Faster Than Anyone

Warning Spoilers for Justice League Of America #10 and Flash #13

There are things in life that you expect to remain constant. Not so much in comics. Take for example a few of the things that were considered "constants" ten years ago. Batman's second partner, Jason Todd, was beaten to death by the Joker. Hal Jordan betrayed the Corps and killed Lanterns, leaving Kyle Rayner the sole Green Lantern. Books like Justice League and Titans were only for characters who couldn't hold their own books. If you asked ten people, you would get ten different answers as to who Hawkman was. Superman was never a member of the Legion. And Barry Allen died saving the universe, making Wally West the Fastest Man Alive.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Last week announced that Mark Waid and Daniel Acuna (Yeah!) will be taking over duties on The Flash. But, instead of taking over the current run, which was going to end, they would restart the old Flash series with number 231. But why would they do that, unless....? Now this week brings everything into focus. Not only did we see the death of one Flash (Booo!), but the return of some old friends. I must admit Mister Johns and Mister Meltzer had me completely fooled. Like most I assumed that they were bringing back Lightning Lad from LSH, but I guess that was the idea. Personally I'm glad. While Bart had always been a favorite character, Wally West IS the Flash. And really, how much would I care if it had been Lighting Lad? Sure, it still would have been a good story, but they aren't in any books right now. Even the current Legion of Super-Heroes is about a different Legion. There is a great interview over at Newsarama with Geoff Johns and Brad Meltzer if you want to hear some more about it, and you can see what Karate Kid said right before the lightning hit. It's so cool.

While I may be happy that Wally West is back, I am not so happy about the idea to kill Bart. What's the point really? If he had just be rendered powerless that would have been fine. Or how about we try the idea that Bart had been maintaining a vibrational speed attuned to the present, and without it he was returning to his own time period in the 31st century? I'm sure it still exists, there is a multiverse after all.

But the thing I really can't wait to see is how all this affects Tim Drake. What am I talking about? Think about it. Every one that Tim has gotten close to over the years is gone. His mother a few years ago, his girlfriend Stephanie, his father, his best friend Conner, potential new GF Darla Aquista, and everyone he met in Bludhaven were all killed within what must have been a few short months. Now another of his three oldest friends is dead. On top of that, the dead guy he replaced is alive again. And of course there's "big brother" Nightwing, who's friends die, but always seem to come back somehow. Oh sure, we may not have seen Garth around for a little bit, but does a one of you think he's actually dead, or even dead for good if he is dead? I'm just saying, if there is one character due for a bit of a psychotic break, it's Robin.

-b