Warning: Spoilers for The Flash #15TheFlashjust separated into two heroes, unveiling a shocking power-up that rewrites his powers forever. After a lore-changing interaction with thesource of the Speed Force, Wally West is stronger than he’s ever been before, and his new duplication ability hints at his god-tier potential as he controls the multiverse itself.
The Flash#15 – written by Simon Spurrier, with art by Vasco Georgiev – showcases Wally West’s unexpected transformation. Whenhis daughter Ireysneaks away from their family vacation to visit the Justice League Watchtower, she discovers that Wally is already there – while simultaneously still being on their trip. The Flash, it appears, is in both places at the same time.
The Flash reveals that he has divided into two versions of himself who are both equally him, and the explanation he gives about how he accomplished this feat proves that it is undoubtedly hismost impressive power in DC lore.
The Flash Splits Into Two Versions of Himself, In A Massive Power-Up That Changes His Role In DC Lore
The Flash#15 – Written By Simon Spurrier; Art By Vasco Georgiev, Matt Herms, & Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Simply put, the Flash is able tosplit into separate entitiesby manipulating time. The central idea of multiverse theory is that every choice one makes creates a branch in the timeline that spawns a parallel universe. Now, with themultiverse officially closed-off to DC’s heroes, that temporal energy formed from choices is left with nowhere to go. By harnessing the Speed Force,Wally has channeled the energy of those branches in time to create a second self who can make his own choices.The Flashes are essentially two different possibilities of the same person, co-existing in a single timeline.
In case you missed it, DC’s main continuity lost access to the multiverse inAbsolute Power#4 – written by Mark Waid, with art by Dan Mora, available now from DC Comics!
The Flash’s duplication is successful thanks to a suit designed byInspector Pilgrim, the future version of his son. His new costume is a conduit that stabilizes his parallel selves and lets them operate in two places at once, with one Flash spending time with his family and the other assisting thereformed Justice League. Wally’s inability to be fully present in any aspect of his life recently led him down a dark path, so he’s now found a way to juggle his responsibilities with ease.
The Flash Can Manipulate Time Due To His Bond With The Deep Change
The Speed Force’s Source Fuels Wally West’s Temporal Abilities
Wally’s newfound control of temporal energy is the byproduct of his strengthened connection with the Deep Change, theliving being that emanates the Speed Force. InThe Flash#13, he comes face-to-face with the Deep Change and learns that the Speed Force he and his fellow Speedsters draw their power from is made of time. If the Deep Change dies, time stops flowing, as Wally discovers when the Arc Angles try to coerce him into killing the Deep Change. This otherworldly creature nourishes the Flash with its gift of time, and in return, theFlash nourishes it with his love.
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When the Flash encounters the Deep Change, it’s on the brink of death as a result of theArc Angles' plot. Wally learns that it’s trying to create some kind of new life, sohe and his familychannel their love to help it give birth. Whatever the Deep Change produced through this process imbues Wally with unprecedented control over time as his understanding of his speed grows.The Flash now has access to an infinite well of energy through his bond with the Deep Change, though he acknowledges to Irey that this power has some terrifying implications.
The Flash’s Duplication Power Could Have Destructive Consequences
Wally West Risks Tearing Time Apart With His Latest Power Feat
The Flash’s uncertainties about hiscosmic power-uparen’t unfounded, as it isn’t without downsides. During the duplication, Inspector Pilgrim informs Wally thatif the two Flashes fail to merge back together properly, they could cause “a temporal implosion” capable of unraveling the space-time continuum. After all, theFlash is basically playing godby creating an alternate self that’s fueled by the energy of an entire parallel world, thus interfering with time’s natural course of cause and effect. The fabric of reality could fall apart with one misstep, making the Flash a danger to his world and countless others.
The Flash and Inspector Pilgrim are taking a huge risk with their strategy – and that’s without mentioning the most troubling factor of all.
This drawback may seem implausible, as both Flashes should have no trouble combining again if they’re aware of the stakes, but there’s one hiccup: one of the Flashes doesn’t have any memory of the duplication. The familyversion of Wally Westhas no recollection of the process and believes he’s the one and only Flash. As such, there’s a chance he won’t be too keen on giving up his life and re-merging with another Flash. The Flash and Inspector Pilgrim are taking a huge risk with their strategy – and that’s without mentioning the most troubling factor of all.
The Flash’s Shocking Power Source Makes His Upgrade Wildly Unpredictable
The Deep Change’s Newborn Throws Wally’s Duplication Plan Into Chaos
This profound change for the Flash is an exciting new premise through which DC Comics writers can quite literally explore different sides of the Flash, in what amounts to a unique storytelling opportunity, one that once more positions Flash as one of the most pivotal, and most entertaining, heroes in the publisher’s ouvre. The Flash has perhaps the most dynamic power set of any major Justice League member, and the continued reinventions of his abilities remain an essential part of what makes the character compelling, asThe Flash#15 emphasizes.
The Flash duplicate who’s vacationing with his family faces difficulties with his super-speed, and Irey uncovers the reasoning behind these fluctuations. Foxy, their pet dog, turns out to be what Inspector Pilgrim describes as “a source of unprecedented power.” When Wally runs too far from Foxy, he can no longer access his speed. Clues from past issues suggest that theFlash family’s new dog is the Deep Change’s newborn, which would explain how his presence affects Wally’s powers. Whether Foxy’s influence is positive or negative remains to be seen, but regardless, he’s an unpredictable variable in an already messy situation.
Wally West Officially Becomes DC’s Main (& Only) Flash, Replacing Barry Allen
After years of sharing the spotlight, Wally West has taken Barry Allen’s place as DC’s one and only Flash, in a change that’s been a long time coming.
Wally West has a lot on his plate now that he’s become the DC Universe’s main Flash, torn between hisrole in the Justice Leagueand his duties as a husband and father. However, his division into two separate heroes isn’t the right way to balance his responsibilities. Not only is he potentially posing a threat to the multiverse with his dangerous manipulation of time, but he’ll also end upbreaking his family’s heartswhen they learn he isn’t fully with them. TheFlashmust prioritize what really matters, otherwise he runs the risk of destroying everything he holds dear.
The Flash#15is available now from DC Comics.
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.
