Police scientist Barry Allen was struck by lightning in his lab one night, splashed with chemicals from a nearby cabinet. He found he could run at super-speed. Inspired by Jay Garrick, Allen adopted the identity of the Flash, quickly becoming a celebrated hero.
Wally West, nephew to Barry’s girlfriend Iris, became his partner when the accident somehow repeated itself; it has since been speculated that Barry unconsciously caused the accident to occur through his link to the Speed Force.
Barry Allen was a founding member of the Justice League of America, and brought Jay Garrick out of retirement. Barry eventually married Iris; their marriage lasted many years, but Professor Zoom killed her. Eventually Barry fell in love again, with a woman named Fiona Webb, but Zoom returned again to kill her on their wedding day. Barry stopped him, but snapped his neck, leading to a trial for murder.
After he was acquitted, Barry was reunited with Iris—it turned out that she had been born in the 30th century, and her death before her birth enabled her parents to perform a “psychic transplant.” Barry and Iris had only a short time together in the future of 2957, but it was enough time for Iris to conceive twins who would inherit their father’s speed.[2]
Barry was abducted by the Anti-Monitor during the Crisis. He died saving the universe. In outracing the tachyon at the heart of the Anti-Monitor’s anti-matter cannon, Barry broke all limits of speed and became one with the other side of light. (See also Where’s Barry?)
(Note: 52 #7 states that Barry tried to stop the effects of Zero Hour in the 64th Century, which was Wally in the original version. It is not yet clear whether this is a change or an error. If it is a change, it is not clear how it fits with Barry’s role in the original Crisis.)
Team Membership
Barry Allen was a founding member of the Justice League of America, and remained on the team up through the time of his trial (1960–1985).
