Barry Allen’s Flash is likely one of the most iconic heroes within the DC Universe, making it practically inconceivable to think about him as something near a villain. Nonetheless, one DC expertise not too long ago revealed simply how shut they got here to turning the beloved speedster right into a villain inside the Darkseid-created Absolute Universe.
Jeff Lemire, author of the continued and must-read Absolute Flash series, not too long ago participated in an Ask Me Something with League of Comedian Geeks, the place followers submitted their burning questions for Lemire to reply.
For these unfamiliar, the Absolute Universe (the setting of this Flash title) is a hardcore reimagining of DC’s most iconic heroes, exploring darker origins and interpretations. This artistic freedom has allowed writers to make daring, usually excessive modifications to fan-favorite characters, and in the course of the AMA, Lemire revealed he practically turned Barry Allen right into a full-fledged villain.
Wally West is the Flash of the Absolute Universe.
Barry Allen Was Practically a “Straight-Up Villain” in DC’s Absolute Universe
Cowl B Clayton Crain Variant for Absolute Flash #1 (2025)
Throughout League of Comic Geeks’ Ask Me Anything, one fan requested Jeff Lemire an intriguing query: “Should you can, will you inform us what belongings you did need to change however determined towards?” In response, the Absolute Flash author admitted that he initially deliberate to make Barry Allen a “straight-up villain.”
Lemire’s actual phrases have been: “It’s arduous to reply this one with out spoiling what’s coming, however I’ll say that initially I used to be going to make Barry Allen a straight-up villain, and as I labored on the collection, that felt just like the flawed transfer, and he grew to become a extra conflicted character as a substitute.”
Turning Barry right into a hardcore villain would have been a daring transfer, particularly since it might have pitted him directly against Wally West, the collection’s protagonist and Scarlet Speedster. Such a twist would have marked an enormous deviation from DC’s conventional storytelling, as Barry has famously served as a mentor and ethical compass to Wally.
What Is Barry Allen’s Position in Absolute Flash: Is He Hero, Villain, or One thing In Between?
Cowl C Dan Panosian Variant for Absolute Flash #1 (2025)
Warning: Accommodates Spoilers for Absolute Flash.
Whereas Barry Allen isn’t a straight-up villain in Absolute Flash, he’s removed from a saint and is portrayed as a deeply conflicted character. Readers know that Barry seemingly dies early in the series after one in every of his experiments (the identical one which grants Wally his powers) goes horribly flawed.
Flashbacks later reveal that Barry isn’t as morally pure as his Earth-0 counterpart. His obsession with science drives him to make questionable decisions, together with working with Dr. Elenore Thawne. As Absolute Flash continues, it turns into clear that whereas Barry is probably not a villain, he firmly resides in a morally grey space.
- Created By
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Gardner Fox, Harry Lampert, Carmine Infantino
- First Look
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Flash Comics
