Barry Allen is The Flash, the fastest man alive, and is arguably the most popular version of The Flash today. This is partially due to his long-lasting presence in DC Comics, but also due to The CW’s show starring Grant Gustin which has introduced many people to Barry Allen. An original team member of the Justice League, Barry was introduced in Showcase #4 in 1956. But how does DC’s new Flash stack up to the most famous version?

DC’s Future State finds Jess Chambers suiting up and taking on the mantle of The Flash. Chambers was introduced as Kid Quick of Earth-11, in DC’s Very Merry Multiverse, but in Future State: Justice League #1 there is no such mention of Kid Quick. Chambers assumes the mantle of The Flash. The newest member of The Flash-Family is a core league member in Future State: Justice League #1. Future State, DC’s two-month-long event changes the existing status quo of the Multiverse. Set in the bleak future, a whole range of new characters take up legacy roles from existing heroes.

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Jess Chambers joins a vast legacy of Flash characters, but what makes them different from DC Comics’ primary version of The Flash, Barry Allen? Chambers is the first non-binary, genderfluid character, using they/them pronouns, to be a part of the Justice League. This separates them from all previous speedsters, including Barry, as this version of the Flash is completely new and groundbreaking in terms of representation.

The first issue of the Justice League’s two-part, Future State story gives readers an insight into what the new Flash is like. Jess seems a little cocky and generally lighter than Barry, as evidenced by Jess’ scene with Aquawoman in Future State: Justice League #1. It would seem, Jess in comparison to Barry is more socially engaged. Typically, Barry has always seemed more serious and mature than most heroes. It appears that Jess’ somewhat sarcastic, rule-breaking nature opposes the idea of calling them serious.

Additionally, like Wally West, Jess Chambers has been a hero since they were a teenager which separates them from Barry as he got his powers much later. As a member of Teen Justice, they fought alongside other teenaged heroes on Earth-11, saving New Year’s Eve in the eight-page story which released in December. Whereas, Barry has only fought with the Justice League and has always been depicted as a young man. With Jess being younger, readers will probably get to explore a wider range of adventures in the potential future stories to come.

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Unfortunately, we have not been able to spend much time with the new Flash as they have only been introduced recently. However, Future State: Justice League #2 will hopefully deliver further interactions and use of powers. The two characters have many differences in terms of personality, but power-wise, excluding Barry losing his powers in Future State, they have similar abilities. Jess Chambers has little history compared to Barry Allen but in their short time since their first appearance, DC’s first genderfluid Flash has garnered a lot of attention and could potentially have much more to offer.

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About The Author


Ben Rolph
(344 Articles Published)

Ben Rolph is a Comics features writer for Screen Rant. Based out of London, United Kingdom, Ben owns and runs an Arrowverse YouTube channel called ‘TheDCTVshow’, as well as being a film critic at DiscussingFilm. He is also a Tomatometer-approved critic and studies film at the University of Westminster.

Ben has a passion for the Arrowverse shows, especially The Flash and Supergirl, which he has watched and analysed for years.

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