Technology

An Original DC Hero Is Now Officially a Villain After 85 Years

2025-11-26 22:54
988 views
An Original DC Hero Is Now Officially a Villain After 85 Years

The corruption of Darkseid has claimed another legend of DC's Universe, turning its original speedster hero into another devoted soldier for evil.

After 85 Years, DC's Flash Is Finally Turning Villain Superman Wonder Woman and Batman in Justice League All In Art Superman Wonder Woman and Batman in Justice League All In Art 4 By  Andrew Dyce Published 37 minutes ago Andrew Dyce is the Deputy Editor for ScreenRant's coverage of Marvel, DC, and all other comics. Whether superheroes, sci-fi, fantasy, or any other genre, Andrew's decade in the industry and countless hours of analysis on podcasts like the Screen Rant Underground, Total Geekall, The Rings of Power Podcast, Batman v Superman: By The Minute, and more has left its mark. With over a decade spent at GameRant and ScreenRant, Andrew has made himself known as an outspoken fan and critic of film, television, video games, comics, and more. Sign in to your ScreenRant account Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

The rise of Darkseid's Absolute re-imagining of the DC Universe continues to grow darker and darker. And after the villain managed to corrupt a founding Justice Leaguer into a nightmare weapon, he now looks poised to do the same with one of DC's oldest heroes, and the first Flash family speedster, to boot.

The First DC Speedster, Max Mercury, Has Officially Turned Evil

The Flash #27 by Mark Waid & Christopher Cantwell, Vasco Georgiev, Matt Herms

Max Mercury Turns Evil for Darkseid in The Flash Comic Art Max Mercury Turns Evil for Darkseid in The Flash Comic Art

The impossible twist was initially dropped on the final page of The Flash #26, after Bart Allen attempted (foolishly) to travel back in time to prevent Darkseid's entire plan. But with Wally West in hot pursuit, both heroes were caught by Darkseid, and thrust even farther back through the timestream than they intended. Specifically, the year 1908. A period of history so early in the rise of metahumans, that only Max Mercury, a.k.a. 'Whip Whirlwind' was publicly active.

After witnessing Max take a knew before the acolytes of Darkseid's Omega Legion, proclaiming to have "devoted my allegiance" to these forces of evil. And the following issue confirms things are just as bad as they seem. Not only is 'Whip' doing Darkseid's bidding to unlock the mystery of "Omega Speed," but it appears that either explicit corruption or mental influence means he will do, or kill, whatever he needs to.

Max Mercury Becomes A Villain in DC Absolute Universe Comic Max Mercury Becomes A Villain in DC Absolute Universe Comic

The personal element at work in the corruption of Max Mercury makes the twist even darker than those which have come before. As not only one of the friendliest heroes in existence, but the tutor and mentor of Jay Garrick, Wally West, and Bart Allen, Darkseid has struck at the heart of the Flash family.

The Absolute Universe Turns Another Beloved Hero Into Darkseid's Pawn

The Flashes & Max Mercury Bring Time Travel Into Darkseid's 'K.O.' Attack

DC Comics Quick Silver Max Mercury Max Mercury a.k.a. Quicksilver stands in DC Comics art

For the unfamiliar, Max made his debut all the way back in 1940 (just a few short months after Jay Garrick's debut as DC's Flash) going by the name "Quicksilver" in issues published by Quality Comics. As his modern origin would later explain, Max was born in 1830, before he was gifted a connection to the Speed Force by a friendly native shaman to become "Windrunner." A leap through time turned him into 'Whip Whirlwind,' before he leapt further ahead to become 'Quicksilver' (explaining multiple different speedsters were one man, byt different named).

Dubbed 'the zen master of speed' by his students and friends, there is no speeedster more at peace, or in-tune with the mysticism of the Speed Force than Mercury. A fact clearly not lost on Darkseid, having turned him into a faithful follower of his own corrupted speed force. One thing is clear: whether or not Max succeeds in killing the Flashes, this is a cheap shot from Darkseid amidst his larger DC K.O. tournament.

The Flash #27 is available now from DC Comics.

Barry Allen as The Flash Running in Comic Art The Flash Created By Gardner Fox, Harry Lampert, Carmine Infantino First Appearance Flash Comics Alias Jay Garrick, Barry Allen, Wally West, Bart Allen, Avery Ho Alliance Justice Society of America, Justice League, Teen Titans Race Human Franchise D.C.

Expand Collapse Follow Followed Like Share Facebook X WhatsApp Threads Bluesky LinkedIn Reddit Flipboard Copy link Email Close Thread Sign in to your ScreenRant account

We want to hear from you! Share your opinions in the thread below and remember to keep it respectful.

Be the first to post Images Attachment(s) Please respect our community guidelines. No links, inappropriate language, or spam.

Your comment has not been saved

Send confirmation email

This thread is open for discussion.

Be the first to post your thoughts.

  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Feedback
Recommended Drew Barrymore at Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame Awards 33rd anniversary Gala 4 hours ago

After Spending Thanksgiving Alone For Years, Drew Barrymore Has The Perfect Advice

Yahya Abdul-Mateen III in Wonder Man on Disney+ 5 hours ago

New MCU Star Reveals The Secret Behind Upcoming Marvel Disney+ Show

Peeta and Katniss in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 4 hours ago

Quentin Tarantino Slams Hunger Games As Blatant Ripoff: "Sue Suzanne For Every F**king Thing She Owns"

Afshin Firouzi and Maria Cordsen looking into the distance beneath a brightly lit ceiling in The Asset 6 hours ago

Netflix’s Gritty New Slow Horses Replacement Series Hits Major Streaming Milestone Amid Global Domination

More from our brands

CBR logo

The Strongest Comic Book Characters, Ranked

CBR logo

The Best Marvel Comics Everyone Should Read

GameRant logo

DC: 14 Strongest Versions of Batman, Ranked

CBR logo

20 Forgotten DC Characters Who Deserve A Comeback

Ezra Miller as Flash with DC Speedsters from the comics in the background

CBR logo

The Fastest Speedsters In DC Comics, Ranked

Marvel-15-Strongest-Comic-Villains-Of-All-Time,-Ranked

GameRant logo

Marvel: 15 Strongest Comic Villains Of All Time, Ranked

15 Obscure Marvel Characters That Deserve Their Own Movie

CBR logo

45 Obscure Marvel Characters Who Deserve Their Own Movie

Trending Now Screenshot of Garrick Merrifield in Seeking Sister Wife. Seeking Sister Wife: Garrick Merrifield Reportedly Arrested On Domestic Violence Charges Wicked's Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba looking upward as her hands perform magic Wicked: For Good’s Mysterious Grimmerie Spell Finally Revealed Thanks To A Popcorn Bucket Jessie Buckley as Agnes in Hamnet Hamnet Review: Jessie Buckley & Paul Mescal Will Make You Bawl Your Eyes Out In Chloé Zhao’s Visually Arresting Shakespearean Tale