Hey, and welcome once again to Judgment Calls. This month I had the hardest time trying to think about what to write. The night before my article was due (nothing like procrastinating,) my friends and I had a lengthy discussion about the identity of the new Flash. I'll hit the high points of the conversation, and list our suspicions and reasons why it could or couldn't be that person.

First, I'll kind of recap the last story arc for those of you who didn't read it. Cobalt Blue is a mystical gem that possesses people into trying to kill the Flash. The last story arc was the present time speedsters flying all through time trying to stop it. Cobalt Blue ended up being Barry Allen's twin brother, possessed by the gem, trying to kill Barry before the Crisis. Wally, trying to stop him, apparently "Died" in that effort. Suddenly, a new, mysterious Flash shows up and only shows his face to Jay Gerrick (the Golden Age Flash,) Superman, and Donna Troy/Troia. They appear to recognize him and trust him.

Things known about the new Flash: #1 He's about ten years older then Wally, that's what everybody notices that he's older then Wally. #2 He can steal speed, speedsters have been known to be able to lend speed but none could ever steal it. #3 He can manipulate the speed of other things, like the speed of the neurons in Alchemy's brain to make him pass out (Flash #152) #4 He's reading Wally's old journals, and looking through Barry's personal stuff. #5 When Jay asked (before he reviled his ID to Jay), "Are you one of the Flashes we met in the future?" The new Flash responds "No."

Possibility 1 Wally West

I have a hard time believing Wally's dead, I mean they "kill" him about every two years, he always comes back the same or next issue, but he comes back. I think maybe that this is Wally, gone through the speed force (again) and he's returned older, and his head's not on straight. Problem with that, it's been done, and what would be the deep impact of it? He's older and has new powers. Nah, I don't buy that, I think they want you to think it's Wally. I don't think Wally's dead but I don't think the new Flash is Wally, either.

Possibility 2 Barry Allen

It's been hinted at that it may be Barry, it would explain the "You? But-but how?" from Jay, Supes, and Donna. The new powers could be explained by the fact he lived through the Crisis. Problem is, that would mean DC mythos would be screwed to hell. Three people in comics MUST stay dead for all time: Bucky, Uncle Ben, and Barry Allen. Those three comic characters have to stay dead, it's a rule.

Possibility 3 John Fox

One of the future Flashes, last seen in the DC One Million future(he time travels a lot.) John's powers always were a little weird and Wally did ask him a undisclosed special favor (I forget where). The problem is, what's the deep impact? I mean, I can't see John becoming the new main character permanent, so that means he's doing stuff here, while Wally's off doing something (probably trying to save Linda or something). I don't see that working.

Possibility 4 Older Bart Allen

Some people have suggested maybe it's an older Impulse, but NAH! He doesn't have big enough feet and why would Jay, Supes, and Donna trust him? He's Impulse.

Possibility 5 Future Wally's son.

A friend of mine has a theory that it's Wally's son from the future, but then they haven't met him and that future statement would be irrelevant. There are some problems: how would there be the instant recognition, father son resemblance isn't that great. And it'd be a kind of stupid story.

The point is, I DON'T KNOW! I guess we'll all just have to wait and find out. If it's lame, then I'll whine about it. If it's cool, then I'll praise it, but it won't be resolved for awhile, so sit back and prepare for major headaches. (especially if it's a time travel story, those make my head hurt.) Until next time.

Special thanks to Drew101, Deadman', and Jade69 for that long conversation. And whoever else was there, but didn't stay long enough for me to remember.