Abra Kadabra (comics)
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| Abra Kadabra | |
 Abra Kadabra. Art by Oscar Jimenez and Anibal Rodriguez |
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| Publication information | |
|---|---|
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Flash #128 (May 1962) |
| Created by | John Broome Carmine Infantino |
| In story information | |
| Alter ego | Abhararakadhararbarakh (Citizen Abra) |
| Team affiliations | Secret Society of Super Villains The Rogues Injustice Gang |
| Notable aliases | Professor Zoom |
| Abilities | Kadabra's original magic-like powers were purely the result of futuristic technology. However, he is now a genuine sorcerer. |
Abra Kadabra is a fictional supervillain in the DC Universe, and a member of The Flash's "Rogue's Gallery." He first appeared in Flash #128 (May 1962), and was created by John Broome and Carmine Infantino.
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[edit] Fictional character biography
Abra Kadabra is from the 64th century, at a time when science has made stage magic obsolete. However, he wants a career as a performing magician, so he goes back in time to find an audience to entertain and soon clashes with the Flash (Barry Allen). His "magic" is actually based on advanced technology, disguised with supernatural trappings.
One of his more heinous acts is kidnapping Linda Park, the girlfriend of Wally West (Barry Allen's protege and successor), during their wedding and erasing her from history, though he is ultimately defeated. During the Underworld Unleashed storyline, he tricks five rogues into selling their souls to Neron so he can gain real magic powers....which he does gain.
Abra Kadabra makes an appearance in The Flash: The Fastest Man Alive #7 (Feb 2007), attempting to steal a vault filled with precious diamonds. Kadabra is carrying out a performance in Los Angeles (Bart Allen's town) for a fresh start when he tried to commit the robbery; his actions are foiled by the only man "faster than 64th century tech."
Abra Kadabra is mentioned in Neil Gaiman's Books of Magic miniseries. In the fourth issue Timothy Hunter, escorted by Mister E, visits the 64th century, described by E as a time when the differences between magic and technology have become blurred. The inhabitants tell them they have selected their "date-line" to send the "Madchild Abhararakadhararbarakh". Timothy Hunter responds "Abracadabra?" and Mister E tells him not to talk to the inhabitants of this time, and so they then continue their path into the future.
In Infinite Crisis, Abra Kadabra became a member of the Secret Society of Super Villains.
One Year Later, he and several other Rogues are approached by Inertia with a plan to kill the Flash (then Bart Allen). Though Inertia is defeated, Kadabra and the other Rogues successfully beat Bart to death, though not before Kadabra recognizes that Bart is too young to be the Flash they are used to dealing with.
Abra Kadabra is one of the villains featured in Salvation Run. Upon coming across the planet's local pygmies, Abra Kadabra deciphers its language and uses it to locate a "safe zone" for him and the other Rogues before leading the other villains dispatched there to it.
He was seen as the member of Rogues who joined the Libra's Secret Society of Super Villains.
[edit] Powers and abilities
Abra Kadabra is a powerful sorcerer and can achieve virtually any feet with his spells. Originally his powers were all due to 64th century scientific technology although they seemed to be the purest magic. Later, Kadabra’s powers were augmented to include real sorcery when he struck a deal with Neron.
[edit] In other media
In the Flash TV series, The Trickster first appears as a deranged stage magician, a possible reference to Abra Kadabra[original research?].
Abra Kadabra appears in the Justice League Unlimited episode "Flash and Substance" as a background character in the bar frequented patronized by Flash's enemies.
[edit] Bibliography
[edit] Selected Pre-Crisis appearances
- Flash #128 (May 1962): “The Case of the Real-Gone Flash!” John Broome
- Flash #133 (December 1962): “The Plight of the Puppet-Flash,” John Broome
- Flash #149 (December 1964): “Robberies by Magic!” Gardner Fox
- Flash #163 (August 1966): “The Day Magic Exposed Flash’s Secret Identity!” John Broome
- Flash #170 (May 1967): “The See-Nothing Spells of Abra Kadabra!” Gardner Fox
- Flash #175 (December 1967): “The Race to the End of the Universe,” E. Nelson Bridwell
- Flash #182 (September 1968): “The Thief Who Stole All the Money in Central City!” John Broome
- Flash #212 (February 1972): “The Flash in Cartoon-Land!” Cary Bates
- Flash #246–247 (January–March 1977): “Kill Me, Flash—Faster... Faster!” and “The Mad, Mad Earth of Abra Kadabra,” Cary Bates
- Flash #300 (August 1981): “1981—A Flash Odyssey,” Cary Bates
- Flash #343 (March 1985): “Revenge and Revelations,” Cary Bates (Silhouette only)
- Flash #345–349 (May–September 1985): The Trial of the Flash, Cary Bates (Disguised as Zoom)
- Flash #350 (October 1985): “Flash Flees,” Cary Bates
[edit] Selected Post-Crisis appearances
- Flash #23 (February 1989): “The Clipper Returns,” William Messner-Loebs
- Flash #67–68 (August–September 1992): “Misdirection” and “Beat the Clock,” Mark Waid
- Flash #90 (May 1994): “On the Run,” Mark Waid
- Flash #94 (September 1994): “Reckless Youth Chapter 3: Just Do It,” Mark Waid
- Flash #116–117 (August–September 1996): “Race Against Time” Parts 4 & 5, Mark Waid
- Flash #144 (January 1999): “Nature vs. Nurture,” Mark Waid and Brian Augustyn (Silhouette only)
- Flash #152 (September 1999): “New Kid In Town,” Mark Waid and Brian Augustyn (Silhouette only)
- Flash #155–158 (December 1999–March 2000): The Dark Flash Saga, Mark Waid and Brian Augustyn
- DC First: Flash/Superman (July 2002): “Speeding Bullets,” Geoff Johns
- Flash #207–208 (April–May 2004): “Rush Hour” and “The Red Carpet,” Geoff Johns
- Flash #217 (February 2005): “Post-Crisis,” Geoff Johns
[edit] Selected One Year Later appearances
- The Flash: The Fastest Man Alive #7 (February 2007): “Speedquest Chapter 1: Angel City,” Danny Bilson & Paul DeMeo
- The Flash: The Fastest Man Alive #11 (June 2007): “Full Throttle Part 3: Storm Front,” Marc Guggenheim
[edit] External links
- Alan Kistler's Profile On: THE FLASH - A detailed analysis of the history of the Flash by comic book historian Alan Kistler. Covers information all the way from Jay Garrick to Barry Allen to today, as well as discussions on the various villains and Rogues who fought the Flash. Various art scans.
- Crimson Lightning, an online index to the comic book adventures of the Flash.
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