After 68 Years, DC Officially Retires Barry Allen's Flash (Without His Powers)

Warning: Spoilers for Absolute Power #4For 68 years, Barry Allen has been winning over the hearts of comic book readers Flashbut now Barry Allen is officially stepping down as the Flash, and as a result, the DC Universe will never be the same. The shocking revelation has irreversibly changed the status quo of DC Comics, and it could be the end of the road for one of DC's most prolific heroes.

Absolute Power #4 – written by Mark Waid, with art by Dan Moran – culminates DC's blockbuster event as Barry Allen faces enemies from multiple universes with his fellow Flashes supporting him. The only solution is to completely shut their universe off from the Multiverse. While most of the superheroes' powers are restored, something goes terribly wrong.

Afterwards, the three Flashes gather to discuss how their connection to the multiverse was lost, and Barry reveals that his powers are gone.

Barry Allen has lost his powers in a shocking twist that ends his tenure as DC's greatest Flash

Absolute Power #4 – Written by Mark Waid, Art by Dan Mora; color by Alejandro Sánchez; Letter written by Ariana Maher

Barry losing his powers is a huge twist, but it's not the first time he's been shelved as the Flash. In the 1985s Crisis on Infinite Earths #8, Barry died saving the DC Universe from the Anti-Monitor, after which Wally West inherited the Flash mantle and reached new heights with it. Barry Allen returned to the mantle of the Flash after decades The Last Crisis storyline, after which he shares with Wally. Now, with the ending Absolute Power #4, the cycle repeats and Barry Allen's Flash is no more.

Some may wonder if Barry's departure from the role of the Flash will be as short-lived as before, but his absence from DC's All In era suggests otherwise. Not only does Wally West continue to lead his own solo title, while Barry doesn't, but Wally takes his place in the Justice League. Barry Allen is nowhere to be seen in DC's future, and now readers know it's because he's lost his powers and therefore can no longer be a superhero. Without his speed, Barry must hang up his hood and pass the torch forever.

As The Flash, Barry Allen performed countless incredible feats

The defining version of the Speedster

Aside from his real-world impact, Barry Allen's Flash has many unusual feats that warrant recognition. His speed is his most famous asset, and with good reason, as he's been allowed to beat Superman in a race on several occasions. The Flash has mastered the immateriality of vibration, time travel, and more, pushing the limits of what his speed can do. He can even jump to different universes so he can study and map them. This and other feats prove it The Flash, Barry Allen has earned his place among the best DC has to offer.

Barry Allen's accomplishments would cement his name as one of the greatest to ever wear red spandex in Flash history.

Of course, that doesn't mean that Barry's career as the Flash is down at all. The infamous Flashpoint disaster, caused by Barry's attempt to travel back in time and prevent his mother's death, nearly wiped the entire DC Universe out of existence. However, the good that Barry does as the Flash outweighs the bad. He owns up to his past mistakes and is always trying to do better, and that's what counts. Barry Allen's accomplishments would cement his name in Flash history as one of the greatest to wear red spandex long after his powers were taken away.

In many ways, Barry Allen's Life – And Death and Rebirth – as The Flash defines DC History

Death of the Flash Crisis on Infinite Earths #8 Marv Wolfman, George Pérez, Jerry Ordway, Anthony Tollin and John Costanza

Barry Allen first burst into the pages of DC Comics in 1956 Showcase #4 – Written by Robert Kanigher, designed by Carmine Infantino. He started out as a lovable forensic scientist in the Flash comics – that is, until he was struck by lightning and submerged in chemicals that gave him super speed! Dressed in his trademark Flash costume, Barry continued to battle popular foes such as the Reverse-Flash, combining his speed and intelligence to defeat his foes. His role in DC's canon became more prominent when he joined the Justice League as a founding member.

The first Flash, Jay Garrick, debuted in the 1940s
Flash comics
#1 – written by Gardner Fox, with art by Harry Lampert – set the stage for Barry Allen to rediscover the mantle, but it was Barry who really defined the modern conception of the character.

Barry Allen's early adventures as the Flash left an indelible mark on comics as a whole. Its introduction ushered in what is known today as the Silver Age of comics and ushered in a new era of superhero stories. He also created DC's Multiverse Flash #123 – by Gardner Fox and Carmine Infantino – When he travels to Earth-2 and meets Jay Garrick, the original Golden Age Flash. The Multiverse has since become a staple of the comic medium. As the Flash, Barry's impact on the DC Universe cannot be overstatedand that's not including his impressive feats of strength.

With Barry Allen retiring, Wally West is once again the most prominent Flash in DC comics

The Flash legacy has a worthy successor

As sad as it is to see The Flash retire, Barry himself is eager to pass the role on to the next Flash. A sneak peek Flash #14 – by Simon Spurrier and Vasco Georgiev – Barry gives Wally the Flash ring. This gesture shows that Barry is entrusting Wally with his Flash legacy, and it couldn't be in safer hands. Wally West has proven himself more than that over the years, boasting a strong connection to the Speed ​​Force that makes him faster than Barry. If anyone deserves to carry on Barry's legacy, it's Wally.

Although Barry Allen has retired, his Flash era will never be forgotten and he can rest easy knowing that his legacy will live on through Wally West.

Barry Allen's time as a hero is over, but tThe future is bright for the DC Universe thanks to all the work he's accomplished under the Flash name. Barry took a title created by Jay Garrick and crashed into the ground with it, changing the trajectory of DC history forever. Without him, The Flash wouldn't be what it is today, and there wouldn't be DC Comics in general. Even though Barry Allen is retired, so is his era Flash he will never be forgotten and he can rest easy knowing that his legacy will live on through Wally West and the rest of the Flash family.

Absolute Power #4 available now from DC Comics.

Source: Simon Spurrier