The Flash’s Clever Trick To Protect His Secret Identity Revealed

Warning: Spoilers for The Flash #16 In the expansive DC Universe, maintaining a secret identity is a considerable challenge for many superheroes. However, the Flash has ingeniously managed to keep his identity under wraps. As Wally West now has a family to protect, he can’t risk exposing them to various villains seeking revenge or retribution. To navigate this dangerous aspect of his life, he has devised a clever strategy to mask their identities.

In the upcoming The Flash #16, crafted by Simon Spurrier, Vasco Georgiev, Matt Herms, and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, Wally and his family are enjoying a camping trip in the perilous territory of Skartaris. Their adventure is interrupted by the appearance of Weather Wizard, one of Flash’s most formidable adversaries. To shield his family from danger, the Flash creates matching masks for his wife and three children, effectively hiding their identities.

Utilizing his speedster abilities, Wally creates these masks powered by the same energy that generates his suit. This innovation allows his family to join in on his adventures without compromising their safety or risking their identities against potential threats.

Concealing His Family’s Identities Using the Speed Force

Wally West’s Unique Ability to Create Masks

Comic book art: Flash runs forward in his new costume (foreground); a full-body look at the costume, sparking lightning (background).

Wally’s costume has evolved over time, originally styled as a traditional outfit. However, in The Flash #131, written by Grant Morrison, Mark Millar, and Paul Ryan, he unlocked the ability to summon a suit powered by the Speed Force itself. This transformation allowed him to make his mask virtually indestructible—an asset that significantly enhances the security of his identity. When donned, the Speed Force costume’s mask is not removable unless Wally chooses to do so.

The creation of similar masks for his family ensures that their identities are safeguarded alongside his own. Even with Wally’s face hidden, his association with Linda Park-West and their children could easily identify him to enemies. The threat of exposure to villains like Weather Wizard reinforces the necessity for such protective measures, acknowledging that a villain discovering his loved ones’ identities could have dire consequences, as Wally has painfully learned in the past.

Protecting His Family Through Costume Innovations

The Dangers of Public Identity in Wally West’s Life

Flash Wally West Hugging Linda Park with Kids in Background

In earlier timelines, Wally West’s public persona did not come without its challenges. He and Linda Park were often in the spotlight, which made her a target for their enemies. Highlighted in The Flash #199 by Geoff Johns and Scott Kolins, Wally faced a heartbreaking lesson when Zoom brutally attacked Linda and caused the death of their unborn children, directly correlating with their lack of a secret identity. As a result, Wally took drastic measures to safeguard his family, including compelling the world to forget his identity.

From that moment on, the Flash has diligently worked to ensure that his family remains out of harm’s way. Wally’s recent use of masks for Linda and the kids exemplifies his unwavering commitment to their safety. The Flash #16 is set for release on December 25th, 2024, by DC Comics, continuing to showcase Wally’s growth as both a hero and a family man.

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