Shocking Twist: Wally West’s Rogues Gallery Gets a Major Overhaul in Absolute Flash!

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In the upcoming issue #2 of “Absolute Flash,” set for release in April, the question arises: Can the Swiftest Human Ever outpace the Villains? This comic series is penned by Jeff Lemire, known for his work on “Sweet Tooth,” and illustrated by Nick Robles, famed for his work on “Doctor Mirage.” The recent release of issue #1 has already set the pace with flashbacks and previews, presenting a 15-year-old Wallace “Wally” West, a troubled child living as a military brat under Colonel Rudy West at Fort Fox. Wally is advised to keep his distance from Dr. Barry Allen, who operates within an underground lab conducting hazardous yet pioneering experiments for the Army’s clandestine Project Olympus. However, an unseen force lures Wally back to the lab. And it is here that disaster strikes swiftly, like a flash of lightning.

“RUN!”

In the present, we find Wally on the run, and it’s the words Barry spoke just before that still echo in his mind. The accident at the lab, which transformed Barry into a charred body and granted Wally his speed, was no ordinary incident. It seems that the powers Wally possesses are residual effects of Barry’s life force rather than the Speed Force. Unfortunately, this means that Barry Allen is now deceased, and Wally West bears the guilt for it.

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A high-tech military vehicle launches an autonomous drone named Boomerang to explore the desert and locate Wally. On the run, Wally is tracked down by Colonel West’s search party consisting of Boomerang, Digger Harkness, Jesse, Lisa, and the Captain. In a parallel world, they are known as The Rogues: Boomerang (Digger Harkness), Trickster (James Jesse), Golden Glider (Lisa Snart), and Captain Cold (Leonard Snart).

ABSOLUTE ROGUES

1. The Captain commands them to retrieve Wally, keeping him alive at the moment, and instructs Harkness to expel Wally with Boomerang – whom he refers to as if it’s a person rather than a weapon on his wrist. The story then jumps ahead by a year, with Fort Fox’s miscreants in pursuit, as the narrative abruptly moves forward to this point.

2. The Captain orders them to secure Wally, ensuring he stays alive for now, and directs Harkness to eject Wally using Boomerang (referred to like it’s a person). The story then leaps ahead by a year, as the villains of Fort Fox give chase, with the narrative abruptly advancing to this stage.

3. In order to keep Wally alive for now, the Captain commands them to bring him in, and Harkness is told to push Wally out using Boomerang (referred to as if it’s a person). The story then skips ahead by a year, with Fort Fox’s renegades hot on their heels, as the narrative suddenly moves forward to this juncture.

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4. To keep Wally alive temporarily, the Captain instructs them to fetch him, and Harkness is told to expel Wally using Boomerang (treated like a person). The story then jumps ahead by a year, as Fort Fox’s outlaws give chase, with the narrative abruptly progressing to this stage.

Amidst the debris of Dr. Allen’s laboratory, an enigmatic character retrieved information from the Project Olympus archives with the code name “Blue Trinity” as a password (In the original DC Universe, Rudy West, Wally’s father, dispatched three Soviet-made speedsters – Gregor Gregorovich, Boleslaw Uminski, and Christina Alexandrova – after his son in #8 from 1988).

Speaking to a mirror, the last Rogue unveiled utters, “Mirror, mirror, it’s time for this entire world to crumble,” echoing the words of Mirror Master.

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Robles described the process of redesigning Flash’s iconic villains in the new Absolute Universe as being encouraged to ‘let loose’ by the editors. He explained that since the Absolute Universe is a fresh concept, they have given him free rein to brainstorm and experiment with ideas. Robles, who isn’t well-versed in the Flash’s history, said he has intentionally avoided delving too deeply into it so as not to be influenced. Instead, he wants to bring unique ideas to this series, choosing to focus on originality rather than being swayed by the past.

Check out Absolute Flash’s collection of villains featured in the previews for issues #2 and #3 of Absolute Flash below:

Absolute Flash #2

Could WALLY WEST OUTRACE THE ROGUES? With his father and Fort Fox hot on his heels, Wally West is in full flight, yet his freshly discovered powers leave him trembling. He must find a way to harness these abilities effectively to make good his escape. But how will he deal with the formidable team dispatched by his dad to reel him in?

On sale: April 16

Absolute Flash #3

In a tight spot, Wally braces himself as the Rogues advance menacingly. Will he manage to slip away undetected and make use of his recent increase in speed, or has he already reached the end?

On sale: May 21

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2025-03-21 04:12