DC’s new Absolute Universe is about to give theFlasha reboot that is long overdue. The Absolute line has given fans exciting new visions of DC icons such as Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman. These books have been a hit with both fans and critics, andlater this year, DC is set to expand the line withAbsolute Flash, promising to shake up the Scarlet Speedster’s world.
In an interview on the YouTube channelOwenLikesMoreComics, writer ofAbsolute Batman, Scott Snyder, shared information onAbsolute Flash, which will be written by Jeff Lemire and drawn by Nick Robles. Regarding how the Absolute version of the Flash would differ from his Earth-0 counterpart, Snyder had this to say:
Every Flash run is built upon a legacy. Jeff [Lemire] came in pitching [the idea] that there’s no Flash before Wally, there’s no Jay Garrick, there’s no Barry. [Absolute Flash] is what happens if the Flash started now, and what would the Speedforce be if it began or was discovered in this moment How do we begin it in a way that doesn’t have this shadow over it?
Synder offered further comments onAbsolute Flash’svillains:
So every character - Grodd and all of these characters - feel like they are born in this moment, so there’s no long history. It’s all about that start… and it feels like it’s so connected and so inviting and fun. It’s a great, fun book and Nick Robles art is awesome. And a very young Wally is so stylish, he looks awesome! And the rogues look awesome.
DC’s Massively SuccesfulAbsoluteLine, Explained
Absolute FlashTakes the Line’s Philosophy to Its Extreme
DC’s Absolute line has been a runaway success for the publisher,withAbsolute Batman#1 being the top-selling single issue of 2024. The line begins with a simple conceit: DC’s biggest icons are without the advantages they traditionally have. For example, Absolute Batman does not have his wealth to aid him, and instead has to rely on himself for his tech and gear. Likewise, Absolute Wonder Woman was raised not on Themyscira by Hippolyta, but in Hell by Circe. Without their wealth, or family life, DC’s icons took many different paths, but still became heroes.
Absolute Flashlooks at what happens when this legacy is not present.
For the Absolute version of the Flash,Lemire and Robles have removed one of the character’s key aspects: the legacy.As Snyder points out in the video, there are multiple Flashes: Jay, Barry and Wally foremost among them. These Flashes form a legacy, one that stretches from comics’ Golden Age until now. This legacy has perks: older speedsters, such as Jay and Barry, mentor younger ones, like Wally. The guidance these two gave Wally was instrumental in shaping him into the hero he is today.Absolute Flashlooks at what happens when this legacy is not present.
2024 Changed Flash’s Powers in a Way Unlike We’ve Ever Seen Before
In 2024, the Flash unlocked a power upgrade that’s elevated him to newfound heights, redefining the Fastest Man Alive’s abilities in a big way.
Two other characteristics define the Flash: the Speed Force and the Rogues, andthe character’s absolute incarnation will feature these as well, in new and exciting variations.Snyder mentioned the Absolute Universe has “just discovered” the Speed Force. One of the most powerful natural forces in the DC Universe, theSpeed Force is deep and replete with mysteriesthat elude the most experienced speedsters. The Flash’s Rogues gallery is one of the best in comics, andAbsolute Flashis taking the same approach to them as the titular hero.
DC is Taking A Massive Swing withAbsolute Flash
Between Its Bold New Take on Wally West and the Rogues,Absolute FlashWill Be a Delight For Fans
These exciting new developments will makeAbsolute Flashthe boldest take on the character in years. So much of what fans take for granted about the Flash, such as his extensive legacy, has been taken away. While removing the legacy may seem counterproductive and an insult to the character, DC’s other Absolute books have had major success with similar premises. While the Flash has undergone many changes in his 80-year-career,Absolute Flashmarks the biggest revamp of the character in years.AbsoluteFlashwill challenge fans with its daring take on this DC icon.
