Warning! Spoilers for The Flash #772
In the DC Comics Universe, Batman has already missed out on the best way to spend his fortune. Aside from funding his own personal crusade against crime in Gotham City, there is another need for which billionaire Bruce Wayne could pitch in his money.
While Wally West is continuing to take over Barry Allen’s role in Central City as the Flash, he’s also running into trouble. Not everything is coming to him easily, especially since he’s now a family man, married to Linda Park with whom he has two kids. He’s adapting to parenthood, but Wally is facing dire financial straits. Although it’s not a crisis-level event, the Flash could really use Batman’s help in The Flash #772, written by Jeremy Adams with art by Will Conrad.
When Iris tells Wally he should ask one of his “billionaire friends” to help out with his finances, he tells her that it would be too weird to ask. Barry Allen might feel more comfortable going to Bruce since they served by each other’s side in the Justice League, but Wally doesn’t have nearly as close a relationship with the Dark Knight, and going to him for money would feel like crossing a boundary, even if it’s just petty cash to the billionaire. And Wally isn’t the only DC hero struggling to make ends meet. In a recent issue of Blue and Gold, an online commenter states that the Justice League is paid millions, but another comment, seemingly written by Guy Gardner, insists that couldn’t be farther from the truth.
Bruce Wayne has lost his fortune at the moment anyway, so right now wouldn’t be a great time for Wally to ask for a handout. But he likely would have been more than willing to help the speedster if he could, as he’s long admired Barry and would be glad to help his sidekick. He would also be happy to contribute financially to a family, as his vow to fight crime directly connects to family life, and ensuring no child ever suffers the way he did. Still, Iris brings up an excellent point, as a billionaire superhero like Bruce Wayne or Oliver Queen could pay the Justice League if they wanted, allowing them to become full-time superheroes and not have to worry about such mundane matters.
Even superheroes have to pay rent, and with a simple bank transfer, Bruce Wayne could ensure his fellow heroes would never have to worry about money again. Having been used to wealth his whole life, it isn’t until recently that he’s had to consider what it’s like living without money. If he regains his fortune anytime soon, Batman would do well to use some of it to support his struggling peers.
