Eobard Thawne

A scientist from the future who became his idol's greatest enemy after learning his own destiny.

Eobard Thawne, also known as the Reverse-Flash and Professor Zoom, is the archenemy of Barry Allen/The Flash. Created by John Broome and Carmine Infantino, he first appeared in The Flash #139 (September 1963) and was named in The Flash #153. A scientist from the 25th century, Thawne originally idolized the Flash but became obsessed with ruining his life after learning he was destined to become his greatest enemy. Fueled by jealousy and hatred, Thawne travels through time to torment Barry, establishing himself as one of the fastest speedsters in the DC Universe. He has died frequently but returned multiple times through resurrections and time travel.

Quick Facts

Publisher

DC Comics

Debut

The Flash #139 (September 1963)

Creators

John Broome; Carmine Infantino

Species

Metahuman

Also known as

Reverse-Flash
Professor Zoom
Zoom
Black Flash
Adrian Zoom
Barry Allen
The Flash

Lore & Background

Thawne's origin varies slightly across continuities, but all versions center on his obsession with Barry Allen. In the Post-Crisis storyline 'The Return of Barry Allen,' he was a scientist who underwent cosmetic surgery to resemble his hero and replicated the electrochemical accident that gave Flash his powers using the Cosmic Treadmill from an antique shop. He discovered at the Flash Museum years after Barry's death that he was destined to be 'Professor Zoom, the Reverse-Flash' and die at his idol's hands. This revelation drove him insane; he convinced himself he was Barry Allen based on reading an unpublished biography and attacked Central City for 'forgetting him.' In the DC Rebirth origin, Thawne found a time capsule with the Flash's costume and used traces of the Speed Force within it to become a version of the Flash. He later erased his younger brother from existence and killed his parents when they interfered with his research.

Reader's Guide

Thawne has been adapted across various media, including films, television series, and video games. In The CW's Arrowverse franchise, Tom Cavanagh and Matt Letscher portrayed the character, most notably in the television series The Flash. His powers stem from the Negative Speed Force, which he accessed by replicating Barry Allen's accident or using traces of the Speed Force found in a time capsule costume. Thawne can run fast enough to alter history, as seen when he killed Nora Allen to create the Flashpoint timeline. He has been imprisoned in Iron Heights Penitentiary multiple times but escapes frequently through resurrections or time travel. During Blackest Night, the pre-Crisis version of Thawne was reanimated as a member of the Black Lantern Corps after his corpse's memories were downloaded by a black power ring. In Brightest Day, he became the first to fulfill the Life Entity's mission when he freed Allen from the Speed Force following resurrection in The Flash: Rebirth.