While not as iconic as Batman‘s Gotham City or Superman‘s Metropolis, the stomping grounds for The Flash, Central City remains one of DC Comics’ signature locations. But just where in the United States is it actually located?
The fictional Central City has been the hub for the second and most famous iteration of The Flash Barry Allen since 1956’s Showcase #4. In the early stages, various comic writers and artists were still to attempting to pinpoint exactly where Flash’s Central City lied on the geographical map. 1974’s The Flash #228, entitled, The Day I Saved The Life Of The Flash, positioned Central City as possibly being the location for Athens, Ohio that is depicted in the here and now. But this has become much more questionable as the titular character and his world have evolved throughout the years.
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Along with The Flash himself, the scarlet speedster’s main supporting cast of allies and villains also reside within the city of roughly 750,000 individuals. Across Central City’s Missouri River lies the neighboring Keystone City, domain of the original golden age Flash Jay Garrick and Barry Allen’s eventual Flash successor Wally West. It wasn’t until writer Geoff Johns’ (Green Lantern, Teen Titans) and artist Scott Kolins (She Hulk, Blue Beetle) The Flash #188 from 2002 where it was solidified that Central City had made the modern transition to being located in Missouri.
While Central City may be based primarily in the Missouri of the real world, there are certain liberties that the comics take to help make Central its own unique fictional brand. A few of Central’s notable landmarks include the residential area Brookfield Heights, the Native American influenced airport Mounds View, S.T.A.R. Labs, the landmark Flash Museum, and the Flash’s place of residence City Center. Additionally, there are several Central City sports teams, police departments, and an admired newspaper the Central City Citizen to flesh out the mythical city. The beloved Flash TV series starring Grant Gustin as the title character’s depiction of Earth’s 1 Central City follows the comic’s influence of being found in Kansas, Missouri with the show itself typically filmed in Vancouver, Canada.
The series even has Central City existing 600 miles from fellow superhero Green Arrow‘s own base of operations Star City a.k.a. Starling City, located in Washington. Another recent live action iteration of Central City is 2017’s DC Extended Universe (DCEU) crossover Justice League which saw the film’s depiction of Flash’s renowned hometown in Missouri as well, following the groundwork already laid in place from the decades of Flash comics.
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