7 Shocking Reasons Why The Reverse-Flash's Hatred For The Flash Is The Most Twisted Rivalry In Comics

The rivalry between The Flash and the Reverse-Flash is arguably the most personal and psychologically damaging conflict in all of comic book history. Unlike a simple hero-villain dynamic, the hatred Eobard Thawne harbors for Barry Allen is a self-consuming paradox that transcends time itself, constantly evolving across different continuities like the comics, the CW's Arrowverse, and animated features. As of the end of 2025, the latest storylines continue to reinforce that Thawne is not just a villain who wants to win; he is a man whose very existence is defined by his pathological need to destroy his hero's life, piece by agonizing piece. This article delves into the seven core, shocking reasons that fuel this eternal, twisted obsession.

The relationship between the two speedsters is a tragic, time-looped cycle of creation and destruction. Thawne's hatred is so profound because it stems from a place of original, unadulterated adoration. Understanding the full scope of this toxic dynamic requires looking at the complex biography of the man who became the living antithesis of heroism.

The Twisted Biography of Eobard Thawne: Professor Zoom

Eobard Thawne, known primarily as the Reverse-Flash and Professor Zoom, is a genius-level intellect and speedster from the 25th Century. His entire arc is a study in how profound admiration can curdle into catastrophic hatred.

• Shania Twains Bold Statement Why The Star Chose Nude Photoshoots At 57 Qf9cg

• Full Name: Eobard Thawne
• Aliases: Reverse-Flash, Professor Zoom, The Man in Yellow, Adrian Zoom, Black Flash (briefly)
• Origin: Central City, 25th Century
• First Appearance (as Reverse-Flash): The Flash #139 (September 1963)
• Family: The Thawne family, a prominent but often morally ambiguous lineage in the future. He is a distant relative of Barry Allen's love interest, Iris West.
• Original Motivation: Obsessive fanboy of Barry Allen, the original Flash. He replicated the accident that gave Barry his powers to travel back in time and meet his idol.
• Powers & Abilities: Superhuman speed, time travel, molecular vibration, accelerated healing, and, most critically, access to the Negative Speed Force.
• Key Crimes: The murder of Nora Allen, manipulating the timeline (resulting in Flashpoint), and countless attempts to erase Barry Allen from existence or ruin his life.
• Key Entity Connections: Speed Force, Negative Speed Force, Barry Allen, Nora Allen, Wally West, Iris West.

1. The Crushing Revelation of His Destiny (The Fanboy's Fall)

The foundation of Thawne's hatred is a broken heart. In the original comic continuity, Eobard Thawne was not born a villain; he was the biggest fan of The Flash, Barry Allen, in the 25th Century. He dedicated his life to studying the Speed Force and successfully recreated the accident, granting himself super-speed.

When he finally traveled back in time to meet his hero, he made a horrific discovery: he was destined to become the Flash’s greatest and most despised enemy, the Reverse-Flash. This revelation shattered his entire identity. His idol, the man he strove to emulate, was destined to destroy him. This crushing blow of fate transformed his adoration into a venomous, self-justifying hatred, leading him to believe that if he was destined to be a villain, he would be the absolute worst one.

2. The Creation of the Negative Speed Force

To truly become the opposite of The Flash, Thawne didn't just mirror his costume; he created a dark, malignant power source. The Negative Speed Force is a crucial, modern entity that explains his enduring power and malice.

• The Surprise Vegas Wedding And Shared Grief 5 Shocking Details Of John Schneider And Dee Dee Sorvinos Whirlwind Romance Ohirf

This force is separate from, yet connected to, the pure, positive Speed Force that empowers Barry Allen. Thawne's speed is fueled by the Negative Speed Force, which actively corrupts and drains the positive energy of the Speed Force and The Flash himself. It represents his entire being: a negative, destructive reflection of everything Barry Allen stands for, proving his "superiority" by being the anti-Flash.

3. The Pathological Need for Attention and Validation

A more recent and psychologically complex motivation reveals that Thawne's hatred is rooted in a bizarre, twisted form of attachment. In a shocking moment, Thawne admits that his constant battles and manipulations are the only way he can truly get Barry Allen to spend time with him. This suggests a deep, pathological loneliness and an inability to connect with his idol in a healthy way after the initial rejection of his destiny.

He needs Barry's constant, focused attention, even if that attention is pure, unadulterated hatred. If Barry were to ignore him, Thawne would cease to have a purpose, making his existence inextricably linked to Barry's suffering. This elevates the rivalry from a simple good vs. evil fight to a tragic co-dependency.

• The Untouchable Privacy 7 Secrets Of Rachel Mcadams And Jamie Lindens Life Beyond The Red Carpet E820e

4. The Murder of Nora Allen: A Targeted Strike on the Timeline

The most infamous and defining act of Thawne's hatred is the murder of Barry's mother, Nora Allen. This was not a random act of violence; it was a surgical strike on Barry's past and his emotional foundation.

By killing Nora, Thawne ensured Barry would grow up without a mother, with a father wrongly imprisoned, and forever driven by a need for justice and a quest for the impossible. He wanted to see if he could create a Flash who was so broken that he would never reach his full heroic potential. This single act, which led to the Flashpoint storyline, cemented Thawne as the villain who doesn't just fight the hero, but actively ruins his life before it even begins.

5. An Attempt to Replace The Flash (The Ultimate Envy)

In certain storylines, particularly in the Arrowverse, Thawne's envy manifests as a desire to completely usurp Barry Allen's identity. He spent a year impersonating Dr. Harrison Wells, working to create The Flash and then mentor him, all while secretly planning to steal his life and legacy. This is a profound level of narcissism and envy, where he believes he is the rightful hero, and Barry is merely an obstacle.

He wanted to be the Flash so desperately that when he couldn't, he tried to become the Flash by proxy, living in his time and manipulating his life. This constant attempt to erase Barry's identity and replace it with his own is a core driver of his perpetual malice.

6. The Paradox of Time and Existence

Eobard Thawne is a living paradox. His very existence is tied to Barry Allen. He gained his powers by studying Barry's legacy, and his identity as the Reverse-Flash is contingent upon the existence of The Flash. If he successfully erased Barry from existence, he would likely erase himself as well. This paradox creates an endless, frustrating cycle.

The latest comics and the "Armageddon" event in the TV series show that Thawne is acutely aware of this. He can't simply kill Barry; he must torment him, manipulate him, and constantly remind him that the greatest tragedy in his life was caused by the man who was once his biggest fan. This time-traveling, ontological loop ensures the hatred can never truly end.

7. The Simple, Vile Obsession (The "Because I Hate You" Reason)

While the psychological reasons are complex, sometimes the simplest answer is the most terrifying. After decades of fighting, manipulating the timeline, and suffering his own defeats and resurrections, Thawne's motivation has distilled into pure, unadulterated obsession.

In the Flash Rebirth comic series, Thawne's hatred is portrayed as an all-consuming force—an obsession that has become his entire identity. He hates Barry Allen because hating Barry Allen is what he does; it is his purpose. This final reason strips away the tragedy and leaves only the monster, driven by a self-perpetuating cycle of malice that only ends when one of the speedsters is permanently erased from the timeline.

The Enduring Legacy of the Reverse-Flash

The villainy of Eobard Thawne is a masterclass in psychological warfare. His hatred for Barry Allen is a layered narrative, beginning with a broken dream and evolving into a toxic co-dependency, fueled by the dark power of the Negative Speed Force. From murdering Nora Allen to constantly challenging the timeline, Thawne ensures that The Flash's life is a perpetual tragedy, forever looking over his shoulder at the man in yellow who knows his every move and his deepest pain.

This is why the Reverse-Flash remains The Flash's most compelling and terrifying foe. He is not fighting for money or power; he is fighting to destroy the very idea of his hero, making their rivalry an eternal race against destiny itself.