Warning! Contains preview pages for The Flash #1!The Speed Force has just experienced a change that’s causing serious problems for the Flash. The mysterious phenomenon is having a drastic and unfortunate effect on the Fastest Man Alive.
In a preview for The Flash #1 by Si Spurrier and Mike Deodato, Jr., the legendary speedster Max Mercury guides Barry Allen’s grandson, Bart, aka Impulse. The two attempt to use their speed to access the Speed Force but are rebuffed. Max remarks that he saw a vision of a buffalo and believes that something was trying to communicate a message to him. The elder speedster believes that whoever sent the message is saying that they’re in pain. Meanwhile, another speedster is encountering a pain of his own. Wally West, aka the Flash, is battling a horde of gorillas with advanced tech that have invaded the city. As Wally zips around to stop them, he can’t help but notice how much pain he’s in. Flash tries to center himself and reminds himself that as much of a strange phenomenon as the Speed Force is, there is a science to it. But he also admits that the rules of the Speed Force change and now utilizing the energy is causing him tremendous pain.
The Speed Force is Actively Hurting the Flash
The Flash has been dealing with a few changes in his powers as of late. The Flash #800 saw Wally West face off with Mirror Master who’d received a serious upgrade thanks to an atomic mirror. The Scarlet Speedster broke through the mirror, which managed to stop his notable rogue, but at a serious cost. Now, Wally’s powers have begun to ‘glitch’, and the Flash can perceive altering layers of reality. These peers into the imperceptible worlds have opened Wally’s eyes to the hidden threats all around him.
Flash fans haven’t yet gotten a chance to see how Wally’s new glitching power has affected his work. And while it’s no doubt going to be a problem for the speedster, he’s now got another problem on his plate. Wally, along with every hero that can access the Speed Force, are in pain whenever they use their powers. Wally notes that the Speed Force changes wildly, but this is one of the first times that using the phenomenon’s powers is actively harming him. If he can’t figure out what’s gone wrong with the Speed Force, Flash could be in serious trouble.
Flash Won’t Be Able to Use His Powers If the Speed Force Gets Worse
The science behind the Speed Force is always in flux and it’s not unreasonable that an abberration in it could bring harm to the speedsters connected to it. However, Wally or any of his allies might not be able to use their abilities if the pain gets worse. Sure, right now, Flash can withstand the pain the Speed Force is causing, but what happens when the pain gets too much for him? Wally’s going to have to do some real investigation into what’s going on with the Speed Force. Otherwise, his days as a speedster might be numbered. The Flash #1 goes on sale September 26th.
