Warning! Spoilers ahead for Flash #773
In the latest issue of DC Comics' The Flash, Wally West proves he's one of the DC Universe's most compassionate heroes. While other heroes might punch their foes first and ask questions later (especially if they're classic villains from their rogues gallery), the Flash takes a different approach. While Mick Rory's Heat Wave starts to torch the city and threatens to set off a bomb, Wally reaches out to get to the heart of the problem in this new issue, genuinely caring about Mick and the reasons why he's chosen to cause chaos.
In The Flash #773, Wally West has just begun his new job as an engineer for Mr. Terrific's company when he's alerted to Heat Wave's attack on a hospital. Having been given the freedom to leave his new job when duty as the Flash calls, Wally suits up and heads out in pursuit of Mick Rory. While Heat Wave setting fires and attacking the city may seem run of the mill for the Flash, it's really not when factoring in Rory's attempts to go straight in recent comics. As such, it's a key reason why Wally is so confused about why he's chosen to revert back to his more violent and aggressive self in this issue from Jeremy Adams and Will Conrad.
After a brief conflict in which Wally is able to subdue Heat Wave, he directly asks Rory why he's relapsed back to being a villain, and it soon becomes clear something is very wrong with Mick. Soon, the Flash is able to put the pieces together and Mick confirms that he got cancer from the asbestos in his suit. While Mick's plan was just to burn and blow everything up after finding life meaningless, Flash reaches out to show care and concern, offering his help and some much-needed encouragement.
Not only is Wally able to defuse the volatile situation, but he also demonstrates an incredible amount of compassion that proves to be the most beneficial method of saving the day for all parties involved (including Mick). While one of the officers present is confused as to why Wally is being so nice to Rory, Wally gives the perfect response that proves why he's one of DC's best heroes: "Part of the job isn't just to save people...but to inspire them too. How else can we change the world?" The Flash's demonstration of care here also falls in line with past interactions he's had, such as Wally's famous conversation with the Trickster in the animated Justice League Unlimited series. In that instance, Wally encouraged Trickster to keep taking his meds, and he promised to play darts with the prank-based rogue in exchange for intel, demonstrating Wally's relationship of care he'd formed with the mentally unwell foe. As a result, Wally was also able to tell Trickster to turn himself in after he left to save the day, and Trickster actually agreed to do it.
Cleary, Wally West's Flash has a strong desire to help his rogues and foes actually get better and reform, and it's pretty cool to see him so determined to help Mick Rory's Heat Wave in this issue. In this way, not only is the current day saved but hopefully future dangers can be prevented by offering support and compassion. However, it looks as though Heat Wave's current arc isn't quite done, as Amanda Waller gets her hands on him for her Suicide Squad at the issue's end. Here's hoping the Flash will get involved in future issues to save Heat Wave in order to get him the help he needs.