Although Wally West has already been proven himself to be the fastest Flash, now he’s taking a step towards becoming the best Flash overall. A staple in the DCU, Wally has won over many readers with his quick wit and connection to the Speed Force. While he has already established himself as the current Flash, this one simple power could make him the best Flash.
As the main character in the cult classic The Flash run by Mark Waid, Wally West was made to fill Barry Allen's shoes. By taking out villains and saving lives, he quickly earned the respect of the people in Keystone, who knew him as both the Flash and Wally West. He even endeared himself to the people of the city by becoming a sports star and raising money for charities. But he only got to where he is today from his secret power of coincidence.
In 1992's The Flash #62 by Mark Waid, Greg LaRocque, José Marzán, Jr., Glenn Whitmore and Tim Harkins, the origins of Wally’s powers are revealed to have occurred under the same circumstances that Barry Allen went through! Barry has just finished telling Wally about how he got his powers from being struck by lightning, and how low the chances are of Wally getting struck by lightning too. But right at that moment, Wally West is struck by that same lightning! Now a speedster, the strange circumstances of the Flash's powers was a pretty big coincidence. Later on in the run, it’s revealed that there is a possibility that Barry and Wally themselves willed the lightning to come from the Speed Force. After all, the chances of gaining powers in the same way Barry did are so low that they're practically non-existent.
The Coincidences in Wally West's Life Could Be Magic
That isn’t the only time that coincidence steps into Wally’s life. After a run-in with some terrorists in the same issue, the Flash just so happens to stumble across his grandfather – someone he hasn’t seen in ages. Not an entirely strange circumstance, it happens during a time when Wally needs help and advice from someone like his grandfather. While visiting his grandfather at his house, Wally realizes that what he needs most is someone to talk to about Iris’s death. Another coincidence arises when he is going through Iris’s old things, and at the exact moment he thinks about finding a scrapbook of his adventures alongside Barry’s adventures, he comes across one in a box. These two things put together are a recipe for a coincidence that is needed by Wally to aid him on his journey.
All these coincidences fill Wally’s life, helping him along to become the best hero he can be. It’s unclear how or why they keep happening, but one theory could very well be linked to Constantine’s idea of a Synchronicity Freeway – an ability that allows him to be wherever he’s needed at the right time. Much like Constantine’s use of the power, Wally West could unknowingly be riding the same wave as things fall into place for him. The Flash has many events in his life led by coincidence, but it always boils down to being in the right place at the right time. The universe itself could be leading Wally with a bigger purpose in mind. Maybe he has more in common with John Constantine than he ever could have thought.
Wally West had much to prove after taking up Barry Allen’s role of the Flash, but he was able to win over the hearts of readers. Many fans know him as the fun-loving family guy and the fastest in their speedster family. But this potential, hidden magic power could be the key to exploring more of Wally West’s full potential as the Flash.