Wally West Just Cost Every Flash Their Superspeed | Screen Rant - Screen Rant

Warning: contains spoilers for The Flash #768

It's no understatement to say that Wally West has had a tough time as the Flash. Between the heartbreak of having an entire universe forget about him, to accidentally murdering dozens of heroes, nobody can blame Wally for retiring as Flash. It appears as though even that decision comes at a price though, as it ends up costing every speedster in the DC universe their superspeed.

Despite Barry Allen giving Wally the title of Flash in Infinite Frontier #0, The Flash #768 opens with him announcing his retirement. The issue, from artists David Lafuente, Marco Santucci, Brandon Peterson, and writer Jeremy Adams sees Wally bring the heartbreaking news to his former mentor. Though Barry is initially angry at the suggestion, he understands all the pain Wally has been through. The two Flashes agree to one final race which will end with Barry cutting Wally off from the speed force for good. Unfortunately, their race results in exactly the opposite.

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Starting in their home of Central City, the two dash across the world, stopping a slew of supervillains along the way. Eventually, they both slip into the Speed Force itself. Barry prepares to sever his protege from the source of their powers, but the Speed Force has other ideas. A burst of energy engulfs Barry and zaps Wally, leaving nothing but a hollow costume behind. Finding himself in France, Barry tries to rush to a lab to uncover what happened to Wally. That's when he discovers that he hasn't just lost Wally, he lost his superspeed too. After an awkward plane ride with Green Arrow, Barry confirms that Jay Garrick, Max Mercury, and Wallace West have all lost their speed too. The only person left connected to the Speed Force is Wally, and he's trapped in prehistory as the first Flash.

Though Wally is set to go on a mind hopping journey throughout the entire history of DC's Speedsters, he's not doing it alone. Barry, Green Arrow, and Mr. Terrific are able to contact him through tachyons in the Speed Force. It's a smart choice that no one ever mentions to Wally that every other speedster has lost their powers. Given what Wally's been through as the Flash, there's no telling how that revelation could feed into his guilt complex, even if it's clearly temporary.

Still, the fact that Wally is specifically the only one left with his powers seems to be a side-effect of his special connection to the Speed Force. Barry tells Wally that the Speed Force is sick in a way, so Wally's quest through speedster history seems to be the Speed Force's way of trying to heal itself. Despite the tragedy of the other speedsters, it could be viewed as affirming for Wally. Out of everyone to ever hold speed powers, Wally specifically was chosen to help. It could even be read as a metaphor for Wally's own healing journey, as though learning the history of his powers will remind him of all the good he has done and could do. Though the other speedsters may have to take a break, it's clear that Wally West's time as the Flash is far from over.

Next: The Flash: Another Twist is Coming For Wally West & Barry Allen

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About The Author

Evan Mullicane (226 Articles Published)

Evan D. Mullicane is an editor, critic, and author based out of California's Bay Area. He received his bachelor's degree in creative writing from San Francisco State University in 2016. In his free time, he enjoys reading graphic novels and writing fantasy.

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Wally West Just Cost Every Flash Their Superspeed | Screen Rant - Screen Rant

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