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Abra Kadabra (character)

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Abra Kadabra
Abra Kadabra. Art by Oscar Jimenez and Anibal Rodriguez
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceFlash #128 (May 1962)
Created byJohn Broome
Carmine Infantino
In-story information
Alter egoAbhararakadhararbarakh (Citizen Abra)
Team affiliationsSecret Society of Super Villains
The Rogues
Injustice Gang
Notable aliasesProfessor Zoom
AbilitiesMaster sorcerer,
Previously: Wielded magic-like futuristic technology

Abra Kadabra is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain in the DC Comics universe and an enemy of the Flash. He first appeared in Flash #128 (May 1962) and was created by John Broome and Carmine Infantino.[1]

Fictional character biography

The Flash #133 (December, 1962), cover art by Carmine Infantino

Abra Kadabra is from the 64th century, at a time when science has made stage magic obsolete. However, he desires a career as a performing magician, so he goes back in time to find an audience to entertain after stealing a time machine and inventing a device to paralyze the guards, and soon clashes with the Flash (Barry Allen). He has a device that makes people clap regardless of their thoughts, which he uses to force applause from audiences. When the Flash tries to stop a robbery he is committing, he makes the Flash clap, enabling him to escape. He is able to send the Flash into space after challenging him to a fight, but the Flash is able to change the course of the planetoid he is on so he is sent back to Earth, and Kadabra is jailed. But he hypnotizes the Governor using a ray from a device made out of pots and pans, to let him out and turns the Flash into a puppet. But the Scarlet Speedster is able to restore himself using the organic matter in his brain, which was not transformed, and again defeat Kadabra.[volume & issue needed]

In one of his many confrontations with the Flash, Abra Kadabra's technology is damaged and his body becomes insubstantial and wraith-like.[volume & issue needed] After his body is returned to normal, he is captured by a bounty hunter named Peregrine, and returned to his native century to serve a death sentence, although he is saved by the Flash before he can be executed.[volume & issue needed] Shortly after returning to the 21st century, during the Underworld Unleashed storyline, he forgoes his technological implements and tricks five rogues into selling their souls to Neron so he can gain genuine magical powers.[1] Abra Kadabra later kidnapped Linda Park, the girlfriend of Wally West (Barry Allen's protege and successor), during their wedding and erases her from history, though he is ultimately defeated.[volume & issue needed]

Abra Kadabra is mentioned in Neil Gaiman's Books of Magic mini-series. In the fourth issue Timothy Hunter, escorted by Mister E, visits the 64th century, described by E as a time when the differences between magic and technology have become blurred.[volume & issue needed] The inhabitants tell them they have selected their "date-line" to send the "Madchild Abhararakadhararbarakh".[volume & issue needed] Timothy Hunter responds "Abracadabra?" and Mister E tells him not to talk to the inhabitants of this time, and so they then continue their path into the future.

In Infinite Crisis, Abra Kadabra became a member of the Secret Society of Super Villains.[volume & issue needed]

In "One Year Later", he and several other Rogues are approached by Inertia with a plan to kill the Flash (then Bart Allen).[volume & issue needed] Though Inertia is defeated, Kadabra and the other Rogues successfully beat Bart to death, though not before Kadabra recognizes that Bart is too young to be the Flash they are used to dealing with.[volume & issue needed]

Salvation Run

Abra Kadabra is one of the exiled villains featured in Salvation Run along with his fellow Rogues: Captain Cold, Heat Wave, Weather Wizard, and Mirror Master.[volume & issue needed] Upon coming across the planet's local pygmies, Abra Kadabra deciphers its language and uses it to locate a "safe zone" for himself and the other Rogues before leading the other villains dispatched there to it.[volume & issue needed]

He was a member of the Rogues who joined Libra's Secret Society of Super Villains.[volume & issue needed]

He was last seen in The Flash: Rebirth, being attacked by Professor Zoom. In the final issue of the mini-series, Abra is seen to have survived Zoom's attack and says Zoom should have made sure he was dead.[volume & issue needed]

Powers and abilities

Abra Kadabra is a powerful sorcerer and can achieve virtually any feat with his spells. Originally his powers were all due to 64th century scientific technology that appeared magical to residents of the 20th century. Later, Kadabra's powers are augmented to include true sorcery when he struck a deal with Neron.[volume & issue needed]

Other versions

In the alternate timeline of the Flashpoint event, Abra Kadabra is a television presenter. He sends a message that apparently framed Shade, the Changing Man believing that Shade was dangerous lunatic and then reveals the Secret Seven members.[2]

In other media

Television

  • Abra Kadabra appears in the Justice League Unlimited episode "Flash and Substance". He appears as a background character in the bar frequented by Flash's enemies.
  • Abra Kadabra appears in the teaser of the Batman: The Brave and the Bold episode "Chill of the Night!" voiced by Jeff Bennett. Batman teams up with Zatanna to stop him from robbing a museum exhibit displaying the history of magicians. While Batman holds back the people he possessed, Zatanna battles Kadabra and traps him in her hat. She later pulls out a tiny bird cage with Kadabra in it, winning the magic battle.
  • Abra Kadabra appears in the Young Justice episode "Denial" again voiced by Jeff Bennett. He and Klarion the Witch Boy work together in order to claim the Helmet of Fate which started with Abra Kadabra abducting Kent Nelson when he was seeing Madame Xanadu. Kid Flash confirms that he uses futuristic technology to simulate magic. He managed to subdue Miss Martian, Aqualad, Superboy, and Artemis until Kid Flash (wearing the Helmet of Fate) was able to strip him of his technology making him vulnerable to Superboy's punch.

References

  1. ^ a b Jimenez, Phil (2008), "Abra Kadabra", in Dougall, Alastair (ed.), The DC Comics Encyclopedia, London: Dorling Kindersley, p. 8
  2. ^ Flashpoint: Secret Seven #2 (July 2011)
  • Alan Kistler's Profile On: THE FLASH - A detailed analysis of the history of the Flash by comic book historian Alan Kistler. Covers information all the way from Jay Garrick to Barry Allen to today, as well as discussions on the various villains and Rogues who fought the Flash. Various art scans.
  • Crimson Lightning - an online index to the comic book adventures of the Flash.
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