The Flash Facts for Kids

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The Flash is a super-fast hero from the DC Comics universe. He is often called the "Scarlet Speedster" because of his red suit and amazing speed. All versions of the Flash can run incredibly fast, have super quick reflexes, and can even break the rules of physics! The very first Flash appeared in a comic book called Flash Comics #1 in 1939. He was created by Gardner Fox and Harry Lampert.

Over the years, several different characters have become the Flash. They all get their powers from something called the "Speed Force". The main Flashes include:

Jay Garrick (the first Flash, starting in 1940)
Barry Allen (a police scientist, starting in 1956)
Wally West (Barry's nephew, who was "Kid Flash" first, starting in 1986)
Bart Allen (Barry's grandson, who was "Impulse" and "Kid Flash" before becoming Flash, starting in 2006)

Each Flash has been an important member of famous superhero teams like the Justice Society of America, the Justice League, and the Teen Titans. Most of their adventures happen in a made-up place called Central City. The Flash is one of DC Comics' most popular heroes. He has been a big part of many stories that change the DC universe. For example, when the first Flash (Jay Garrick) met the second Flash (Barry Allen) in 1961, it introduced the idea of the Multiverse (many different Earths) to DC readers.

Meet the Flashes
Friends and Foes
Flash on Screen
Images for kids
See also

Meet the Flashes

Jay Garrick

Jay Garrick was the very first Flash from the "Golden Age" of comics. He got his powers by accident! He fell asleep in his science lab and breathed in some special vapors. At first, he used his speed to become a star football player. But soon, he started using his powers to fight crime. Jay Garrick was created by Gardner Fox and Harry Lampert. He first showed up in Flash Comics #1 in 1940.

Barry Allen

Barry Allen is a police scientist. He became the Flash when a lightning bolt hit his lab and splashed a bunch of chemicals on him. It was funny because before he got his powers, Barry was usually slow and often late! He is known as the Flash from the "Silver Age" of comics. Robert Kanigher and Carmine Infantino created him. Barry first appeared in Showcase #4 in October 1956.

Wally West

Wally West got his super-speed when he was just ten years old! He was visiting his uncle, Barry Allen (who was already the Flash), in his lab. Some chemicals splashed on Wally, and he gained super-speed too. Because he was so young, he became known as "Kid Flash." Later, he took over the role of the Flash after his uncle. Wally is often seen as the Flash from the "Modern Age" of comics. He first appeared as Kid Flash in Flash#110 in 1959. John Broome and Carmine Infantino created him.

Bart Allen

Bart Allen is Barry Allen's grandson. He was born with super-speed! But he also aged super fast, so he looked twelve years old when he was only two! Once he learned to control his aging, he became a hero called "Impulse." Later, he became Kid Flash and then finally the Flash when he grew up. Mark Waid and Mike Wieringo created Bart. He first appeared in The Flash #91 in 1994.

Bizarro Flash

Imagine a backwards version of the Flash! Bizarro-Flash was made when the villain Bizarro cloned the Flash. His costume colors were the opposite of the Flash's. He even had a mallet symbol because the Flash was holding one when he was cloned! The newer Bizarro Flash has a lightning bolt that looks like a mustard stain. He has the Flash's powers but is completely see-through!

Friends and Foes

Just like other heroes such as Wonder Woman, Superman, and Batman, the Flash has many interesting friends and enemies. His main enemies are called the Rogues. They are special because they have their own code of honor, which is rare for villains! There are also super-fast villains who call themselves Reverse-Flash or Zoom.

Some of the Flash's friends and family include:

Barry's wife, Iris West
Wally's wife, Linda Park
Bart's girlfriend, Valerie Perez
Another friendly speedster, Max Mercury
Police officers David Singh and Patty Spivot from Central City

Flash on Screen

The Flash has appeared in many movies, video games, and TV shows.

In live-action TV shows, Barry Allen has been played by Rod Haase (in 1979), John Wesley Shipp (in the 1990s show The Flash), and Grant Gustin (in the 2014 show The Flash). John Wesley Shipp also played a version of Jay Garrick in the 2014 show.
Ezra Miller played the Flash in movies like Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League.
The Flash also appears in animated shows like Superman: The Animated Series, Justice League, Batman: The Brave and the Bold, and Young Justice. He is also in many DC Universe Animated Original Movies.

Images for kids

Sela Allen as the Flash of the 23rd century
Blaine Allen as the Flash of the 28th century
Tanaka Rei from Legends of the DC Universe: Crisis on Infinite Earths. Art by Paul Ryan and Bob McLeod.

The Flash facts for kids

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