Warning: Spoilers for DC’s Lex and the City #1
Superheroes and long-term relationships don’t exactly mix, but theFlashhas established himself as the exception to that rule. Being a hero attracts all sorts of dangerous enemies, so many of them avoid forming deep connections with others in order to ensure their safety. Meanwhile, the Flash has been happily married for years, somehow nurturing a romance amidst the challenges he faces as the Fastest Man Alive.
In “Together Again” fromDC’s Lex and the City#1, written by Charles Skaggs with art by Serg Acuña, the Titans unite for a guys' weekend. As they chat, Wally West brings up his wife,Linda Park-West. Nightwing then asks how he juggles his marriage and his superhero lifestyle, since he doesn’t see how it’s possible.
Wally simply replies,“I knew I wanted to be with her…so to hell with whatever super-villain craziness or weird multiversal crisis gets thrown our way.“Sustaining a healthy marriage when one partner is a superhero requires hard work, and the Flash proves that it can indeed be accomplished.
The Flash Is One of the Few DC Heroes Who Can Maintain a Relationship
Wally West Successfully Balances Romance With Being the Flash
The Flash first met Linda in 1989’sThe Flash#28 by William Messner-Loebs and Greg LaRocque, and though it wasn’t exactly love at first sight, they have gradually evolved into one ofDC’s best couplesand are now raising three children together. Wally may be a superhero, but he tries to retain normalcy in his home life. He also works as a mechanical engineer to make ends meet when he isn’t running around in red spandex.The Flash is loyal to the Justice League, yet his true loyalty lies with his loved ones waiting for him at home, just as it would for any family man.
Sorry, But It’s True: The Flash’s New Power Is Making Him a Way Worse Hero
The Flash’s new duplication ability is a good idea in theory, but in practice, it’s only caused problems for himself and the DC Universe as a whole.
Being involved with the Flash puts Wally’swife and childrenin harm’s way, making them targets for villain attacks. However, despite foes' attempts to divide his family, the Flash fights nonstop to protect them at all costs.For most couples, the stress of constant battles for their lives would break their spirit, but Wally and Linda have grown stronger with each conflict.TheFlash’s love for Lindais so powerful that it once overwhelmed the devil himself when he tried to steal it from them, thereby demonstrating that no enemy will ever come between this couple.
The Flash’s Marriage Survives Every Threat With the Power of Love
Linda Park-West Is The Flash’s Lightning Rod, Through Thick and Thin
The Flash loves Linda so deeply that it transcends emotion to become a superpower in its own right.When Wally describes her as his “lightning rod” to the Titans, he isn’t using a metaphor.Linda actually tethers him to reality via theSpeed Forceand prevents him from pushing himself too far.No matter how far the Flash runs, his bond with Linda keeps him grounded, allowing him to find his way back to her.Even when they were erased from continuity in 2011 as part of the controversialNew 52 reboot, Wally kept searching for Linda until he reunited with her and the kids.
The Flash rejoined the DC Universe after his erasure in 2016’sDC Universe: Rebirth#1, but Linda’s memory of him wasn’t restored until 2021’sDark Nights: Death Metal Speed Metal#1.
This profound connection between the Flash and his wife goes in both directions. InThe Flash#12 by Simon Spurrier, Ramón Pérez, and Vasco Georgiev, Abra Kadabra has stripped Linda of her love for Wally when he needs her most. Meanwhile, thevillainous Arc Angleshave taken advantage of the Flash’s isolation to wipe his memories of his family and force him to do their dark bidding. Just when all hope seems lost,Linda appears to Wally in a spirit formand reveals that she’s been with him all along, even though they’d forgotten one another. She says it best:“I found you. As I always will.”
The Flash Always Puts His Family First, Even Before His Superhero Duties
Wally West’s Love For Linda Transcends His Justice League Responsibilities
As Wally and Linda assure each other throughout Spurrier’s run onThe Flash, they will love each other"until time stands still, and everything after”. So far, they’ve done a good job of doing so, boasting a much better track record than many of the Flash’s costumed colleagues. None of the other Titans in the original line-up are currently married, hence whyDick seeks Wally’s adviceon how to keep a relationship afloat through the chaos they deal with daily. The Flash’s marriage has become an inspiration to the rest of the hero community, and that’s because he knows how to balance his two worlds.
The Flash’s marriage has become an inspiration to the rest of the hero community, and that’s because he knows how to balance his two worlds.
The Flash enjoys his crime-fighting gig, but he sets himself apart from his peers by prioritizing his personal life over his superhero life. TheJustice League is a job for Wally, plain and simple, while his family is the true calling that motivates him at his core. Of course, he isn’t perfect - no husband or father is - but what matters is that he never gives up on being present for Linda and their children as much as possible. TheFlash’s love for his wife shows no sign of slowing down, regardless of any hardships that come their way.
DC’s Lex and the City#1is available now from DC Comics!
