DC Comics Finally Debuts Absolute Flash’s Ultimate Enemy (And He’s Terrifying)

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Things have been difficult for the Flash, Wally West, ever since he got his powers. He’s been constantly pursued by dangerous enemies and trying to avoid a mysterious group called Project Olympus. Unfortunately, the leader of Project Olympus, Elenore Thawne, is determined to capture him. She thinks Wally’s speed holds the key to secrets her grandfather, Eobard Thawne, was researching years ago. It appears that, no matter the universe, the Thawne family always causes trouble for the Flash.

As a huge Flash fan, I’ve been really intrigued by how they’re handling Eobard Thawne in the Absolute Flash storyline. It’s funny, we haven’t gotten a ton of screen time with him directly, but there have been some fascinating flashbacks, especially in Absolute Flash #8. These showed that this world’s Thawne was a genius scientist during WWII who actually stumbled upon a dimension of pure energy. Sadly, his risky experiments went wrong, and both he and Jay Garrick vanished. But let’s be real, any Flash fan knows that when the Reverse-Flash seems gone, that’s usually when he makes his biggest move!

The Absolute Reverse-Flash Makes His Debut with Terrifying New Form

In the latest issue of Absolute Flash, Elenore is spiraling out of control. She’s fixated on reaching the same dimension Eobard Thawne visited years ago and has kidnapped Absolute Flash’s father. Just as Wally and his allies, the Rogues, begin to strategize, they’re ambushed by Heat Wave. Captain Cold creates a diversion, letting Wally sneak into Fort Fox to rescue his father. But as Flash tries to escape with him, he’s chased by the Trickster, one of Thawne’s followers. Wally gets lost in his own memories, giving the Trickster the opportunity to attack.

Elenore is carefully observing everything, instructing the Trickster to send Flash back to the lab Barry Allen used to work in – the same place where Wally West first became a hero. Flash runs to the lab and experiences more flashbacks to when he originally gained his powers. The Trickster reappears, intending to capture Flash’s gorilla companion, Grodd, but Flash saves him. As Flash’s feelings intensify, the portal that Barry Allen created starts to glow and throb with strong, red energy.

Without warning, a hand shot out of the portal, reaching for Wally. A voice called to him, and Flash immediately thought it was Barry, the Flash who had died giving Wally his powers. But when Wally reached back, the hand grabbed him roughly. It wasn’t Barry—it was Eobard Thawne, now a massive, monstrous being made of red energy. Thawne declared there could only be one Flash, and then he threw Wally into the portal, imprisoning the young hero in another dimension.

Reverse-Flash is a True Monster in Any Universe

Considering how important the Thawne family has been to the story of Absolute Flash, it felt inevitable that Eobard Thawne would appear. However, I was surprised by how frightening he looked. It actually makes sense, though, especially when you consider the terrifying visions of a crimson skeleton that Flash has been experiencing throughout the series. I initially thought these visions were a new take on the ‘Flash of Two Worlds’ concept, but it turns out they were actually hinting at the arrival of Flash’s most dangerous foe.

We haven’t seen Reverse-Flash in action yet, but he’s sure to be a formidable villain, just like other versions. He’s clearly ruthless, even willing to harm a child to protect the power that Thawne found long ago. I’m really interested in seeing how his powers actually work, especially since being trapped in another dimension for years has changed him. If he’s learned to control those changes, Flash will be facing a major threat.

Reverse-Flash is consistently one of the most difficult villains for any Flash to defeat, possessing incredible speed but lacking the moral compass that guides heroes like Wally. In the Absolute Universe, where villains are often stronger, it will be fascinating to watch Wally confront such a formidable version of his greatest enemy. Although Absolute Flash has grown since gaining his abilities, he likely isn’t ready for the sheer power and ruthlessness of this particular Reverse-Flash.

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2025-12-17 20:13