Max Mercury

History

The young messenger for a fort in the American West discovered an ambush being set for the local Blackfoot clan. The shaman, with his last breath, used tribal magic to imbue the scout with superhuman speed. The scout found the Indians and the US Army detachment, and disarmed them all, preventing the massacre. From that day forth he became known as Ahwehota—“He who runs beyond the wind.”

Years later, Windrunner felt the call of what has since been called the speed force. He ran faster than he had ever run before, but hesitated at the last moment... and caromed off the edge of the field, landing several decades in the future. He periodically attempted to reach the field again, each time jumping forward to a new era, where he adapted and used a series of names, eventually becoming known in our era as Max Mercury.

In 1948, Max was seriously injured saving Manchester, Alabama from a toxic bomber. He was found by a local doctor, and taken to his remote home to convalesce. Dr. Claiborne was away much of the time, and Max developed a close relationship with his wife Laura—which culminated in a brief affair. When David discovered them together, Max ran, brushing up against the speed force again and time-jumping. Only decades later did he discover that they had a daughter.

Jay Garrick and Johnny Quick brought Max out of retirement to fight the false Barry Allen. Since then, Max became a mentor to Wally West as he began to discover his destiny, and then took over Bart Allen’s training as his guardian.

When last seen, Max had been possessed by the spirit of the Rival, who used a time sphere to depart for some unknown era. 
 

The Flash Rebirth

 

Max Mercury has recently escaped from the Speed Force and returned to the world of living in The Flash: Rebirth.  While trying to protect his loved ones from his newly acquired abilities, Barry Allen makes the executive decision to return to the Speed Force and end his recent resurrection. Upon reentering the Speed Force, Barry encounters both Johnny Quick and Max Mercury. Johnny is obliterated right after touching Barry like Lady Flash and Savitar before him and it is then revealed to Barry and Max that it is the returned Professor Zoom who is causing the speedsters who encounter Barry to be destroyed. Professor Zoom exits the Speed Force intending to hurt those close to Barry. Barry sets off in pursuit and asks Max to return with him. Max explains that he is too tired and will never be able to make the trip out. Barry refuses to let Max stay and responds by offering him a helping hand telling him he still has a long race to run. Barry and Max escape the Speed Force and arrive just in time to save Kid Flash from the clutches of Professor Zoom. The story is on going...

Powers and Abilities

Max Mercury is able to run at extreme speeds, due his connection to the Speed Force.