retro-the-best....: [New post] Professor Zoom crashes Flash #9

Saturday, February 26, 2011

[New post] Professor Zoom crashes Flash #9

Professor Zoom crashes Flash #9

dailypop | February 26, 2011 at 11:46 pm | Tags: flash dc comics, geoff johns superhero comic books, speedster | Categories: The Flash | URL: http://wp.me/p4kUt-2mg

Every superhero needs a supervillain. Superman has Lex Luthor, Batman has the Joker, Popeye has Bluto... etc.

The Flash is renowned for his rogue's gallery of mad scientists, psychic gorillas and evil men who play with toys, but the real threat has always been Professor Zoom. First introduced in Flash #139 (published in 1963, the year that gave us Doctor Who and took from us President John F. Kennedy), Eobard Thawne is a criminal from the future who loots a time capsule only to find one of the Flash's old costumes inside. Already in possession of the evil mastermind moniker 'the Professor,' Thawne alters it slightly to Professor Zoom, dons a reverse-themed Flash costume and a career is born.

Thawne became the most destructive and powerful of the Silver Age Flash's, his mind bent not just on defeating the Flash, but in replacing him completely in history. This madness resulted in the jaw-dropping murder of Iris, wife of Barry Allen. It was a common tactic at the time, with Aquaman's son being killed, Black Canary I's husband being killed, Ray Palmer's wife going insane and Hawkman and Hawkgirl becoming estranged. For anyone who thinks that the DCU has only gotten dark recently, think again.

So distraught over the loss of his wife, the next time Zoom appeared and threatened someone close to him, he snapped Thawne's neck and was placed on trial, one of the longest story lines in the comic's history (soon to be collected in a Showcase edition).

The genius of Eobard Thawne (via http://www.fingmonkey.com/2011/01/flash-friday-reverse-flash-friday.html)

After Barry Allen died and was replaced by his protege Wally West as the Flash, a new character Hunter Zolomon was introduced. Initially a criminal profiler, Zolomon was driven mad by interacting with a malfunctioning Cosmic Treadmill at the Flash Museum (why was the real thing on display?). Determined to transform West into a better hero through tragedy and pain, Zolomon renamed himself Zoom and struck at West's wife, killing her twins in the womb.

But now the real Professor Zoom is back, still manipulating history and determined to replace Barry Allen. When Barry Allen was revived in the pages of Final Crisis, it was clear that a good story better be in the wings. I know that the domain of the dead is a revolving door in comics, but the death of the Silver Age Flash has always been an important moment for readers. Sacrificing himself in the pages of Crisis on Infinite Earths, the Flash horrifically aged and shattered throughout time, merging into the very lightning that caused his transformation into the scarlet speedster in the first place.

Professor Zoom returns in Flash: Rebirth

Many fans were frustrated by the addition of Allen's mother being murdered and his father perishing in prison as the prime suspect. They felt that it was yet another moment of comic book writers 'darkening up' their heroes. Imagine their surprise and excitement when it was revealed that Professor Zoom had been altering Allen's history. The first attack in a renewed battle between the polar opposed speedsters, the next volley has arrived in Flash $9, focused on Professor Zoom's origin.

Professor Zoom Vs. The Flash Via http://theflash.wikia.com

Told in a fractal narrative style, we see Thawne's life of suffering and unfair conditions change again and again as a spectral image of his supervillain self appears to kill any who stand in his way. A neglected child, Thawne's parents have a second child who fills Eobard's life with tasks and whining.

When Thawne is unable to attain a research position at the Flash Museum, he blames it all on his brother who has successfully become a policeman. When Eobard's brother attempts to arrest him for hacking into the Museum archives, he is suddenly removed (violently) from history. The time-line altered, Thawne is next shown as an aspiring student at the Flash Museum.

The story continues to develop, showing Thawne's desperation to create a perfect life, so vicious and precise that even any that would deny him love are destroyed. It is truly chilling. The conclusion is a mind-bender and no doubt sets the stage for Flashpoint, the upcoming cross-over event of 2011.

If you have not been reading the Flash, I highly recommend the new series. Johns is known for his work on JSA, Hawkman and Green Lantern (all superb books), but he really cut his teeth on the Flash and continues to remind readers why he is such a magnificent character.

If you are more of a hardcover and trade paperback kinda guy, please consider the collections below: