Flashpoint #1 is an issue of the series Flashpoint (Volume 1) with a cover date of December, 1999. It was published on October 6, 1999.
Synopsis for "Flashpoint"
The quadriplegic Barry Allen is woken up from dreams of speed by his wife Iris West. Space scientist Wally West is leading a team including James Jesse to Mars, and Barry monitors him as they attempt to excavate some of the ancient artifacts. The first device that Wally picks up begins vibrating uncontrollably, then he is struck by alien lightning and reduced to a twitching blur on the ground.
Back on Earth at the Flash-Space Museum, a tour guide recants Barry's origins as a super-hero and how his career ended when he took the bullet meant for President Kennedy, who subsequently expanded the space program and is now (1999) serving his 10th term. Inside the museum, private detective Ralph Dibny supplies information about the Allen Family to a mysterious stranger who refuses to reveal his interests.
Iris attempts to rush Wally in his current condition to the only man who can help him, their dear friend Vandal Savage. Barry continues to have nightmares about the Kennedy assassination and the mystery behind the magic bullet that was able to wound him at super-speed. His mind still moves at incredible speeds even though his body no longer can. Iris criticizes him for acting like a martyr to her because he can't dump his emotional problems on anyone else. Savage operates on Wally with the help of cryogenic scientist Leonard Snart. Jesse kills a guard on hand and steals the device that caused West's condition.
Appearing in "Flashpoint"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Iris West
- Leonard Snart
- Martian Manhunter
- Ralph Dibny
- Wally West
- Vandal Savage (First appearance)
Antagonists:
- James Jesse
Other Characters:
- Captain Boomerang (Flashback only)
- Dwight D. Eisenhower (Flashback only)
- Francis Gary Powers (Flashback only)
- John F. Kennedy (Flashback only)
- Jackie Kennedy (Flashback only)
- John Connally (Flashback only)
- William Greer (Flashback only) (shoulder only)
- Roy Kellerman (Flashback only)
- Mirror Master (Mentioned only)
- The Top (Mentioned only)
Locations:
- Berlin (In dream sequence only)
- Central City
- Dallas, Texas (Flashback only)
- Havana, Cuba (Flashback only)
- Mars
- Vietnam (Flashback only)
Items:
- Boom Tube (Mentioned only)
- Flash's Costume Ring
Vehicles:
Notes
- Reprinted in Elseworlds: Justice League Vol. 3.
Trivia
- The Flash-Space Museum is a clear reference to the National Air and Space Museum.