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'The Flash' comes to the CW

Grant Gustin stars as a hero who actually wants to be one.

* THE FLASH. 8 tonight, CW57.

IN AN AGE when superheroes all seem to have a dark, grumpy side, there's something refreshingly uncomplicated about the CW's "The Flash."

The latest comics adaptation from "Arrow" producer Greg Berlanti, "The Flash" stars Grant Gustin as Barry Allen, a brilliant young CSI tech whose life is transformed after a disaster at a particle accelerator turns him from a slower-than-average runner into, well, the Flash.

I have no idea why this would happen, but note only that, like having dead parents, scientific accidents with unlikely consequences seem to play a role in the forming of comic-book heroes.

It helps when they actually want to be heroes.

Barry, whose father allegedly murdered his mother, has been brought up by Detective Joe West (Jesse L. Martin) with a strong sense of justice.

Dr. Harrison Wells (Tom Cavanagh), the mysterious genius whose science experiment supposedly went terribly wrong, isn't looking for a hero.

Candice Patton plays Joe's daughter, Iris, who's both Barry's best friend and the object of his unrequited and un-brotherly affections.

Barry isn't just out to impress Iris. He wants to use his newfound speed to help people.

This is all shockingly straightforward, especially compared to the darker "Arrow" or to Fox's "Gotham," where even young Bruce Wayne has an attitude.

But when your main character's moving this fast, it probably helps if he's someone viewers want to keep up with.