The Very Varied Barrys (Comparing TV Flash & Movie Flash)

When I was growing up, Wally West was The Fastest Man Alive. Much like Nightwing, I could attach to the 3rd Flash because he used to be a sidekick and had grown into his own man. For a large population of readers today Wally was The Flash they remembered. Barry Allen was basically his Uncle Ben and we kind of accepted that. But when Geoff Johns wrote "The Flash: Rebirth" in 2009 Barry Allen returned, donned The Flash mantle again, and Johns never really let the character go. For six years fans went without their favorite redhead because Barry was The Flash. With Barry dominating the main comic book series, the TV series, and a place in the DCEU, I think people may find themselves asking: What's The Difference?

The Comics

  To describe Barry is to describe a guy who acts like Superman without even trying. Batman once described him as "who I would hope to become if my parents weren't murdered". Barry is polite, well-mannered, witty, and above all personal. If Batman saves you from a falling object, he'll just leave. If The Flash saves you from a falling object he'll ask if you're okay, if you need a doctor, what your name is. Barry will talk to people. Barry let's people talk. He's very easy-going and doesn't like to rock the boat too much. That being said he's not very good at sticking to a plan he doesn't like. If he's part of the wrong crowd or he tries to hang up the cowl, he'll run right back to what feels right again. It's no surprise so many characters consider him their best friend. To contrast, Wally West is much more quippy, outspoken, juvenile, and sensitive. In many ways, Barry is the kind of person every parent hopes their child grows into. That all stems from good parental figures, a drive to do what's right, and the support of people who believe in your cause.

The TV Show

Now you'll have to forgive me for this part because I stopped watching CW's "The Flash" halfway into season three. Not because I wasn't enjoying it, because I really was, but because I just didn't have the time or attention span to watch a show week-to-week. I have Netflix, but I feel like the show has been going for so long catching up would be a chore. Maybe some day I'll recap all of it because I'd rather watch "The Flash", "Legends of Tomorrow", or "Supergirl" than "Arrow". Anyway, Barry Allen isn't too different in the TV show compared to the comics. He's still an good man, just a good young man. Yeah, Barry was about twenty-five when the TV started, he's currently twenty-nine. Crazy to think that show started in 2014. So other than a splash of youngness what's different about this Barry? Well, he's a lot more sensitive than comic Barry. Don't get the wrong idea, Comic Barry is all about hope and love and friendship, but he's cried way less than TV Barry. You don't really see TV Barry interacting with the public in the way Comic Barry will either, Comic Barry has his own museum. However, it has been shown that well into Barry's future he has a more concrete relationship with the people of Central City. I find that TV Barry does about as good a job at setting up who Barry will become as something like "Superman: Secret Origin" or even "Smallville". We see a younger, softer, more inexperienced Barry Allen slowly grow into the confident, well-rounded hero we know today.

The Movies

And now for the elephant in the room. Jesus, an elephant with The Speed Force. That'd be scary. Movie Barry is very different from either version of Barry, I'd go as far as to say he's almost a different character completely. This Barry is twenty-five, a college student, and, well, kind of awkward. Like if Barry Allen was a "Big Bang Theory" character. In all honesty though his behavior is explained through The Speed Force. Apparently the rest of the world moves so slow to him he finds it hard to make friends. The Justice League treat him like the rookie of the team due to his young optimistic attitude. This Barry is almost a counter argument to the kind of person Barry would grow up to be. Instead of Barry growing up an social, easy-going, personal citizen, this Barry grows up to be anti-social, introverted, and self-doubting. In a way this is much more realistic take on the character that doesn't bounce of Barry's multiple friends and family members. Also this Barry Allen is Jewish. Odd change, but I guess it's because Ezra Miller is Jewish. It may be my distain for the the movie and the whole DCEU as a whole, but I do not like this version of The Flash. Again, I think the logic behind his behavior is legitimate, in another kind of universe his personality could work. Even if it goes against tradition, but in practice Barry comes off as just a joke with a few sentimental moments. If TV Barry is Year One Barry, Movie Barry is Nolan Barry.
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Which Barry Allen is YOUR Barry Allen?