Barry Allen

Barry Allen could be considered the leader of the modern Flash Family.

Barry Allen was a forensic lab technician working for the Central City police. A freak electrical impulse shattered the hazardous chemical closet storage and bathed him in hazardous waste. When he recovered, he discovered that he had become a metahuman, and had the ability to move himself faster than he ever thought possible.

Initially Barry used his powers to run, billing himself as the 'Fastest Man Alive' during his formative time as a hero. He met and was mentored by the Defender named Jay Garrick. Though Jay's powers came from a different source, he was able to both help Barry control his talents and mentor him into his future role as a hero.

Barry became a founding member of The Watch, a team of heroes with a global mandate to helping people in need of aid. Several years after The Watch assembled, he would take on a role of mentorship himself with the young Wally West, a young man with similar disposition and history.