Barry Allen

Publication history

While the fictional "in world" history of the character known as "The Flash" has been written and rewritten many times as DC Comics rebooted their fictional worlds again and again, the publication history of the character has followed a different path, not (quite) so prone to rewriting.

The Flash, Barry Allen (the name Bartholomew was not used until much later), first appeared in print in Showcase #4 (October 1956). The creative team on Showcase #4 consisted of Julie Schwartz (editor), Robert Kanigher (writer), Carmine Infantino (penciler, i.e., illustrator), and Joe Kubert (inker, i.e., assistant illustrator). Robert Kanigher is on record as saying he still considers Gardner Fox as "the creator of The Flash", and his creation of Barry Allen is a reworking of that original work. As a result, no one name is easily identifiable as the character's creator.

Fox's superhero, "The Flash" first appeared in Flash Comics #1 in 1940. In this story the man in the costume (he wore no mask) was named Jay Garrick. He rose in popularity and appeared in four comic book titles.

After World War II, superheroes declined in popularity, causing many of the Flash's comic book series to be canceled. All-Flash was canceled in 1948 after 32 issues and Comic Cavalcade became a talking animal humor book. Flash Comics was canceled in 1949 after 104 issues. All-Star Comics was canceled in 1951 after 57 issues, marking Garrick's last Golden Age appearance.

The popularity and circulation of comic books about superheroes had declined following World War II, and comic books about horror, crime and romance took larger shares of the market. However, controversy arose over alleged links between comic books and juvenile delinquency, focusing in particular on crime, horror, and certain elements of superheroes. In 1954, publishers implemented the Comics Code Authority to regulate comic content.

In the wake of these changes, publishers began introducing superhero stories again (as preferable to crime and horror), a change that began with the introduction of a new version of DC Comics' The Flash in Showcase #4 (October 1956).

Important Publication Milestones

"Justice League of America" (1960):

First Appearance in JLA: Barry Allen's The Flash first appeared in "The Brave and the Bold" #28 (1960). This was the first published story of Barry Allen's involvement with the superhero team, the Silver Age "Justice League" (Similar in many ways to the Golden Age "Justice Society").

"Flash of Two Worlds" (1961):

In Flash #123, Barry Allen meets Jay Garrick, establishing the concept of the Multiverse, which became a cornerstone of DC Comics' continuity.

"The Trial of The Flash" (1983–1984):

This storyline in The Flash #323–350 detailed Barry Allen's trial for the murder of his arch-nemesis, Reverse-Flash, and concluded with Barry's retirement and moving to the future with Iris.

"Crisis on Infinite Earths" (1985–1986):

Barry Allen sacrifices himself to save the Multiverse in this landmark crossover event, leading to his apparent death. He disappeared for over two decades in comic book time.

"The Return of Barry Allen" (1993):

In The Flash #74–79, Barry appears to return, only for it to be revealed as a villainous plot. This storyline helped to solidify Wally West's role as the new Flash.

"The Flash: Rebirth" (2009):

Barry Allen is definitively resurrected and reestablished as the primary Flash in this six-issue miniseries. The story explores the impact of his return and reaffirms his place in the DC Universe.

"Flashpoint" (2011):

Fictional character biography

Bartholomew Henry "Barry" Allen, the son of Henry and Nora Allen, was born on a stormy night on May 13. Always tardy, Barry was born two weeks late, the second of a set of twins. His sibling was declared stillborn, Barry grew up feeling alone, as if something was missing, developing an interest in comics, especially his favorite superhero, the Flash.

Barry Allen is a forensic chemist with a reputation for being very slow, and frequently late, which frustrates his fiancée, Iris West. One night, as he is working late on a new case, a lightning bolt strikes and shatters a case full of unspecified chemicals, drenching Barry, and temporarily knocking him out. As a result, Barry finds that he can run at super-human speeds and possesses equally enhanced reflexes, senses, and healing. He dubs himself the Flash (after his childhood comic book hero, Jay Garrick), and becomes Central City's resident costumed crime fighter and protector.

Central City University professor Ira West (Iris's adoptive father) designed Barry's costume and the ring which stores it while Barry is in his civilian identity. The ring can eject the compressed clothing when Barry needs it and suck it back in with the aid of a special gas that shrinks the suit. In addition, Barry invents the cosmic treadmill, a device that allows for precise time travel. Barry is warmly received by his superhero colleagues, so much so, that nearly all speedsters that come after him are often compared to him. Batman says "Barry is the kind of man that I would've hoped to become if my parents had not been murdered."

Justice League

As presented in Justice League of America #9, when the Earth is infiltrated by Appellaxian warriors, some of the world's greatest heroes join forces, Barry among them. While the superheroes individually defeat most of the invaders, they fall prey to a single alien and only by working together are able to defeat the warrior. Afterwards, they decide to establish the Justice League.

During the years, Barry is depicted as feeling slightly attracted to Black Canary and Zatanna but never pursues a relationship because he feels his real love is Iris West, whom he ultimately marries. Barry also becomes a good friend of Green Lantern (Hal Jordan), which would later be the subject of the limited series Flash and Green Lantern: The Brave and the Bold.

In The Flash #123—"Flash of Two Worlds"—Barry is transported to Earth-Two where he meets Jay Garrick, the original Flash in DC Continuity; it is revealed that Jay Garrick's adventures were captured in comic book form on Earth-One. This storyline initiates DC's multiverse and is continued in issues of Flash and in team-ups between the Justice League of America of Earth-One and the Justice Society of America of Earth-Two. In the story from Flash #179—"The Flash – Fact or Fiction?"—Barry is thrown into the universe called Earth Prime, a representation of "our" universe, where he seeks the aid of the Flash comic book's editor Julius Schwartz to build a cosmic treadmill so that he can return home. He also gains a sidekick and protégé in Iris' nephew, Wally West, who gains super-speed in an accident similar to that which gave Barry his powers.

Tragedy

In time, Barry marries his girlfriend Iris West, who learns of his double identity because Barry talks in his sleep. She keeps this secret, and he reveals his identity to her of his own free will with Moreno's persuasion. Iris is revealed to have been sent as a child from the 30th century and adopted.

In the 1980s, Flash's life begins to collapse. Iris is murdered by Zoom (a supervillain from the 25th century who had long loved her and been jealous of Barry), and when Barry prepares to marry another woman, Zoom tries the same trick again. Barry stops him, killing Zoom in the process by breaking his neck. Unfortunately, when Barry is unable to make an appearance at his own wedding, his fiancée descends into madness.

Placed on trial for murder in connection with Zoom's death, Barry is found guilty by the jury. When he is told by a juror Nathan Newbury, who is being possessed by a mind from the future, that Reverse-Flash (whom Barry knows to be dead) brainwashed the jury into this verdict, Flash flees his trial. The Flash is then attacked by Reverse-Flash, and realizes that the answers to this mystery, and restoring his good name, lie in the future, so Newbury uses a time device to send them forward. They discover that Abra Kadabra was disguised as Reverse-Flash to ruin the Flash's good name. Defeating Kadabra, he retreats to the future to be reunited with Iris, having learned that Iris' spirit was in fact drawn to the 30th century, and given a new body (and had been inhabiting Newbury's body).

Crisis on Infinite Earths

Following the trial, Barry retires and joins Iris in the 30th century. After only a few weeks of happiness, the Crisis on Infinite Earths intervenes, and Barry is captured by the Anti-Monitor and brought to 1985; according to the Anti-Monitor, the Flash is the only being capable of traveling to other universes at will, so the Anti-Monitor could not allow him to stay free. Barry escapes and foils the Anti-Monitor's plan to destroy the Earth with an anti-matter cannon, creating a speed vortex to draw the power in, but dies in the process as the power becomes too much for his body. After Barry's death, Kid Flash Wally West, his nephew and sidekick, takes up the mantle of the Flash.

In the series Quasar, an amnesiac Barry Allen enters the Marvel Universe in the middle of the great race to be the "Fastest Man Alive", where he is discovered by the Runner and invited to participate in the race. Beating several other speedsters, Barry is declared to be the "fastest man alive", though he never recovers his memory during his time in the universe. Barry is returned to his original universe with Makkari's assistance.

Iris is pregnant and has two children who have super-speed powers, the Tornado Twins, who later meet the Legion of Super-Heroes. In the multiversal variant known as Earth-247, each of her children themselves have children with speed-based abilities. One, Jenni Ognats, grows up to become the Legionnaire XS, while the other, Bart Allen, is born with an accelerated metabolism that rapidly ages him, and is sent back to the 20th century where he is cured by Wally West. He remains there as the superhero Impulse under the tutelage of Max Mercury, and later becomes the second Kid Flash as a member of the Teen Titans.

Flash's return

Twenty three years after his death in Crisis on Infinite Earths #8, Barry Allen returned to the present DC Universe in DC Universe #0, preceding his full-time return in the pages of Final Crisis.

DC Universe #0 features an unnamed narrator who initially associates himself with "everything". He begins to recall his past and association with Justice League members, particularly Hal Jordan and Superman. The lettering in which he speaks to the reader is yellow on backgrounds that are initially black. As the story moves forward, the background slowly begins turning red. In the final pages, the narration boxes feature a yellow lightning bolt. Over time, as he recalls friendships and connections with other people, his mind begins to narrow, remarking "I...know him. I am no longer everything. I am a shaft of light split through a prism". Yet he is still the only one able to see "the shadow falling over everything", in the form of Darkseid. On the final page, the moon appears in front of a red sky, as a yellow lightning bolt strikes in front of it creating the logo of the Flash, as he remarks "and now I remember".

A Daily News story released on the same day proclaimed that Barry Allen has returned to life, with issue co-writer Geoff Johns stating, "When the greatest evil comes back to the DC Universe, the greatest hero needed to return."

Barry makes his corporeal return in Final Crisis #2, where he is seen in pursuit of the bullet which kills Orion. Lamenting on Orion's death, which he was unable to stop, Barry wonders why he is now alive after being dead for so long. It is then that Barry and Wally are confronted by Wonder Woman, Batwoman, Catwoman, and Giganta, who have been transformed into the new Female Furies following the release of the Anti-Life Equation.

After escaping the Female Furies, Barry stops to see his wife Iris and save her from the slavery of the Anti-Life Equation. Seeing his wife again for the first time in years, Barry is overcome with emotion and gives his brainwashed wife a deep kiss. While kissing her, the Speed Force sparkles out of his body, enveloping Iris and freeing her from the Equation. The Allens and Wally West are left to fend in a conquered world. Barry and Wally lead the Black Racer to Darkseid, dealing Darkseid a blow that, coupled with Batman shooting him in the shoulder with the god-bullet, would facilitate his ultimate defeat.

The Flash Volume 3

The new Flash series begins after the completion of Blackest Night and the beginning of Brightest Day. After the events of The Flash: Rebirth, Barry Allen is reintegrating himself into life in Central City. Under the cover of having been in witness protection, Barry returns to the Central City Police Department's crime lab and returns to the streets as the Flash. While readjusting to life as the Flash, a man appears out of thin air in the costume of Flash rogue the Mirror Master, and promptly dies on the street.

When Barry arrives on the scene to investigate, he sees the man is neither original Mirror Master Sam Scudder, or the current Mirror Master, Evan McCulloch. Hearing of another portal appearing, Barry transforms into the Flash and runs to investigate. When he arrives, a group of people in costumes similar to the Rogues, called the Renegades appear and tell Barry that they are from the 25th century, and that he is under arrest for murdering the "Mirror Monarch". Barry tells the crew that he has not killed anyone, to which their leader, "Commander Cold", tells him, "Not yet. But you will."

After a brief struggle, where Weather Warlock's time disc was damaged, the Renegades are forced back to the 25th century, which also caused the destruction of an apartment building due to their uncontrolled jump back. Barry saves everyone in the building, even rebuilding the building in minutes, and goes on to search for the true killer of Mirror Monarch. He is attacked again by the Renegades, but only before Captain Boomerang shows up, now wielding explosive energy boomerangs. Boomerang fights both the Flash and the Renegades, and a confused Top (one of the Renegades from the 25th century) questions his teammates on whether or not Barry Allen is the man they are looking for, pointing out that in their timeline, Boomerang never showed up.

The Renegades finally corner Captain Boomerang when the Rogues arrive with a giant mirror left by the previous Mirror Master that says "In Case The Flash Returns Break Glass". An all out brawl ensues as the Rogues battle the Renegades. Meanwhile, Flash is confronted by Top who warns him that the reason he will kill Mirror Monarch is because of Iris's death, which he claims will be caused when the giant mirror breaks, releasing the Mirror Lords. Top tells Barry that one of the Mirror Lords will possess Iris and take her away from him. Barry races to stop the mirror from breaking, with Top at his side. However, when the White Lantern entity reaches out to Captain Boomerang, telling him to "throw the boomerang", Boomerang responds by throwing dozens of boomerangs in every direction. One of them hits the glass and it begins to break. Top tells Flash to stop the Mirror Lords, while he goes and protects Iris. Flash questions does not make sense, but Top throws him into the mirror and flees.

The New 52

DC Comics relaunched The Flash with issue #1 in September 2011, with writing and art handled by Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato as part of DC's company-wide title relaunch, The New 52. As with all of the books associated with the DC relaunch, Barry Allen appears to be about five years younger than the previous incarnation of the character. He gains his powers after getting frustrated and throwing a small machine at the window of his lab. The machine breaks through the window, leaving a hole big enough for a bolt of lightning to charge through the hole and strike him.

In the second issue of the new Justice League title (the first released comic series of the New 52 initiative and "opening shot" of the new DC Universe), Flash is called to assist Green Lantern and Batman in wrangling an out-of-control Superman, and later assists with the pursuit of an alien, revealed to be an agent of Darkseid. In this new continuity, Barry's marriage to Iris West never took place, and he is instead in a relationship with longtime co-worker Patty Spivot. In this new series, the Flash draws deeper into the Speed Force, enhancing his mental abilities while still trying to fully grasp his powers, which he does not yet exert total control over.

The series reveals that Barry Allen's father was placed in prison for the murder of his mother. The murder occurred shortly after Barry returned victorious from a school spelling bee, and Barry placed the trophy he won on his mother's grave in her memory. While the evidence seems to indicate his father's guilt, Barry prioritizes proving his father's innocence.

Barry is also part of the main cast of the relaunched Justice League series, making his debut in the series' second issue. Following Convergence, Barry has a new suit in issue #41, which has a darker shade and features more streaks.

DC Rebirth

During DC Rebirth, Barry is no longer the only Flash. It is revealed that Wally West has been lost in the Speed Force for ten years, realizing during this time that Barry is not responsible for changing the timeline after the Flashpoint crisis, the unknown entity used Barry's time traveling as an opportunity to fundamentally alter reality. The fallout of the recent Darkseid War allowed Wally to try and reach out to his former friends in the hopes of either returning or warning them of the truth, but each attempt caused him to fall further into the Speed Force. After realizing not even Linda (his traditional "lightning rod") could remember him, Wally sank into desolation and chose to appear before Barry one last time to thank him for the life he had given him. Just before Wally disappeared, Barry remembered him and dragged him free of the Speed Force. Following a tearful reunion, Wally gave Barry his warning of the true source of the universal change and the dangers to come. Because of Wally, Barry is now aware that the timeline is not reset correctly after Flashpoint and thus another alternate timeline. However, he still cannot remember his pre-Flashpoint life, such as people like Jay Garrick, his long-last marriage with Iris, and the details of his feuds with the Reverse-Flash / Eobard Thawne (who now remembers their pre-Flashpoint history), and remembers Wally from their new DC Rebirth timeline history. Despite being informed by Wally that another party is responsible, Barry remains in guilt over his mistakes, and seeks to find and stop them in hopes of making amends. Although the two decide to keep Wally's return secret from Iris based on Wally's own experience with Linda, Barry encourages him to return to the Titans, but also recommends that he don a new costume to reflect that he is the Flash rather than 'Kid Flash'. While Wally considers his options, Barry visits Batman to discuss the new evidence of some outside force attacking them, musing on how personal this assault appears, but despite the potential danger, Batman and Barry agree to keep their investigation to themselves until they know what they are up against. Later, when Eobard Thawne attacks Iris and Wallace, Iris has glimpses of her pre-Flashpoint life with Barry and learns his secrets as the Flash in the process. Barry then learned of their marriage in the other timeline as well. Knowing from Thawne that her entire life has been drastically altered and that Barry is indirectly responsible for it as the result of his time-traveling actions, Iris now distrusts Barry. To make matters worse for Barry, while he is entering the Negative Speed Force, he becomes the Negative Flash which is more lethal than the original, and mostly dangerous to control.

After defeating Gorilla Grodd and getting Wally to meet Iris for the first time, they encounter the Renegades. The Renegades take the Flashes and Iris back to the 25th century to get answers about why Iris killed Eobard Thawne, only to discover that Hunter Zolomon has been manipulating everyone in a plot to bring conflict between Barry and Wally for the fate of the Speed Force. After Wally defeated Zolomon, Barry places him under watch at the Sanctuary while he is moving in with his girlfriend Iris at her place after Wallace angrily left them. Barry begins searching for the other forces. Zolomon arrives, powered with the Sage and Strength Force, claiming to be the "one true Flash". He defeats Barry and takes Steadfast away to claim the Still Force for himself. Black Flash also arrives and warns the defeated Barry not to interfere in his mission. Zolomon tortures Steadfast to give him the Still Force, but Steadfast resists. Finally, a revived Barry tracks down Zolomon and tries to rescue Steadfast, but Zolomon's power over other forces proves too much for him. Steadfast tries to use the Still Force to stop both the speedsters, but the plan backfires as Zolomon approaches and takes the Still Force. With the control of all four forces, Zolomon enters the Forever Force. He manages to track down the Still Force user Steadfast and the Strength Force user Fuerza to bring them to his team after the Black Flash starts hunting the other force users to prevent them from using their powers as the other forces weaken and deplete the Speed Force. However, the Sage Force user Psych refuses to join Barry's team only to be later tracked down and killed by the Black Flash. To safeguard the other force users Barry sends Fuerza and Commander Cold to the Strength Force and stays behind with Steadfast.

Infinite Frontier

During Infinite Frontier, Barry leaves Earth and Justice League to be a representative for the multiversal Justice League, and goes to different worlds to stabilize them. Barry is captured by Darkseid and is forced on a treadmill to allow Darkseid more power to control the Multiverse. Calvin Ellis frees Barry from the cosmic treadmill, but it causes him to be transported to Multiverse-2, the ruined Multiverse after the first crisis. He meets Pariah who imprisons him in a dream world. Wally West and Linda Park free Barry from his prison, and the rest of the speedsters return to Earth while Barry tries to find the Justice League. Barry saves Hal Jordan when he is imprisoned by Pariah, and they regroup the Justice League. Barry and Hal create a plan to go back to Earth to help the heroes fight against The Great Darkness, and help the heroes clean up the wreckage.

Dawn of DC

Barry had planned to propose to Iris, but an attack from an alien species kills her. He helps Wally and the fellow speedsters defeat the alien army and undo Iris' death, and she accepts his proposal. In "Absolute Power", Barry is the only member of the Flash family to still have a connection to the Speed Force after the connections of the other speedsters are severed by Amanda Waller. After Waller's Amazo task force is defeated, Barry's powers are taken and the rest of the speedsters lose access to the multiverse.

Powers and abilities

As with all Speed Force users/conduits Barry's main power is superhuman speed. Barry is generally considered to be the second fastest non-omnipotent character in the DC Universe after his successor and nephew Wally West. Barry is capable of running many magnitudes faster than light speed. Barry has been calculated as going as fast as 13 million times the speed of light and has feats that are faster. He has outrun numerous incredibly fast characters including Reverse Flash, Superman, Supergirl, and the Black Racer, the "Grim Reaper" of speedsters.

Barry's speed has numerous secondary applications. He can use it to generate cyclones by spinning his arms quickly. By vibrating the molecules in his body at hypersonic frequencies, Barry can turn invisible or phase through solid matter. Barry can also manipulate the electrical Speed Force energy he generates. He can channel the energy into arcs of lightning, as well as use the electricity to manipulate magnetism on a minor level. He has also used the lightning to create blinding amounts of light. By interlocking his lightning with that of another speedster, Barry can short circuit their connection to the Speed Force. Barry is also immune to telepathic attacks and control as he can shift his thoughts at a speed faster than normal thought via the Speed Force. Through "speed-reading", he can absorb large amounts of information into his short-term memory, which remain in his mind just long enough for him to make use of it. Using this technique, Barry was able to learn enough about building work to rebuild a destroyed apartment building. The Speed Force also supplies Barry with a protective aura that shields him and people he carries from friction and kinetic impacts, as well as grants him superhuman durability. Other aspects of Barry's powers include an enhanced metabolism, which grants him a regenerative healing factor. In the New 52, Barry learned that his body is using the Speed Force to its full extent but his brain was not. With the help of Dr. Elias he was able to learn how to use the Speed Force to process more information, and make even quicker decisions, to the point where he feels like he can see everything before it happens. Barry also developed the ability to speed up the flow of time around him, which he used to negate the powers of Zoom, who was able to slow down time. In terms of DC's internal lexicon, Barry is classified as a metahuman: a human being who possesses extranormal abilities either through birth or as the result of some external event.

As of 2024, Barry no longer has any powers due to the events of Absolute Power, where he sacrificed his connection to the Speed Force.

Rogues gallery

Some of the Flash's enemies formed a loose association and referred to themselves as the Rogues, disdaining the use of the term "supervillain" or "super-criminal". These criminals typically have unusually modest goals for their power level (robbery or other petty crimes), and each have adopted a specific theme in their equipment and methods.

Other versions

Many alternate universe versions of Barry Allen have appeared throughout the character's publication history.

In the series League of Justice, Allen is known as Phaeton.

In The Dark Knight Strikes Again, Allen was captured by Lex Luthor and forced to act as a power source for most of the East Coast. After being rescued by Carrie Kelley's forces, Allen dons a black version of his original Flash costume and aids Batman and other heroes in restoring order.

In Batman: Holy Terror, Allen was killed after losing the aura that protects him from the friction he generates while running.

On Earth -52, a universe in the Dark Multiverse, Allen was forcibly fused with his universe's Batman, who had been driven insane after the deaths of his sidekicks and used his new powers to become the Red Death.

In other media

Television

Barry Allen / Flash appears in The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure, voiced by Cliff Owens. This version is a founding member of the Justice League.

Barry Allen / Flash appears in the Super Friends franchise, voiced by Jack Angel. This version is a member of the eponymous group.

Barry Allen / Flash appears in Legends of the Superheroes, portrayed by Rod Haase.

Barry Allen / Flash appears in The Flash (1990), portrayed by John Wesley Shipp. Prior to Shipp's casting, CBS originally wanted Jack Coleman in the role, but he declined to pursue a career in Broadway. This version was inspired to become the Flash after his older brother Jay Allen is murdered by a gang leader and initially used a prototype deep-sea diving suit to control his powers. Additionally, he is a forensic scientist for the Central City Police Department and frequently assisted in his crime-fighting endeavors by S.T.A.R. Labs scientist Tina McGee. This version of the Flash also appears in the Arrowverse crossover events "Elseworlds" and "Crisis on Infinite Earths", where he sacrifices himself to save the multiverse from the Anti-Monitor.

Barry Allen / Flash appears in Justice League of America, portrayed by Kenny Johnston. This version is in his 20s and unemployed.

Barry Allen / Flash appears in The Batman, voiced by Charlie Schlatter. This version is a founding member of the Justice League.

Barry Allen / Flash appears in Batman: The Brave and the Bold, voiced by Alan Tudyk. This version is a member of the Justice League.

Barry Allen / Flash appears in DC Super Friends: The Joker's Playhouse, voiced by Eric Bauza.

Barry Allen / Flash appears in Young Justice, voiced initially by George Eads in the first season and most of the second season and subsequently by James Arnold Taylor. This version is a member of the Justice League, mentor to Wally West, and friend of Jay Garrick.

Film

Adam Brody was intended to portray Barry Allen / Flash in Justice League: Mortal prior to its cancellation.

Barry Allen / Flash appears in Justice League: The New Frontier, voiced by Neil Patrick Harris.

Barry Allen / Flash appears in Justice League: Doom, voiced by Michael Rosenbaum. This version is a member of the Justice League.

Barry Allen / Flash appears in films set in the DC Animated Movie Universe (DCAMU), voiced initially by Justin Chambers and subsequently by Christopher Gorham. This version is a member of the Justice League.

Barry Allen / Flash appears in JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time, voiced by Jason Spisak.

Barry Allen / Flash appears in the Lego Super Heroes film series, voiced by James Arnold Taylor. This version is a member of the Justice League.

Barry Allen / Flash appears in the Batman Unlimited film series, voiced again by Charlie Schlatter.

Barry Allen / Flash appears in DC Super Heroes vs. Eagle Talon, voiced by Daisuke Namikawa.

Barry Allen / Flash appears in The Lego Batman Movie, voiced by Adam DeVine.

Barry Allen / Flash appears in Teen Titans Go! To the Movies, voiced by Wil Wheaton.

Barry Allen / Flash appears in Injustice, voiced by Yuri Lowenthal.

Barry Allen / Flash appears in Teen Titans Go! & DC Super Hero Girls: Mayhem in the Multiverse, voiced again by Phil LaMarr.

DC Extended Universe

Barry Allen / Flash appears in media set in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), portrayed by Ezra Miller. This version is initially a college student who works multiple jobs to fund his search for evidence to clear his father's name after the latter was framed for killing his wife. Additionally, his suit is said to be created with a material used in space shuttle hulls and he is a self-described "hippie, long hair, very attractive Jewish boy".

First appearing in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), Lex Luthor acquired security footage of Barry using his powers to foil a convenience store robbery. Additionally, a future version of Barry travels back in time to warn Bruce Wayne about Superman.

Barry makes a cameo appearance in a flashback in Suicide Squad (2016), in which he apprehends Captain Boomerang.

In the Justice League (2017), Wayne recruits Barry into the titular team, though the latter is forced to confront his social awkwardness due to his powers. Eventually, Barry's jovial attitude helps him befriend the rest of the League, such as Victor Stone, and he goes on to help the team foil Steppenwolf's invasion of Earth and get a job as a forensic scientist for the Central City Police Department.

In the director's cut Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021), Barry meets Iris West and develops the ability to travel back in time, which he uses to save the world. Additionally, the possible future version of Barry also makes an appearance.

Barry makes cameo appearances in the animated end credits of Shazam! (2019); the live-action Arrowverse crossover event "Crisis on Infinite Earths" (2019), in which he encounters his Arrowverse counterpart and gets the idea to call himself "The Flash"; and the Peacemaker episode "It's Cow or Never" (2022).

Barry appears in The Flash (2023).

Video games

Barry Allen / Flash appears as a playable character in Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, voiced by Taliesin Jaffe. Due to Superman and Raiden inadvertently fusing Darkseid and Shao Kahn into Dark Kahn and merging their respective universes, Barry and Liu Kang temporarily develop a psychic bond until Dark Kahn is defeated.

Barry Allen / Flash appears in DC Universe Online, voiced by Dwight Schultz.

Barry Allen / Flash appears as a playable character in Injustice: Gods Among Us, voiced by Neal McDonough. This version is a member of the Justice League. Additionally, an alternate reality variant joined High Councilor Superman's Regime, but eventually has second thoughts and defects to Batman's Insurgency to help dismantle the Regime before willingly surrendering himself to the authorities.

Barry Allen / Flash appears as a playable character in Infinite Crisis.

Barry Allen / Flash appears as a playable character in Arena of Valor.

Barry Allen / Flash appears as a playable character in DC Unchained.

The Injustice incarnation of Barry Allen / Flash appears as a playable character in Injustice 2, voiced again by Taliesin Jaffe. As of this game, the alternate reality Flash has been pardoned for his role in dismantling the Regime and now seeks to redeem himself by helping the Insurgency repel Brainiac's attack on Earth.

Barry Allen / Flash appears in Justice League: Cosmic Chaos, voiced again by Josh Keaton.

Barry Allen / Flash appears as a boss in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, voiced again by Scott Porter. This version is a member of the Justice League.

Barry Allen / Flash appears in Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes, voiced again by Charlie Schlatter.

Miscellaneous

Barry Allen / Flash appears in Jim's Big Ego's song "Ballad of Barry Allen", which was released as part of the album, They're Everywhere. This version possesses an accelerated perception of the world, causing him to see reality moving at a snail's pace and gradually slip into depression. Jim Infantino, the band's frontman and nephew of Allen's co-creator Carmine Infantino, provided the cover art for the album.

A young Bartholomew Allen appears in Smallville Season 11. This version hails from the 30th century and is a descendant of Bart Allen.

The Young Justice incarnation of Barry Allen / Flash appears in issue #5 of the series' self-titled tie-in comic book, which reveals that he gained his powers while attempting to recreate the accident that gave Jay Garrick his powers.

The Injustice incarnation of Barry Allen / Flash appears in the Injustice: Gods Among Us prequel comic. Despite joining Superman's growing Regime, he maintains his sense of morality and initially questions Superman's increasingly drastic actions.

Barry Allen / Flash appears in DC Super Hero Girls (2015) and its tie-in films, voiced by Josh Keaton. This version is a student at Super Hero High School.

Reception and legacy

Legacy

The Flash has been established as a pop culture icon. and has appeared on lunch boxes, T-shirts, magazines, and commercials. Other products include cartoon shows, movies, books, hats, plush dolls, cereals, ice cream, bedding, kitchenware, clocks, purses, cufflinks, wallets, mugs, art prints, boxers, Lego sets, coaster sets, Hot Wheels sets, stationery sets, and board games.