The Black Flash fulfills the role of Death for those who possess super-speed, returning them to the source of their powers: the Speed Force.
History
He was reportedly seen before the deaths of Barry Allen, Johnny Quick, and Max Mercury, who, having had several near-death experiences, also saw the Black Flash.
It is not clear whether the Black Flash exists because the speedsters are simply too fast for traditional Death to capture, or as some sort of bizarre side effect to their connection to the Speed Force.
He came for Wally West to draw him back to the Speed Force, but instead took Linda Park, Wally's girlfriend, into the Speed Force. He later returned to try and take Wally again, freezing time - save for those who possessed a connection to the Speed Force. Max Mercury, Jay Garrick, and Jesse Quick attempted to assist Wally by distracting the Black Flash; Wally finally defeated the Black Flash by racing him to the end of time, to a point where Death would have no meaning, causing him to dissipate.
The Black Flash appeared to the fourth Flash, Bart Allen, immediately before his death at the hands of the Rogues at the Getty Center.[1]
Barry Allen later became the new Black Flash after the old one was found "apparently dead."[2] Soon after, the title was taken by Professor Zoom in his corpse Black Lantern form.
Powers and Abilities
Powers
- Speed Force Entity: As the aspect of death for speedsters, the Black Flash draws power from the extra-dimensional energy field called the Speed Force. According to Max Mercury, one touch from the Black Flash can cause instant death.[3]
- Superhuman Speed: The Black Flash can move at superhuman speeds, easily keeping up with Barry Allen, and surpassing the speed of light.
- Superhuman Reflexes: Because of his immense speed, the Black Flash's reflexes are heightened to superhuman levels, allowing him to react to danger instantly.
- Superhuman Durability: The Black Flash is capable of withstanding high levels of physical harm, and suffer no injury.
- Superhuman Agility: The Black Flash's balance and bodily coordination are far superior to the finest human athlete. He is able to make sharp turns while moving at superhuman speed - without losing balance.
- Superhuman Stamina: Black Flash possesses superhuman stamina, which allows him to handle running at superhuman speeds, without getting tired or weak.
- Dimensional Travel: The Black Flash can easily travel to and from the Speed Force at will.
- Electrokinesis: His body generates great amounts of electricity.
- Claws: He can use his clawed hands for stabbing and slashing in combat.
- Energy Absorption: The Black Flash's physiology allows him to absorb Speed Force energy to empower himself.
- Enhanced Senses: His speed extends to his senses, allowing him to see and hear normally when moving at increased speed, even when moving at, or greatly above, the speed of sound, where this would normally be impossible. He also can sense speedsters near him.
- Molecular Acceleration
- Time Travel: The Black Flash can move fast enough to break open holes in the fabric of time and space, allowing him to travel through time.
- Time Manipulation: The Black Flash can freeze time in the world around him; only those with extreme levels of superspeed can attune themselves to the world which is frozen by the Black Flash.[4][3]
- Immortality: As an aspect of death, the Black Flash cannot die by any ordinary means.
- Intangibility: By vibrating his body at a specific frequency, the Black Flash can become intangible, allowing himself to directly pass through objects.
Abilities
- Intimidation: Due to his great power and demonic appearance, the Black Flash has to ability to instill great fear in others.
Notes
- The Black Flash should not be confused with the other personifications of death in the DCU: The Black Racer, and Death of the Endless. Although an issue of Captain Atom purports Death of the Endless, the Black Racer, and Nekron to all be aspects of the same idea, Neil Gaiman (creator of Death of the Endless) refutes this idea, stating that his creation is the ultimate personification of Death. As such, any connection between the Black Flash and Death of the Endless is tenuous, at best.
Recommended Reading
Related
- 15 Appearances of Black Flash (New Earth)
- 10 Images featuring Black Flash (New Earth)
- Quotations by or about Black Flash (New Earth)
- Character Gallery: Black Flash (New Earth)
External Links
Footnotes
  Flash Villain(s) |