Say Goodbye to the Speed Force: The Flash Is Ready to Reinvent His Powers

The Flashand the Speed Force—a cosmic energy field centered on velocity and movement—go hand in hand, with the powers of DC’s various speedsters intricately connected to it. So, with DC’s announcement that the Speed Force will no longer be in play for their newest Flash narrative, it’s clear that the Scarlet Speedster and his abilities are about to be reinvented in a major way.

Stripping Wally of his overpowered abilities and focusing solely on his speed would be an intriguing shift...

DC’s ALL IN initiative, which launched in October 2024, has brought major changes to the DCU, with one of the most notable being the introduction of the Absolute Universe—a Darkseid-created, energy-infused world that reimagines DC’s most iconic characters with new, more hardcore origin stories that reflect the darker world they inhabit.

A key objective across all Absolute narratives is stripping DC characters of the advantages their Earth-Prime counterparts enjoy. In the case of the Flash, Jeff Lemire and Nick Robles’Absolute Flash series will take away Wally West’s mentor, his family, and the Speed Force—a development confirmed in the creative duo’s interview with AIPT Comics.

Wally West's Powers Will Take a New Turn Without the Speed Force

Cover B Virgin Variant by Clayton Crain for Absolute Flash #1 (2025)

Absolute Flash #1 Cover Variant by Clayton Crain-1 — Absolute Flash variant

The synopsis for Absolute Flash #1—set for release on March 19, 2025—states: “Without the mentor... without the family... without the Speed Force, what’s left is the Absolute Scarlet Speedster!” This makes it clear that the Speed Force will be completely stripped from Absolute Wally West’s origin story—a bold move considering that DC’s various Flashes have always been intrinsically tied to the Speed Force. This raises a major question: If Wally isn’t connected to the Speed Force, then where do his super-speed powers come from?

While Jeff Lemire has yet to provide a definitive answer on the source of Wally’s powers in this new universe, it’s clear that he’s redefining them in a major way. In his interview with AIPT Comics, Lemire confirmed that Wally is the first and only speedster in the Absolute Universe, meaning he won’t have a mentor to guide him in mastering his abilities. However, Lemire also revealed that Barry Allen will appear in the first issue, though his role remains unclear. This means that Wally—along with readers—will be discovering his powers in real time, likely leaving both him and the audience in the dark about their true nature.

On Earth-Prime, Wally’s powers extend far beyond just super-speed, allowing him to time travel, phase through objects, create Speed Force constructs, heal rapidly, and even traverse dimensions—all abilities tied directly to the Speed Force. Without this energy force, the question remains whether Absolute Wally’s new power source will grant him the same range of abilities or if he’ll be limited to pure super-speed. Stripping Wally of his overpowered abilities and focusing solely on his speed would be an intriguing shift, taking the character back to basics—something that could feel refreshing after the recent epic chaos of Si Spurrier’s The Flash series.

How Will DC Visually Depict Wally's Super-Speed Without the Usual Speed Force Aesthetics?

Cover C Variant by Dan Panosian for Absolute Flash #1 (2025)

Absolute Flash #1 Cover Variant by Dan Panosian-1 — Absolute Flash variant

In addition to the core of Wally’s powers being different, fans can also expect a visual shift in how they’re depicted. Without the Speed Force, the traditional artistic representation of speedster abilities will change significantly. This impending visual overhaul was confirmed by artist Nick Robles in his interview with AIPT Comics. Discussing his unique approach to illustrating Wally’s powers, Robles stated, “I love the chance to come at it from an original angle. I gravitate toward strong shapes and bold forms, which led to the rectangular speed effects you’ve seen in previews.”

While Robles is bringing a fresh look to Wally’s powers, he assured fans that classic elements will still be present. He confirmed that the Flash’s signature lightning bolts will remain, emphasizing that he doesn’t want to stray too far from such iconic visuals—though he’s determined to put his own creative stamp on them. Robles also remarked, “Wally’s powers are volatile right now, and he’s figuring things out—just like I am in illustrating them. I think that really complements each other.” Based on these teasers, it’s clear that Absolute Flash will deliver something entirely new and visually exciting for Wally West’s powers.