DC’s Flash Family Is Getting Even Bigger

The Flash Family has managed to give the Bat-Family a run for its money when it comes to sheer number of characters occupying the same superhero network. As the speedster set gets an even larger spotlight in DC during Dark Crisis, it looks like the Flash Family may be moving toward another expansion in the near future.

The Flash 2022 Annual #1 takes a step back from multiversal adventure to focus on its central couple of Scarlet Speedster Wally West and reporter Linda Park-West. The issue, told mainly through a story within a story, shows Wally take time off to finally read his wife’s new book. The story, entitled Best-Laid Plans, contains analogs for both Linda and Wally in a romantic, space-faring adventure. By slowing down the main comic’s storyline – right after the return of Barry Allen’s Flash, no less – and taking a moment to live with these characters, The Flash 2022 Annual #1 provides an impactful expansion on the character of Linda Park-West through her own writing while also reminding readers about a crucial aspect of this DC couple: Wally and Linda are ridiculously, hopelessly in love.

The Flash 2022 Annual #1 by Jeremy Adams and Serg Acuña only underscores the commitment Adams has shown to these characters as a superhero family. The author’s tie-in issues for DC’s Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths event made a Flash Family affair of rescuing Barry Allen from the multiverse, representing a number of notable speedsters: Jesse Quick, Max Mercury, Jay Garrick, Wallace West and the new dynamic duo of the Flash’s children (Irey and Jai West) all joined in for The Search for Barry Allen. Now, Flash Annual appears to be continuing this familial theme as Linda Park-West hints at a potential new child on the way for Wally and herself.

As Linda begins craving sea-salt caramel gelato like she did when she was pregnant with her twins, the issue ends by teasing that she and Wally may have another baby on the way. This is an exciting development for the couple, and one that feels perfectly at home with this run so far. Adams has shown a strong commitment to Wally’s allies as a whole, with his inclusion of the various characters from throughout the universe being a high point as the Flash Family unites to help rescue Barry. Calling on speedsters from DC’s catalog highlights the varied history of the character while at the same time grounding him in his connections to other heroes he considers family as they help him in his quest to save Barry. Bringing a new baby into the mix could potentially add an interesting dynamic to this world, further adding to the Flash Family tree.

The Flash Annual 2022 #1 is an unabashedly romantic story about DC’s current Flash and the love of his life in Wally and Linda Park-West. As the issue ends with the tease of a new child possibly on the way, it seems this intimacy and connection that permeates the speedster lives of Wally and Linda-Park West, as well as the Flash Family as a whole,won’t be leaving this run any time soon.

The Flash Annual 2022 #1 is available from DC Comics now.