Flash in other media

Throughout his 60 year history, the Flash has appeared in numerous media.

Early animated appearances

A version of the Flash guest-starred in the animated series, "The Adventures of Aquaman" in 1967. Flash appeared off and on in the "Super Friends" series throughout its run from 1973 to 1985. Flash appeared in "Challenge of the Super Friends", ', and '.

In 1979, he appeared in the live-action "Legends of the Superheroes" specials, played by actor Rod Haase.

"The Flash "TV series (1990-1991)

"The Flash" was a live action CBS television series that starred John Wesley Shipp and Amanda Pays. The Flash featured in the series was an amalgamation of the silver-age Flash, Barry Allen, and the modern-age Wally West. The only resemblances between the TV Barry Allen Flash and the comic book Barry Allen Flash were his name, his profession as a forensic scientist, and his love interest Iris (who was very short lived as a love interest in the television series). Most of the elements in the television show were taken directly from the main story line in the first Wally West Flash comic books: The S.T.A.R. labs researcher Tina McGee, her and her husband's research into speed, her husband's allegedly fatal accident with their speed research, the Flash's ravenous appetite, heat problems (which were mitigated by the TV show Flash suit), and speed limit on the order of the speed of sound were all elements from the main Wally West comic book storyline.

The Flash's most famous villain in the series was the Trickster, played by Mark Hamill, which oddly foreshadowed Hamill's subsequent success at voicing the Joker in "" and, later, the Trickster in "Justice League Unlimited". Captain Cold, played by Michael Champion, and Mirror Master, played by David Cassidy, also appeared in their own episodes. The complete series was released as a DVD set by Warner Bros. in 2006.

Justice League of America (1997 film)

The Flash (Barry Allen) was in a CBS live-action pilot called "Justice League of America", portrayed by Kenny Johnston. The pilot did not air in the United States.

DC Animated Universe

The Flash appeared in "", voiced by Charlie Schlatter, in the second-season episode "Speed Demons". As in the traditional comic book storylines, the Flash and Superman race to find out who is faster, but the Weather Wizard gets in the way, which causes the two to work together. He also appears in "Batman: Gotham Adventures" #25 due to a theft in Central City leading him to Gotham.

The Flash in the "Justice League" animated series is voiced by Michael Rosenbaum (Lex Luthor on the television series "Smallville"). This Flash is Wally West; however he is an of Barry Allen and Wally (in "Justice League Unlimited", Wally is a forensic scientist, which was Barry's profession. Wally in the comics is an auto mechanic). Michael Rosenbaum also voiced Kid Flash for a Fall 2005 episode of "Teen Titans" animated series entitled "Lightspeed". He later appeared in a cameo in the episode "Calling all Titans" and then he reappeared fully in the episode "Titans Together".

The importance of the Flash as the "heart" of the Justice League was shown in the episode "A Better World", when his death in an alternate timeline triggered a series of events which turned that alternate League (the "Justice Lords") into virtual dictators of Earth. He has also proven key in saving the day in a few episodes, such as "Divided We Fall", in which he defeated the fused Brainiac/Lex Luthor when all the other six founding Justice League members could not. In the process, he was drawn into the Speed Force (the first explicit use of the concept in the DCAU), and barely managed to escape. The episode "Flash and Substance" is centered on the opening of the Flash Museum. Many of the Flash's rogues make cameos in this episode, while focusing on Captain Boomerang, Mirror Master, Captain Cold, and The Trickster (voiced by Mark Hamill). Linda Park also appears as a reporter covering the museum opening. Mirror Master alludes that Wally West may not have been the only Flash stating to the rest of the Rogues, "We've all been stopped by a Flash." [Justice League Unlimited, episode #31 "Flash and Substance."]

"The Batman"

The Flash appeared at the end of "The Batman"'s fourth season finale "The Joining" as one of the members of the Justice League. The Flash was properly introduced in the episode "A Mirror Darkly" to help Batman battle Mirror Master. Also Charlie Schlatter reprised the role of Flash from the above Superman episode "Speed Demons". Creators stated that their version was intended to be Barry Allen, but they'd leave it up to the viewers to decide for themselves. He is more similar to Bart Allen in attitude, and personality.

"Smallville"

The Flash made guest appearances in the television series "Smallville", in the fourth-season episode "Run" (first aired October 20, 2004) and in the sixth season in the episode "Justice" (first aired on January 18, 2007). He is played by Kyle Gallner. He is portrayed as a self-centered teenager who uses his powers for personal gain. He goes by the name Bart Allen, but is shown to be carrying multiple ID cards also identifying him as Jay Garrick, Barry Allen, and Wally West. His speed during his first episode run-in with Clark makes it clearly apparent that his super-speed ability and potential surpasses Clark's completely as he is seen running backwards but able to keep Clark completely at bay as he attempts to tag Bart. Beyond that, Bart merely uses more of his power and disappears completely in plain sight of Clark, leaving him behind, bewildered but content. Their mutual respect made it apparent that they had become friends towards the end (as Superman and Flash are good friends in the future), with allusions being made to forming a "league" one day. It is mentioned that he got his powers through an accident, rather than genetics as in the actual comics, though it should be noted that at least one of the Flashes has gotten his powers through an accident. This incarnation of The Flash is also one of the few characters on Smallville who is not a 'Meteor Freak', meaning they have not acquired their powers through Kryptonite-related means via one of Smallville's infamous meteor showers.

Although commercials for "Run" billed him as "the Flash", he is never called by this name in the episode. Instead, in "Justice", he has been given the codename "Impulse". Like in the comics, Bart did not pick this name himself. In his second appearance, Bart has grown up some, but maintained roughly the same personality. However, he is now using his powers to help others. Along with Aquaman, Green Arrow, Cyborg and Black Canary he now works to stop one of Lex Luthor's evil side projects, 33.1.

Film

In December 2004, David S. Goyer was attached to write and direct a superhero film based on the fictional DC Comics character The Flash. [cite news | author=Claude Brodesser | coauthors=Cathy Dunkley | url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117915172.html?categoryid=1350&cs=1 | title=WB shines Flash light | publisher=Variety | date=2004-12-16 | accessdate=2007-02-12 ] Goyer expressed interest in having actor Ryan Reynolds portray Wally West, [cite news | author=Clint Morris | url=http://www.moviehole.net/news/4718.html | title=Exclusive Interview: David Goyer | publisher=Moviehole.net | date=2004-12-18 | accessdate=2007-02-12 ] with Reynolds expressing his own interest in the role. [cite news | url=http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0503/20/index.htm | title=Wizard World L.A.: Ryan Reynolds | publisher=Comics Continuum | date=2005-03-20 | accessdate=2007-02-12 ] In June 2005, Goyer was still developing the first script draft for "The Flash" and had yet to finalize negotiations with Reynolds. [cite news | author=Jeff Otto | url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/622/622613p1.html | title=Goyer on "Flash" & "Thor" | publisher=IGN | date=2005-06-05 | accessdate=2007-02-12 ] In February 2007, Goyer departed from the project, citing creative differences with the studio. [cite news | author= | url=http://comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=18724 | title=No "Flash" for David Goyer | publisher=ComingSoon.net | date=2007-02-03 | accessdate=2007-02-12 ] Goyer's script was considered dark-themed,cite news | author=Borys Kit | url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i942a6313d5bbee00232d4b3bf4691924 | title=News 'Flash': Levy to helm | publisher=The Hollywood Reporter | date=2007-02-05 | accessdate=2007-02-12 ] including both Barry Allen and Wally West as The Flash and drawing on seminal comicbook runs by Mike Baron, Mark Waid, and Geoff Johns. [cite news | author= | url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/761/761295p1.html | title=Goyer Ankles "The Flash" | publisher=IGN | date=2007-02-03 | accessdate=2007-02-12 ]

Later in February 2007, director Shawn Levy was announced to be attached to "The Flash" and to oversee the writing of the new draft, which would use elements of Goyer's script. Ryan Reynolds expressed interest in the role once more of The Flash if the new script's incarnation was Wally West. [cite news | author=David Sgargetta | url=http://www.moviehole.net/interviews/20070209_exclusive_interview_ryan_reyno.html | title=Exclusive Interview : Ryan Reynolds | publisher=Moviehole.net | date=2007-02-09 | accessdate=2007-02-12 ]

In October 2007, director David Dobkin said that he was signed on to direct "The Flash", replacing Shawn Levy. Dobkin said that the film would work as a spin-off from the upcoming "Justice League of America" film. He said that the incarnation of the Flash would be Wally West. [cite news | author=Shawn Adler | url=http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2007/10/27/exclusive-david-dobkin-takes-flash-reins-spills-details/ | title=David Dobkin Takes ‘Flash’ Reins, Spills Details | publisher=MTV | date=2007-10-27 | accessdate=2007-11-17 ] In the February 08 issue of Wizard the Flash was placed for a 2008 release date. [ Wizard # 196 February '08| author=Rickey Pudin| title=THE DARK KNIGHT| publisher=Wizard Entertainment |date= 2008-02] However, this obviously fell through as well.

"Justice League" film

A Justice League, was supposed to start filming in 2009, featuring The Flash. However, WB has announced that this film project has been abandoned, as they are focusing on solo films for their DC properties.Fact|date=August 2008 The group movie will only be made after that.Fact|date=August 2008 On the now-shelved project, Adam Brody was rumored to play Barry Allen and Anton Yelchin was rumored to play Wally West.Fact|date=August 2008 Zoe Kazan was also rumored to appear as Iris West, Barry's wife and Wally's aunt.Fact|date=August 2008

Video Games

* The Flash is a "Game Boy" game based on the live action television series and was released in 1991.
* "The Flash" was a video game that was released on the Sega Master System in 1993.
* Wally West is a playable fighter in "Justice League Task Force" released on the Super NES in 1995.
* The Flash is a featured playable character in the video game, "Justice League Heroes". In addition, there is a spin-off game for the "Game Boy Advance" and "Nintendo DS" with The Flash as the main hero titled "". Both were released in 2006.
* The Flash will appear in Midway's "Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe". He appears in a variant of his current costume. [ [http://www.worldscollide.com/kombatants/Flash_Render.jpgOfficial MK vs DC Flash character render ] ] The Flash in the picture has green eyes, indicating that it is Wally West, though it has been hinted they're not limited to only one.
* The Flash will appear in Sony's "DC Universe Online". A video showing game play displays Wally West. [ [http://www.gametrailers.com/player/36413.html Gametrailers.com - DC Universe Online - E3 2008: Sony Conference Trailer ] ] Jay Garrick has also been confirmed. [ [http://ps3.ign.com/dor/objects/755358/dc-universe-online/images/dc-universe-online-20080716114242352.html?page=mediaFull IGN: DC Universe Online Artworks (PS3) Full Size 2477376 ] ]

Other appearances

* Wally West appeared in a novel "Stop Motion", written by Mark Schultz.
* Barry Allen appears in the direct-to-video movie "" and is central to the story. Jay Garrick also makes a small appearance during the opening credits of the movie.

In popular culture

* In the "Simpsons" episode "New Kids On The Bleech", Comic Book Guy dresses up like the Flash and even stated, "No one can outrun The Flash" until he gets stuck into an open manhole. In the earlier episode "Marge Versus The Monorail", Lyle Lanley, when addressing a classroom of children is asked whether his monorail can outrun The Flash. After replying in the affirmative, he is asked if Superman can outrun The Flash, which he also confirms.
* In 2002, the lead con-man character in the movie "Catch Me If You Can" played by Leonardo DiCaprio used the alias "Barry Allen" to elude G-man Tom Hanks in reference to his love for the comic book.
* In the 2003 movie "Daddy Day Care", Jimmy Bennett plays a boy who thinks he is the Flash and refuses to take off his costume, plus a sugar rush actually allows him to go super speed for a while.
* The band "Jim's Big Ego" has a song entitled The Ballad of Barry Allen, about the Flash.
* In the first season of the hit TV series "Lost", the character "Walt Lloyd" is seen reading the Spanish version of a Flash comic "Flash/"Green Lantern": Faster Friends #1" on several occasions. In the third season episode "Catch–22", Charlie and Hurley are seen debating the question of whether the Flash could defeat Superman in a footrace.
* During "WrestleMania XX", Rey Mysterio wore a 'Flash-like' costume.
* In the novel Assault on the Senses (novel), three characters share their names with three Flash alter egos--Jay, Barry and Wally--and each have personalities representative of the character they're respectively inspired by.
* In the "Jimmy Neutron" episode "N-Men", Jimmy's friend Sheen Estevez gains Flash-like powers and goes by the name Vibrating Lad.
* In the "South Park" episode "Imaginationland," The Flash can be seen as one of the characters in Imaginationland.
* Flash appeared in the "Robot Chicken" episode "Losin' the Wobble" voiced by Nathan Fillion. He, Superman, and Wonder Woman were unable to stop Reverse-Flash which leads to them talking about their reverse opponents. It wasn't revealed if this version of the Flash was revealed to be Barry Allen or Wally West.
* In "The Big Bang Theory" episode "The Middle Earth Paradigm" the four guys all go to a Halloween party dressed as The Flash. The character of Sheldon is also frequently seen to be wearing a Flash t-shirt.
* A guy dressed as The Flash was one of the superheroes on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
* At Six Flags theme parks, which frequently use DC super-heroes around their park, visitors can spend additional money to buy "The Flash Pass" which allows them speed through lines to certain attractions. Promotions for the pass frequently feature The Flash himself.

References

External links

* [http://www.monitorduty.com/mdarchives/2005/12/alan_kistlers_p_3.shtml Alan Kistler's Profile On: The Flash] - An analysis of the history of the Flash by comic book historian Alan Kistler.
* [http://www.toonopedia.com/flash2.htm Silver Age Flash Toonopedia entry]
* [http://www.sequart.com/flash.htm The Flash: The Continuity Pages]
* [http://www.jlresource.com/good/theflash.php The Flash JLResource.com entry]
* [http://www.hyperborea.org/flash/ The Flash: Those Who Ride The Lightning] - Fan site with information about the super-speed characters of the DC Universe.
* [http://darkmark6.tripod.com/flashind.html Index to Barry Allen's Earth-1 adventures]
* [http://www.dcuguide.com/profile.php?name=flash2 The Unofficial Flash Biography]
* [http://movieblog.ugo.com/index.php/movieblog/more/jla_update_more_exclusives_and_sorry_aquaman/ Aquaman in movie after all]
* [http://movieblog.ugo.com/index.php/movieblog/C395/ The JLA movie info]
* [http://www.supermanhomepage.com/news.php?readmore=4019 Superman Homepage JLA biography]