The Flash

In 1990's The Flash a freak accident at a police crime lab transforms chemist Barry Allen into a living conduit for electricity. A bolt tears into the building and a spray of charged chemicals bathes him, and Barry wakes with the power of superhuman speed. He trains himself to move and think faster than anyone else, turning those abilities toward stopping criminals and unraveling cases that stump the force. Alongside him are fellow scientist Christina 'Tina' McGee and patrolman Julio Mendez, who help with tech and fieldwork as Barry tries to balance a regular job, personal relationships, and the weight of a new public role. The series focuses on action, investigations, and the choices Barry makes as a hero.

Premiering in 1990, the series was created by Danny Bilson and Paul De Meo, and adapts DC Comics' Barry Allen. John Wesley Shipp leads as the title character, with Amanda Pays and Alex Désert in supporting roles as series regulars.

Fans and critics praised its straightforward, old-school superhero tone and earnest performances, reflected in a 7.4/10 user vote average from 511 votes. While some effects and pacing feel dated now, viewers respond to its procedural crime elements, character chemistry, and sincere take on responsibility and identity in a comic-book world.

The show helped bring a classic comic hero to live action and earned a loyal cult following. John Wesley Shipp's portrayal later echoed in The CW's 2014 Flash, supplying affectionate callbacks and casting nods. The series' costume and practical effects remain iconic for longtime fans and inspired later television adaptations.

It didn't win major industry awards and ran just one season, yet it received modest praise from genre press and built steady fan appreciation. Rather than a trophy sweep, its legacy is practical: influencing later portrayals of Barry Allen and proving a live-action Flash could work on television.