In the world of comics, the family of characters known as The Flash boasts one of the most intriguing collections of supervillains. These adversaries are so distinctive that they’re collectively referred to as “The Rogues’ Gallery,” or simply “Rogues.” One of the original Rogues is set to make their debut in the DC Universe within the special issue, titled The Flash: Bad Moon Rising Special #1.
penned by Alex Paknadel and illustrated by Daniel Bayliss, this unique installment represents the fourth episode in the saga titled “Bad Moon Rising.” In this narrative, Wally West embarks on a solitary crusade against the enigmatic dark entity called Eclipso.
As a devoted fan, I’ve been awestruck by how quickly Wally adapts to battle an infinite array of himself in mere seconds, keeping Eclipso at arm’s length. Yet, the ominous introduction of this special hints that Eclipso might be recruiting another enigmatic adversary: The Shade.
The first three pages of The Flash: Bad Moon Rising #1 may be viewed below.
The Flash villain Shade explained
Originally debuting in Flash Comics #33 from 1942, The Shade initially served as an adversary to Jay Garrick. Unlike many other characters, he didn’t have a backstory or hidden identity revealed. Additionally, the origin of his powers was somewhat unclear and varied during his initial appearances.
Initially, The Shade debuted by employing a device to create darkness. Later on, he acquired a mystical cane that conjured shadows as well. Following his initial introduction, he was frequently seen as a member of the Injustice Society or collaborating with other adversaries of The Flash. Notably, he formed part of the trio of antagonists in the timeless tale “The Flash of Two Worlds.
In the 1994 Starman comics, The Shade was rejuvenated. Not only that, but he was endowed with a name (Richard Swift) and a past (a Victorian-era thief), and he acquired eternal life and shadow abilities as part of a mystical ceremony that had unexpected consequences and resulted in memory loss.
Following this chapter, I found myself leading a life of stealth and mercenary work, maintaining an unyielding moral compass as my guide. I made it a point to abstain from illicit activities within the city that had become my new home, Opal City. Beyond self-defense, I held back from targeting costumed champions like The Flash, respecting their role in upholding justice.
Apart from a standalone miniseries in 2011, The Shade hasn’t been seen much since the conclusion of Starman. Yet, in his rare appearances, it’s clear that he is still romantically involved with Opal City Police Detective Hope O’Dare. Notably, his last significant role was alongside Barry Allen (The Flash) in 2017’s series, where they teamed up to rescue Iris West and Hope from the Shadowlands. Sadly, it appears The Shade might be slipping back into his villainous behavior once more.
The Flash: Bad Moon Rising Special #1 arrives in comic shops everywhere on July 23, 2025.
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2025-07-18 22:58