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 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 continues his role in the Flash family.

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.