Central City (DC Comics)

For other uses of Central City, see Central City.
Central City
Publication information
Publisher DC Comics
First appearance Showcase #4 (September–October 1956)
In story information
Type City
Notable people Flash
Kid Flash
Notable locations Flash Museum
Central City Police Department
S.T.A.R. Labs

Central City is a fictional American city appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics and is the home of the Silver Age version of the Flash, Barry Allen. It first appeared in Showcase #4 in September–October 1956.

Location

Central City's location has been vaguely defined over the years, similar to DC's other fictional cities such as Gotham City and Metropolis. In the 1970s, Central City was stated as being located in Ohio, where the real-world city of Athens, Ohio, would be (as shown in Flash #228 in 1974). Bob Rozakis' Ask the Answer Man column also stated that Central City was located in Ohio. In 1987's Flash (volume 2) #2, published just after the reality-altering storyline Crisis on Infinite Earths, Central City was shown as being in Florida. In DC: The New Frontier Barry Allen is called the "Illinois Flash" by Hal Jordan, insinuating that Central City, the Flash's home, is in that state.

Crisis on Infinite Earths places Central City in the Midwestern state of Missouri, and most sources after that event place Central City in that state.[1] In the 1990s Central City was shown as being located in Missouri, near the Kansas border and adjacent to Keystone City. In Young Justice, maps show Central City in Missouri, also near the Kansas border. Central City in The CW 2014 series The Flash is placed in Missouri in the episode "The Man in the Yellow Suit."

Statistics

Central City's population has never been depicted as static over the years. In Flash v2, #2(1987) it was cited as being 290,000. In 1990, the Atlas of the DC Universe listed it as 750,000. As of Flash Secret Files and Origins 2010, the population stands as 1,395,600. In Flash v.4 # 1, Central City Police Captain Darryl Frye is quoted as describing the population as having "tripled" during Barry Allen's years-long absence.

Notable residents

From 1956 until approximately 1985 (in publishing years), Central City was defended by the Flash (police scientist Barry Allen) against a myriad of foes, including Gorilla Grodd, Captain Cold, the Weather Wizard, the Mirror Master, and Professor Zoom (The"Reverse-Flash").

After Barry's death in Crisis, most of his foes, as well as Barry's successor (and former sidekick) Wally West moved to Keystone City, which thanks to the reality-altering effects of Crisis, was now Central City's twin city (pre-Crisis, Keystone City was located on the parallel Earth known as Earth-Two, in approximately the same space as Central City). Subsequently, Central City was treated as a relatively quiet venue that was not frequently depicted in DC comic book stories, but this situation has changed as a result of Barry Allen's recent return as the Flash.

Not long after Allen's death, in Suicide Squad #4 (August 1987), Central City was depicted as experiencing a wave of racial violence, caused or at least exacerbated by politician and white supremacist W. James Heller; in his costumed identity of supposed super-hero William Hell, Heller captured only non-white criminals (creating the false impression that non-whites were primarily responsible for Central City's criminal activity) and recruited white criminals for his "Aryan Empire" organization. When Heller attempted to incite further violence at a political rally, Suicide Squad member Deadshot impersonated William Hell to oppose Heller's racist rhetoric, turning Heller's own charade against him, since the costumed "hero" proved more popular with the public than any politician. Heller quickly donned his costume to, as William Hell, denounce Deadshot/Hell as an impostor, and in the ensuing conflict, William Hell (Heller) was wounded and his injuries blamed on Heller's followers, partially defusing Central City's racial strife.

The robotic superhero and former Teen Titans member Cyborg has moved to Central City; part of this is hoping to establish himself as the town's resident hero.[2]

Internal Geography, Institutions and Landmarks

During the years in which the second Flash series was written by Cary Bates, Central City was apparently divided into Upper and Lower East and West Sides, as well as a "downtown" region.

Central City is the home of the Flash Museum, a museum dedicated to the exploits and memorabilia of the city's hero.

Central City's main newspaper is the Central City Citizen (previously the Central City Picture-News), for which Barry's wife Iris West Allen is currently once again a reporter after an absence of several years.

As seen in Flash Vol. 2 #177, it has developed a thriving theatre district, second only to New York City.

Later, much of downtown was demolished by the Rogues, acting under the orders of the other-dimensional Crime Syndicate. Due to a miscommunication and the Rogue's own decency, only property was damaged, they avoided taking lives.[3]

In other media

Television

Video games

Theme Parks

External links

References

  1. ↑ "Flash" Vol 2 #188 (Sept. 2002)
  2. ↑ "Flash" Vol 2 #180 (Jan. 2002)
  3. ↑ "Forever Evil" #3 (Jan. 2014)