10 Iconic Comic Book Moments Erased By Stupid Retcons

5. Barry Allen Sacrifices Himself

In the early days of DC Comics, little attention was paid to consistent continuity. In an effort to try to make sense of the variety of stories and characters, DC created the concept of the infinite earths. On one planet, Superman and Batman served in WW2 alongside the Justice Society and had aged. On another, younger versions of the characters worked with newer versions of the Flash and Green Lantern. Another world had the Justice League as villains and Lex Luthor as the sole hero. Then in the 80s, DC opted to streamline this even more with Crisis on Infinite Earths, a crossover designed to relaunch the DC Universe. During this event, Barry Allen, the Silver Age Flash, created a speed vortex in order to draw in the power of the Anti-Monitor€™s anti-matter cannon and save the world. Even knowing that this would result in his death, Barry heroically gave his life anyway. It proved to be a landmark moment in not only the DCU, but also in the life of Barry€™s nephew and sidekick, Wally West, who took up the mantle of the Flash as well. In the pages of Final Crisis, Barry returned to life. It was revealed that he never actually died, but instead was lost in the Speed Force (where DC speedsters draw their power from). Barry€™s return has been a bit controversial€”many fans had come to accept Wally as their Flash, while others have enjoyed the return of Barry.