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{{merge to|The Flash|discuss=Talk:Talk:The Flash#Merge proposal|date=September 2024}}
{{Short description|DC Comics character}}
{{Infobox comics set index <!--Misplaced Pages:WikiProject Comics--> {{Infobox comics set index <!--Misplaced Pages:WikiProject Comics-->
<!-- |code_name = Kid Lightning --> |code_name = Kid Flash
|image = Kid Flash (Wally West circa 1961).png |image = Kid Flash (Wally West circa 1961).png
⚫ |caption = Wally West as the first Kid Flash, as depicted in ''The Flash'' #110 (December 1959). Art by ].
|imagesize =
⚫ |caption = Wally West as the first Kid Flash, as he originally appeared during his debut, in ''The Flash'' vol. 2 #110 (May 1961). Art by ]
|publisher = ] |publisher = ]
|debut = '']'' (vol. 1) #110 |debut = '']'' #110
|debutmo = December |debutmo = December
|debutyr = 1959 |debutyr = 1959
|debutyr1 = 1996 |debutyr1 = 1996
|debutyr2 = <!-- Bart adopted the codename well after his introduction --> |debutyr2 = <!-- Bart adopted the codename well after his introduction -->
|writer1 = ]<br> (writer)<br>] (artist) |writer1 = ]<br /> (writer)<br />] (artist)
|characters = ]<br />]<br />]<br/>] |characters = ]<br />]<br />]<br />]
|seealso = ]<br>] |seealso = ]<br />]
|cat = |subcat = DC Comics |cat = |subcat = DC Comics
|hero = y |hero = y
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|sortkey = Kid Flash |sortkey = Kid Flash
}} }}
'''Kid Flash''' is the name of several ] appearing in ]s published by ], originally created by ] and ], as a junior counterpart to DC Comics ] ]. The first version of the character, ''']''', debuted in ''The Flash'' (vol. 1) #110 (1959).<ref name=Guide>{{cite book |last1=Cowsill |first1=Alan |last2=Irvine |first2=Alex |last3=Korte |first3=Steve |last4=Manning |first4=Matt |last5=Wiacek |first5=Win |last6=Wilson |first6=Sven |title=The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe |date=2016 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1-4654-5357-0 |page=166}}</ref> The character, along with others like the first ], ], and ], was created in response to the success of ]'s young sidekick ]. These young heroes would later be spun off into their own superhero team, the ]. As Kid Flash, Wally West made regular appearances in Flash related comic books and other DC Comics publications from 1959 through the mid-1980s until the character was reinvented as the new version of The Flash. '''Kid Flash''' is the name of several ] appearing in ]s published by ], originally created by ] and ], as a junior counterpart to DC Comics ] ]. The first version of the character, ''']''', debuted in ''The Flash'' #110 (1959).<ref name=Guide>{{cite book |last1=Cowsill |first1=Alan |last2=Irvine |first2=Alex |last3=Korte |first3=Steve |last4=Manning |first4=Matt |last5=Wiacek |first5=Win |last6=Wilson |first6=Sven |title=The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe |date=2016 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1-4654-5357-0 |page=166}}</ref> The character, along with others like the first ], ], and ], was created in response to the success of ]'s young sidekick ]. These young heroes would later be spun off into their own superhero team, the ]. As Kid Flash, Wally West made regular appearances in Flash related comic books and other DC Comics publications from 1959 through the mid-1980s until the character was reinvented as the new version of The Flash.


Later, well after Wally West had made a name for himself as the new Flash, the character of ''']''', grandson of the second Flash ], was brought into the past from his home in the future and served as the young hero ]. In 2003, with writer ]' relaunch of a new ''Young justice'' volume, Bart donned the mantle of Kid Flash after being nearly killed by the assassin ]. As Kid Flash, Bart appeared in ''Teen Titans'' and ''The Flash'' (vol. 2) regularly until the '']'' event, where a disappearance of Wally West made Bart the fourth Flash. Apparently killed by the ], Bart was resurrected in the 31st century by ] member ] and retook the mantle of Kid Flash. Following a ], DC introduced a new interpretation of Wally West as its latest Kid Flash in 2014, who was later established as being the original Wally's younger cousin ''']'''. Later, well after Wally West had made a name for himself as the new Flash, the character of ''']''', grandson of the Flash ], was brought into the past from his home in the future and served as the young hero ]. In 2003, with writer ]' relaunch of a new ''Teen Titans'' volume, Bart donned the mantle of Kid Flash after being nearly killed by the assassin ]. As Kid Flash, Bart appeared in ''Teen Titans'' and ''The Flash'' (vol. 2) regularly until the '']'' event, where he became the fourth Flash after Wally West's disappearance. Apparently killed by the ], Bart was resurrected in the 31st century by ] member ] and retook the mantle of Kid Flash. Following a ], DC introduced a new interpretation of Wally West as its latest Kid Flash in 2014, who was later established as being the original Wally's younger cousin ''']'''.


An amalgamation of Wally and Wallace West appears as the first live adaptation of Kid Flash in the ], played by ]. The Wally West Kid Flash was first adapted for live action in the ] series of TV shows, played by ].


==Fictional character biographies== ==Fictional character biographies==
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===Wally West=== ===Wally West===
{{main|Wally West}} {{main|Wally West}}
] in his second Kid Flash costume, in '']'' # 31 (May, 1983). Art by ].]] ] in his second Kid Flash costume, in '']'' # 31 (May 1983). Art by ].]]
Outside of Iris West, Kid Flash was the first person to whom Flash revealed the secret of his double-identity (''Flash'' #120, May, 1961). In that story, the two speedsters were inadvertently thrown 25 million years into the past, where they battled a race of golden humanoids. It was only the first of many time-trips for the pair, who teamed up next to try out Flash's Cosmic Treadmill.<ref>''Flash'' #125, Dec. 1961</ref> Outside of Iris West, Kid Flash was the first person to whom Flash revealed the secret of his double-identity (''The Flash'' #120 (May 1961)). In that story, the two speedsters were inadvertently thrown 25 million years into the past, where they battled a race of golden humanoids. It was only the first of many time-trips for the pair, who teamed up next to try out Flash's Cosmic Treadmill.<ref>''The Flash'' #125 (December 1961)</ref>


Shortly after meeting Flash's friend Elongated Man,<ref>''Flash'' #130, Aug. 1962</ref> Kid Flash received his own unique uniform.<ref>{{cite book |last=Wells |first=John |title=American Comic Book Chronicles: 1960-64 |date=2015 |publisher=TwoMorrows Publishing |isbn=978-1605490458 |page=125}}</ref> The Flash, who had been toying with a new design for Wally, was inspecting an alien mind over-matter machine when, in a burst of light, the new costume sprang from his mind and onto the body of his protégé.<ref>''Flash'' #135, Mar. 1963</ref> Since the new outfit exposed Wally's bright red hair, Flash provided his costume-storage ring with a special instant-dye spray with which he could easily change his hair color, as Wally, to brown.<ref>''Flash'' #138, June, 1963</ref> Shortly after meeting Flash's friend Elongated Man,<ref>''The Flash'' #130 (August 1962)</ref> Kid Flash received his own unique costume.<ref>{{cite book |last=Wells |first=John |title=American Comic Book Chronicles: 1960-64 |date=2015 |publisher=TwoMorrows Publishing |isbn=978-1605490458 |page=125}}</ref> The Flash, who had been toying with a new design for Wally, was inspecting an alien mind over-matter machine when, in a burst of light, the new costume sprang from his mind and onto the body of his protégé.<ref>''The Flash'' #135 (March 1963)</ref> Since the new outfit exposed Wally's bright red hair, Flash provided his costume-storage ring with a special instant-dye spray with which he could easily change his hair color, as Wally, to brown.<ref>''The Flash'' #138 (June 1963)</ref>


The boy speedster first met ] and ] in '']'' #54 (June–July, 1964), in an adventure that would predicate the formation of the ] shortly thereafter. Kid Flash remained a member in good standing of that team, though his participation limited his involvement in solo adventures considerably. At 18 Wally revealed his alter-ego to his parents Bob and Mary for the first time, chose his university (Taggart), and confided to the Flash his intentions to retire from superheroing upon graduation from college so that he might live a normal life. The boy speedster first met ] and ] in '']'' #54 (June–July 1964), in an adventure that would predicate the formation of the ] shortly thereafter. Kid Flash remained a member in good standing of that team, though his participation limited his involvement in solo adventures considerably. At 18 Wally revealed his alter-ego to his parents Bob and Mary for the first time, chose his university (Taggart), and confided to the Flash his intentions to retire from superheroing upon graduation from college so that he might live a normal life.


As it happened, he left his crime-fighting career behind even before that,<ref>''New Teen Titans'' #39, Feb. 1984</ref> when he retired from the third incarnation of the Teen Titans for personal reasons, including a desire to devote more time to studying, to his new girlfriend Frances Kane, and because, as a result of his changing metabolism, he was beginning to lose his powers. As it happened, he left his crime-fighting career behind even before that,<ref>''The New Teen Titans'' #39 (February 1984)</ref> when he retired from the third incarnation of the Teen Titans for personal reasons, including a desire to devote more time to studying, to his new girlfriend Frances Kane, and because, as a result of his changing metabolism, he was beginning to lose his powers.


Kid Flash came out of retirement to fight in the '']'', and was hit harder than anyone when the heroes found Flash's costume and ring and realized that their compatriot was dead. However, even though a blast from the Anti-Monitor reduced Wally's top speed to that of sound, it cured him of his metabolic malady. This, combined with the desire to honor his mentor and friend, caused Wally West to discard his Kid Flash identity and, instead, adopt the name and costume of Flash. However, after fully accepting that Barry was not returning, West removed a mental block, unlocking his true powers, making him faster than Barry Allen. He also acquired unique abilities such as sharing and stealing speed, and accessing the speed force itself, allowing time travel. When it was eventually discovered that Barry Allen was, in fact, alive, Wally took on his own version of the Flash costume, fighting alongside Barry Allen and his grandson, Bart Allen (Impulse or for a time Kid Flash). Kid Flash came out of retirement to fight in the '']'', and was hit harder than anyone when the heroes found Flash's costume and ring and realized that their compatriot was dead. However, even though a blast from the Anti-Monitor reduced Wally's top speed to that of sound, it cured him of his metabolic malady. This, combined with the desire to honor his mentor and friend, caused Wally West to discard his Kid Flash identity and, instead, adopt the name and costume of Flash. However, after fully accepting that Barry was not returning, West removed a mental block, unlocking his true powers, making him faster than Barry Allen. He also acquired unique abilities such as sharing and stealing speed, and accessing the speed force itself, allowing time travel. When it was eventually discovered that Barry Allen was, in fact, alive, Wally took on his own version of the Flash costume, fighting alongside Barry Allen and his grandson, Bart Allen (Impulse or for a time Kid Flash).
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{{main|Bart Allen}} {{main|Bart Allen}}
]|3|4|Dec, 2003}}Art by ].]] ]|3|4|Dec, 2003}}Art by ].]]
Bart, the child from the future known as the hero '''Impulse''', After ] disappeared in the timestream, Bart took up residence in ] with ], the original Flash, and Jay's wife Joan. Bart, the child from the future known as the hero '''Impulse'''. After ] disappeared in the timestream, Bart took up residence in ] with ], the original Flash, and Jay's wife Joan.


When a mysterious android from the future known as Indigo attacked the Titans and Young Justice, it resulted in the apparent deaths of ] and Omen. At Donna's funeral, ] disbanded the Titans. The members of Young Justice, especially ], felt responsible for the tragic deaths.<ref>''Titans/Young Justice: Graduation Day'' #1-3, 2003</ref> This led Wonder Girl, Robin, Impulse and Superboy to form a new group of Teen Titans under the guidance of the more experienced ], ] and ].<ref>''Teen Titans'' (vol. 3) #1, July 2003</ref> Despite Wally West's misgivings, Bart accepted an invitation to join the new Teen Titans.<ref>''Teen Titans'' (vol. 3) #6, December 2003</ref> When a mysterious android from the future known as Indigo attacked the Titans and Young Justice, it resulted in the apparent deaths of ] and Omen. At Donna's funeral, ] disbanded the Titans. The members of Young Justice, especially ], felt responsible for the tragic deaths.<ref>''Titans/Young Justice: Graduation Day'' #1-3 (2003)</ref> This led Wonder Girl, Robin, Impulse and Superboy to form a new group of Teen Titans under the guidance of the more experienced ], ] and ].<ref>''Teen Titans'' (vol. 3) #1 (July 2003)</ref> Despite Wally West's misgivings, Bart accepted an invitation to join the new Teen Titans.<ref>''Teen Titans'' (vol. 3) #6 (December 2003)</ref>


Bart was later injured when ] put a shotgun to his leg. Thankfully, his accelerated healing enabled a handful of surgeons to replace his kneecap with an artificial one, and Bart was back on his feet in a matter of hours, but the effects of this encounter were much more than physical. Feeling unsure and tired of being underestimated, Bart went to the local public library and read every single book in the building. He retained that knowledge and balanced it with lack of experience. With a renewed sense of confidence, Bart left his impulsive rep behind and returned to the team as Kid Flash.<ref>''Teen Titans'' (vol. 3) #4, October 2003</ref> Bart was later injured when ] put a shotgun to his leg. Thankfully, his accelerated healing enabled a handful of surgeons to replace his kneecap with an artificial one, and Bart was back on his feet in a matter of hours, but the effects of this encounter were much more than physical. Feeling unsure and tired of being underestimated, Bart went to the local public library and read every single book in the building. He retained that knowledge and balanced it with lack of experience. With a renewed sense of confidence, Bart left his impulsive rep behind and returned to the team as Kid Flash.<ref>''Teen Titans'' (vol. 3) #4 (October 2003)</ref>


When ] ran amok during the '']'', Kid Flash and the super-speedsters raced to stop his rampage. While running to subdue the deranged Teen of Steel, Wally West disappeared in a burst of lightning (later to return). Meanwhile, the speedsters' combined might defeated Superboy-Prime, but severed their connection to the Speed Force in the process. Bart returned to warn the heroes of Superboy-Prime's escape. But while mere moments had passed in the present, Bart returned from his time-bending journey four years older. Bart handed his grandfather's costume to Jay Garrick, claiming he used up all his speed powers during the final battle.<ref>''Infinite Crisis'' #7, May 2006</ref> When ] ran amok during the '']'', Kid Flash and the super-speedsters raced to stop his rampage. While running to subdue the deranged Teen of Steel, Wally West disappeared in a burst of lightning (later to return). Meanwhile, the speedsters' combined might defeated Superboy-Prime, but severed their connection to the Speed Force in the process. Bart returned to warn the heroes of Superboy-Prime's escape. But while mere moments had passed in the present, Bart returned from his time-bending journey four years older. Bart handed his grandfather's costume to Jay Garrick, claiming he used up all his speed powers during the final battle.<ref>''Infinite Crisis'' #7 (May 2006)</ref>


Bart still had his powers, but faced with the guilt over Superboy-Prime's escape, he initially decided to retire his costume. He took a job as a factory worker in Keystone City, but soon realized he must use his abilities to protect innocents. Although Bart found new challenges in harnessing the speed force, he accepted his destiny as the latest Flash in the Allen family tradition. In his efforts to tame the speed force inside him, Bart turned to S.T.A.R. Labs intern, Valerie Perez, and their relationship quickly blossomed into a full-blown romance.<ref>''The Flash: The Fastest Man Alive'' #1, June 2006</ref> Bart still had his powers, but faced with the guilt over Superboy-Prime's escape, he initially decided to retire his costume. He took a job as a factory worker in Keystone City, but soon realized he must use his abilities to protect innocents. Although Bart found new challenges in harnessing the speed force, he accepted his destiny as the latest Flash in the Allen family tradition. In his efforts to tame the speed force inside him, Bart turned to S.T.A.R. Labs intern, Valerie Perez, and their relationship quickly blossomed into a full-blown romance.<ref>''The Flash: The Fastest Man Alive'' #1 (June 2006)</ref>


Once accepting the mantle of the Flash, Bart moved to ] and enrolled in the Police Academy. Robin asked him to join the Titans but Bart declined, saying he'd rather work towards membership in the ]. Shortly after resuming the mantle, Iris Allen warned Bart that if he fought the newly formed league of Rogues, he would not survive. ], in a plan to steal the speed force energy for himself, manipulated the ] into battle with Bart. As a depowered Bart fought valiantly against the combined might of the Rogues, he saw the spectre of the ], and died as Iris Allen and Valerie Perez were left to mourn him.<ref>''The Flash: The Fastest Man Alive'' #13, July 2007</ref> Once accepting the mantle of the Flash, Bart moved to ] and enrolled in the Police Academy. Robin asked him to join the Titans but Bart declined, saying he'd rather work towards membership in the ]. Shortly after resuming the mantle, Iris Allen warned Bart that if he fought the newly formed league of Rogues, he would not survive. ], in a plan to steal the speed force energy for himself, manipulated the ] into battle with Bart. As a depowered Bart fought valiantly against the combined might of the Rogues, he saw the spectre of the ], and died as Iris Allen and Valerie Perez were left to mourn him.<ref>''The Flash: The Fastest Man Alive'' #13 (July 2007)</ref>


Later on New Earth, during the '']'' story line, ] was called to the thirty-first century to assist the ] in fending off Superboy-Prime, who was thrown to the future in the aftermath of the destruction of Earth-51 and the '']''. Prime, raging about his minor place in history as a Superman rival, released the entire ] from the prison planet Takron-Galtos and waged war on Earth and the Legion. In response to this, Brainiac 5 summoned the Legions of Three Worlds (alternate earths) to combat Prime's forces. Revealing that the Legion had captured "living lightning" in the Legion's last trip to present Earth in '']'', Brainiac 5 had Legionnaire ] run on the cosmic treadmill while the three ]s activated the "lightning rod" to release the living lightning. Although he tried to stop them, Superboy-Prime was unable to stop the lightning from being unleashed. A fully formed alive-and-well Bart Allen, in his Kid Flash uniform, appeared before him.<ref>'']'' #3, Feb. 2009</ref> Later on New Earth, during the '']'' story line, ] was called to the thirty-first century to assist the ] in fending off Superboy-Prime, who was thrown to the future in the aftermath of the destruction of Earth-51 and the '']''. Prime, raging about his minor place in history as a Superman rival, released the entire ] from the prison planet Takron-Galtos and waged war on Earth and the Legion. In response to this, Brainiac 5 summoned the Legions of Three Worlds (alternate earths) to combat Prime's forces. Revealing that the Legion had captured "living lightning" in the Legion's last trip to present Earth in '']'', Brainiac 5 had Legionnaire ] run on the cosmic treadmill while the three ]s activated the "lightning rod" to release the living lightning. Although he tried to stop them, Superboy-Prime was unable to stop the lightning from being unleashed. A fully formed alive-and-well Bart Allen, in his Kid Flash uniform, appeared before him.<ref>'']'' #3 (February 2009)</ref>


When the New 52 universe began, the Kid Flash working with the Titans was known as Bart Allen. He ended up with a different backstory, and eventually was written out of the storyline. He was later replaced as Kid Flash by Wally's cousin, Wallace West. When the New 52 universe began, the Kid Flash working with the Titans was known as Bart Allen. He ended up with a different backstory, and eventually was written out of the storyline. He was later replaced as Kid Flash by Wally's cousin, Wallace West.


=== Wallace West === === Wallace West ===
{{main|Wallace West (character)}} {{main|Ace West}}

Wallace West is the third Kid Flash of the main DC Comics Universe. He first appeared in ''The Flash Annual'' (Vol. 4) #3. He is the son of the fifth Reverse Flash, ], and cousin of the first Kid Flash and third Flash, Wally West. Originally intended as a reinterpretation of Wally for the New 52, he was established as a separate character in ]. Wallace "Ace" West is the third Kid Flash of the main DC Comics Universe. He first appeared in ''The Flash'' (Vol. 4) Annual #3. He is the son of the fifth Reverse Flash, ], and cousin of the first Kid Flash and third Flash, Wally West. Originally intended as a reinterpretation of Wally for the New 52, he was established as a separate character in ].


==In other media== ==In other media==
{{See also|Wally West#In other media|Bart Allen#In other media|Wallace West (character)#In other media}}
===Television=== ===Television===
* The Wally West incarnation of Kid Flash appears in '']'', voiced by Tommy Cook.
====Animation====
* The Wally West incarnation of Kid Flash appears in '']'', voiced by ].<ref name="btva">{{cite web |title=Kid Flash Voices (Flash) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Flash/Kid-Flash/ |access-date=April 3, 2024 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.</ref>
* Wally West appears as Kid Flash in '']'', in the segments "Take a Giant Step" and "To Catch a Blue Bolt"; the latter shows Barry Allen and Wally changing into their Flash and Kid Flash uniforms using their rings. Wally's appearance differs from his comic book counterpart. He has black hair, and the red and yellow color scheme of his second costume is reversed, as well as simplified to put him in trunks.
* Both Wally West and Bart Allen appear as Kid Flash in ]. Wally West is voiced by ] and Jason Marsden reprises his role as Barry Allen. * The Wally West incarnation of Kid Flash appears in the '']'' episode "Requiem for a Scarlet Speedster!", voiced by ].<ref name="btva" />
* The Wally West and Bart Allen incarnations of Kid Flash appear in '']'', voiced by ] and ] respectively.<ref name="btva" /><ref name="btva2">{{cite web |title=Kid Flash / Bart Allen Voice - Young Justice (TV Show) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/tv-shows/Young-Justice/Kid-Flash-Bart-Allen/ |access-date=April 3, 2024 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.</ref>
* Barry Allen appears as Kid Flash in an episode of '']'', voiced by ]. He joins the other superheroes in a musical number that asks Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman about being called "Super Friends." His part involved telling them that they would prove their worth if they sit through '']'' with him.
* Wally West as Kid Flash appears in ], with Michael Rosenbaum reprising his role. * The Bart Allen incarnation of Kid Flash appears in the '']'' episode "That's What Super Friends Are For", voiced again by Jason Marsden.
* Wally West as Kid Flash appears in an episode of ] titled "Multiple Trick Pony", voiced by ]. * The Wally West incarnation of Kid Flash appears in '']'', voiced by ].<ref name="btva" />
* Wally West as Kid Flash appears as a non-voiced cameo in a ''DC Super Friends'' short. * The Wally West incarnation of Kid Flash appears as a non-speaking cameo in '']''.
* The Wally West incarnation of Kid Flash appears in the '']'' episode "Bring a Sidekick to Work Day", voiced by ].


====Live-action==== ====Arrowverse====
{{Main|Wally West (Arrowverse)}}
* '''Wallace F. "Wally" West''' appears as a main character in ] series '']'', played by ]. Introduced in season two, he is an amalgamation of Wally and Wallace West and is ]'s younger brother (instead of nephew) and ]'s son. Wally becomes ] in season three when he gains metahuman powers,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2016/07/12/wally-west-kid-flash-photo-the-flash-season-3-spoilers/|title=The Flash First Look: Meet Kid Flash!|publisher=TV Line|last=Gelman|first=Vlada|date=July 12, 2016}}</ref> and leaves Team Flash to forge his own identity in season four to join the Legends of Tomorrow in the series of ] as a series regular in season three.<ref>http://www.tvguide.com/news/legends-of-tomorrow-keiynan-lonsdale-series-regular-the-flash/</ref> The character also appears in season three of '']'' during the crossover event "]."
A character based on Wally and Wallace West named '''Wallace F. "Wally" West''' appears in media set in the ], portrayed by ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2016/07/12/wally-west-kid-flash-photo-the-flash-season-3-spoilers/|title=The Flash First Look: Meet Kid Flash!|publisher=TV Line|last=Gelman|first=Vlada|date=July 12, 2016|access-date=May 13, 2019|archive-date=July 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160713155453/https://tvline.com/2016/07/12/wally-west-kid-flash-photo-the-flash-season-3-spoilers/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Introduced in and primarily appearing in '']'', he also appears in the ] of '']''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tvguide.com/news/legends-of-tomorrow-keiynan-lonsdale-series-regular-the-flash/ |title = Legends of Tomorrow Adds The Flash Star Keiynan Lonsdale as Series Regular - TV Guide}}</ref> and the crossover "]".


===Film=== ===Film===
* Kid Flash appears in a flashback in '']'', voiced by ].<ref name="btva" /> While the character is unidentified in the film, producer James Tucker stated on Twitter that he is a young ], who previously worked with the Teen Titans.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 28, 2023 |title=Crazy ass moments in DC history 🏳️‍🌈 on Twitter: "In "Teen Titans: The Judas Contract" (2017), there's a flashback introducing the DCAMU's original Teen Titans, including a Kid Flash. Producer James Tucker said that Kid Flash is meant to be a young Barry Allen." |url=https://twitter.com/DC_moments/status/1652005408507084803 |access-date=April 3, 2024 |website=Twitter}}</ref>
* Wally West as Kid Flash makes a brief appearance in '']'' at the end of the film, during U.S. President ]'s speech.
* The Wallace West incarnation of Kid Flash appears in '']''.
* A young Barry Allen as Kid Flash appears in '']'', with Jason Spisak reprising his role from ''Young Justice''. Along with ] and ], he is seen in a flashback of how the Teen Titans first met ].
* The Wally West incarnation of Kid Flash makes a non-speaking appearance in '']''.
*Though never referred by name, Wallace West debuts in '']'' as a member of the Teen Titans.


===Video games=== ===Video games===
* Wally West as Kid Flash appears as a playable character in '']''. He is voiced by ]. * The Wally West incarnation of Kid Flash appears as a playable character in '']'', voiced again by Jason Spisak.<ref name="btva" />
* The Wally West and Bart Allen incarnations of Kid Flash appear as character summons in '']''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eisen |first=Andrew |date=October 4, 2013 |title=DC Characters and Objects - Scribblenauts Unmasked Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/scribblenauts-unmasked/DC_Characters_and_Objects |access-date=April 3, 2024 |website=IGN}}</ref>
* Bart Allen as Kid Flash appears as an unlockable playable character in '']''. The player can unlock him in the ]. * The Bart Allen incarnation of Kid Flash appears as an unlockable playable character in '']''.
* Wallace West as Kid Flash made his video game debut as a playable character in '']'', voiced by Jason Linere White.<ref></ref> Wally West as Kid Flash also appears in the ''Young Justice'' DLC pack.
* The Wallace West incarnation of Kid Flash makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in the ]'s ending in '']''.
* The Wallace and Wally West incarnations of Kid Flash appear as playable characters in '']'', voiced by Jason Linere White.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo_q4obDykv/ | title=Jason Linere White on Instagram: "I am so excited and honored to finally be able to share with everyone, that I play/Voice the "Kid Flash" aka, Wally West in Warner Bros. Latest Lego DC Super Villains game! The ensemble cast is huge. Starring Mark Hamill, Gina Torres, Tara Strong, Fred Tatasciore, JB Blanc, David Sobolov, Cree Summer, and Clancy Brown, just to name a few. You can play through the entire game as the Kid Flash, after you unlock him, and then and beat him in a Boss Battle. This game is a lot of fun for everyone of all ages, and the Lego Team did a fantastic job! Thank you. #kidflash #dccomics #lego #legosupervillains #warnerbros #videogamegoals #voiceactor #cesdtalent #irunfast #jasonandthevoxernauts" }}</ref><ref name="btva" />

===Miscellaneous===
The Bart Allen incarnation of Kid Flash appears in the '']'' prequel comic.


==References== ==References==
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{{Teen Titans}} {{Teen Titans}}


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Latest revision as of 22:00, 3 December 2024

It has been suggested that this article be merged into The Flash. (]) Proposed since September 2024.
DC Comics character
Kid Flash
Wally West as the first Kid Flash, as depicted in The Flash #110 (December 1959). Art by Carmine Infantino.
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceThe Flash #110 (December 1959)
Created byJohn Broome
(writer)
Carmine Infantino (artist)
CharactersWally West
Iris West
Bart Allen
Wallace "Ace" West
See alsoFlash
Impulse (DC Comics)

Kid Flash is the name of several fictional superheroes appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, originally created by John Broome and Carmine Infantino, as a junior counterpart to DC Comics superhero The Flash. The first version of the character, Wally West, debuted in The Flash #110 (1959). The character, along with others like the first Wonder Girl, Aqualad, and Speedy, was created in response to the success of Batman's young sidekick Robin. These young heroes would later be spun off into their own superhero team, the Teen Titans. As Kid Flash, Wally West made regular appearances in Flash related comic books and other DC Comics publications from 1959 through the mid-1980s until the character was reinvented as the new version of The Flash.

Later, well after Wally West had made a name for himself as the new Flash, the character of Bart Allen, grandson of the Flash Barry Allen, was brought into the past from his home in the future and served as the young hero Impulse. In 2003, with writer Geoff Johns' relaunch of a new Teen Titans volume, Bart donned the mantle of Kid Flash after being nearly killed by the assassin Deathstroke. As Kid Flash, Bart appeared in Teen Titans and The Flash (vol. 2) regularly until the Infinite Crisis event, where he became the fourth Flash after Wally West's disappearance. Apparently killed by the Rogues, Bart was resurrected in the 31st century by Legion of Super-Heroes member Brainiac 5 and retook the mantle of Kid Flash. Following a 2011 reboot, DC introduced a new interpretation of Wally West as its latest Kid Flash in 2014, who was later established as being the original Wally's younger cousin Wallace "Ace" West.

The Wally West Kid Flash was first adapted for live action in the Arrowverse series of TV shows, played by Keiynan Lonsdale.

Fictional character biographies

Wally West

Main article: Wally West
Wally West in his second Kid Flash costume, in The New Teen Titans # 31 (May 1983). Art by George Pérez.

Outside of Iris West, Kid Flash was the first person to whom Flash revealed the secret of his double-identity (The Flash #120 (May 1961)). In that story, the two speedsters were inadvertently thrown 25 million years into the past, where they battled a race of golden humanoids. It was only the first of many time-trips for the pair, who teamed up next to try out Flash's Cosmic Treadmill.

Shortly after meeting Flash's friend Elongated Man, Kid Flash received his own unique costume. The Flash, who had been toying with a new design for Wally, was inspecting an alien mind over-matter machine when, in a burst of light, the new costume sprang from his mind and onto the body of his protégé. Since the new outfit exposed Wally's bright red hair, Flash provided his costume-storage ring with a special instant-dye spray with which he could easily change his hair color, as Wally, to brown.

The boy speedster first met Robin and Aqualad in The Brave and the Bold #54 (June–July 1964), in an adventure that would predicate the formation of the Teen Titans shortly thereafter. Kid Flash remained a member in good standing of that team, though his participation limited his involvement in solo adventures considerably. At 18 Wally revealed his alter-ego to his parents Bob and Mary for the first time, chose his university (Taggart), and confided to the Flash his intentions to retire from superheroing upon graduation from college so that he might live a normal life.

As it happened, he left his crime-fighting career behind even before that, when he retired from the third incarnation of the Teen Titans for personal reasons, including a desire to devote more time to studying, to his new girlfriend Frances Kane, and because, as a result of his changing metabolism, he was beginning to lose his powers.

Kid Flash came out of retirement to fight in the Crisis on Infinite Earths, and was hit harder than anyone when the heroes found Flash's costume and ring and realized that their compatriot was dead. However, even though a blast from the Anti-Monitor reduced Wally's top speed to that of sound, it cured him of his metabolic malady. This, combined with the desire to honor his mentor and friend, caused Wally West to discard his Kid Flash identity and, instead, adopt the name and costume of Flash. However, after fully accepting that Barry was not returning, West removed a mental block, unlocking his true powers, making him faster than Barry Allen. He also acquired unique abilities such as sharing and stealing speed, and accessing the speed force itself, allowing time travel. When it was eventually discovered that Barry Allen was, in fact, alive, Wally took on his own version of the Flash costume, fighting alongside Barry Allen and his grandson, Bart Allen (Impulse or for a time Kid Flash).

Bart Allen

Main article: Bart Allen
Bart as Kid Flash. Interior artwork from Teen Titans vol. 3, 4 (Dec, 2003) Art by Mike McKone.

Bart, the child from the future known as the hero Impulse. After Max Mercury disappeared in the timestream, Bart took up residence in Keystone City with Jay Garrick, the original Flash, and Jay's wife Joan.

When a mysterious android from the future known as Indigo attacked the Titans and Young Justice, it resulted in the apparent deaths of Donna Troy and Omen. At Donna's funeral, Nightwing disbanded the Titans. The members of Young Justice, especially Wonder Girl, felt responsible for the tragic deaths. This led Wonder Girl, Robin, Impulse and Superboy to form a new group of Teen Titans under the guidance of the more experienced Cyborg, Starfire and Beast Boy. Despite Wally West's misgivings, Bart accepted an invitation to join the new Teen Titans.

Bart was later injured when Deathstroke put a shotgun to his leg. Thankfully, his accelerated healing enabled a handful of surgeons to replace his kneecap with an artificial one, and Bart was back on his feet in a matter of hours, but the effects of this encounter were much more than physical. Feeling unsure and tired of being underestimated, Bart went to the local public library and read every single book in the building. He retained that knowledge and balanced it with lack of experience. With a renewed sense of confidence, Bart left his impulsive rep behind and returned to the team as Kid Flash.

When Superboy-Prime ran amok during the Infinite Crisis, Kid Flash and the super-speedsters raced to stop his rampage. While running to subdue the deranged Teen of Steel, Wally West disappeared in a burst of lightning (later to return). Meanwhile, the speedsters' combined might defeated Superboy-Prime, but severed their connection to the Speed Force in the process. Bart returned to warn the heroes of Superboy-Prime's escape. But while mere moments had passed in the present, Bart returned from his time-bending journey four years older. Bart handed his grandfather's costume to Jay Garrick, claiming he used up all his speed powers during the final battle.

Bart still had his powers, but faced with the guilt over Superboy-Prime's escape, he initially decided to retire his costume. He took a job as a factory worker in Keystone City, but soon realized he must use his abilities to protect innocents. Although Bart found new challenges in harnessing the speed force, he accepted his destiny as the latest Flash in the Allen family tradition. In his efforts to tame the speed force inside him, Bart turned to S.T.A.R. Labs intern, Valerie Perez, and their relationship quickly blossomed into a full-blown romance.

Once accepting the mantle of the Flash, Bart moved to Los Angeles, California and enrolled in the Police Academy. Robin asked him to join the Titans but Bart declined, saying he'd rather work towards membership in the Justice League of America. Shortly after resuming the mantle, Iris Allen warned Bart that if he fought the newly formed league of Rogues, he would not survive. Inertia, in a plan to steal the speed force energy for himself, manipulated the Rogues into battle with Bart. As a depowered Bart fought valiantly against the combined might of the Rogues, he saw the spectre of the Black Flash, and died as Iris Allen and Valerie Perez were left to mourn him.

Later on New Earth, during the Final Crisis story line, Superman was called to the thirty-first century to assist the Legion of Super-Heroes in fending off Superboy-Prime, who was thrown to the future in the aftermath of the destruction of Earth-51 and the Sinestro Corps War. Prime, raging about his minor place in history as a Superman rival, released the entire Legion of Super-Villains from the prison planet Takron-Galtos and waged war on Earth and the Legion. In response to this, Brainiac 5 summoned the Legions of Three Worlds (alternate earths) to combat Prime's forces. Revealing that the Legion had captured "living lightning" in the Legion's last trip to present Earth in The Lightning Saga, Brainiac 5 had Legionnaire XS run on the cosmic treadmill while the three Lightning Lads activated the "lightning rod" to release the living lightning. Although he tried to stop them, Superboy-Prime was unable to stop the lightning from being unleashed. A fully formed alive-and-well Bart Allen, in his Kid Flash uniform, appeared before him.

When the New 52 universe began, the Kid Flash working with the Titans was known as Bart Allen. He ended up with a different backstory, and eventually was written out of the storyline. He was later replaced as Kid Flash by Wally's cousin, Wallace West.

Wallace West

Main article: Ace West

Wallace "Ace" West is the third Kid Flash of the main DC Comics Universe. He first appeared in The Flash (Vol. 4) Annual #3. He is the son of the fifth Reverse Flash, Daniel West, and cousin of the first Kid Flash and third Flash, Wally West. Originally intended as a reinterpretation of Wally for the New 52, he was established as a separate character in DC Rebirth.

In other media

See also: Wally West § In other media, Bart Allen § In other media, and Wallace West (character) § In other media

Television

Arrowverse

Main article: Wally West (Arrowverse)

A character based on Wally and Wallace West named Wallace F. "Wally" West appears in media set in the Arrowverse, portrayed by Keiynan Lonsdale. Introduced in and primarily appearing in The Flash, he also appears in the third season of Legends of Tomorrow and the crossover "Crisis on Earth-X".

Film

Video games

Miscellaneous

The Bart Allen incarnation of Kid Flash appears in the Injustice: Gods Among Us prequel comic.

References

  1. Cowsill, Alan; Irvine, Alex; Korte, Steve; Manning, Matt; Wiacek, Win; Wilson, Sven (2016). The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe. DK Publishing. p. 166. ISBN 978-1-4654-5357-0.
  2. The Flash #125 (December 1961)
  3. The Flash #130 (August 1962)
  4. Wells, John (2015). American Comic Book Chronicles: 1960-64. TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 125. ISBN 978-1605490458.
  5. The Flash #135 (March 1963)
  6. The Flash #138 (June 1963)
  7. The New Teen Titans #39 (February 1984)
  8. Titans/Young Justice: Graduation Day #1-3 (2003)
  9. Teen Titans (vol. 3) #1 (July 2003)
  10. Teen Titans (vol. 3) #6 (December 2003)
  11. Teen Titans (vol. 3) #4 (October 2003)
  12. Infinite Crisis #7 (May 2006)
  13. The Flash: The Fastest Man Alive #1 (June 2006)
  14. The Flash: The Fastest Man Alive #13 (July 2007)
  15. Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds #3 (February 2009)
  16. ^ "Kid Flash Voices (Flash)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved April 3, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  17. "Kid Flash / Bart Allen Voice - Young Justice (TV Show)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved April 3, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  18. Gelman, Vlada (July 12, 2016). "The Flash First Look: Meet Kid Flash!". TV Line. Archived from the original on July 13, 2016. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  19. "Legends of Tomorrow Adds The Flash Star Keiynan Lonsdale as Series Regular - TV Guide".
  20. "Crazy ass moments in DC history 🏳️‍🌈 on Twitter: "In "Teen Titans: The Judas Contract" (2017), there's a flashback introducing the DCAMU's original Teen Titans, including a Kid Flash. Producer James Tucker said that Kid Flash is meant to be a young Barry Allen."". Twitter. April 28, 2023. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  21. Eisen, Andrew (October 4, 2013). "DC Characters and Objects - Scribblenauts Unmasked Guide". IGN. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  22. "Jason Linere White on Instagram: "I am so excited and honored to finally be able to share with everyone, that I play/Voice the "Kid Flash" aka, Wally West in Warner Bros. Latest Lego DC Super Villains game! The ensemble cast is huge. Starring Mark Hamill, Gina Torres, Tara Strong, Fred Tatasciore, JB Blanc, David Sobolov, Cree Summer, and Clancy Brown, just to name a few. You can play through the entire game as the Kid Flash, after you unlock him, and then and beat him in a Boss Battle. This game is a lot of fun for everyone of all ages, and the Lego Team did a fantastic job! Thank you. #kidflash #dccomics #lego #legosupervillains #warnerbros #videogamegoals #voiceactor #cesdtalent #irunfast #jasonandthevoxernauts"".

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