with Jay who had in the past weeks saving people in the Crisis Barry explains that some unknown force had brought him back to possibly stop Darkseid the group deduced that the personification of death The Black Racer (who was also the Black Flash) was still after Barry and that Darkseid's fall was causing chaos in the universe. Barry and Wally plan on leading the Black Racer to Darkseid. In the final battle with Darkseid Barry and Wally lead the Black Racer straight to Darkseid which helped defeat him in Final Crisis.
The Flash: Rebirth
In the beginning of the serie two forensics scientists in Central City are investigating a murder case. While the two are talking, a mysterious man wielding a spear with a lightning bolt- shaped tip closes enter in to the lab and brutally murders both scientists. He rearranges several containers of chemicals on the shelves and, using the spear as a lightning rod, recreates the accident that transform Barry Allen in The Flash. He escapes from arriving police officers with a dash of super-speed. The man's thoughts indicate that he is somehow responsible for Barry Allen's return, and that it's "the worst thing" he could do to him.
In the twins cities ( Central City and Keystone City ), Linda Park-West announces that a huge celebration will be held for the return of the Flash. Celebrations are taking place in both cities, as well as in Gorilla City. Meanwhile, Captain Cold, Weather Wizard, Mirror Master, Heat Wave, the Trickster, Abra Kadabra, and Dr. Alchemy are shown to be preparing for the return of their nemesis.At Justice Society headquarters, Jay Garrick recounts how Barry inspired him to return to superheroics; at Titans Tower East, Wally West remembers Barry with fondness and respect; at Titans Tower West, a newly returned Bart Allen views his grandfather's return with skepticism, admitting a desire for things to "go back to the way it used to be" with Wally as the Flash and himself as Kid Flash, as well as feeling angry that Barry is the only one to escape the Speed Force (referencing Max Mercury); and Iris Allen West waits happily for her husband to come home. However, Iris receives a phone call from police Captain Frye, who asks for Barry's help.
Barry Allen himself is visiting the Flash Museum, where he meets with Hal Jordan. Barry is studying the exhibits to catch up on everything that has occurred in his absence. He admits that his memory from his time spent in the Speed Force is fading. Barry also reveals that he feels he wasn't supposed to come back, and that the Speed Force is trying to draw him back in.
In Fallville, Iowa, Barry Allen's birthplace, two boys find the charred remains of the Black Flash. The skeleton crumbles to dust as soon as it is touched.
Back at the Flash Museum, Barry states that he won't be going to any of the celebrations in his honor. Barry feels that he can't waste time and appears obsessed with the notion of mortality ("...time will run out on me again. It'll run out on all of us. Every second does matter."). He dons his costume, commenting that he is going to "be late." Hal asks him what he means. Before Barry runs away, he replies that the world needs him.
Barry ponders on his return as he runs. In a flashback, it is revealed that Barry's mother was murdered when he was a child. Furthermore, his father was arrested for the crime. Barry's thoughts are interrupted when a hand materializes out of the lightning symbol on his chest. It belongs to the evil super-speedster Savitar, who fully appears a moment later. Barry recognizes him from one of the Flash Museum's exhibits and gives chase. However, as soon as Barry catches Savitar, he receives some sort of feedback from Savitar's energy and the villain begins to decay and crumbles into dust. As he dies, Savitar cryptically comments that "You were the beginning, Allen...and you're the end." Barry is left shocked at what he has apparently done.
At the same moment, all of the heroes connected to the Speed Force experience a painful discharge of energy. T
his includes, Wally West, Jay Garrick, Bart Allen and Jesse Chambers.
In the Balkan Mountains, Lady Flash conducts a ritual in an attempt to contact Savitar. The lightning created by the process kills her fellow cultists, and Lady Flash witnesses a series of images displaying Savitar's death at Barry Allen's unwitting hands.
After Green Lantern arrives and quarantines Savitar's remains, Barry hurries home to talk to Wally about the deceased villain. He sees a police car outside of Iris' house and flashes back to the day they first met (revealed to be the same day on which he would gain his powers) after the trial of Sam Scudder. It is also revealed that, even after his father's death in prison, Barry never stopped investigating the murder of his mother in the hopes of proving his father's innocence.
Barry arrives at Iris' home and meets with police captain Frye. Thanks to Wonder Woman and her government connections, the outside world believes that Barry has been in witness protection during the years he was missing. It is then that Barry receives a phone call from Wally and learns of the "speed seizures" the other super-speedsters experienced.
Barry and Wally race to Fallville, Iowa to investigate a mysterious lightning storm taking place over the town. They discover the remains of the Black Flash, and try to figure out what happened to him. However, the pair are attacked by Lady Flash, her powers amplified by the sacrifice of her fellow cultists. As soon as Barry touches her, though, she disintegrates in the same fashion as Savitar.
After Lady Flash dies, Barry's costume begins to change into black. As Wally watches in horror, Barry turns into a new [[Black Flash]].
In Abra Kadabra's hideout, the villain is attacked by a mysterious figure who comments that "there isn't room in this century for the both of us." The magical villain's fate is unknown.
At Justice Society headquarters, Jesse Chambers is contemplating a statue of her parents: Johnny Quick and the original Liberty Belle. While being comforted by her husband Rick Tyler, an explosion suddenly occurs in front of the pair. An image of Johnny Quick materializes and begs Barry Allen not to hurt Jesse before vanishing.
Back in Fallville, the Justice League, the Justice Society, and other heroes have built a containment chamber for Barry, whose personal energy field has become tainted with a black aura that burns through speed energy. The heroes plan to disconnect Barry from the Speed Force to save his life. Iris is brought in order to act as Barry's "lightning rod" to help keep him from being reabsorbed into the Speed Force. However, after remembering their first date, Barry's energy field overloads and destroys the chamber.
Green Lantern creates a new chamber with his ring and carries Barry away from the other Flashes. With lightning bolts targeting him from the sky, Barry soon breaks out after achieving a safe distance from the other speedsters and begins to run. He reveals that he plans to run back into the Speed Force to spare his friends and family.
Despite Superman attempting to stop him, Barry proves that he is much faster and achieves the speed he needs to escape the material plane.
As he begins to reenter the Speed Force, Barry witnesses past events of his life in reverse, ranging from the past days' worth of events to his own birth. Barry desperately tries to remember Iris' name as he begins to lose his individual
ity. With some prodding from a mysterious voice, Barry retains his memories and fully enters the Speed Force. Barry is shocked to discover Max Mercury and Johnny Quick, both imprisoned within the energy inside the Speed Force. Johnny grabs Barry's wrist and pleads with him not to "let it" hurt Jesse (the full version of the message Jesse witnessed) before Barry's energy kills him in the same way as Savitar and Lady Flash.
Before the two are pulled even deeper into a red area of the Speed Force, Max manages to tell Barry that he is not responsible for the deaths of the speedsters. The true villain then reveals himself: Professor Zoom, the Reverse Flash (wielding the lightning spear used at the beginning of the story), boasting that he's "shifted [Barry] into reverse."
When Barry questions Thawne's return, the villain acknowledges that he will be resurrected soon, thanks to a "good friend" of Barry's. As the empowered Thawne beats Barry and Max, he reveals that the red energy field the three are in is a "negative speed force" that is being created by the Reverse-Flash's kinetic energy. Thawne's negative energy is slowly starting to poison the normal Speed Force like a cancer. Thawne goes on to reveal the depth of his plan: after Barry briefly returned to aid Kid Flash against Superboy Prime during the Infinite Crisis, Thawne was able to send a subliminal pulse into the Speed Force to draw back what was left of Barry's self-awareness. This in turn led to the hero's reappearance during the Final Crisis. Afterward, Thawne transformed himself into "a new kind of speedster (revealing himself to be the mysterious murderer from the beginning of the story) and created his negative speed force to contaminate Barry and the other heroic speedsters. Before Barry can fight any further, Thawne fades away.
In Fallville, Wally West decides to go into the Speed Force to retrieve his uncle. While cautioned by Jay and Bart, Wally cites his previous escapes from the Speed Force and maintains he will be fine as long as he has Linda.
At the Wests' home, Wally's daughter Iris wants to help in the effort to save Barry. After an argument with her brother Jai, she runs downstairs and encounters the reappearing Thawne.
At Justice Society headquarters, Hourman is tending to Jesse, who (since seeing her father) has begun repeating her father's speed formula over and over.
As Wally ventures deeper into the Speed Force, Max reveals to Barry that it was Allen himself who created the speedsters' source of power. Just as Thawne creates his negative Speed Force with his kinetic energy, Barry unknowingly did the same throughout his career to create the normal Speed Force. Max reveals the Speed Force to be "the kinetic wall between the present and the time barrier. It's an electrical energy that exists in every dimension, every universe and every area. It touches ever part of reality. It contains the knowledge of every place and time. The Speed Force is the all-encompassing Flash Fact."
Back at the Wests' home, Thawne seizes Jai and Iris and begins to mainline the pair's distorted connections to the Speed Force. Linda manages to contact the heroes, and Thawne is swiftly attacked by Jay Garrick and Bart Allen. The villain is caught by surprise, but quickly starts to overpower the two speedsters.
In the Speed Force, Wally manages to reach Barry and Max. Max is unconvinced he can escape due to his lack of a "lightning rod." Barry manages to convince the older Speedster that he is family to them for acting as a father towards Bart, and the three begin their escape.
Jesse Chambers, now crackling with Speed Force energy, stops repeating the Speed Formula. She reveals that she has finally solved the equation: "Jesse Quick. Max Mercury. Jay Garrick. Wally West. Bart Allen. Barry Allen. The Speed Force." As the heroic speedsters are recharged with energy, Barry, Wally, Jay, Max, and Bart charge towards ThawneBlackest Night
Allen appears alongside Hal Jordan in the Free Comic Book Day issue Blackest Night #0 that acts as a prologue to the July company crossover.
At the grave of Bruce Wayne in Gotham City, Hal Jordan and Barry Allen reflect on Batman's death and how the hero community is avoiding linking Wayne and Batman.
This reflection turns to the pair looking at their own deaths, comparing the sadness that Barry's death engendered in others while Hal's death produced anger. Hal sums it up by telling Barry, "I died a sinner. You died a saint." The conversation moves on to the world becoming "more dangerous" after Barry's death and observing that the deaths of Arthur Curry and Martian Manhunter cost the Justice League its "heart and soul". As they leave the cemetery, Barry expresses hope that their dead comrades will be returned to them. He specifically cites Batman noting, "If there's an escape, you can bet Batman's already planning it."
In a fight with Black Lantern J'onn J'onzz, he found a mysterious black residue at Bruce Wayne's grave-a black form coagulating much like blood that started corrupting him by partly decaying his skin and muscle during the fight against his former friend, who is intent on killing both Hal and Barry, seeing how they both died, and in the eyes of the Black Lanterns, must return to that state to keep the universe in balance.After the fight with the undead Martian Manhunter and the subsequent Black Lanterns with Hal and the arriving Atom, Mera, Firestorm, and two of the Indigo Tribe members, the Atom manages to use his powers to let all three of them travel through the phone lines to escape. Regrouping, Barry, Atom and Mera take it upon themselves to save all as they can.
Barry races across the globe to warns every superhero community across the planet. He eventually stopped at Coast City, where he witnesses the arrival of the Black Lanterns' demonic lord, Nekron, who emerges from the ground and black rings begin to revive the residents of Coast City , with his disciples Scar and Black Hand.
Wednesday comics
Story by Karl Kerschl and Brenden Fletcher with art by Karl Kerschl.
The Flash battles Gorilla Grodd and tries to date Iris West but after Gorilla Grodd's recent attack leaves The Flash multiplying due to falling out of line with his own chronology.
Other versions
JLA: Age of Wonder
The chemist Barry Allen is striking by a lightning charge from Starman, turning him into the Flash.
The Dark Knight Strikes Again
Iin the future superheroes are illegal. Barry Allen is found locked in a machine, powering most of the eastern seaboard.
Justice Riders
In this elseworld, Barry Allen was a Federal Marshall killed by Wally West.
DC: The New Frontier
World War II is over. The Cold War has begun. The Age of the Superhero is in decline. But whe re are the heroes of tomorrow?
Flashpoint
During the Cold War, Barry Allen is the only world superhero, but was paralyzed from the neck down when he tooked a bullet for the President Kennedy. With the fastest mind on earth he founded Allen Industries and associated with Vandal Savage to explore Mars.
Legends of the DC Universe: Crisis on Infinite Earths
Tanaka Rei is the alternative version of Barry Allen on Earth - D and was inspired by the stories of the last.
Quasar: Reborn to run
A story in the Marvel comic book series Quasar has the Marvel Universe speedsters facing off in a competition set up by a being called the Runner. The Runner arrived on Earth. He was of a race known as the Elders, immortals who dedicate their lives to one purpose The contest is a race from the Earth to the Moon. During the race, a surge of energy hits the track, leaving a being with blonde hair and dressed in the remains of a red outfit with yellow boots. This being has no memory, but an enormous desire to run. He goes on to win the race, passing Marvel speedsters such as Quicksilver , Speed Demon,
The Whizzer, Captain Marvel, Super Sabre, Black Racer and Makkari in the process. When asked what his name is, the man replies, "I don't know... Buried Alien, or something like that." When asked how it felt to be the fastest man alive, he replied, "It feels... right!" The racer goes on to take the name Fast-Forward, disappearing into the universe in an attempt to help Makkari, who is stuck at hyper speed.
T.V.
The Flash TV Series
The Flash TV series was a live action show which ran on CBS between 1990-1991. It starred John Wesley Shipp as the hero and co starred Amanda Pays as the lead roles. The show was created by the writing team of Danny Bilson and Paul De Meo Danny Elfman also composed the main title theme. The show ran along with some of the story lines of the silver age comics, but several other aspects were taken from the Wally West Flash comics including the limitations of his powers and high metabolism.
The pilot episode includes an accident in which Barry Allen’s (John Wesley Shipp), a Central City police forensic scientist, laboratory is struck by lightning bathing Allen in electrified chemicals. With the help of S.T.A.R Labs scientist Tina McGee Allen soon discovers that he has a super charged metabolism giving him super human speed given to him as a result of the accident. Tina modifies a red S.T.A.R Labs deep sea diving suit which can withstand massive amounts of p
ressure. Barry Allen’s first act as the Flash is to avenge the murder of his brother Jay, a Central city Motor cycle officer, who is also named after the Golden Age Flash Jay Garrick.
The series continued with The Flash taking on manly human foes like mob bosses, gangsters and corrupt officials. Until several of The Flash’s more colourful super villains were brought into play a part in the show. The most well know being The Trickster, played by Mark Hamill, (who also played a part as the Joker in Batman: The Animated Series and would later go on to play The Trickster again in Justice League Unlimited) and his sidekick Prank, played by Corinne Bohrer, Captain Cold, played by Michael Champion and Mirror Master, played by David Cassidy all of whom also appear in their own episode.
Unfortunately all these special appearances were too little too late and due to too much competition from other networks and the shows falling ratings because of basketball games and bad breaking coverage as a result of the Persian Gulf War the show was cancelled after a season of shooting.
Smallville
In the episode Run a self-centered teenager who uses his super speed powers for personal gain is seen who becomes friends with Clark Kent and changes his ways is seen his name is unknown but his aliases included: Barry Allen, Jay Garrick,Wally West and Bart Allen. He returns in a later episodes helping Green Arrow, Cyborg, Aquaman and Clark as a pseudo JLA.
Film
Justice League of America (TV movie)
Barry Allen was the Flash in unsuccessful pilot for a Justice League series. Many of the characters were barely recognizable next to their comic books and Barry was no different. Instead of a police scientist, Barry was unemployed and seemed to be the slowest witted of all the characters. He is portrayed by Kenny Johnston.
Videogames
Barry Allen is the Flash in the crossover video game Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe . He appears in a variant of his current costume. Although the character model contains green eyes, normally a sign of Wally West, the game's "Bios" section confirms that it is indeed Allen.
| Super Name: | Barry Allen |
| Real Name: | Bartholomew Henry Allen |
| Aliases: |
Bartholomew Allen The Flash The Black Flash The Fastest Man Alive Trans-Visible Man Scarlet Speedster Illinois Flash The human flash The bold The human bolt Crimson Speedster Savior of the world Savior of the universe |
| Publisher: | DC Comics |
| Gender: | Male |
| Character Type: | Human |
| 1st Appearance: | Showcase #4 |
| Appears in: | 544 issues |
| Birthday: | |
| Died: |
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Justice League : The New Frontier
Adaption of the acclaimed graphic novel
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Justice League of America
An unsuccessful 1997 TV-pilot, which has never been aired in the US. It has been shown on television in the UK, Germany (2005), Puerto Rico, ...
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The Flash III: Deadly Nightshade
This direct-to-video movie is a compilation of two similarly-themed episodes of The Flash TV-Series re-edited into a movie-length feature, where The Flash teams up with ...
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The Flash II: Revenge of the Trickster
This direct-to-video movie is a compilation of two similarly-themed episodes of The Flash TV-Series re-edited into a movie-length feature, featuring Mark Hamill as The Trickster.
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The Flash
This TV movie pilot, features the origin story of the Flash and how he gained the ability to move at superhuman speed.
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