TheBlack Flashis a fictionalcomic bookcharacter fromDC Comics.Created by writersGrant MorrisonandMark Millar,and artistRon Wagner,the character had cameos inThe Flashvol. 2 #138 (June 1998),[1]before appearing in full inThe Flashvol. 2 #141 (September 1998).
| Black Flash | |
|---|---|
 Black Flash, as appeared inThe Flash#140 (June 1998). Art by Pop Mhan (pencils), Chris Ivy (inks), Tom McCraw (colors) | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | The Flashvol. 2 #138 (June 1998; cameo) The Flashvol. 2 #141 (September 1998; full) |
| Created by | Grant Morrison Mark Millar Ron Wagner |
| In-story information | |
| Species | Meta-Zombie |
| Team affiliations | Rogues |
| Notable aliases | Black Flash, Flashback, Backflash, Slow Lightning |
| Abilities | Speed Forceincludes:
|
Fictional character background
editOriginal depiction
editThe Black Flash essentially fulfills the same role asDeathfor those who possess super-speed in the DC Universe, returning the speedster to their power source: theSpeed Force.It is reportedly seen before the deaths ofBarry AllenandJohnny Quick.[citation needed]Max Mercuryhas also seen the Black Flash while having had several near-death experiences.
The specter speedster came forWally Westto draw back to the Speed Force, but instead tookLinda Park.Having seen portents of Wally's death, Max Mercury andJesse Quickintercepted Wally before reaching the museum where Linda was waiting, with Linda thus being struck by the lightning that was meant to kill Wally. It later returns to try to take Wally again, freezing time except for those who possess a connection to the Speed Force. Max Mercury,Jay Garrick,and Jesse Quick all attempt to assist Wally by distracting the Black Flash; Wally finally defeats the Black Flash by racing the creature to the end of time, to a point where Death would have no meaning, causing the creature to dissipate.
The Black Flash appears toBart Allenwhen the Flash loses his powers while battling the Rogues at theGetty Center.Despite a clash withInertia(another possible candidate for the Black Flash), Bart is killed shortly thereafter by the panicked Rogues when it appears Bart would win, even without powers.
Most recently, the Black Flash is revealed to represent the Speed Force's dark aspect which is responsible for the empowerment of Wally's children. His connection to death is limited to those connected to the Speed Force. While an issue[volume & issue needed]ofCaptain Atomsuggests Death of the Endless, the Black Racer, and Nekron are all aspects of the same force,Neil Gaiman(creator of Death of the Endless) disagrees with this idea, stating that his creation is the ultimate personification of Death.[citation needed]
During theFinal Crisis,Wally theorizes that theBlack Racerpursuing himself and Barry is in fact the Black Flash.
A charred corpse, appearing to be the Black Flash, was found inIowaby two boys inThe Flash: Rebirth.[2]
When the Force Barrier was destroyed and the other forces were unleashed, the Black Flash was sent to hunt downPsych,FuerzaandSteadfast.The Black Flash killed Psych arrives within the Flash Museum and attacks Steadfast.[3]The cosmically enhancedHunter Zolomontakes Barry into the "Forever Force" (timestream) built by the Speed Force to which the Black Flash chases the two speedsters in order to kill (hoping to heal the Speed Force). Zolomon later sacrifices himself to the Force Barrier in order to finally heal the Speed Force, trapping the Black Flash.[4]
Barry Allen
editThe second Black Flash isBarry Allendue to Professor Zoom altering the Speed Force for a time.[5][6][7]
Eobard Thawne
editThe third Black Flash is the reanimated corpse ofEobard Thawneequipped with apower ringas a member of theBlack Lantern Corpsfor a time.[8][9][10][11]
Other versions
editTheAme-Comi Girlsuniverse version of Black Flash isJesse Quick.[12]
In other media
editTelevision
editSimilar creatures called theTime Wraithsappear inThe Flash.[13]These versions serve as theSpeed Force's enforcers by hunting down speedsters who attempt to change the timeline.
- Additionally, an original incarnation of the Black Flash appears asHunter Zolomontransformed as an enforcer who erases targets from existence.[14][15][16]
Video games
edit- The original incarnation of the Black Flash appears inJustice League Heroes: The Flash.Wally West / Flashis chased by the Black Flash when the player dies. Escaping the Black Flash is increasingly difficult after each death.
- The original incarnation of the Black Flash appears inScribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.
- The Eobard Thawne incarnation of the Black Flash appears as an alternate skin forBarry Allen / FlashinInjustice: Gods Among Us.
- The original incarnation of the Black Flash appears inDC Legends.
Miscellaneous
editA demonic version of the Black Flash (also known as theSpeed DemonandBlack Racer) appears inSmallville Season 11#12. It seeks outImpulseandJay Garrick's souls, but comes into conflict with the former andSuperman.As the fastest of the two speedsters, the Black Flash primarily focuses its attention on Impulse until the latter sacrifices himself to destroy the demonic speedster, which goes on to inspire Garrick to come out of retirement and form theTeen Titans.[17]
References
edit- ^"Flash#138 at the Grand Comics Database ".Comics.org.Retrieved2011-04-25.
- ^The Flash: Rebirth#1 (April 2009)
- ^The Flashvol 5. #76 (August 2019)
- ^Williamson, Joshua (2019).The Flash vol 5. #81.DC.
- ^The Flash: Rebirth#2 (May 2009)
- ^The Flash: Rebirth#3 (June 2009)
- ^The Flash: Rebirth#4 (August 2009)
- ^Blackest Night: The Flash#1 (December 2009). DC Comics
- ^Blackest Night: The Flash#2 (January 2010). DC Comics
- ^Blackest Night: The Flash#3 (February 2010). DC Comics
- ^Johns, Geoff(w).Reis, Ivan(p), Albert, Oclair (i).Blackest Night#8 (March 2010). DC Comics
- ^Ame-Con Girls: Featuring Duela Dent#3
- ^Abdulbaki, Mae (June 28, 2021)."The Flash: Why The Time Wraiths Spoiled The Show".RetrievedNovember 17,2024.
- ^"The Flash:" The Race of His Life "Review".May 24, 2016.RetrievedJuly 21,2016.
- ^Mitovich, Matt (January 8, 2017)."The Flash's Zoom to Resurface as Black Flash, on Multiple CW Shows".TV Line. Archived fromthe originalon February 11, 2021.RetrievedJanuary 8,2017.
- ^Schedeen, Jesse (April 4, 2017)."DC's Legends of Tomorrow:" Aruba "Review".IGN.RetrievedFebruary 28,2018.
- ^Smallville Season 11#12