Fresh off the news of a very curious crossover coming to the next season of Arrow, The CW has unveiled a first look at the character of Jay Garrick making his debut on Season 2 of The Flash, and fans of the comics may find this particular unveiling of note. This isn’t a traditional promo photo, but instead is a recreation of the comic book cover “Flash of Two Worlds”, which was published in 1961 and introduced the concept of the multiverse to the world of DC Comics with “Earth-Two.” It’s rather fitting, then, that the first image of Jay Garrick on the TV series pays homage to this particular issue, since the CW superhero series introduced the concept of the multiverse itself at the end of the show’s first season.
Actor Teddy Sears, whose resume includes American Horror Story and Masters of Sex, will inhabit the role of Jay Garrick on The Flash, and it’s a pretty pivotal role. Garrick made his debut in 1940’s Flash Comics and was the first character to call himself “Flash” in the DC Comics library. Garrick was The Flash until 1956, when DC Comics reinvented the character as Barry Allen and pretended like Garrick never existed. Then, in “Flash of Two Worlds”, Allen discovers Earth-Two, where Garrick has retired from his superhero mantle and settled down with a wife.
Garrick is just one of a number of comics characters that will be popping up on The Flash Season 2, including another Flash: Wally West. He’ll be played by Keiynan Lonsdale (Insurgent). For a rundown of all the new characters (and actors) coming to The Flash, Arrow, CBS’ Supergirl, and the spinoff series DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, be sure to check out Evan’s complete guide. The second season of The Flash kicks off on The CW on October 6th.
