Wally West

From Kid Flash to the fastest man alive, Wally West proves that speed is more than just running—it is heart, will, and the courage to move forward when others cannot.

Wallace Rudolph "Wally" West is the original Kid Flash and the third Flash, widely recognized as the fastest man in the multiverse. Created by artist Carmine Infantino and writer John Broome, he first appeared in Flash #110 (1959) after a laboratory accident replicated the one that empowered Barry Allen. Initially serving as a teenage sidekick to his uncle-by-marriage, Barry, Wally was a founding member of the Teen Titans. Following Barry's sacrifice in Crisis on Infinite Earths in 1985, Wally assumed the mantle of The Flash in 1986, holding the role until 2009 and returning again in 2021. While generally depicted as a white man with red hair and green eyes, a biracial reinterpretation of Wally debuted in The Flash (vol. 4) #30 (2014), and the character known as Ace West is a separate cousin, not a renamed version of that New 52 Wally.

Quick Facts

Publisher

DC Comics

Debut

As Kid Flash:
The Flash #110 (December 1959)
As Flash:
Crisis on Infinite Earths #12 (March 1986)

Creators

John Broome (writer); Carmine Infantino (artist)

Full name

Wallace Rudolph West

Species

Metahuman

Alliances

Teen Titans
Young Justice
Justice League

Partners

Raven
The Flash
Green Lantern
Nightwing
Troia

Also known as

Kid Flash; The Flash

Lore & Background

Wally's journey began with a freak accident at the Central City police laboratory. While visiting Barry Allen, electrically charged chemicals bathed him, granting superhuman speed identical to his mentor's. He donned a smaller version of Barry's suit, becoming Kid Flash. Unlike Barry, who was an adult during his transformation, Wally was still developing, which led to a mysterious illness where using his powers caused his body to deteriorate. This condition persisted until the final battle against the Anti-Monitor in Crisis on Infinite Earths (1985–1986), where a blast of anti-matter energy cured him. Following Barry's death, Wally took on the Flash identity but initially struggled with limitations; he could only run faster than sound rather than light and required vast amounts of food to sustain his metabolism. In 1987, under writer Mike Baron, stories explored his fluctuating wealth, including winning a lottery and buying a mansion. By 1991, his costume was modified to feature a "V" belt design and metallic luster, inspired by live-action adaptations.

Reader's Guide

Fans should note that Wally West is the nephew of Iris West and was a founding member of the Teen Titans alongside Dick Grayson (then Robin). His visual evolution includes his original red suit, the yellow-and-red change in Flash #135 (1963), and the metallic luster modifications of 1991. In live-action media, Keiynan Lonsdale portrayed him in Arrowverse shows like The Flash and Legends of Tomorrow. Animation fans can find Michael Rosenbaum voicing both Kid Flash in Teen Titans and The Flash in Justice League, while Jason Spisak voiced Kid Flash in Young Justice and Josh Keaton provided the voice for the 2010 film Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths. Regarding his identity history, Wally's public status as Flash was erased by the Spectre due to trauma from fighting Zoom, a change implemented during Geoff Johns' run. His family life is central to his narrative; he married Linda Park and raised twins who aged rapidly, adding unique challenges to his heroics that differed significantly from Barry Allen's solitary path.

Did You Know?

Wally's speed was initially limited by a subconscious psychological block he placed on himself to avoid replacing Barry Allen, which was broken when Eobard Thawne posed as Barry.
Wally married Linda Park during Mark Waid's run on The Flash, an era that also introduced the Speed Force and gave him powers like stealing speed and super healing others.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Wally West?

Starting his career as Barry Allen's young partner, Wally West eventually took over the identity of The Flash after his mentor's disappearance. He serves as a core member of both the Justice League and the Teen Titans throughout his career.

What are Wally West's powers?

As a conduit for the Speed Force, he possesses superhuman velocity that often pushes beyond the limits set by those before him. His abilities extend to vibrating through objects, time travel, and transferring kinetic energy to others.