In The Flash #759, Eobard Thawne now has control of Barry Allen’s body, but a fan-favorite speedster returns just in time to challenge the villain.
WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for The Flash #759, by Joshua Williamson, Rafa Sandoval, Scott Kolins, Jordi Tarragona, Arif Prianto, Hi-Fi and Steve Wands, available now.
In recent issues of The Flash, Eobard Thawne has assembled his very own Reverse-Flash Family to attack every aspect of Barry Allen’s life, from his place of work and the Flash museum to the people he loves. Barry, of course, tried to get ahead of his sworn enemy, but Thawne had already planned beyond that by adding the Tornado Twins to this Legion of Zoom. With Barry defeated by his own children from the future, Eobard used this opportunity to finally get his ultimate wish: he truly became the Flash by phasing into Barry Allen’s body and taking control of it.
Now, Thawne is the Scarlet Speedster and he sets out to become the greatest superhero ever in The Flash #759. But Eobard being himself, it isn’t long before he lets his true colors shine — and thankfully, a long-lost speedster returns to stop him: Jay Garrick.
Created by Harry Lampert and Gardner Fox in 1940’s Flash Comics #1, Jay Garrick was the Flash before Barry Allen. The character has been a long-time member of the Flash family, as well as the Justice Society of America. However, after the 2011’s The New 52 reboot, the continuity of the DC Universe was streamlined and, as a result, all of its history was altered. Jay Garrick was essentially erased from the timeline, along with other speedsters such as Wally West and Jesse Quick.
Then, elements of the old DC Universe started to make a return following 2016’s DC Rebirth. Even though the timeline had been altered, Wally West emerged from the Speed Force, with memories of the life that had come before. There were separate instances where Jay Garrick briefly appeared in the Speed Force, before he finally properly appeared in both Justice League and Doomsday Clock. The latter comic series fixed the DC timeline, and re-established the Justice Society of America as part of the past.
Following this, Jay’s existence in DC history was once again confirmed in The Flash #750, which showed the original Flash defend Central City in 1940., and his subsequent appearance in Dark Nights: Death Metal. While it’s been a long wait for fans of Jay Garrick, the character finally returns in the present day in the pages of The Flash and he makes a total, electrifying splash.
In The Flash #759, Eobard Thawne is at the wheel of Barry Allen’s body, and he starts off by acting as the best possible version of the Scarlet Speedster he can be. However, the villain makes a crucial mistake when he interacts with Bart Allen, aka Impulse. It takes a little time for Bart to realize what exactly is wrong with Barry, but he eventually realizes that he isn’t himself.
When Thawne then finds Iris, Wallace and Avery, Impulse interrupts him before he can get too close. Soon, Iris deduces that Thawne is posing as Barry, and she steps in to stand between the villain and the three superpowered kids. But before the Reverse-Flash can make his move to kill them, Jay Garrick arrives in a flash, ready to protect Iris, Wallace, Bart and Avery.
“Son, I mean this with all due respect… get the hell away from those kids!” he exclaims, ready to fight the villain. The issue comes to a close before the fight between the two can start, but it’s clear that issue #760 will deliver a clash between Jay Garrick and Reverse-Flash, with Barry Allen’s very life in the balance.
