Who Is Zoom? The Flash Villain Explained

Among the illustrious characters in the DC Comics universe, The Flash stands out as one of the most distinguished. Known as the Fastest Man Alive, this speedster has not only held his own against formidable foes but has also been a crucial member of teams like the Justice Society of America, the Justice League of America, and the Teen Titans. The Flash made his debut in the 1940s and has left an indelible mark on the superhero genre ever since. However, for every exceptional Flash, there exists a formidable group of adversaries who constantly challenge him. Although the Rogues are undoubtedly intriguing antagonists, there’s one enemy who consistently haunts The Flash’s shadow, plotting to inflict deeper pain than any other villain: Zoom.

In a contrast to the traditional Flash attire, it’s none other than Zoom who poses the most personal threat to the Flash. Regardless of which Flash we refer to, there’s always an opposite counterpart poised for attack. Now, who is this Zoom? His real name is Hunter Zolomon, initially a detective with the Keystone Police Department, making his debut in “The Flash: Secret Files & Origins” #3 back in 2001. Later, he transformed into a villain. However, if this doesn’t ring a bell, it might be another Zoom from the Flash’s complex comic book history that you’re recalling. But don’t fret, we’ll cover that. Interestingly, there are multiple reverse speedsters in the DC Universe. Nonetheless, Zoom stands as a unique character.

Zoom is Wally West’s Reverse-Flash

Hunter Zolomon didn’t assume the role of Zoom until 2003 in “The Flash” (Vol. 2) issue 197, which was part of the “Blitz” storyline by Geoff Johns. However, the idea of a villainous speedster opposed to the Flash predates this. In fact, as early as “Flash Comics” #104 during the Golden Age of Comics, a character named “The Rival Flash” was introduced. Later known simply as The Rival, he was the first antagonist with speeds comparable to the Flash. But when the Flash was rebooted during the Silver Age, Barry Allen took over as the new Flash, and Eobard Thawne debuted in “The Flash” (Vol. 1) issue 139 as Professor Zoom or the Reverse-Flash.

In the past, it was common for Eobard Thawne to be known as both the Reverse-Flash and Professor Zoom, but this changed after his return in “The Flash: Rebirth” miniseries in 2009. This event led to a situation where there were two characters speeding around with the title of Reverse-Flash. To avoid confusion, DC Comics now exclusively calls Thawne the Reverse-Flash and Zolomon as Zoom. Generally, the Reverse-Flash is considered Barry Allen’s main enemy, while Zoom remains Wally West’s primary adversary in the Flash universe.

Hunter Zolomon was the son of a serial killer

Who is Hunter Zolomon, and why does he make an impactful villain? Initially, Zolomon didn’t view himself as a villain, unlike Eobard Thawne. As a young boy, he uncovered his father’s dark secret – he was a serial killer. One might expect that this revelation would lead Zolomon down a path of evil, but surprisingly, it had the opposite effect. Instead, he became determined to understand his father’s actions, which led him to pursue criminology and psychology in college. He eventually landed a job at the FBI, where he met his wife, Ashley, whose father took Zolomon under his wing as a mentor.

Things didn’t go well with the Bureau, and Zolomon was eventually dismissed due to his error in misidentifying a suspect known as the Clown (Lyle Corley). Since he underestimated the Clown’s potential use of a gun (as he had not used one before), this mistake led to the death of Zolomon’s father-in-law and left him wounded. As a result, Zolomon felt disgraced and estranged from his bride, prompting him to move to Keystone City, home of Wally West Flash, where he took up a profiler role in the local police department. However, it was his strict upbringing under a serial killer father that ultimately set him on the path to become Zoom.

Zoom’s speed is based in time travel

In contrast to Reverse-Flash who accelerates beyond human sight by tapping into the ominous Speed Force counterpart, Zoom’s abilities function distinctly. Originally, Zoom obtained his powers following an accident when he attempted to utilize the Cosmic Treadmill to rewind time and avert his current injury in “The Flash” Volume 2 issue 193. During this encounter with Gorilla Grodd, Zolomon was left paralyzed from the waist down. Despite urging from The Flash to alter the timeline slightly so he could walk again, Wally declined. Subsequently, when Zolomon attempted to manipulate the Cosmic Treadmill himself, it detonated, devastating the Flash Museum and almost claiming his life as well. Instead of reverting time, Hunter Zolomon acquired extraordinary powers and a persistent link to the Forever Force.

Zoom doesn’t possess the kind of speed you’d find in a superhero comic, but he can move through time at his own pace, making it seem like he’s incredibly fast compared to the Flash. In essence, Zoom can’t run as fast as the Flash, but he can quickly or slowly shift his position within the timestream. A second might feel like an hour or just a few minutes for him, depending on what he wants to achieve. Furthermore, Zoom has the power to generate electrical bolts and create strong shockwaves with a simple hand gesture. Although it sometimes appears that Zoom is connected to the Speed Force, “The Flash” (Vol. 1) #800 suggests that he has no actual link to it at all.

He originally killed the Flash’s children

Following his powers restoring his ability to walk, Hunter Zolomon decides to mold Wally West into a superior hero. In Zoom’s perspective, the Flash hadn’t utilized the Cosmic Treadmill to alter history because the hero hadn’t endured enough hardship yet. Contrastingly, the previous Flash, Barry Allen, had killed the Reverse-Flash after the villain murdered Iris West-Allen during the Bronze Age. Barry had experienced pain throughout his life and even sacrificed himself as a hero during “Crisis on Infinite Earths,” while Wally, in Zoom’s opinion, hadn’t suffered enough. To prove his point, Zoom commits an unspeakable act. Knowing that Linda Park-West is pregnant with twins, Zoom unleashes a shockwave that results in a miscarriage. Afterward, he attempts to take Linda’s life as well.

Indeed, it is Zoom who orchestrates Wally’s children being taken away from him, which pushes the Fastest Man Alive to his breaking point. In “The Flash” (Vol. 2) #200, Wally manages to defeat Zoom, but at a great cost as he is left emotionally devastated by the unbearable loss. To prevent such incidents in the future, the Spectre restores Wally’s secret identity. As the “The Rogue War” storyline unfolds in “The Flash” (Vol. 2) #225, the next confrontation between Flash and Zoom alters reality in a manner that reinstates Linda’s pregnancy. Not long after, Linda delivers their twins, Jai and Irey West, who both possess the ability to tap into the Speed Force. It appears that Zoom did not ultimately emerge victorious.

Zoom was once The Flash’s best friend

Beyond his attempts on the West family’s lives, one of the most troubling aspects about Zoom is that he was once Wally West’s closest friend outside of the metahuman community. The duo first bonded before Hunter Zolomon acquired his time-manipulation abilities. During this period, Zolomon was still a detective with the Keystone Police Department, which made it easy for him and Wally to become close friends. Over time, they developed a strong bond while working together. In fact, it was because of their friendship that Zolomon felt so betrayed when the Flash refused to alter the timeline in his favor. This betrayal led Zolomon to seek revenge on Wally, eventually adopting the identity of Zoom.

Regardless of their tumultuous history, Zoom still views himself as a beneficial presence in the Flash’s life, despite consistently proving to be more of a hindrance. Over the years, Wally has managed to best him on multiple occasions, yet he persists in believing that his antagonism benefits the hero. However, after years of introspection and external guidance, Zoom has gained a new perspective. In “The Flash” (Vol. 5) #81, published in 2019 during the “Death and the Speed Force” arc, Zolomon expresses regret for the anguish he caused Wally, particularly during the “Blitz” arc, and appears motivated by the Fastest Man Alive to strive for personal improvement. He even confesses to Barry Allen, Wally’s uncle and mentor, that he wishes they had remained friends throughout the years.

He survived the Flashpoint

In 2011, Eobard Thawne, also known as Reverse-Flash, persuades Barry Allen to alter the timeline – something that Wally West had never been able to do under Zoom’s influence. However, when Barry goes back in time to save his mother from Thawne, he inadvertently disrupts reality, leading to the creation of the Flashpoint timeline as depicted in Geoff Johns’ “Flashpoint.” When Barry attempts to set things right, it leads to the emergence of the New 52 continuity, which was short-lived. Later, during the DC Rebirth era, reality is reshaped again, and Wally West (along with his family) returns to the DC Universe after being absent due to the Flashpoint events. Notably, Hunter Zolomon is missing from this timeline. This is because Thawne and Zolomon traveled together to the 25th century between “The Flash: Rebirth” and “Flashpoint,” with the intention of joining forces against the Flashes.

In “The Flash” Volume 5, Issue 46 reveals that Thawne transporting Zoom to the future maintains his villain’s age and recollections in the revised DC universe continuity. Moreover, Zoom’s resentment towards the Flashes for not improving as heroes (in his opinion) serves as the trigger for the reinstatement of his powers. After Wally West is reintroduced into the timeline, Zoom stirs up “The Flash War,” causing conflict between Barry and Wally. Notably, even the original Reverse-Flash was influenced by the New 52, making Zoom a rare character with memories from both before and after the Flashpoint in DC Comics. His time-manipulation abilities prove particularly useful.

Reverse-Flash had a hand in Zoom’s creation

As a die-hard Flash fan, I can confirm that the original Reverse-Flash holds a much darker secret connected to Hunter Zolomon than just sharing similar colors. While details about Zoom’s time in the 25th century remain shrouded in mystery, there’s one crucial aspect of his past that sheds light on his motives. In “The Flash” (Vol. 5) #81, Barry Allen uncovers and shares with Zolomon a chilling truth – it was Thawne who provided the gun to Lyle Corley/the Clown, the weapon used to murder Zolomon’s father-in-law. This tragedy, which led to his mentor’s death and his expulsion from the FBI, served as the catalyst for Zoom’s transformation. It turns out that Zolomon’s suspicions about Corley were well-founded all along, and it was only due to the Reverse-Flash’s manipulation that he faced disgrace initially.

In numerous aspects, Zoom bears a striking resemblance to Barry Allen, as both have been manipulated by Thawne throughout their lives, with Thawne exploiting them to destroy the Flash’s legacy. This realization hits Zolomon hard, making him understand that he could have been a hero if he had made different decisions. This sobering truth leads him to an unusual act of heroism at the end of “The Flash War.” When Zoom and the Reverse-Flash eventually meet again, their encounter will undoubtedly involve some strong words between them.

Zoom considered himself the True Flash

At the conclusion of “The Flash War” (as depicted in Vol. 5 #81 of “The Flash”), Hunter Zolomon comes to realize he no longer wishes to be known as Zoom. After unearthing the truth about his past, manipulated by Eobard Thawne, he rebrands himself as “The True Flash.” Despite being the mastermind behind “The Flash War,” Zolomon acknowledges that his understanding of heroism was misguided. In an attempt to restore the Force Barrier containing various forces like the Sage Force and Strength Force, collectively known as the Forever Force, Zolomon makes the ultimate sacrifice, ensuring Wally and Barry can safely return home to continue their roles as heroes.

The villain proclaims, “This is what Flashes are for, isn’t it?” He suggests they give up their lives to save the day. Despite Barry’s attempts to intervene, the villain remains resolute. With the Force Barrier reinstated, the Speed Force is safeguarded. Yet, we thought we had seen the last of Hunter Zolomon, but he resurfaces, using his old name, Zoom, in “The Flash” (Vol. 1) #800. Here, we find Zoom ensnared in the otherworldly Speed Force, where he still claims to be the Fastest Man Alive. He emphasizes, “Don’t let anyone deceive you.” It appears that Zolomon’s stint as a hero was short-lived, as he swears once again to become the best villain he can be, with one purpose: To mold the Flash into the ideal hero.

He wants to make The Flash better

Previously mentioned, Zoom, the antagonist, chose his path towards villainy with the intention of enhancing Wally West into an exceptional hero. As time progressed, this motive has become increasingly evident in “The Flash” (Vol. 1) #800. Hunter Zolomon, trapped within a Speed Force prison, escapes solely for the purpose of ensuring that Wally West realizes his full potential as a hero. His belief is that the greater the villain, the greater the hero. In Zolomon’s mind, he cannot cease being Zoom until Wally’s heroism has been fully developed. Being the target of a supervillain’s intentions can be chilling, and with Zoom’s ability to swiftly transition between good and evil, the West family finds themselves in more peril than ever before.

Unlike the Reverse-Flash who harbors resentment towards Barry Allen due to envy of his popularity and heroic deeds, Zoom doesn’t hold the same animosity towards Wally. Although he feels let down by the Flash after being betrayed, this merely fuels his ambition to drive Wally to new peaks of heroism. Despite being misguided and dangerously unstable, Zoom has no qualms about behaving like a ruthless psychopath – a role he once studied for the FBI – if it means pushing Wally towards self-improvement. The methods by which Zoom intends to achieve this are yet unknown, but with his reintroduction into the main DC Universe, all possibilities are open.

The Arrowverse’s Zoom had a far different story

Viewers of “The Flash” TV series, which aired for nine seasons on The CW, may recall the villain called Zoom. In the second season, Barry Allen (playing by Grant Gustin) encountered Jay Garrick, a speedster from an alternate Earth named Earth-2, who wished to aid Barry in becoming a more powerful superhero. However, Jay had some complications. It was discovered that he had been pursued to Earth-1 by a rival speedster named Zoom (voiced by Tony Todd), whose cruel nature made him one of the Flash’s most menacing adversaries. Interestingly, “Jay Garrick” is later revealed to be Hunter Zolomon (played by Teddy Sears), a serial killer who revels in the chance to gain Barry’s speed for himself. Having stolen the Jay Garrick identity from another imprisoned speedster (portrayed by John Wesley Shipp), Zoom feigns heroism, secretly enjoying the intrigue of playing both roles on his world.

In contrast to his comic book version, the TV character “The Flash’s” Zoom isn’t characterized by localized time manipulation that makes him seem faster than sound. Instead, he possesses genuine super-speed that matches Barry’s speed. Unlike Wally West (portrayed by Keiynan Lonsdale), who appears in “The Flash” Season 2, Zoom is not Wally’s main adversary. In fact, neither Zoom nor Wally engage in high-speed battles. Instead, it’s Barry who takes on the role of the primary Flash to defeat this multiverse speedster. Over time, Zoom transforms into the Black Flash, a grim reaper for all speedsters, constantly tormenting our heroes across the entire Arrowverse timeline.

2025-01-11 22:30