In a new look at DC's entire reality warped by Darkseid's evil - a place where heroes are stripped of any advantage they possess in DC's mainstream and challenged by villains who have never been stronger.
Absolute Flash is coming March 5, 2025, from DC comics, written by Jeff Lemire and drawn by Nick Robles. In a new preview shared by DC, fans get their first look at this world's version of the Rogues - a crew of technology-based thieves who have fought every version of the Fastest Man Alive. However, in the Absolute Universe, it look like the Rogues won't be criminals, but rather enforcers of this world's dark new status quo.
Robles' art shows the Rogues leaving a large vehicle, with new versions of Captain Cold and Captain Boomerang, as well as what appear to be wild new takes on Golden Glider and the Trickster. The designs of these villains and the way they're presented make it look as if far from being on the wrong side of the law, the Rogues may be what es for superheroes in Darkseid's world.
Speaking at DC's All In/Absolute Universes , editor Chris Conroy nicknamed this debonair new version of Captain Cold "Hot Cold."
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Absolute Flash Is Reinventing the Rogues
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While the Reverse-Flash is Flash's most famous nemesis, the Rogues are arguably far more interesting characters, with multiple runs treating the group as ing characters to Flash's adventures. Usually led by Captain Cold, there have been many versions of the Rogues, but the core are the pyromaniac Heat Wave, Suicide Squad mainstay Captain Boomerang, prank-themed psychopath the Trickster, volatile atmosphere-manipulator the Weather Wizard, and the brutal former assassin Mirror Master, with Cold's sister Golden Glider acting as a sometime member.
The Rogues are often touted as one of the most unique elements of Flash lore thanks to their strict rules about conduct. These rules see the Rogues only kill in extreme circumstances, and have allowed Wally West's Flash to develop an understanding with the villains where each side gives the other a degree of leeway, even working together against deadly threats. However, in a reality where evil is the fundamental force of nature and heroism a diminished outsider, it seems the Rogues and Wally West will have a totally new dynamic.
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The suggestion of the Rogues as authority figures against a rebellious Flash is a smart new way to conceptualize their rivalry, and exactly the kind of status quo revamp that the Absolute Universe has promised fans. This new reality is a world where DC's heroes are robbed of the resources and allies who have helped them stay alive in mainstream continuity, whereas villains are given new prestige and power - for example, this world's Joker is a billionaire trained by the expert assassins of the League of Shadows.
There's still a lot to find out about Absolute Flash's new version of Wally West, but everything fans have seen so far suggests his lore will be rewritten in exciting ways. The original hero began life as Barry Allen's sidekick, meaning he lived his whole life around superheroes and with a mentor who could advise him on his powers. Hints that Wally will be totally overwhelmed by his new powers and pursued by villainous government agents is huge cause for Flash fans to get excited, as this new continuity sets the stage for stories that simply couldn't take place in DC's original canon.
Absolute Flash #1 is coming from DC Comics March 5, 2025.
- Alias
- Jay Garrick, Barry Allen, Wally West, Bart Allen, Avery Ho
- Created By
- Gardner Fox, Harry Lampert, Carmine Infantino
- Franchise
- D.C.
- Race
- Human
- First Appearance
- Flash Comics
- Alliance
- Justice Society of America, Justice League, Teen Titans
The Flash is the superhero name given to the DC Comics character who utilizes unparalleled speed tied to a dimensional power known as the "speed force" to overwhelm their opposition. Premiering in 1939, the original Flash arrived as Jay Garrick. Still, it would be superseded by Barry Allen in popularity and featured status, but the Flash is one character that has met many of their alternate selves. The character is typically seen as a part of the Justice League in nearly all incarnations.
