October 8, 2020
When the DC Rebirth Initiative began, it’s arguable to say that Wally West became one of the most important characters when considering the state of continuity. His reintroduction into the DC Universe spired the re-integration of Pre-Flashpoint continuity, and the characters remembering previous events. Since then, we’ve seen Wally in both The Titans series and making guest appearances is The Flash. The world Wally remembered but cannot go back to, remains a key part to his character, and by the time Heroes in Crisis happened, Wally is at his mental limit.
Regardless of how you feel about Heroes in Time, and especially Wally being the one responsible for the damage, you can understand why Wally was in such a dire mental state. His children had been blinked from existence; his wife does not remember ever having a relationship with him. Wally is very much alone in his life.
With Flash Forward, Wally is ripped from the universe and sent on a journey through the multiverse in order to eradicate the remaining dark multiverse energy. What really makes Flash Forward stand out, is not so much the physical journey, but Wally’s emotional journey. Wally is haunted by his actions in Heroes in Crisis but still feel very jaded by the universe as a whole. Yes, he did a terrible thing, but the universe had also dealt him a painful blow. While one doesn’t excuse the other, there is a line of logic.
The theme of fatherhood and a desire to protect the ones you love is incredibly prominent throughout the book, even before the reintroduction of Wally’s children. Each world Wally visits, he feels a necessity to protect because it is his duty. By the time he finds himself on the final corrupted world, one created by his own fear, the complete joy of seeing his children, even to those who don’t follow the character, is felt through the pages.
The final act of the book has some extreme ramifications for the DC Universe, but also feels like a celebration of DCs very long history. Wally’s position since the Rebirth Initiative began does make him the perfect figure to become a protector of the Multiverse, as well as the story bringing a very satisfying conclusion to plot lines left open since the New 52.
Even to someone who has never been a fan of The Flash, let alone Wally West, Flash Forward is a fantastic read that dives deep into DC lore, but also finding the emotional heart that makes many DC stories classics for fans. Wally West may have had a very rocky experience during Rebirth, but his future, especially tying it into the multiverse, is especially bright.