Eva Weir lived a dual life as a school girl and teen hero, Celerity, ever since her father, the golden-age hero Mr. Velocity, revealed his identity to her and began training her formally in her inherited powers of super speed. As father and daughter, they protected the epicenter of American culture, and the fastest-moving town in the country, New York City.

Robert Flynn was a quiet, determined young man who lived a world away in a small town in Nebraska. His whole life, Mr. Velocity was his hero. When he began manifesting his powers of super speed at age 13, Robert thought it was fate delivering his calling. He studied all of Velocity’s moves over the next few years, honing his skills as a local hero, Speed. During this time, however, was the debut of Mr. Velocity’s teen sidekick, Celerity. Robert fell in love with her from afar, working all the harder in hopes to someday impress her with his skill and his heroism.

Against all odds, his plan worked. They met and became an item, and after a whirlwind two-year courtship - and the blessing of both their families - they were married in the summer of 1977 at the young ages of 19 and 18. With the union of young speedsters, Mr. Velocity entered retirement from his heroic career after 35 years of service.

For the next few years Speed and Celerity protected New York City, as well as several other towns and cities that needed their help. They worked tirelessly to fight the growing problem of Super-Villains, and dealt extensively with the likes of Pro-Pain, Dr. Mercury, and the Illusionist. By 1979, it was becoming apparent that the threat of these villains was two big for them, alone. They set out to draw together a team under the name of the most prestigious heroic group of all time, and which Celerity’s father co-founded: The League of Seven. This new League helped fight back threats forming around the world. They were a symbol of unity in a world made increasingly divided by the Cold War Conflict.

A few years into their work with the League of Seven, Speed and Celerity had their first and only child, a daughter that they named Katelyne. She was raised with the rest of the Seven’s children, with the heroes forming one big extended family. The three settled into their home in Madison City, Pennsylvania, continuing their super-hero work, while Katie grew into her own powers and joined them as an official sidekick. They dubbed little Katie, Kid Quick, the three were a frequent sight all along the eastern United States.

In 1993, the Cold War came to a head and Speed and Celerity played their part in helping cooler heads prevail. A great tragedy was averted, and on April 18th 1994 leaders from around the world came to Celerity’s old home of New York to mark the anniversary at the United Nations. And on that day the whole of the city was destroyed in the worst act of terrorism in world history.

At the moment of impact, Celerity put Kid Quick into Speed’s arms and told him to run. His need to protect his child narrowly outweighing his need to save his wife, Speed took Kid Quick to safety. Celerity saved as many people as she could, running in and out of the city between the ticks of milliseconds as the explosion slowly blossomed in the skyline, before collapsing on the bank of the river. Speed returned to try and bring her medical aid, but she had taken in too much radiation. Eva died in Robert’s arms.

After Celerity’s death, Robert stopped running. For almost a year and a half, he sat alone in his home in near-catatonia. His sadness and depression was all-consuming, and if it hadn’t been for the help and love of his daughter, he may never have come out of it. Eventually, he returned to active duty, and took back up the mantle of Speed in part out of his guilt and shame over quitting when he was needed most.

Today Speed works as a worldwide hero, crisscrossing the globe to bring help to the helpless. His actions have made him one of the world’s leading super-heroes, perhaps even surpassing Virtue in renown. Katie has recently joined a young team with Telepath, the daughter of Mentor and Kinetic, and everything is finally starting to feel normal again. As much as the death of his wife still pains him to this day, her memory warms him. Speed is learning to smile again.

"The Uniques" and all related images, text and characters Copyright 2008 Comfort Love and Adam Withers. All Rights Reserved.