DC’s Flash Sets Up an Unthinkable Betrayal 20 Years After a Speedster’s Death

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Similar to other books in the Absolute series, *Absolute Flash* reimagines a beloved character – in this case, Wally West – and places him in a completely new world. This version of Wally’s life on Absolute Earth has some significant differences, particularly in how he connects with the Rogues. Here, Wally’s father worked with Barry Allen and Elenore Thawne for the government, actually *creating* the Rogues. Wally himself gained his powers through an experiment conducted by Barry. In *Absolute Flash* #7, the Rogues are hired by the government to find Wally, but they unexpectedly rebel and then invite him to join them.

The *Absolute Flash* storyline brought back many of the Flash’s classic enemies, highlighting the complex connection between Wally West, the Rogues, and the rest of the Flash’s villains. The history between Wally West and the Rogues is especially noteworthy. Unlike Batman’s villains, the Rogues aren’t murderers – they’re professional criminals with a code of honor. But for longtime fans, seeing Wally team up with them immediately recalls a dark moment: the death of Bart Allen. In that sense, Wally joining the Rogues feels like a betrayal, and to fully understand why, it’s important to revisit the story of Bart Allen’s time as the Flash and his tragic death at the hands of the Rogues, which happened two decades ago.

Bart Replaced Wally and Put a Target on His Back

The story begins with the events of *Infinite Crisis*. Wally West merged with the Speed Force, and Bart Allen spent years containing Superboy-Prime within it. When Prime broke free, the Speed Force was altered, leaving Bart stranded and becoming the new Flash, inheriting most of its power. Bart had trained for years with Wally, learning from speedsters like Jay Garrick and Max Mercury, and had previously been Kid Flash in the latest version of the Teen Titans.

Bart Allen was a prepared hero, but his clone, Inertia, quickly thrust him into a dangerous situation. Inertia gathered the Rogues, and they attacked Bart. This new version of the Rogues was particularly ruthless, largely due to Inertia’s influence. Inertia built a device that stole Bart’s connection to the Speed Force, ultimately enabling the Rogues to kill him.

Many Flash enemies, like Reverse Flash, Zoom, and Gorilla Grodd, are ruthless killers. However, the Rogues were different. They focused on teamwork, avoiding prison, and maximizing their profits. In many ways, the Rogues functioned more like a heroic team than a villainous one, operating with a strong sense of honor. The death of Bart Allen marked the first time they abandoned their own principles.

The Rogues made a major error, particularly because the Legion of Superheroes, Justice League, and Justice Society had just rescued Wally West and his family from the Speed Force in “The Lightning Saga.” Wally immediately retaliated, focusing his attack on Inertia. He used his speed to strip Inertia of his powers, effectively turning him into a statue displayed in the Flash Museum. However, the DC Universe was undergoing significant changes at the time, and Barry Allen’s return quickly overshadowed the conflict with Bart Allen. As a result, the Rogues became less important, especially after the New 52 reboot, with the most recent notable version of the team being the Absolute Rogues.

Wally West’s History With the Rogues Makes This a Strange Alliance

Wally West has always had a unique connection with the Rogues, even befriending some like Pied Piper and Heatwave and assisting their attempts at becoming better people. Though he battled them as a hero, he never truly saw them as villains, and they, in turn, respected him. While Bart Allen’s death initially strained their dynamic, Wally’s return as the Flash was quickly eclipsed by Barry Allen’s revival. However, in a different reality, Wally’s relationship with the Rogues is much more strained. He’s now a vulnerable and lost young man, and the Rogues might be his only chance at finding help.

It always feels strange when Wally West teams up with the Rogues, especially considering what happened with Bart Allen. Even though Bart is back and the Rogues aren’t as powerful as they used to be, it’s hard to forget their role in his death. That act changed how we see the Rogues; they used to have a code of honor, but now they seem capable of anything. Even though a different version of the Rogues was responsible for Bart’s death, it’s still difficult to trust them, and seeing Wally work with them feels wrong, no matter the situation.

Absolute Flash #7 is on sale now.

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2025-09-19 17:52