Johnny Quick (Johnny Chambers)

For the supervillain, see Johnny Quick (Crime Syndicate).

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]

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
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	More Fun Comics #71 (September 1941)
Created by	Mort Weisinger
In-story information
Alter ego	Jonathan "Johnny" Chambers
Species	Metahuman
Team affiliations	All-Star Squadron Black Lantern Corps
Abilities	Super speed Has an invisible aura to protect his body and clothes against air friction. Can sometimes use speed to engage in flight.

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

• More Fun Comics #71 (September 1941): Character debuts and appears monthly until issue #107 (January–February 1946).
• Adventure Comics #103 (April 1946): Johnny Quick's adventures continue until issue #207 (December 1954).
• DC Special Series #11 (1978): First appearance in the modern era (the last major character from More Fun Comics to be revived since the start of the Silver Age of Comic Books).
• All-Star Squadron (1982–1987): retconned into DC's "new" Earth-Two "Mystery Men" group; stories take place during the first months of America's entry into World War II.
• Young All-Stars (1987–1989): plays a supporting role in these post-Crisis on Infinite Earths World War II stories.
• Justice Society of America (1992–1993): post-Crisis introduction of Johnny Quick into modern times; not clear if he was made a member by this time, or had honorary status.

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, who had in turn derived it from inscriptions found 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

During World War II, Johnny joins the All-Star Squadron.^[7] Johnny meets Liberty Belle, Plastic Man, Doctor Mid-Nite, Hawkman, Robotman, and Atom, and they are all tasked with preventing Japan from attacking the mainland United States following the attack on Pearl Harbor.^[8] During the war, Johnny meets other speedsters, the Flash and Quicksilver (Max Mercury). Quicksilver becomes a mentor for Johnny, though Johnny does not always take his advice easily. In the 1950s, Johnny retires.

Later history

Thanks to his abilities, Johnny's age is slowed, keeping him young and vigorous despite his true age. After the Justice Society of America returns following a long absence, Johnny assists them occasionally. Together with the Justice Society, Johnny faces the villain Extant during the event Zero Hour: Crisis in Time!. Like the other heroes present, Johnny is aged considerably by the villain.^[9] Despite his age, Johnny refuses to retire. Together with his daughter (now calling herself Jesse Quick), he becomes a mentor to the time-displaced Impulse (Bart Allen).

Death and return

Some time afterwards, Johnny meets with Iris West, widow of Barry Allen, who warns him that trouble was forthcoming for users of the Speed Force. Johnny refuses to believe his power is not his own until he loses his powers to Savitar. Johnny is grudgingly forced to accept the Speed Force's existence. In the final battle with Savitar, Johnny Quick sacrifices himself to save his daughter's life and runs into the Speed Force, merging with it.^[10]

In the Blackest Night storyline, Johnny is reanimated as a member of the Black Lantern Corps.^[11] Mister Terrific creates a one-time use machine which destroys all the Black Lanterns in New York City, Johnny included.^[12]

In Dark Nights: Death Metal, Johnny Quick is shown among the heroes entombed at Valhalla Cemetery.^[13] Batman later resurrects him using a Black Lantern ring.^[14]