Editorial: Is DC ready to tackle their red speed demon, The Flash?

Can the WB successfully remove the cobwebs, dust off their shelved speedster and bring him back to the screen in our day and age?

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By Shaman - 8/17/2010

Of course they can!!! What kind of simple minded question is that?
In fact, comics aside, their own Flash series from 1990 still rocks to this day, just as much as Burton’s "Batman." Sure the performances aren’t award winning all around, but I still find that John Wesley Shipp brought Barry Allen to life in a much better way than even Christopher Reeve did Superman! In fact, Shipp did the one thing no other hero brought to screen before him ever did… be bad ass! Okay, so as youngsters we didn’t have anything more than Adam West and Chris Reeve in the live action genre. But look at where we are today! I’m not sure we would have even gotten a dark and gritty Batman had it not been for him to begin with. Back in the 80ies, The Flash brought proof that comic book heroes weren’t just for the kiddies.

Today however, we do have a slight problem. And that is the fact that Barry Allen hasn’t been The Flash since he “passed” the torch to Wally West, decades ago. Honestly, personality wise, those two characters couldn’t be further apart. The new generation of comic book readers as well as Saturday morning cartoon watchers, have all grown up with Wally instead of Barry. Although Wally can be a hoot and a holler in the same sense that Impulse is in Young Justice, he’s definitely no Barry Allen. And just to add insult to injury, the fans’ top choice to play Wally West has always been Ryan Reynolds. Now look at him, he’s Hal Jordan: The Green Lantern! And as much as I wanted him as Wally all along, the more I see him as Hal, the more I think he fits him to a tee, and more so than Wally! Hal’s character is cocky enough to bring the comic relief to the Justice League without pulling an “Episode One” on them and over “Jar Jar Jinxing” it like Wally might be more prone to do. Of course I’m exaggerating. After getting two realistic and gritty Bat-films by Nolan, along with news that he’ll be oversee the next complete Superman reboot; logic demands that they would follow the same path with their speedster and guiding light if they ever wanted to bring them altogether in the same epic basket. And in my opinion, there is only one way to do so. Bring back Barry Allen!!!

In regards to the people’s choice of who should portray Barry Allen, it doesn’t matter which site, blog, or forum you visit, the consensus is that Matthew Fox is the ONLY “perfect” choice to pick up where the great John Wesley Shipp left off! If any of you had any doubts from seeing him in "Speed Racer," they surely have all been laid to rest after witnessing his weekly performance in all six seasons of LOST on television. Fox’s character Jack has all the same qualities and faults as Barry Allen. He’s fierce, brash, passionate and heroic and would stop at nothing to do what he felt needed to be done! Make no mistake about it; Matthew Fox is the living embodiment of Barry Allen until someone comes in the spotlight to prove us wrong. So my question to the WB is: do you guys have the balls to give what we want and make a sh**-load of money doing it? If so then BRING IT! While you’re at it, bring out the Flash video game that was never released--its trailers blew the socks off of all your fans!
And for the art fans that came on here not expecting all of this reading material, fret not for I have brought it as well! Here is my latest sketch! I have based this sketch on John Wesley Shipp’s own incredibly epic Flash costume (for its time), tweaked the eye pieces of his mask and completely re-designed his chest insignia for a feature film version of our beloved Super Speeding Hero! Without further adieu I give you…

Matthew Fox as The Flash/Barry Allen!!!

Click the pic for more of my art

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151 Comments

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	Shaman - 8/17/2010, 12:42 PM Login to report abuse Holy shit!!! Matthew Fox IS The Flash!!! LOOK!!! He runs on water!!!
	THEHAWK - 8/17/2010, 12:50 PM Login to report abuse Very well put my friend. I honestly prefer Barry to Walley, and wish that he was more well known. If I did a Flash movie I'd honestly have both Flash's in it and end it with Barry's death and Walley having to assume the mantle
	RorMachine - 8/17/2010, 12:51 PM Login to report abuse Yep, totally see old Dr Jack in that role. Even though I'm not a huge fan of the character..or at least, his solo comics. As for the Flash TV show, I remember thinking it was fairly awful..when I was 10! So I might not think much more now, but I'll give it another watch online anyway.
	THEHAWK - 8/17/2010, 12:52 PM Login to report abuse I'd also include the Rogues as an already existing team and introduce Zoom as the main villain and have Barry die defeating him. Flash has some interesting foes, any film with them would have to be the exact opposite of the Batman films in tone and hopefully be more like the first two Reeves Superman movies
	THEHAWK - 8/17/2010, 12:53 PM Login to report abuse @Ror. It had Mark Hammil as the Trickster! That alone makes it great! Hey everyone! Check out the stunning finale to In fan Fic. Will Zemo's Masters of Evil win? Will the Avengers survive tehir greatest threat yet? Click on the poster to find out!
	THEHAWK - 8/17/2010, 12:54 PM Login to report abuse Oh, Shaman, I also forgot to mention how much I like the stylilized Lightning bolt on his symbol. that came out great! Also, great pick with Fox.
	ThaMessenger07 - 8/17/2010, 12:57 PM Login to report abuse I Like Fox as Allen and if they Go for a younger look I am all For Pine. At the end of the day I doubt they will use Wally over Barry in the beginning. Great Editorial!
	Shaman - 8/17/2010, 12:59 PM Login to report abuse THEHAWK- Thank you my friend! You should definitely tackle him next in your amazing stories ;) Ror ol' buddy ol' pal LOL I could have bet on you not enjoying that show LOL. But i got the whole box set for 15$ at Best Buy and i'm not regreting spending those pennies one bit ;) Seriously though, for an 80ies show, it was pretty decent. I'd even say they were as good of shows as the Lois And Clark series was for their time. Come to think of it, many episodes had the same plots LOL Today though, it's no "LOST" for sure. But i still prefer it to smallville ;P ThaMessenger07- Touché my friend! Pine would also be an excellent choice! Thank you much :)
	TheCapelessCrusader - 8/17/2010, 1:01 PM Login to report abuse Oh, the 80s Flash... my college acting teacher was in that show. Angel Zacharias. Imagine my surprise!
	ThaMessenger07 - 8/17/2010, 1:03 PM Login to report abuse Also I loved the old show, If they did a new one it would be like Smallville meets CSI. Which would make it better then both of those shows lol
	naterator - 8/17/2010, 1:07 PM Login to report abuse i agree ... nice art work btw. I have always liked FOX for FLASH BARRY ALLEN STYLE. I do hope they go that route...
	Shaman - 8/17/2010, 1:08 PM Login to report abuse naterator- Thank you very much :) johnpounds- Good point! ltcdrshiznit- I'll have to check out the credits cause i have no idea who that is ;P ThaMessenger07- You do have a point, that is even more awesome! Just imagine the possibilities!!! :)) WittySupername- Damn i wish i remembered that episode LOL Well i'm off, lads! Talk to y'all tomorrow ;)
	InTylerWeTrust - 8/17/2010, 1:09 PM Login to report abuse I like Fox as Barry, but he's too old for my taste. Great write-up regardless though :)
	ThaMessenger07 - 8/17/2010, 1:09 PM Login to report abuse I would actually like to see the movie done darker, gritty and realistic. BUT! With the colorful costumes and The Rouges Gallery exactly how they are in the comics. I would love to see a movie done like that and flash has that potential.
	TheCapelessCrusader - 8/17/2010, 1:13 PM Login to report abuse Shaman - She was the daughter of the dead "terrorist" who was taking out all the cops/jurors/etc who put her father away. Didn't realize it was her until the end of the ep when she pulled off her mask.
	Hawksblueyes - 8/17/2010, 1:15 PM Login to report abuse I loved the old Flash TV show. I can actually remember being disappointed when it was over. I never aquired the addiction for Lost, so I'm not all that familiar with Mtthew Fox. Great write up and art as always Shaman! =D
	FrankLeeGitnit - 8/17/2010, 1:15 PM Login to report abuse Ok, now the Flash is good for fanboys but just as a tip... The rest of the world kinda thinks his powers are silly because he just runs fast... honestly... that's what they say... My thing is he needs the scientific stuff that's becoming popular... not just tech but science... Like if he goes a certain speed he gets heavier and his punches become much more powerful so while he doesn't have super strength scientifically he can fight with super human ability due too his speed... Also they should use the Sherlock Holmes effect when he thinks about what he does before he does it so you see it in slow motion even though he's moving at Mach 3... That's what I thought they should have done with Spiderman since he's a scientist... His thought's should be scientific while his comments should have wit and humor... That way visually they could go nuts with the effects and stuff...
	DarthGeoffPeterson - 8/17/2010, 1:16 PM Login to report abuse Actually, the series was in the '90's not the '80's. And I do believe came out after the Tim Burton Batman. Burton's Batman more than likely is what got this series greenlit in the first place. Loved the series tho. Remember being a kid and waiting all week just to watch new episodes on CBS. I was so pissed when they cancelled it.
	marvel72 - 8/17/2010, 1:23 PM Login to report abuse i just want this made,come on dc,you're falling well behind marvel.
	BIGBMH - 8/17/2010, 1:25 PM Login to report abuse Good article. I disagree on one part. I don't doubt that Reynolds will make a good Hal Jordan, but I feel he's (well maybe was when he was younger) the perfect Wally West.
	skullboy - 8/17/2010, 1:25 PM Login to report abuse Uh, Flash has BEEN ready for the silver screen. It's incredible that we can have a Spider-Man, Fantastic Four, and Transformers movie, but not the Flash. WB, you've been killing DC with your procrastinations. How hard can this damn flick be anyway? Prove to DC and us fans that you really give a damn.
	Betty - 8/17/2010, 1:29 PM Login to report abuse FrankLeeGitnit-- All of that science stuff is in the Flash comic, that's we like it. Have you ever read that first Alex Ross Kingdom Come series? Flash is the man! He's got the speed force, he can hop dimensions, even exist in multiple dimensions, travel through time, become intangible, set the clock on the microwave, basically he can do whatever he wants and that leaves alot of options open for writers. Which can be good or bad for us. BIGBMH-- Reynolds really would have made a great Wally West! Now I've moved on to Ryan Kwanten from True Blood.
	jazzman - 8/17/2010, 1:32 PM Login to report abuse Matthew Fox as The Flash is a good choice but i feel given the chance Seann William Scott could also play Barry Allen/The Flash.
	RedDevil - 8/17/2010, 1:33 PM Login to report abuse The Flash is next after GL..... well it better be! Then Wonder Woman!
	FrankLeeGitnit - 8/17/2010, 1:35 PM Login to report abuse Yeah... See that's what I mean... If they explain that stuff scientifically to make sense to the audience who are not 'fanboys' it would work.. I don't think they should do more than mention the speed force and some of the other stuff but he should definitely vibrate through things and such... Like some of those powers are too cool not to use... I'd like to see him comparable to Superman... even cocky enough to think he could beat him at something like what makes that guy so special... Build a friendly competion for a possible upcoming JLA movie...
	Set2Fallfirst - 8/17/2010, 1:36 PM Login to report abuse AGREED SHAMAN AGREED!!
	ThaMessenger07 - 8/17/2010, 1:36 PM Login to report abuse @ Betty: Ryan Kwanten is awesome for Wally West and hes and Awesome actor!
	RedDevil - 8/17/2010, 1:37 PM Login to report abuse Barry Allen all the way! Great article Shaman!
	MTURBO - 8/17/2010, 1:41 PM Login to report abuse Write a fan script bro, I'm with you.
	JonF - 8/17/2010, 1:42 PM Login to report abuse Uhhh...The Flash TV show came out in 1990!
	pitchblack - 8/17/2010, 1:43 PM Login to report abuse I hope they do it well. Unfortunately he doesn't have too many memorable villains to go up against. They really have to focus in on the details and uses of his speed in some believable way because we've already all seen "super speed" with Superman.
	msm8294 - 8/17/2010, 1:55 PM Login to report abuse I agree Matthew Fox as Barry is the best choice to start the flash movies with then they can go on from there adding Chris Pine as Wally
	GLFanboy - 8/17/2010, 1:58 PM Login to report abuse Great editorial. The history of the Flash is rich enough that I think there would be room in a Flash franchise for the entire cast of characters. Definitely start with Wally but if it were to tie into a JLA movie (and it no doubt will) you could even have Barry die in some way in the JLA fillm that would pay tribute to his death in the comics, opening the door for Wally in Flash sequels. Either way, there's a lot of potential for a Flash franchise. As we all know, studios almost never cast people who fans want or expect so I think that, as good as Matthew Fox would be, we should just accept NOW that it won't be him. I want 2 things from a Flash movie. 1) levity. Lighter in tone but still have gravity and emotional weight. and 2) I want a Flash movie, more than any other DC character, to focus on science. Using existing science and theories to support the story. Not necessarily adhere to them but combine existing real world science with DC science like the Speed Force. This aspect sets the Flash apart from other heroes and it should be emphasized. Kinda like science meets fiction as opposed to Science Fiction if that makes any sense. In other words, when the Flash movie is done, I want someone to be able to write a book called "The Science of The Flash".
	FrankLeeGitnit - 8/17/2010, 2:01 PM Login to report abuse Oh... to kill Barry Allen on the big screen to make way for Wally West would be EPIC....
	AlexDeLarge87 - 8/17/2010, 2:03 PM Login to report abuse Scott Porter as Wally West Patrick Wilson as Barry Allen
	LEEE777 - 8/17/2010, 2:06 PM Login to report abuse Awesome article dude, an awesome pick and picture!!! MATTHEW FOX does have that something BARRY ALLEN/JOHN WESLEY-SHIP about him deff! Totally agree! Gr8 read man and congrats bud, your on top billing!!! If FOX couldn't do it, only other guy I would go for is SCOTT SPEEDMAN, tho FOX is always first, very cool!
	vanillabear - 8/17/2010, 2:08 PM Login to report abuse whoa that pic is awesome:)
	groundrunner15 - 8/17/2010, 2:13 PM Login to report abuse Nice article, although I'm not a huge fan of Fox. I think he's a bit to old. Hasn't it already been confirmed that it'll be Barry in the movie? Anyway, I'm a Wally fan, but that's the way it should be. Wally should be introduced maybe at the end of the film, becoming Kid Flash in the next movie. Then have Barry sacrifice himself in the Justice League movie to stop the big baddie and save the universe and Bam! Bring in Waly as the Flash. As far as villains go, the Flash has one of the best rogue galleries in comics, you just need to get writers who can handle their awesomeness ;) Visually, this has all the potential to be one of the most amazing comic book movies ever! I hope they don't waste it! And they need to play around with new ways to visually present superspeed. I'm tired of all the Smallville type effects. It needs to be more crisp and powerful!
	JonF - 8/17/2010, 2:15 PM Login to report abuse Wow! We obviously don't have too many hardcore old school DC comic book fans that frequent this site! To clarify:Wally was a wise-ass in the Justice League cartoon; he never acted that way in the comics! He was given a goofball personality in said animated series to differentiate him from the other standard, alpha male hero archtypes within the group! With the Martian Manhunter, Batman AND Supes, it would have been redundant for Paul Dini and Bruce Timm to cast Wally as just another hero! He would have come off as "vanilla", or worse, second-rate - considering that Supes is already a speedster himself! This misperception has apparently caused some to think of him as the Guy Gardener of the Flashes! Not so! As for the younger audiences, the fact that Wally stole Barry's outfit has always irked me! To me Wally will always be the sidekick, Kid Flash! Barry's importance cannot be understated! He's the character that kicked off the Silver Age back in 1956, for crying out loud! There simply is no comparison between Barry and Wally! Sorry! As for Jay Garrick, it seems obvious to me that he and Barry should be the ones to open the doorway to a silver screen JLA/JSA team up! With regards to the Rogues, Gorilla Grodd has always been Barry's main nemesis, with Captain Cold coming in second, Captain Boomerang third, Professor Zoom coming in fourth and Mirror Master ranking fifth! The rest of the rogues would need MAJOR retooling to be taken seriously by mainstream audiences if used on film...which may or may not be a good thing, depending on how closely the source material is followed! BTW, Barry IS Back! He's currently starring in the latest volume of the Flash!
	FrankLeeGitnit - 8/17/2010, 2:16 PM Login to report abuse Oh... one thing I did like was the Justice League Online trailer... The Flash wears some type of Armor... I thought that was really cool... If your gonna fight crime you should have some protection... Not just some skimpy spandex... Who wants to see that... Armor is the way to go for live action flash..
	InTylerWeTrust - 8/17/2010, 2:16 PM Login to report abuse They better not kill Barry in the first Flash movie. That would suck ass.
	npatil - 8/17/2010, 2:16 PM Login to report abuse this is a fan made flash trailer: but it just shows the possibility of an emotional good story !: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bfjo4qi0Ypc
	groundrunner15 - 8/17/2010, 2:20 PM Login to report abuse @JonF Well said concerning Wally's characterization, that generalization has always irked me! And he didn't STEAL his costume, he wore it in honor and eventually made his own changes. Give him some props too!
	WeaponX - 8/17/2010, 2:23 PM Login to report abuse @Shaman - I don't know if anyone has already mentioned this but The Flash TV show was 90's not 80's (1990-91 to be exact). I've always been a bit more partial to Wally West than Barry Allen. The control of the speed force Wally has is epic. Infinite Mass Punch ftw. He's not as slap-stick in the comics as he is in the cartoons (at least not in the comics I own) However, Barry Allen is still awesome. Either version of the Flash on screen I'd be more than happy with. Although I'd slightly prefer to see Wally. I've always been partial to Ryan Kwatan from True Blood as Wally West. I think he'd hit that out of the park. Considering Barry Allen is back with Johns Rebirth solidifying him into the mainstream, I think it makes sense that they would use Barry Allen for the feature film rather than Wally West. Even though people are used to Wally from the JLU cartoon series and video games. WB/DC absolutely NEED to put out an animated feature of Barry Allen Flash to get the public's attention to him and stir interest way before 2013.
	JonF - 8/17/2010, 2:28 PM Login to report abuse @groundrunner - You and I know that, but I'm speaking of the younger generation's perception that has been perpetuated for the better part of 25 years! They don't even KNOW Barry, which is a sin! His sacrifice in Crisis On Infinite Earths saved the entire DCU! When was the last time Superman did that? The character deserves to be HONORED, not replaced! Look at Captain America! Bucky wears a similar costume to Steve Roger's but not IDENTICAL! When the Superpatriot, aka John Walker, wore Steve's costume and commtted atrocities in it it burned me up! The prevailing attitude is that Wally is the upgraded version of Barry, which is an insult!
	GLFanboy - 8/17/2010, 2:29 PM Login to report abuse @JonF I can't speak for everyone but I would never in a million years suggest that Wally should ever be comic relief (even though that role in JLU worked extremely well). I think it's odd that a fan of the character would say that Wally "stole" Barry's outfit. The Flash mantle was and is a legacy. More than any other DC character, Flash comics deal with FAMILY, lineage and heritage. Batman has Dick, Babs, Tim, etc but they aren't family. GL has had a lot of ring bearers but none are family. Kid Flash assuming the mantle is passing the torch. Bart taking up the mantle is legacy. The DC world needs a Flash just as badly as it needs a Superman or a Batman. When Bruce "died", someone needed to take up the mantle of the Bat. Same holds true for Flash. With a few years difference, Wally spent almost as much time as the Flash as Barry did. He will NEVER be the sidekick ever again and earned his colors years ago. I don't think anyone who's read Flash in the last 25 years would dispute that. Now of course any Flash movie should start with Barry but in my humble opinion, Wally deserves just as much respect and certainly more than you just demonstrated.
	secretasianboy - 8/17/2010, 2:32 PM Login to report abuse ha that pick so awesome
	damkrtchyan - 8/17/2010, 2:33 PM Login to report abuse I honestly think Neil Patrick Harris is perfect for the roll. He is a talented actor, he honestly looks like Barry, he can very easily pull of that awww shucks humor that Barry has, and he has done a lot of voice acting in the DC animated universe so I have a feeling he is a bit of a fan boy at heart.
	OdinsBeard - 8/17/2010, 2:35 PM Login to report abuse Shaman brings it again... great article! really taught me alot of the flash. im more of a marvel guy. But ever since word got out that they are looking for TV star for Superman i've been thinking that star is Matthew Fox and he is my pick for The Man of Steel!
	NightAvenger - 8/17/2010, 2:37 PM Login to report abuse I love the sketch and article! I like Fox,but he is too old. I like Garret Hedlund. Considering his co-stars in the JLA,Fox might look too old. @FrankLeeGitnit- Wouldn't an armor suit slow him down and constraint his movement? Isn't that the last thing a speedster wants?
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