Johnny Quick (Johnny Chambers)

For the supervillain, see Johnny Quick (Crime Syndicate).
Jonathan "Johnny" Quick
Johnny Chambers as Johnny Quick, as he appeared on the cover of All-Star Squadron #65 (January 1987). Art by Tony DeZuniga, Arvell Jones.
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceMore Fun Comics #71 (September 1941)
Created byMort Weisinger
In-story information
Alter egoJonathan "Johnny" Chambers
SpeciesMetahuman
Team affiliationsAll-Star Squadron
Black Lantern Corps
AbilitiesSuper speed
Has an invisible aura to protect his body and clothes against air friction.
Can sometimes use speed to engage in flight.

Johnny Quick is a Golden Age DC Comics character with the power of superhuman speed. The character first appeared in More Fun Comics #71 (September 1941).[1] After his More Fun run ended in issue #107 (January–February 1946), he was moved to Adventure Comics with issue #103 (April 1946). He remained as a regular feature in Adventure until issue #207 (December 1954).[2]

In the 1980s, Johnny Quick's adventures were reconnected into the reality of DC Comics' Earth-Two; this was done in the pages of the comic book the All-Star Squadron.

Publication history

Fictional character biography

Origin

Johnny Chambers is a newsreel photographer for Sees-All/Tells-All News.[3] He invokes his power by reciting a mathematical formula ("3X2(9YZ)4A") taught to him by his childhood guardian Professor Gill and discovered in a pharaoh's tomb.[4][5]

According to Jess Nevins' Encyclopedia of Golden Age Superheroes, "his Rogues Gallery includes the armored robot Black Knight, Mr. Douglas (the Wizard of Weapons), the crime scientist Dr. Clever (who owns a lamp which grants super-speed), the Maestro of Murder, Mason the Weapons Master, the gimmick-wielding Mr. Zero, and the Human Bird, who impersonates Johnny Quick".[6]

Early history

In 1941, Johnny witnesses Per Degaton kidnap the Flash, but forgets it due to Degaton's time manipulation.[7] Afterwards, Johnny joins the All-Star Squadron and participates in World War II, during which Max Mercury mentors him.[8]

Later history

In the 1950s, Johnny retires, researches the formula that unlocks his speed, realizes that it may be harnessing the Speed Force, and becomes a motivational speaker.

In Zero Hour: Crisis in Time!, Extant nullifies Johnny's slowed aging, causing him to age considerably. However, he refuses to retire and becomes Impulse's mentor.

Death and return

In The Flash: Rebirth, Johnny Quick sacrifices himself to save Jesse and merges with the Speed Force.[9][10] Johnny is temporarily resurrected as a Black Lantern in Blackest Night and fully resurrected in Dark Nights: Death Metal.[11][12][13][14][15]

Allies

Johnny Chambers had as his trusty assistant and confidant Tubby Watts (also of See-All-Tell-All News). He worked with, romanced and married Libby Lawrence aka Liberty Belle, and he also worked with all the members of the Wartime All-Star Squadron.[16] During his time with the Squadron, Johnny met the members of the JSA and developed a strong but friendly rivalry with Jay Garrick, the first Flash.

Johnny Quick reappeared briefly during the Infinite Crisis storyline with Max Mercury and Barry Allen to assist Bart Allen (the second Kid Flash) wrestle Superboy-Prime into the Speed Force.

References

  1. ^ Cowsill, Alan; Irvine, Alex; Korte, Steve; Manning, Matt; Wiacek, Win; Wilson, Sven (2016). The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe. DK Publishing. p. 241. ISBN 978-1-4654-5357-0.
  2. ^ Benton, Mike (1992). Superhero Comics of the Golden Age: The Illustrated History. Dallas: Taylor Publishing Company. p. 146. ISBN 0-87833-808-X. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  3. ^ Mitchell, Kurt; Thomas, Roy (2019). American Comic Book Chronicles: 1940-1944. TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 73. ISBN 978-1605490892.
  4. ^ Cowsill, Alan; Irvine, Alex; Manning, Matthew K.; McAvennie, Michael; Wallace, Daniel (2019). DC Comics Year By Year: A Visual Chronicle. DK Publishing. p. 32. ISBN 978-1-4654-8578-6.
  5. ^ Markstein, Don. "Johnny Quick". Don Markstein's Toonopedia. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  6. ^ Nevins, Jess (2013). Encyclopedia of Golden Age Superheroes. High Rock Press. p. 138. ISBN 978-1-61318-023-5.
  7. ^ More Fun Comics #71 (September 1941). DC Comics.
  8. ^ All-Star Squadron #1 - #26 and Annual #2 (1981 - 1983). DC Comics.
  9. ^ Infinite Crisis #4. DC Comics.
  10. ^ The Flash: Rebirth #3 - #5 (June - November 2009)
  11. ^ Blackest Night: JSA #1 (December 2009). DC Comics.
  12. ^ Blackest Night: JSA #2 (January 2010). DC Comics.
  13. ^ Blackest Night: JSA #3 (February 2010). DC Comics.
  14. ^ Dark Nights: Death Metal #2. DC Comics.
  15. ^ Dark Nights: Death Metal #5. DC Comics.
  16. ^ Thomas, Roy (2006). The All-Star Companion: Vol 2. TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 87. ISBN 978-1893905375.