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NOTE:
This column was written in response to the proposed and
aborted 2003 Flash TV project. Since Smallville went with
Bart Allen and did it so well, this is in response to only
that project.
 "What
I'd Like To See"
By Craig
Byrne - TheFlashSite webmaster
I
was going through Volume 2 of DC's Flash
Archives when I came across one of my favorite stories
of comics' Silver Age.
It
was the origin of Wally West, then Kid Flash. The origin
was simple. Iris West's nephew comes over to Barry's lab,
meets the Flash, and the accident that gave Barry his powers
is replicated. The writers of the comic probably didn't
know they were writing such an enduring story, and that
the Wally West character would even outrun Barry Allen when
all was said and done.
 Now,
of course, the Wally West Flash lives on in the monthly
DC Comic, written excellently by Geoff Johns, one of comics'
best writers. The Flash origin story was also retold
in the early 1990's in the capable hands of writer Mark
Waid.
When
CBS and Pet Fly Productions did their take on the Flash
in 1990, they went with the Barry Allen police scientist
Flash, even though in comics-land he had been dead for five
years.
All
of this got me to thinking. How will the creators of this
new Flash show do something that will resonate with fans,
without alienating long-time fans or newcomers?
I
thought about the comments made about this Flash being part
of a legacy. Then I thought about the fans of the Justice
League animated show, who seem to really dig Wally West.
And with that -- Wally must be our hero.
So
what would I like to see, if it were my choice? (And sadly,
it's not). I'd love to see the series with a character and
origin much like Wally's - with the beginnings happening
in Barry's lab. If you've got to throw the time travel element
into it, I'd prefer it be something unexpected. Wally doesn't
know where he's going to go until he gets there. The answers
of course lie with Barry & co. in the present day -
but Wally can't get there.
It
can't be easy time travel, if it's got to be time travel
at all. And of course we have to root for our hero. It'd
be fun to see him fall in love from time to time (pun intended),
but don't force soap opera antics on us. I love Smallville,
but I could do without the "Lana or Chloe" stuff
and instead focus on the hero and his foes.
Of
course there must be a mentor, who can be somehow tied to
him wherever he may go. Hrm, Max Mercury's been a lot of
places, although I for one would rather see a Jay Garrick
-- maybe a character who, also, is trying to bring Wally
home.
Follow
the "no tights" concept if you must, but make
it only because Wally hasn't had a chance to get one yet.
A red and yellow wardrobe is still a requirement.
Whatever
happens, I hope this new Flash series is, like the comic,
about the journey of Wally, and showing how, despite not
being the top pick, ends up being the greatest Flash of
all. Please -- nothing generic, no soap opera -- give us
something more along the lines of a Smallville
than something that comes out more like Birds of Prey
or Tarzan.
So
there's my concept of what I'd like to see. We'll see when
the spoilage comes out if I'm anywhere close, and if anyone
wants to anonymously reveal any tidbits, please send in
some e-mail.
And of course, post on the KryptonSite
message board and say what you think you'd like to see
from this!
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