Flash Rebirth #6 finally saw the all-new Flash Family coming together. And really, what would a gathering of speedsters be without all of them deciding at the same moment to debut their new costumes? Well, no fun at all, that’s what.
But seriously, I can’t be the only one who noticed some similarities in Wally’s “new” costume and the one worn by TV Flash, can I?
I guess it’s really equal parts TV Flash and Walter “Dark Flash” West, but still… the darker color scheme and nose cover stood out.
I realize Rebirth isn’t over and that anything can happen, but we sort of know there’s a new “Flash & Friends” book coming down the pipeline that will feature both Barry and Wally, so I have to wonder… why would DC want not just two, but now THREE Flashes running around? How does that not serve to weaken the brand?
I mean, Dan Didio’s said he wants the most easily accessible versions of their characters to be the frontrunner – it’s a lot easier to explain Barry than Wally, and Hal Jordan is easier than Kyle Rayner, etc… But still, “classic version” or not, this series has done nothing but undermine Barry’s abilities as the Flash, when it shows Wally doing things like taping into the speed force (which, if Barry IS the speed force as revealed last issue, doesn’t really make sense anymore, but…) to increase their speed and regenerate their costumes, all the while having to explain to Barry — the more science minded of the two – what he’s doing.
Not only was Barry kind of dull when he was the star of the book, but his characterization in Rebirth has made him something worse… an old man superhero. Barry’s drawn to be, what… roughly 35, I’d guess. Not an old guy by any means. But from the very first issue, the fastest man alive — a guy who’s lived in the future, remember – is marveling at how fast everything’s gotten and how many people are using cell phones. Seriously. Add to that, Kid Flash calling him Grandpa every other panel, while still referring to the actual old guys in the book as Jay and Max, and it doesn’t help things much…
If the point of the book is to make people interested in Barry by showing us how cool he is – a Barry Allen who exists in a world where everyone finally knows what a police scientist is thanks to CSI — then why isn’t he doing anything cool and new. Why does every issue have him doing exactly what people expect from Barry Allen Flash. And if it’s not some homage to a classic Flash moment, as every cover has telegraphed, Barry’s either trying to skip his own welcome back party, talking about wanting to die, or getting possessed by the Black Flash and nearly killing every one he loves. Whatta guy!
I’ll admit, I’m a Wally fan. Any pre-Wally Flash comics I’ve read were picked up as back issues, so I didn’t grow up with Barry. But all my life, Post-Crisis Barry’s been played as this incredibly noble hero who sacrificed himself to save, not just his world, but ALL worlds. That’s pretty cool, right there, and awfully hard to top. So really, here’s the problem with bringing him back: Barry’s death was too perfect. Whatever he does in the new series or in the future will only serve as a footnote to what he did in Crisis On Infinite Earths, and quite honestly… who wants to read about “the fastest man alive” when he’s a guy that can’t outrun his own past.
Yes, Hawkeye deserves to be upset about Bullseye wearing his costume and taking his name, no doubt. That one I’ll give you, Mr. Bendis. But look at what Osborn’s done to the THUNDERBOLTS, man – a team Hawkeye himself used to lead. Heck, for that matter, look at what’s happened to Moonstone — a woman he used to be (almost) in love with.
