Warning: Spoilers for Absolute Power #3In 1985, theFlashmade comic history when he died saving the world inCrisis on Infinite Earths. Barry Allen’s death changed the trajectory of the DC Universe, and he went on to make history again when another Crisis brought him back to life. Now, almost 40 years after his original death, the pieces are in place for the Flash to suffer the same tragic fate in DC’s current major event.
Barry Allen may be one of the fastest heroes in the DC Universe, but not even the Flash can outrun death forever.
Absolute Power#3 by Mark Waid and Dan Morais the latest installment in DC’sAbsolute Powerevent. Most superheroes have been depowered by Amanda Waller’s legion of Amazos, with Barry Allen’s Flash being one of the few to still have his powers. An unknown voice reaches out to Barry as he’s fleeing from one of Waller’s pawns - aspeedster-powered Amazo named Velocity- and gives him a task to infiltrate one of Waller’s facilities. When Barry asks what to do there, the voice says:“What the Flash always does in a crisis…save the world or die trying.”
There’s no denying that this ominous line is a reference to the Flash’s death in Crisis on Infinite Earths by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez, and it could beforeshadowing that Barry Allien will die inAbsolute Power.With this and other clues in mind, it’s possible that the Fastest Man Alive is running his final race.
A Look at Flash’s History in DC’s Crises
Panels fromCrisis on Infinite Earths#8 by Marv Wolfman, George Pérez, Jerry Ordway, Anthony Tollin, and John Costanza
The Flash’s original death took place inCrisis on Infinite Earths, thefirst major Crisis to hit the DC Universe. Barry Allen had managed to destroy the Anti-Monitor’s antimatter cannon to save the multiverse, but in doing so, he ran so fast that his body couldn’t handle the power. As shown above, the Flash vanished into what would eventually becomeknown as the Speed Force.The mysterious speaker’s words to the Flash inAbsolute Power#3 are an unmistakable callback to his parting words here, as Barry repeats that he has to “save the world” while he disintegrates.
“Your Place of Power”: Flash Reveals His Secret Base & It Makes Superman’s Fortress of Solitude Look Pathetic
Batman’s Batcave and Superman’s Fortress of Solitude are two of the most iconic bases in the DCU, and now Flash is joining the secret base club.
For the next twenty years, Barry Allen was gone, andWally West inherited the Flash mantleto become the Flash for a new generation. Then, everything changed in 2008’sFinal Crisisby Grant Morrison and J.G. Jones, when Barry suddenly emerged from the Speed Force. Against all odds, he died in one Crisis and returned to the land of the living in another, and he’s been back as the Flash ever since. Nowadays, Barry and Wally both use the Flash title, but it looks likethere won’t be two Flashes for much longer afterAbsolute Power.
After Nearly 40 Years,Absolute PowerSets Up Another Death for the Flash
Flash’s Life Hangs in the Balance in DC’s Latest Crisis
The call Barry received isn’t the first instance of the Flash’s potential demise being hinted at in theAbsolute Powerevent. InAbsolute Power: Task Force VII#5, the Flash is fleeing from Velocity, who’sabsorbed the powers of every speedster in the Flash family- except Barry. In the seconds he can spare,Barry shares a heartfelt moment with Iris West that has all the makings of a goodbye. When Iris insists that Barry always comes back to her, he isn’t able to promise that he will this time. That brief hesitation says more than words ever could about the fate of the Flash.
Absolute Power: Task Force VII#5 by Alex Paknadel, Pete Woods, and Dave Sharpe is available now from DC Comics!
Following this emotional scene, the Flash’s death has now been furtherforeshadowed inAbsolute Power#3 through the mystery voice’s cryptic message. After receiving the instructions, it’s up to Barry to put his life on the line and uncover Amanda Waller’s plans. Barry has the weight of the world on his shoulders, and all roads lead to him sacrificing himself for the greater good like he did before. It may seem unlikely that DC would kill off a hero as iconic as the Flash, butBarry Allen isn’t the main Flash anymore. That honor belongs to none other than Wally West.
With Wally West as the Main Flash, Barry Allen Isn’t Needed Anymore
Barry Is No Longer the Face of the Scarlet Speedster
Wally West is set to go all-in as the Flash forDC’s upcoming All In initiative, whileBarry Allen is nowhere to be found, even in various teases and solicits. Not only is Wally continuing to lead the current ongoingFlashseries, but he’s alsojoining the new Justice League, taking Barry’s spot on the team for the first time in over a decade. Wally is even set to be the Flash of the Absolute Universe, with no sign of Barry thus far.Barry Allen has officially become obsolete as the Flash, so there isn’t much of a point in keeping him around.
Absolute Flash’s Design Is Officially Revealed, Reimagining Wally West for a New Generation
Wally West’s punk rock redesign for DC’s upcoming Absolute Universe proves that this new Flash will be the perfect superhero for Gen Z comic readers.
It’s time for DC to let the Flash legacy move forward instead of keeping it stuck in the past, and that means finally letting Barry Allen go.
SinceWally West’s return as the Flashin 2021, Barry has slowly fallen to the wayside, and that might be for the best. Barry’s resurrection inFinal Crisisended the passing of the Flash mantle, which led to thecontroversial New 52 reboot, which erased Wally from existence to reinstate Barry as the one and only Flash. Replacing Wally after twenty years clearly didn’t stick, and now the status quo that followed Barry’s original death is returning.It’s time for DC to let the Flash legacy move forward instead of keeping it stuck in the past, and that means finally letting Barry Allen go - for good.
THE FLASH #13 (2024)
September 25th, 2024
Variant Covers:
Özgür Yildirim, Mike Deodato Jr., Nicola Scott
BARRY ALLEN RACES FOR HIS LIFE! Barry Allen has been to the ends of the Multiverse and back. Now, he runs into a danger unlike any he’s ever encountered, as the fate of not only the Speed Force, but all heroes, hangs in the balance. Barry’s Life Story flashes before his eyes as he begins his most important race ever.
Barry Allen may be one of thefastest heroes in the DC Universe, but not even the Flash can outrun death forever. The solicitation forThe Flash#13 by Simon Spurrier and Ramón Pérez offers more allusions to Barry’s potential death. With an emphasis on his “life” throughout the synopsis for this issue, the end could very well be drawing near for the Scarlet Speedster.Both the mainFlashseries andAbsolute Powerare building up to something big for Barry, and it remains to be seen whether this Flash will survive what’s coming his way.
Dying in a major event would be a fitting way for Flash to go out after his death and resurrection in past crises.
With his future more uncertain than ever,there’s a strong chance that Barry Allen won’t make it out of this event alive. All the signs point towards him being killed off inAbsolute Power, and dying in a major event would be a fitting way for the Flash to go out after his death and resurrection in past Crises. Despite how dire things seem, there’s comfort in knowing thatBarry’s legacy will be carried onby his successors, starting with Wally. Barry Allen’s run as theFlashis nearing its end, and whatever fate befalls him, the DC Universe will never be the same.
ABSOLUTE POWER #3 (2024)
The Flash
The Flash is the superhero name given to the DC Comics character who utilizes unparalleled speed tied to a dimensional power known as the “speed force” to overwhelm their opposition. Premiering in 1939, the original Flash arrived as Jay Garrick. Still, it would be superseded by Barry Allen in popularity and featured status, but the Flash is one character that has met many of their alternate selves. The character is typically seen as a part of the Justice League in nearly all incarnations.
