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October 10, 2010
 Warner Bros continues to develop a big screen adaptation of DC Comics' "The Flash",
written by Greg Berlanti, co-writer of director Martin Campbell's upcoming "Green Lantern" feature.
 Created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Harry Lampert, the original 'Flash' debuted
in "Flash Comics" #1 (January 1940).
'Jay
Garrick' possessed 'super-speed', using heightened reflexes that seemed to violate all known laws of physics. The college
student, gained his speed via the inhalation of hard water vapors and wore a winged metal helmet reminiscent of the Greek
god Hermes (Mercury) .
 'Barry Allen', the second 'Flash', was a police scientist, who gained his super-speed
after being bathed in chemicals following a lightning strike. Allen adopted "The Flash' name while reading a comic book featuring
the adventures of Jay Garrick.
 'Wally West', formerly 'Kid Flash', gained his super-powers through an accident identical
to Allen's. Following Allen's death, West adopted the Flash identity and given his own DC Comics series, beginning with the
catchphrase: "My name is Wally West. I'm the fastest man alive."...
 "The Flash" was also a 1990 TV series starring actor John Wesley Shipp as DC Comics 'Scarlet Speedster', co-starring Amanda Pays ("Max Headroom"). The show was developed by executive producers Danny Bilson and Paul De Meo for Pet Fly Productions.
Composer Danny Elfman wrote the title theme
and Stan Winston Studios created the Flash costume, designed by Robert Short, based on the 'Barry Allen'-era look of the comics.
The pilot episode began with 'Central City Police' forensic scientist 'Barry Allen' (Shipp) having
his crime lab struck by lightning and Allen's electrified body flung into a cabinet of chemicals. With the help of 'S.T.A.R.
Labs' scientist 'Tina McGee' (Pays), Allen discovers the accident changed his body's metabolism, giving him the ability to
move at superhuman speed. To avenge the murder of a
motorcycle police officer, Barry demands Tina modify a red S.T.A.R. Labs prototype deep sea diving suit for his costume, designed
to withstand tremendous pressures.
Throughout the 22-episode series, 'The Flash' takes
on various comic book super-villains including 'Captain Cold' and 'The Trickster'.
A 76-page comic book tie-in based on the TV series was published by DC in 1991 titled "The Flash TV Special" #1, featuring
a sneak peek behind-the-scenes, on the making of the series with photos.
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