
Originally Posted by
JigSta
I thought the Flash was more childish and impulsive? He seems that way in the JL cartoons. Always trying to crack jokes and such.
That's because the animated series used the third Flash, Wally West, and not the second Flash, Barry Allen.
Let me get you up to speed (sorry; bad pun):
The first Flash was Jay Garrick. Jay was the star of FLASH COMICS from 1940 to 1953, and has appeared somewhat regularly in other DC Comics (especially the later FLASH comics) since. He was a university student and star athlete who, circa 1940, gained the power of superspeed when he inhaled the fumes of a substance called "hard water" in a laboratory accident. This Flash eventually became a member of the JSA and fought in World War II. In the Pre-COIE days, he was the Flash of Earth-Two. In Post-COIE continuity, he is the original Flash. Jay Garrick is still active as the Flash today, although he has been in semi-retirement for years and has generally taken a back seat to the Flashes who have followed him.
$this->handle_bbcode_img_match('http://img394.imageshack.us/img394/4155/jay17vw.gif')
Jay Garrick, the Golden Age Flash
The second Flash was Barry Allen. Barry debuted in SHOWCASE # 4 (generally considered the first Silver Age comic book) in 1956 and was the star of THE FLASH comic book title from 1959 to 1985. He was a police scientist from Central City. One night, an errant lightning bolt shot through the window of his laboratory, hitting a shelf of chemicals the contents of which spilled all over Barry, giving him the power of superspeed. Inspired by his childhood hero, the original Flash, Barry created a new, modernized Flash costume (the one we know today) and began a career as the new Flash. As the Flash, Barry was a founding member of the JLA and one of the greatest heroes of his generation. After a successful career that lasted a number of years, Barry died saving the universe from the Anti-Monitor during the Crisis On Infinite Earths. Although the character died in the CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS maxiseries back in 1985, he has often appeared in flashbacks and other cameos since.
$this->handle_bbcode_img_match('http://img428.imageshack.us/img428/3268/barry15zg.gif')
Barry Allen, the Silver Age Flash
The third Flash was Wally West. Wally, who first appeared as the teen hero Kid Flash during the early 1960s, was the star of the third FLASH comic series, which started in 1987 and wrapped up at the end of 2005 (a new FLASH comic, whose starring character has not been revealed, will debut in 2006 after the end of INFINITE CRISIS). He was the nephew of Barry Allen's girlfriend (later wife), Iris West. As a child, Wally idolized the Flash (Barry Allen). When Wally was at the age of 10, his aunt Iris brought him to Central City, where he finally met his hero. While the Flash explained to Wally how he had gained his superspeed, the exact same lightning accident that had given Barry his powers occurred to Wally, granting Wally the same superspeed powers that Barry had. From that point on, Wally fought crime alongside the Flash as Kid Flash, and later became a founding member of the Teen Titans. Years later, Barry Allen died during the Crisis On Infinite Earths. To honor his late mentor's memory, Wally took Barry's costume and Flash title to continue the work begun by Barry. Wally has had an extraordinary career as the Flash in his own right, but is currently missing in action after helping to defeat Superboy Prime in INFINITE CRISIS # 4.
$this->handle_bbcode_img_match('http://img428.imageshack.us/img428/5403/wally58ni.gif')
Wally West, the Modern Age Flash