From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bartholomew Henry ''Barry'' Allen
is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by
DC Comics
. He is a speedster and the second superhero known as
The Flash
. In his secret identity he is a police officer working in
Central City
as a forensics specialist. His legacy is the
Flash Family
, he was inspired by
Jay Garrick
of the
Justice Society
and has been succeeded by
Kid Flash (Wally West)
and
Impulse (Bart Allen)
. Barry's running generates the
Speed Force
, an enigmatic source of energy that all other speedsters tap into throughout time. There is an ever-present danger that as fast as he runs, he might lose himself as he approaches speeds closer to light, but his lightning rod is his wife
Iris West
. Although he died sacrificing himself to save the universe during
Crisis on Infinite Earths
, he was resurrected during
Final Crisis
and is now working alongside the full Flash Family as of
Rebirth
. He was also a founding member of the
Justice League of America
.
Barry Allen was created by
Robert Kanigher
, John Broome and
Carmine Infantino
, first appearing in
Showcase
#4 (1956).
Barry Allen has been featured in several media, first appearing in animated form in the 1967
The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure
and then in the related
Super Friends
program. Since then he has appeared in several DC Universe Animated Original Movies. Actor
John Wesley Shipp
portrayed the character in the live-action 1990s television show
The Flash
and the Arrowverse. The character was portrayed by
Grant Gustin
in the Arrowverse shows in a main capacity, especially the 2014 television series
The Flash
, while
Ezra Miller
portrayed the character in the
DC Extended Universe
movies
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
,
Suicide Squad
,
Justice League
, the director's cut
Zack Snyder's Justice League
, the Arrowverse event
Crisis on Infinite Earths
, the HBO Max series
Peacemaker
, and the 2023 movie
The Flash
.