The Flashis joining DC’s new Absolute Universe, and a new series of teaser images are generating buzz about the fate of one ofthe Scarlet Speedster’s greatest villains. While the identity of the character in question is still up for grabs,an iconic member of the Flash’s rogues' gallery may be making their debut in the Absolute Universe as an ally, not anenemy, to the Flash.
On March 5, DC released a DC Nation Spotlight cardwith their weekly print releases, highlighting Wally West’s arrival as the Absolute Flash. While the spotlight boasts of a new Flash"not bound by legacy or tied to any lineage,“the concept art of Wally West has immediately sparked discussion. Each picture of Wally depicts him withan animal companion on his shoulder: a green, monkey-like creature with an exposed brain.
While the simian’s identity has not yet been disclosed, a notable standout among the likely candidates is Gorilla Grodd, Flash’s mind-controlling nemesis from Gorilla City.
Most Fans Are Already Convinced Gorilla Grodd Is Absolute Flash’s New Mystery Partner
Grodd Is One Of Flash’s Oldest, Most Enduring Foes
Gorilla Grodd’s roots can be tracedback toThe Flash (1959)#106, where he was created by John Broom, Carmine Infantino, and Joe Giella. A hyper-intelligent ape fromthe secret Gorilla City, Grodd’s motivations largely center around using mind control to take over Gorilla City, and from there, the world; modern depictions also have Grodd obsessed with unraveling the mysteries of the Speed Force that empowers the Flash. At the time of writing, Grodd most recently appeared in Simon Spurrier, Ramón Pérez, and Vasco Georgiev’sThe Flash (2023)#12, helping the Flash Family to save the universe.
It’s Finally Here, DC Just Shared Our First Look at Its All-New Flash
DC Comics’ Absolute Universe expands as fans get their first official look of its newest Flash in a preview that shows Wally West in action.
WhileGrodd’s connection to the Flash makes him the likeliest candidate,DC has a surprisingly high number of brainy simian characters who could also fit the bill. Doom Patrol nemesis Brain and Monsieur Mallah are a duo of a disembodied genius brain and his gorilla bodyguard; given the similar visual motifs, this new character may be a composite of the two villains. The monkey’s prominent green coloration may also be a link to the Titan’s Beast Boy, as genetic material from a green monkey was involved in the treatment that gave Beast Boy his powers.
The Absolute Universe Could Offer A Fresh Start For One Of Flash’s Fiercest Foes
A New Grodd For Whole New Era
The biggest twist in this reveal is that Wally and the creature seem to be partners, at least in the beginning. If this is a version of Grodd, then it would be a dramatic shift in the character’s dynamic:while Grodd may have aligned himself with the Flash Family in the past when it was expedient for him, he has never been the Flash’s out-and-out ally. If this turns out to be the case, it would continue the Absolute Universe’s trend ofrewriting classic villains into friends and partnersin their respective titles.
Readers won’t have long to find out whether Grodd can turn over a few leaf, asAbsolute Flash#1 is on the cusp of release, heralding an exciting newFlashera.
While it is most likely that this mystery monkey is some new form of Grodd, there are plenty of other options, including the chance that this is a completely new character. The Absolute Universe has proven to be full of curveballs, breaking established character tropes in entirely new ways; this version of the Flashand his mysterious new partner are certainly no exception. Readers won’t have long to find out whether Grodd can turn over a few leaf, asAbsolute Flash#1 is on the cusp of release, heralding an exciting newFlashera.
