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DC Comics hero, The Flash, had been around for forty years before he hit the small screen in 1990. This new series was created by comics fans Danny Bilson and Paul DeMeo, and starred John Wesley Shipp. In the story, chemist Barry Allen (Shipp) is working in his police lab in Central City when he’s hit by electrically-charged chemicals via a bolt of lightening. The event leaves him with the ability to move at super-human speed – so fast that people can’t even see him when he passes them.

 

Barry decides to use his power to fight crime after Jay, his police officer brother, is killed by a gang of bikers. His co-worker, Dr. Tina McGee, designs a special suit for him that can handle his hyper speed. He calls himself The Flash and prepares to fight evil.

 

One drawback of Barry’s power is that his metabolism is working as fast as his speed, and he quickly burns up all his energy. He has to learn how to balance his power so that he doesn’t become exhausted. He’s helped along by his lab assistant Julio, and Megan Lockhart, a private investigator who finds out Barry’s secret and harbors her own secret feelings for him.

 

Name actors often guest-starred as The Flash’s bad guys, including Mark Hamill as the Trickster and David Cassidy as the Mirror Master. The script called for colorful performances and grand gestures, similar to the 1960s series Batman. The villains were usually affiliated with Central City’s corrupt government or police force. 

 

The show’s campy humor and colorful production made for a passionate cult following. Unfortunately, its time-slot kept changing and a big audience never caught on. Plus, its budget was pretty substantial in order to cover the Flash suits which quickly wore out. It was cancelled after only one season in July 1991, but it continues to turn up on science fiction networks catering to the fans who love its over-the-top style and theatrical panache.