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* FaceYourFears: With help from Max Mercury, Wally is forced to confront the fact that, deep down, he's terrified of the idea of replacing Barry. He's eventually able to get over it (and reclaim his full speed) by facing what turns out to be an even bigger fear: the idea of ''Thawne'' replacing Barry.
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* GodzillaThreshold: When Jay Garrick recruits Max Mercury, he cites a debt that Max owes him to try to convince him to help. Max notes that Jay promised he wouldn't call that favor in unless it was a matter of life or death; Jay responds that him doing so should tell him how serious the situation is.
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* NoodleIncident: Max Mercury owes Jay Garrick a debt from an incident where they worked together against a supervillain named the Screaming Skull.
* OhCrap: This is ''all'' of the speedsters' response when they find out that the Reverse Flash, is back.
* PowerCreepPowerSeep: [[LampshadedTrope Lampshaded]] and [[DiscussedTrope Discussed]]; Wally notes that his speed has fluctuated over the years, and that he's currently nowhere near as fast as he used to be. Meanwhile, the veteran speedsters (Jay Garrick, Johnny Quick, and Max Mercury) are all still fast, but have slowed down due to their ages. This is all why everyone is so terrified of the Reverse Flash returning: he retains his full speed and level of power, so none of them can truly match him.
** By the end of the story, Wally regains his former power, returning him closer to the levels of speed he had back in [[UsefulNotes/TheSilverAgeOfComicBooks the Silver Age]].
* OhCrap: This is ''all'' of the speedsters' response when they find out that the Reverse Flash, is back.
* PowerCreepPowerSeep: [[LampshadedTrope Lampshaded]] and [[DiscussedTrope Discussed]]; Wally notes that his speed has fluctuated over the years, and that he's currently nowhere near as fast as he used to be. Meanwhile, the veteran speedsters (Jay Garrick, Johnny Quick, and Max Mercury) are all still fast, but have slowed down due to their ages. This is all why everyone is so terrified of the Reverse Flash returning: he retains his full speed and level of power, so none of them can truly match him.
** By the end of the story, Wally regains his former power, returning him closer to the levels of speed he had back in [[UsefulNotes/TheSilverAgeOfComicBooks the Silver Age]].
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* VillainousBSOD: When Thawne first arrives in the present, he's badly disoriented when he makes his way to the Flash Museum. He fully snaps when he discovers that ''he's'' destined to become his idol Barry Allen's greatest enemy; he's so deeply traumatized by this knowledge that he convinces himself that he actually is Barry Allen, setting the story into motion.
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* AscendedFanboy: Eobard Thawne, in the worst way imaginable. He was already unstable, given that he got surgery to look like Barry, but finding out that he travelled to the wrong era was bad enough, but finding out that he's destined to be his idol's worse enemy? Yeah…
to:
* AscendedFanboy: Eobard Thawne, in the worst way imaginable. He was already unstable, given that he got surgery to look like Barry, but Barry and murdered a man to steal the cosmic treadmill, and finding out that he travelled traveled to the wrong era was bad enough, but finding out that he's destined to be his idol's worse enemy? Yeah…Yeah…
* AtrociousAlias: PlayedForLaughs; when Wally and Linda are brainstorming new aliases Wally can use to distinguish himself from the other Flashes, both start cracking up at the name "Captain Zip."
* AtrociousAlias: PlayedForLaughs; when Wally and Linda are brainstorming new aliases Wally can use to distinguish himself from the other Flashes, both start cracking up at the name "Captain Zip."
* BrokenPedestal: Wally develops a massive one for "Barry" after the latter leaves him to die and begins to rampage across the city. It quickly becomes a RebuiltPedestal when he discovers who "Barry" actually is.
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* DespairEventHorizon: Eobard has one when he reads Barry's biography and finds out what he'll become.
to:
* DespairEventHorizon: Eobard has one when he reads Barry's biography visits the Flash Museum and finds out what he'll become.become.
** Wally hits one after "Barry" leaves him to die so that he'll be the only Flash. It's so bad that he doesn't even bother telling anyone (save Linda) that he's still alive.
** Wally hits one after "Barry" leaves him to die so that he'll be the only Flash. It's so bad that he doesn't even bother telling anyone (save Linda) that he's still alive.
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* PretenderDiss:
to:
* PretenderDiss:PretenderDiss: Thawn, as "Barry", starts to do this as he degenerates into villainy, attacking Wally and the other speedsters because he considers himself the one true Flash. Wally eventually gives it right back to him after his identity is revealed.
* ProperlyParanoid: Turns out, Wally was absolutely right to be skeptical of Barry's return.
** Jay Garrick had taken note of "Barry's" growing instability, and recruited both Johnny Quick and Max Mercury to help stop him if push came to shove. [[{{Understatement}} It most certainly does]].
** Jay Garrick had taken note of "Barry's" growing instability, and recruited both Johnny Quick and Max Mercury to help stop him if push came to shove. [[{{Understatement}} It most certainly does]].
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* RoaringRampageOfRevenge: Subverted. When "Barry" proceeds to give Combine a NoHoldsBarredBeatdown, Wally (and the reader) believes it's because Barry was angry for Combine seemingly killing Wally West. At the end, it's revealed that Barry was angry because Combine called Wally The Flash.
* SequelHook: Barry's biography was written by Iris West, who was supposed to be dead.
* SequelHook: Barry's biography was written by Iris West, who was supposed to be dead.
to:
* RoaringRampageOfRevenge: Subverted. When "Barry" proceeds to give a member of the Combine a NoHoldsBarredBeatdown, Wally (and the reader) believes it's because Barry was angry for Combine seemingly killing Wally West. At the end, it's revealed that Barry was angry because Combine called Wally The Flash.
* SequelHook: Barry's biography was written by Iris West, whowas supposed everyone believed to be dead.deceased at the time. Especially since the book's publishing date is still a few years away...
* SequelHook: Barry's biography was written by Iris West, who
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** When Wally and Linda are both brainstorming new superhero names, the latter suggests "Quicksilver." [[{{ComicBook/Quicksilver}} Wally notes that it's taken]].
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** Thawne delivers one to Jay Garrick, Max Mercury and Johnny Quick, and it's his beatdown of Jay that pisses Wally off the most.
*** Before this, he delivers one to Combine for calling Wally The Flash when he is The Flash.
** Wally himself delivers one to Thawne once he gets his second wind. It's to the point that Wally bitch slaps him at one point!
*** Before this, he delivers one to Combine for calling Wally The Flash when he is The Flash.
** Wally himself delivers one to Thawne once he gets his second wind. It's to the point that Wally bitch slaps him at one point!
to:
** Thawne delivers one to Combine for calling Wally The Flash when he is The Flash.
** Thawne also gave one to Jay Garrick, Max Mercury and Johnny Quick, and it's his beatdown of Jay that pisses Wally off the most.
*** Before this, he delivers one to Combine for calling Wally The Flash when he is The Flash.
** Wally himself delivers one to Thawne once he gets his second wind. It's to the point that Wally bitch slaps bitchslaps him at one point!
** Thawne also gave one to Jay Garrick, Max Mercury and Johnny Quick, and it's his beatdown of Jay that pisses Wally off the most.
* TheReasonYouSuckSpeech: Wally delivers one to Professor Zoom as he proceeds to deliver a NoHoldsBarredBeatdown.
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* TheReasonYouSuck: Wally delivers one to Professor Zoom as he proceeds to deliver a NoHoldsBarredBeatdown.
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-->''Thawne:''' I used to dream about meeting him. I used to dream I ''was'' him.
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* PretenderDiss:
-->'''Wally:''' Mister, I knew Barry Allen, and believe me...'''you're no Barry Allen!'''
-->'''Wally:''' Mister, I knew Barry Allen, and believe me...'''you're no Barry Allen!'''
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"The Return of Barry Allen" is a story arc from the second series of ''Franchise/TheFlash'', running from issues #74 to #79, with issue #73 leading into it. Written by Creator/MarkWaid, it concerns the return of the Silver Age Flash, Barry Allen... after his protégé, Wally West, had already been the new Flash for ''years''. Initially, Barry’s return is the cause for much celebration, but something's just not quite right...
to:
"The Return of Barry Allen" is a story arc from the second series of ''Franchise/TheFlash'', running from issues #74 to #79, with issue #73 leading into it. Written by Creator/MarkWaid, it concerns the return of the Silver Age Flash, Barry Allen... after his protégé, Wally West, ComicBook/WallyWest, had already been the new Flash for ''years''. Initially, Barry’s return is the cause for much celebration, but something's just not quite right...
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* IJustWantToBeYou: Thawne's obsession with the Flash turns out to have begun as a case of hero worship that got ''badly'' out of hand.
-->''Thawne:''' I used to dream about meeting him. I used to dream I ''was'' him.
-->''Thawne:''' I used to dream about meeting him. I used to dream I ''was'' him.
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->'''''"I'm the Flash! Do you understand me, punk? I'm the Flash!"'''''
'''"The Return of Barry Allen"''' is a story arc from the second series of ''Franchise/TheFlash'', running from issues #74 to #79, with issue #73 leading into it. Written by Creator/MarkWaid, it concerns the return of the Silver Age Flash, Barry Allen... after his protégé, Wally West, had already been the new Flash for ''years''. Initially, Barry’s return is the cause for much celebration, but something's just not quite right...
Widely considered one of, if not ''the'' best ''Flash'' story ever written, it's also known as the story where Wally West officially stepped out of his mentor's shadow. It ''also'' features the first appearance of the "Flash family" that would become a staple of the franchise, as well as the Modern Age debut of Max Mercury.
'''"The Return of Barry Allen"''' is a story arc from the second series of ''Franchise/TheFlash'', running from issues #74 to #79, with issue #73 leading into it. Written by Creator/MarkWaid, it concerns the return of the Silver Age Flash, Barry Allen... after his protégé, Wally West, had already been the new Flash for ''years''. Initially, Barry’s return is the cause for much celebration, but something's just not quite right...
Widely considered one of, if not ''the'' best ''Flash'' story ever written, it's also known as the story where Wally West officially stepped out of his mentor's shadow. It ''also'' features the first appearance of the "Flash family" that would become a staple of the franchise, as well as the Modern Age debut of Max Mercury.
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->''"I'm the Flash! Do you understand me, punk? I'm the
'''"The
"The Return of Barry
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** This was more in-story, as Iris being alive was well known to long term Flash fans.
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* BeardOfSorrow: After being betrayed and left for dead by "Barry" Wally is left broken, with some notable stubble showing up in the process. After discovering the truth and donning the costume again, he goes back to being clean-shaven.
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* LaserGuidedAmnesia: The perils of time travel and just the traumatic nature of his beating at Wally's hands has Thawne forgetting the events of the story. He ''does'' hold onto an instinctual hatred of the Flash, however.
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* LaserGuidedAmnesia: The perils of time travel and just the traumatic nature of his beating at Wally's hands has Thawne forgetting the events of the story. He ''does'' hold onto an instinctual hatred of the Flash, however.
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*** Before this, he delivers one to Combine for calling Wally The Flash when he is The Flash.
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*** Before this, he delivers one to Combine for calling Wally The Flash when he is The Flash.
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* LaserGuidedAmnesia: The perils of time travel and just the traumatic nature of his beating at Wally's hands has him fogetting the events of the story. He ''does'' hold onto an instinctual hatred of the Flash, however.
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* LaserGuidedAmnesia: The perils of time travel and just the traumatic nature of his beating at Wally's hands has him fogetting Thawne forgetting the events of the story. He ''does'' hold onto an instinctual hatred of the Flash, however.
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Adding a trope example.
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* TimeyWimeyBall: Barry is actually Eobard Thawne, but from ''before'' he actually met Barry Allen and became the Reverse-Flash.
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* TimeyWimeyBall: Barry is actually Eobard Thawne, but from ''before'' he actually met Barry Allen and became the Reverse-Flash.Reverse-Flash.
* WeaksauceWeakness: Green Lantern's vulnerability to the color yellow is lampshaded by Professor Zoom during the fight immediately following the reveal of the latter's true identity. Hal forms an energy cage around Thawne, who snarks that Hal must have forgotten the power ring's weakness to yellow objects...and the Reverse-Flash costume just happens to be predominantly yellow. Cue Thawne easily chopping through the energy-cage's bars and laying a smack-down on Hal.
* WeaksauceWeakness: Green Lantern's vulnerability to the color yellow is lampshaded by Professor Zoom during the fight immediately following the reveal of the latter's true identity. Hal forms an energy cage around Thawne, who snarks that Hal must have forgotten the power ring's weakness to yellow objects...and the Reverse-Flash costume just happens to be predominantly yellow. Cue Thawne easily chopping through the energy-cage's bars and laying a smack-down on Hal.
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* ArmorPiercingResponse: Late into the story, when Max Mercury suggests that Wally's speed has been inhibited all this time because of a mental block having to do with his being in Barry's shadow, Wally angrily declares that he's not going to hear another word of it, as he loves speed. Max coolly replies, "But you love your uncle more," causing Wally to stop in his tracks.
to:
* ArmorPiercingResponse: Late into the story, when Max Mercury suggests that Wally's speed has been inhibited all this time because of a mental block having to do with his being in Barry's shadow, Wally angrily declares that he's not going to hear another word of it, as he loves speed. Max coolly replies, "But you love your uncle Uncle Barry even more," causing Wally to stop in his tracks.tracks.
--> '''Max:''' You keep saying you don't want to replace Barry, but the moment you become as fast as him...that's exactly what you'll have done.
--> '''Max:''' You keep saying you don't want to replace Barry, but the moment you become as fast as him...that's exactly what you'll have done.
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* ArmorPiercingResponse: Late into the story, when Max Mercury suggests that Wally's speed has been inhibited all this time because of a mental block having to do with his being in Barry's shadow, Wally angrily declares that he's not going to hear another word of it, as he loves speed. Max coolly replies, "But you love your uncle more," causing Wally to stop in his tracks.
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* RoaringRampageOfRevenge: Subverted. When "Barry" proceeds to give Combine a NoHoldsBarredBeatdown, Wally (and the reader) believes it's because Barry was angry for Combine seemingly killing Wally West. At the end, it's revealed that Barry was angry because Combine called Wally The Flash.
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***Before this, he delivers one to Combine for calling Wally The Flash when he is The Flash.
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* TheReasonYouSuck: Wally delivers one to Professor Zoom as he proceeds to deliver a NoHoldsBarredBeatdown.
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* LeaningOnTheFourthWall: "Barry's" insistence that ''he's'' the Flash and nobody else in a story about Wally surpassing Barry is very clearly a play against those who aee Barry as the one true Flash.
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* LeaningOnTheFourthWall: "Barry's" insistence that ''he's'' the Flash and nobody else in a story about Wally surpassing Barry is very clearly a play against those who aee see Barry as the one true Flash.
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* StableTimeLoop: Eobard is inspired by Barry and travels back in time. Hee snaps when he realises he'll become the Reverse-Flash. Wally defeats him and sends him back in time (with amnesia) inspiring his hatred of the Flashes. He meets Barry and becomes the Reverse-Flash before Wally's time.
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* StableTimeLoop: Eobard is inspired by Barry and travels back in time. Hee He snaps when he realises he'll become the Reverse-Flash. Wally defeats him and sends him back in time (with amnesia) inspiring his hatred of the Flashes. He meets Barry and becomes the Reverse-Flash before Wally's time.
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!!In Addition to the usual ''Flash'' tropes, this story contains examples of:
to:
!!In Addition addition to the usual ''Flash'' tropes, this story contains examples of:
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----
to:
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* BaitAndSwitch: It's well-known that "Barry" is actually Eobard these days, but at the time, it seemed like Barry really ''did'' return.
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* DespairEventHorizon: Eobard has one when he reads Barry's biography and finds out what he'll become.
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* TheMentor: Max Mercury briefly mentors Wally before Wally quits.
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* SoProudOfYou: Hal Jordan says that he used to think Barry was the greatest hero he'd ever known. Then he saw Wally risk everything to defend the Flash legacy, and says that's now Wally.
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at least cut the unecessary part
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[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/the_return_of_barry_allen_cover.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:Heeeeeere's Barry!]]
[[caption-width-right:350:Heeeeeere's Barry!]]
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* CallBack: Eobard tries to kill Linda by vibrating his hand through her head, just as he'd done to Iris West.
* LaserGuidedAmnesia: The perils of time travel and just the traumatic nature of his beating at Wally's hands has him fogetting the events of the story. He ''does'' hold onto an instinctual hatred of the Flash, however.
* LeaningOnTheFourthWall: "Barry's" insistence that ''he's'' the Flash and nobody else in a story about Wally surpassing Barry is very clearly a play against those who aee Barry as the one true Flash.
* LeaningOnTheFourthWall: "Barry's" insistence that ''he's'' the Flash and nobody else in a story about Wally surpassing Barry is very clearly a play against those who aee Barry as the one true Flash.
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** Thawne delivers one to Jay Garrick, and it's this beatdown that pisses Wally off the most.
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** Thawne delivers one to Jay Garrick, Max Mercury and Johnny Quick, and it's this his beatdown of Jay that pisses Wally off the most.
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* StableTimeLoop: Eobard is inspired by Barry and travels back in time. Hee snaps when he realises he'll become the Reverse-Flash. Wally defeats him and sends him back in time (with amnesia) inspiring his hatred of the Flashes. He meets Barry and becomes the Reverse-Flash before Wally's time.
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[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/the_return_of_barry_allen_cover.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:Heeeeeere's Barry!]]
[[caption-width-right:350:Heeeeeere's Barry!]]
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->''"I'm the Flash! Do you understand me, punk? I'm the Flash!"''
to:
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->"I'm the Flash! Do you understand me, punk? I'm the Flash!"
'''"The Return of Barry Allen"''' is a story arc from the second series of ''The Flash'', running from issues #74 to #79, with issue #73 leading into it. Written by Creator/MarkWaid, it concerns the return of the Silver Age Flash, Barry Allen... after his protégé, Wally West, had already been the new Flash for ''years''. Initially, Barry’s return is the cause for much celebration, but something's just not quite right...
'''"The Return of Barry Allen"''' is a story arc from the second series of ''The Flash'', running from issues #74 to #79, with issue #73 leading into it. Written by Creator/MarkWaid, it concerns the return of the Silver Age Flash, Barry Allen... after his protégé, Wally West, had already been the new Flash for ''years''. Initially, Barry’s return is the cause for much celebration, but something's just not quite right...
to:
'''"The Return of Barry Allen"''' is a story arc from the second series of
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* SurpassedTheMentor: This story is where Wally officially surpassed Barry in terms of speed, after he came to terms with the idea of replacing Barry.
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* SurpassedTheMentor: SurpassedTheTeacher: This story is where Wally officially surpassed Barry in terms of speed, after he came to terms with the idea of replacing Barry.
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* DeuxExMachina: The lightning that strikes between Wally and Thawne, which gives Wally his second wind. It's implied that Barry may have been involved.
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* DeuxExMachina: DeusExMachina: The lightning that strikes between Wally and Thawne, which gives Wally his second wind. It's implied that Barry may have been involved.
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* TimeyWhimeyBall: Barry is actually Eobard Thawne, but from ''before'' he actually met Barry Allen and became the Reverse-Flash.
to:
* TimeyWhimeyBall: TimeyWimeyBall: Barry is actually Eobard Thawne, but from ''before'' he actually met Barry Allen and became the Reverse-Flash.
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->"I'm the Flash! Do you understand me, punk? I'm the Flash!"
'''"The Return of Barry Allen"''' is a story arc from the second series of ''The Flash'', running from issues #74 to #79, with issue #73 leading into it. Written by Creator/MarkWaid, it concerns the return of the Silver Age Flash, Barry Allen... after his protégé, Wally West, had already been the new Flash for ''years''. Initially, Barry’s return is the cause for much celebration, but something's just not quite right...
Widely considered one of, if not ''the'' best ''Flash'' story ever written, it's also known as the story where Wally West officially stepped out of his mentor's shadow. It ''also'' features the first appearance of the "Flash family" that would become a staple of the franchise, as well as the Modern Age debut of Max Mercury.
----
* AdaptationOriginConnection: This story has Wally's defeat of Thawne inspire Thawne's hatred of the Flashes. He just happened to meet Barry "first".
* AscendedFanboy: Eobard Thawne, in the worst way imaginable. He was already unstable, given that he got surgery to look like Barry, but finding out that he travelled to the wrong era was bad enough, but finding out that he's destined to be his idol's worse enemy? Yeah…
* DeuxExMachina: The lightning that strikes between Wally and Thawne, which gives Wally his second wind. It's implied that Barry may have been involved.
* EvilCounterpart: The story positions Thawne as one to Wally. Both are Flash fanboys, but Wally got to be trained by Barry and is a heroic person, whereas Thawne's fanboyism is outright obsession, and he's just not a good person.
* FishOutOfWater: "Barry" is out of the loop regarding superheroics of the time, such as the lack of secret identities that many heroes have as well as the idea that Pied Piper turned over a new leaf.
* IHaveYourWife: Well, girlfriend, but Thawne kidnaps Linda to lure Wally out.
* NoHoldsBarredBeatdown:
** Thawne delivers one to Jay Garrick, and it's this beatdown that pisses Wally off the most.
** Wally himself delivers one to Thawne once he gets his second wind. It's to the point that Wally bitch slaps him at one point!
* SequelHook: Barry's biography was written by Iris West, who was supposed to be dead.
* ShoutOut: Wally appropriates the famous "Senator, I you’re no Jack Kennedy" quote.
-->'''Wally''': Mister, I knew Barry Allen. And you’re no Barry Allen!
* SurpassedTheMentor: This story is where Wally officially surpassed Barry in terms of speed, after he came to terms with the idea of replacing Barry.
* TimeyWhimeyBall: Barry is actually Eobard Thawne, but from ''before'' he actually met Barry Allen and became the Reverse-Flash.
'''"The Return of Barry Allen"''' is a story arc from the second series of ''The Flash'', running from issues #74 to #79, with issue #73 leading into it. Written by Creator/MarkWaid, it concerns the return of the Silver Age Flash, Barry Allen... after his protégé, Wally West, had already been the new Flash for ''years''. Initially, Barry’s return is the cause for much celebration, but something's just not quite right...
Widely considered one of, if not ''the'' best ''Flash'' story ever written, it's also known as the story where Wally West officially stepped out of his mentor's shadow. It ''also'' features the first appearance of the "Flash family" that would become a staple of the franchise, as well as the Modern Age debut of Max Mercury.
----
* AdaptationOriginConnection: This story has Wally's defeat of Thawne inspire Thawne's hatred of the Flashes. He just happened to meet Barry "first".
* AscendedFanboy: Eobard Thawne, in the worst way imaginable. He was already unstable, given that he got surgery to look like Barry, but finding out that he travelled to the wrong era was bad enough, but finding out that he's destined to be his idol's worse enemy? Yeah…
* DeuxExMachina: The lightning that strikes between Wally and Thawne, which gives Wally his second wind. It's implied that Barry may have been involved.
* EvilCounterpart: The story positions Thawne as one to Wally. Both are Flash fanboys, but Wally got to be trained by Barry and is a heroic person, whereas Thawne's fanboyism is outright obsession, and he's just not a good person.
* FishOutOfWater: "Barry" is out of the loop regarding superheroics of the time, such as the lack of secret identities that many heroes have as well as the idea that Pied Piper turned over a new leaf.
* IHaveYourWife: Well, girlfriend, but Thawne kidnaps Linda to lure Wally out.
* NoHoldsBarredBeatdown:
** Thawne delivers one to Jay Garrick, and it's this beatdown that pisses Wally off the most.
** Wally himself delivers one to Thawne once he gets his second wind. It's to the point that Wally bitch slaps him at one point!
* SequelHook: Barry's biography was written by Iris West, who was supposed to be dead.
* ShoutOut: Wally appropriates the famous "Senator, I you’re no Jack Kennedy" quote.
-->'''Wally''': Mister, I knew Barry Allen. And you’re no Barry Allen!
* SurpassedTheMentor: This story is where Wally officially surpassed Barry in terms of speed, after he came to terms with the idea of replacing Barry.
* TimeyWhimeyBall: Barry is actually Eobard Thawne, but from ''before'' he actually met Barry Allen and became the Reverse-Flash.
