Talk:Flash (comics)

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[edit] Walter West

This article has absolutely no information on Walter West, aka Flash IV (some information about him here: http://www.hyperborea.org/flash/walter.html). First appearing in 1999, he was the only of the many Flashes from alternate timelines who we've met across the years (such as John Fox) that actually stayed for a relatively long time in the mainstream timeline, going as far as filling in as Flash in the Titans and the JLA after leaving his alternate present while Wally was not around (rather than being Flash in the distant future and travelling to the past for kicks and for the sake of discrediting his predecessor, like John Fox). I wanted to bring up the subject of Walter West because if someone new takes over as Flash within the pages of Infinite Crisis, 52 or the new Flash title, I don't want people incorrectly refferring to him as "Flash IV", instead of "Flash V". --Ace ETP 00:59, 1 March 2006 (UTC)

Ace, the problems with counting Walter West as a Flash is that: 1) He is an alternate version of Wally, and 2) DC themselves do not count him as an "offical" Flash. As far as DC is concerned the only people to officially hold the title of the Flash is Jay Garrick, Barry Allen, Wally West, and (as of Flash: Fastest Man Alive #2) Bart Allen. What I think would be a good idea, so that Walter and other simular characters don't get left out in the cold, is to have a section for unoffical/alternate reality/substitute/possible future Flashes.--Cnjartist 17:33, 12 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] older comments

Notes:

I would love for somebody to expand on this. I think of all of DC's top tier heros, Flash and The Green Lantern are the two that continually get the shaft. There are so many plot holes and technical details that are fundamentally wrong about the Flash that it is sometimes difficult to even read the comics. I suppose if you don't care about any continuity, anything remotely approaching logic, then yes, everything about Flash is ok. If not...

Powers: Flash has the ability to move at the speed of light, or near the speed of light. This fact, by itself, should place Flash as one of the STRONGEST comic characters in the DC universe.

Human thought processes are electric signals passing through synapses. Electricity moves fast, very fast, almost light speed fast. If you could do anything as soon as you thought it, there isn't much you can't do.

At the speed of light, Flash should never be hurt. How many times do we see people running head-long into walls, poles, etc? Not very...because still walls, and still swords are easily avoided. Well, moving at the speed of light, you would be able to change your direction, your velocity, your inertia, just like normal humans do, so that Flash could easily avoid that clothesline, that random sword sticking up, etc.

Flash and Superman. Superman doesn't travel at the speed of light. Flash does. This isn't even a close comparison, how can their races even be an issue? At the speed of light, Flash can travel around the world 4x before one second has passed(superman moves as fast as a bullet and flash the spedd of light even faster; the speed of light is 300000 times faster than a bullet, so they don't even have to race to figure out who's faster). That means, anything going on anywhere in the planet, Flash would be able to stop it, regardless of where he is.

Velocity, inertia. Flash, traveling at the speed of light, should potentially kill ANYTHING that he touches. The inertia/velocity alone, would create micro-explosions, much like bullets hitting a wall.


A few things you might want to think about. First, you should sign your posts to the talk page with four tildes, thus ~~~~. Second, you should put your comments at the bottom of the page -- that is where people naturally look for new posts. To continue a current topic, just click "edit this page". To start a new topic, click on the plus sign to the right of "edit this page" and add a new topic. Third, Wikipedia is not a chat room or a fanzine. The article you suggest is more of a fanzine article than an encyclopedia entry.
Have fun. Rick Norwood 23:32, 6 February 2006 (UTC)


Is that section on Jay Garrick correct? He derived his powers from breathing "vapors" of hard water? Folks, vapor equals steam. And hard water is what makes it hard to get clothes clean downstream from the refinery. That's like gaining powers from being bitten by a spider while a radio is active nearby. Maybe it was "heavy water" instead, although that's hardly more impressive.

Yes, it's correct. Flash Comics #1 does indeed list the cause of Jay's super speed as "hard water". The writer may have meant "heavy water", but that's how it wound up in the text. No more ridiculous than the Whizzer getting superspeed from an infusion of mongoose blood. --khaosworks 06:26, 10 Apr 2005 (UTC)
It's since been retconned into "heavy water," simply because the "hard water" angle is so flimsy. The section needs an update. Canonblack 21:40, 4 November 2005 (UTC)

Few points, "lightning" doesn't travel anywhere as fast as light, look it up. Light travels around 186,000 miles per sec and lightning 60,000 miles per sec. Light's lot faster.

Speed of "thought" is only around 30 m/s, so it's not that fast. Yes, electrical impulses do travel faster, but they're not considered to be "thought". It's not greater than speed of light, that's for sure. 62.248.150.20 (talk) 14:29, 24 November 2007 (UTC)
It's a comic book, for crying out loud. Stan Lee had Bruce Banner become the Hulk from gamma ray radiation, even though gamma rays would never do that. You have to suspend disbelief, or consider that maybe science is different in the comic book world. Science proves Superman could never exist, but you can assume that science is different in the DC Universe. Besides, everything you're saying is original research. If someone of notability published a paper on the science behind the Flash, you could add things from that paper into this article under a "Science of the Flash" section or whatever, but until that happens, everything said is original research, and thus has no place on Wikipedia. Anakinjmt (talk) 15:26, 24 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Film

I definatly remember seeing a Flash film. Looked to be made in the 70s or 80s. Why is there no mention of it?

Because it doesn't exist. You're probably remembering The Wizard of Speed and Time? --khaosworks 11:47, July 10, 2005 (UTC)
He may be remembering the pilot for the 1990 TV series starring John Wesley Shipp. It aired originally in a two hour time slot as a standalone film before the series launched. During the series run, it was repackaged as a two-part episode. After cancellation, only the pilot was available on VHS, leading many to believe that it was a direct-to-video movie. Canonblack 21:40, 4 November 2005 (UTC)

There really is a Flash film ,saw it more than 15 yrs ago.It shows flash gaining his powers in a lab accident.movie also shows flash getting a knife wound.--203.122.61.29 06:02, 20 December 2005 (UTC)Guliver 11:32 dec 20,2005

That's the pilot for the TV series. --khaosworks (talk• contribs) 07:16, 20 December 2005 (UTC)

I also remember this film, I rented it and seen it many times as a child far away from the USA, could it be the pilot? it looked like a full plot to me. Still this would explain why i cant find it on many movie database sites. The only clear picture i remember is the hero running after a bus, after the accident, then overcoming the bus, and then realizing hes running on water. Can anyone confirm there wasnt such film but its the pilot? Mpicco

[edit] Impulse

Since Bart has taken up the mantle of Kid Flash, thereby being the heir apparent to Flash shouldnt there be a section about him in this page? I would write one but I guess I want to make sure that wasn't an argument already had and that I wouldnt be stepping on any toes.--AjaxSerix 14:30, 5 August 2005 (UTC)

    • Well, Bart already has his own page. I don't think we need a whole section about him on the page. It would be interesting to have an article on the future Flashes, though. No mention of John Fox(Comics) in the article. (Bart, Iris West II, John, etc.)
Toffile 14:49, 5 August 2005 (UTC)
No need for it. There's a Kid Flash article already. Once there you'll see links to three different articles: Wally's, Iris's and Bart's. Lesfer ☎ 19:54, 20 December 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Creation science

Can somebody include who created Jay, Barry, et al.? ("You're really not Barry, are you?") Trekphiler 09:58, 21 December 2005 (UTC)

The creators are listed in Jay's, Barry's and Wally's articles. Lesfer ☎ 12:43, 21 December 2005 (UTC)

[edit] DVD

Don't forget to put in the main article the release(jan/10/06) of the tv series on DVD.

[edit] Powers and abilities

In the Flash's most recent race with Superman, two things were revealed. A.) Wally can outrun Superman, and that it is not a competition anymore. B.) That Wally, too can vibrate through solid objecst, (without making them explode). I feel the page should reflect that.

Which race? If you're thinking the one post-Blitz, he can't vibrate through objects. I think you're referring to when Superman grabs him, but I think it's more that he shook free, rather than go through him. Also, the powers and abilities are more of a general section, made to reflect all 3 Flashes, not just Wally. However a mention might be good.--Toffile 01:24, 10 February 2006 (UTC)

In the novel by Mark Schultz, "Stop Motion", Wally learns to vibrate through objects without destroying them and to run faster than light. The speed of all of the Flashes is explained as moving between quantum states rather than between points in space. Of course, one may object that a novel is not cannonical. Good book, though. Rick Norwood 13:17, 10 February 2006 (UTC)

I would like to point out that in worlds finest comics 198 Flash runs faster than superman. Lightwhip

[edit] Dan DeDio

I just noticed. First, we had Stan the Man and Roy the Boy, now we have Dan the God. Rick Norwood 20:04, 28 February 2006 (UTC)

[edit] The Fastest Man Alive

I wanted to start a thread, discussing who will be in the new series. The following is my rationale for the Wally West - Flash to be featured in [[The Flash: The Fastest Man Alive]]: David Goyer is currently writing a script treatment featuring Wally as the Flash; featured art of the next JLA series in the February Wizard issue showcased Wally; Wally has a longer publishing history than Barry,(Kid Flash - Flash, over 40 years), as opposed to Barry's mere 30 years. - ss

Nah, I think it's Bart. Superboy-Prime stated that the speedsters held him for years under a red sun, meaning that Bart could now be old enough. it could explain Robin's pause in TT#34 when talking about Bart. The similaries to Barry's costume could be Bart's tribute to his grandfather. And wouldn't it be just like DC to have Wally's fate mirror that of Barry by going into the future with his wife and twins? CovenantD 17:01, 23 April 2006 (UTC)

I think it's probably too early to know exactly who the new Flash will be. Dan DiDio has been quoted as saying the Flash that appears in Flash: The Fastest Man Alive #1 may not be the Flash that stars in the book. There's a strong chance it could be Bart, but we know Jay Garrick is still around (and there was talk that Goyer's movie would be about Jay) and both Wally and Bart's fates are currently unknown.—Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.137.100.108 (talk • contribs)

Although, I agree that Wally may be in the future, possibley along with Bart, Robin's "pause" was followed by "kind of retired" which seem to be similar to inactive. In the March Wizard issued, Bart was the character to watch, because Dido stated he wasn't fully invested in the superhero biz, and could easily leave it behind. -ss

It's definitly Bart. In an interview on comicfoundy.com, the new series writers Danny Bilson and Paul DeMeo had said that Bart is the new Flash.[1]--Cnjartist 16:04, 12 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Related characters

Now that somebody has created a Fictional speedsters category, this entire list is redundant. I'm separating it out into it's own List of fictional speedsters. CovenantD 01:20, 13 May 2006 (UTC)

[edit] John Fox

Hey, I was wondering if any of the other major Comic book buffs can get a mention of John Fox in there. John Fox (although breifly mentioned) was a future version of the flash from the 25th century. He donned a blue and black costume. Any mention of it would be awesome. Thanks! 75.3.49.181 19:57, 20 June 2006 (UTC)

I came in here to mention Fox, as well as Jesse Quick. Should we really say only four characters serve as the Flash, when two more serve for a notable period of time? --Chris Griswold 12:39, 28 June 2006 (UTC)
I'm all for including them, as well as the smattering of other future Flashes, Lady Flash, et al. --Joe Sewell 16:46, 28 June 2006 (UTC)
As I mention up at the very, very top (the Walter West entery) there should be a section for unoffical/substitue/alternate timeline/possible future Flashes. This way, John Fox, Walter West, Jesse Quick and all the others can at least get acknowledged in some way. The one caveat I would sugest is to keep the list to characters who have appeared in one way or another in the DC Universe and to include the book and issue number(s) that they appeared in (if alternate timeline/future) or were using the Flash name (unoffical/substitue). Any of the Elsewhere books, novels, other media (like tv & movies) should get listed somewhere else. --Cnjartist 17:59, 12 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Faster than a speeding calendar

Can somebody confirm the cover date of Showcase 4? Daniels' DC Comics has it Sept. (Or maybe I noted it wrong?) Trekphiler 10:17, 16 October 2006 (UTC)

It was dated October 1956. Furthermore it was a bi-monthly title with the first 4 issues being Apr, June, Aug, Oct so there is no September issue. STFmaryville 10:50, 18 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] For Front Picture

I was wondering if this would be a better front picture: Image:The FlashII.JPG

That might be better, Flash should be in motion. Finite 21:30, 11 January 2007 (UTC)
I agree. The Alex Ross art of Barry for this article is similar to the image (from the waist-up, flat smile) used for Barry's article. STFmaryville 10:53, 18 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Movie

The whole movie section is kinda "clunky". Could someone spruce it up a bit?


Also, there's a lot of "crystal ball" language in there and not a lot of solid information, outside of the fact that the movie is in a beginning stage of development (especially considering no one has been cast in the title role officially), so short of that, speculating a release date on a movie that hasn't even begun filming yet seems a little silly. Wayman975 20:52, 20 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Smallville referrence

In the Smallville referrence, it says that it's "unknown" whether Bart Allen will grow up to resemble either version of the Flash, except that there's a version by the name of BART ALLEN. Where's the mystery here? It's pretty obvious that Bart Allen is going to remain Bart Allen.

Do you suppose someone can kind of edit that? -Emhilradim 02:50, 2 December 2006 (UTC)

I was actually thinking of doing so. Currently, it says: "The Bart Allen version appeared on the television show, Smallville, on January 18, 2007, as the crimefighter, Impulse." I don't think that at any point, BA - as he is referred to in the series, has fought any crime whatsoever (except forcountering Luthor's plans in 33.1, which essentially amounts to corporate espionage). In fact, wasn't he something of a petty criminal to begin with? As well, was he referred to as Impulse in the series? there is a referencein the Smallville article that references Bart Allen as "IMPULSE", which is technically inaccurate. There is no Barry Allen in the Smallville universe, and it seems clear that Bart is to become the one and only Flash. Gi ve me some feedback, and then we can edit the article accordingly. :) Arcayne 19:18, 28 January 2007 (UTC)

In Justice, Oliver specifically refers to his code name as "Impulse". Smallville cannot use the name "the Flash" because of the film that David Goyer is working on; it is the same reason behind them not being able to have Bruce Wayne appear on the show as a young adult. I don't know about Barry Allen, but Bart Allen intitially started out as "Impulse", and didn't become "The Flash" until he was an adult. But, you are right in the fact that Bart has never fought crime, and the term "crime fighter" shouldn't apply to him, at least they have never shown him fighting crime or mentioned it. Bignole 20:03, 28 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] List

Hey dudes just started work on List of superheroes named The flash I figure it's pretty useful to have a list of all of them, including kryad, Blaine etc. i welcome your comments and help getting this article up to scratch. Lightwhip 10:42, 19 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Hacked?

Came to this page and all I saw was the phrase "Drunken Weasel" repeated over and over. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 71.232.156.120 (talk) 06:41, 31 January 2007 (UTC).

as did I

[edit] Female Flash

Is there a female 'version' of this character? I can't find out conclusively from the articles. Is Fury similar or does she have other powers that detract from her ability to move fast? Or can she even move similarly fast (as the Flash)? Mr.bonus 15:47, 10 February 2007 (UTC)

At the end of one issue of Wally West's run one of the Russian speedsters dons the Flash costume. The next issue she hits on him and he sets her straight. After that she disappears until many many issues later as a villain again.

Jesse Quick went by the name Flash for a short time. --17:58, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

http://www.hyperborea.org/flash/christina.html Maybe this one?Brian Boru is awesome 19:18, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

There's a female Flash in Kingdom Come, although she looks more like a Kid Flash. Doczilla 04:58, 5 July 2007 (UTC)
I believe that the annotations of KC have always had her as "Kid Flash II", from Waid and Ross on down. - J Greb 06:24, 5 July 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Queen

I always thought their song "Flash" is referencing this creature. Is it not?

No, i think Queen's Flash is about Flash Gordon.
That's correct. Queen's song Flash (song) was the theme song for the movie Flash Gordon (film). Dugwiki 22:47, 20 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Removed reference to 'The Dukes of Hazzard', Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane's basset hound

FYI I removed the reference to 'The Dukes of Hazzard', Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane's basset hound "Flash". There was no indication in the associated article indicating that the dog's name had anything at all to do with the comic book character. It's quite possible the name has nothing to do with "The Flash". Of course, if someone can find verifiable information that Rosco's dog was specifically named after the comic book character, feel free to readd the info with citation. Dugwiki 22:44, 20 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Fair use rationale for Image:Jay garrick flash.jpg

Image:Jay garrick flash.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

Please go to the image description page and edit it to include a fair use rationale. Using one of the templates at Wikipedia:Fair use rationale guideline is an easy way to insure that your image is in compliance with Wikipedia policy, but remember that you must complete the template. Do not simply insert a blank template on an image page.

If there is other other fair use media, consider checking that you have specified the fair use rationale on the other images used on this page. Note that any fair use images uploaded after 4 May, 2006, and lacking such an explanation will be deleted one week after they have been uploaded, as described on criteria for speedy deletion. If you have any questions please ask them at the Media copyright questions page. Thank you.BetacommandBot 09:31, 5 June 2007 (UTC)


[edit] Merge from List of superheroes named The Flash

Well it's the same info as this article except this is written better. --EXV // + @ 05:35, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

  • I'd vote to delete the other article completely. All the information is duplicated in this one. Spanneraol 23:43, 29 June 2007 (UTC)
  • Merge - this character list does include quick bio's of other characters that should be included. 66.109.248.114 19:40, 2 July 2007 (UTC)
  • Merge the list into this article. That list adds nothing to justify its separate existence. Doczilla 08:28, 3 July 2007 (UTC)
  • Merge unique characters who lack their own article under an 'other Flashes' section, thoroughly delete anything for characters having their own articles. ThuranX 20:24, 4 July 2007 (UTC)
  • Merge - replicated information and the bit that isn't can easily be slotted in here. (Emperor 00:59, 6 July 2007 (UTC))
  • Merge --get rid of duplicated material A gx7 01:18, 3 August 2007 (UTC)
  • Merge - pretty much for the above reasons. Mostly duplicate info, and little other than that. Duggy 1138 07:45, 6 August 2007 (UTC)
  • Merge - seems unanimous, do it! --Jamdav86 16:34, 15 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Flash Ring

I was skimming the article and there seems to be little reference to the Flash ring. As I recall, in addition to being the house for the costume of Barry, Wally and Bart, the ring also served a one of the metaphysical mediums between Linda and Wally that helped to anchor him to her, I believe shown in the "Dead Heat" storyline (I'm not sure though). If an editor with a stronger Flash background were to include mention of the ring and it's uses under maybe power and ablities and equipment (with possible inclusion of the treadmill) the quality of the article may be improved. 66.109.248.114

i edited your article here. it's Linda and Wally, not Barry. Teen Titan

[edit] Questions about location of article

Question: Should this article remain at Flash (comics)? Granted, most of the time when people think about Flash in comics, they think about The Flash, but there is Flash Thompson, who is a Spider-Man character, and definitely in comics. Since there are different Flashes in comics (not the superhero), shouldn't this be at Flash (DC Comics) or Flash (superhero)? Anakinjmt 01:43, 26 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Flash Books

I'm working on short stories about Flash:

Wally West: THE FLASH FLASHPOINT

Bart Allen: IMPULSE KID FLASH KID FLASHPOINT THE NEW FLASH

Hunter Zoloman: ZOOM

Bart Allen Clone: INERTIA

--Jlaflasher (talk) 00:31, 21 December 2007 (UTC) JLAFLASHER

And your point would be...what, you think they should be included in the article? Until published...no. Anakinjmt (talk) 15:28, 23 December 2007 (UTC)
Charming. A random IP decides to attack me. How...juvenile. Anakinjmt (talk) 20:50, 30 December 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Teleporter

Although I had not added the cat to the various Flashes, I saw that they were removed, I wanted to discuss other's interpretations of the Flash's powers. Recalling Crisis and Zero Hour; Barry goes back in time appearing a different points/people before ultimatly becoming the lightning bolt that gave him his powers; Wally went back in time to be the "inpirational uncle" that he recalled as a child. Both of these instances appear that the characters arrived in a different time and position from which they originated, which in my mind would be the break the space/time continueum thus teleportation. This is not a typical interpretation of their powers and feedback would be appreciated. -66.109.248.114 (talk) 00:13, 26 February 2008 (UTC).

FWIW...
Phasing and super speed, the primary stichk of the Flashes, don't imply teleportation except by misdirection.
Beyond that... time travel may involve a type of teleportation based on the character concept. Again, with the Flashes the bulk of the stories bear out that the time travel is an extension of the super speed and it is actual travel taking subjective time. Taking particular examples where nothing is stated, one way or the other, is assuming a power not stated. With the specifics cited:
  • Barry's final run in Crisis is just that, a run. From the story - He's trying to disrupt the Anti-Monitor's by circling at ever increasing speed. The result of his running and the nature of the power source is that he intersects random point in time and space. It's also useful to note that the different POVs of those intersections have the Flash appearing differently — static before the reveal, running diffing it.
  • Wally inspiring himself is a bit odd. The story I'm recalling dealt with someone else moving Wally back in time (JLA/WildCATs). Could you expand on the story you're referencing?
- J Greb (talk) 23:23, 27 February 2008 (UTC)
Fully aware that this is 100% splitting hairs conversation. I understand that primary power is speed; even if time travel is an extension of speed, there a some powers which can inferred derived from those powers; specifically in the case of durability and superstrength.
Barry's final run from crisis was not limited to crisis storyline. Once Barry's run started to intercect at different points of time in a non linear fashion, it could be considered teleportation.
Wally in Flash #0, after creating an inverted energy vortex (Zero Hour), runs through the speed force and through time ending in Center City to meet an 8yo self.
The running itself from point A->B precludes teleportation in the same time table; however one the two went back in time to different points it think it qualifies. Barry and Wally may not have disappeared in a puff of sulfury smoke or blinked like a Japanesse fan boy, but extremem effort should not discount the end result of their actions. -66.109.248.114 (talk) 03:02, 28 February 2008 (UTC).
The salient point I was making was "actual travel taking subjective time". Teleportation is bing, done. A "no time elapsed" for the 'porter.
The time travel, and the dimension shifting, that feature in Flash stories include the element of the Flash making a journey taking some degree of time. - J Greb (talk) 03:31, 28 February 2008 (UTC)