The Flash has consistently been a leading hero for DC Comics, often driving the company’s biggest shifts. He launched the Silver Age of comics, pioneered the concept of the multiverse, defeated the Anti-Monitor, and even rebooted the entire universe with the Flashpoint storyline. Notably, all these pivotal moments weren’t achieved by just any Flash – they were accomplished by Barry Allen. Barry has always been a key character for DC, constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, but despite all his contributions, one major change he instigated actually had a negative impact.
A major change to the history of the Flash character, known as a retcon, caused a lot of disagreement among fans. After Wally West established the Speed Force as the origin of speedster powers, Barry Allen’s return in The Flash: Rebirth claimed Barry actually created the Speed Force through his accident, essentially becoming the lightning that gave him his abilities. Many consider this one of the worst changes ever made to the Flash’s story, and it’s largely been overlooked. However, DC’s current big event is now revealing why that original change was so problematic.
Wally West Was Born to Be the Flash
During the recent DC K.O. event, while heroes battled Darkseid’s return, the Flashes faced their own challenges. In The Flash (2023) #28, Jay Garrick fought Guy Gardner to move forward in a tournament. At the same time, Wally West sped through time, desperately trying to save time-based heroes from being erased by Darkseid’s forces. The villains had already turned Max Mercury against the heroes, and they even went back in time to stop Barry Allen from gaining his powers by preventing the lightning strike that gave him his abilities.
Impulse’s powers were directly linked to Barry, vanishing instantly when Barry was erased from time. Wally rescued Impulse from the Legion and traveled back in time to save Barry, but the unstable time travel knocked Impulse unconscious. Leaving a bewildered Iris to watch over him, Wally rushed to fight the Legion. He couldn’t understand why he still had his own speedster abilities – Impulse’s powers were inherited, so losing Barry shouldn’t have left anyone with powers. But despite this, Wally remained a speedster.
It appears Wally West was destined to gain his Speed Force connection, even if Barry Allen hadn’t become the Flash. While Barry inspired Wally’s journey into heroism, Wally has clearly demonstrated he’s an equal, if not superior, hero. The fact that Wally retained his powers suggests he was always meant to receive them, proving he’s a hero in his own right, independent of Barry’s fate. This realization isn’t only empowering for Wally, but also explains why the changes made to Barry’s history with the Speed Force ultimately didn’t resonate with fans.
One Hero Name, Different Legacies
The idea of making Barry Allen the sole source of the Speed Force didn’t quite work because it narrowed the focus of what The Flash represents. Throughout the years, every Flash – from Jay Garrick to Bart Allen – has added something unique to the mantle and passed it down, each putting their own spin on it. The Flash’s strength as a DC legacy lies in the fact that each hero wants their successor to be even better. Even as the latest Flash pushes the boundaries of speed and unlocks more of the Speed Force’s power, they still honor those who came before them.
Each Flash hero previously felt equally vital to the character’s core identity, each adding something unique to build it up. However, making Barry Allen the origin of the Speed Force disrupted this balance. It elevated Barry above all other Flashes, and diminished the sense of mystery surrounding the power itself. Instead of being a fundamental part of the universe, the Speed Force became something Barry simply created, shifting the focus from the legacy of the Flash to Barry Allen as an individual. Ultimately, this change undermined the collaborative spirit that made the Flash such a compelling hero. Thankfully, that decision has been reversed, and this recent development proves that the Flash is bigger than just one person.
The Flash #28 is on sale now!
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2025-12-30 17:13