View source for Kid Flash

{{Short description|DC Comics character}}
{{for|the rapper|Khontkar}}
{{Infobox comics set index <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
|image      =  Kid Flash (Wally West circa 1961).png
|caption    = Wally West as the first Kid Flash, as depicted in ''The Flash'' #110 (December 1959). Art by [[Carmine Infantino]].
|publisher  = [[DC Comics]]
|debut      = ''[[The Flash (comic book)|The Flash]]'' #110
|debutmo    = December
|debutyr    = 1959
|debutyr1   = 1996
|debutyr2   = <!-- Bart adopted the codename well after his introduction -->
|writer1    = [[John Broome (writer)|John Broome]]<br /> (writer)<br />[[Carmine Infantino]] (artist)
|characters = [[Wally West]]<br />[[Kid Flash (Iris West)|Iris West]]<br />[[Bart Allen]]<br />[[Ace West|Wallace "Ace" West]]
|seealso    = [[The Flash]]<br />[[Bart Allen|Impulse (DC Comics)]]
|cat        = |subcat     = DC Comics
|hero       = y
|villain    = 
|sortkey    = Kid Flash
}}
'''Kid Flash''' is the name of several [[superhero]]es appearing in [[comic book]]s published by [[DC Comics]], originally created by [[John Broome (writer)|John Broome]] and [[Carmine Infantino]], as a junior counterpart to DC Comics [[superhero]] [[Flash (DC Comics character)|The Flash]]. The first version of the character, '''[[Wally West]]''', debuted in ''The Flash'' #110 (1959).<ref name=Guide>{{cite book |last1=Cowsill |first1=Alan |last2=Irvine |first2=Alex |last3=Korte |first3=Steve |last4=Manning |first4=Matt |last5=Wiacek |first5=Win |last6=Wilson |first6=Sven |title=The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe |date=2016 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1-4654-5357-0 |page=166}}</ref> The character, along with others like the first [[Donna Troy|Wonder Girl]], [[Garth (comics)|Aqualad]], and [[Roy Harper (character)|Speedy]], was created in response to the success of [[Batman]]'s young sidekick [[Robin (character)|Robin]]. These young heroes would later be spun off into their own superhero team, the [[Teen Titans]]. As Kid Flash, Wally West made regular appearances in Flash related comic books and other DC Comics publications from 1959 through the mid-1980s until the character was reinvented as the new version of The Flash.

Later, well after Wally West had made a name for himself as the new Flash, the character of '''[[Bart Allen]]''', grandson of the Flash [[Barry Allen]], was brought into the past from his home in the future and served as the young hero Impulse. In 2003, with writer [[Geoff Johns]]' relaunch of a new ''Teen Titans'' volume, Bart donned the mantle of Kid Flash after being nearly killed by the assassin [[Deathstroke]]. As Kid Flash, Bart appeared in ''Teen Titans'' and ''The Flash'' (vol. 2) regularly until the ''[[Infinite Crisis]]'' event, where he became the fourth Flash after Wally West's disappearance. Bart was killed by the [[Rogues (comics)|Rogues]], but was resurrected in the 31st century by [[Legion of Super-Heroes]] member [[Brainiac 5]] and retook the mantle of Kid Flash. Following a [[The New 52|2011 reboot]], DC introduced a new interpretation of Wally West as its latest Kid Flash in 2014, who was later established as being the original Wally's younger cousin '''[[Ace West]]'''.

The Wally West Kid Flash was first adapted for live action in the [[Arrowverse]] series of TV shows, portrayed by [[Keiynan Lonsdale]].

==Fictional character biographies==

===Wally West===
{{main|Wally West}}
[[File:Kid Flash (Wally West) 2nd costume.png|thumb|150px|left|[[Wally West]] in his second Kid Flash costume, in ''[[Teen Titans|The New Teen Titans]]'' # 31 (May 1983). Art by [[George Pérez]].]]
Outside of Iris West, Kid Flash was the first person to whom Flash revealed the secret of his double-identity (''The Flash'' #120 (May 1961)). In that story, the two speedsters are inadvertently thrown 25 million years into the past, where they battle a race of golden humanoids. It is only the first of many time-trips for the pair, who teamed up next to try out Flash's [[Cosmic Treadmill]].<ref>''[[The Flash (comic book)|The Flash]]'' #125 (December 1961)</ref>

Shortly after meeting Flash's friend [[Elongated Man]],<ref>''The Flash'' #130 (August 1962)</ref> Kid Flash receives his own unique costume.<ref>{{cite book |last=Wells |first=John |title=American Comic Book Chronicles: 1960-64 |date=2015 |publisher=TwoMorrows Publishing |isbn=978-1605490458 |page=125}}</ref> The Flash, who had been toying with a new design for Wally, is inspecting an alien mind over-matter machine when, in a burst of light, the new costume springs from his mind and onto the body of his protégé.<ref>''The Flash'' #135 (March 1963)</ref> Since the new outfit exposes Wally's red hair, Flash provides his costume-storage ring with a special instant-dye spray with which he could easily change his hair color to brown.<ref>''The Flash'' #138 (June 1963)</ref>

Wally first meets [[Dick Grayson|Robin]] and [[Garth (comics)|Aqualad]] in ''[[The Brave and the Bold]]'' #54 (June–July 1964), in an adventure that would predicate the formation of the [[Teen Titans]] shortly thereafter. Kid Flash remains a member in good standing of that team, though his participation limits his involvement in solo adventures considerably. At 18, Wally revealed his alter-ego to his parents Bob and Mary for the first time, chooses his university (Taggart), and confides to the Flash his intentions to retire from heroics upon graduation to live a normal life.

Prior to his retirement, Wally leaves the Teen Titans for personal reasons, including a desire to devote more time to studying, to his new girlfriend [[Frances Kane]], and because, as a result of his changing metabolism, he was beginning to lose his powers.<ref>''[[The New Teen Titans]]'' #39 (February 1984)</ref> He comes out of retirement to fight in ''[[Crisis on Infinite Earths]]'', and is deeply impacted after Barry Allen sacrifices himself to save the [[Multiverse (DC Comics)|multiverse]].<ref>''[[Crisis on Infinite Earths]]'' #8 (November 1985)</ref> A blast from the [[Anti-Monitor]] reduces Wally's top speed to that of [[Speed of sound|sound]], but cures his metabolism. This, combined with the desire to honor his mentor and friend, causes Wally to discard his Kid Flash identity and adopt the name and costume of Flash. Wally becomes faster than Barry and acquires unique abilities such as sharing and stealing speed and accessing the Speed Force itself, allowing time travel. When Barry is resurrected, Wally takes on his own version of the Flash costume, fighting alongside Barry and Barry's grandson Bart Allen.{{Clear}}

===Bart Allen===
{{main|Bart Allen}}

[[File:Kid Flash Bart.jpg|thumb|150px|left|Bart as Kid Flash. {{Descript-inner-art|[[Teen Titans]]|3|4|Dec, 2003}}Art by [[Mike McKone]].]]
Bart Allen is Barry Allen's grandson from the future, known as the hero '''Impulse'''. He was brought to the present day to cure his metabolism, which caused him to age rapidly. After [[Max Mercury]] disappears into the timestream, Bart takes up residence in [[Keystone City]] with [[Jay Garrick]], the original Flash, and Jay's wife [[Joan Garrick|Joan]].

A mysterious android from the future known as [[Brainiac 8|Indigo]] attacks the Titans and Young Justice, resulting in the deaths of [[Donna Troy]] and [[Lilith Clay|Omen]]. At Donna's funeral, [[Dick Grayson|Nightwing]] disbands the Titans. The members of Young Justice, especially [[Cassie Sandsmark|Wonder Girl]], feel responsible for Donna and Omen's deaths.<ref>''Titans/Young Justice: Graduation Day'' #1-3 (2003)</ref> This leads Wonder Girl, Robin, Impulse and [[Conner Kent|Superboy]] to form a new group of Teen Titans under the guidance of the more experienced [[Cyborg (DC Comics)|Cyborg]], [[Starfire (Teen Titans)|Starfire]], and [[Beast Boy]].<ref>''[[Teen Titans]]'' (vol. 3) #1 (July 2003)</ref> Despite Wally West's misgivings, Bart accepts an invitation to join the new Teen Titans.<ref>''Teen Titans'' (vol. 3) #6 (December 2003)</ref>

Bart is later injured after being shot in the leg by [[Deathstroke]], who has been possessed by his son [[Jericho (DC Comics)|Jericho]]. His accelerated healing enables a handful of surgeons to replace his kneecap with an artificial one. Bart recovers within hours, but the effects of this encounter are much more than physical. Feeling unsure and tired of being underestimated, Bart goes to a local library and reads every single book in the building. With a renewed sense of confidence, Bart returns to the team as Kid Flash.<ref>''Teen Titans'' (vol. 3) #4 (October 2003)</ref>

When [[Superboy-Prime]] runs amok during ''[[Infinite Crisis]]'', Kid Flash and the other speedsters race to stop his rampage. While running to subdue Prime, Wally West disappears in a burst of lightning. Meanwhile, the speedsters defeat Prime, but severe their connection to the Speed Force in the process. Bart returns to warn the heroes of Prime's escape. But while mere moments had passed in the present, Bart returns from his time-bending journey four years older. Bart hands his grandfather's costume to Jay Garrick, claiming he used up all his speed powers during the final battle.<ref>''[[Infinite Crisis]]'' #7 (May 2006)</ref>

Bart retains his powers, but retires due to his guilt over Superboy-Prime's escape. He takes a job as a factory worker in Keystone City, but soon realizes he must use his abilities to protect innocents. Although Bart finds new challenges in harnessing the speed force, he becomes the latest incarnation of the Flash. In his efforts to tame the Speed Force, Bart turns to [[S.T.A.R. Labs]] intern [[Valerie Perez]], with whom he falls in love.<ref>''The Flash: The Fastest Man Alive'' #1 (June 2006)</ref>

After accepting the mantle of the Flash, Bart moves to [[Los Angeles, California]] and enrolls in the Police Academy. Robin asks him to join the Titans, but Bart declines, saying he would ather work towards membership in the [[Justice League|Justice League of America]]. Shortly after resuming the mantle, Iris Allen warns Bart that if he fought the newly formed league of Rogues, he would not survive. [[Inertia (DC Comics)|Inertia]], in a plan to steal the Speed Force for himself, manipulates the [[Rogues (comics)|Rogues]] into battle with Bart, during which Bart is killed.<ref>''The Flash: The Fastest Man Alive'' #13 (July 2007)</ref>

Later on New Earth, during the ''[[Final Crisis]]'' storyline, [[Superman]] is called to the 31st century to assist the [[Legion of Super-Heroes]] in fending off Superboy-Prime, who was thrown to the future in the aftermath of the destruction of Earth-51 and the ''[[Sinestro Corps War]]''. Prime, raging about his minor place in history as a Superman rival, releases the [[Legion of Super-Villains]] from the prison planet [[Takron-Galtos]] and wages war on Earth and the Legion. In response to this, [[Brainiac 5]] summons the Legions of Three Worlds (alternate earths) to combat Prime's forces. Revealing that the Legion had captured "living lightning" in the Legion's last trip to present Earth in ''[[The Lightning Saga]]'', Brainiac 5 has Legionnaire [[XS (character)|XS]] run on the cosmic treadmill while the three [[Lightning Lad]]s activates the "lightning rod" to release the living lightning, resurrecting Bart.<ref>''[[Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds]]'' #3 (February 2009)</ref>

When the New 52 universe began, the Kid Flash working with the Titans was known as Bart Allen. He ended up with a different backstory, and eventually was written out of the storyline. He was later replaced as Kid Flash by Wally's cousin, Wallace West.

=== Wallace West ===
{{main|Ace West}}

Wallace "Ace" West is the third Kid Flash of the main DC Comics Universe. He first appeared in ''The Flash'' (vol. 4) Annual #3. He is the son of the fifth Reverse Flash, [[Daniel West (character)|Daniel West]], and cousin of the first Kid Flash and third Flash, Wally West. Originally intended as a reinterpretation of Wally for the New 52, he was established as a separate character in [[DC Rebirth]].

==In other media==
{{See also|Wally West#In other media|Bart Allen#In other media|Ace West#In other media}}

===Television===
* The Wally West incarnation of Kid Flash appears in ''[[The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure]]'', voiced by [[Tommy Cook (actor)|Tommy Cook]].
* The Wally West incarnation of Kid Flash appears in ''[[Teen Titans (TV series)|Teen Titans]]'', voiced by [[Michael Rosenbaum]].<ref name="btva">{{cite web |title=Kid Flash Voices (Flash) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Flash/Kid-Flash/ |access-date=April 3, 2024 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.</ref>
* The Wally West incarnation of Kid Flash appears in the ''[[Batman: The Brave and the Bold]]'' episode "Requiem for a Scarlet Speedster!", voiced by [[Hunter Parrish]].<ref name="btva" />
* The Wally West and Bart Allen incarnations of Kid Flash appear in ''[[Young Justice (TV series)|Young Justice]]'', voiced by [[Jason Spisak]] and [[Jason Marsden]] respectively.<ref name="btva" /><ref name="btva2">{{cite web |title=Kid Flash / Bart Allen Voice - ''Young Justice'' (TV Show) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/tv-shows/Young-Justice/Kid-Flash-Bart-Allen/ |access-date=April 3, 2024 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.</ref>
* The Bart Allen incarnation of Kid Flash appears in the ''[[Mad (TV series)|Mad]]'' episode "That's What Super Friends Are For", voiced again by Jason Marsden.
* The Wally West incarnation of Kid Flash appears in ''[[Teen Titans Go!]]'', voiced by [[Will Friedle]].<ref name="btva" />
* The Wally West incarnation of Kid Flash appears as a non-speaking cameo in ''[[DC Nation Shorts]]''.
* The Wally West incarnation of Kid Flash appears in the ''[[Robot Chicken]]'' episode "Bring a Sidekick to Work Day", voiced by [[Seth Green]].

====Arrowverse====
{{Main|Wally West (Arrowverse)}}

A character based on Wally and Wallace West named '''Wallace F. "Wally" West''' appears in media set in the [[Arrowverse]], portrayed by [[Keiynan Lonsdale]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2016/07/12/wally-west-kid-flash-photo-the-flash-season-3-spoilers/|title=The Flash First Look: Meet Kid Flash!|publisher=TV Line|last=Gelman|first=Vlada|date=July 12, 2016|access-date=May 13, 2019|archive-date=July 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160713155453/https://tvline.com/2016/07/12/wally-west-kid-flash-photo-the-flash-season-3-spoilers/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Introduced in and primarily appearing in ''[[The Flash (2014 TV series)|The Flash]]'', he also appears in the [[Legends of Tomorrow season 3|third season]] of ''[[Legends of Tomorrow]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tvguide.com/news/legends-of-tomorrow-keiynan-lonsdale-series-regular-the-flash/ |title = Legends of Tomorrow Adds The Flash Star Keiynan Lonsdale as Series Regular - TV Guide}}</ref> and the crossover "[[Crisis on Earth-X]]".

===Film===
* The Wally West incarnation of Kid Flash makes a non-speaking appearance in ''[[Justice League: The New Frontier]]''.
* Kid Flash appears in a flashback in ''[[Teen Titans: The Judas Contract]]'', voiced by [[Jason Spisak]].<ref name="btva" /> While the character is unidentified in the film, producer [[James Tucker (animator)|James Tucker]] stated that he is a young [[Barry Allen]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 28, 2023 |title=Crazy ass moments in DC history 🏳️‍🌈 on Twitter: "In Teen Titans: The Judas Contract (2017), there's a flashback introducing the DCAMU's original Teen Titans, including a Kid Flash. Producer James Tucker said that Kid Flash is meant to be a young Barry Allen." |url=https://twitter.com/DC_moments/status/1652005408507084803 |access-date=April 3, 2024 |website=Twitter}}</ref>
* The Wallace West incarnation of Kid Flash appears in ''[[Justice League Dark: Apokolips War]]''.
* The Wally West incarnation of Kid Flash makes a non-speaking appearance in ''[[Batman and Superman: Battle of the Super Sons]]''.

===Video games===
* The Wally West incarnation of Kid Flash appears as a playable character in ''[[Young Justice: Legacy]]'', voiced again by Jason Spisak.<ref name="btva" />
* The Wally West and Bart Allen incarnations of Kid Flash appear as character summons in ''[[Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eisen |first=Andrew |date=October 4, 2013 |title=DC Characters and Objects - ''Scribblenauts Unmasked'' Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/scribblenauts-unmasked/DC_Characters_and_Objects |access-date=April 3, 2024 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref>
* The Bart Allen incarnation of Kid Flash appears as an unlockable playable character in ''[[Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham]]''.
* The Wallace West incarnation of Kid Flash makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in the [[Barry Allen|Flash]]'s ending in ''[[Injustice 2]]''.
* The Wallace and Wally West incarnations of Kid Flash appear as playable characters in ''[[Lego DC Super-Villains]]'', voiced by Jason Linere White.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo_q4obDykv/ | title=Jason Linere White on Instagram: "I am so excited and honored to finally be able to share with everyone, that I play/Voice the "Kid Flash" aka, Wally West in Warner Bros. Latest Lego DC Super Villains game! The ensemble cast is huge. Starring Mark Hamill, Gina Torres, Tara Strong, Fred Tatasciore, JB Blanc, David Sobolov, Cree Summer, and Clancy Brown, just to name a few. You can play through the entire game as the Kid Flash, after you unlock him, and then and beat him in a Boss Battle. This game is a lot of fun for everyone of all ages, and the Lego Team did a fantastic job! Thank you. #kidflash #dccomics #lego #legosupervillains #warnerbros #videogamegoals #voiceactor #cesdtalent #irunfast #jasonandthevoxernauts" }}</ref><ref name="btva" />

===Miscellaneous===
The Bart Allen incarnation of Kid Flash appears in the ''[[Injustice: Gods Among Us (comics)|Injustice: Gods Among Us]]'' prequel comic.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{comicbookdb|type=character|id=1274|title=Kid Flash (Wally West)}}
*{{comicbookdb|type=character|id=29936|title=Kid Flash (Iris West)}}
*{{comicbookdb|type=character|id=1283|title=Kid Flash (Bart Allen)}}

{{Flash}}
{{Teen Titans}}

[[Category:DC Comics male superheroes]]
[[Category:DC Comics metahumans]]
[[Category:DC Comics sidekicks]]
[[Category:DC Comics teenage superheroes]]
[[Category:Flash (DC Comics character)]]
[[Category:Flash (comics) characters]]
[[Category:Teenage characters in comics]]