wally west
Superman soars above everyone.
Batman hides from everyone.
Wonder Woman preaches to everyone.
Me? I run right alongside everyone.
-The Flash v2 #207

In the universe of DC Comics, Wallace West is the third person to don the mantle of the Flash, the Fastest Man Alive. First appearing in The Flash v1 #110 in December of 1959, Wally has grown from a stifled, impatient young boy into one of the world's greatest heroes. He now stars in his own comic, The Flash v2, and can be found as a regular or frequent guest in others, such as JLA v3. He can also be found on Cartoon Network's animated tv series, Justice League Unlimited, and was previously seen in Justice League, as well as scattered cameos on various other DCAU shows.

Wally was raised in the small, obscure Nebraska town of Blue Valley; ask him about it, and he'll describe it as "a wide place in the road". He founded the local chapter of The Flash Fanclub, and dreamed of a brighter, happier future as an adventurer. Unhappy with his emotionally stifling family and country boy life, he was overjoyed when his big city aunt, Iris, invited him to stay with her in Central City. There he met her seemingly boring fiancée, scientist Barry Allen.

While in Barry's lab meeting his hero The Flash, a freak accident involving lightning and strange chemicals granted Wally super speed. With the blessing of The Flash (in actuality Barry Allen), Wally went on to become Kid Flash, and founded the Teen Titans alongside other superhero sidekicks Robin, Speedy, Aqualad, and Wonder Girl.

Eventually, Barry Allen's life was taken saving the world from the fearsome Anti-Monitor (Crisis on Infinite Earths # 8). Wally made the decision to carry on the legacy of The Flash (Crisis on Infinite Earths #12), and has spent a good portion of his adult life trying to live up to Barry's example, and the pride that comes from wearing the Flash mantle.

Quick in both speed and tongue, Wally is an outgoing, popular superhero with a smart mouth and sunny smile. Feisty, and ready to take danger on no matter what the situation, Flash will dive into a battle at a moment's notice. Unafraid to stand up for what he believes in, or show kindness and mercy to those he feels deserve it, Flash is both literally and figuratively light years beyond most. Everyday is an adventure, and he can't imagine a better life than his own.

However, beneath his cheerful exterior is a man tired of the limelight, whose only desire is to save those in need. He's been known to doubt himself, and after recent events (including the death of his two unborn children and his wife, Linda, leaving him) he's grown extremely weary of the adoration lavished on him by the folks of Keystone City.

x | time goes rushing by