Flash War

Last updated
The Flash: Rebirth
Publication information
Publisher DC Comics
ScheduleMonthly
Format Limited series
Publication dateMay – July 2018
No. of issues7
Main character(s) Barry Allen
Wally West
Wallace West
Bart Allen
Hunter Zolomon
Iris West
Creative team
Written by Joshua Williamson
Artist(s) Howard Porter (artist)

Flash War is a seven issue monthly American comic book limited series written by Joshua Williamson and illustrated by Howard Porter. The series was published by DC Comics, and features characters from the Flash comics. The story is from Flash Vol 5 Issue 45 to 50, with the epilogue being Flash Vol 5 Issue 51. The series ran from May to July 2018. The storyline received generally positive reviews for the plot, action, and art.

Contents

Synopsis

Road to Flash War

Wally West managed to break free from Dr Manhattan and reunited with Barry Allen and his Titans teammates. During Dark Nights: Metal storyline, Batman saw visions of Barry Allen and Wally West fighting. [1] In a previous storyline, Eobard Thawne was resurrected by the Negative Speed Force, beat Wallace West up, and took Iris West to the future where she learns about Barry's life as the Flash. After Barry was infected by the Negative Speed Force and nearly kills Eobard Thawne, Iris West took a weapon and vaporized Eobard Thawne, seemingly killing him. [2]

In The Lazarus Contract , Wallace West learns more about Wally West and his connection to Barry and Iris. During The Perfect Storm storyline, after the Flash family save Central City from Gorilla Grodd, Wally finally meets up with Iris and Iris remembers Wally as her nephew (the son of her brother Rudy). When Iris asked Wally what happened to his kids, Wally gets a seizure where he remembers his children Irey West and Jai West. [3] Wally starts running around but after talking with Barry he calms down. Meanwhile, Hunter Zolomon has secretly manipulated the Renegades to go after Iris West after she killed Eobard Thawne because he believes that he can make both Flashes better if they go to war. [4]

Main plot

While Iris, Barry, Wally, and Wallace are in the garage, the Renegades (heroic counterparts of Barry's Rogue gallery) arrive and demand the arrest of Iris West for killing Eobard.

Wally takes Iris and runs, which leads to a chase. During the fight, Golden Guardian (heroic counterpart of Golden Glider) sends out fear constructs of Eobard Thawne, Hunter Zolomon, and Daniel West. This causes Wally to have a Temporal Seizure and a brief feedback calms the group down. Commander Cold (heroic counterpart of Captain Cold) offers to help, as long as Iris also comes. Everyone agrees to go and they arrive in the 25th Century. They all arrive to the Temporal Courts, but during travel, Wally seemingly gets separated from the rest and ends up at the Flash Museum, where he meets Zoom (Hunter Zolomon).

Back in the Flash Museum, Hunter tells Wally he wants to help him. Wally learns of Hunter's part in his previous life and suspects Hunter has taken his kids. Hunter assures him he is a changed man and hasn't done anything wrong. Back at the Temporal Courts, Barry believes someone is after his family and begins a pursuit after them.

Hunter continues to try to persuade Wally and, with the arrival of Barry, proves successful. Hunter tells him others are trapped in the Speed Force, and Wally believes him. Hunter says the only way to free them is to break the Speed Force. Despite Barry's disapproval, Wally agrees. He runs off and Barry follows.

While being surrounded by Commander Cold, Iris West and Wallace West, Hunter shows his true colors by deceiving Commander Cold and teleporting away, causing the 25th Century to begin to crumble. Barry catches up to Wally. The two start an argument about what to do; Barry disapproving of his methods and Wally persisting. Barry says that there has to be another way, but Wally says that if Barry does not help him, he will make sure Barry will never run again. Wally then runs away and Barry runs after him, starting a race between the two. [5]

As Barry and Wally race across the world, Steve Trevor and Amanda Waller call on the Justice League to stop their feud. Superman tries catching up to them, but he is too slow while Hal Jordan creates a construct that vibrates at the right moment in order to slow them down, but the Flashes easily break through the construct while heavily damaging Green Lantern's ring. Wally continues to believe Hunter, and Barry is helpless to dissuade him. Around the world, the natural forces are wreaking havoc.

The two run as fast as they can (with Wally outrunning Barry at the last moment) and soon cause a massive disruption in the Speed Force. They meet up with the Justice League and Titans as they are soon taken out by Zoom. He explains he lied to Wally to get them both to break the force barrier so he can get more power. He says he has seen the future and needs a hero to be there to save everyone from it. He shows off the brand new Strength Force and Sage Force he acquired, puts on Barry's old flash suit, and claims himself as "The Flash". [6]

Hunter Zolomon fights off Barry and Wally, blaming them for his misfortunes. Hunter Zolomon says he broke the Flash family, and runs in the Speed Force to go back in time and fix everything. Wallace West, Iris West and Captain Cold are in a pocket dimension after the 25th century Central City is gone, and Wallace starts running. While chasing after Hunter, Wally nearly gets distracted by the past but Barry makes him focus. They arrived in the 25th century, and Barry is shocked that Iris, Wallace, and Commander Cold are gone. Hunter Zolomon beats up the Flashes and nearly kills Wally, but Wally uses his temporal seizure to harm Hunter Zolomon while saying that they used to be friends.

Barry realizes that Wally's temporal seizures hurt Hunter Zolomon, and Wally says he does not know if he can catch up to Hunter, as well as afraid that he will lose his memories of his family. Barry tells Wally that he should embrace his memories of his family, his connection to his past is his greatest gift, and Wally is the fastest man alive. This gives Wally enough power to catch up to Hunter Zolomon and beat him. Barry lands back in present day Central City where Wallace West arrives with Iris and Captain Cold. Wallace is angry at Barry for leaving them alone in the 25th century, while Commander Cold says the Force Barrier is a mess, which means the Speed Force isn't stable and no one cant go back in time. Wally West lands in Mount Hood, Oregon where Barry finds him, where Wally realizes that Hunter Zolomon won. Wally West, angry at himself, starts running to get his mind of what happened, and Bart Allen emerges from the Speed Force. [7]

Epilogue

Wally West has been running non-stop, with Iris and Barry worrying for him. Wallace West leaves Barry to live with Damian Wayne at Titans headquarters because Wallace is still angry that Barry didn't tell him that he didn't exist after Flashpoint, and is a "product" of his mistake. Barry and Iris sit on a bench and wait for Wally. Wally arrives in front of them after running for three days non-stop, and has a breakdown. After some talking with Barry and Iris, they convince Wally to go to the Sanctuary where he can hopefully rehabilitate. Superman and Wonder Woman arrive to take him there, and Wally says goodbye to Barry and Iris. [8]

Reception

The story received generally positive reviews due to the action, plot, and art.

  1. ↑ Dark Nights – The Metal 06 (of 06) (2018)
  2. ↑ The Flash v5 027 (2017)
  3. ↑ The Flash v5 045 (2018)
  4. ↑ The Flash v5 046 (2018)
  5. ↑ The Flash v5 048 (2018)
  6. ↑ The Flash v5 049 (2018)
  7. ↑ The Flash v5 050 (2018)
  8. ↑ The Flash v5 051 (2018)
  9. ↑ "Flash #45 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Retrieved 2020-11-16.
  10. ↑ "Flash #46 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Retrieved 2020-11-16.
  11. ↑ "Flash #47 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Retrieved 2020-11-16.
  12. ↑ "Flash #48 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Retrieved 2020-11-16.
  13. ↑ "Flash #49 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Retrieved 2020-11-16.
  14. ↑ "Flash #50 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Retrieved 2020-11-16.
  15. ↑ "Flash #51 Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Retrieved 2020-11-16.

Related Research Articles

The Reverse-Flash is a name used by several supervillains appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Each iteration of the character serves as a foil and an enemy of the Flash.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wally West</span> Fictional character

Wallace Rudolph "Wally" West is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics as the original Kid Flash and the third Flash. His power consists mainly of superhuman speed. The nephew of Iris West, he first appeared in Flash #110 (1959), which depicted his transformation into Kid Flash. Under the mantle of Kid Flash, Wally was depicted as a teenage sidekick to his uncle-by-marriage, Barry Allen, and a founding member of the Teen Titans. After Barry's death in Crisis on Infinite Earths in 1985, Wally took on the role of the Flash in 1986, and was the main Flash in DC's lineup until Barry returned in The Flash: Rebirth in 2009. He would later return as the main Flash in 2021, as part of the Infinite Frontier relaunch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flash (Barry Allen)</span> Superhero appearing in DC Comics publications and related media

The Flash is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. He is the second character known as the Flash, following Jay Garrick. The character first appeared in Showcase #4, created by writer Robert Kanigher and penciler Carmine Infantino.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bart Allen</span> Comics character

Bartholomew Henry "Bart" Allen II is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. A speedster, he first appeared under the alias Impulse and later became the second Kid Flash and the fourth Flash. Created by Mark Waid and Mike Wieringo, Bart first made a cameo in The Flash #91 in 1994 before his full debut in issue #92. He has since been featured as the lead character in Impulse (1995–2002) and The Flash: The Fastest Man Alive (2006–2007). Bart also appears in the series Young Justice and Teen Titans as a member of both superhero teams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black Flash</span> Comics character

The Black Flash is a fictional comic book character from DC Comics. Created by writers Grant Morrison and Mark Millar, and artist Ron Wagner, the character had cameos in The Flash vol. 2 #138, before appearing in full in The Flash vol. 2 #141.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hunter Zolomon</span> Fictional comic book supervillain from the DC Comics universe

Hunter Zolomon, otherwise known as Zoom and the Reverse-Flash, is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The second character to assume the Reverse-Flash mantle, he serves as the archnemesis of Wally West and an enemy of Barry Allen.

Iris West-Allen is a fictional character, a supporting character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. She has been the main love interest and later wife of Barry Allen, the alter ego of the Silver Age version of the superhero The Flash, and the aunt and grandmother, respectively, of the Modern Age variations of the characters Wally West and Bart Allen.

<i>The Flash: Rebirth</i> American comic book limited series

The Flash: Rebirth is a six-issue monthly American comic book limited series written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Ethan Van Sciver. The series was published by DC Comics, and features characters from throughout the nearly seventy-year-long history of Flash comics.

<i>Flashpoint</i> (comics) American comic story arc by DC Comics

Flashpoint is a 2011 comic book crossover story arc published by DC Comics. Consisting of an eponymous core limited series and a number of tie-in titles, the storyline premiered in May 2011. The core miniseries was written by Geoff Johns and pencilled by Andy Kubert. In its end, the series radically changes the status quo for the DC Universe, leading into the publisher's 2011 relaunch, The New 52.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eobard Thawne</span> Character appearing in DC Comics publications and related media

Eobard Thawne, also known as the Reverse-Flash and Professor Zoom, is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by John Broome and Carmine Infantino, the character first appeared in The Flash #139 and has since endured as the archenemy of Barry Allen / The Flash. Eobard Thawne, as introduced by name in The Flash #153, is the first and most well-known character to assume the Reverse-Flash mantle, and is additionally a descendant of Malcolm Thawne and ancestor of Bart Allen, Thaddeus Thawne and Owen Mercer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Button (comics)</span> DC comic book series

"The Button" is a 2017 comic book crossover created and published by DC Comics. The story arc consists of four issues from DC's Batman and Flash publications, functioning in part as a larger buildup towards the "Doomsday Clock" event. The plot was written by Joshua Williamson and Tom King, with art by Jason Fabok and Howard Porter.

The Flash is an American superhero comic book written by Joshua Williamson and published twice-monthly by DC Comics. The title follows the adventure of Barry Allen as the superhero Flash in Central City. The title is part of DC's Rebirth relaunch, following the end of The New 52 initiative established following the Flashpoint storyline in 2011, and started publication in August 2016. In May 2020, the title reverted back to its original numbering with #750, and ceased publication with #800 in August 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe West (Arrowverse)</span> Fictional character from the television series The Flash

Joseph West is a fictional character portrayed by Jesse L. Martin in The CW's Arrowverse franchise. Created by Geoff Johns, Greg Berlanti and Andrew Kreisberg, the character was introduced in the pilot episode of The Flash. He is the legal guardian of protagonist Barry Allen / Flash, father of Iris West, Wally West, and Jenna West. Joe works at the Central City Police Department initially as a detective, heading its metahuman task force, and later as the captain, aiding Barry in keeping Central City safe from superpowered and dangerous criminals. Martin has received positive reviews for his performance as Joe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barry Allen (Arrowverse)</span> Fictional character in the Arrowverse

Barry Allen, also known by his alter ego The Flash, is a fictional character in The CW's Arrowverse franchise, first introduced in the 2013 episode "The Scientist" of the television series Arrow, and later starring in The Flash. The character is based on the DC Comics character of the same name, created by Robert Kanigher and Carmine Infantino and was adapted for television in 2013 by Greg Berlanti, Andrew Kreisberg and Geoff Johns. Grant Gustin portrayed Barry Allen, with Logan Williams and Liam Hughes portraying younger versions.

Eobard Thawne (Arrowverse) Character in the Arrowverse

Eobard Thawne, also known as the Reverse-Flash, is a character in The CW's Arrowverse media franchise. Based on the DC Comics supervillain of the same name, he is primarily portrayed by Tom Cavanagh and Matt Letscher. Letscher played the character's original likeness, while Cavanagh portrayed him in the form of Harrison Wells. Thawne is introduced and featured most prominently in the television series The Flash, though he has also appeared in spin-off shows and crossover events set in the shared fictional universe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iris West-Allen (Arrowverse)</span> Fictional character

Iris Ann West-Allen, is a fictional character in The CW's Arrowverse franchise, first introduced in the 2014 pilot episode of television series The Flash. The character is based on the DC Comics character of the same name, created by Robert Kanigher and Carmine Infantino. Candice Patton portrayed Iris West-Allen.

"Finish Line" is a four-issue monthly American comic book story written by Joshua Williamson and illustrated by Howard Porter. The storyline was published by DC Comics and features characters from the Flash comics. The story appeared in issues #759–762 of The Flash, running from August to September 2020. The storyline received critical acclaim for the action, plot, art, and the ending. "Finish Line" was the final story written by Joshua Williamson before Kevin Shinick began his run on the title.

"A New World" is the series finale of the American television series The Flash, spanning the tenth to thirteenth episodes of the ninth season. The series centers on Barry Allen / The Flash, a crime-scene investigator who gains superhuman speed which he uses to fight criminals, including others who also have superhuman abilities. The series is set in the Arrowverse, sharing continuity with the other television series of the universe, and is a spin-off of Arrow. The "A New World" episodes began airing on May 3, 2023, and concluded on May 24; the Arrowverse as a whole also concluded with these episodes.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.