2) Barry Allen
The second version of The Flash to appear in comics was Bartholomew Henry “Barry” Allen AKA Barry Allen. This version first appeared in Showcase #4 in 1956.
Born to Henry and Nora Allen, Barry is a forensic scientist who receives his powers in a freak accident where a bolt of lightning hits a shelf of chemicals, spilling them all over him and giving him lightning fast speed and reflexes. He then dons a red spandex suit and fights crime.
In an interesting crossover, Allen grew up reading comic books and his favorite was The Flash with Jay Garrick, so he decides to take the name “The Flash” as a tribute to his comic book hero. This version of the character is probably one of the most popular among the fans, including numerous appearances in other media and in two television shows – one in the 90s starring John Wesley Shipp and one in 2014 starring Grant Gustin.
Another funny nod to the original show is the casting of Shipp as Barry Allen’s father in the updated CW version. Barry Allen’s Flash appears in countless other timelines and special comic book stories, including Infinite Crisis, Blackest Night, Flashpoint and The New 52. Allen is considered to be the fastest of all the Flashes and is even rumored to be the creator of the Speed Force, the special energy that gives all the speedsters their power. He also has two nicknames: the Scarlet Speedster and The Fastest Man Alive.