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Warning! Preview pages ahead for The Flash #17!Even the heroes of the DC Universe take issue with one particular kind of superhero, and they’ve got the perfect name for them. While there are plenty of hero types that fans love to see, there’s one kind that’s annoying on all fronts, so much so that the Justice League has their own way of designating them.
In a preview for The Flash #17 by Simon Spurrier and Vasco Georgiev, the Flash’s daughter Irey talks with the Justice League and points them in the direction of a mysterious spire that’s emerged from the ocean. The League heads out to check it out and Doctor Occult starts to analyze the spire.
At the same time, Inspector Pilgrim swings by, wanting to take a more scientific approach. As Occult and Pilgrim debate, Mister Terrific designates them as W.E.S. or ‘Wandering Esoteric Smart-asses’, beings that pop up to dump exposition and comment on things, without providing any real answers.
The Justice League Labels Expository Characters with a Hilarious Insult
Who Doesn’t Dislike Characters That Just Pontificate?
It’s not uncommon in bigger stories and crossovers, for there to be characters who come in to dump exposition about a big bad or a dramatic event. It’s an easy way of establishing stakes and giving readers just enough information to get things moving. However, these kinds of characters don’t really serve much purpose once they’ve helped set the scene. Oftentimes, it’s a more magical hero or character that serves this role, like the Phantom Stranger or even a new one like Pandora during the New 52. But it’s a tiresome trope that’s become quite obvious to readers in recent years.
What’s funny about Mister Terrific’s name is that it’s not an off-the-cuff insult. Black Canary and Nightwing elaborate on what W.E.S. means, meaning that this is something the League members have discussed before, hinting that they’re just as annoyed as these expository characters as readers. It’s understandable, as the worst thing when a huge crisis happens is someone who comes in who seems to have the answers, but doesn’t actually solve any problems. But it’s probably a good idea for the Justice League to identify those who can offer key sources of information (even if they can’t provide much else).
W.E.S.s Might Not Be the Best Heroes, But They Have a Use
The Justice League Knows Who They Can Look to For Some Answers
While W.E.S.s aren’t generally the ones who save the day, they do come in handy when it comes to at least getting one’s bearings when things go sideways. Through their long dialogues, those like Pilgrim and Occult can give the Justice League information that, at the very least, points them in the right direction. Sure, most W.E.S. information is probably cryptic, but it’s better than nothing when the unexpected happens. While these kinds of characters can be a pain, even for DC Comics’ premiere heroes, the W.E.S.s can at least be of some use.
The Flash #17 is available on January 22nd from DC Comics.
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