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| The First Three Flashes: Garrick, Allen and West |
The Flash Origins
The Flash is a DC Comics superhero who possess the ability to move at super speed. There have been 4 Flashes, Jay Garrick, Barry Allen, Wally West and Bart Allen. The original Flash first appeared in Flash Comics #1, January 1940. The character was created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Harry Lampert. The hero was nicknamed The Scarlet Speedster all incarnations of the Flash have possessed super-speed, superhuman reflexes, the ability to vibrate through solid objects and accelerated healing
Jay Garrick: Golden-Age Flash
The character first appeared in the first issue of the anthology series Flash Comics in 1940, published by All-American Publications and created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Harry Lampert. As a boy Jason "Jay" Garrick would often read comics about a speedster named Whip Whirlwind. Little did he realise that he too would be given the power of superspeed. Later in life Garrick would double-major in physics and chemistry at Midwestern University in Keystone City. Whilst conducting an experiment to purify hard water Garrick was given his powers. An accidental spilled test tube of water caused fumes to knock Garrick out. Later in hospital Garrick wakes up to find he has been given superhuman speed by the accident. The ability also gives Garrick an increased metabolism, accelerated healing, decelerated age, the ability to phase and superhuman endurance, to name but a few.
Garrick's Flash costume comprised of a red shirt with a yellow lightening bolt, blue trousers and a stylised metal helmet. The helmet had wings on either side was based on the ancient Greek messenger god, Hermes. The helmet all so belonged to his father, who fought in WW1. As the Flash, Garrick fought criminals such as the Faultless Four, the Fiddler, the Thinker and the Shade. In early version Garrick made no effort in keeping his identity. It was only in later stories that Garrick would vibrate his face in order to blur. However his girlfriend, Joan Williams, was still able to recognise him.
Garrick was a close friend of Alan Scott, his time's Green Lantern. However Scott was not the only hero Garrick knew as he was an active and founding member of the Justice Society of America. The group, first appearing in All Star Comics #3 in 1940, included Doctor Fate, Hour-Man, the Sandman,the Spectre, Atom, the Flash, Green Lantern and Hawkman. Garrick left in issue #6 to be replaced by Johnny Thunder.
Later, Garrick would be seen helping later versions of the Flash. Notably His rescue of the second Flash from his enemy Professor Zoom. Garrick would go on to retire but is seen giving advice to the Flash and even helping in difficult situations.
