Griffin (DC Comics)

Superherobox|

caption=Griffin Grey, pictured with The Flash, on the cover for "The Flash: Fastest Man Alive #3."
comic_color=background:#8080ff
character_name=The Griffin
real_name=Griffin Grey
publisher=DC Comics
debut="Flash: The Fastest Man Alive" #1 (August 2006)
creators=Danny Bilson
Paul DeMeo
alliance_color=background:#ffc0c0
alliances=
aliases=
powers=Super speed, super strength, rapid healing, energy emission|

The Griffin (real name Griffin Grey) is a fictional character that has appeared in comic books published by DC Comics. The character exists in DC's main shared universe, known as the DC Universe. He first appeared in "Flash: The Fastest Man Alive" #1 (August 2006).

Fictional character history

Introduced as Bart Allen's roommate and co-worker after the events of Infinite Crisis, Griffin works as a scab for Keystone Motors in their factory. Raised by his grandparents, Griff is disrespectful to people older than himself and is only interested in women and going to parties.

After an explosion at the plant, Griff is rescued by Jay Garrick and is hospitalized in serious condition. While in the hospital, Griff collapses and is filled with a greenish aura. Healed, Griff checks out of the hospital and goes to the plant with Bart, agreeing to be interviewed. At the scene, Griff finds he has the ability to leap into the air and catch a falling reporter. His newfound powers and fame seem to excite him.

A few nights later, Griffin takes on the identity of The Griffin and attempts to become a superhero. Instead of being the hero, however, Griffin nearly causes a child to fall to his death, and is bailed out by Jay Garrick, who advises him to give up the amateur heroics.

Undetered, Griffin sets up a ploy so that Jay will be away when a cruise ship is attacked, allowing Griffin to be a hero. However Griffin is willing to let the villains die. Accepting a sponsorship from Keystone Motors, Griffin moves out of his apartment with Bart and into a posh penthouse. To disguise the fact that his powers are also causing him to age rapidly, Griffin shaves off his hair.

After the Flash and Jay reach a crime scene before him, he goes underground on an abandoned subway station. Later, he abducts Jay when he realises that Jay is actually much older than he looks. He proceeds to torture Jay for the secrets of his youth. The Flash finds them, and manages to get Jay into a hospital in time.

In a last ditch effort to pursue fame as a superhero, Griffin destroyed the city's bridge so he can save everyone on it. The Flash arrives to the rescue instead, and a final showdown ensues. Griffin dies after being hit by a huge chuck of debris during the fight, but not before learning that the Flash is his former friend ("Flash: The Fastest Man Alive" #6).

Powers and abilities

The Griffin possesses the powers of super-speed and super-strength, as well as rapid healing. When he utilizes his powers, he is often surrounded by a green aura, similar to the manifestations of the Speed Force that surround Bart. His powers cause the Griffin to age more rapidly than a normal human, and at the age of 21, he looks well over 40. Within the later stages of his aging he gains the ability to manipulate his aura to create fire, electricity and instantaneously rust metal.

References

* [http://www.hyperborea.org/flash/griffin.html The Griffin at Flash: Those Who Ride the Lightning website]