Which hero is the ‘real’ Flash?

NOTICE! Spoilers for Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #33Jay Garrick, Barry Allen, Wally West and others held the position Flash mantle over the years, but which of these heroes should be considered the true Flash, if any? DC has finally answered that age-old question, as the original Flash addresses his feelings about the mantle he founded being passed down from one generation to the next.

In Batman / Superman: the best in the world #33 by Mark Waid, Adrián Gutiérrez, Tamra Bonvillain and Steve Wands, the Justice League is involved in a dangerous battle against Eclipso. The magical being attempts to control the Justice Society, turning them against their successors in the League, taking advantage of their insecurity towards the younger colleagues who replaced them. However, Jay Garrick reveals that he does not harbor any insecurities.

Here, Barry worries that Jay harbors resentment for no longer being the only Flash. This reflects the widespread belief among DC fans that there should be a single Flash, but Jay counters this mentality with his approval of the Flash name evolving beyond him.

Does DC have a lot of flashes? The first flash disagrees

Jay Garrick reveals that the Flash is much more than a hero

After the dust has settled from the fight against Eclipso, Barry Allen asks Jay if things are okay between them. As Jay deduces, Barry is referring to the Flash title he “stole” from him. After all, Jay Garrick was the first Flash, and Barry took up the mantle to follow in his footsteps. Jay assures Barry by saying: “You didn’t steal anything. You took the torch.” With these words, Jay shows his appreciation for Barry continuing what he started. If the DC Universe is full of Flashes, it’s because they prefer it that way, and that notion sets the Flash apart from other prolific heroes.

Simply put, the Flash is not a hero. Flash is a legacy continued by everyone who bears the name. Jay Garrick originated the role, so the name can be considered rightfully his, but he doesn’t mind sharing it with those who succeed him. In fact, it encourages the use of the Flash title. The same cannot be said of all superheroes; for example, although others have called themselves “Superman” over the years, Clark Kent remains the true Superman in DC lore. The Flash name, however, has been passed down countless times in the decades since its creation.

The Flash’s name is shared by countless heroes in the DC universe

Jay Garrick lit the torch, Barry Allen carried it, and Wally West is making it his

As mentioned before, Jay Garrick was the first hero to be known as “Flash” in DC’s main continuity. He debuted the Flash mantle in 1939 Flash Comics #1 by Gardner Fox and Harry Lampert, although he wasn’t the only Flash for long. In 1959, comic book fanatic Barry Allen was inspired by Jay Garrick and called himself the Flash when he unlocked his own super-speed powers. Then, after Barry’s death, Wally West went from Kid Flash to a full Flash – eventually becoming the fastest Flash ever – in his mentor’s memory. Each Flash takes on the name to honor his predecessor.

These three Flashes aren’t the only ones to bear the title, of course. In 2006, after Wally’s mysterious disappearance during the Infinite Crisis event, Bart Allen took over as Flash in his absence. Bart’s year-long tenure as the fastest man in the world wasn’t as notable as others, but he’s still worth recognizing as part of Flash history. Avery Ho also bears the name Flash, acting on behalf of the Justice League of China. In addition to past and current Flashes, there are also hundreds of Flashes spread across the multiverse, thus cementing the hero’s immeasurable legacy.

There’s No ‘True’ Flash in DC Lore (And That’s a Good Thing)

Each Flash brings something unique to the iconic superhero mantle

Although DC has a main Flash in its current lineup, with Wally West joining the ranks of the Justice League, each hero who uses the name has equal ownership over it. Each of them made valuable contributions to the Scarlet Speedster’s legacy, such as Barry’s time travel and Wally’s dodging power. Jay started it all, and those who came after him are taking that core identity and boldly redefining it. Even the classic red costume changes from one iteration to the next, and this constant evolution is what makes The Flash so special.

There’s no sign that DC will dethrone the likes of Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman as the primary owners of their hero names anytime soon, but The Flash will continue to be passed down from one superhero to another. Someday, for example, Wally might let his daughter become the next Flash so he can join Jay and Barry behind the scenes. Regardless of who inherits it in the future, the Flash the name will live on for generations to come – long after its original pioneers are gone – and the DC Universe is better off for having multiple Flashes instead of just one.

Batman / Superman: the best in the world #33 is now available from DC Comics.