Art by Ethan Van Sciver
April Fool's day sees the release of a book Barry Allen fans are grateful isn't a prank, Flash: Rebirth #1. Many readers view this mini series as the return of the iconic Flash. He wasn't the first speedster but became the character identified with the role similar to Johnny Storm being the one and only Human Torch to fans even though he wasn't the original.
Superhero legacies have never been a personal favorite part of comics. To me, it takes a unique character and turns them into something more along the lines of a cop or fireman. The role becomes more about the costume and powers, because the person using them can be written out for someone else to get the job done.
I know other readers are able to keep going with a title once the main character's been replaced, but it's usually a deal-breaker for me. It's why I'll be taking a break from the Bat books until Bruce Wayne returns. When the character I follow the book for is gone, so is this reader.
My first taste of legacies was the Green Lantern debacle. Of all times to give that book a first try, I blindly stumbled into the middle of Hal Jordan going insane and being traded out for Kyle Rayner. The situation only became compounded years later by John Stewart as the animated Justice League's GL. Never really did form a loyalty to anyone as GL or continue with the comic, but that's also partly due to street level heroes being more to my liking.
Wally West was Flash when I gave that book a shot, but the legacy situation always left a nagging impression that the character was never going to stand equally with Clark Kent or Bruce Wayne. Combined with knowing Barry Allen was a CSI superhero (yes, I watch the CBS drama), I had more interest in seeing his return. Seeing him written in the modern era and someday team with the world's greatest detective is something I can't wait for.
Comments
I have to say, I'm bummed about Wally being displaced. He's admirably carried the torch for so many years now. I know Barry Allen is the "classic" character, but he died. He's been dead. Wally West is the flash. Bart Allen as Flash was lame, but thankfully that ended quickly. I'm also probably among the few who liked Kyle Rayner. Nothing against Hal, but Kyle (like Wally) had to prove himself from day one. I liked that I was in on his story from the beginning. Ditto Wally. I find rehashing characters that have been out of circulation for more than ten years to be tiresome.
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