For the 2024 limited series, see Speed Force Vol 2.
- What you and I can do... that's a lot to ask of electrified chemicals. For the first time, I felt a sense of this power coming from beyond us. From an unknown force. And I wondered, Wally... are we even human?
Speed Force #1 is a one-shot with a cover date of November, 1997.
Synopsis for "Burning Secrets"
Wally West recounts the tale of the only time he saw fear on Barry Allen's face. During a fight with Cobalt Blue, Barry felt the source of his power, the Speed Force, and began to worry he had lost his humanity. Wally assured Barry he was the most human guy he knows, and years later, he was able to learn a lot more about the Speed Force firsthand.
Appearing in "Burning Secrets"
Featured Characters:
- Flash (Wally West) recounting tale when he was Kid Flash (Flashback only)
- Flash (Barry Allen) (Flashback only)
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Cobalt Blue (Malcolm Thawne) (First appearance)
Other Characters:
Locations:
- Missouri
- Central City
- Central City Zoo
- Barry Allen's Apartment
- Central City
Items:
- Flash's Costume Ring
- Blue Flame (First appearance)
Vehicles:
Synopsis for "Like Straws in a Hurricane"
Frustrated with being unable to meet with several of the big names in the media business, Jesse Chambers decides to "arrange" for Jesse Quick to pull the CEOs into her office and give them a first-hand demonstration of how their unethical business practices have ruined people's lives.
Appearing in "Like Straws in a Hurricane"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Tally
Antagonists:
- Unnamed down-sized middle manager
Other Characters:
- J. Wilmer Tarott
- Marcus (Assistant)
- Ken Cordler
- Unnamed wife
- Jeeko Norlock
- Larry (Assistant)
- Paul
Locations:
- Quickstart Enterprises
- Texas
- Dallas
- J. Wilmer Tarott's Office
- Dallas
- California
- Los Angeles
- Ken Cordler's Office
- Los Angeles
Items:
Vehicles:
- Jeeko Norlock's Yacht
Synopsis for "Childsplay"
Whip Whirlwind tries to prevent a factory owner from mistreating his child workers, but his efforts only inspired the owner to want to get out of the business altogether — after burning down the factory with the children still inside to collect the insurance payment. Luckily, one of the kids is able to escape the burning the building and find Whip Whirlwind, who saves the children and ensures the factory owner and his accomplice, the corrupt orphanage worker, are thrown into jail, while the orphans are sent to a proper orphanage.
Appearing in "Childsplay"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Zachary
Antagonists:
- Dame Lucretia Pritchard
- Archimedes Schott
Other Characters:
- Numerous unnamed orphans
Locations:
- August, 1893
- New York
- New York City
- Schott Toy Factory
- Pritchard Asylum
- New York City
- New York
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for "A Stranger with My Face"
While trying to save his girlfriend, Joan Williams, Jay Garrick falls into the Fiddler's trap, which is specially designed to counteract his super speed. But an older version of Jay appears from the future to tell his younger self that he simply has to walk out of the trap at normal speed.
Appearing in "A Stranger with My Face"
Featured Characters:
- Flash (Jay Garrick) (Flashback and main story)
Supporting Characters:
- Joan Williams (Flashback only)
Antagonists:
- Fiddler (Isaac Bowin) (Flashback only)
- Unnamed henchman (Flashback only)
- Thinker (Cliff DeVoe) (Flashback only), (Cameo)
Other Characters:
Locations:
- July 15, 1942
- Kansas
- Keystone City
- Keystone City Bank Repository
- Keystone City Prison
- Joan William's Apartment Building
- Mount Copper Warehouse
- Keystone City
- Kansas
Items:
- Violins of Doom
Vehicles:
Synopsis for "The Sacrifice"
After Cobalt Blue poisoned his son, Blaine Allen absorbed all molecular motion on the planet to keep Jace alive a little while longer. But when he realizes everyone else on Petrus will die, Blaine decides to take his dying boy to the Speed Force where he might live in a heaven-like state. But Blaine fails in his mission, and becomes one with the Speed Force instead, leaving his son behind. However, Jace's exposure to the Speed Force gives him super speed, which allows him to hyper-metabolize the poison out of his system and survive.
Appearing in "The Sacrifice"
Featured Characters:
- Flash (Blaine Allen) (Dies)
- Jace Allen
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Cobalt Blue (Chardaq Allen)
Other Characters:
Locations:
- 2754
- Massara System
- Planet Petrus
- Massara System
- Speed Force
Items:
Vehicles:
Notes
- In "A Stranger with My Face," an editor's note indicates that the mystery of Jay Garrick's future self be solved in upcoming issue Wonder Woman (Volume 2) #129. It was actually revealed in Wonder Woman (Volume 2) #130.
See Also