Issue Description

Johnny Quick relays his origin story to the Tarantula. Johnny Chambers was the only survivor of a car accident, that took the lives of both of his parents. Chambers was taken in, and raised, by Professor Ezra Gill, a mathematical genius. A troubled student, Chambers found his escape at the cinema, watching newsreels, and movies. Gill perfected a mathematical formula that allowed him access to the secrets of space and time. Gill demonstrated the power of the formula to Chambers. Gill trained Chambers in the use of the formula, on the condition that Chambers use the formula's powers to benefit mankind.

Chambers had trouble getting his mind around the formula. A deeply ill man, Gill collapsed one day, during a blizzard. Chambers rushed to bring medical aid to Gill, only to get trapped in the snow. In desperation, Chambers began screaming the formula, which endowed him with the power of super-speed flight. Chambers spoke the counter formula to return to normal speed. Though Chambers reached a doctor quickly, it was still too late for Gill, who had already died. After Gill's funeral, Chambers used his inheritance to take up photography. Upon reaching adulthood, Chambers applied for a job with Sees All/Tells All News.

Inexperienced with movie cameras, Chambers was paired with Tubby Watts, and tasked to bring back a story about the World's Fair. Chambers, and Watts, were the only newsmen on hand, the day the Crimson Avenger, and the Sandman, teamed up to bring down the Phantom Of The World's Fair. The story ensured Chambers, and Watts, would have long careers at Sees All/Tells All News. While covering various news stories, Chambers began to imagine himself as a costumed crime-fighter. One night, will filming at a benefit, Chambers had his chance to turn his fantasy into reality. Chambers noticed a gunman aiming into the crowd.

Before Chambers could speak the formula, the Flash appeared, and apprehended the gunman. Chambers wondered if the Flash, too, knew Gill's formula. In the following year, Chambers put his fantasy notions aside, and concentrated on doing his job. On assignment at the Metropolitan Circus, Chambers, and Watts, donned acrobatic outfits, to move freely about the performers. During a lion taming practice, the lion, Nero, suddenly attacked the tamer, Sinstro. When it became apparent that the Flash would not be intervening, Chambers spoke the formula, and thus was born Johnny Quick. Moving faster than the naked eye could perceive, Johnny Quick resolved the crisis.

Studying the film footage, Chambers, and Watts, discovered that a clown fired a blow dart into the lion, just before the attack. Chambers decided to investigate, but forced Watts to remain behind. Having made alterations to the acrobat's costume, Chambers, as Johnny Quick, returned to the circus. Johnny Quick arrived just as the owner, Caesar, was turning the clown over to a rampaging elephant. Johnny Quick saved the clown. Caesar commanded the circus troupe to attack Johnny Quick. After subduing his attackers, Johnny Quick interrogated the clown, but learned nothing. Johnny Quick, as Chambers, decided to go undercover at the circus.

Chambers used his super-human speed, to pose as a circus strongman. One night, Chambers was called in, along with the rest of the troupe to see Caesar. They were tasked with robbing the Hotel Royal. While the robbery was underway, Chambers returned to the circus to apprehend Caesar. Chambers, however, is rendered unconscious by Caesar. Chambers broke his wristwatch, to use the shards of glass to cut through his bonds. Chambers attacked Caesar, in full view of the other circus performers. Chambers revealed that Caesar was actually the Circus manager, Sam Leroy. Chambers alerted the authorities, who dealt with the circus criminals.

Chambers discussed, with Watts, his plans to continue his costumed, crime-fighting career. A vocation that would find Johnny Quick becoming a charter member of the All-Star Squadron, and eventually marrying Liberty Belle.

All-Star Squadron

Publisher

DC Comics

Volume Description

"Come with us now to Earth-Two, and the awesome origin of the All-Star Squadron!"

Roy Thomas, Rich Buckler, Jerry Ordway (credited here as Jeremiah Ordway!) along with editor Len Wein, letterer John Costanza and colorist Carl Gafford begin the wartime adventures of the Golden-Age heroes of the DC Universe. Writer Roy Thomas is no stranger to World War II, or wartime comic book super-heroes having come off Marvel's WWII super-team, The Invaders.

The world of Earth -2 was at war. In a dimension not unlike that of the Justice League on Earth - 1, the greatest heroes of the 1940s had banded together to form the Justice Society of America, but even that wasn't enough to battle the Axis powers plaguing their society. So, at the behest of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, a new, larger team was created to help unite the war torn country. The massive All-Star Squadron was formed, setting up their headquarters in the Perisphere at the heart of New York's World's Fair.

The creative team of writer Roy Thomas and artist Rich Buckler on "All-Star Squadron" offered readers a nostalgic glimpse back in time, albeit through the slightly distorted lens of Earth-2's history. In this popular series that ran for 67 issues, readers were treated not only to the adventures of the more familiar Justice Society, but also to every other mystery man of the time and dozens of minor heroes from DC's Golden Age, including the speedster Johnny Quick, the patriotic Liberty Belle, power houses Robotman and Commander Steel, and the 1940s versions of Batman and Robin.

With Thomas'comprehensive knowledge of the heroes and history of World War II era Americana, the All-Star Squadron was a certifiable hit, even if the Earth - 2 shattering events of DC's tumultuous "Crisis on Infinite Earths" maxi series of the mid-1980s took a toll on the book's continuity.

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