10 Greatest "Dead And I Know It" Comic Book Moments

2. Barry Allen - Crisis On Infinite Earths

Crisis On Infinite Earths Barry Allen The Flash
DC Comics

You can talk about how Bruce Wayne's Final Crisis death was a relatively permanent one by the standards of comic books - that resulting in a two-year present-day absence for Bruce - but Barry Allen's demise in Crisis on Infinite Earths was a very real thing for nearly 24 years.

From the legendary duo of Marv Wolfman and George Perez, 1985's Crisis tale pulled no punches in killing off several characters who had been mainstays of DC Comics for years. And one such character, of course, was the Barry incarnation of the Flash.

Ever the hero, Allen's death was one that he knew was coming, and one that he knew had to happen if there was any chance whatsoever of saving the Multiverse. Having been trapped by the Anti-Monitor, the Scarlet Speedster would eventually break free and destroy the antimatter cannon that was set to wipe out all remaining Earths. But to do that, Barry Allen had to run around this cannon to such an extent that he would be consumed by the Speed Force.

While Barry's influence would be seen at times over the years after this, he wouldn't fully, physically return until Final Crisis in 2009.

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