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Flashpoint was a crossover event that eventually lead up to the rebooting of the entire DC Universe and the introduction of the controversial New 52 era in September, 2011.
DC Comics took the unprecedented decision to consolidate and relaunch all their comic lines, discontinuing some series while introducing new ones, resulting in 52 titles each all starting at #1. This consolidation included the incorporation of both the Wildstorm Productions and the reincorporation of certain Vertigo properties into the mainstream DC Universe. The event took its name from the company’s thematic associations with the number 52, which began with the publication of the weekly series 52, in which it was revealed that a Multiverse of 52 parallel realities existed within the DC Universe.
This story line features an alternate, more evil version of Diana.
Synopsis
As the final battle rages, Professor Zoom looms over the Flash. Enraged, Barry demands to known what he had done to the time stream to create this world. However, to Barry’s surprise, Zoom had done nothing. Using his connection to the Reverse Speed Force, Zoom reveals that it was Barry who had created this universe, stopping Zoom from killing his mother. Doing so had shattered history, causing the world of Flashpoint to occur.
Barry breaks free from Zoom’s grasp and the two begin their fight before Batman stops them. He figures they need to “remove Thawne from the equation”, but the madman beats Batman to a pulp, declaring that it was backwards, that Barry had done that to his own equation. He, then, reveals to Barry that because of his alteration to the Speed Force while he was travelling it, he became a living paradox, free from history and free to do whatever he sees fit. As he gloats that Barry can’t kill him, he’s shown a loophole when Batman skewers him with a sword.
As the other heroes regroup, they learn that the Enchantress is working with Wonder Woman and is plowing through the Atlantean soldiers. They’re soon joined by Grifter and the Resistance, however the Enchantress slays the gathering before mortally wounding Batman. Her rampage is stopped by the arrival of Subject One, who lands and disperses her energies before focusing on Aquaman and Wonder Woman. Despite his arrival, along with Grodd, things got worse – the Atlanteans had plans for sinking Britain was going to end up splitting the Earth in half. The resulting explosions kill most everyone there, save Barry and the dying Thomas. Before passing on, Thomas gives Barry a letter to give to Bruce. With one last nudge, Barry races into the time stream, only to be pulled back to his home where his mother waits.
In his home, Barry reveals that it was his fault that this world came to be and that he can’t accurately fix things without the Cosmic Treadmill. She tells him that if he got to her by using her as some sort of lightning rod, he could do the same to his other self. Barry becomes hesitant, not wanting to lose her again, but she asks a question that gets him to change his mind: how many people had died because of this? She finally gets him to just let go of her and he chases after his past self. He is able to catch up to him and, reluctantly, stops him and attempts to hop back into the time stream. However, he sees three timelines in doing so – normal DCU, Vertigo and Wildstorm – and is confronted by a mysterious woman, who reveals that the three universes were splintered into three to allow an invasion to arrive. However, she needs the three unified and uses Barry to do so, costing him something valuable.
Soon, Barry wakes up in his office, realising everything was fixed. He, soon, races to the Batcave to confront Bruce. There, he reveals what had happened, feeling bad that he allowed it to occur. Bruce reassures him slightly by saying he would have done the same thing. Barry, then, realises he still has fond memories of being with his mother. Bruce, wistfully, suggests it was a gift of sorts to make things feel better for him. In return, Barry gives Bruce the letter Thomas gave him. In shock, Bruce reads it and finds himself reading it intently, bringing himself to tears before thanking him for doing so.
