Eobard Thawne

Professor Eobard Thawne, otherwise known as the Reverse-Flash and Professor Zoom, is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by John Broome and Carmine Infantino, and first appeared in The Flash #139 in September 1963. The first and most well-known character to assume the "Reverse-Flash" mantle, Thawne is the archenemy of Barry Allen (the second superhero to be called the Flash), a descendant of Malcolm Thawne, and a forefather of Bart Allen, Thaddeus Thawne and Owen Mercer. He has been established as one of the fastest speedsters and one of the most powerful characters in the DC Universe.

Hailing from the 25th century, Thawne was a scientist who became obsessed with and idolized Barry Allen and managed to replicate the accident that gave him his powers. However, he was driven insane upon learning he was destined to become the Flash’s greatest enemy and fueled by jealousy and hatred became determined to ruin Barry’s life as the “Reverse Flash.” Thawne’s powers come from the “Negative Speed Force” which he uses to alter time to his own whims.

Eobard Thawne has been adapted in various forms of media, having been portrayed by Tom Cavanagh and Matt Letscher in The CW's live-action Arrowverse franchise, most notably on the television series The Flash. C. Thomas Howell, John Wesley Shipp and Liam O'Brien have provided the character's voice ranging from animation to video games.