Has Bringing Back Wally West As Flash Worked?

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One significant character in the annals of DC Comics is The Flash, who debuted in 1940 as Jay Garrick, the Scarlet Speedster. Barry Allen followed suit and ushered in the Silver Age of Comics, with his death being one of the first significant deaths recorded in comics. This event paved the way for Wally West to take on the role of The Flash, thereby enhancing the character’s popularity. Over time, West became a critical member of DC’s roster, with notable storylines penned by authors like Mark Waid and Geoff Johns.

However, during the 2000s, elements from the Silver and Bronze Age DC Multiverse were reintroduced, which included Barry Allen’s return as The Flash. This move was met with discontent among fans of Wally West, who felt that his absence was excessive, particularly during the New 52 era when Wally was removed from continuity.

2016 marked Wally West’s return from a hiatus, but he continued to be overshadowed by Barry Allen in the DC universe. It wasn’t until 2020 that Wally was reinstated as the Flash, much to the delight of fans who view him as the best incarnation of the character. The revival of The Flash comics became one of DC’s top-selling titles, standing out amidst the DC publishing project “Infinite Frontier.” Fans rejoiced for a time, but the latest edition of The Flash is struggling to maintain its initial popularity, causing even the most ardent Wally West supporters to question the decision to bring him back as the Flash.

DC Doesn’t Seem to Have a Plan with Wally West Anymore

As a die-hard comic book enthusiast, I can confidently say that Jeremy Adams’ work on The Flash was unquestionably one of the finest superhero stories to grace the pages of comics in the 2020s. Adams skillfully breathed life into Wally West, highlighting his heroic spirit, infectious humor, and deep familial bonds. The way he crafted a truly exceptional Flash book left readers in awe.

The DC universe is brimming with speedsters, but there’s something uniquely captivating about Wally West. Adams seemed to have a clear vision for Wally and his kin; he meticulously developed the characters of Irey and Jai, revealing their powers, personalities, and even hinting at a blossoming romance between Jai and Maxine, Animal Man’s daughter. He rekindled the love for the extraordinary couple that is Wally and Linda, reminding us why they stand among the greatest couples in superhero comics.

He masterfully united Wally with Wallace West, echoing the camaraderie between Barry and Wally from years past. Adams appeared to be paving a route for Wally’s resurgence within the superhero community, and it was a journey that was genuinely engaging. However, following the remarkable “One-Minute War,” DC decided to part ways with Adams, leaving a void in the story of Wally and his family. Since then, things haven’t shone nearly as brightly for them.

I’m currently enjoying Si Spurrier’s take on The Flash, particularly his exploration of the Speed Force, alteration of the West family dynamics, and introduction of concepts like Arc Angles and the Linear Bureau. The series has evolved significantly since “DC All-In” began, but I feel that Spurrier’s run has somewhat contradicted Mark Waid’s earlier work and led Wally West down paths that not all fans have appreciated. This raises the question of whether reintroducing Wally was the right decision, as he is an essential character in the DC superhero universe. However, his return doesn’t seem to have restored him to his former significance. One issue I’ve noticed is that Wally hasn’t regained his previous status within the Justice League or the Flash family. Prior to his return, he was a key member of both groups. The problem might be that the DC Universe has undergone significant changes since Wally’s heyday in the ’90s and early 2000s. For years, DC’s focus was primarily on Batman, and it’s only recently that they’ve begun to broaden their scope again. The Justice League, a crucial factor in Wally’s popularity, is no longer as central as it once was. In the past, Wally played a significant role in many aspects of DC that are now less prominent. Currently, DC is undergoing a rebuilding phase, but so far, Wally’s former standing hasn’t been prioritized.

Wally West Hasn’t Been Rebuilt Yet, but His Return Has Been a Net Positive

It appears that Wally West’s return to the DC universe hasn’t been handled smoothly due to several reasons. The Adams run certainly helped bring Wally back to his original state, but it was challenging because the current DC landscape is significantly different from what it used to be. For instance, the Justice League no longer holds the same importance, and individual superhero titles like Batman and Superman have become self-contained entities with their own events. This fragmentation made it difficult to reintegrate Wally into the main DC narrative.

Additionally, Spurrier’s run on the series, particularly at its start, sparked a lot of anger among fans due to its impact on the West family dynamics and some of its sci-fi concepts that didn’t resonate well. Consequently, the book’s sales have suffered as a result. In essence, Wally West has struggled to regain his former status in this new era of DC comics.

Although there’s widespread agreement that Wally West remains the top Flash, it’s hard to deny that DC Comics has shown disregard for both the character and his supporters by erasing him from existence. However, his return to the comic book world has provided a fresh opportunity for creators and fans alike to explore new dimensions of the character. Just as characters often face mishandling, not everyone is enamored with every storyline involving a character. Currently, Wally West may be experiencing some missteps, but it doesn’t mean we should abandon him altogether.

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2025-07-29 00:34