Johnny Quick (Johnny Chambers)
Encyclopedia
Johnny Quick
Johnny Quick
Johnny Quick is the name of two DC Comics characters, each with the power of superhuman speed. The first was a superhero who appeared mostly in More Fun Comics during the Golden Age...

is a Golden Age DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...

 character with the power of superhuman
Superhuman
Superhuman can mean an improved human, for example, by genetic modification, cybernetic implants, or as what humans might evolve into, in the near or distant future...

 speed. He was a superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...

 who appeared mostly in More Fun Comics
More Fun Comics
More Fun Comics, originally titled New Fun: The Big Comic Magazine a.k.a. New Fun Comics, was a 1935-1947 American comic book anthology that introduced several major superhero characters and was the first American comic-book series to feature solely original material rather than reprints of...

during the Golden Age
Golden Age of Comic Books
The Golden Age of Comic Books was a period in the history of American comic books, generally thought of as lasting from the late 1930s until the late 1940s or early 1950s...

. In the 1980s Johnny Quick's adventures were retconned 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
    More Fun Comics
    More Fun Comics, originally titled New Fun: The Big Comic Magazine a.k.a. New Fun Comics, was a 1935-1947 American comic book anthology that introduced several major superhero characters and was the first American comic-book series to feature solely original material rather than reprints of...

    #71 (Sept. 1941): character debuts
  • DC Special Series
    DC Special Series
    DC Special Series was an umbrella title for one-shots and special issues published by DC Comics between 1977 and 1981. Each issue featured a different character and was often in a different format than the issue before it. DC Special Series was published in four different formats: Dollar Comics, 48...

    #11 (1978): The Flash Spectacular. 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
    Silver Age of Comic Books
    The Silver Age of Comic Books was a period of artistic advancement and commercial success in mainstream American comic books, predominantly those in the superhero genre. Following the Golden Age of Comic Books and an interregnum in the early to mid-1950s, the Silver Age is considered to cover the...

    ).
  • All-Star Squadron
    All-Star Squadron
    The All-Star Squadron is a DC Comics superhero team that debuted in a special insert in Justice League of America #193 . Created by Roy Thomas, Rich Buckler and Jerry Ordway.-The concept:...

    (1982–1987): retconned into DC's "new" Earth-Two
    Earth-Two
    Earth-Two is a fictional universe appearing in American comic book stories published by DC Comics. First appearing in The Flash #123 , Earth-Two was created to explain how Silver-Age versions of characters such as the Flash could appear in stories with their Golden Age counterparts...

     "Mystery Men" group; stories take place during the first months of America's entry into World War II
    World War II
    World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

    .
  • Young All-Stars
    Young All-Stars
    The Young All-Stars are a team of fictional DC Comics superheroes. They were created by Roy Thomas, Dann Thomas, and Michael Bair, and introduced in Young All-Stars #1, dated June 1987.-Publication history:...

    (1987–1989): plays a supporting role in these post-Crisis on Infinite Earths
    Crisis on Infinite Earths
    Crisis on Infinite Earths is a 12-issue American comic book limited series and crossover event, produced by DC Comics in 1985 to simplify its then 50-year-old continuity...

    World War II stories.
  • Justice Society of America
    Justice Society of America
    The Justice Society of America, or JSA, is a DC Comics superhero group, the first team of superheroes in comic book history. Conceived by editor Sheldon Mayer and writer Gardner Fox, the JSA first appeared in All Star Comics #3 ....

    (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.

Origin

Johnny Quick is in truth Mr. Johnny Chambers, a newsreel photographer for Sees-All/Tells-All News. 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. After learning the secret to gaining superhuman speed, Johnny chooses to work as a mystery-man.

Early history

In 1941 Johnny Chambers puts on his scarlet uniform for the first time. He works alone at first and then gains the help of his friend and newsreel assistant Tubby Watts. December of that same year, however, proves a turning point in Johnny’s life. While on assignment in Los Angeles, California, he is one of the last people to see the Flash before that mystery-man’s kidnapping at the behest of the time-travelling villain Per Degaton
Per Degaton
Per Degaton is a fictional character, a DC Comics supervillain who can travel through time. Per Degaton made his first appearance in All Star Comics #35 and was created by John Broome and Irwin Hasen...

. Due to the time paradoxes inherent in Dr. Zee’s 1947 technology, the events of that first week of December, any and all which surround the villain’s intrusion from the future, become undone to one extent or another when Degaton returns to the future. Though Johnny Chambers loses his memory of the details of that week (along with the other heroes and Degaton himself), in the end he goes from lone mystery-man to member of President Roosevelt’s All-Star Squadron
All-Star Squadron
The All-Star Squadron is a DC Comics superhero team that debuted in a special insert in Justice League of America #193 . Created by Roy Thomas, Rich Buckler and Jerry Ordway.-The concept:...

.

That pivotal adventure began with Johnny following the trail of the disappearing JSA
Justice Society of America
The Justice Society of America, or JSA, is a DC Comics superhero group, the first team of superheroes in comic book history. Conceived by editor Sheldon Mayer and writer Gardner Fox, the JSA first appeared in All Star Comics #3 ....

 members. He makes his way to Washington, D.C. and encounters, for the first time, Miss Libby Lawrence. As Johnny Quick he meets Liberty Belle
Liberty Belle (comics)
Liberty Belle is the name of three fictional superheroes. Two are from DC Comics: Libby Lawrence and Jesse Chambers, the other is from Charlton Comics: Caroline Dean.-Libby Lawrence:...

, Plastic Man
Plastic Man
Plastic Man is a fictional comic-book superhero originally published by Quality Comics and later acquired by DC Comics. Created by writer-artist Jack Cole, he first appeared in Police Comics #1 ....

, Dr. Mid-Nite, the Hawkman, Robotman
Robotman (Robert Crane)
Robotman is a Golden Age DC Comics superhero. He first appeared in Star-Spangled Comics #7 and was created by Jerry Siegel, the co-creator of Superman. Despite his name, Robotman is actually not a robot; he is a cyborg.-History:...

, and the Atom, and with these heroes meets with President Roosevelt. They are told of the Japanese attack on the American Fleet at Pearl Harbor. President Roosevelt announces to this handful his desire that the Justice Society of America mobilize all American costumed heroes into a single unit, an All-Star Squadron, responsible directly to the President. Their first mission is to fly to the west coast and search out any saboteurs and hopefully prevent any Japanese attack on the US mainland. (All-Star Squadron 1, 9.1981)

That very same day Johnny helps save San Francisco as well as the town of Monterey from Degaton’s hypnotized Japanese pilots and their fearsome Zeroes. He also helps his comrades while in Degaton’s super-submarine (before it winked out of existence). (All-Star Squadron 2-3, 1981). The assembled heroes then use their unique powers to travel to Hawaii and see the terrible consequences of the attack on Pearl Harbor. They also see firsthand the supernatural effects of the Spear of Destiny and Holy Grail, and learn that even "super" men can become manipulated by magic. The Axis now has an invisible barrier about their tactical fronts that will snare any magical mystery-man and cause them to fight for tyranny. (All-Star Squadron 4, 1982)

As for Johnny and Libby, from their first meeting the tension between them is evident as they immediately enter into a flirtatious relationship. The relationship endures many hardships in the next few months especially when Libby takes on responsibilities as Chairwoman of the Squadron after being voted in by secret ballot, but nonetheless the relationship perseveres and the two wed on April 1, 1942.

In those first few months of the All-Stars Johnny and the Squadron are actively involved with President Roosevelt and the visiting Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the Head of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the Sovereign, to Parliament, to their political party and...

, Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...

. Johnny not only protects Churchill from Nazis, the super-Nazi called Baron Blitzkrieg, and from brain-washed POWs (in the form of Commander Steel), he too saves the Statue of Liberty and the National Monument from attacks by Nazi sympathizers. He also travels to the Yucatán, Mexico, in the days before Christmas in order to help Carter Hall rescue his fiancee Miss Shiera Sanders. There, too, they fight Nazis and Mexican Nazi sympathizers. (All-Star Squadron 5-9, 1982)

Early January finds Johnny present when an eye-shaped craft flies over Washington D.C. From it there materializes a tall being who claims to be Akhet, an alien and representative of the space-faring Binary Brotherhood. This is all a trick orchestrated by Hath-Set (in his reincarnated identity of Dr. Anton Hastor). This "alien" and alien ship appear over various cities and locations the world over and the message is always the same: All Earth’s nations must surrender to Akhet, as emissary of the Brotherhood. All who resist will be obliterated. For a brief moment in the history of the terrible World War, all the leaders become united against a common threat. Hitler, Mussolini, and Tojo all send word to Roosevelt and Churchill that they are ready to join in common defense against the alien. This union never comes about, however, for various heroes of the All-Star Squadron are able to discover the deception and defeat Hath-Set. (All-Star Squadron 10-12, 1982)

In early February the members of the disbanded JSA are missing...again. An emergency meeting of the All-Stars is called and the Tarantula is invited for the first time. The meeting is interrupted by an attack by a crazed 'Fairytales' Fenton and after he is dealt with, the All-Stars head over to the grounds of the 1939 New York World's Fair where a mysterious threat is being broadcast in Morse Code. This results in the All-Stars meeting, for the first time in combat, the Brain Wave. Within the Perisphere the group find the comatose bodies of the JSAers and are given an ultimatum – enter into the dream world crafted by the villain and save the heroes from within, or else be killed. Johnny and company enter into the dreamscape but they fail as quickly as did the JSAers. Only the timely intervention of the Green Lantern
Alan Scott
Alan Scott is a fictional character, a superhero in the and the first superhero to bear the name Green Lantern.-Publication history:The original Green Lantern was created by young struggling artist Martin Nodell, who was inspired by the sight of a New York Subway employee waving a red lantern to...

 saves the heroes and destroys the dream machine. After Brain Wave’s defeat the group chooses the Perisphere and Trylon as their new HQ. (All-Star Squadron 18-21, 1983)

This adventure quickly leads into the next as Johnny finds himself with Danette Reilly when they are attacked by the man calling himself the Cyclotron, but Johnny can't keep Danette from being kidnapped. He joins with Robotman and Commander Steel and soon they discover that the Cyclotron is only a minion of the Ultra-Humanite
Ultra-Humanite
The Ultra-Humanite is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in Action Comics #13 , and was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster...

. After yet another battle, Robotman is taken captive. In his civilian identity, Johnny is present at the Carole Lombard Memorial War Bond Drive in Manhattan. It just so happens that that is the site of the Ultra-Humanite’s next attack. Though he saves numerous lives, he also suffers grave injuries and is taken to the hospital. After leaving the hospital early, he makes his way to the Perisphere and meets up with a small group of mystery-men, including the Flash. The All-Stars have already traveled to three separate cities in danger of disaster at the hands of the Ultra-Humanite: Brooklyn, Detroit, Los Angeles, and suffered various defeats. Johnny joins with the groups and together they defeat the villain.

Note: Any reference in the pages of the All-Star Squadron to Earth-Two heroes such as Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman cannot be canon in the post-Crisis universe, and the engagement of the time-traveling Earth-Two Infinity Inc. in these events is now highly confused as well. Suffice it to say, the Ultra-Humanite had minions and the minions lost.

Johnny Quick & Quicksilver

During the War Johnny meets other speedsters, the Flash and Quicksilver
Max Mercury
Max Mercury is a fictional character, a DC Comics superhero based on Quality Comics' Quicksilver.- Publication history :He first appeared in Quality's National Comics #5, cover dated November 1940, as Quicksilver...

 (Max Mercury). Quicksilver becomes a mentor for Johnny, though the hotheaded Johnny does not always take his advice easily. In 1948 Quicksilver disappears and in the 1950s Johnny retires (for the most part) as a mystery-man. In the 1960s, however, Quicksilver reappears and saves Johnny from Savitar
Savitar (comics)
Savitar is a fictional supervillain published by DC Comics. He first appeared in Flash #108 , and was created by Mark Waid and Oscar Jimenez.- Fictional character biography :...

. The two together fight the villain with Quicksilver and Savitar disappearing in a flash of light and neither reappearing for decades. Johnny, for his part, rarely puts on his speedster’s uniform after that and concentrates on other aspects of his life.

Later history

In the 1950s, after committing to retirement, Johnny begins research on the formula that unlocks his speed. Quicksilver had told him that the formula was merely his way into tapping into the other-dimensional power known as the Speed Force
Speed Force
The Speed Force is a concept presented in various comic books published by DC Comics, primarily in relation to the various speedsters in the DC Universe.-Empowered:...

. Scientists balk at the idea that the formula gives him power, and that the power was genetic. Neither theory convinces Johnny, and he seeks his conclusions in the mystic arts, seeing the formula as a mantra, unlocking his potential.

This theory had his effect on Johnny, as he began lecturing at universities and delivering seminars, trying to preach this newfound philosophy to the world. To this goal he founded Quickstart Enterprises, which created and endorsed products of potential-unlocking quality, as well as videotapes of Johnny's lectures. This led to his wife, Libby, leaving him, embarrassed.

Thanks to his abilities, Johnny's age was retarded, keeping his appearance younger and vigorous, despite his true age. After the Justice Society of America returned following a long absence, Johnny assisted them occasionally. Together with the Justice Society, Johnny would face the villain Extant during the time-event known as Zero Hour
Zero Hour (comics)
Zero Hour: Crisis in Time is a five-issue comic book limited series and crossover storyline published by DC Comics in 1994. In it, the former hero Hal Jordan, who had until then been a member of the intergalactic police force known as the Green Lantern Corps, mad with grief after the destruction of...

. Like the other heroes present, Johnny was aged considerably by the villain. Though he was now much older physically, he did not relinquish his hero-ing activities, and together with his daughter (now calling herself Jesse Quick
Jesse Chambers
Jesse Chambers is a fictional comic book character in the . Chambers, who first used the superhero name Jesse Quick and later Liberty Belle, is the daughter of Golden Age heroes Johnny Quick and Liberty Belle...

) helped train the time-displaced Impulse
Bart Allen
Bartholomew "Bart" Allen is a superhero in the . Allen first appeared as the superhero Impulse. He would later go on to become the second Kid Flash and the fourth Flash. Allen's first cameo appearance was in The Flash #91, while his first full appearance was in issue #92...

.

Ultimate fate

Some time afterwards, Johnny meets with Iris Allen, widow of Barry Allen, who warns him that trouble was forthcoming for users of the Speed Force. Johnny refuses to believe his power was not his own, till moments later he found himself without his speed, thanks to the manipulations of the returned 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 ran into the Speed Force, merging with it. In "Infinite Crisis
Infinite Crisis
Infinite Crisis is a 2005 - 2006 comic book storyline published by DC Comics, consisting of an eponymous, seven-issue comic book limited series written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Phil Jimenez, George Pérez, Ivan Reis, and Jerry Ordway, and a number of tie-in books...

" #4, he assists Max Mercury and Bart Allen
Bart Allen
Bartholomew "Bart" Allen is a superhero in the . Allen first appeared as the superhero Impulse. He would later go on to become the second Kid Flash and the fourth Flash. Allen's first cameo appearance was in The Flash #91, while his first full appearance was in issue #92...

 in confining the murderous Superboy-Prime
Superboy-Prime
Superboy-Prime, also known as Superman-Prime, or simply Prime, is a DC Comics superhero turned supervillain, and one of several alternate Supermen. The character first appeared in DC Comics Presents #87 , and was created by Elliot S...

 by taking the villain into and past the Speed Force.

Due to Professor Zoom
Professor Zoom
Eobard Thawne, who has gone by the codenames "Professor Zoom" and "Reverse-Flash", is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain in the DC Universe. Thawne is the Arch enemy of the superhero Barry Allen, the second hero to be called the Flash...

's recent tamperings with the Speed Force
The Flash: Rebirth
The Flash: Rebirth is a six issue monthly American comic book limited series written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Ethan Van Sciver. Published by DC Comics, the series features characters from throughout the nearly seventy year history of Flash comics. This is the creative team's second...

, Johnny Quick is later seen by his daughter Jessie and her husband, the current Hourman begging Barry Allen to spare Jessie's life. It's then revealed that Professor Zoom altered the Speed Force and Barry to make the Silver Age Flash shift in reverse, and cursed to kill every Speed Force user with a single touch. Zoom forces Johnny into touching Barry, making the former decay and crumble to dust in mere seconds. His daughter Jesse taking the mantle of Johnny's costume with Wally West uses his connection to the Speed Force to rejuvenate the speedsters and, in the process, repair Jesse's suits.

In the solicited tie-in Blackest Night storyline, Johnny was reanimated as a member of the Black Lantern Corps
Black Lantern Corps
The Black Lantern Corps is a fictional organization of revenants appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. The group is composed of deceased fictional characters that seek to eliminate all life from the DC Universe.-Publication history:...

. The scene where Liberty Belle is found by her father, Johnny Quick, who claims that Jesse's love for her father was the reason he came back. Jesse says that she has a uniform like his and quickly changes into it by reciting the mathematical formula that her father originally used and calls herself Jesse Quick. The two speedsters then run off. While, across the globe, Jesse Quick is running with her father Black Lantern Johnny Quick trying to enjoy the time she's spending with her father, while thinking that she must be with her husband, the modern-day Hourman. Jesse continues to run with her father, remembering her childhood memories of when they used to jog together around their neighborhood and Johnny would let her win, feeling thankful that she was able to spend only a few moments. Mr. Terrific
Mister Terrific (Michael Holt)
Michael Holt is a fictional character, a comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics. First appearing in Spectre #54 , he is the second character to take up the Mister Terrific mantle....

 had managed to create a one-time use machine which destroys all the Black Lanterns in New York city, Johnny included.

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. 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
Flash (comics)
The Flash is a name shared by several fictional comic book superheroes from the DC Comics universe. Created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Harry Lampert, the original Flash first appeared in Flash Comics #1 ....

.

Johnny Quick reappeared briefly during the Infinite Crisis
Infinite Crisis
Infinite Crisis is a 2005 - 2006 comic book storyline published by DC Comics, consisting of an eponymous, seven-issue comic book limited series written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Phil Jimenez, George Pérez, Ivan Reis, and Jerry Ordway, and a number of tie-in books...

 storyline with Max Mercury
Max Mercury
Max Mercury is a fictional character, a DC Comics superhero based on Quality Comics' Quicksilver.- Publication history :He first appeared in Quality's National Comics #5, cover dated November 1940, as Quicksilver...

 and Barry Allen to assist Bart Allen
Bart Allen
Bartholomew "Bart" Allen is a superhero in the . Allen first appeared as the superhero Impulse. He would later go on to become the second Kid Flash and the fourth Flash. Allen's first cameo appearance was in The Flash #91, while his first full appearance was in issue #92...

 (the second Kid Flash) wrestle Superboy-Prime
Superboy-Prime
Superboy-Prime, also known as Superman-Prime, or simply Prime, is a DC Comics superhero turned supervillain, and one of several alternate Supermen. The character first appeared in DC Comics Presents #87 , and was created by Elliot S...

into the Speed Force.

External links

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