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DC is making a major shift in their Flash narratives by wiping the slate clean as Wally West will debut as the FIRST Scarlet Speedster in the Absolute Universe—with no other Flashes having come before him. This hints at a significant reworking of Wally’s origin story, one likely to align with the darker, grittier reimagining of this iconic character in a world created by Darkseid.
The revelation that Wally West is still a teenager, yet the only Flash in the Absolute Universe, marks a major shift in his origin story.
The inaugural issue of Jeff Lemire, Nick Robles, and Adriano Lucas’ Absolute Flash is just around the corner, with its release date of March 19, 2025, fast approaching. The synopsis for this first issue is brief yet exceptionally intriguing, stating, “Without the mentor… without the family… without the Speed Force, what’s left is the Absolute Scarlet Speedster!”
This teaser lines up with the broader theme and direction DC has taken with their Absolute titles and heroes, where they strip away every advantage their Earth-Prime counterparts possess. While the synopsis is short, writer Lemire recently took to his personal blog to address some of the internet’s burning questions about Absolute Flash.
Wally West Will Be the Absolute Universe’s ONLY Flash
Cover C Variant by Dan Panosian for Absolute Flash #1 (2025)
Via his personal Substack blog, Lemire shared that he has been receiving a lot of questions about the Absolute Flash series and decided to address some of the most frequently asked ones, providing fans with an Absolute Flash FAQ. One of the key questions was, “Is Wally West the Kid Flash or is he the Flash?” Lemire’s response was particularly notable, as it confirmed that Wally is indeed the Flash—and that no other Scarlet Speedsters have come before him, marking a stark departure from Earth-Prime narratives where Jay Garrick and Barry Allen were Wally’s predecessors.
Regarding Wally’s predecessors, Lemire also addressed whether Barry Allen and Jay Garrick would feature in the Absolute Flash narrative. He confirmed that Barry will appear in issue #1 but declined to elaborate further. As for Garrick, Lemire teasingly said, “And Jay… wait and see.” While this answer remains vague, it seems to imply that Garrick will play a role in the Absolute Flash story. This raises the ultimate question: What role will Allen and Garrick have if they aren’t the Flashes in this universe?
Jeff Lemire: Wally is THE FLASH. There is no Kid Flash in this universe. There are no other Flashes before Wally. He is a teenager, but he is very much THE FLASH.
Wally West as the Sole Flash in the Absolute Universe Signals a Major Shift in His Origin Story
Cover B Variant by Clayton Crain for Absolute Flash #1 (2025)
The revelation that Wally West is still a teenager, yet the only Flash in the Absolute Universe, marks a major shift in his origin story. In Earth-Prime continuity, Wally’s connection to the Speed Force is directly linked to his uncle, Barry Allen, who preceded him as the Flash and mentored him as Kid Flash. Wally’s powers in Earth-Prime came from exposure to the same chemicals that gave Barry his abilities, leading him to take on the Kid Flash mantle under Barry’s guidance. However, with Barry not being a speedster in the Absolute Universe, the question arises: How did Wally gain his Flash powers in this new universe, and how did he hone them without a mentor?
Absolute Flash #1 is available on March 19, 2025, from DC Comics!
Source: Jeff Lemire (Substack)
“}]] The Absolute Universe just redefined The Flash. Read More