'Crisis on Infinite Earths' pays a fitting tribute to the Barry Allen of Earth-90 and John Wesley Shipp
The CW's 'The Flash' is not the first live-action TV series to feature the scarlet speedster. That honor goes to the 1990 TV series starring John Wesley Shipp as the titular superhero.
It only lasted a season, but the modern-day 'The Flash' series honored its predecessor in big ways — from casting John Wesley Shipp as Barry Allen's (Grant Gustin) father to recasting him as Earth-2's Jar Garrick, and finally, bringing his original character back for one of the most iconic moments on the 'Crisis on Infinite Earths'.
The 90s series had a lot in common with the modern-day series — it followed a villain-of-the-week format, and features a Barry Allen who gets struck by lightning and learns to use his new speed powers with the help of S.T.A.R. Labs.
This version of Barry Allen, however, was a lot better at keeping his secret identity intact, as the only person from S.T.A.R. labs who helped him out was scientist Tina McGee (Amanda Pays).
Barry also had help from his scientist friend in the CCPD, Julio Mendez (Alex Desert). The series also introduced Mark Hamill as the Trickster, in a performance that would later influence his take on the Joker in 'Batman: The Animated Series'.
The CW's 'The Flash' homaged the original series whenever possible. Casting John Wesley Shipp as Henry Allen was, to many, a perfect choice to represent the passing on of legacy from one actor to another, and Henry Allen would play a significant part on the show until his death at the hands of Zoom (Teddy Sears).
The show also brought back Amanda Pays back as Tina McGee, head of Mercury Labs, and had Mark Hamill suit up once again as the Trickster — although this time in a much more comfortable costume.
After Henry Allen's death, 'The Flash' found a way to keep John Wesley Shipp a part of the show, casting him as Jay Garrick — the original Flash from the comics, and the Flash of Earth-2, further cementing the Flash legacy. He would continue to appear in guest spots through seasons of 'The Flash'.
The CW finally went all-in on their tribute for the original show, as last year's 'Elseworlds' crossover brought in the Barry Allen of Earth-90, who is revealed to be an older version of the Flash featured in the 90s TV series.
The Anti-Monitor whisked him away during the crossover, and we do not see that version of the character again until 'Crisis on Infinite Earths', where it's revealed that the Anti-Monitor has been using his speed to power the Anti-Matter Wave consuming all of existence.
Earth-1 Flash rescues him, but it turns out that doing so destabilizes the Anti-Matter Cannon. The only way to stop it — and to stop the Anti-Matter Wave — is to run backwards on the cosmic treadmill and pull the wave back into the cannon.
It is an act that will kill the Flash, and is what Earth-1 Flash has been preparing for all season long — but in the last second, Earth-90 Flash steals Earth-1 Flash's speed, sacrificing himself to save the Multiverse.
The Flash sacrificing himself to save the Multiverse is one of the most iconic images from 'Crisis on Infinite Earths'. For several decades, it was one of the most impactful superhero deaths in comics, one of the few ones that stuck simply for how iconic a moment it was.
That the crossover chose to give that moment to John Wesley Shipp highlights just how much respect they have for the original series and the character.
In his last moments, the theme song from the 90s show swells, and the Flash of Earth 90 begins his final run. Before he collapses into nothingness, a clip from the original show is played — a moment between Barry Allen and Tina McGee — the woman whom it's revealed has been his wife for the past 30 years.
Barry-90 saves the Multiverse, and 'The Flash' could not have given a more fitting farewell to the character. Keep riding the lightning.