Kid Flash
The junior counterpart to The Flash, created in response to Robin's success.
Kid Flash is the name of several 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.
Quick Facts
- Publisher
- DC Comics
- Debut
- The Flash #110
- Characters
- Wally West
- Bart Allen
- Wallace "Ace" West
Lore & Background
Wally West first meets 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 remains a member in good standing of that team, though his participation limits his involvement in solo adventures considerably. At 18, Wally revealed his alter-ego to his parents Bob and Mary for the first time, chooses his university (Taggart), and confides to the Flash his intentions to retire from heroics upon graduation to live a normal life. Prior to his retirement, Wally leaves 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. He comes out of retirement to fight in Crisis on Infinite Earths, and is deeply impacted after Barry Allen sacrifices himself to save the multiverse. A blast from the Anti-Monitor reduces Wally's top speed to that of sound, but cures his metabolism. This, combined with the desire to honor his mentor and friend, causes Wally to discard his Kid Flash identity and adopt the name and costume of Flash.
Reader's Guide
The Wally West Kid Flash was first adapted for live action in the Arrowverse series of TV shows, portrayed by Keiynan Lonsdale. 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". The Wally West incarnation of Kid Flash appears in Teen Titans, voiced by Michael Rosenbaum. The Wally West incarnation of Kid Flash appears in The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure, voiced by Tommy Cook. The Wally West incarnation of Kid Flash appears in Batman: The Brave and the Bold, voiced by Hunter Parrish. The Wally West and Bart Allen incarnations of Kid Flash appear in Young Justice, voiced by Jason Spisak and Jason Marsden respectively.
Did You Know?
- Kid Flash was the first person, outside of Iris West, to whom the Flash revealed his secret identity, in The Flash #120 (May 1961).
- The Flash provided Wally's costume-storage ring with a special instant-dye spray so Wally could change his red hair to brown when in costume.
More in Titans & Villains
Elsewhere in Teen Titans
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced