At this point, most comic book fans know how Barry Allen got the power that made him The Flash. On one fateful night, a bolt of lightning combined with some chemicals gave him superpowers. However, a forgotten comic attempted to change the real reason behind his superpowers – but it was immediately ignored.
Barry is no stranger to adding new elements to his superpower origins. the years 1988 Annual Secret Origin #2, It is revealed that Barry has actually become the lightning that gives him his powers. Then, with the advent of the Speed Force, his origins become richer and a bit more complicated, but at least, some of them can be explained. Before that, however, The Flash’s origins were heavily reworked in a story with no lasting impact.
Flash #167 (1967) attempted to scout Barry’s speed skills. Of these, The Flash’s physical aura disappears during his fight with the smugglers. Wondering why his powers have changed, Barry meets Mopi – an odd-looking man who identifies himself as a “Level Ten Apocalypse Helper”. Mopi explains that he was the one who gave Barry his powers. After being tasked by his superiors with delivering superspeeds to someone on Earth, he claims to have intentionally brought the Lightning Bold to him. He is later told by his superiors that Barry’s abilities are ineffective because he does not possess the chemical that makes him so fast.
Mopi asked The Flash to buy the same chemical he was struck by lightning the night he obtained his superpower, and together they recreate the moment that gave him the superpower. Before Barry could tell Mopee Kid Flash got his powers in the same way, he flew into the night. The whole question is very strange because it is not clear if it is taken as serious or some kind of joke. Either way, Mopi and his secret origins didn’t last long. Marvel editor Tom Brevoort discussed the comic on his blog, where he called it an “ironic”.
Mopi was meant to be amusing but ended up getting embarrassed and the whole story was covered up and couldn’t be looked back. The creators of the original Flash, Gardner Fox and Carmine Infantino, are responsible for this satire.
Brevoort’s assessment is difficult to refute. Flashlight #167 It’s weird to read and doesn’t make much sense. And, if Mopi and him continue to get involved in Barry’s origins, it will be the weirdest scouting ever. Fortunately, this story was quickly forgotten, and The Flash was later updated with a more relevant origin. But, looking back, you have to wonder what the hell DC Comics was trying to solve this problem with – it didn’t work then, and it certainly doesn’t work now.
Source: Tom Brewalt