WARNING! Spoilers for Batman / Superman: World’s Finest #33Jay Garrick, Barry Allen, Wally West, and more have held theFlashmantle over the years, but which of these heroes should be considered the true Flash, if any? DC has finally answered this age-old question, as the original Flash addresses his feelings about the mantle he founded getting passed down from one generation to the next.
InBatman / Superman: World’s Finest#33 by Mark Waid, Adrián Gutiérrez, Tamra Bonvillain, and Steve Wands, theJustice League are engaged in a perilous battle against Eclipso. The magical being attempts to control the Justice Society by turning them against their successors in the League, preying on their insecurity over their younger counterparts replacing them. However, Jay Garrick reveals that he harbors no insecurity at all.
Here, Barry worries that Jay harbors resentment over no longer being the one and only Flash.This reflects the widespread belief among DC fans that there should be a single Flash, but Jay counters that mindset with his approval of the Flash name evolving beyond him.
Does DC Have Too Many Flashes? The First Flash Disagrees
Jay Garrick Reveals That the Flash Is Much More Than One Hero
Once the dust has settled from the fight against Eclipso, Barry Allen asks Jay if things are good between them. As Jay deduces, Barry is referring to the Flash title he “stole” from him. After all,Jay Garrick was the first Flash, and Barry assumed the mantle to follow in his footsteps. Jay assures Barry by saying,“You stole nothing. You picked up the torch.“With these words, Jay shows his appreciation for Barry continuing what he started. If the DC Universe is full of Flashes, it’s because they prefer it that way, and this notion sets the Flash apart from other prolific heroes.
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Simply put, the Flash isn’t one hero.The Flash is a legacy, carried on by all who have borne the name.Jay Garrick did originate the role, so the name could be considered rightfully his, but he doesn’t mind sharing it with those who succeed him. In fact, he encourages their use of the Flash title. The same can’t be said for every superhero; for instance, although others have called themselves “Superman” over the years,Clark Kent remains the actual Supermanin DC lore. The Flash name, however, has been handed down numerous times in the decades since its creation.
The Flash Name Is Shared by Countless Heroes in the DC Universe
Jay Garrick Lit the Torch, Barry Allen Carried It, and Wally West Is Making It His Own
As mentioned before, Jay Garrick was the very first hero to go by “the Flash” in DC’s main continuity. He debuted the Flash mantle in 1939’sFlash Comics#1 by Gardner Fox and Harry Lampert, though he wasn’t the only Flash for long. In 1959, comic fanatic Barry Allen drew inspiration from Jay Garrick and called himself the Flash when he unlocked his ownsuper-speed powers. Then, after Barry’s death,Wally West graduated from Kid Flashto a full-fledged Flash - eventually becoming the fastest Flash of all time - in his mentor’s memory.Each Flash assumes the name to honor their predecessor.
To catch up to speed on Wally West’s adventures as DC’s current Flash,The Flash#14 by Simon Spurrier and Vasco Georgiev is the perfect jumping-on point!
Those three Flashes aren’t alone in bearing the title, of course. In 2006, after Wally’s mysterious disappearance during theInfinite Crisisevent, Bart Allen took over as the Flash in his absence. Bart’s year-long tenure as the Fastest Man Alive wasn’t quite as notable as the others', but it’s still worth acknowledging as part of the Flash’s storied history. Avery Ho bears the Flash name as well, acting on behalf of theJustice League of China. Aside from the past and present-day Flashes, there are also hundreds ofFlashes scattered across the multiverse, thereby cementing the hero’s immeasurable legacy.
There Is No ‘True’ Flash in DC Lore (And That’s a Good Thing)
Every Flash Brings Something Unique to the Iconic Superhero Mantle
While DC does have a main Flash in its current lineup, withWally West joining the Justice League’s ranks, every hero who uses the name has equal ownership over it. Each of them has made worthy contributions to the Scarlet Speedster’s legacy, such as Barry’s time travel and Wally’sside-stepping power. Jay started it all, and those who came after him are taking that core identity and redefining it in bold ways. Even the classic red costume changes from one iteration to another, and that constant evolution is what ultimately makes the Flash so special.
The Flash name will live on for generations to come - long after its original pioneers are gone - and the DC Universe is better off for having multiple Flashes rather than just one.
There’s no sign of DC dethroning the likes of Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman as the primary owners of their hero names any time soon, but the Flash will continue to be handed down from one superhero to the next. Someday, for example, Wally might let hisdaughter become the next Flashso he can join Jay and Barry on the sidelines. Regardless of who inherits it in the future, theFlashname will live on for generations to come - long after its original pioneers are gone - and the DC Universe is better off for having multiple Flashes rather than just one.
Batman / Superman: World’s Finest#33is available now from DC Comics.
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.
