CICADA

Real Name: David Hersch

Class: Human mutate

Occupation: Cult leader, former preacher, architect

Group Affiliation: The Society

Known Relatives: Elizabeth Hirsch (wife, deceased)

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Keystone City, Kansas

First Appearance: Flash II #170 (March, 2001)

Powers: Cicada was ageless, could drain the lifeforce of others and instantly healed from any injury he suffered.

History: David Hirsch was a preacher born in Keystone City in 1890. He was extremely paranoid and prone to violent outbursts. One day he murdered his wife, seled her body in a metal coffin and hid it in the foundation of Keystone Motors. He was driven mad by guilt, and while contemplating suicide he was struck by lightning and became ageless. He wandered the earth until he discovered the Flash, who had also gotten his powers after being struck by lightning, and decided Flash was both his brethren and his savior. He took the name cicada and formed a cult, promising his followers immortality that would be given to them by the Flash. He prophesized that Flash would sacrifice his own life to save his followers.

(Flash: Iron Heights) - Cicada was imprisoned in Iron Heights, and set up a shrine to Flash in his cell. When Flash investigated an outbreak of Murmur’s frenzy virus at the Heights he stopped by Cicada’s cell. Cicada told Flash he was doing penance in prison in hopes that Flash would one day accept his worship.

(Flash II #180) - Jared Morillo passed Cicada's cell, and the wound Cicada gave him flashed with lightning. Cicada tried to use his connection to Morillo to get Morillo to set him free, but Morillo shook off the influence.

(Flash II #192, 193) - Gorilla City gorillas tore apart the Heights and freed prisoners, including Cicada, in order to find Gorilla Grodd’s cell. Flash came to the Heights and was attacked by the villains, and Cicada wanted him to admit he had freed him because he was such a loyal follower of the Flash. Their superior numbers had him beat when Gorilla Grodd appeared and claimed Flash for his own. Cicada and the others fled the prison.

(Villains United #1) - Cicada joined “Lex Luthor’s” Society.

Comments: Created by Geoff Johns & Scott Kollins.

Cicada received a profile in Flash Secret Files #3.

Cicada had cameos in Flash II #190, 195, 211, 225.

All characters mentioned or pictured are ™  and © DC Comics, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Please visit The Official DC Comics Site at: http://www.batman.com.