Barry Allen

Police scientist Barry Allen gained incredible super-speed after a bolt of lightning struck his lab, showering him with electrified chemicals. Adopting the identity of the Flash, he became Central City's scarlet speedster and a founding member of the Justice League.

Few characters can claim to have literally ignited an entire era of comics, but Barry Allen's debut in Showcase #8 in 1957 — brought to life by the brilliant creative team of John Broome and Carmine Infantino — is widely credited with launching the Silver Age itself, making him one of the most historically significant figures in DC's long legacy. Over nearly seven decades of publishing history, he has anchored The Flash and Justice League of America while rubbing shoulders with the absolute titans of the DC Universe: Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman among them. With 39 key issues to his name across 705 catalog appearances, Barry Allen isn't just a character with a long run — he's a cornerstone, the kind of figure whose stories have shaped and reshaped the entire DC cosmos time and again. If you're serious about understanding how modern superhero comics came to be, Barry Allen is essential reading.