The Flash is coming to Earth-2! As teased in a promotional image earlier this week, the CW’s hit show will adapt (or at least pay homage) to the classic “Flash of Two Worlds” story that brought DC’s Silver and Golden Age heroes for the first time.Earth-2 is home to some of DC’s oldest and most storied superheroes, many of whom experienced fantastic revivals during the modern age with books like Infinity Inc., JSA and Starman.While DC’s Silver Age heroes are the *ahem* flashier and more well-known heroes, the timeless heroes of Earth-2 are just as exciting and captivating as their younger counterparts.To celebrate The Flash‘s excursion into Earth-2, here’s five heroes we’d like to see when the show enters that alternate universe.
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Hourman
A superhero drug addict, Hourman was one of the darker and more complex heroes to come out of the Golden Age. Rex Tyler created a pill called Miraclo that increased strength and speed for approximately one hour after consumption. Tyler took the name Hourman became a key member of the Justice Society of America and the All-Star Squadron. Over time, Hourman discovered that Miraclo had addictive qualities and that he may enjoy crime fighting a bit too much. Hourman’s son, Rick Tyler, learned that Miraclo had even worse possible side effects, the younger Hourman contracted leukemia due to overuse of the drug.
If you’re wondering why the CW hasn’t jumped on a superhero whose power comes from a dangerous show, the network already has. A few years ago, the network worked on a show based on Hourman using characteristics from both Rex and Rick, but it never moved past the planning stages. An Hourman struggling to overcome his addictions while still helping people would be a great addition to the CW’s superhero universe and would be a perfect foil for the “oh-so perfect” Barry Allen.
Starman
Like many of DC’s Golden Age superheroes, Ted Knight was a brilliant scientist who developed a fantastical scientific tool (in this case a Cosmic Rod that allowed him to fly and shoot energy blasts) to fight crime as Starman. As World War II descended on Earth-2, Starman joined that universe’s version of the Manhattan Project and developed the atom bomb. His role in the deaths of millions caused him to have a mental breakdown, keeping him away for superheroics for many years. Knight later had two sons, David and Jack, both of whom took up the Starman mantle after he retired. Jack Knight starred in a beloved 90s Starman series that jumpstarted DC’s reinvention of their Golden Age heroes and brought additional focus to the legacy aspect of the DC Universe.
Ted Knight would be a perfect replacement for the brilliant Harrison Wells (although that character is returning to The Flash next season in some fashion). Jack is another major DC character primed for a television appearance and would probably merit serious discussion for his own spin-off series…even though CW claims that they’re not interested in adding a fourth superhero show to their network.
Zatara
Zatara is one of DC’s oldest heroes, first appearing in Action Comics #1, the same issue in which Superman debuted. Zatara was a magician who used backwards speech to channel his magical while traveling the country battling magical threats and assisting people in need. Zatara’s daughter, Zatanna later became a key member of the Justice League and later wore her father’s distinctive hat in remembrance of him. With the Arrowverse starting to explore the DC Universe’s magical side, it would be fun for all the scientists on The Flash to wrap their head around a magical character. I picked Zatara over other magical Golden Age characters like Dr. Fate or Sargon the Sorcerer because he’s underrepresented in DC’s live action and cartoon series and because he’s a natural lead into Zatanna, who’s one of DC’s best characters.
Liberty Belle
Liberty Belle was a classic Golden Age hero who not only had a unique set of powers, but also a connection to the speedsters of the DC Universe. A former Olympic swimmer, Libby Lawrence discovered that her speed and strength increased whenever someone rung the famous Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. While it’s unclear exactly how her powers worked (some theorized that she was a latent metahuman while others theorized her powers came from the life force of America), Libby became a superhero and fought alongside the JSA and All-Star Squadron during World War II. After the war ended, Liberty Belle fell in love with the Golden Age speedster Johnny Quick, retired and had a single daughter named Jessie, who later becomes an ally of the Flash.
Liberty Belle would work on The Flash for a few reasons. Not only does she have history with the speedsters of the DC Universe, she also was a recurring foe of Baron Blitzkrieg, the reimagined Nazi villain appearing on Arrow this season. Depending on how the Blitzkrieg storyline ends, Liberty Belle would provide another easy way to bring Arrow and The Flash closer together.
Sandman
A bridge between classic pulp adventurers and superheroes, Wesley Dodds was a detective and crimefighter haunted by prophetic dreams of crime and murders. Donning a fedora, trench coat and gas mask, Dodds stalked the streets, stopping the crimes in his dream with the help of a special gas gun that could either knock foes out or force them to tell the truth. Not only was Sandman a (largely) unpowered superhero, his longtime love interest Dian Belmont knew of his duel identity and helped him fight crime with her background as an award winning crime novelist.
Sandman has one of DC’s more distinctive and visually striking costume designs, one that could easily work on television. Cisco would have a blast with Sandman’s mask and gas gun and the Flash would benefit from having an ally who relied more on his wits and deductive abilities than his powers or fighting skills. Plus, Sandman and his partner Dian would provide a functional relationship that Barry and Iris would do well to learn from.
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Which Earth 2 characters would like to see on The Flash? Let us know in the comments!
The Flash Season 2 premieres October 6 at 8:00 p.m. on The CW.
