10 Most Underrated Flash Villains

The Shade's origins have changed across various continuities but the most common trait across all versions of the character is his ability to manipulate shadows and darkness. His recent incarnation is arguably even more powerful due to the mystical (and almost biblical) origin of his abilities.

The newest version of the Shade, Richard Swift, got his abilities during an unexplained mystical event in Victorian London. His powers granted him immortality as well and as a result, he met prominent historical figures such as Charles Dickens, Oscar Wilde, and the Golden Age Flash, Jay Garrick.

He antagonized the latter as well as his successors, fighting them across time itself. However, he also allied himself with forces of good such as Doctor Fate and even helped Garrick save the League from the villain Prometheus before leaving to go out on his own.

Swift channels the inter-dimensional energies of the Shadowlands, a near-sentient realm of darkness that was once the domain of a primordial evil known as the Great Evil Beast.

In addition to his aforementioned abilities, he can also summon demon-like constructs and transport across vast distances using the Shadowlands as a conduit.