Tag Archives: Wally West

DC Reboot: An Opportunity for Wally West

28 Replies

DC’s don’t-call-it-a-reboot is the perfect opportunity to give Wally West a costume that’s recognizably The Flash, but different enough from Barry Allen’s costume that even a casual reader can tell them apart at a glance, even if the artists miss a few details. Especially since several elements of Wally’s new costume from Flash: Rebirth (the raised yellow outline around the chest circle, and the V-shaped belt) have been incorporated into Barry’s new outfit.

Walter West, the Dark Flash

Yes, I’m talking about the Dark Flash costume, worn by Walter West, a version of Wally from an alternate reality. It wouldn’t have worked in the post-Crisis continuity because of what the experience meant to “our” Wally (he didn’t want to be reminded of what he could have become), but in a revised history, it doesn’t need to have the same associations.

Brighten it up again, make it crimson and gold (like Wally’s current costume), and I think it’ll do the trick.

Assuming, of course, that DC has a place in the New DCU for an adult Wally West, and has neither erased him from history or reverted him back to Kid Flash. (I’m trying very hard to stay positive here.)

DC Retroactive Flash Comics for August

8 Replies

DC has released covers and slightly more detailed descriptions of the 1980s and 1990s-themed Retroactive Flash specials in their August solicitations, along with the official info on the “Road to Flashpoint” collection.

DC RETROACTIVE: THE FLASH – THE ’80S
Written by WILLIAM MESSNER-LOEBS
Art and cover by GREG LAROCQUE

From the minds that brought you the Scarlet Speedster’s adventures in the 1980s comes a brand new adventure from that exciting era, along with a classic tale from that same decade.

ONE-SHOT • On sale AUGUST 3 • 56 pg, FC, $4.99 US • RATED T

This cover should put to rest any question about which Flash is starring in this issue.

DC RETROACTIVE: THE FLASH – THE ’90S
Written by BRIAN AUGUSTYN
Art and cover by MIKE BOWDEN

During the ’90s, Wally West took the title “The Fastest Man Alive” to a whole new level. Join the the writer who turned the sidekick into a hero in his own right for another race against evil, along with a classic tale from that decade.

ONE-SHOT • On sale AUGUST 17 • 56 pg, FC, $4.99 US • RATED T

At the time DC solicited the 1970s special, they didn’t have a cover yet and posted style guide art instead.

THE FLASH: THE ROAD TO FLASHPOINT HC
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art by FRANCIS MANAPUL and SCOTT KOLINS
Cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL

Make way for Hot Pursuit – the latest speedster to come out of the Speed Force! He’s here to make sure no one breaks the speed limit – hero or villain! And just wait until you see whose face is under Hot Pursuit’s helmet!

This hardcover collection of THE FLASH -12 leads up to FLASHPOINT, the biggest comic-book event for summer 2011!

On sale OCTOBER 26 • 128 pg, FC, $22.99 US

DC Universe Classics Blue Lantern Flash Carded Images and Wally West Custom

3 Replies

Hey, Speed Readers! Earlier this afternoon Mattycollector.com’s Facebook page released carded images of DC Universe Classics Wave 17, Mattel’s own Blackest Night Wave. Of course any Flash fan that has been following the last few years of the DC Universe would know that Barry was deputized into the Blue Lantern Corps during Blackest Night and has already seen a release in the DC Direct Blackest Night Wave. Now DC Universe Classics collectors get a shot at him:

 

One cool thing to note that was absent from the DC Direct version of this figure is the ability for this figure to hold his included Lantern. The DCD version sports closed fists. In addition to that the figure has 23 points of articulation and has a lighter color scheme. Despite feeling pretty burnt out on the whole Rainbow Lantern thing I will still be picking this figure up. The completest in me will not let me pass up on it.

I also came across an auction posted by eBay seller, Last_Galaxy for a custom Wally West action figure in his latest uniform:

The figure’s base looks to be a DC Universe Classics Barry Allen with a sculpted on lightning belt, lightning forearms and Wally’s new (JLU) symbol. Still hoping to see some version of this figure from either DC Direct or Mattel soon. I really do not care who makes it I just want it! The auction ends in about 4 days and can be found HERE.

Thanks for reading,

–Devin “Flash” Johnson

Two Flashes in IGN’s Top 100 Heroes

5 Replies

IGN has put together a list of their Top 100 Comic Book Heroes, and two Flashes make the cut! It’s a very well-rounded list, featuring not just the major Marvel and DC super-heroes, but non-superheroes like Dream of the Endless and Spider Jerusalem, and indie characters like Hellboy, Scott Pilgrim, and even Groo the Wanderer.

The two Flashes on the list are Barry Allen at #49 and Wally West at .

Artist for DC Retroactive: Flash 90s – Mike Bowden

19 Replies

DC has announced the creative team and release date for the final DC RetroActive: The Flash special, this one focusing on the 1990s. Each special features an all-new story reuniting one of the decade’s writers with the character, set in then-current continuity, and one reprinted story.

DC RETROACTIVE: THE FLASH – THE ’90s

When Wally West became The Flash in the ’90s*, he morphed from a sidekick into a hero in his own right. The creative team of writer Brian Augustyn and artist Mike Bowden set the Fastest Man Alive in another race against evil.

ONE-SHOT • On sale AUGUST 17 • 56 pg, FC, $4.99 US • RATED T

So, now we know the creative teams for all three specials. I’ll admit I’m a bit disappointed that they only managed to reunite both writer and artist on the 1980s special, though in the case of the 1970s special, I think most of the main artists from that run are either retired or passed away.

Does anyone know who Mike Bowden is? I can’t find any credits in a search on Comics.org. For that matter, I only found one credit for Benito Gallego, the artist doing the 1970s book. I wonder if DC is using these specials to try out new talent when they can’t get a period artist.

On another note: I think this is the first time in over a year that the words “Wally West” have appeared in a solicitation for a comic containing new material.

*It was, of course, the ’80s when Wally West became the Flash. Apparently DC is too busy with Flashpoint to get someone to copy-edit their solicitations.

Quote: How Not to Respond to Requests For Underused Characters

8 Replies

If I go into a McDonalds and say “Hey, I love your McRibwiches. I don’t always see them all the time, though. When are you guys bringing back the McRibwich?”

the manager doesn’t flip me off and say “The McRibwich sucks, buy a Big Mac.”

— Comic Bloc message board poster Stephen Henel writes on DC’s approach to “Where’s Wally?” inquiries in a discussion of Flash #10.