Quick Quiz: Favorite Black Lantern?

With the cosmos-churning Blackest Night crossover event consuming comic stands and comic fans everywhere, our regular Quick Quiz feature turned its attention to the grim, villainous horde of undead tormenting the denizens of the DC Universe. In addition to allowing Barry Allen to assume the dazzling mantle of a Blue Lantern, Blackest Night: The Flash resurrected a number of his fallen foes--including Golden Glider, the Top, Rainbow Raider, Captain Boomerang--in terrifying new guises. Of these deceased members of the Flash's Rogues Gallery, who was your favorite Black Lantern?

Golden Glider, deceased since the release of The Flash (v.2) #113 back in May of 1996, picked up 9% of all votes. The Top--a villain who seems to alternate between life and death on a regular, rotating basis and has surely faced his end more often than most comic book characters--leapt into the lead with an impressive 27% of the vote. Sam Scudder, the original Mirror Master, earned the attentions of 14% of all respondents. The one and only Rainbow Raider, now robbed of his precious colors, took another 9% of the tally. James Jesse, the original Trickster, seized 14% of the vote. 9% of the blog's readers chose Digger Harkness, the original Captain Boomerang. Last, but certainly not least, at least 18% of all respondents selected Professor Zoom, the Reverse Flash. A meager twenty-two readers participated in this particular poll.



By now, of course, Blackest Night has been brought to its close. Of all those classic comic heroes and villains who were brought roaring back to life, who was your favorite Black Lantern to feature in the event? Which of the scarlet speedster's Rogues earned your vote? Be sure to take a moment to let us know using the comment facility below.

Quick Quiz: Favorite Reverse Flash?

It's been quite some time since our most recent Quick Quiz poll closed, well past time for us to review the results! With the resurrected Eobard Thawne causing all manner of murderous mayhem in the pages of The Flash: Rebirth, this particular poll asked the blog's readers to rank those deadly doppelgangers who have always been there to menace the monarch of motion. Of all the evil speedsters to have challenged the fastest man alive, who is your favorite Reverse Flash?

Professor Zoom--Eobard Thawne himself, a fanatical madman who lives his life on a backwards timeline, the first supervillain to be referred to as the Reverse Flash--seized a respectable second-place slot by capturing 36% of the vote. Thawne was bested only by his successor, former police profile Hunter Zolomon, the time-bending speedster known simply as Zoom, who dominated this round with an impressive 56% of the total vote. Zoom is, indisputably, the favorite arch-villain here. Inertia, the impish evil twin to Impulse who also adopted the moniker of Kid Zoom, managed to snag a further 6% of the electronic ballots. Not a single vote was cast in support of Dr. Edward Clariss, the Golden Age Reverse Flash known as the Rival. Forty-six readers took part in this poll.



Given the continuing excitement surrounding the events of The Flash: Rebirth, I'm somewhat surprised that Professor Zoom didn't rank higher in this particular poll. Then again, considering the powerful origin story and relatively complex motives granted to Hunter Zolomon by writer Geoff Johns, Zoom stands as an unforgettable arch-nemesis for the fastest man alive. My own vote was cast in favor of Zoom, in fact. Which of the Reverse Flashes do you favor? Do you have a favorite comic story featuring the Reverse Flash? Let us know using the comment facility below.

Of course, as a result of continuing delays, The Flash: Rebrith is now running parallel with an epic crossover event involving countless heroes and their nemeses. Blackest Night has descended upon the DC Universe and the dead are rising to wage war on the living, with both Barry Allen and Hal Jordan at the center of the macabre nightmare! Blackest Night: The Flash resurrects a number of the Flash's fallen foes--Golden Glider, the Top, Captain Boomerang--in frightening new guises. Of these deceased members of the scarlet speedster's Rogues Gallery, who is your favorite Black Lantern? As always, you'll find the Quick Quiz poll in the right-hand sidebar.

Quick Quiz: Cast the Flash!

Hollywood executives, take note! Crimson Lighting has cast the Flash. Our most recent Quick Quiz poll posed a question that has been argued endlessly on the internet ever since the motion picture adaptation of The Flash first entered development hell so many years ago. Which actor should don the iconic crimson costume to play the fastest man alive in the upcoming Warner Bros. film?

The undisputed winner of this particular poll is Neil Patrick Harris, an actor who once voiced Barry Allen in the animated feature Justice League: The New Frontier. Harris received a whopping 40% of the vote, rendering this one of our most decisive polls ever. Seann William Scott, a performer certain to play up the scarlet speedster's sense of humor, earned 7% of the vote. Another 7% of readers looked to Tahmoh Penikett, recently seen on Battlestar Galactica and Dollhouse. Joshua Jackson, an actor suggested early on in this casting survey, received support from 3% of the voters. Connor Trinneer also picked up 3% of the ballots. At least 7% of all respondents would like to see Ryan Gosling as the fastest man alive. Only a single vote, 1% of the total, was cast for the talented young Anton Yelchin. 5% of respondents favored Mark Valley, who was recently cast as DC Comics's own Human Target. Paul Walker of The Fast and the Furious fame, an actor instantly associated with speed in the minds of moviegoers, seized 9% of the total vote. At least 12% of all voters cast their ballot in the Other category. Fifty-four eager movie buffs participated in the poll.


It's easy to see why Neil Patrick Harris was this poll's champion, I think. Not only has Harris stepped into Barry Allen's boots once before, he possesses just the right mixture of confidence and nerdy charm to match the character's distinctive personality. As the poll progressed and Harris continued to collect the lion's share of the votes, I found myself imagining Neil Patrick Harris and Ryan Reynolds interacting on screen as Barry Allen and Hal Jordan. (The Brave and the Bold: The Movie? You've sold at least one ticket, Warner Bros.!) The team-up could be fantastically entertaining.

My personal favorite casting suggestion to emerge from this poll, however, was Craig MacD's choice of actor Colin Ferguson, the star of SyFy's Eureka. I'm a great fan of Eureka and I don't know why this particular connection never occurred to me. On screen, Ferguson is dashing, charismatic, and empathetic but also humble, possessing an endearingly self-deprecating sense of humor. Swap out Sheriff Jack Carter's scientific naivety for a touch of scientific genius and the characterization is just about perfect. To my mind, Ferguson could very well be the ideal Barry Allen.

What do you think? Who would you like to see play the scarlet speedster on the silver screen? How did your favorite actor fare in this poll? As ever, I invite you to elaborate on your choice using the comment facility below.

Moving on... With the evil Eobard Thawne coming to dominate The Flash: Rebirth as he reclaims the title of the scarlet speedster's one true arch-nemesis, our next Quick Quiz question provides a simple yet appropriate follow-up to the first ever Crimson Lightning reader poll. Of all the evil speedsters to have challenged the fastest man alive, who is your favorite Reverse Flash?

Quick Quiz: Most Wanted Resurrection?

The Flash: Rebirth is providing comic fans with further evidence that death has no hold over the colorful characters that populate our favorite comic books, and the forthcoming Green Lantern epic Blackest Night is set to take full narrative advantage of this unpredictable fact of four-color life. May's Quick Quiz poll asked readers to consider a number of significant deaths in the crimson comet's own corner of the DC Universe. Of the Flash's fallen friends and foes, which character would you most like to see resurrected?

A slim 3% of respondents cast their vote for Golden Age speedster Johnny Quick, who merged with the speed force during a battle with Savitar in Mark Waid's "Dead Heat" storyline. Savitar, of course, has also since met his end. Max Mercury, zen master of speed and onetime mentor to Impulse, lead this particular poll by earning 36% of the vote. Clearly, readers feel that Max's race is not yet run. 16% of all respondents championed Elongated Man Ralph Dibny, who is now one-half of a ghostly husband-and-wife detective team(!), for the rebirth treatment. Professor Zoom, who served as arch-nemesis to the second scarlet speedster, also stole away 16% of the votes. Considering Barry Allen's resurrection, it's unlikely we've heard the last of the Reverse-Flash. 13% of readers would like to see the return of James Jesse, the original Trickster. A slim 3% of participants selected this poll's wildcard, demanding more from the offbeat Rainbow Raider. Lastly, at least 10% of the blog's readers cast their vote in the Other category. Not a single vote was cast for Inertia, the evil speedster responsible for orchestrating Bart Allen's own short-lived death. Thirty comic fans participated in this poll.


The Flash: Rebirth is, of course, ongoing and each new issue continues to shake up the crimson comet's cast of supporting characters. The Black Flash, who delivers death to all speedsters, is being redefined along with the speed force and heroes and villains from across the DC Universe are falling as a result of Barry Allen's resurrection. Time will tell how this epic mini-series will ultimately alter the mythology of the fastest man alive, but it seems a certainty that Barry won't be the only character brought screaming back to life by Geoff Johns. Which of the memorable allies and rogues listed above would you most like to see return to the pages of The Flash? Which noteworthy corpses were conspicuous in their absence during this particular poll? Please, take a moment and let us know what you think using the comment facility below.

The next Quick Quiz is coming soon, but before the poll is posted in its usual sidebar spot, I'd like to take the time to gather some preliminary thoughts and opinions from the blog's readers. Inspired by a suggestion from our friend Frank Lee Delano, the next Crimson Lightning survey will ask respondents to imagine the scarlet speedster taking his first strides on the big screen! Who should star in the motion picture adaptation of The Flash? Leave a comment below and let us know!

Quick Quiz: Interest in Rebirth?

The first and second chapters of Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver's long-awaited The Flash: Rebirth have been released and the stunning story of Barry Allen's traumatic resurrection is beginning to unfold. With the first issue of The Flash: Rebirth hitting the comic shops amid much hype, last month's Quick Quiz posed a pertinent question: At its outset, how would you characterize your interest in this epic mini-series?

Nearly half of the poll's respondents, 48% of all readers, expressed some degree of excitement regarding The Flash: Rebirth. DC Comics's emphatic promotion of the event has clearly achieved its goals. 16% of voters more cautiously chose to describe their interest as mere curiosity. 9% of readers are apathetic regarding Barry Allen's return. At least 6% of respondents expressed outright frustration. Lastly, 18% of the poll's participants are uncertain regarding their level of interest in the mini-series. Forty-three voters took part in the poll.



How would you describe your feelings regarding The Flash: Rebirth? How do you rate the first issue? Please, take some time to register your thoughts using the comment facility below.

The first chapter of The Flash: Rebirth provided readers with more questions than answers, of course. In spite of the expected celebratory hero worship, there's a great deal of mystery and conflict surrounding the second scarlet speedster's return. This storyline is only getting started! It's clear that reader opinion of the series may shift dramatically as the series continues. Another, similar poll may be called for following the mini-series' conclusion.

The Flash: Rebirth provides further proof that death ultimately has little meaning in the DC Universe, and the upcoming Blackest Night crossover promises to use such a constant to great dramatic effect. The dead are destined to rise! Thus, this understanding of an uneasy immortality in the four-color world inspires our next poll question. The Flash has lost many friends over the years--friends like Johnny Quick, Max Mercury, and Ralph Dibny. Many of the monarch of motion's greatest foes have also shuffled off their mortal coils--including Professor Zoom, the first Trickster, and Inertia. Of these fallen friends and foes of the fastest man alive, which character would you most like to see resurrected?

Quick Quiz: Favorite Storyline?

It's time for another speedy recap of our monthly Quick Quiz. With The Flash (v.2) at an end and Wally West presumably left to run in the shadow of his esteemed predecessor, the latest poll asked readers to cast their minds back over the third scarlet speedster's memorable mythology. Of the most significant storylines from The Flash (v.2), Wally West's most epic adventures, which is your favorite?

An impressive 30% of the blog's readers selected "The Return of Barry Allen," a landmark story arc packed with plot twists by writer Mark Waid and artist Greg LaRocque, as their favorite adventure. It's clear that this remains one of the best remembered stories featuring the fastest man alive. 27% of all respondents chose the emotionally charged "Terminal Velocity" storyline from Waid, Salvador Larocca, Carlos Pacheco, and Oscar Jimenez. 5% of voters selected "Chain Lightning," a sprawling time travel narrative written by Mark Waid and Brian Augustyn and illustrated by Paul Pelletier. 13% of readers recognized the traumatic "Blitz," by writer Geoff Johns and artist Scott Kolins. No less than 23% of respondents favored the thrilling "Rogue War," from Johns and Howard Porter. Somewhat surprisingly, no virtual ballots were cast in favor of the other significant storylines listed, including "The Dark Flash Saga," "Lightning in a Bottle," "Ignition," and "The Wild Wests." Additionally, at least 2% of respondents chose to vote in the Other category. Sixty-two voters took part in this particular poll.


With the true return of Barry Allen capturing the attention of comic readers everywhere, it would be difficult to ignore the impact that Waid and LaRocque's "The Return of Barry Allen" had on the mythology of the fastest man alive. This seminal storyline skillfully played with the hopes, fears, and expectations of its enthralled audience whilst simultaneously empowering and revitalizing its central hero, at long last allowing Wally West to be recognized as an exceptional superhero in his own right. That being said, the story arc was also up against some stiff competition in this particular poll. With a number of powerful storylines from the likes of Mark Waid and Geoff Johns on the ballot, and each reader allowed only a single vote, fans may have been forced to overlook some of their favorite tales. Which of these epic stories did you cast your vote for? Which adventures do you feel were overlooked? The conversation continues using the comment facility below.

In the comic book world, the month of April 2009 belongs to the resurrected Barry Allen, so it's only natural that our next Quick Quiz poll should attempt to guage the excitement surrounding the eagerly-anticipated release of The Flash: Rebirth #1. With the first issue of The Flash: Rebirth now available, how would you characterize your interest in this epic mini-series? Let us know in the current sidebar poll!

Quick Quiz: Favorite Love Interest?

February's Valentine-themed Quick Quiz poll asked visitors to consider those love interests who have been associated with the fastest man alive over the years, women such as Joan Garrick, Iris Allen, Fiona Webb, Tina McGee, Linda Park, and Valerie Perez. Of these brilliant and beautiful leading ladies, which stands as your favorite character?

Intrepid reporter and occasional time-traveler Iris West Allen--aunt to Wally, grandmother to Bart, and the love of Barry Allen's life--earned a significant 31% of the vote. 9% of the blog's readers cast their ballot for brainy beauty Dr. Tina McGee, who, portrayed by actress Amanda Pays, served as a recurring romantic interest on The Flash television series. No less than 51% of all respondents selected the one and only Linda Park-West, wife to Wally West. Valerie Perez, S.T.A.R. Labs intern and onetime love interest to the impulsive Bart Allen, picked up a further 2%. Golden Age heroine Joan Garrick and romantic stand-in Fiona Webb received no love from the readers. 7% of respondents chose to vote in the Other category, with at least one of those votes being declared for Carol Bucklen, Bart's first girlfriend. Forty-five readers participated in the poll.


Romance has been an integral part of the mythology surrounding the fastest man alive from the very start. It seems that each man to put on the costume of the crimson comet is destined to find his soul mate. Each of those heroes has, as a result, been driven onwards by a limitless passion. Linda Park's position at the lead of this particular poll seemed assured considering the strong role developed for her throughout The Flash (v.2). She earned my vote, as well as votes from many others. With The Flash: Rebirth on the horizon, however, you can bet that the remarkable Iris Allen will soon be back in the spotlight. Which of these women is your favorite character? Let us know using the comment facility below.

Before The Flash: Rebirth thunders into comic shops everywhere and comes to utterly dominate our discourse, the next Quick Quiz asks you to cast your mind back to those pivotal issues that came to define Wally West during his time as the fastest man alive, back to those stunning storylines that kept us reading the scarlet speedster's book. Who could forget the astonishing plot twist at the center of "The Return of Barry Allen," or our maturing hero's discovery of the speed force in "Terminal Velocity"? What comic tale could rival the Flash's deadly showdown with Zoom in the tragic "Blitz," or the winner-take-all battle between supervillains from the thrill-packed "Rogue War"? Of these significant storylines from The Flash (v.2), Wally West's most epic adventures, which is your favorite? Select a title from our sidebar poll!

Quick Quiz: Favorite Writer?

The results are in! Last month's Quick Quiz asked the blog's readers to rank the scribes behind Wally West's run in his own title, which came to an end with The Flash (v.2) #247. Who is your favorite regular writer from The Flash (v.2)? Truly, the third scarlet speedster was blessed, having been continuously guided by some of the best in the business. With such an esteemed line-up of talented creators at the fore, this poll presented a difficult choice indeed.

Mike Baron, the writer who launched The Flash's second volume back in 1987 and successfully established young Wallace West as a top-tier superhero, received 4% of the vote. William Messner-Loebs, well-remembered for developing a colorful cast of supporting characters for the book, earned a small but significant 6% of all votes. Mark Waid, whose work on the title is nothing less than legendary, took top place in the poll with 53% of the vote. Lastly, the appropriately acclaimed Geoff Johns, who will continue to script the adventures of the fastest man alive in the upcoming The Flash: Rebirth, seized a further 43% of the vote. None of the poll's respondents elected to vote in the Other category, a selection that could have conceivably been used to represent Brian Augustyn, Joey Cavalieri, Tom Peyer, or certain other writers who made their own noteworthy contributions to the series. There were forty-three respondents in all.


For any reader familiar with the bold storylines and beloved characters seen throughout The Flash's second volume, the results of this poll will likely be unsurprising. Mark Waid's contributions to the title are cherished by all those comic fans who had the good fortune to pick up one of his issues and his writing undeniable elevated The Flash to must-buy status. Similarly, Geoff Johns is brilliant, and the adventures he imagined for the monarch of motion were both arresting and ambitious. It's no wonder that The Flash: Rebirth is so highly anticipated. Which of the four comic writers did you choose as your favorite? What unforgettable tales or characters from The Flash (v.2) helped to decide your vote? Please, take a moment and let us know what you think using the comment facility below.

It is now February and, with Valentine's Day on the way, love is in the air. Thus, with our next Quick Quiz poll, I thought it time that we turned our attention to that driving sense of heartfelt romance that kept each of the Flashes charging onward. Where would our fleet-footed heroes be without the influence of women such as Joan Garrick, Iris Allen, Fiona Webb, Tina McGee, Linda Park, or Valerie Perez? In each generation, the fastest man alive might aptly be described as the fastest man in love! Of these brilliant and beautiful leading ladies, women who have been romantically involved with the fastest man alive, which stands as your favorite character? Let us know in this month's Quick Quiz, to be found in the right-hand sidebar.

Quick Quiz: Favorite Rogue?

The latest Quick Quiz poll has run its course, and just in time for DC Comics's Faces of Evil event! The most recent survey turned its attention to the scarlet speedster's colorful collective of arch-villains in posing a perennial question: Who is your favorite member of the Flash's famous Rogues Gallery? Comic fans answered loud and clear.

Captain Cold speedily seized the top spot and finished with an impressive 33% of the vote. It looks as if the frozen felon really is the leader of the Rogues. Mirror Master fell into second place, reflecting 18% of the vote. 15% of the blog's readers recognized the Weather Wizard as their favored foe. Abra Kadabra conjured up no less than 12% of the vote, rounding out the top slots. The remaining Rogues, memorable though they may be, proved somewhat less popular. 5% of respondents selected Hartley Rathaway, the Pied Piper, as a personal favorite. A further 5% looked to Captain Boomerang. 3% of respondents chose the ever-unpredictable Trickster as their villain of choice. Heat Wave, coming in dead last, earned a slim 2% of the vote. At least 7% of all those who voted--disappointed by the exclusion of the Top, Dr. Alchemy, the Golden Glider or the like--elected to cast their ballot in the "Other" category. Sixty readers took part in the poll.


This poll proved interesting. In my estimation, the most surprising result here is the relatively high ranking of Mark Mardon, the wicked Weather Wizard. I am also surprised that the Pied Piper and the Trickster did not earn more votes, particularly considering the former's substantial role as a supporting character in the series. My personal favorite member of the Flash's unrivaled Rogues Gallery has always been Abra Kadabra, that mad magician from the 64th century, especially in light of his characterization during several rather epic battles with Wally West. Which of the supervillains did you vote for? Tells us more about the reasons for your selection in the comments section below.

Following the recent publication of The Flash (v.2) #247, the apparent finish of the third scarlet speedster's run in his own title, our next Quick Quiz turns its attentions to the talented scribes who plotted Wallace's many illustrious adventures. Who is your favorite regular writer from The Flash (v.2)?

Quick Quiz: Favorite Flash?

The first of Crimson Lightning's new Quick Quiz polls has just closed. The preliminary reader poll posed an obvious question: Who is your favorite Flash? The results are, perhaps, unsurprising. A minor 8% of all respondents selected the first man to take on the title, the legendary Jay Garrick, as their favorite speedster. 40% of respondents chose Barry Allen as their champion. No less than 44% of respondents selected Wally West as their preferred hero. Last, but certainly not least, a further 8% picked the fallen Bart Allen as the best of the bunch. Forty readers took part in the poll in total.


I plan to post a new Quick Quiz each month and, as a result, the polls will remain open for approximately thirty days. Once the poll has closed I'll be summarizing the results, as above. It will be interesting to gauge the differences of opinion that separate the many comic fans who pass by this blog when it comes to matters that relate to the scarlet speedster, his supporting cast, and his most significant storylines. Next up: Who is your favorite member of the Flash's famous Rogues Gallery?