<P> Barry Allen's classic stories introduced the concept of the Multiverse to DC Comics, and this concept played a large part in DC's various continuity reboots over the years . The Flash has traditionally always had a significant role in DC's major company - wide reboot stories, and in 1985's crossover Crisis on Infinite Earths, Barry Allen died saving the Multiverse, removing the character from the regular DC lineup for 23 years . His return to regular comics occurred subsequently in 2008 within the pages of Grant Morrison's Final Crisis crossover story and Geoff Johns' accompanying The Flash: Rebirth limited series . He has since played a pivotal role in the crossover stories Blackest Night (2009), Flashpoint (2011), Convergence (2015), and DC Rebirth (2016). </P> <P> The character has appeared in various adaptations in other media . John Wesley Shipp played Barry Allen in the 1990 CBS television series and Grant Gustin currently plays him in the 2014 The CW television series . Alan Tudyk, George Eads, James Arnold Taylor, Taliesin Jaffe, Dwight Schultz, Michael Rosenbaum, Neil Patrick Harris, Justin Chambers, Christopher Gorham, Josh Keaton, Adam DeVine, and others have provided the character's voice in animation adaptations . In feature films, he is played by Ezra Miller in the DC Extended Universe, beginning with Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Suicide Squad in 2016, followed by Justice League in 2017 and a solo film called Flashpoint in the works . </P> <P> Barry Allen is a police scientist (his job title was changed to a forensic scientist in The Flash: Iron Heights one - shot) with a reputation for being very slow, and frequently late, which frustrates his fiancée, Iris West, as the result of being absent - minded and his devotion to crime - solving . One night, as he is working late, a lightning bolt shatters a case full of chemicals and spills all over Barry . As a result, Allen finds that he can run extremely fast and has matching reflexes and senses . He dons a set of red tights sporting a lightning bolt (reminiscent of the original Fawcett Comics Captain Marvel), dubs himself the Flash (after his childhood comic book hero, Jay Garrick), and becomes Central City's resident costumed crimefighter . Central City University professor Ira West (Iris' adoptive father) designed Allen's costume and the ring which stores it while Allen is in his civilian identity . The ring can eject the compressed clothing when Allen needs it and suck it back in with the aid of a special gas that shrinks the suit . In addition, Allen invented the cosmic treadmill, a device that allowed for precise time travel and was used in many stories . Allen was so well liked that nearly all speedsters that come after him are often compared to him . Batman once said "Barry is the kind of man that I would've hoped to become if my parents had not been murdered ." </P> <P> As presented in Justice League of America #9, when the Earth is infiltrated by alien warriors sent to conquer the planet, some of the world's greatest heroes join forces, Allen among them . While the superheroes individually defeat most of the invaders, they fall prey to a single alien and only by working together are they able to defeat the warrior . Afterwards, the heroes decide to establish the Justice League . </P>

How did the superhero flash get his powers
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