Johnny Quick
Encyclopedia
Johnny Quick is the name of two DC Comics
characters, each with the power of superhuman
speed. The first was a superhero
who appeared mostly in More Fun Comics
during the Golden Age
. The other was a supervillain
, an evil version of The Flash from Earth-Three
, appearing mostly during the Silver Age
.
He was a prominent member of The All-Star Squadron as well as husband to Liberty Belle
. His daughter, Jesse Chambers, assumed his speed mantra and became Jesse Quick and served a short while with the Titans.
After the war he periodically was active as a superhero, having encountered Savitar
.
He ultimately entered the Speed Force, saving his daughter from Lady Flash - then called Lady Savitar.
Later, he was "seemingly" reanimated during the 2009-10 DC comics "Blackest Night" story arc for a short time, but after his daughter, Jesse Quick, realized that the man in front of her was just an evil mockery of his former self and that his resurrection was a false one, he was forcibly laid to rest again.
, but rather than being a counterpart of the Earth-Two
Johnny Quick, he was a version of The Flash
. He and the other members of the Crime Syndicate of Amerika (all of whom were villainous counterparts of Justice League of America members) were Earth-Three's only superpowered beings, and had never been defeated by Earth-Three's primary hero, Alexander Luthor (a heroic counterpart to Superman
's nemesis Lex Luthor
). They travelled to Earth-1 as they were out of shape from inactivity, but were defeated by the JLA, Quick by Batman. They were defeated by the JSA, but using a trick imprisoned them and battled the JLA again, where the Flash defeated Quick by making him work up so much speed he couldn't control it and collapsed. The Crime Syndicate are imprisoned by Green Lantern
in the vibratory barriers between Earth-1 and 2. Once they were released by time-travelling villain Per Degaton to help him change history and take over Earth-2, though they tried to overthrow him. They tried to get him, but he revealed he had made sure he and his Time Machine would vibrate at a different speed to them, meaning they couldn't touch him. They told him who they were, and he decided to use them. He then made them steal nuclear missiles from the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 on Earth-Prime and brought them back in time to Earth-Two's 1942 by towing them behind his time machine, not caring about the fact war would happen due to this. When they tried to defeat him, they were hurled into 1982 of Earth-1, as he had made sure this wuld happen if any of them touched him. They materialised on the JLA's satellite headquarters, and defeated the heroes. The JLA travelled to the past and teamed up with the JSA and All-Star Squadron
to prevent Degaton's plan. When Degaton was defeated, these events were erased from existence. Like the rest of the Crime Syndicate, he perished during the Crisis
at the hands of the Anti-Monitor
when a wave of antimatter destroyed Earth-Three.
Flash. According to Grant Morrison
, who created this version of the character, he had a predecessor (corresponding to Barry Allen), whose blood was used to create the Speed Juice. A flashback to the early days of the Crime Syndicate showed this character as resembling the Pre-Crisis version. While Quick is part of that Earth's "Ruling Elite", he is hopelessly addicted to "Speed Juice" and goes into massive physical withdrawal without it. As part of the Tribute the world's leaders present the Crime Syndicate with on a regular basis, they supply Quick with fresh supplies of his drug, sometimes altered to be more euphoric.
In Justice League of America #51, Jesse Chambers
says "This Johnny Quick has my father's face", implying that the name is more than coincidence and that the New Earth Johnny Quick, and the "original" (Barry Allen counterpart) Antimatter Johnny Quick are genetically the same person.
Based on comments by Grant Morrison
, this alternate universe is not the pre-Crisis Earth-Three, making this a new character unrelated to previous versions. Earth-3 is a world populated by evil counterparts of Earth-2 heroes, where Johnny Quick is part of a "Golden Age" "Crime Society".
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
characters, each with the power of superhuman
Superhuman
Superhuman can mean an improved human, for example, by genetic modification, cybernetic implants, or as what humans might evolve into, in the near or distant future...
speed. The first was a superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
who appeared mostly in More Fun Comics
More Fun Comics
More Fun Comics, originally titled New Fun: The Big Comic Magazine a.k.a. New Fun Comics, was a 1935-1947 American comic book anthology that introduced several major superhero characters and was the first American comic-book series to feature solely original material rather than reprints of...
during the Golden Age
Golden Age of Comic Books
The Golden Age of Comic Books was a period in the history of American comic books, generally thought of as lasting from the late 1930s until the late 1940s or early 1950s...
. The other was a supervillain
Supervillain
A supervillain or supervillainess is a variant of the villain character type, commonly found in comic books, action movies and science fiction in various media.They are sometimes used as foils to superheroes and other fictional heroes...
, an evil version of The Flash from Earth-Three
Multiverse (DC Comics)
The DC Multiverse is a fictional continuity construct that exists in stories published by comic book company DC Comics. The DC Multiverse consists of numerous worlds, most of them outside DC's main continuity, allowing writers the creative freedom to explore alternative versions of characters and...
, appearing mostly during the Silver Age
Silver Age of Comic Books
The Silver Age of Comic Books was a period of artistic advancement and commercial success in mainstream American comic books, predominantly those in the superhero genre. Following the Golden Age of Comic Books and an interregnum in the early to mid-1950s, the Silver Age is considered to cover the...
.
Johnny Quick (Johnny Chambers)
Johnny Quick's secret identity was Johnny Chambers, a newsreel photographer. He invoked his power by reciting a mathematical formula ("3X2(9YZ)4A").He was a prominent member of The All-Star Squadron as well as husband to Liberty Belle
Liberty Belle (comics)
Liberty Belle is the name of three fictional superheroes. Two are from DC Comics: Libby Lawrence and Jesse Chambers, the other is from Charlton Comics: Caroline Dean.-Libby Lawrence:...
. His daughter, Jesse Chambers, assumed his speed mantra and became Jesse Quick and served a short while with the Titans.
After the war he periodically was active as a superhero, having encountered Savitar
Savitar (comics)
Savitar is a fictional supervillain published by DC Comics. He first appeared in Flash #108 , and was created by Mark Waid and Oscar Jimenez.- Fictional character biography :...
.
He ultimately entered the Speed Force, saving his daughter from Lady Flash - then called Lady Savitar.
Later, he was "seemingly" reanimated during the 2009-10 DC comics "Blackest Night" story arc for a short time, but after his daughter, Jesse Quick, realized that the man in front of her was just an evil mockery of his former self and that his resurrection was a false one, he was forcibly laid to rest again.
Johnny Quick (Crime Syndicates)
Crime Syndicate of America
Johnny Quick was a supervillain on the alternate Earth designated as Earth-ThreeEarth-Three
Earth-Three is a fictional alternate universe set in the . It is the Earth of an alternate reality in the DC Multiverse. It first appeared in Justice League of America #29 .-Pre-Crisis:Its history is a mirror image to the Earth we know...
, but rather than being a counterpart of the Earth-Two
Earth-Two
Earth-Two is a fictional universe appearing in American comic book stories published by DC Comics. First appearing in The Flash #123 , Earth-Two was created to explain how Silver-Age versions of characters such as the Flash could appear in stories with their Golden Age counterparts...
Johnny Quick, he was a version of The Flash
Flash (comics)
The Flash is a name shared by several fictional comic book superheroes from the DC Comics universe. Created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Harry Lampert, the original Flash first appeared in Flash Comics #1 ....
. He and the other members of the Crime Syndicate of Amerika (all of whom were villainous counterparts of Justice League of America members) were Earth-Three's only superpowered beings, and had never been defeated by Earth-Three's primary hero, Alexander Luthor (a heroic counterpart to Superman
Superman
Superman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
's nemesis Lex Luthor
Lex Luthor
Lex Luthor is a fictional character, a supervillain who appears in comic books published by DC Comics, and the archenemy of Superman, although given his high status as a supervillain, he has also come into conflict with Batman and other superheroes in the DC Universe. Created by Jerry Siegel and...
). They travelled to Earth-1 as they were out of shape from inactivity, but were defeated by the JLA, Quick by Batman. They were defeated by the JSA, but using a trick imprisoned them and battled the JLA again, where the Flash defeated Quick by making him work up so much speed he couldn't control it and collapsed. The Crime Syndicate are imprisoned by Green Lantern
Green Lantern
The Green Lantern is the shared primary alias of several fictional characters, superheroes appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. The first Green Lantern was created by writer Bill Finger and artist Martin Nodell in All-American Comics #16 .Each Green Lantern possesses a power ring and...
in the vibratory barriers between Earth-1 and 2. Once they were released by time-travelling villain Per Degaton to help him change history and take over Earth-2, though they tried to overthrow him. They tried to get him, but he revealed he had made sure he and his Time Machine would vibrate at a different speed to them, meaning they couldn't touch him. They told him who they were, and he decided to use them. He then made them steal nuclear missiles from the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 on Earth-Prime and brought them back in time to Earth-Two's 1942 by towing them behind his time machine, not caring about the fact war would happen due to this. When they tried to defeat him, they were hurled into 1982 of Earth-1, as he had made sure this wuld happen if any of them touched him. They materialised on the JLA's satellite headquarters, and defeated the heroes. The JLA travelled to the past and teamed up with the JSA and All-Star Squadron
All-Star Squadron
The All-Star Squadron is a DC Comics superhero team that debuted in a special insert in Justice League of America #193 . Created by Roy Thomas, Rich Buckler and Jerry Ordway.-The concept:...
to prevent Degaton's plan. When Degaton was defeated, these events were erased from existence. Like the rest of the Crime Syndicate, he perished during the Crisis
Crisis on Infinite Earths
Crisis on Infinite Earths is a 12-issue American comic book limited series and crossover event, produced by DC Comics in 1985 to simplify its then 50-year-old continuity...
at the hands of the Anti-Monitor
Anti-Monitor
The Anti-Monitor is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain and the antagonist of the 1985 DC Comics miniseries Crisis on Infinite Earths. He first appeared in Crisis on Infinite Earths #2 , and was destroyed in Crisis on Infinite Earths #12, only to return after a long absence in Green...
when a wave of antimatter destroyed Earth-Three.
Crime Syndicate of Amerika
The character was revived in the 1990s as a villain from the "Anti-Matter Universe", rather than being from Earth-Three. Unlike the Flash, Johnny receives his powers by injecting himself with a drug called "Speed Juice" (Whether this is a variation of the super-speed inducing drug "Velocity 9" from the regular Flash's Earth is not known). This Johnny Quick is the counterpart of the Wally WestWally West
The Flash is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. He is the first Kid Flash and the third Flash....
Flash. According to Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison is a Scottish comic book writer, playwright and occultist. He is known for his nonlinear narratives and counter-cultural leanings, as well as his successful runs on titles like Animal Man, Doom Patrol, JLA, The Invisibles, New X-Men, Fantastic Four, All-Star Superman, and...
, who created this version of the character, he had a predecessor (corresponding to Barry Allen), whose blood was used to create the Speed Juice. A flashback to the early days of the Crime Syndicate showed this character as resembling the Pre-Crisis version. While Quick is part of that Earth's "Ruling Elite", he is hopelessly addicted to "Speed Juice" and goes into massive physical withdrawal without it. As part of the Tribute the world's leaders present the Crime Syndicate with on a regular basis, they supply Quick with fresh supplies of his drug, sometimes altered to be more euphoric.
In Justice League of America #51, Jesse Chambers
Jesse Chambers
Jesse Chambers is a fictional comic book character in the . Chambers, who first used the superhero name Jesse Quick and later Liberty Belle, is the daughter of Golden Age heroes Johnny Quick and Liberty Belle...
says "This Johnny Quick has my father's face", implying that the name is more than coincidence and that the New Earth Johnny Quick, and the "original" (Barry Allen counterpart) Antimatter Johnny Quick are genetically the same person.
Crime Society of America
In 52 Week 52, an alternate version of Earth-Three (called Earth-3) was shown as a part of the new Multiverse. In the depiction were characters that are altered versions of the original Justice League of America, including the Flash. The names of the characters and the team are not mentioned in the two panels in which they appear, but the altered Flash is visually similar to the Crime Syndicate Johnny Quick.Based on comments by Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison is a Scottish comic book writer, playwright and occultist. He is known for his nonlinear narratives and counter-cultural leanings, as well as his successful runs on titles like Animal Man, Doom Patrol, JLA, The Invisibles, New X-Men, Fantastic Four, All-Star Superman, and...
, this alternate universe is not the pre-Crisis Earth-Three, making this a new character unrelated to previous versions. Earth-3 is a world populated by evil counterparts of Earth-2 heroes, where Johnny Quick is part of a "Golden Age" "Crime Society".
Film
- The Crime Syndicate version of Johnny Quick appears in Justice League: Crisis on Two EarthsJustice League: Crisis on Two EarthsJustice League: Crisis on Two Earths is a 2010 original direct-to-video animated film released on February 23, 2010. It is based on the abandoned direct-to-video feature, Justice League: Worlds Collide, which was intended as a bridge between the then-concluding Justice League animated television...
voiced by James Patrick StuartJames Patrick StuartJames Patrick Stuart is an English-American stage, film and television actor.-Theater:His early career began on stage, where his work received recognition.-Television:...
. A ruthless speedster, he repeatedly terrorizes his world's populace in order for the Crime Syndicate to rule through fear. He and The Flash do battle. However, Batman purposely lied to both speedsters of their potentials and limitations to save the Flash from dying of opening a portal to Earth Prime to pursue Owlman. Johnny later sacrifices himself transporting Batman to Earth Prime to stop Owlman's plot to destroy the multiverse, proud of himself for saving countless lives, and dies heroically. Unlike the comic books, the film version of the character's costume resembles more toward a Reverse-FlashReverse-FlashReverse-Flash is a title that has been taken by three supervillains in DC Comics. All of them have super-speed and are enemies of the Flash dynasty.-Golden Age:...
than the original version.