The Absolute Universe has made some major changes to classic DC lore, but its reinvention of theFlashmay be the most ambitious upheaval yet. In a shocking rewrite, Barry Allen will no longer be the Flash, and Wally West will now be the first hero in his world to use the iconic moniker. Wally’s Flash is the one getting the spotlight this time around, though that doesn’t mean Barry Allen won’t be part of his story.
Lemire provides insight into the Flash’s history in the Absolute Universe - or, rather, the lack thereof. He reveals,“Wally West is the first and only Flash in this universe.“With Barry Allen no longer guiding him, Wally is about to set a whole new foundation for the Flash mantle.
Wally West Will Be the Absolute Universe’s First (& Only) Flash, Not Barry Allen
The Flash Is No Longer a Legacy Hero in DC’s Daring Reboot
When it comes to theFlash, there’s nothing more important to him than his legacy, seeing as so many heroes have borne the title. Jay Garrick made history as the first Flash when he debuted in 1940, and it was Barry Allen who propelled the hero to A-list status upon his arrival in 1956.Each Flash since has been inspired by those who came before to pave their own unique path forward at super-speed.Wally West in particular is a product of Barry’s legacy, joining the DC Universe as Kid Flash before following in his mentor’s footsteps to carry on the Flash name in his honor.
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While some heroes in DC lore maintain their mantle despite the passage of time, such as Batman and Superman, the Flash has consistently passed the torch down from one to the next. Legacy is a concept that cannot be separated from the Flash, yet theAbsolute Universeintends to do exactly that by having Wally West come first.Without Barry setting the precedent for what the Flash is meant to be, it’s up to Wally alone to blaze the trail that others will eventually follow.Wally is already the main Flashin DC’s current status quo, and soon, he’ll be the only Flash of a different reality.
Barry Allen Is Confirmed to Join the Absolute Universe, Just Not as The Flash
Absolute Flash’s Writer Promises a Role for Barry in Wally’s Story
AlthoughBarry Allen isn’t the Flash, he won’t be entirely absent from the Absolute Universe. According to Lemire,“Barry Allen will play a role. Just not the one you may anticipate.“Thanks to this cryptic clue, Lemire has confirmed that Barry is part of DC’s revamped universe, albeit in a subversive way. Given his traditional background as a forensic scientist, he could be a science teacher at Wally’s high school, or he could even be a villain such asReverse-Flash. The possibilities are endless, andFlashfans can look forward to seeing how Barry Allen factors into Wally West’s bold new series.
Source:Substack
The Flash
The Flash is the superhero name given to the DC Comics character who utilizes unparalleled speed tied to a dimensional power known as the “speed force” to overwhelm their opposition. Premiering in 1939, the original Flash arrived as Jay Garrick. Still, it would be superseded by Barry Allen in popularity and featured status, but the Flash is one character that has met many of their alternate selves. The character is typically seen as a part of the Justice League in nearly all incarnations.
