James Gunn’s upcoming work with the DC Universe has fans eager to see the Absolute Flash moments from the comic series adapted on screen, especially as the Absolute Universe is expanding. These powerful scenes, released between March and July 2025, offer rich storytelling featuring Wallace West, a new Flash, whose journey through loss, identity, and legacy presents ample material for future adaptations in the DCU.
DC Comics’ Absolute Universe has recently introduced Absolute Flash, adding fresh perspectives alongside their ongoing serialized stories. So far, five issues have deepened readers’ understanding of this reimagined Flash, spotlighting Wallace West amid a harsh, more grounded world. This alternate narrative recasts well-known superhero origins with darker, more complex emotional tones, fitting James Gunn’s style.
Wallace West’s Tragic Beginning and Emergence as The Flash
The storyline begins on March 19, 2025, where Wallace West is depicted fleeing from a traumatic event that occurred two days earlier. He had infiltrated Fort Fox, a secretive laboratory where Barry Allen worked on Project Olympus, a mysterious and advanced experiment. During his escape, Wallace accidentally causes an explosion, leading to Barry Allen’s death before his eyes.
Believing himself responsible for this catastrophe, Wallace discovers he has gained the ability to run at the speed of light. This pivotal moment marks his transition from terrified teenager to a figure burdened with newfound powers and responsibility. The issue closes by introducing an enigmatic antagonist, widely speculated to be Mirror Master, who ominously watches the aftermath and vows to see the world collapse, hinting at his significant role as a villain within this universe.
Grodd’s Introduction and the Formation of Unexpected Bonds
The May 21, 2025 issue explores the introduction of Grodd, revealed here as another outcome of Project Olympus. After the laboratory explosion, Wallace is pursued by The Rogues, who release Grodd to hunt him down. However, through telepathic communication, Wallace and Grodd discover shared trauma, leading them to form an uneasy alliance rather than remain enemies.
In this same arc, Wallace confronts his guilt by recovering Barry Allen’s body to give him a proper burial, taking on the mantle by wearing the iconic Flash suit. This acceptance signifies Wallace’s shift from fugitive to heroic protector, determined to carry forward the legacy of his predecessor.
A Haunting Vision of Barry Allen’s Spirit
On June 18, 2025, the story delves into Wallace’s emotional struggles through a dream where he revisits his mother’s grave. There, he encounters an ethereal form of Barry Allen pleading for help, sparking speculation among readers about Barry’s possible survival, either physically or as a consciousness linked to Wallace. This mysterious apparition could also symbolize a former Flash guiding Wallace through his hardships, providing hope amid despair.
Wallace’s First Major Confrontation: Facing Heat Wave
In the July 16, 2025 issue, Wallace faces his earliest test as the new Flash against Heat Wave, another escaped experiment from Project Olympus. While Grodd pleads for Wallace to show compassion, describing Heat Wave as a tortured subject, Heat Wave’s aggression forces Wallace into battle. This encounter represents the emerging challenges Wallace must confront to prove himself worthy of continuing Barry Allen’s heroic path.
Why These Moments Matter for the Future of the DCU
The Absolute Flash series not only reinvents key characters like Wallace West but also introduces compelling villains and complex emotional narratives within the Absolute Universe. For James Gunn, these stories highlight themes of responsibility, redemption, and the weight of legacy, making them ripe material for integration into the DC Universe. Adapting these moments could deepen character arcs and add layers of tension and intrigue, appealing to both longtime comic fans and new audiences.
As Absolute Flash continues its serialization, with questions about future issues and the roles of characters like Mirror Master lingering, the potential impact on the DCU’s direction remains significant. Bringing these Absolute Flash moments to life under James Gunn’s vision promises to expand the universe’s depth and emotional resonance.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Does James Gunn believe in God?
A. Gunn grew up in a Catholic household and still finds prayer important. However, he also describes himself as somewhat against organized religion.
Q. Is James Gunn no longer with Marvel?
A. Gunn collaborated with Marvel Studios on the Guardians of the Galaxy movies. In 2022, he became co-CEO at DC Studios. Before this role, he directed “The Suicide Squad” (2021) for DC. This happened after Marvel initially let him go. However, he was later brought back to direct “Guardians of the Galaxy 3.”
Q. What is James Gunn’s religion?
A. The CGI version of Krypto the Superdog in Gunn’s 2025 Superman movie was inspired by Ozu. Gunn grew up in a Catholic household and still finds prayer significant in his life. However, he has also expressed that he is somewhat against organized religion.
