Warning: spoilers ahead for Dark Nights: Death Metal: Speed Metal #1.
Wally West finally gets the recognition he deserves in Dark Nights: Death Metal: Speed Metal #1. Writer Joshua Williamson, who has long been the reigning Flash writer for DC Comics, uses this tie-in issue as the homage to Wally he was unable to give him in his main speedster series. A big part of it includes Wally getting his old Flash suit back, the one he wore when Barry was trapped in the Speed Force and Wally took his mantle, and he's never looked better.
In Speed Metal from Williamson and artist Eddy Barrows, the Darkest Knight is chasing after Wally and the Flash Family, trying to claim Wally's anti-Crisis Manhattan energy for himself. The Flashes have no means of escaping, their only choice being to run until the Speed Force burns them out. Even worse, the Darkest Knight unleashes an entire horde of Black Flashes from across the Dark Multiverse, and they're right on the Flashes' heels. While Wally buys them some time with Johnny Quick's Speed Force Equation, it does accelerate the burnout. Getting a moment to breathe, Wally comes up with a plan: they have to run back the way they came, though the horde and back to the Mobius Chair, which they can use to help turn the tide with the Justice League and restore the multiverse.
However, Barry resists the idea in Speed Metal. This leads to the two Flashes getting into some conflict, as the two haven't quite seen eye to eye since The Flash War. Wally shares that while Barry was gone, Wally saved the world and multiverse countless time, working so hard to get out of Barry's shadow as the new Flash. However, when Barry came back, Wally ended up right back in that shadow. Barry understands, and never intended for that to happen. After they reconcile, Barry agrees with Wally's plan. Wally, Barry, Jay, and Kid Flash run through the horde, though both Jay and Kid Flash soon fall behind. Barry tells Wally that while he was always the leader, Wally was always faster. Wally forging his own path has inspired Barry, and Barry sacrifices himself, giving Wally a boost with his Speed Force. Even so, the Black Flashes gain on Wally, wanting him to think about his setback and struggles. However, Wally's blue Manhattan suit begins to change, as he's choosing instead to think about the things that give him hope.
Wearing his classic suit from when he was the one and only Flash, Wally pushes through and makes it to the Mobius Chair before the Darkest Knight. The Chair transports Wally back into the Speed Force, but instead of trapping him once more, it provides a sanctuary. It also pulls the rest of the Flash Family in, keeping them safe and together. The Speed Force rewards him for his strength, speed, and hope by keeping the lightning rods of that hope safe as well.
It's an amazing moment for Wally, and Wally West fans should be ecstatic that he got to win the race and make it to the finish line wearing his OG Flash suit, even if it does revert back to blue at the end of the issue. Knowing that they can't stay safe in the Speed Force forever, Wally, Barry, and Jay determine to take the Mobius Chair and help the Justice League in their fight in Death Metal. When Wally tells Barry to lead the way, Barry instead tells Wally that it's his turn to lead. Wally West has had a tumultuous return to DC Comics since Rebirth, but it seems like he's finally hitting his stride after Speed Metal. As Williamson has just ended his run on The Flash, it's really cool that he was able to give Wally West an epic spotlight before he left.
Dark Nights: Death Metal: Speed Metal #1 by Joshua Williamson and Eddy Barrows is available now.
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