BRETT BOOTH on Redesigning WALLY WEST & Bringing the Future THE FLASH
by Vaneta Rogers, Newsarama Contributor
Date: 06 November 2014 Time: 05:20 PM ET
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DC Comics January 2015 soliciations
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For the last seven months, Brett Booth has been not only been defining the look of DC's The Flash, but (as he pointed out to Newsarama), he's already added a couple new Flashes to the mix.
That includes the New 52 version of Wally West as a speedster. Wally, sparked mixed reactions from internet fans when he was introduced to the New 52 in April, because his racial heritage and origin had been changed.
The Flash #35
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But in last month's The Flash #35, Wally appeared in a Booth-design Flash costume to save the world from Booth's other newly designed Flash, a jaded, future version of Barry Allen.
After our interview last month with Flash co-writers Robert Venditti and Van Jensen, Newsarama talked to Booth to find out more about his approach to the new Flash characters and what he's drawing now for future issues.
Newsarama: Brett, the last time we talked was before your first issue of The Flash was released. At the time, you were hoping that Wally West fans would be happy with the way he was introduced and portrayed. What's been the response so far, and what's your hope for the future of the character?
Brett Booth: Hard to tell really. I had to stop reading most of the comments. The purists aren't happy because he was changed, but the rest of folks seem to be OK and even happy with the change. I know some bi-racial fans are very happy; they are now represented in the Flash Universe.
My hope is to get him some powers and maybe a spin off book! Wally was cool because he was an out superhero, and while the secret identity works for most characters, he is simply the Flash; you get what you see, warts and all. Doing that with a teen would be interesting and could be a lot of fun!
Nrama: Let's talk about your design for Wally's costume. What was your thought process as you put together his futuristic Flash costume?
Booth: Wally's costume is actually based on a proposal I did years ago. He's sort of a hybrid between Flash, Kid Flash and Max Mercury. I had to talk very fast to get them to change the open top to the regular skullcap.
The silver is both a nod to Walter West and Max Mercury. In my pitch I had Wally come back as a descendant of Max — it was why the Speed Force seemed drawn to the Wests. Max was family.
When I got the scripts, I saw Wally Flash would only be temporary, so I figured I'd see if they would let me use the already done design (it's just a one-off, so it's an easier process then a regular design). They seemed to go for it.
I just futured up the ear pieces and arm and leg bands. I'm just glad most people seem to like it.
Nrama: We've been told that the Barry from the future, who's leaned toward playing the role of villain so far, will be more like a protagonist in upcoming stories, as he gets a second chance at living his past. Can you describe how you draw this Barry from the future without his costume, and how you signify that he's not the Barry we know?
Booth: Well, he's 20 years older, so he's a bit thinner in the face, with stubble and thinning hair. They are the same guy so it's not a big change. He's also usually frowning, so furrowed brows and a bit of jowls.
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