The Jerkiest Villain in The Flash: Savitar, Zoom or Reverse-Flash?

When it comes to the Netflix series The Flash, the title rivals among Flash's archenemies—Reverse-Flash (Eobard Thawne) and Savitar—can be hotly debated. Which one is the biggest jerk of all? Let's explore the jerkiest actions and motivations of each villain to find out.

Reverse-Flash (Eobard Thawne)

Jerkiest Things Eobard Thawne Did

Killed Simon Stagg. Killed Nora Allen, Barry's mother. Impersonated Harrison Wells for years only to betray Team Flash. Kidnapped Tina McGee to get back to his time period. Manipulated Nora Allen into destroying Cicada's dagger, freeing him. Killed Cisco in an alternate timeline. Was fused to the brainwaves of Harrison Wells. Allied with the New Reichsmen of Earth X. Manipulated Nora Allen into erasing young Barry from existence. Led to Barry letting him kill Nora in the Flashpoint timeline. Obtained darker powers after his encounter with the Zoom Jorge Zallone.

While Eobard Thawne's actions are undoubtedly malicious, his motivations often stem from a deep rivalry with Barry Allen. His strategies often involve psychological warfare, but his desperation to achieve his goals, especially when framed or betrayed by time, can be seen as both understandable and justifiably vindictive.

Savitar

Jerkiest Things Savitar Did

Killed Iris West in an alternate future timeline. Trapped Wally West in a cocoon. Trapped Wally West in the Speed Force. Brutally beat Barry the first time they met. Killed HR (Harrison Reed). Before he was Savitar, he was a mass serial killer with 23 counts of murder. Manipulated Barry Allen into freeing him from his prison within the Speed Force. Killed his own time remnant. Forced Harry to work for him or else he would kill his daughter Jesse. Killed Barry Allen’s father in his childhood. Imprisoned Jay Garrick for an unspecified period. Kidnapped Barry and Caitlin. Killed Reverb and Ronnie Raymond (Earth-2). Stabbed Earth-2 Killer Frost in the gut with an icicle, killing her. Killed his henchman. Killed many officers within seconds. Tried to destroy the entire multiverse except for Earth-1, aiming to hang his cowl elsewhere.

Key Motivations of Savitar:

Feelings of betrayal and loneliness. Arrogance, believing he is above others and the Speed Force itself. Manipulative and sadistic tendencies, often causing physical and psychological pain to those around him. A desire to create suffering to make Barry stronger or to teach him a lesson. Use of fear and psychological warfare to dominate his enemies.

While Savitar's acts are indeed cruelest and most deplorable, his motivations root in his experiences and the ways in which he was wronged. These complex emotions and psychological issues contribute to his overall jerk-like behavior.

Zoom (Hunter Zolomon)

Jerkiest Things Zoom Did

Killed 14 police officers and killed the 15th in his own home. Kidnapped Wally West. Gained the trust of Team Flash, only to betray them later. Brutally beat Barry. Portrayed himself as a hero to give people hope, only to rip it away. Forced metahumans to obey him, threatening to kill their families and friends if they resisted. Was a mass serial killer with 23 counts of murder before becoming Zoom. Killed his own time remnant. Forced Harry to work for him or else he would kill his daughter Jesse. Killed Barry Allen’s father, Junior Allen, in front of Barry. Imprisoned Jay Garrick for an indefinite period. Kidnapped Barry and Caitlin. Killed Reverb and Ronnie Raymond. Stabbed Killer Frost, the Earth-2 Killer Frost, in the gut with an icicle, killing her. Killed his henchman. Killed multiple officers within a split second. Attempted to destroy the entire multiverse, including Earth-1.

Key Motivations of Zoom:

Sadistic approach, rooted in a desire for power and suffering. Need to prove superiority and strength over Barry Allen. Create a world where only the 'fastest' exist, leaving others to suffer. Manipulative and vengeful, often seeking to torment his enemies.

General vs. Jerkiest to Barry:
While Zoom, with his brutal and sadistic actions, can be considered the overall jerk in general, Eobard Thawne is the biggest jerk specifically to Barry Allen. His direct personal attacks, manipulation, and betrayal add layers of psychological and emotional torment unique to Barry.

Conclusion

No single villain stands out as the most ruthless in a vacuum, but when their actions are analyzed with respect to their relationships to Barry Allen, it becomes clear that Savitar stands out for his psychopathic behavior, arrogance, and the sheer number of cruel acts he commits across the timeline.

In summary, Savitar, Zoom, and Eobard Thawne are all formidable antagonists, with Savitar emerging as the most despicable for his combination of manipulative cunning, sadistic tendencies, and psychological manipulation. However, the specific jerk-like behavior that resonates most with Barry Allen is displayed by Eobard Thawne.