Greetings from the Odinson,
The Rogues Gallery is the group of villains who repeatedly plague our hero, the city and citizens of the city under his/her protection, and in some cases the world. Over the next few weeks I will talk about some of my favorite Rogues Galleries. This week I will take a look at the army of Rogues who plague the Crimson Comet.
Part 4: The Flash’s Rogues Gallery
NOTE: Flash: Rogues TPB (2003) and Flash: Rogue War TPB feature all these devilishly entertaining bad guys in action, and check out Final Crisis: Rogues Revenge to see what they are up to now.
Mirror Master – Sam Scudder is a master of illusion. He is probably the most elusive of the Flash’s enemies. He possesses the ability to travel through any reflective surface, and his reflection in the mirror can affect the material world. Mirror Master is a mercenary through-and-through whose services are available to the highest bidder. However, through their common hatred of the Flash, Mirror Master and most of the Rogues on this list have formed a powerful friendship. This bond is what makes the Flash’s Rogues more dangerous than most. Must Reads: Flash (1959-1985 1st Series) #105, 109, 136, 146, 161, 219, 241, 255, and 292; and Flash (1987- 2nd Series) #105, 133, 168, and 212.
Gorilla Grodd – Take the Incredible Hulk, give him Professor X’s powers, add the savagery of a beast and the cunning of a villain, and you’d get Gorilla Grodd. He hails from a secret civilization of highly advanced gorillas. But while the rest of his kind is peaceful, Grodd is bent on world domination. He is a visually wonderful creation. One of my all time favorite Grodd moments is the 2-page spread from Flash #178 that reveals the destruction and devastation he has left in his wake. Must Reads: Flash (1959-1985 1st Series) #127, 172, and 295; and Flash (1987- 2nd Series) #45-46, 151, 178, and 193; Green Lantern (1990 2nd Series) #30-31; and Superman/Batman #3.
Pied Piper – Now this is a tricky adversary. Just like his namesake, the Pied Piper uses a magical flute to entice and persuade people to do his bidding. Though a strong willed individual may resist, what makes him even more villainous is the fact that he can distract the Scarlet Speedster by putting so many other innocent bystanders in jeopardy. Must Reads: Flash (1959-1985 1st Series) #106, 138, 155, and 307; Justice League of America (1960-1987 1st Series) #35; Firestorm (1982-1990 2nd Series) #5-6; and Flash (1987- 2nd Series) #190.
Weather Wizard – Using stolen super-science Mark Mardon was able to create a wand with the ability to control the weather. Already an escaped convict, Mardon dubbed himself Weather Wizard and pursued a life of crime as a super-villain. He can create thunder storms, flash floods, tidal waves, tornados, and all manner of chaos to keep the Crimson Comet busy while he pulls off his heists. Must Reads: Flash (1959-1985 1st Series) #110 and 145; Adventure Comics (1938-1983) #450; Blue Devil (1984-1986) #30; and Flash (1987- 2nd Series) #129, and 175-176.
Captain Boomerang – George “Digger” Harkness developed an uncanny ability to use boomerangs as weapons. Coupled with the fact that he uses an arsenal of tricked up boomerangs that range from explosives, razors, and more, Digger became one of the Flash’s deadliest and most enduring Rogues. Even when he was imprisoned, the Captain’s distinct talents were put to use by the government sponsored super-villain team, the Suicide Squad. Digger is ruthless, cunning, and without conscience. Because he is known as a back-stabber, Captain Boomerang’s teammates in the Squad always cast a wary eye his way. The original Captain Boomerang met his end when he and Robin’s father killed each other during the Identity Crisis. Now his son has taken up the mantle, but it has not been determined whether he will walk the side of angels or follow in his father’s villainous footsteps. Must Reads: Flash (1959-1985 1st Series) #117, 124, 148, and 278; Batman #322; Detective Comics #555; Suicide Squad (1987-1992 1st Series) #1-66; and Identity Crisis HC.
Vandal Savage – He has walked the earth since the dawn of mankind. Much like Dracula, Vandal Savage is a most dangerous adversary because he has centuries of experience on his side. Through the ages he has seen countless heroes come and go and he is still here. Savage possesses a genius level intelligence, he is stronger and faster than an ordinary man, and his fighting prowess has been perfected over centuries of training. But his most dangerous asset is his immortality. Long after the JLA, JSA, Teen Titans, and even the Legion of Super-Heroes are gone Vandal Savage will still be around to cause trouble. Must Reads: Flash (1959-1985 1st Series) #137, 215, and 235; Flash (1987- 2nd Series) #2, 13-14, and 229; Resurrection Man (1997-1999) #24-27; and Justice Society of America: The Next Age HC.
Captain Cold – Captain Cold is easily one of the most complex villains in comics. He has been the bitter enemy of the Silver Age Flash, Barry Allen. He has both tried to kill and he’s saved the life of the modern day Flash, Wally West. And, he is the father figure/defacto leader of the Rogues of Keystone City. Captain Cold can be both ruthless and understanding, forgiving and murderous. He uses guns that possess the ability to project extreme blasts of cold that can freeze objects solid. Captain Cold was also an undoubted standout in the classic 1970s cartoon Challenge of the Super-Friends. Must Reads: Flash (1959-1985 1st Series) #114, 134, 140, 150, 166, 193, 226, 250, and 297; and Flash (1987- 2nd Series) #28 and 182.
Reverse Flash (Rival/Professor Zoom/Zoom) – No villain has plagued the Scarlet Speedster or had more of an effect on the Flash’s life than the Reverse Flash. There have been three incarnations of this Rogue. The first Reverse Flash, the Rival, battled the Golden Age Flash, Jay Garrick, and has since returned to plague the heroes of today. The second Reverse Flash, Eobard Thawne, was a criminal from the future who as Professor Zoom fought the Silver Age Flash, Barry Allen. With powers on par with the Flash’s own, Eobard battled Allen for years until the Flash accidentally killed him, an act that ended Allen’s career as a hero. The current Reverse Flash, Hunter Zolomon, actually started out as Wally West’s friend, but a terrible accident took his ability to walk. When the Flash refused to travel back in time to prevent the accident Zolomon set out to do it himself. Another accident involving the cosmic treadmill (a device used by Flash to travel the timestream) damaged Zolomon’s sanity and granted him time-shifting powers that allow him to rival the Flash’s super speed. Now going by the name of Zoom, Zolomon has made it his personal mission to make the Flash a better hero through the use of pain and suffering. Must Reads: Flash Comics (1940-1949) #104; Flash (1959-1985 1st Series) #139, 147, 153, 165, 225, 233, 237, 323, 325; and Flash (1987- 2nd Series) #79, 197-200, and 219; Impulse (1995-2002) #88; and Wonder Woman (1987-2006 2nd Series) #214.
Honorable Mentions: The Trickster, Heat Wave, Doctor Alchemy, Plunderer, Abra Kadabra, Murmur, Double Down, Peekaboo, Inertia, Kilg%or, Speed Demon, Blue Trinity, the Golden Glider, Kobra, Shade, the Black Flash, and every time the DCU has a “CRISIS!”.
These are the Blue Collar villains. Because they are so organized they are extremely dangerous. The Rogues on this list can say something that not many other Rogues Galleries can. They’ve actually killed a Flash (see Flash: Fastest Man Alive TPB Vol. 1-2). Next week I’ll take a look at the cosmic deities and madmen who challenge Marvel’s First Family.
This is Odinson bidding thee farewell!
