This is mostly for fun, but also - why not? I know Wally spent significant time as THE Flash, but Robin went on the become Nightwing, Speedy went on to Arsenal -- in a time when it's not about legacy as much as it is seeing if all generations can co-exist, finding a new name might be a genuine consideration.
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LOL I'd end the whole whine infested schism right now and make Jay and Alan (and Al, Khufu(Carter), Shiera, etc) all the originals the definitive champions of their respective franchise and brand names, giving them all the modern updates as they did and still do with the most successful; Clark Kent, Bruce Wayne and Diana.
All the derivative characters should get their own name and theme!Go ahead and start a thread for it!.
How about just Merc, and give him the over-the-top 90's speed-force energy caduceus wings, staff and blade constructs.
Last edited by Güicho; 03-11-2020 at 08:53 AM.
Because being The Flash is just as important to Wally as being Kid Flash. Moreso, even, if you consider his actual character arc. It's more important to him as a person, the name itself, than it is to Barry. To Barry it was because a character he liked in a comic book with the same powers had the name. If Barry had gotten struck by lightning and suddenly had Kryptonian powers he might've named himself Superman. That's why he's The Flash. And, to a more real point, he has the name because it had instant familiarity to the comic market that made him a more successful, visible character -- something that Wally needed and needs, too. I'm not sure why Barry gets the permanent benefit of a major franchise name and Wally shouldn't get the same benefit.
To Wally it's because his surrogate father died saving the multiverse and it was his job to step in and fill the shoes of one of the greatest men who ever lived and he did so. Being The Flash is so fundamental to Wally that the best Flash story ever is literally about why Wally West is The Flash whether Barry is around or not.
The reason people want Wally to change his name is almost always malicious or coming from people who don't care enough to even be relevant to decisions made on the character (the buying market).
And, finally, your examples. I don't know how in the world you can tout Roy as a good example. Roy has had it very, very, very bad as Arsenal. **** went downhill for him when he stopped calling himself Red Arrow and went back to Arsenal, too. Things weren't so great as Speedy, either (hello drugs!). Nightwing is less successful relative to his predecessor than Wally is to Barry. So even if you think Nightwing is a wild success, it is far less of a success compared to Wally as The Flash. The question should be why Roy and Nightwing didn't take over for their mentors on an intended as permanent basis to emulate Wally's success, not the other way around.
If you're super hardline that no characters should share mantles then that brings up the concept of retiring, killing, or renaming everyone.
There have been other people who called themselves Superman, Batman, or Wonder Woman. If not on a long term basis, but it happens plenty. If everyone had to get their own name then you would've missed out on a ton of great stories, too, for something trivial.
Last edited by Dred; 03-11-2020 at 12:05 PM.
I don't remember the last time a comic character successfully benefited from a codename change. Carol Danvers as Captain Marvel, I guess?
Shazam because they didn't have any choice.
A bat! That's it! It's an omen.. I'll shall become a bat!
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A bat! That's it! It's an omen.. I'll shall become a bat!
Pre-CBR Reboot Join Date: 10-17-2010
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THE CBR COMMUNITY STANDARDS & RULES ~ So... what's your excuse now?
Maybe Billy could call himself CM1. That would be an absolutely not at all stupid name.