Warning: Spoilers for Absolute Power #3In 1985, the Flash made comic history when he died saving the world in Crisis on Infinite Earths. Barry Allen's death changed the trajectory of the DC Universe, and he went on to make history again when another Crisis brought him back to life. Now, almost 40 years after his original death, the pieces are in place for the Flash to suffer the same tragic fate in DC's current major event.

Barry Allen may be one of the fastest heroes in the DC Universe, but not even the Flash can outrun death forever.

speedster-powered Amazo named Velocity - and gives him a task to infiltrate one of Waller's facilities. When Barry asks what to do there, the voice says: "What the Flash always does in a crisis...save the world or die trying."

There's no denying that this ominous line is a reference to the Flash's death in Crisis on Infinite Earths by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez, and it could be foreshadowing that Barry Allien will die in Absolute Power. With this and other clues in mind, it's possible that the Fastest Man Alive is running his final race.

A Look at Flash's History in DC's Crises

s from Crisis on Infinite Earths #8 by Marv Wolfman, George Pérez, Jerry Ordway, Anthony Tollin, and John Costanza

The Flash's original death took place in Crisis on Infinite Earths, the known as the Speed Force. The mysterious speaker's words to the Flash in Absolute Power #3 are an unmistakable callback to his parting words here, as Barry repeats that he has to "save the world" while he disintegrates.

For the next twenty years, Barry Allen was gone, and Wally West inherited the Flash mantle to become the Flash for a new generation. Then, everything changed in 2008's Final Crisis by Grant Morrison and J.G. Jones, when Barry suddenly emerged from the Speed Force. Against all odds, he died in one Crisis and returned to the land of the living in another, and he's been back as the Flash ever since. Nowadays, Barry and Wally both use the Flash title, but it looks like there won't be two Flashes for much longer after Absolute Power.

After Nearly 40 Years, Absolute Power Sets Up Another Death for the Flash

Flash's Life Hangs in the Balance in DC's Latest Crisis

The call Barry received isn't the first instance of the Flash's potential demise being hinted at in the Absolute Power event. In Absolute Power: Task Force VII #5, the Flash is fleeing from Velocity, who's absorbed the powers of every speedster in the Flash family - except Barry. In the seconds he can spare, Barry shares a heartfelt moment with Iris West that has all the makings of a goodbye. When Iris insists that Barry always comes back to her, he isn't able to promise that he will this time. That brief hesitation says more than words ever could about the fate of the Flash.

Absolute Power: Task Force VII #5 by Alex Paknadel, Pete Woods, and Dave Sharpe is available now from DC Comics!

Following this emotional scene, the Flash's death has now been further foreshadowed in Absolute Power #3 through the mystery voice's cryptic message. After receiving the instructions, it's up to Barry to put his life on the line and uncover Amanda Waller's plans. Barry has the weight of the world on his shoulders, and all roads lead to him sacrificing himself for the greater good like he did before. It may seem unlikely that DC would kill off a hero as iconic as the Flash, but Barry Allen isn't the main Flash anymore. That honor belongs to none other than Wally West.

With Wally West as the Main Flash, Barry Allen Isn't Needed Anymore

Barry Is No Longer the Face of the Scarlet Speedster

Wally West is set to go all-in as the Flash for ing the new Justice League, taking Barry's spot on the team for the first time in over a decade. Wally is even set to be the Flash of the Absolute Universe, with no sign of Barry thus far. Barry Allen has officially become obsolete as the Flash, so there isn't much of a point in keeping him around.

It's time for DC to let the Flash legacy move forward instead of keeping it stuck in the past, and that means finally letting Barry Allen go.

Since controversial New 52 reboot, which erased Wally from existence to reinstate Barry as the one and only Flash. Replacing Wally after twenty years clearly didn't stick, and now the status quo that followed Barry's original death is returning. It's time for DC to let the Flash legacy move forward instead of keeping it stuck in the past, and that means finally letting Barry Allen go - for good.

The Flash's Next Race Could Be His Last

Will Barry Allen Make It Out of This Crisis Alive?

Barry Allen may be one of the fastest heroes in the DC Universe, but not even the Flash can outrun death forever. The solicitation for The Flash #13 by Simon Spurrier and Ramón Pérez offers more allusions to Barry's potential death. With an emphasis on his "life" throughout the synopsis for this issue, the end could very well be drawing near for the Scarlet Speedster. Both the main Flash series and Absolute Power are building up to something big for Barry, and it remains to be seen whether this Flash will survive what's coming his way.

Dying in a major event would be a fitting way for Flash to go out after his death and resurrection in past crises.

With his future more uncertain than ever, there's a strong chance that Barry Allen won't make it out of this event alive. All the signs point towards him being killed off in Absolute Power, and dying in a major event would be a fitting way for the Flash to go out after his death and resurrection in past Crises. Despite how dire things seem, there's comfort in knowing that Barry's legacy will be carried on by his successors, starting with Wally. Barry Allen's run as the Flash is nearing its end, and whatever fate befalls him, the DC Universe will never be the same.

Absolute Power #3 is available now from DC Comics.