Warning: Spoilers for Batman/Santa Claus: Silent Knight Returns #3
THE Flash may be hailed as the fastest man alive in DC lore, but not even he can escape death forever. In a shocking moment, Wally West appears to have made his final run, when a shadowy enemy kills him with ease and deprives the DC Universe of its beloved speedster. Furthermore, the Flash's terrible fate mirrors his original death in a poignant full-circle moment.
The preview for Batman/Santa Claus: The Silent Knight Returns #3 by Jeff Parker, Lukas Ketner, Michele Bandini, Marcelo Maiolo and Pat Brosseau presents the next chapter of the Justice League's partnership with Santa Claus. The Silent Knight has arrived and Robin calls in Flash as backup to help take him down. However, things quickly take a turn for the worse when the Scarlet Speedster catches up with this sinister foe.
TThe Silent Knight drains the Flash of his powers and reduces his body to a lifeless skeletonpresumed dead by the remaining heroes. This already devastating moment is made even more tragic by the allusion to Barry Allen's iconic death in Crisis on Infinite Earths.
The Flash's terrible fate mirrors his original death in DC's first Crisis
Wally West follows in Barry Allen's footsteps by dying the same way
The Flash's first Рand most famous Рdefeat came in Crisis on Infinite Earths #8 by Marv Wolfman and George P̩rez. During DC's groundbreaking Crisis, Barry Allen faced off against the Anti-Monitor and managed to stop his antimatter cannon moving at surprising speed. Unfortunately, this victory was short-lived for Flash as his body could not sustain the speed at which he was running. Barry's body deteriorated rapidly and the nightmarish look of his skeleton bears an uncanny resemblance to the state in which Wally was left in the hands of the Silent Knight.
Likewise, Flash's fate here is tied to him having his strength sapped from his body by his opponent. Unlike Barry, however, Wally doesn't die on his own terms. While Barry's final words were a message to the rest of the hero community, allowing him to maintain his dignity until the bitter end, Wally's parting word is a punch to the gut that makes his death that much more painful. As his life force is consumed, Wally adds the name “Heart of Thunder”referring to his daughter Irey. The Flash isn't ready for death this time and instead wants nothing more than to be reunited with his family.
The Flash may be dead, but he won't be gone forever
Like Barry Allen, Wally West has a chance at resurrection
The Flash's death is a huge surprise, especially since Wally West has just returned as DC's main Flash. Fortunately, his death can still be reversed. Zatanna encases her body in amber to preserve it, suggesting her eventual rebirth. After all, Barry returned to the land of the living years after his death in Grant Morrison and JG Jones. Final Crisisand he's far from the only DC hero who has been revived after death. THE Flash He won't be dead for long, and when he returns, he'll be ready to take revenge on the Silent Knight for taking him from his loved ones.
Batman/Santa Claus: The Silent Knight Returns #3 is available December 11, 2024 from DC Comics.